Preparation
Beginning in fall of 10th grade, students take the PSAT. The PSAT is a practice test that allows to students the opportunity to experience standardized tests in preparation for the SAT and ACT the following year. Very high scores allow students to become eligible for selection as National Merit Scholars as seniors. This test is essentially practice for the SAT and allows students to identify areas where they may want to improve their skills.
The high school also works with Lyle Burnham at StudyWorks to set up a SAT prep class for our 11th grade students. The class is not mandatory but is highly recommended.
In winter of 11th grade, students take the SAT and/or ACT. Emerson Waldorf High School organizes a SAT preparation course that is recommended for all juniors. In addition, our college counselor asks juniors to fill out a questionnaire about their interests and what their plans are after graduation so to facilitate the guidance process.
Starting in 12th grade, students and their parents meet individually with the college guidance counselor to allow for open discussion on questions, concerns, and/or options they might have about their post-high school future. For more information, click the College Preparation link.
College Acceptance List:
- UNC Pembroke
- UNC Wilmington
- Antioch College
- Guilford College
- UNC Greensboro
- Warren Wilson College
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Emory and Henry College
- Virginia Intermont College
- Mount Holyoke College
- UNC Asheville
- Appalachian State University
- UNC Charlotte
- Paul Smith College
- Green Mountain College
- The Culinary Arts of America
- Johnson and Wales University
- Wesleyan University
- Brandeis University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Drexel University
- Meredith College
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Embry-Riddle University
- Humboldt State University
“I value this school because it values me.”- EWHS Student
College applications
Emerson Waldorf High School is part of a rapidly growing international community of Waldorf High Schools. Waldorf schools are committed to academic excellence and offer their students a rigorous and broad academic program in preparation for the most demanding colleges.
The curriculum provides students a solid foundation for college or other post-secondary options. Through our college guidance program we convey to students and parents the ‘big picture’ responsibilities involved in the college preparatory process. The most significant factor in college admissions is how well a student performs in high school—academically, in extra-curricular activities, in service, and in the social realm. Our evaluations and transcripts are college-friendly and geared to meet the expectations of the admissions process.
Our students are assessed by narrative reports and letter grades. These assessments are often part of a portfolio that students create for their college admission packets. This portfolio has become a familiar part of a Waldorf student’s application and includes samples of academic work as well as artistic and practical work. More and more colleges have come to welcome and truly appreciate this method of presenting the whole picture of a student’s high school years. In these times of decreasing college reliance on a narrow picture of grades and standardized tests, our students truly stand out.
Timeline
Summer:
- Research at least ten colleges you are interested in applying to and take note of application procedures, acceptance standards and deadlines.
Fall:
- Official transcripts created
- Set up a meeting with your parents and the college guidance counselor. Bring your questions and initial college list.
- Visit colleges
- Start compiling your portfolio - take pictures of main lesson books, sculptures, photos, drawings, essays, etc.
- Ask at least two teachers for recommendations giving them ample time to complete the recommendation before the deadline.
- Determine each college’s deadlines - for applications, test scores, etc.
- Many applications ask for a personal statement or an essay. Leave yourself ample time to write your essay and have at least two people proofread it.
Winter:
- Have your SAT scores sent to the colleges you are applying to by going to www.collegeboard.org - you will need each college’s code, which can easily be found by going to the college’s admissions website or by calling the college.
- The guidance office will make copies of everything being sent to each college and sends it off in one big packet including: final high school transcript, teacher recommendations, guidance counselor recommendation, school profile, application (paper - You must submit if an online application), application fee (or fee waiver - sent out by the high school), essay(s), portfolio and any additional supplements.
- After a week, follow up calls are made to ascertain that that applications have been received and are complete.