College Advising receives word about numerous scholarships. Williston is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse, any of these programs.

AES Engineers Scholarship
Application Deadline October 8, 2023
Application Process: Students will submit an essay on the topic that appears on the scholarship page of our web site. Full details are available on our site. http://www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm

Arms Academy Endowed Scholarship Fund
These scholarships are available to students who live in the Mohawk Trail Regional School District and who may be attending Williston. The link is to the scholarship information on the Mohawk Trail Regional School District website.

2024 Big Y Scholarship
Live as of November 1; deadline February 1, 2024.  Awards over 300 scholarships each ear totaling more than $250,000. Recognizing academic merit and achievement to students in the Big Y market area in MA or CT.  Visit website to access scholarship portal to fill out application: https://www.bigy.com/community/scholarships

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Over 150 Scholarship Funds Available to students living in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. Both currently enrolled in high school and students already enrolled in college are eligible to apply. First complete 2023-2024 FAFSA app at studentaid.gov to obtain your Student Aid Report (SAR). Then start scholarship app at communityfoundation.org to begin eligibility.

Emlen H. Jones Memorial Scholarship
Members of Amherst Pediatrics can apply to the Emlen H. Jones Memorial Scholarship. Application deadline is April 14^th. Email their scholarship committee for details mail@amherstpediatrics.net.

Hagan Scholarship Foundation
Provides up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Must graduate from a public, private, charter, magnet, or STEM high school; Must have achieved a 3.5 GPA; Must enroll in an eligible college or university the first semester following graduation; Must maintain a 4 year or less graduation schedule; Must work 240 hours prior to commencement of the fall semester in college; Applicants Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2022 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $100,000.  For more information visit www.hsfmo.org.

Henry David Thoreau Foundation
High School Seniors interested in environmental studies could receive up to $26000 for tuition to the college of their choice. Majoring in many different subjects such as oceanography, green architecture, conservation biology, and alternative energy as well as engineering and computer science majors related to the environment. www.thoreauscholar.org Application opens Oct 15, 2023 and closes Feb 1, 2024.

The Horace Smith Fund
Available for residents of Hampden County who will graduate high school in 2022. Recipients are selected on a variety of criteria, including financial need, cumulative graduating GPA, extra-curricular activities, and recommendations.  The application requires a personal written account of why the student feels deserving of financial assistance.  All recipients must be residents of Hampden County and be enrolled in college.

Horatio Alger Scholarship
A scholarship for high school juniors who are United States citizens with significant financial need and who have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Apply online December 1 through March 15.

Junior League of Greater Springfield
an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Students living in Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin counties may apply at http://www.jlgs.org/scholarship.html

Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship
Seniors graduating in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Fill out online application www.massaflcio.org/scholarships (Deadline 12-22-23). 30 Multiple choice questions and one written essay.

PB&J Scholarship
$1,000 for students who have experienced personal challenges that may not have allowed them to perform well academically, but who still have the drive to succeed. With no GPA requirement, students are encouraged to apply as this scholarship is meant to be inclusive.  Must be a current high school senior planning to attend college next school year.

Valley Press Club
Awarding $1,000 scholarships to students interested in print, online, photo or broadcast journalism.  Available to high school seniors in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut who are planning to attend accredited institutions of higher education.  Applicants must be seriously committed to careers in journalism. www.valleypressclub.com

Zonta Club of Northampton Area, Build a Better World for Women and Girls
This award will be available to young women in our area, ages 16-19, recognizing the work they do demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes.  Deadline is March 1, 2023. For more information on Zonta International and the scholarship, visit zonta.org.

Read our School Profile.

• Common Application Essay Prompts

College Search

College Board

Applications

The Common Application
Application for more than 300 selective college and universities for admission to their undergraduate programs.

The University of California Pathways
The University of California’s online undergraduate admission information and application network.

Coalition Application

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information

FAFSA
Free application for federal student aid

Student guide to financial aid

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
The financial aid application service of the College Board

FastWeb
Scholarship search service

College Essays

Essays That Worked from Tufts University

Essays That Worked from Connecticut College

Essays That Worked from Johns Hopkins University

College Essay Guy

National Collegiate Athletic Association Eligibility Center

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

National Letter of Intent

Ivy League Sports

NESCAC

Patriot League

Northeast 10

College Advising receives word about numerous summer opportunities for students of various grade levels. Williston is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse, any of these programs.

