The Road to College - Finding the Best College for You

Waterford’s 4-Year College Counseling Curriculum At a Glance

The Waterford School College Counseling Office guides, supports, and serves our students as they consider an exciting variety of undergraduate options. Waterford’s College Counselors have extensive experience in secondary education and college admissions and have developed a program to educate and encourage students to take responsibility for meeting deadlines and making important decisions. Waterford Upper School students engage in a four-year curriculum that guides students and parents through an exciting process of college exploration--a process that ultimately results in acceptances to top colleges well-suited to student interests and passions.

Waterford’s college counselors begin working with students as they enter Upper School, developing a relationship with students that allows counselors to provide informed guidance and support to students throughout the college process. The Waterford School counselor to student ratio is 1:35, considerably lower than the national (1:470) and Utah state (1:712) ratios (National Center for Education Statistics).

The Waterford School curriculum is the rigorous, challenging, inclusive program colleges are looking for on a college application. Colleges report that course choice and grades are the most important factors in college admission. The standard curriculum at Waterford School is considered rigorous and complete. Students may choose to enrich their curriculum with selected Honors and AP courses. Beginning in ninth grade, students look ahead to future course selections, registration, and planning with teachers, deans, and college counselors.

Waterford School students possess the kind of academic preparation and experience that colleges seek. Highly selective colleges and universities recognize Waterford’s academic program as both robust and rigorous. College admission offices collect data on their admitted students to determine the types of students who will succeed at their schools. School report forms, the school profile, counselor reports, and teacher recommendation letters provide much of this information, in addition to student grades, activities, and test scores. Year after year, college representatives pursue Waterford students because of their demonstrated success at colleges across the country.

Waterford School students begin the college search process as Freshmen (Class IX) and continue through Upper School. Students begin to develop criteria for their college search based on their high school experiences and goals, as well as new areas they wish to explore.

Waterford School college counselors are available to answer any questions students have about the process, and parents are encouraged to become active participants in the process as well.

Academics

Course selection is an important part of Freshman year, as it is the first year in a student’s academic career that grades factor into their reported GPAs. Waterford college counselors work closely with teachers, deans, and the registrar to ensure that students are taking appropriately challenging courses.

Extra-Curriculars

Freshman year is also a time to explore, play, and find passions. Extra-curricular activities are a great way for students to discover interests and distinguish themselves in the college process. During Freshman year, Waterford college counselors recommend:

  • Try something new!
  • Don’t specialize just yet.
  • Be multidimensional in your interests.
  • Use summers also to try new activities.

Academics

The start of Sophomore year is a good time for students to carefully consider their academic trajectory. Waterford School college counselors recommend that students challenge themselves with the most rigorous course of study they can manage. Student GPA also becomes increasingly important, so students need to be mindful of balancing course selection with academic performance.

Academic aspects to consider as they relate to the college process:

  • Colleges value the liberal arts preparation, and appreciate seeing strong coursework and success across the disciplines.
  • Foreign Language: take as many years as you can.
  • Math: If you are interested in engineering, colleges will expect strong math grades and calculus. Interested in business? Math grades and scores are more important than you think.
  • A strong humanities foundation is valued by colleges and employers.

Extra-Curriculars

Robotics? Debate? Writing? String Quartet? Soccer? Community Service? No one activity is “the best” for college. During Sophomore year, students should keep exploring while stepping up their involvement in preferred activities. It is also important, however, that students pay attention to balance and health--students may need to drop some activities to keep others going alongside rigorous academics. Waterford School college counselors help students refine their selections and focus on areas where they demonstrate the greatest interest and talent.

Testing

PSAT: All Sophomore students take the PSAT on the national test date, a Wednesday morning in mid-October; no registration necessary.

During Junior year, Waterford School college counselors introduce students to the college search. Students develop personal college criteria based on their strengths and interests and hopes for their college experiences.

In the fall, college admission representatives from top U.S. colleges visit Waterford School one at a time during the school day. Students have an opportunity to meet with representatives and learn more about schools of interest.

Throughout the year, the college counseling office runs weekly college workshops for juniors that cover topics ranging from how to research colleges, filling out the common application, and asking for teacher recommendations. Beginning in January, college counselors meet individually with students and parents to develop college lists, review course load, and suggest colleges to visit.

Academics

Grades in academic and arts courses are critically important this year--an upward trajectory is the goal, especially if colleges can see growth and maturity since Freshman year (Class IX). Waterford School college counselors recommend that students also develop their intellectual interests through independent work and self-directed study.

