Campus is quieter when our seniors are away on their senior project mentorships. It is a good and important time for our juniors to get a glimpse into the future to the time when they will be the most experienced students on campus. But that time is not now; they are not quite ready. And our seniors will be back on campus in a week to reclaim their spots!
Readiness is a central focus for us. A hallmark of the Watkinson experience is how readiness manifests in the college application process. For years, we have heard from both current and alumni parents that their college process was remarkably free of parental anxiety. They consistently report that the school’s intentional process fully equipped their children to take ownership of this significant life decision. It is deeply gratifying when the intentional goal of fostering readiness aligns so perfectly with the positive outcomes shared by our parents.
Our individualized, student-led college counseling approach begins in earnest in 10th-grade, when families are invited to virtual programs in the winter regarding Standardized Tests and a big picture overview of the college process. 10th graders are brought on a college retreat in late April where they experience an information session and campus tour, followed by a reflection workshop with the college counseling team. This year our 10th graders will be visiting Quinnipiac University.
Junior year is pivotal. Work begins with a September program for parents and students featuring two experienced admissions directors. Juniors visit two college campuses as part of their fall retreat, expanding on sophomore year experiences. A November parents-only program answers questions before one-on-one student counseling starts in December. Right now, the college office is taking advantage of the senior mentorship weeks to meet with the entire junior class every day, focusing on getting every junior comfortable with what to expect of the process as well as doing some hands-on work to make tangible progress in their application journeys.
Watkinson’s College Counseling staff, Director Emily Parker and Assistant Director Mara Henze, recently hosted a successful Case Study Night. Last Tuesday, 28 juniors and 34 of their parents attended the event to gain deeper insight into the college decision-making process. Admission officers from Trinity College, Stonehill College, and the University of Rhode Island led practical activities, which included some lively debate among the “pretend admission committee” rooms, followed by a Q&A session. And soon, at least twice before spring break, each student will also meet individually with Ms. Parker to establish a working list of schools to explore.
And nothing speaks louder than results. Our seniors have already received an impressive array of early decisions from our nation’s best colleges and universities, from Boston University to Wellesley, from Middlebury to Wesleyan, from Tufts to Colorado State (wildlife conservation program).
As is Watkinson’s tradition, each and every college acceptance is celebrated at All-School Meeting by the entire community. It is a public acknowledgement of schools across the country recognizing that our graduates are indeed ready.
Want to know more about Watkinson’s private school college counseling program, schedule a visit!