Students should work on improving their overall organizational skills, test taking skills and study habits. They need to focus on course work, class projects and extra-curricular interests, and to do the best they possibly can scholastically while interacting positively with their high school community as a whole. Students should take the ACT Inspire for practice.

Students should take the PSAT for practice and begin to discuss college plans with their parents. It is the time to complete self-assessment materials and checklists that prepare them for the college search process. It is also never too early to look ahead: explore options for summer programs available on college campuses around the country and apply to these programs if they are of interest. Participation in such summer programs enhances a student’s resumé.

Students should prepare for and take the PSAT as part of the National Merit Scholarship competition. This is also the time students should complete questionnaires and resumés for the college advisor as they begin the college search process in earnest. This is the time to write mock college essays, research college websites, attend local college fairs, meet with visiting college admission representatives and check out the resources in the college counseling library at the high school. By the end of Junior Year, a long list of schools to research and visit should be in hand. Students should also take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring and any

Advanced Placement tests that are appropriate.  Students should also not forget the importance of involvement in extra curricular activities!!

Meetings with the college advisor should become more frequent as the long list of schools is narrowed down to six or eight schools to which the student will apply. Students should take the appropriate SAT and/or ACT exams in the fall and sign up for any Advanced Placement tests they plan to take in the spring. The long list of colleges needs to have been honed by this point. Five or six schools remain as the ones the student will pursue. Students need to manage time wisely, be aware of the importance of deadlines for colleges and for college financial aid, submission of teacher recommendations, writing of the college essays and compilation of pertinent personal data. For students wishing to defer collegiate study, career and study abroad options need to be investigated. All students, however, at WCDS complete the college application process and apply to at least two colleges or universities.