Extra-Curricular Activities

During Junior year, students are encouraged to take on leadership roles within their extracurricular activities.

Potential College Athlete? Complete college recruiting questionnaires. Sign up for summer camps, showcases, and/or leagues to feature your talents. Construct a highlight video. Register with NCAA Clearinghouse if you are looking at D1 or D2 programs.

Budding Performing Artist? Draft a resume and gather films of performances. Consider summer experiences where you can test this interest in a short time frame. Begin to prepare for auditions for those looking to major.

Aspiring Visual Artist? Begin assembling a portfolio; write Artist’s Statements for each piece you include; consider summer experiences where you can test this interest in a short time frame.

Testing

PSAT: October--All Junior (Class XI) students take the PSAT on the national test date, a Wednesday morning in mid-October; no registration necessary.

December: Review PSAT scores; Practice ACT on Saturday in December

Plan for Spring testing in December-January:

  • March SAT
  • April ACT (or February ACT)
  • May or June SAT; OR May or June SAT Subject Tests
  • June ACT
  • AP Exams held first two weeks of May; plan ahead for busy weeks.

Summer is a terrific time to reflect, to distinguish yourself, to have new experiences, and to explore your passions. Waterford School offers amazing Summer Term programs on campus and abroad for students to take a deeper dive into areas of interest.

Additional recommendations for summer activities:

  • Visit Colleges! Make a plan--visit over Spring Break and Summer Break
  • Community Service
  • Summer Job
  • A pre-college arts or academic program on a college campus
  • ACT and SAT test prep course (class or online)

College Visits

Waterford School college counselors help students identify a number of colleges they may want to visit. College counselors provide students with the names of Waterford alumni currently attending the colleges they plan to visit. Waterford School college counselors offer the following advice for making the most of a college campus visit:

  • Visit the college's website to see when tours and information sessions are offered. Register for tour and information session.
  • Smaller colleges may offer interviews or overnight stays to rising Seniors. Do this if you have time, are likely to apply, and it is offered.
  • Visit no more than two colleges a day. Allow yourself extra time to find parking, the building, and still be on time for the campus tour.
  • Plan to have lunch or a meal in the student center so you can see students interacting, test out the food, and ask more questions of other students.
  • Take the lead in asking questions on tours and in information sessions.
  • Write a journal entry and take pictures on each campus. What was most impressive, surprising, etc. on each campus?
  • Email your college counselor with brief notes about which colleges you were excited about and why, or which you will take off your list and why.

During the fall of senior year, much of the college application work and meetings is individualized. Waterford School college counselors work one-on-one with seniors to finalize college lists, review essays, and complete applications.

Academics

Grades in rigorous courses continue to be very important during the first half of senior year, and colleges look closely at senior year course choice. Grades are released around December 1, and sent to colleges as part of a “Mid Year Report” required by Common App colleges.

For students who have been waitlisted at preferred colleges, grades continue to be important throughout the winter. Colleges often consider these grades as they decide who to accept from the waitlist.

Again, an upward trajectory is important: admissions officers are judging your most current motivation and preparation to be a college student through course choices and grades earned. Colleges value success across the disciplines, but also look for demonstrated success in your stated field of academic interest.

Extra-Curricular Activities

By Senior year, find an area on campus to be a leader. It could be the classroom, the arts, the athletic fields, robotics, yearbook, etc. Lead through action and not necessarily title. Colleges like to see leadership potential in prospective students.

Testing

Many students retake the SAT and/or ACT to maximize their scores after summer preparation. If another SAT Subject Test is needed, Literature, Math, or foreign language could be a possibility senior fall.

SAT and SAT Subject Tests: New late August date, October, November.

ACT: Early September, October.

Scores typically take three weeks to report. Most colleges will update scores even after their application is due, but students need to have a strong score by October if applying Early Decision or Early Action.

The Application Process

The Waterford School College Counseling Office works closely with students to ensure deadlines are met and all documents are appropriately sent to colleges. Naviance Family Connection is used to manage the application process.

By October 15:         

  • College recommendation requests completed
  • Accurate College Application list recorded in Naviance
  • Testing plan in place
  • Common Application complete
  • Supplemental essay list compiled and shared with college counselor
  • Early Applications (ED & EA) established and near completion

By November 1:

  • Deadline for Early Decision and Early Action applications at most colleges

By December 1:

  • University of Utah and BYU applications, and many other scholarship applications due
  • All applications near completion

By December 15:

  • All applications complete for January 1 application deadlines

By April 15:

  • Report all outcomes to your college counselor
  • If waitlisted, meet with College Counselor and determine a plan

By May 1:

  • Deposit at the College/University where you plan to attend.


