September 20, 2015

Redesigned PSAT 2015

On October 14th, WHS students will be taking the redesigned PSAT. This will give students a great opportunity to practice for the redesigned SAT that will take place in 2016. Below are some links for more information on the changes. Khan Academy has also partnered up with CollegeBoard to provide students with more practice. Good luck!


PSAT Changes
PSAT Practice Test
Khan Academy

September 15, 2015

4th Annual U.S. Service Academy Day

4th Annual U.S. Service Academy Day hosted by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.

Open to all students considering applying to a U.S. Service Academy, Parents, and School Officials

4th Annual U.S. Service Academy Day

September 9, 2015

College Visits

September and October's calendar is full with colleges stopping at WHS. Check out the Guidance tab to see which colleges will be here. If you are interested in talking to a representative, please come to the guidance office and request a pass from your counselor.

September 1, 2015

Timeline - Senior Year


TIMELINE FOR THE COLLEGE BOUND
Twelfth Grade

Fall



1. Schedule the most academically rigorous program that you can handle for your senior year. Your senior year is just as important as your previous years. Continued success in a rigorously academic program is necessary for colleges to make a final admissions decision about a student.
2. Attend college meetings with college admissions representatives that are of interest to you.
3. Try to visit some college campuses while they are in session. This will help you get a better "feel" for the school.
4. Prepare for, register, and take the SAT's in November and the ACT's or SAT II as needed.
5. If any SAT-II tests are required at the schools you are interested in, register for those tests.
6. Develop your final list of schools.
7. Gather letters of recommendation, if required, and complete the essays required with your applications.
8. Application deadlines carry from college to college. Check with the college you are interested in to be sure. As a guideline, the following applies: Early decision candidates must submit before November 1.
9. All males turning 18 years old must register with the Selective Service at www.sss.gov.

Winter

10. File a Financial Aid Application (available in the guidance office after January 1).
11. You and/or your parents should attend a financial aid workshop offered by the guidance office to assist you in completing the Financial Aid forms (held in January).
12. Search out other sources of financial aid.
13. Check the guidance list of scholarships in homeroom or see your counselor. The guidance office has books and computer searches available for locating financial aid, as well.
14. Consider going to the college of your choice for an interview with the admissions officer.


Spring

15. Continue to search for and apply for other sources of financial aid, (i.e., aid available from your parent's employer or from service clubs of which they are members).
16. By mid-April, most colleges will have sent acceptance or rejection letters.
17. Take Advanced Placement tests, if applicable.
18. As soon as you have decided which college's offer of admission to accept, let that college know.
19. Advise the other colleges that accepted you of your decision.
20. If you are wait-listed at a college you are eager to attend, call or write the director of admissions and ask how to strengthen your application. (See your counselor for advice).
21. Be sure to send your acceptance deposit by the deadline specified.
22. Notify your counselor which college you have selected so that Woodbridge can submit final grades, class rank and proof of graduation to that institution.
23. Lastly, enjoy your graduation and good luck in all your future endeavors. The Woodbridge High School guidance offices are always open to you!

Timeline - Sophomore Year

TIMELINE FOR THE COLLEGE BOUND
Sophomore Year

Please use this timeline to help guide you through the college preparation/selection process. Be sure to refer to the more detailed college selection materials that are available from the guidance office, and to tap into your counselor's knowledge/experience with this process.


1. Take as rigorous an academic program as you can handle.
2. Resolve to get the best grades possible.
3. Develop a schedule of when you plan on taking the college admissions tests - PSAT, SAT, SAT-II and AP exams. We strongly recommend the PSAT for sophomores who are planning to attend a 4-year college.
4. Continue to discuss your career and college interests with your parents and counselor.
5. Begin to send for information from colleges and other post-secondary programs of interest to you.
6. Visit more college campuses.
7. Talk with others - family, friends, counselors, teachers who have gone to college to gather ideas about the college experience.
8. Attend college fairs to gather information about a variety of college and to meet college admission representatives. See your guidance counselor for dates, times and locations.

Timeline - Freshman Year

TIMELINE FOR THE COLLEGE BOUND
Freshman Year

Please use this timeline to help guide you through the college preparation/selection process. Be sure to refer to the more detailed college selection materials that are available from the guidance office, and to tap into your counselor's knowledge/experience with this process.


1. Take as rigorous an academic program as you can handle.
2. Your GPA (grade point average) and class rank begin with your ninth grade classes. Resolve to get the best grades possible.
3. Create a list of all the activities, clubs and community services in which you are involved. Add to this "Brag List" throughout high school.
4. Start exploring your career interests.
5. Discuss your career/college intentions and interests with your parents and counselor.
6. Make a list of reasons why you should go to college.
7. Be sure to map out a plan for four years of course work in high school. Remember to include a minimum of 16 academic units necessary for college placement.
8. Begin to visit some college campuses for exploration and to get a "feel" for the college life.
9. Your counselor has career and college information.
o.f value to you. These include catalogs, videos, and internet web sites.