Finding the Right Match
Name: _______________________________ Class: 2008
What grade did you enter WNA? __________ Country of citizenship? _____________
Please take some time to fill this questionnaire out, and please be as direct and honest as you possibly
can be. Know that there are no “right” answers other than what you feel is true, and know that what
you put down here will be used to help the College Counseling Office (CCO) get to know the “real
you.” It’s a tool to help the CCO to figure out which colleges might best help you meet your personal,
life, and academic goals. Remember the basic premise of this whole process…we are here to help you,
not judge you, change you, or manipulate you. Hence, there’s no need to try to guess what we’re
getting at or what we’re looking for. And, of course, we understand that your answers represent your
thoughts today, and that time and experience may change your mind. Additionally, we know that
some of the questions here overlap some of the questions asked in the “A Primer for College
Admissions,” but please answer all questions to the best of your ability. So, without further ado,
please complete and return this self-assessment to the CCO:
Academics (Feel free to use additional paper, the back of the paper, or type your responses if the space
allotted is insufficient.)
What has been your favorite class in high school? Why?
How do you learn best? From reading? From class lecture? From hands-on experience? Something
else? Explain your answer.
How does your relationship with your teacher influence your learning? Do you learn the best and
perform the best when you really know your teacher and your teacher really knows you?
Of what academic assignment, to date, are you most proud? Why?
Who is your favorite teacher at WNA? Why?
Name your three most challenging courses and grades in these courses:
Course
Grade
____________________________________________
_________________
____________________________________________
_________________
____________________________________________
_________________
Describe what you believe are your academic strengths. How do you show these strengths?
In what academic areas do you need to improve?
Is your academic record an accurate measure of your ability? Explain your answer.
What information would you like your colleges to know about you that could help set you apart from
other students? Take advantage of this opportunity to help me present you in the best light possible to
your colleges. Please take the time to respond to this question with the same attention you would give
to your college essay.
Miscellaneous
Please give four adjectives that you think appropriately describe you.
1. ______________________________
2. ______________________________
3. ______________________________
4. ______________________________
In the entire world, who knows you the best? Why?
What are your three favorite books of all time?
Of what, in your life so far, are you most proud?
How would your best friend describe you?
Regarding your time at WNA, what would you do differently if you could start over?
Please describe any special circumstances in your life that you would like to tell the CCO about?
Are there any health problems or personal problems which may have affected your school performance
that you would like to share?
College
Imagine your ideal college and circle all that apply:
Urban
Suburban
Rural
Very large (15,000+ students)
Northeast
South
Large (8,000-15000)
Midwest
Southwest
Medium (2,000-8000)
Northwest
West
Small (2000 or less)
Liberal arts (you’re thinking of studying something like English, education, history, psychology, etc.)
Technical (you’re thinking of studying computers, engineering, science, etc.)
Art (you’re thinking of studying graphic design, interior design, illustration, etc.)
Business (you’re thinking of studying accounting, finance, management, marketing, etc.)
What other characteristics would your ideal college have?
Let’s assume you won’t be able to find all these characteristics in one university. Which one or two
would be most important to you?
Do you know, specifically, what you want to study in college? If so, what?
Please list your tentative college choices.
Reaches:
Possibles (50/50 bets):
Likelies (comfortable, safe choices):
Do you plan to apply Early Decision or Early Action? Yes ___ No ___ School __________________
What do you want to do when you finish college?
When you close your eyes and picture yourself at college, what do you see?
Are there any factors that will limit your search? i.e. distance from home, cost, religious affiliation?
Please list any colleges that you have already visited:
Extracurricular Activities (This chart is taken from the Common Application which many colleges use.
Please complete it and indicate activities in which you intend to participate in your senior year, as well.
As you are completing this section, preview all of the questions and take particular note of the last
question – the one that asks about how have these activities changed/taught you.)
Describe your summer activities in high school:
Summer ’07 (this summer):
Summer ’06 (summer before your junior year):
Summer ’05 (summer before your sophomore year):
Are you engaged in any activities, e.g. church, Boy Scouts, outside of school? Please describe your
involvement and the amount of time you devote to each.
What community service projects have you undertaken?
This is the most important question in the extracurricular activities section. How have any of these
activities changed you or taught you? Is there anything in particular for which you would like to be
remembered regarding your affiliation with these activities?
Family
Father’s Occupation:
College(s) attended and degrees received (if applicable):
Mother’s Occupation:
College(s) attended and degrees received (if applicable):
Siblings’ names, ages, and schools/colleges attended:
Thank you for your thoughtful answers! If there is anything else the CCO should know about you,
please explain in the space below or come and speak with me.