You constantly tell your students to make the most of their summer and now it’s time for you to do the same. Summer vacation can be work and play as you work towards your personal goals for professional development. With many conferences geared towards high school educators, there are ample opportunities this summer to learn new skills, gain different perspectives and network with colleagues. Use this list of upcoming conferences as a starting point and make the most of your summer!

American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Conference

June 28–July 1, 2009
Dallas, TX

Registration Costs:

$375 for ASCA Members
$550 for Non-Members
$175 for 1-day pass

ASCA's 2009 annual conference, "Making a Difference," will be held June 28–July 1, 2009, at the Dallas Convention Center. The conference will bring together approximately 2,000 pre-kindergarten to post-secondary professional school counselors, counselor educators, supervisors and graduate students. Conference sessions allow attendees to take away solid, practical ideas they can put to work right away, make valuable contacts in the school counseling field and discover the latest techniques in school counseling.

For more information: http://www.schoolcounselor.org

Pennsylvania Association of College Admissions Counselors (PACAC) Summer Institute

July 12-15, 2009
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Registration Costs:

Covers lodging, meals (Sunday dinner-Wednesday breakfast), conference materials

                                                       PACAC Member                Non-Member

College / University                             $450                                   $475

Secondary School Counselor                 $325                                   $350

Single Room Charge                             $75                                    $75

The Summer Institute is a hands-on, intensive 4-day workshop for new admission and secondary school counselor professionals. It provides participants with a full and complete understanding of the increasingly complex college admissions process through a dynamic learning experience. Participants gain insight into current issues in college counseling, admission and financial aid, share information, make new friends, and network among a diverse group of colleagues.

Sponsored by the PACAC Professional Development Committee, the PACAC Summer Institute is designed to involve colleagues in an intensive examination of the college counseling and college choice processes.

Institute Topics Include:
Higher Education Policies and Procedures
Counseling the College Bound Student
Current Hot Spots in Admissions
Diversity Issues in Admissions
Technology in Admissions
Ethics and Professionalism
Financial Aid/Financing
Post-Secondary Education
Marketing and Student Recruitment
Standardized Testing Issues

For more information: http://www.pacac.org/conferences/summer.shtml

National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) National Conference

September 24-26, 2009
Baltimore, MD

Registration Costs:

A complete list of registration costs can be found here.

NACAC’s 65th National Conference offers a multitude of networking opportunities and educational seminars for up-to-date information on college admissions. With an exhibit hall, a workshop for first-time conference attendees, a welcome reception, college preview day, special interest groups and social events, this conference is one of the best attended counselor conferences. Conference educational sessions include:

The Press and College Admission
Examine how the media work, and learn techniques for pitching story suggestions.

Demystifying Accreditation in the US and Abroad
Explore the intricacies of the accreditation process and learn to distinguish among diploma and accreditation mills.

The Hidden Essay
Learn how highly selective colleges and universities use the supplemental essay and discuss applicant responses and student expectations.

Social Networking and the College Decision Process
Review the pros and cons of public and private social networking, the impact on the college admission decision and how institutions communicate with the prospective applicant pool.

Taking Your Own Advice: Lessons Learned as a Parent in the College Admissions Process
Share personal experiences of professionals transitioning their children through the college admission process and how the process altered or confirmed their perspectives on college counseling.

For more information: http://www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/NC09/Pages/default.aspx