Helping Students Get to College

A History of Success: More than 95 percent of WRHS students attend some form of college after high school graduation. To help prepare these students, WRHS offers a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum that fosters in students the critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills they will need to find success. This page offers links and tips to help students find the right college, complete the application, and explore the resources to help pay for it. 

Planning for College: The process of applying for college should not wait until Grade 12. Throughout their time in high school, students should be thinking about, researching, and planning what college best suits their interests and will best help them fulfill their future plans. To help students with this process, the Guidance Department has prepared a series of Action Plans for Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. These plans lay out for students the steps that can be taken during their four years of high school to help them choose the correct college. 

SAT and ACT tests will be given throughout the year. Several tests will be administered at WRHS, but other testing sites are available as well. A complete list of testing dates and deadlines can be found here. To find out the testing locations and for other information, students should contact their guidance counselor. If you receive free or reduced lunch, please see your guidance counselor about SAT and/or College Application fee waivers.

Finding the Right College: Parents and students should use Naviance, a comprehensive college-planning tool.

Applying AP Credit in College: Many colleges allow students to earn college credit or gain advanced standing if the student scores 3 or higher on an AP test. Each college, however, has a different policy, and that policy may be different within different departments at a college. The College Board AP Credit Policy web page allows seniors to see every college's policy on applying AP credit.

College Fairs: Area colleges frequently host fairs and open houses for potential students and their parents. Go here for a listing of a few of these fairs. Students and parents may also contact the WRHS Guidance Office for additional listings.

Common Application to College: More than 400 colleges use the Common Application for Undergraduate College Admission. A complete list of the colleges that use the common application, along with other helpful information, can be found through this link.

Writing the College Essay: One of the most difficult parts of the college application process for students is writing the college essay. For help in writing their essays, students should check "College Essay Writing Tips" from the College Board, which offers some good advice and helpful tips.

College Scholarships: Many scholarships and other forms of financial aid are available to students and their parents. All scholarships that are available to seniors through Wachusett Regional High School are now posted on Naviance. Students can access this list of scholarships by selecting the college tab on their home screen in Naviance. In the menu on this page,  students should select SCHOLARSHIP LIST. A full list of scholarships are available for review. Please note individual criteria for the application process as well as the individual deadlines.  Several school-based and outside scholarships use the WRHS Common Scholarship Application. Please contact Mrs. Julie Scott at ext. 1614 with any questions regarding scholarship application.

College Financing Seminars: The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority is offering a series of "After the Acceptance Seminars" to help parents of high school seniors put together a plan for paying for college. Visit the MEFA web site for a list of seminar dates and locations.

FAFSA on the Web Worksheet: This helps families gather information before completing the online FAFSA.

The Green Book: This compilation of statistics extending back 10 years lists various student GPAs, SAT scores, class rank, and the colleges to which they applied, were accepted, and actually attended. It is intended to provide students with a comparison of their personal profile to the profiles of graduating seniors and to help them see how their personal statistics match up with students who have already been accepted to college. Download the Green Book. Students should contact their guidance counselors for help interpreting this information.