The Guidance Department at Waltham High School works to prepare all students for postgraduate success. Our Career and College Readiness Curriculum aims to create an opportunity for students to explore possible college and career paths, support students in identifying the path that is best for them and to prepare students to take the necessary steps to be successful in that path. The curriculum is delivered in a variety of ways throughout a student’s academic career at Waltham High School.
Student Email - All WHS Students have a Gmail account. We will send updates to this email in addition to the personal email in Naviance. Instructions to access your Waltham student email.
Google Classroom: Each Guidance Counselor has a Google Classroom that will be shared with their caseload. We’ll post videos, announcements, and important materials here.
Naviance - Naviance is a program that we use for college & career planning, to communicate with you, and to send your materials to colleges. Check out these instructions for help with signing up for Naviance!
College Rep Visits: College Reps will be hosting virtual visits during the 1pm hour Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays! If you are interested in attending - you must sign up through Naviance - and you can only attend if you have a directed study, or elective class during that block. These sessions are all virtual so please also remember to bring headphones!
Financial Aid Webinars: Each year we partner with MEFA to provide Financial Aid information to families. This year MEFA will be providing support virtually on their website through webinars. All webinars will be recorded and available online for families who are unable to attend a live event. The webinars will provide a comprehensive overview of the full financial aid application process. Check them out here.
College Planning Night for Junior Parents: A detailed presentation of the college application process, presented by the Guidance Department. This event was held virtually on January 6th, 2022. Check out the presentation here!
Dedicated Non-Class Time for Guidance Appointments: Students are encouraged to prioritize non-class time for appointments with their Guidance Counselor. Students are able to schedule time with their Guidance Counselor during the Hawk Blocks on Tuesdays. Additionally, students should try to schedule appointments with Guidance Counselors during any free periods or Directed Studies they may have in their schedule. If it is not possible to use those times, students can schedule during class time. Students should be mindful to not miss a class where they are struggling, not miss a test/quiz/presentation and inform their teacher prior to the appointment.
The full ten-episode series will provide you with expert advice on the college admissions process. Topics include how to create a balanced school list, write an effective essay and apply for financial aid. The College Guidance Network will even take you behind the scenes to see how admissions committees actually work! Take a closer look at the full schedule of programming and speakers on their programming page.
UPCOMING WEBINAR:
"College Planning in the Time of Covid: What's Changed and What Hasn't" on March 10, 2021 at 8 pm
Get advice on how to manage significant changes in applying to college spurred by the pandemic and learn how to make the most of what hasn’t changed.
Speakers: John Burdick, Cornell University; Courtney Vaughn, Elon University; Diane Campbell, School Counselor; Stephanie Cacace, High School Teacher; Solomon H., Current College Student
PAST WEBINARS:
"Ask Us Anything: Admissions Experts Open Up"
This episode brings together both returning and new experts to answer questions for a full hour:
Mike Dirsh, Director of First-Year Admissions, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Peter Wilson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Chicago
Holly Morrow, Senior Vice President of Knowledge, uAspire
Candice Mackey, High School College Counselor, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
The discussion will be moderated by Brennan Barnard, Director of College Counseling & Outreach from the Derryfield School.
Watch the webinar recording here
"Inside Admissions: How an Application is Reviewed"
Every college-bound student wants to know what goes on after their application is received and the high-stakes review begins. What are colleges really looking for? How will one student’s application match up against the others?
Find out what families need to know from those deep inside the process.
On this episode, students and their families will learn:
The difference between “formulaic” and “holistic” admissions—and why they’re important
What admissions officers look for in each method
How admissions officers get to know you through the application process
Join the experts for advice and live Q&A: Ronné Patrick Turner, Vice Provost of Admissions & Financial Aid at Washington University in St. Louis, Peaches Valdes, Dean of Admission at Hamilton College and Gil Villanueva, Associate Vice President and Dean of Admission at University of Richmond. This behind-the-scenes conversation is moderated by Brennan Barnard, Director of College Counseling, The Derryfield School.
