Wellington offers a college counseling, rather than a college placement, program. The difference is important. At Wellington, the focus is on each student and his or her talents, interests and needs, and the matriculation list reflects and celebrates the diversity found in each senior class. The program, like a Wellington education, represents a balance between process and outcome. The desired result – the best possible college experience and future preparation for each individual student – is the goal of the extensive college search journey.

Wellington’s College Counseling program is built on four tenets:

• Education
• Support
• Partnership
• Advocacy

The college counseling process at Wellington is personalized through early and sustained communication and contact, beginning in the freshman year, when students attend two meetings that focus on the importance of their Upper School performance and on college entrance requirements and scenarios. A series of group meetings and workshops are held each year for all other students, and several individual appointments are scheduled with all juniors and seniors. Also, staff members welcome additional requests for contact, offering assistance and information on an individual and on-going basis.

Students learn about themselves, the fields of college admissions and college counseling, college attributes and individual colleges. They receive support in creating college lists and preparing application materials. They discover how to explore colleges from home and during campus visits, and how to be self-advocates in the admission process. They come to understand that the Director of College Counseling is a strong advocate for and partner to them, as well as an educator and supporter.

The Director also becomes an educator of and partner with the parents. Parents learn about the college process at several meetings held during the school year, and through information communicated via e-mail, the eBugle and the college counseling Web site. They are able to work closely with the Director and to request assistance at any time.