Westford Academy Guidance Department Presents

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Guidance Department

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Counselor Assignments Class of 2015

Adams – Cardarelli Casey - Downey Dudley - Heiman Hiremath – Livorsi Locker - Neuhardt Noble – Ryan Sacco – Vavruska Valasco - Zhru Larry Guidetti Karen Halloran Susan Lynch Barbara Kutner Jill Karatkewicz Tracy McLaughlin Heidi Hider

Department

Wendy Pechacek

Westford Academy Guidance

Collaboration

Student Parent Westford Academy Guidance Department Guidance Counselor

a scene from MODERN FAMILY

Phil takes Haley to his alma mater Phil takes Haley to his alma mater Westford Academy Guidance Department

Program of Studies

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Time Management Activity Westford Academy Guidance Department

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Westford Academy Guidance Department

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February

Junior Year Timeline

April

 2/7 deadline to register for SAT on March 8 @ WA - now closed 2/11 Jr. Parent Night 2/13 deadline to secure Jr. Job Shadow  April vaca – visit colleges

May

 2/14 deadline for Course Requests 2/14 deadline to register for AP Exams After Feb vaca - Individual Student/Parent Meetings with your counselor begin  5/5 AP exams begin  5/13 Junior Job Shadow Day

Summer

 Essays, college visits & lists, etc.

March

Continue College Meetings Westford Academy Guidance Department

Post-Secondary Options

Military Internship Programs Four Year College/ University Two year Community College 5 th year programs Technical/ Vocational programs Alternative Programs Gap Year Employment Westford Academy Guidance Department

Finding the BEST FIT College

The college search is not about getting into the best college. We don't believe in a best college. There is no school that is best for ALL students.

• Size • Location • Programs • Majors available • Academic supports • Cost & Financial aid • Extracurricular Activities • Student life • Athletics *Princeton Review, http://www.princetonreview.com/college/find-your-best-fit.aspx

Westford Academy Guidance Department

What Colleges Want to See

 Challenging HS curriculum  Grades with strong effort or upward trend  SAT/ACT Scores – required for most colleges  SAT/ACT scores that match your academic record  Well-written essay  Dedication to extra-curricular activities - passionate  Strong recommendation letters  Well prepared interview - if applicable Westford Academy Guidance Department

WA Transcript Westford Academy Guidance Department

WA Histogram

Westford Academy Guidance Department

SAT vs. ACT

SAT  Subjects  Math   Critical Reading Writing  March 8, May 3, June 7  Register at www.collegeboard.org

ACT  Subjects   English Math   Reading Science Reasoning  Writing Section recommended)  April 14, June 14  Register at www.actstudent.org

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Naviance

 User ID and Password   Each student Each parent/guardian  Friday weekly emails  Very important information from the Guidance Department Westford Academy Guidance Department

College Search

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Westford Academy Guidance Department

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Safety

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Realistic

Now… Let’s start

THE LIST

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Reach

Westford Academy Guidance Department

Application Options

 Early Decision  Early Action  Regular Decision  Rolling Admission Westford Academy Guidance Department

Averages for Accepted WA Students

UMASS at Amherst Westfield State University   Average GPA 3.52

Average SAT 1327 (out of 1600 – Math & Reading)   Average GPA 3.0

Average SAT 1076 (out of 1600 – Math & Reading) Westford Academy Guidance Department

Mass Transfer

• Enroll in a linked degree program at Middlesex Community College • Upon completion of Associates Degree: • No application fee • No application essay • General Education Requirements satisfied • Eligible for Full transfer of credit to a UMASS campus or MA state school • Guaranteed admission with an incoming 2.5 GPA • Tuition discount based on final GPA • http://www.mass.edu/masstransfer/ Westford Academy Guidance Department

Student To Do List

BEFORE we process course selections, students must: • Submit the on-line course recommendation in iStudent by 2/14 • Submit the Junior Job Shadow Agreement Form in Naviance by 2/13 • Register for AP Exams by 2/14, if applicable BEFORE we schedule your Junior/Parent Meeting, students must: • Submit the Junior Year Profile Survey in Naviance • Submit the Personality Survey (Do What You Are) in Naviance • Submit the Cluster Finder Survey in Naviance • Complete at least one College Search in Naviance and SAVE it • Begin adding colleges to “Colleges I’m thinking about” in Naviance Westford Academy Guidance Department

Naviance

Westford Academy Guidance Department

“College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.”

ENJOY the process!