College Counseling

Wilbraham & Monson Academy is very proud of the college admission success of the members of the Class of 2012.

They have been accepted to the following:

• Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge)
• Anna Maria College
• Art Center College of Design
• Babson College
• Bates College
• Bentley University (2)
• Boston College
• Boston University (4)
• Brandeis University
• Brock University (Canada)
• Bryant University
• Clark University (2)
• Colgate University
• College of the Holy Cross
• College of William and Mary
• Columbia University
• Connecticut College
• Duke University
• Emory University
• Fairfield University
• Fashion Institute of Technology
• Fordham University
• Franklin Pierce University
• George Mason University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• High Point University
• Hobart and William Smith Colleges
• Ithaca College (3)
• Kenyon College
• Lasell College
• Lehigh University
• Manhattanville College
• Marymount College
• Merrimack College (2)
• Mount Holyoke College (2)
• New York University (2)
• Nichols College (2)
• Northeastern University (3)
• Oberlin College
• Pace University, Pleasantville Campus
• Pennsylvania State University, University Park
• Pratt Institute
• Ringling College of Art and Design
• Roger Williams University
• Rollins College (2)
• Saint Anselm College
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• School of the Museum of Fine Arts
• Springfield College
• St. Bonaventure University
• Suffolk University (4)
• Syracuse University
• The George Washington University
• The University of Texas, Austin
• Towson University
• Union College
• University of California at Davis (2)
• University of California at Irvine
• University of California at Los Angeles
• University of California at San Diego (3)
• University of California at Santa Barbara
• University of Chicago
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
• University of New England
• University of New Haven
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Rhode Island (2)
• University of Rochester
• Wagner College
• Wake Forest University
• Wesleyan University
• Western New England University
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2)

 

 

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Link to College Counseling Policies & Procedures

Senior Questionnaire

Junior Questionnaire Read more

Beginning Sunday, January 13, the College Counseling Office will offer an SAT prep program through Summit Education SAT Prep. The course includes four practice tests and twenty hours of class instruction. Registration information and instructions are provided below:

Open invitation to all WMA juniors to take a free PSAT December 4 - Letter from Dean of Curriculum Meg Lenihan Hutcheson notifying parents of a FREE PSAT available to juniors whether they are enrolled in the Summit program or not.

Letter from Director of College Counseling, John Boozang - Letter to parents and students explaining the Summit Educational Group and their 12-session program.

SAT Preparation Class Information Sheet - Important schedule and cost information. Students may choose either the Comprehensive Math and Verbal Class OR the Verbal Intensive Class.

SAT Preparation Class Registration Form - Classroom program policies and procedures and registration form.

 

Class size is limited and registration is open through November 25.

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PSAT – October of Sophomore & Junior Year
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). In October, all sophomores and juniors take the PSAT at Wilbraham & Monson Academy during the school day. This test is broken into sections measuring critical reading, math, and writing skills. The PSAT is a very useful way to become familiar with the SAT format. It also gives students a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs in their junior year and gain access to college and career planning tools. For more information regarding the PSAT, please visit www.collegeboard.com/psat.

SAT Reasoning Test – Winter/Spring of Junior Year and Fall of Senior Year
The SAT Reasoning Test is a three-part, three-hour-and-45-minute test that assesses critical reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning ability and is used in the college admission process. It is scored on a scale of 200-800 on each of the three sections. We recommend that students consider taking the SAT in May of their junior year and again in October or November of their senior year. For more detailed information regarding the SAT, please visit www.collegeboard.com.

SAT Subject Tests – Winter/Spring of Junior Year and Fall of Senior Year
The SAT Subject Tests are tests that measure a student’s knowledge in particular subject areas including English, science, math, history, and foreign languages. Each test is one hour long, and a student may take up to three tests in one administration. Many selective colleges require at least two and sometimes three Subject Tests as part of their admission requirements. It is important that students pay attention to the requirements of individual colleges to ensure that they meet the college's standardized testing requirements. We recommend that students consider taking Subject Tests at the end of the academic year while the information about a particular subject is still fresh in their minds. For juniors, the June SAT administration is usually the best time to do this. For a full list of all possible Subject Tests, please visit www.collegeboard.com.

ACT – Winter/Spring of Junior Year and Fall of Senior Year
The ACT is a standardized test scored on a 36-point scale and is divided into sections covering English, math, reading and science reasoning. There is also an optional 30-minute writing section. The ACT is an alternative to the SAT and is accepted at nearly every college in the country. Because some students perform better on the ACT than on the SAT, the College Counseling Office suggests that most students take the ACT, as well as the SAT, in order to have score options when deciding which test scores to submit to colleges. If a student is considering the ACT, we highly recommend that they choose to take it with the writing option, as most colleges require this form of the ACT. Students should considering taking this for the first time in April of their junior year. For information about the ACT, please visit www.actstudent.org.

TOEFL – Fall of Senior Year
Many colleges require that students whose first language is not English take the TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language. A student's TOEFL score is often a very useful supplement to their Critical Reading and Writing scores on the SAT. For information about TOEFL, please visit www.ets.org/toefl.

Non-Standard Administration of the PSAT, SAT Reasoning Test, Subject Tests and ACT
If students have a documented learning disability, they may be eligible through the College Board and the ACT to receive testing accommodations like extended time. Families should contact the College Counseling Office and the Academic Services Department at Wilbraham & Monson Academy to find out how a student can receive approval for these accommodations.

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Freshman Year

• Create a four-year high school plan.
 - Students should meet with their advisor or a college counselor to map out a plan of study for the next four years.
 - Students should take the most challenging courses appropriate for them.
 - Maintain solid grades.

• Get involved with extra-curricular activities in and outside of WMA with an eye towards commitment and leadership.

• Make connections with faculty, coaches, and advisors.

• Do something productive over the summer.

• Employment, internship, academic program, community service, travel

• READ!

Sophomore Year

• Continue to stay focused on academic coursework.
 - Maintain solid grades.
 - Look for challenges.

• Continue to stay involved with extra-curricular activities in and outside of WMA.
 - The quality of involvement is more important than the number of activities.

• Make connections with faculty, coaches, and advisors

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October.
 - The PSAT is offered at Wilbraham & Monson Academy during the school day for all sophomores and juniors.
 - PSAT scores are not forwarded to colleges, and it is a great way to become familiar with the SAT format.

• Register, if appropriate, for SAT Subject Tests
 - Some colleges require SAT Subject Tests for admission, and it is smart to take those tests just as you've finished the relevant courses.
 - Students should speak to their teacher or a college counselor if they think they should take a Subject Test.

• Attend Sophomore Seminar during the spring trimester.
 - Sophomores meet once a week in a small-group setting with a college counselor to discuss the college counseling process at WMA and begin career- and self-assessment. Students are also introduced to the software, Naviance/Family Connection, which is used to help manage the college search and application process.

•  Students should choose the most challenging courses appropriate for them during their upcoming junior year.

•  Do something productive over the summer.
 - Employment, internship, academic program, community service, travel

•  READ!

Junior Year

FALL
•  Continue to stay focused on academic coursework.
 - Maintain solid grades.
 - Look for challenges.

•  Continue to stay involved with extra-curricular activities in and outside of WMA.
 -  The quality of involvement is more important than the number of activities.

•  Make connections with faculty, coaches, and advisors

•  Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October.
- The PSAT is offered at Wilbraham & Monson Academy during the school day for all sophomores and juniors.
- PSAT scores are not forwarded to colleges, and it is a great way to become familiar with the SAT format.
- In the junior year, scores are used to identify students for the National Merit Scholarship.

WINTER
•  Princeton Review SAT Prep course is offered at WMA throughout the winter and spring trimesters in preparation for the May SAT.

•  Attend Junior Seminar during the winter trimester.
 - Juniors meet once a week in a small-group setting with a college counselor to look in depth at the college search and preparation process. Topics include: initial building of students' college lists, application types, the college admission process, college campus visits, and writing the college essay.

•  Students are assigned to a specific college counselor and should schedule a minimum of 3 individual meetings with their college counselor.
 - Discuss colleges of interest and begin to develop a well balanced college list.

SPRING
•  Students should visit colleges of interest during their spring vacation.

•  Students should continue to meet individually with their college counselor.

•  Register for standardized tests.
 - SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT.
 - Discuss with college counselor which tests are appropriate.

•  By the end of the trimester, students should have created a preliminary college list with their college counselor and parents to explore over the summer.

•  Students should consider which teachers they might ask to write letters of recommendation on their behalf.

•  Student-athletes must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

SUMMER
•  Visit colleges.

•  Students should review application requirements of colleges they are considering applying to.

•  Consider essay topics and begin writing college essays.

•  Do something productive over the summer.

 - Employment, internship, academic program, community service, travel.

•  READ!

 

Senior Year

FALL
•  Attend Senior Seminar during the fall trimester.
 - Seniors meet once a week in a small group setting with a college counselor to discuss the college application procedures at WMA.
 - Seniors also finalize their college applications and their college essays during Senior Seminar.     

 

•  Seniors should continue to meet individually with their college counselor.
 - Seniors should work with their counselor to effectively manage their college applications in regards to deadlines and all application requirements.

•  Seniors need to ask two academic teachers, preferably from their junior or senior year, for recommendations.

•  Take advantage of meeting with college representatives on the WMA campus or during college visits off our campus.

•  Register for standardized tests

•  Finalize Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision application plan with college counselor

•  Submit college applications and required standardized test scores with the assistance of College Counseling

• Consider any local, regional or national merit scholarships

•  Seniors who matriculated to WMA after 9^th grade should request an official transcript from their previous school

•  Continue to take academic and extra-curricular activities seriously – NO Senioritis!

WINTER

•  Parents can apply for federal financial aid online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov and for institutional financial aid by completing a CSS/Financial Aid Profile at www.collegeboard.com/parent/pay

•  Finalize and submit all college applications ahead of deadlines.  Submit required standardized test scores

•  Maintain strong academic approach and preparation

•  College Counseling to submit winter term grades

•  ED and EA applicants learn of college decisions

SPRING

•  Discuss offers of admission with parents and college counselor

•  Make an informed decision and select your best fit college option

•  Send enrollment agreement and deposit!

•  Send letters of withdrawal to all other schools that offered admission

•  College Counseling to submit final transcript to college of choice

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