Five-Year Matriculation List 2014-2018: Where Waterford School graduates are currently attending

University of Alabama

American University

Arizona State University

University of Arizona

Auburn University

Augustana College

Austin College

Boston University

Brandeis University

Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University, Hawaii

Brigham Young University, Idaho

University of British Columbia

Brown University

University of California Berkeley

University of California Davis

University of California Irvine

University of California Los Angeles

University of California San Diego

University of California Santa Barbara

California College of the Arts

Carleton College

Carroll College

Centre College

Chapman University

Claremont McKenna College

Clemson University

University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado College

Colorado State University

Columbia University

Concordia University Montreal

Connecticut College

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Davidson College

DePaul University

Dixie State University

Drexel University

Duke University

Emerson College

Emory University

Fairfield University

Georgetown University

Grinnell College

Harvard University

Hollins University

Indiana University

Ithaca College

Juilliard School

Kansas City Art Institute

Kenyon College

Lewis & Clark College

Lindenwood University

Loyola Marymount University

Marist College

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

University of Miami

Michigan State University

University of Michigan

Middlebury College

Montana State University

University of Nevada Las Vegas

The College of New Jersey

University of New Mexico

New York University

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

North Idaho College

North Park University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Occidental College

Ohio State University

University of Oklahoma

Oregon State University

University of Oregon

Pacific University

University of the Pacific

University of Pennsylvania

Pepperdine University

Pomona College

University of Portland

Pratt Institute

Princeton University

University of Puget Sound

Purdue University

University of Queensland

University of Redlands

Regent’s University London

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rice University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Salt Lake Community College

San Diego State University

San Francisco Art Institute

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

University of San Diego

Scripps College

Seattle University

Snow College

University of Southern California

Southern Utah University

Southern Virginia University

Stanford University

Swarthmore College

University of Tampa

Trinity University

Tulane University

US Air Force Academy

US Naval Academy

Utah State University

Utah Valley University

University of Utah

Vanderbilt University

Vassar College

University of Vermont

University of Virginia

Wake Forest University

Washington State University

Washington University in St. Louis

University of Washington

Weber State University

Wesleyan University

Westminster College

Whitman College

Willamette University

Wilmington College

Yale University

Books

With no end to college admissions books, here are a few Waterford School college counselors have found useful for understanding the higher education landscape:

  • College Guides: The Fiske Guide to Colleges and The Princeton Review’s The Best 382 Colleges are our go-to books for objective data, as well as subjective descriptions and quotes on 300+ colleges you are most likely to attend. Online also.
  • Colleges That Change Lives, Loren Pope. A classic that has been updated and spawned a traveling college tour of “CTCL” Colleges: interesting, excellent colleges you may not have heard of yet that serve undergraduates well. See also his book, Looking Beyond the Ivy League.
  • Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be. 2015 version of Pope, acclaimed in the admissions world, by education writer, Frank Bruni.
  • There is Life After College, Jeffrey Selingo. 2016. What Parents and Students Should Know about Navigating School to Prepare for the Jobs of Tomorrow.
  • College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be, Andrew Delbanco, 2012. Columbia Professor who spoke at Waterford School that year.
  • Admission Matters 4th Edition; Sally Springer, Jon Reider, Joyce Vining Morgan. 2017. What Students and Parents Need to Know about Getting Into College.

Online College Search Tools

Virtual Tours  

Helpful if you are not able to visit a college of interest.

Cost and Financial Data Searches

  • College Net Price Calculators: Every college is required to have one. Use it to get an approximate figure of how much you will likely pay specific to colleges you are interested in.
  • My InTuition: https://myintuition.org/ Quick College Cost estimator for 30 selective colleges.
  • College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/ Dep’t of Education’s resource to compare colleges through required and verified data such as cost, graduation rates and salary data.
  • CollegeData.com   Collegedata.com More student stories, financial aid information.

More Information on Colleges

Scholarships and Financial Aid Information

Career and Major Information

Application Sites

The Road to College - Finding the Best College for You
  1. Meet Our Team
  2. It All Starts with Academics
  3. Freshman Year
  4. Sophomore Year
  5. Junior Year
  6. Take Advantage of Summer
  7. Senior Year
  8. College Search Resources