College Counseling

The college admission process can be complex and confusing, and we work closely with our students and families to make it as smooth as possible. Our College Counselors strive to match you with the college or university that best matches your individual strengths and interests to help you achieve both happiness and success in higher education. Starting in ninth grade, our team directs students in college awareness through Upper School, with specific discussions about college planning taking place at the beginning of your junior year when you’ll be assigned a counselor. We also offer many opportunities for parent education about college choices, admission procedures, standards, and trends.

Our most recent graduating class earned upwards of $20 million in college scholarships. Every year, Woodward graduates go on to attend colleges and universities around the U.S., as well as a few abroad. For more details on where Woodward graduates matriculate, check out this list of colleges where recent graduates have enrolled. Once they enroll in college, our students are notably well-prepared. They begin with qualities of character and mind that few other first-year college students possess, including civility, endurance, confidence in all kinds of settings, time management, the ability to advocate for themselves, and self-reliance. These qualities ensure success in college and a well-laid path for life.

We understand that every student is unique, and we want you to be happy as well as academically successful in college. While a large research university may be a great fit for some, a medium-sized school or small liberal arts college will be the best choice for others. We give you a head start by hosting visits from college admissions professionals throughout the academic year, so you can meet with them on campus during the school day. We also host an annual college fair so that you can meet with representatives from hundreds of colleges. Our College Counselors also have established relationships with admissions professionals by visiting colleges and universities around the U.S. so that they can provide valuable insights and make recommendations on campuses where you would flourish.

The mission of Woodward Academy College Counseling is to empower, advise, and
support students through their transition from high school to higher education,
professions, and meaningful lifelong learning.

College Counseling accomplishes this mission by:

• Providing a four-year comprehensive program that serves all Woodward families, matching student talents and aspirations with options for the next chapter in their learning, growth, and service; partnering with parents in this essential, dynamic process.
• Advising students on developing their academic and cocurricular lives, and growing the interactions and opportunities offered to students each year of high school.
• Collaborating with Woodward faculty, school counselors, and advisers; engaging professionally and networking with diverse colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad.
• Committing to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and celebrating the gifts that each student brings to the Woodward community; encouraging students to aspire and plan, and responding as good listeners, problem-solvers, and advocates.
• Personalizing advice through: individual counseling sessions, college fairs tailored to student interests, admission representative visits to speak with students, sessions and resources on affording college and parent concerns, Woodward alumni panels, and admission case studies.
• Utilizing current technology in college search, selection, and communication: the Scoir software system.
• Assisting each student with all aspects of articulating authentic admission credentials: assembling a meaningful college list; crafting strong essays and resumes; researching academic, professional, and cocurricular programs; and interviewing.