Babson Summer Study
Intensive online pre-college summer program, cultivate the entrepreneurial mindset needed to create opportunities where others see obstacles.

Badger Precollege Summer Programs
Programs at the University of Wisconsin, Madison for grades nine through 12 who want to pursue academic passions and meet new friends this summer. Courses include Forensic Science, Music, Art & Technology; Huma Language & Identity; Satellite Science & Programming for Meteorology.

Barnard Pre-College
Free application and a variety of program options, including leadership and STEM.

Boston University Collegiate Experience for High School Students
Explore Media Production and Unleash your talent! Creative high school students develop their cinematic and journalistic storytelling skills producing films, videos, visual effects, webcasts and more

Boston University Summer Term
Pre-college programs for high school students. Five exciting programs providing rigorous and collaborative college life experiences that gives students a strong sense of their personal and academic potential.

Bucknell Academy Summer Experience
Two week-long summer programs at Bucknell for rising juniors and seniors, one for Engineering and one about leadership and collaboration. Both offer financial aid.

Carnegie Mellon
A wide range of programs such as art, writing, culture, drama, music, and computational biology. Programs are low to no cost for families who qualify for aid.

Ciao! Summer Program in Italy
An immersive 3 week pre-college program in Italy focusing on the built environment from a sustainability perspective. www.ciaocfsu.org

Clemson University
Clemson University, in partnership with Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, has developed a summer research experience for middle and high school students.

Columbia University Pre-College Summer Program
Students take one course, choosing from over 70 courses, for an in-depth examination of a specific subject area. Open to students enrolled in grades 8 to 12. The residential option is open to students who will be 16 years of age or older by the start of the program.

Cooper Union Summer STEM 2022 Program
Offering in-person and virtual classes. Biomaterials Design; Next Gen Construction Materials, Computer-Aided Drug Design; Race Car Research; Data for New York; Maker XRI; Design and Drawing for Engineering; Robotics Crash Course; and Machine Learning.

Cornell University Pre-College Studies
Online and on-campus. Students can earn 3 to 8 credits.

Duke Pre-College
Academically motivated students, grades 6 – 11, will discover courses from across the curriculum this June and July. Engineering, humanities, mathematics, science, social sciences and technology.

Economics Prep Course
Online, deadline February 21, 2022 (courses in March and April) Considering business, finance, political science, environmental studies or economics as your college major? Robert Reinauer, a Bryant University economics instructor, teaches micro and macroeconomics.

Franklin University Switzerland
Summer Programs for graduating high school seniors and rising high school juniors and seniors.

Gettysburg College
Opportunities for high school juniors and sophomores to attend academic programs and athletic camps over the summer months.

Greatbooks Summer Program
This program offers intellectual discovery, fun, and a great first glimpse of college life on the campuses of Haverford College, Pepperdine University, Amherst College, the University of Oxford, and now in Madrid, on a Tall Ship Adventure off the coast of Maine and online.

iD Tech Camps & Academics
Register today for summer programs held at UMass Amherst and 75+ inspiring universities.  The world’s #1 tech camp for 23+ years. Coding, game dev, robotics, and more. iD Tech is the very best experience built around your students interests, skill level, and goals for the future

Landmark College
Summer learning opportunities for students who learn differently (students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or executive function challenges). It’s a time to explore new interests, engage in one-of-a-kind experiences and establish lasting friendships.

Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Helps high school students work one-on-one with a scholar on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you’ll develop an independent research piece that you could use for college admissions or future studies.

Marist College Summer Pre-College Programs
Marist College is offering more than 20 unique In-Person and Virtual Summer Pre-College programs, giving students the opportunity to earn three transferable college credits while they’re still in high school!  Pre-College programs include Criminal Justice, Pre-Law, Fashion Merchandising, Pre-Health, Broadway at Marist, and Game Design.

National Student Leadership Conference
High school pre-college and middle school summer enrichment programs.

New York University Pre-College
Rising Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to spend part of their summer on NYU’s campus for six weeks. Students can take college-level courses for credit, developing their writing skills, and learning how to manage their time, all while experiencing what it’s like to be a student at NYU.

