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Westford Academy Guidance Department Presents Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 2 Guidance Department Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 3 Counselor Assignments Class of 2015 Adams CardarelliLarry Guidetti Casey - DowneyKaren Halloran Dudley - HeimanSusan Lynch Hiremath LivorsiBarbara Kutner Locker - NeuhardtJill Karatkewicz Noble RyanTracy McLaughlin Sacco VavruskaHeidi Hider Valasco - Zhru Wendy Pechacek Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 4 Collaboration Student Guidance Counselor Parent Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 5 a scene from MODERN FAMILY Phil takes Haley to his alma mater Westford Academy Guidance Department Phil takes Haley to his alma mater Slide 6 Program of Studies Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 7 Time Management Activity Slide 8 Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 9 Slide 10 Junior Year Timeline February 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 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 March Continue College Meetings April 4/4 deadline to register for SAT on May 3 @ area high schools April vaca visit colleges May 5/9 deadline to register for SAT on June 7 @ area high schools 5/5 AP exams begin 5/13 Junior Job Shadow Day Summer Essays, college visits & lists, etc. Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 11 Post-Secondary Options Four Year College/ University Two year Community College 5 th year programs EmploymentGap Year Alternative Programs Technical/ Vocational programs Military Internship Programs Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 12 Finding the BEST FIT College Westford Academy Guidance Department 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 Slide 13 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 Slide 14 WA Transcript Slide 15 WA Histogram Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 16 SAT vs. ACT SAT Subjects Math Critical Reading Writing March 8, May 3, June 7 Register at www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org ACT Subjects English Math Reading Science Reasoning Writing Section recommended) April 14, June 14 Register at www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 17 Naviance User ID and Password Each student Each parent/guardian Friday weekly emails Very important information from the Guidance Department Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 18 College Search Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 19 Slide 20 Slide 21 Slide 22 Slide 23 Slide 24 Slide 25 Now Lets start THE LIST Safety Realistic Reach Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 26 Application Options Early Decision Early Action Regular Decision Rolling Admission Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 27 Averages for Accepted WA Students UMASS at Amherst Average GPA 3.52 Average SAT 1327 (out of 1600 Math & Reading) Westfield State University Average GPA 3.0 Average SAT 1076 (out of 1600 Math & Reading) Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 28 Mass Transfer Westford Academy Guidance Department 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/ Slide 29 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 Im thinking about in Naviance Slide 30 Naviance Westford Academy Guidance Department Slide 31 College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. ENJOY the process!