College Advising

College Advising

Thales Academy is a college preparatory school. Throughout their fourteen years at Thales, students are prepared for the rigors and expectations of post-secondary academics. In the high school years, college preparation takes a prominent role, becoming more intensive as students advance toward graduation. Throughout high school, students work one-on-one with our college advisors to form a vision for their future and determine which path will help them best achieve it.

Our primary goal at Thales Academy is to assist every student in succeeding and fulfilling their greatest potential. The Thales Academy college advising program walks with students from the beginning stages of goal setting in the 9th grade through acceptance and enrollment into the college that best fits their individual needs.

Freshman Year:

  • Students write a paper about the college and career they are interested in pursuing. This writing piece is included in the academic requirements of the research and writing course of the Trivium sequence.
  • Thales Academy college advisors meet with the class to discuss what steps will be required to reach their goals.

Sophomore Year:

  • Students participate in a SAT/ACT preparation course. This class time is also used to allow students to meet with teachers and our college advisor for assistance in college preparation.
  • Students complete the YouScience assessment. The YouScience test is provided free of charge and measures where a student’s natural abilities and innate interests intersect in order to select and plan for a fulfilling career.

Junior Year:

  • Students participate in a SAT/ACT and college preparation flex period to formally begin the college application process.
  • Students prepare for and take the SAT/ACT.
  • Students create a resume and discuss scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
  • Students work with college advisors one-on-one to develop a personalized list of target schools.

Senior Year:

  • Students work closely with college advisors to finalize the application timeline, write and revise essays, request recommendation letters, and submit college applications.
  • Students work with college advisors if desired to gain assistance in submitting scholarships and financial aid (FAFSA) paperwork.
  • Students negotiate with schools as needed and ultimately enroll in the college or university of their choice.

Thales Academy graduated its first class in 2016. Students have gained acceptance to the following colleges and universities:

  • Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
  • Alleghany College
  • Appalachian State University
  • Averett University
  • Berry College
  • Barton College
  • Brevard College
  • Butler University
  • Campbell University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Cedarville University
  • The Citadel
  • Clemson University
  • Davidson College
  • East Carolina University
  • Elon University
  • Fordham University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Guilford College
  • Hampden-Sydney College
  • High Point University
  • Jacksonville University
  • James Madison University
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • Liberty University
  • Long Island University
  • Longwood University
  • Louisiana State University
  • Marymount Manhattan College
  • Meredith College
  • Methodist University
  • North Carolina State University
  • Norwich Military Academy
  • Old Dominion University
  • Penn State Behrend
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Queens University of Charlotte
  • Radford University
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • Ringling College of Art and Design
  • Roanoke College
  • Rocky Mountain College
  • Savannah College of Art and Design
  • St. Andrew’s College
  • St. John’s University
  • Temple University
  • Tulane University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of Arizona
  • University of Colorado
  • University of Georgia
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Kansas
  • University of North Carolina at Asheville
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of South Carolina
  • University of Tennessee
  • University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • University of Virginia
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
  • Western Carolina University
  • William Peace University
  • Wingate University

Meet our College Advisors

Brooke Hulsizer

Brooke Hulsizer

College Advisor
Thales Academy Apex JH/HS
View Bio
Courtney Van Kleeck

Courtney Van Kleeck

College Advisor
Thales Academy Rolesville JH/HS
View Bio
Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.
- Benjamin Franklin

Brooke Hulsizer transitioned to the role of College Advisor after gaining years of experience mentoring students who were actively pursuing college degrees. She enjoys face-to-face interactions with students, helping them work toward graduation and achieving their career goals. Mrs. Hulsizer also teaches SAT Preparation and Marketing courses at Thales Academy.

Mrs. Hulsizer earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Frostburg State University. Mrs. Hulsizer serves as College Advisor and teaches SAT Preparation and Marketing.

Courtney Van Kleeck was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts and moved to North Carolina when she was five years old. Ms. Van Kleeck played a vital role in assisting Thales Academy’s first graduating class during their college admissions process, helping them to gain acceptance to a number of prestigious institutions. This year, she is formally stepping into the role of College Advisor, working with all high school students from freshman year to senior year to assist them in preparing for, applying to, and gaining acceptance to colleges and universities. Ms. Van Kleeck is honored to serve at Thales Academy and she plans to continue to develop Thales’ college advising program into a program of excellence.

Ms. Van Kleeck obtained a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Music from North Carolina State University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. Ms. Van Kleeck is Thales Academy’s College Advisor.