Westford Academy
Guidance Department Presents
Westford Academy Guidance
Department
Guidance Department
Westford Academy Guidance
Department
Counselor Assignments
Class of 2015
Adams – Cardarelli
Larry Guidetti
Casey - Downey
Karen Halloran
Dudley - Heiman
Susan Lynch
Hiremath – Livorsi
Barbara Kutner
Locker - Neuhardt
Jill Karatkewicz
Noble – Ryan
Tracy McLaughlin
Sacco – Vavruska
Heidi Hider
Valasco - Zhru
Wendy Pechacek
Westford Academy Guidance
Department
Collaboration
Student
Guidance
Counselor
Parent
Westford Academy Guidance
Department
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
Junior Year Timeline
April
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



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
2/14 deadline to register for AP Exams

5/13 Junior Job Shadow Day
After Feb vaca - Individual
Student/Parent Meetings with your
counselor begin
Summer

Essays, college visits & lists, etc.
March

Continue College Meetings
Westford Academy Guidance
Department
Post-Secondary Options
Four Year
College/
University
Internship
Programs
Two year
Community
College
5th year
programs
Military
Technical/
Vocational
programs
Employment
Alternative
Programs
Gap Year
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
ACT
 Subjects
 Subjects
 Math
 Critical Reading
 Writing
 March 8, May 3, June 7
 Register at
www.collegeboard.org





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
Now… Let’s start
THE LIST
Safety
Realistic
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
 Average GPA 3.0
 Average SAT 1076
(out of 1600 – Math & Reading)
(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!