Planning for College

Let the planning begin

The path to college is both a celebration and an extension of a student’s learning in high school.

Our college counselors empower students to succeed at each step of their application process through supportive and expert guidance.

Wasatch Academy’s counselors use a personalized approach to best accommodate each student's needs and strengths while encouraging them to find schools catered to their unique interests.

While we recognize there is no one-size-fits-all route in preparing for college, we generally recommend the following process:

Compile a digital portfolio showcasing the student’s accomplishments that demonstrate creative and innovative learning throughout high school. Portfolio items could include class projects, essays, art pieces, and videos or audio recordings of performances, awards & honors received, school & community activities, officership in organizations, and volunteer or paid jobs. We encourage pictures of active participation, and updates to the portfolio should be ongoing and revised each semester.
Become involved in at least one extracurricular activity and, if possible, get deeply involved. As students advance to the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, they should try to assume a leadership role.
During the summer, students should take part in enrichment programs, special workshops, and camps for music, science, engineering, writing, film-making, theater, language, etc. Students may want to consider taking a new class during the summer or retaking a course in which an unsatisfactory outcome or grade was received.
If students have the time, we recommend they work a summer job or volunteer in an area where the student’s community needs assistance.
Effective test preparation happens through creative, academic engagement both within and outside of the classroom. Over the summer of the junior and senior years, students should prepare for the SAT or ACT by reading books with testing tips and sample questions. Students can find these resources in bookstores or libraries, the school, or the Internet. Workshops on preparation for college entrance exams are also available.
Visit a wide variety of college campuses, especially in the junior and senior years.
Some students pursue and may benefit from an intentional and goal-oriented gap year. Through purposeful engagement and focus, students can transform passions and curiosities into active practices and service.

College Timeline

9th Grade

Students develop the strategies for admission to the colleges best suited to their individual needs, their journey begins with:
• Taking early ownership of their learning.
• Developing a rich portfolio of learning celebrations and personal achievement
10th Grade

We support students:
• Taking ownership of their learning.
• Developing creative and innovative critical thinking and time-management skills for academic and lifelong success.
• Creating a digital portfolio and updating it with individual celebrations of learning and accomplishments throughout the year.
• Completing any courses that prepare them for the SAT Subject tests in May.
• Potentially taking the June ACT and SAT.
11th Grade

We encourage students to:
• Attain the best possible grades in all classes— this is the year colleges will most closely examine.
• Using teachers and other resources to achieve the highest levels of competencies optimizing outcomes and grades.
• Consider taking one or two AP classes.
• Participate in individualized college-planning meetings that begin in February and continue through the spring semester and senior year. TOEFL, SAT, and ACT exams are also offered to juniors in the spring semester.
12th Grade

Seniors meet regularly with their college counselors to ensure an organized and well-planned approach to the application process, which includes:
• Turning memories and experiences into essays.
•  Meaningful student-teacher relationships generating thoughtful letters of recommendation.
•  Making strong academic performance and grades a top priority.
•  Taking ownership of learning.
•  Using teachers and other resources to achieve the highest levels of competencies optimizing outcomes and grades.
•  A consideration for taking up to three AP classes.