Helping Legacy students prepare for college—and beyond
At Legacy Online School, we recognize that comprehensive support is crucial for student success in an online environment. Our University Selection Strategy program is a holistic college counseling service that guides each high school student from freshman year through graduation. We provide clear, personalized, and concise guidance to make the college selection and application process more straightforward and stress-free.
Personalized Guidance from Day One
Every full-time Legacy student has access to an experienced college counselor from day one of high school. Our expert counselors get to know each student and assist with:
- Academic goal-setting
- Course planning
- Personal development
- Career exploration
- College planning
We also create a multi-year Personalized Learning Plan for each student, aligning their coursework and activities with their post-graduation goals. Counselors also meet one-on-one with students (and parents) regularly to check progress upon request, adjust plans, and ensure students stay on track toward college readiness.
Academic Planning
We help map out all four years of high school, ensuring students meet and exceed college admission requirements. Counselors tailor each student’s course plan to their goals, including exploring Honors, AP, or Dual Enrollment opportunities to strengthen their transcript. They advise on core requirements (such as lab sciences, foreign language credits, etc.) so that students are fully qualified for university admissions. Whether a student aims for a state university, a selective private college, or NCAA athletics, our counselors make sure their academic plan satisfies all necessary criteria.
Career & Interest Exploration
Starting early in high school, we encourage students to discover their interests and talents as a foundation for college planning. Through interest assessments and guidance conversations, students can identify potential career paths and college majors that excite them. We even utilize modern tools (such as personality and career aptitude assessments) to help students connect their strengths and passions with suitable college programs. This ensures that when the time comes to choose a university, they are focusing on schools that fit their personality and long-term goals.
Finding the Best-Fit College
Our philosophy is that the “best” college is the one that best aligns with a student’s individual personality and aspirations. Legacy counselors work closely with students to research and identify colleges that offer the right environment, academic programs, and opportunities for them. We guide students in building a balanced college list that includes a range of schools – from “reach” schools to “safety” schools – all of which are a strong fit for the student. By junior year, each student will have a personalized list of target universities tailored to their interests and academic profile.
Our counselors also bring expert knowledge of the college landscape. They advise on nuances like public vs. private colleges, large universities vs. small liberal arts colleges, and special programs. For example, we provide guidance on University of California admissions and NCAA eligibility for student-athletes, ensuring students understand specific requirements and processes. Throughout this exploration, the student remains in the driver’s seat – our role is to provide information, ask the right questions, and empower them to make confident decisions about where to apply.
Comprehensive College Application Support
By the time students reach junior and senior year, our College Counseling Office becomes their main point of support for the college application process. We leave nothing to chance – assisting with everything from application strategy to final submission. Here’s how we support Legacy students through applications:
Application Strategy & Timeline
In one-on-one sessions, counselors help students develop an application game plan. This includes selecting appropriate application deadlines (early vs. regular decision), keeping track of requirements, and crafting a balanced list of colleges to apply to. We make sure students know what needs to be done and when, so no deadlines or details are missed.
Essay Review & Feedback
Our counselors provide personalized feedback on college application essays and personal statements. We help students brainstorm topics, polish their writing, and highlight their unique strengths and experiences. The goal is to ensure each essay is authentic and makes the student stand out in admissions.
Recommendations & School Documents
Legacy’s counseling team handles the submission of official school documents for applications. We compile transcripts and craft individualized recommendation letters that speak to each student’s achievements and character. All necessary school forms and counselor recommendations are sent directly to colleges by our office, relieving students of that administrative burden.
Application Assistance
From filling out applications to answering application questions, we guide students every step of the way. We double-check that students have completed all parts of their applications correctly and coach them on requesting teacher recommendations, sending test scores if needed, and preparing for interviews when offered.
