Semester 1: Juniors generally take for the first time the SAT and/or ACT in the spring of this year. Prior to this, they will have taken the PSAT / NMSQT in October. Once the students receive the score reports, LWA advises students to begin an SAT and/or ACT Prep Class or individualized tutoring to best prepare for these tests in the spring. We strongly recommend at least twelve weeks/sessions prior to the first test administration. Students continue to use Methodize in their Junior Seminar sessions. Students also do a deep research of colleges they are interested in and draft a “Why Us?” response for each institution as this will help students learn how to thoroughly navigate a college website, identify key details of the school’s mission, and articulate their interest in an institution in a succinct and tailored response. Finally, students also review the Common Application essay prompts and may begin to brainstorm a few ideas in order to prepare for the second semester of Junior Seminar. Juniors are also invited to attend college information sessions with representatives from various colleges; these sessions are hosted by College Guidance.

Semester 2: This is a small-group class taught by the Director of College Guidance. During these classes, students review their transcripts, strengthen and refine their college lists to ensure a balance, request teacher recommendations, write drafts of their resumes, and engage in many reflective writings designed to prepare them for the college essay and interviews. Students are encouraged to have a completed draft of their college essay by the end of the term. All students and their parents have an individual meeting with the Director of College Guidance by the end of the year and/or summer to discuss their student’s college list, college visitations, and how to approach the summer before senior year.

This is a small-group class designed to support students and their families in all aspects of the complex college application process. All college essays and supplementary writing receive individual and extensive feedback from the Director of College Guidance. Students are also invited to attend college information sessions with representatives from various colleges; these sessions are hosted by College Guidance. Families attend a Financial Aid workshop, which reviews key points and offers advice for approaching the financial aid process. This is a first semester senior year course.

As an extension of the LWA College Guidance’s “Paving Your Path, Shaping Your Story” theme that is at the core of our program, we launched our first annual Career Week for Lower, Middle and Upper School students in 2021. LWA parents and alumni share their career stories with our students K through 12, offering them advice, opportunities, and lifelong networking possibilities.