Watch the webinar recording here
“Navigating the New Normal of Optional Testing”
On this episode, students and their families will learn:
What “test optional” and other testing jargon really means
How an application without test scores will be considered
How testing fits into the entire application process
Join a live Q & A with:
Counselors Diane Scott from Academy of the Pacific Rim, a public charter school in Boston, and Kate Ramsdell from Noble & Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Admissions experts Peter Wilson, Deputy Dean and Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago, and moderator Leigh Weisenburger, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Bates College.
Watch the webinar recording here
"How to Manage Admissions Pressure—College Fit and Family Stress"
The path to college can be both exciting and anxiety provoking. Thinking about deadlines, acceptance rates, and financial concerns along with finding the best academic and social fit can be stressful.
On this episode Dr. Denise Pope, co-founder of Challenge Success, and Candice Mackey, college counselor, discuss how to support students’ wellbeing and reduce unnecessary pressure around the college admissions process.
During this candid conversation they will also debunk college myths, especially those surrounding rankings and selectivity.
Watch the webinar recording here
“Money Matters: College Affordability and Financial Aid 101 - Part 2"
For most families, how to pay for college is just as big of a decision as where to apply, and eventually, to enroll.The key to finding better solutions to this complicated financial puzzle is to first understand the process of applying for financial aid.
This session features insights and practical advice from four financial aid experts: Claire Dennison, Interim Co-CEO, Chief Program Officer, uAspire; Holly Mollow, Senior Vice President of Knowledge uAspire; Patricia Reilly, Associate Dean of Financial Aid, Tufts University; and Darryl Tiggle, Director of College Counseling at Friends School of Baltimore. Lee Coffin, Dean of Admissions at Dartmouth College will moderate the expert panelists in conversation.
Watch the webinar recording here
“Money Matters: College Affordability and Financial Aid 101 - Parts 1"
In this episode, parents and college-bound students will learn:
How to confidently navigate the financial aid process
Essential forms, deadlines, and types of financial aid available
Financial aid terminology
How to choose the college that meets both academic and financial needs
This session features insights and practical advice from four financial aid experts: Claire Dennison, Interim Co-CEO, Chief Program Officer, uAspire; Holly Mollow, Senior Vice President of Knowledge uAspire; Patricia Reilly, Associate Dean of Financial Aid, Tufts University; and Darryl Tiggle, Director of College Counseling at Friends School of Baltimore. Lee Coffin, Dean of Admissions at Dartmouth College will moderate the expert panelists in conversation.
Watch the webinar recording here
“Admissions in the Time of COVID”
Families will learn about:
Surprising enhancements and benefits from the impact of COVID on the admissions process
Making the choice that is the best fit to be successful academically and socially
Changes to the Common App and being creative in sharing a narrative from pre-COVID to now
Evolving testing policies
Increasing importance of essays
Financial aid implications
Panelists: Bob Bardwell, Executive Director of Massachusetts School Counselor Association; Kate Cassino, CEO of Hobsons (Naviance); Lee Coffin, Dean of Admissions at Dartmouth College; Nick Ducoff, author of “Better Off After College”; and Emily Roper-Doten, Dean of Admission & Financial Aid at Olin College of Engineering.
Watch the webinar recording here
“Tell Your Story: Crafting Great College Admissions Essays”
Parents and college-bound students will learn:
-What NOT to do in researching or writing an essay
-Why essays are even more important now
-How to tell a story that stands out
-What five traits admission officers are looking for-How to choose topics for compelling essays
Watch the webinar recording here
“Student Perspectives on Applying to College During a Pandemic”
On this episode, parents and college-bound students will learn:
How to assess fit and campus vibe using virtual engagement
Celebrating your talents and interests as extracurricular activities are disrupted by remote school schedules
Advice on framing a personal narrative through the essay
Perspectives on standardized testing and the "optional" element this year
Early versus Regular Decision options
Watch the webinar recording here
"First-Generation Students: Practical Tips for College Admissions"
You students and families will hear from our panel of experts, all first-generation students themselves, for a candid discussion filled with practical tips and inspiring personal stories. Plus, get answers to questions related to financial aid, choosing a major, and fighting imposter syndrome.
Watch the webinar recording here
Step by step instructions on how to access your Naviance account.
College Rep Visits are happening! Sign in to Naviance to view the visitor list on the right side. You MUST sign up through Naviance in order to attend!
For more information click here