College Guidance

Westminster has always believed that the responsibility for choosing and applying to a particular college or university rests with the student and his/her family. For this reason, we see the Director of College Guidance as more of a pathway to information.

The Director of College Guidance meets with all Seniors and Juniors to create files for their convenience. Seniors, typically, will file copies or originals of all applications to assist in monitoring the deadline dates. The students, of course, are ultimately responsible for meeting all deadlines. The Director of College Guidance will help gather letters of recommendation, transcripts, necessary essays, and even make telephone calls to admissions offices, though - in general - colleges prefer to hear from students.

Every year we will administer the PSAT here at school. The PSAT is a National Merit qualifying test for the nation’s juniors (11th grade). Therefore, all juniors will be taking this test. However, Freshmen and Sophomores are encouraged to participate for practice. Information will be sent home with students. Practice tests are administered in class, and test-taking procedures are reviewed– so all of them should be comfortable taking this test.

We recommend that you begin the college process in the sophomore year and that you be fully engaged in the process by junior year. Mrs. Perry and Mr. Baur are both available for meetings at the students’ or parents’ (or both) request to discuss the process. Many resources are available in Mrs. Perry’s room, on the web, and in libraries and bookstores.

Dates for SAT and ACT testing are posted in Mrs. Perry’s room. Again, it is up to the individual student to make arrangements to take them. Just one word of warning: DO NOT wait until senior year to take these tests for the first time. You should know that MUS and Hutchison usually extended an invitation to our Juniors and Seniors to attend College Admissions Representative sessions at their schools. A list of these sessions along with a letter from Dr. Johnson, explaining the procedure for attending these sessions, is available from the Director of College Guidance.

Should you have any questions, the Director of College Guidance is available by appointment or telephone.

A College Catechism - An Alumni's Guide to the College Process
Questions for College

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