Searching and Applying

Colleges of Distinction This is a good place to start a college search.  It allows for searches among colleges that many Thornton students may find appealing and has many other useful links and articles as well.

MCPS College and Career Site This is the Montgomery County Public Schools page, which has a wealth of  up-to-date information, including the links below and many others.

The Common Application Go here to learn about or begin filling out the common application, which allows you to apply to any of 315 colleges using one application form.

 

  • Testing

The College Board  Go here for information about the PSAT and SAT, including registration and preparation. Click here for services for students with disabilities.

ACT Go here for information about the ACT, including registration and     preparation. Click here for services for students with disabilities.

 

  • Financial Aid

Federal Aid (FAFSA) Go here in order to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Applying for financial aid at any college begins with this form.

Scholarship Possibilities Go here for a Resource Guide prepared as a public service by Congresswoman Roybal-Allard .

 

 

 

 

 

 

link to school calendar

graduates in gowns

 

Overview of Thornton's
College Guidance Philosophy

We believe that the process of searching for and applying to college can be a very powerful, transformative experience for a high school senior. For a student who has taken the lead and directed the process, admission to college represents a major personal achievement—perhaps the first truly independent step they have taken to determine the direction of their lives. It helps them graduate feeling proud and confident. For this reason, Thornton approaches the process seeking to be advocates and partners in the process but not directors of it. For example, we do not generate lists of schools for students, but discuss with each student what pedagogical styles and environments will most likely yield success. We then help them learn to use the resources available to find schools that match their preferences. Although the dean is the primary contact for this process, everyone on the faculty takes an interest in a student’s post-graduation plans and is willing to provide thoughts and guidance about the process or the schools that students have come across in their searches.

Many of our students come to us believing that they have to attend a specific college on be on a predetermined timeline. For those students who know themselves well, their instincts may be correct. In all cases, though, we hope that families and students will orient themselves around the goal of finding what is best for them overall at this particular time in their lives. Toward this end, we encourage families to consider additional options that might be equally good or even better fits for their children: colleges that they may be unfamiliar with, unique programs within colleges that they may have overlooked, or a “gap year” or other interim plan that allows the student to develop in ways that will enable them to take better advantage of college a year later. Whatever the decision, we believe that a student’s next step after high school should result in the parents, the student and the school all feeling that the plan sets the student up for success and creates a feeling of excitement for the future.

To your left is a brief, annotated list of links you may find useful.