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Grade 10

Timeline

Sophomore Year

  • Continue to make thoughtful choices about your curriculum in consultation with your teachers, academic advisor and parents.
  • Take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) in October as a practice for future standardized testing. Keep in mind that these scores are NOT sent to colleges but will help you to identify both strengths and weaknesses in your academic skills. This test is administered to all WMA sophomores and juniors during the school day on our campus.
  • Attend required Sophomore Seminar classes offered by the College Counselors during the spring trimester. These classes meet once a week and focus on a variety of topics including the importance of self-reflection in the college process, strategies for developing a strong personal statement and an introduction to Naviance, WMA’s college counseling software.
  • Yearly presentation on the college essay by Allan Reeder, professional writer. This program is required for all sophomores.
  • Get more deeply involved in the activities that interest you most. Focus on making a meaningful contribution to a few endeavors rather than superficial involvement in many things. Look for opportunities to take on leadership roles.
  • Begin investigating colleges through searches on Naviance and the internet, recommended guidebooks and campus visits if time permits. Take a campus tour, attend an information session and be open to learning more about the wide variety of colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world.
  • Sophomore class visit to a college campus for a tour and general information session.
  • Continue to make good use of your summer break. In addition to the many academic enrichment or volunteer opportunities that are available, you may now be old enough to consider a part-time job or internship.

Program

The formal part of the college process begins in Grade 10 when students are assigned to a weekly class for the spring semester. Sophomore Seminar introduces our students to the college process at WMA and covers a range of topics from self-assessment to the art of writing a compelling personal statement to navigating Naviance, the college counseling software WMA uses.

Sophomore Seminar

Sophomore Seminar classes are offered by the College Counselors during the spring trimester. These classes will focus on a variety of topics including the importance of self-reflection in the college process; strategies for developing a strong personal statement; and an introduction to Naviance, WMA’s college counseling software. This course has been designed to help our students find educational opportunities – primarily programs of study in postsecondary institutions – that are consistent with the their occupational interests. All sophomores are administered the Self-Directed Search Assessment.

SMARTTRACK® College Funding High School Initiative

Smarttrack College Funding

Most families are surprised to learn that with a little planning, they can significantly lower out-of-pocket college costs, maximize grants and scholarships, and minimize debt. 

We’re providing the SMARTTRACK® College Funding High School Initiative to assist our 9th-11th grade families with the financial piece of college planning. If you’re concerned that you won’t qualify for financial aid, haven’t saved enough, or don’t have an effective plan to cover the considerable costs of educating all your children, SMARTTRACK® can help.

Click here to create your complimentary account.