A Special Christmas Poem for Counselors
In the spirit of the holidays, here is a poem about the big application push for high school seniors- and about the significant role counselors have during this time. Enjoy!
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Students wrote applications, with keyboard and mouse,
The essays were done, saved as Word docs with care,
In hopes that high test scores would soon come to bear;
The seniors then nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of acceptance letter danced in their heads
Their parents poured over the financial aid map,
Until they settled, too, for a long winter’s nap
When from the high school there arose such a clatter,
All the families in town wondered what was the matter;
Away to the windows the kids flew like a flash,
Grabbing jackets and iPhones from where they were stashed;
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
Help and good news from their counselors was here;
“SAT scores are one thing and grades are another,
But schools also judge service and helping one’s brother;
They look for commitment and leadership roles,
And good recommendations can fill in the holes.”
The students were comforted by their counselors’ advice,
And back to their beds they scampered like mice;
But more noise rang out from the streets down below,
When their friends home from college appeared in the snow;
They were dressed in school colors, from their heads to their toes,
Eager to talk of the colleges they chose;
Their message to the kids who were still in 12th grade,
Was “Next fall YOU’LL be glad of the choice that you made!”
Just listen to your counselor and finish up strong;
Once you meet all the deadlines, it won’t be that long;
Then family, friends and teachers will all give a cheer,
The RIGHT letter of acceptance will finally be here;
So to all college counselors, from schools large and small,
Who encourage and guide anxious students each fall;
Your work shapes kids’ futures in so many ways,
We thank you and wish you Happy Holidays!
Kathie Boozer is the founder and president of Explore Colleges, a premier college group tour operator. Explore Colleges’ customized tours help students experience the unique cultures, environments, and opportunities on each campus and inspire them to follow their dreams. Contact Kathie at kboozer@explorecolleges.org
