The junior year guidance curriculum is devoted to post-secondary planning. The Junior Seminars take place January through March. Students utilize Naviance, an online database instrumental in researching colleges. Additional seminar topics include standardized testing, college essay writing, financial aid and scholarships. Juniors meet individually with their counselors throughout the spring to develop a well-balanced list of colleges.
Resources for Visiting Colleges:
Applying to College
Standardized Testing
Financial Aid & Paying for College
- FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, on the Federal Student Aid website.
- EFC Calculator, Estimated Family Contribution, or EFC, determines what a family is expected to contribute to their child's college costs.
- MEFA, Massachusetts Educational Finance Authority's website offers valuable tools and resources to plan for paying for college.
Free Scholarship Searches
Scholarships/Scholarship Applications
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COVID-19 College Admission Resources:
Virtual College Visits and Tours
Recent Articles & Resources
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Helpful Forms & Resources:
College Planning Night (1/26/2022)
College Planning Timeline Junior Year
College Application Checklist
Colleges with ASD Support Programs
Colleges with Comprehensive Academic Support Programs
College Admissions Selector (Abridged Barron's Guide List of Colleges)
Parent Information Form
Guidance Parent Talk 10/21/22 via Zoom
Recording
Slides
College Spotlight
WHS guidance counselors receive invitations for campus visitation programs, which is a great way to learn more about the college, network with admission representatives and advocate on behalf of our students. We will feature these "hidden gems" on our Guidance Instagram Account.
College Spotlight: 2020-2021
College Spotlight: 2019-2020
Junior Seminars
January
- Topic: Introduction to College Search Process
February
- Topic: Naviance & Common Application
March
- Topic: Paying for College, Scholarships, Financial Aid
Internship, Community Service & Gap Year Opportunities
Internships provide an excellent opportunity for students to explore potential career interests. WHS partners with The Education Collaborative, TEC, to offer internships during the school year and the summer.
Community service and volunteer opportunities are available in Westwood and the Greater Boston Area.
A Gap Year offers students one year between high school and college to explore internships, volunteer opportunities or travel.
PSAT - October 14th @ Westwood High School
PSAT score reports will be released in early December. Counselors will met with juniors at that time to review results.
