Academics

College Counseling

College Counseling Overview

The college counseling process at Gould is a four-year partnership built on individual attention. Through superb knowledge and support, our counselors guide each student through the process while working in tandem with family and faculty. Our goal? To pair each student with a college or university that best fits individual talents, passions, and goals.

From ninth grade on, counselors work side by side with students in a growing relationship that follows a thorough timetable:

  • Ninth grade: Connect with students to review curriculum and extracurricular planning.
  • Tenth grade: Discover strengths and interests relating to academics, extracurricular activities, and potential career options.
  • Eleventh grade: Begin the college search process in earnest.
  • Twelfth grade: Complete the college application and selection process.

Throughout the year the college counselors teach seminars on preparing for tests, interviewing, writing college essays, and making college visits. Gould also holds parent meetings during each of the three Parent and Family Weekends, with an entire program devoted to the college search scheduled for the spring Parent and Family Weekend. Parents are invited to schedule individual conferences with members of the college counseling team. Counselors are in close contact with college admissions offices throughout the application process to ensure that Gould students receive every consideration.
“The College Counseling staff at Gould went over and above to help our son develop a personalized list of schools that reflected both his academic interests and his love of the outdoors. They gave him close support at every step of the application process. He is so proud of the results and has a range of excellent, well-matched colleges to choose from. Our son has had exposure to ideas, courses, and experiences that set him apart from his peers.  A Gould education offers a perfect mix of exploration, rigor, and flexibility. Gould has been a place where our son has been able to explore his interests and grow into a confident, independent and thriving young man!”
—2019 Parent

List of 6 items.

Spring Parent and Family Weekend Events

Each year during the Spring Family Weekend, College Counseling designs and College Admissions program for Gould’s tenth- and eleventh-grade students and their families. Full of insider tips for managing the college admissions process, the program brings top admissions professionals to Gould for some compelling face time with our families.

Career Conversations

The Tenth Grade Career Conversations Program helps Gould students to begin thinking about how their interests might translate into a career. Through Career Conversations, students meet with Gould alumni/ae and other professionals who talk about their careers and the paths that led to them. While mandatory for tenth graders, all students are encouraged to attend Career Conversations.

Online College Planning

We are pleased to announce that Gould is introducing a new college planning system called SCOIR (pronounced “score”). We have chosen it to help you navigate the college selection process because it is a strong, simple, visual tool for discovering colleges that match your personal as well as academic interests. Parents also have access to SCOIR to assist students in college selection and to gain more insight about your cost of attendance at different colleges. We are excited to be able to provide SCOIR to our students and families, and we feel confident that you will find it helpful and easy to use.

You can watch the short videos below to help you become familiar with SCOIR:

If you have any questions, please come see us in the College Counseling office. We’re happy to help.

Logging in:
If you are a current parent, you can log in to SCOIR here.
Parents still using Naviance, can access their account here.

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Dan Pfistner

    "Dan" Pfistner 

    Co-Director College Counseling
  • Photo of Maggie Davis

    "Maggie" Davis 

    Co-Director College Counseling, Spiritual Life Coordinator
    207-824-7742

Browse Our Course Catalog

Gould is very proud of our Academic program.  Here are many of our departments or you may browse the actual course catalog
College Counseling Calendar Link
39 Church Street P.O. Box 860 Bethel, Maine 04217  |  Phone: 207-824-7700
Gould is a small, co-ed, independent boarding school for grades 8-PG.  We are passionate about preparing academically motivated students for college, helping them to become independent-minded, ethical citizens who will lead lives of purpose, action, excellence, and compassion in a dynamic world.