WHS Guidance News

Our Guidance News website houses information for students and families on a variety of topics including:

• Information from recent Guidance events like Senior Future Planning Night and Financial Aid Night
• Career and college planning resources
• A video library from last year's virtual Guidance Night which covered topics such as college admissions, organization and study tips, sleep hygiene, stress management, and college financing

We are always looking to improve the ways in which we share this important information with students and families. Please contact Ms. Adrienne Eaton, Lead School Counselor (adrienne.eaton@watertown.k12.ma.us) with feedback, suggestions, or requests!

The SATs and ACTs are standardized tests that many colleges and universities require as part of the application process. While many schools are currently using test-optional policies, students in grade 11 are encouraged to consider taking one of these tests during their junior and senior years. Registration for the tests is done through the respective testing websites and deadlines are typically a month before the test date (see below). Watertown High School is a test center for the March SAT test.

Students in grades 10 and 11 took a practice SAT (PSAT) in October, and those results, along with information about free test prep through Khan Academy, will be available in mid-December. The Guidance department will be providing students and families with additional information about how to use the information from this test to support their learning, post-secondary planning, and test preparation. Please contact Guidance with any questions.

Upcoming SAT Registration Deadlines

November 22 - late registration deadline for the December 3 test

February 10 - registration deadline for the March 11 test (WHS is a test center)

Upcoming ACT Registration Deadlines

January 6 - registration deadline for February 11 test

March 10 - registration deadline for April 15 test

The John and Abigal Adams Scholarship is awarded to some grade 12 students based on their MCAS scores. This award offers a tuition credit to students attending a Massachusetts state college or university. Students who have earned this award will receive a letter in the mail later this month. Any questions can be directed to their school counselor.

* All featured scholarships & opportunities can be found in the special opportunities hub linked above!

Scholarships

1. Jefferson Scholarship - The Jefferson Scholarship covers the entire 4 year cost of attendance to the University of Virginia (over $333,000)

2. AFL-CIO Scholarship Award Program - These scholarships are awarded through labor unions in two sections. One requires students to take a labor history exam and awards up to $16,000. The other is offered through local unions if your family is part of a participating one and awards range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

3. Northeastern University Torch Scholars Program - A 4 year program at Northeastern University for Pell Grant eligible students that offers full coverage of tuition and fees in addition to personalized academic and career support for all four years of attendance

Special Opportunities

1. Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center YES for CURE Program - A three year paid training initiative for students from underrepresented backgrounds in the sciences. Students will receive mentorship from experts in the research field, the ability to conduct research, and access to rigorous academic coursework in the field of medical research.

2. Thrive Scholars CORE Program - A six year high school and college achievement program designed for high achieving first generation college students or students of color. Students will receive academic, college, and career counseling from mentors along with access to fun and unique experiences.

3. MIT Leadership Training Institute - A twelve week weekend leadership training program at MIT where students are paired with MIT student leaders and receive mentorship, build leadership skills, and have the opportunity to complete community service projects to become a leader in their community.

Students in grades 10 and 11 recently received invitations to SCOIR, our college and career search tool. They will be receiving additional information and training in December and January. For a brief overview, we invite you to watch the videos below.

September 2022

August 2022