College Guidance

Unlike most schools, college guidance begins in eighth grade. Designed to first introduce students to concepts and information about upper division—time management, task prioritization, self-advocacy, and how that sets them up for successful upper school and post-secondary experience. Students learn about career options, college majors, trades, and other options, post Woodlynde. 

Freshman begin exploring and researching possible college and career options, once a week in Freshman Seminar. From colleges and universities to trades and service, students are presented with a variety of options and ideas. Just like we know that everyone learns differently, we understand that everyone's paths, post Woodlynde, are unique and individual. Freshman Seminar also guides students through Woodlynde Upper School and college requirements like GPA, standardized testing, transcripts, community service. Free parent-presentations offered. 

During sophomore year, students begin to engage in all aspects of the college search process. Sophomores work with both their learning specialist and the director of college guidance to begin to identify post-secondary goals and post-secondary options that meet those goals. Students begin researching and compiling a list of potential schools that fit their size, location, and academic needs. The Director of College Guidance reviews various topics including selecting appropriate colleges based on student interest, academic support in college, and, and the college admissions process. Overall, an individualized approach to the college search begins during this year with a specific focus on identifying post-secondary goals.

The College Guidance 11 course introduces students to the college selection and search process. Students are engaged in a variety of lessons and lectures regarding topics such as the differences between the SAT and ACT, determining the factors that make a college appropriate for a student, conducting a productive college search, understanding all the components of the admissions process, and developing skills for college visits and interviews. Students create, develop, and refine the college resume during class time as well as complete a mock Common Application in preparation for their senior year. Students participate in one-on-one meetings with the Director of College Guidance in order to review and analyze appropriate college choices as well as discuss individual questions and concerns relevant to the student’s post-secondary education. Overall, the College Guidance 11 course affords the student an early start on understanding and conceptualizing the entirety of the college selection, admissions, and decision process and seeks to instill self-advocacy and independence.

College Guidance 12 is devoted to the completion of the Common Application as well as the completion of any other individualized college applications. Students work in a structured, supportive environment under the guidance of a teacher to complete applications in a thorough manner. Students are advised on how to fill out specific sections of college applications with relevant and pertinent data. Students also continue the college search and analysis process started in their junior year. In addition, students continue to refine their college search and narrow down post-secondary institutions that will cater to their individual learning preferences and academic needs. Students are also introduced to a variety of discussion topics that are pertinent to the freshman year of college, including choosing appropriate classes, utilizing learning support services, selecting internship opportunities, identifying appropriate faculty advisors, etc. Overall, the College Guidance 12 course is designed to help students to develop independence and self-advocacy, understand the academic rigor of the college landscape, complete college applications in a structured setting, and set learning goals that will transition to the student’s first year of post-secondary education.

College Guidance at Woodlynde does not end when a student graduates. Through our College Assistance Program, Woodlynde continues to provide guidance to graduates throughout the critical points of their freshman year of college. Each spring, our seniors pick a Woodlynde teacher to be their mentor. While mentors check in at regular times during the year, students are encouraged to be proactive and reach out independently for advice on academics, learning support, and even the occasional roommate conflict. Teachers provide an open line of communication as well as solid academic advice which allows students to navigate any potential situation during their freshman year.