A Look Into Our College Counseling Department

January 1st, 2023

One of our main focuses at Pacifica is preparing students for life beyond high school, and for many, that means choosing where to attend college. Our college counseling department helps students start thinking about college early so that they are equipped to make this decision with confidence when the time comes.

College Counseling at Pacifica
Not only do we challenge students to think critically and wisely about which college will suit them best but we aim to make sure they are competitive in this process as well. College counselors guide students throughout their time at Pacifica to ensure they are taking as rigorous a course load as they can to set them up for success when application time arrives. This process will look different for every student, depending on their strengths and areas of interest; however, we work with all Pacificans to prepare them for their goals post-high school. Mock SAT exams and info sessions on standardized testing are woven throughout the school year so that students feel well informed and prepared for these areas of college applications as well.

Parents are invited to come alongside their students in the college search and application process as sources of encouragement, guidance, and support. Our college counseling department hosts Parent Nights for parents of all grade levels throughout the school year as well as a Financial Aid Night for parents of seniors in order to best equip Pacifica parents with the tools to help their students succeed.

Our Counselors
Pacifica’s college counselors are Dane Fragger and Kelly Kurtenbach, both new additions to the Pacifica counseling team this school year! They both serve as resources and advocates for students during the search and application process.

All Pacifica students will meet with one of our counselors in the spring of their junior year to begin the discussion of their personal expectations and preliminary goals for application season. Students will meet again with their counselor at the beginning of their senior year and a third time for their “final list meeting”; however, students are able to schedule additional meetings if they desire more information and guidance as they determine where and how to apply. This is an exciting yet also stressful time for many students, and our counselors are there every step of the way to instill confidence, provide assistance, and cheer students on as they apply to college.

College Trips
In addition to hosting parent information sessions, organizing college presentations, and meeting with students, our counselors also take groups of sophomores and juniors on several trips during the school year to tour various colleges in California.

This begins the thought process about college early on and gives students access to touring state schools of interest. Students will have the opportunity to tour campuses, ask their admissions representative specific questions about the school or application process, and get a feel for the environment of a college to determine whether to apply. Below are the college trips we have gone on in the past and will be taking this year:

Santa Barbara Day Trip (UCSB and Westmont)
Orange County Day Trip (UC Irvine)
San Diego Day Trip (UCSD)
USC
UCLA

Where Have Pacifica Students Gone in Years Past?
We are proud to have Pacifica alumni attending universities all over the country and even some internationally. Pacificans find themselves matriculating to every sort of college—large or small, private or public, national universities or liberal arts colleges. Around 50% of the class of 2022 is currently attending college out of state. Students are encouraged to search far and wide for the school that is perfect for them. You can find a full list of where Pacifica students have matriculated to here, while below you will find a brief list of where some of our 2022 graduates are currently studying: