The college counseling staff at Worcester Academy helps students to identify and apply for admission to colleges and universities that are well suited to their interests, abilities and aspirations. It is expected that through self-evaluation and extensive research, students will be able to reach thoughtful and appropriate decisions regarding their future education.

Beginning with the spring semester of the junior year, college counselors will spend time with each student to learn more about his/her academic record, extracurricular interests, personal background, educational goals and aspirations for the future. These conversations serve as the basis for initial college lists and recommendations of various colleges and academic programs that might be a good fit for the student. Of course, the college counseling staff is available to answer questions concerning course selection, standardized testing, summer programs or any other topic prior to junior year.

Our role as college counselors is to help students make good educational choices, to serve as a liaison to the colleges, and to advocate strongly for our students. The staff also conducts programs and hosts workshops for students and their families to educate them about the many different pieces of the college admissions puzzle, from standardized testing through the completion of applications. Of critical importance are frequent communications among the various persons involved — the student, the family, the student's advisor and the college counselor — so that everyone is working together to help the student make a thoughtful and informed decision.

Counselors and students use an on line research tool, NAVIANCE, as their primary means of communicating deadlines, calendar items, college lists, transcript requests, college visit schedules, recommendation requests, and test scores. Through workshops, seminars and one on one meetings with the students, counselors help familiarize students with the system. Parents are given an access code and user name so that they can use the site to research colleges.

College representatives visit the office in droves throughout the fall, and we feel it is important for students to make every possible contact with the people who will be making decisions on their applications for admission. Therefore, we encourage students to take advantage of these on-campus opportunities, as well as attend major college fairs in the area. Seniors also are allowed to miss three days of class to visit colleges if it is germane to their decision-making process.

The College Counseling Office is stocked with an extensive library of resources on the college admissions and financial aid processes, including college search software, guidebooks, materials from specific colleges and universities, standardized testing information, NCAA Clearinghouse registration information, sources of scholarships and financial aid forms. We also have several computers and a high-speed printer available for students to use for college research and completion of online applications.