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The College Counseling Department of Whitefield Academy is dedicated to helping individual students find a college which meets their academic, athletic, social, and spiritual
needs. College preparation begins with faculty members and the registrar, who help students design their schedules and develop a four-year course load which will meet the academic
requirements of most colleges. The PLAN test, a preliminary ACT test, is administered in October of the freshman year. Sophomores are tested with a preliminary PSAT test in October
as well.
In the junior year, each Whitefield Academy student enters our Life and Career Planning program, a program exclusive to Whitefield Academy. Through small group discussions and
an in-depth assessment of values, temperaments, and aptitudes, the Leadership Development Company helps guide our young men and women toward a college and career path suited for
their gifts and passions. Upon completion of this detailed life-mapping program, students have a foundation for choosing a college that best fits their individual needs.
During the junior year, students also have numerous opportunities to participate in college fairs, organized college visits with fellow students, and meetings with college representatives
who regularly visit the Whitefield campus. A meeting for junior parents is also held to introduce parents to the college application process and provide both parents and students
with a timeline of college-related deadlines. Juniors take the PSAT with hopes of qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship. It is also recommended that students take the
SAT and/or ACT test at least once, preferably more times, during their junior year. Classes are offered to prepare students for standardized testing through Whitefield Academy’s
summer program. Students also have the option of taking a preparatory class as part of their regular school year schedule. During the junior year, students also have an initial
meeting with the college counselor to discuss potential college choices.
The quest for the "right" college kicks into high gear at the beginning of twelfth grade with the Senior Seminar; during this convocation the guidance counselor presents
detailed instructions for applying to colleges and universities as well as seeking financial aid. Each senior receives a calendar outlining step-by-step directions for completing
the college application process. Students meet individually and regularly with our college counselor to identify and refine colleges of interest and finalize the list of colleges
to which they will apply. Students continue to visit colleges, meet with college representatives, and attend college fairs during their senior year. Several overnight college
tours are also planned throughout the year to schools in areas such as Boston, Chicago, Alabama, Texas, and the Carolinas.
A central focus of the senior year is the actual application process. The college counseling office facilitates the process of applying for admission, scholarships, and financial
aid, and hosts private visits throughout the fall from colleges and universities as an opportunity for our students to learn more about various campuses and to better understand
what and who Whitefield Academy represents. While seniors are expected to be an active and integral part of the college search and application process, Whitefield Academy’s
college counselor is committed to guiding students as they seek answers to their questions about college choices, financial aid, scholarships, grants, and more.
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