Not only do we support the mechanics of applying, but we also advocate for our students. We make sure admissions officers understand Legacy Online School’s rigorous curriculum and the context of our students’ accomplishments. By educating colleges about our program and students, we help level the playing field and ensure that a Legacy graduate’s application is given full consideration.
College Prep Workshops & Resources
Legacy Online School offers a comprehensive college prep program that blends one-on-one counseling with interactive workshops, webinars, and on-demand resources.
Live Webinars & Seminars
Open to all high school students and parents, covering topics like choosing the right college, SAT/ACT prep, writing standout essays, and understanding financial aid.
On-Demand Tools
24/7 access to grade-specific checklists, guides, videos, and FAQs to support students at every stage of the college journey.
Virtual Events with Colleges
Students can attend info sessions and college fairs with admissions officers—great opportunities to ask questions and show demonstrated interest.
Application Bootcamps & Workshops
Focused, multi-day sessions offering application guidance, essay feedback, and mock admissions exercises to help students build strong, competitive profiles.
Dual Enrollment and College Credit Opportunities
Legacy Online School encourages students to take advantage of advanced coursework that can earn college credit or otherwise bolster their college preparation. Academically strong students may enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) courses or even take dual enrollment classes at local colleges, earning college credits while still in high school. (Many K12-powered schools emphasize dual credit programs as a way for students to get a head start on college and we wholeheartedly agree with this approach.) By challenging themselves with college-level material, Legacy students not only strengthen their university applications but might also enter college with credits in hand – potentially saving time and tuition in their higher education journey.
Our counselors work with students to identify which AP or dual enrollment courses align with their intended college majors and interests. We ensure students balance their course load so they can excel; after all, success in these rigorous courses is key. For those who prefer, we also offer honors courses and other enrichment opportunities to deepen learning. The bottom line is that Legacy provides flexible academic pathways for ambitious students to pursue college-level academics early, with the guidance of counselors to make sure these choices fit the student’s overall strategy.
Financial Aid & Scholarship Guidance
- Emphasis on Financial Aid Literacy: Our counseling program prioritizes helping families understand the financial side of college planning.
- Guidance on Financial Aid Forms: We walk families through essential documents like the FAFSA and explain loans, grants, and work-study options.
- Scholarship Search Support: Counselors regularly share resources for finding scholarships—from local community awards to national merit-based opportunities—and encourage students to apply based on eligibility.
- Informational Sessions on Cost Reduction: We host sessions covering strategies such as;
- Pursuing merit-based scholarships
- Qualifying for need-based aid
- Comparing and evaluating financial aid offers
- Strategic Focus: Our approach aims to reduce reliance on student loans by helping families make informed, cost-effective college decisions.
- Empowerment Through Clarity: By demystifying the financial process, we empower students and families to choose colleges that fit both academically and financially.
College Acceptances & Success Stories
Legacy Online School is proud of our students’ success after graduation. Our graduates have been accepted to hundreds of different colleges and universities across the United States and abroad – ranging from small private liberal arts colleges to large public research universities. Many have gained admission to top-tier institutions, as well as honors programs at state flagship schools. Each year brings a new list of impressive college acceptances, reflecting the hard work of our students and the comprehensive support we provide in guiding them.
Just as other leading online schools have seen their students accepted to over 500 different colleges worldwide, Legacy’s alumni are attending a diverse array of institutions. We celebrate every path: while the majority of our students pursue four-year colleges, some choose to start at community colleges, take a gap year, join the military, or jump straight into promising careers – and we support those decisions as well. Our university selection strategy is not about pushing every student to the same definition of success, but about empowering each student to achieve their definition of success.
Our University Selection Strategy equips students with the personalized guidance, knowledge, and confidence they need to navigate the journey from high school to higher education. By combining one-on-one counseling, strategic academic planning, college admissions expertise, and robust resources, we ensure that every Legacy student can find and secure their best-fit college opportunity. With our support, students emerge not only college-ready but also future-ready, prepared to thrive in whatever path they choose after high school.