Northeastern Accelerate Pre-College Programs
Features exceptional faculty delivering courses that combine innovative content, experiential learning, and a world-class environment-giving talented high school students a true Northeastern experience.

Putney Student Travel
Offers high school and middle school programs in over 30 countries around the world, helping young people broaden their perspectives and interact with the world beyond the familiar surroundings of home.

Reynolds Young Writers Workshop
High school juniors and seniors to-be are welcomed to Denison University for an eight-day residential program that incorporates small creative writing workshops, group sessions with Denison creative writing faculty and notable visiting writers. Only open to 48 students.

RISD Pre-Collegiate Programs

• Online Info Session and Webinar: February 17
• Summer 2022 Pre-College Virtual Fair: February 26

SCAD Pre-College Programs
Summer Seminars, Rising Star, and joint enrollment, Future creative starts make new friends, trendsetting work, and career connections with acclaimed professors – all while getting a glimpse into university life.

Scholar Launch
Summer research programs for juniors; financial aid is available.

Stevens Institute of Technology Pre-College
Each program gives students the opportunity to explore a college major and test drive the college experience. The goal is to get students thinking strategically about their future.

Summer Discovery
300+ courses. 10+ campuses. One life-changing experience. The world’s leading pre-college summer program provider for students grades 6-12. Explore a future career path. Experience hands-on learning with world-class instructors, industry leaders and more. Immerse yourself completely into “the college experience” alongside peers as curious as you are – all through Summer Discovery. Start your journey today. Apply at Summerdiscovery.com

TeenLife Summer Programs
More than 80 summer programs for middle school and high school students.

Tufts High School Intensives
Tufts offers one- to three-week programs on a variety of subjects including Climate Change, Entrepreneurship, and International Relations. These are designed for students entering grades 10 to 12.

​UMass Summer Sport Leadership Academy
​Taught by top-ranked sport management faculty students learn and get excited about a career in sports while earning college credit. Scholarships are available.

University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Writer’s Life Community Wild Invention–Juniper Institute for Young Writers: Provides Pre-college experience for teens who love writing poems and stories, want to meet like-minded peers, and yearn for mentorship from professional writers and teachers.

University of Miami
The University of Miami, Florida, offers both credit and noncredit classes to high school students in a number of topics ranging from business and media/communications to atmospheric science and architecture.  Financial aid and scholarships are available.

Washington University in St. Louis summer programs
Summer programs include: Olin Business School Programs (app deadline is March 8, 2023):  BOLD@Olin: July 9–15, 2023; Olin Fleischer Scholars Program: July 9–15, 2023; Gateway to Business: July 9–15, 2023.  Arts & Sciences Programs (app deadline is April 3, 2023):  High School Summer Scholars Program: June 11–July 15, 2023, High School Summer Academy: June 11–July 15, 2023, High School Summer Launch: July 30–August 5, 2023. Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts Programs(app deadline is March 15, 2023): Architecture Discovery Program: July 9–22, 2023, Portfolio Plus Program: July 9–29, 2023. Visit their Summer Programs Page for additional opportunities with Arts & Sciences, Tyson Research Center, the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, WashU Athletics, and WashU Rural Scholars Academy.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Pre-College Programs
WPI hosts several programs: Frontiers (and Frontiers for credit), for rising juniors and seniors to explore topics in STEM and humanities; and Launch, for rising freshman and sophomore students to explore their fields of interest.

When it comes to standardized tests such as the SAT and the ACT, it is essential to understand the benefit of acquiring test-taking skills and taking practice tests. Being familiar with the nuances of standardized test questions, formats, answer keys, and time constraints are almost as crucial as possessing content knowledge and critical thinking skills. Evaluating one’s most recent test results to focus on skills in areas that need strengthening is a valuable tool in enhancing one’s performance on subsequent tests. Self-help is free and should be a regular part of every student’s repertoire. College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to offer free test prep that can be found here: College Board/Khan Academy. The ACT also offers test prep, including free practice tests, which can be found here: ACT Resources. Both programs are very successful, and they allow students the flexibility to work around their unique schedules.

Additionally, working with an expert in the field can pay big dividends. To that end, for those interested in working one-on-one with a tutor, we want to make you aware of the two people the College Advising Office recommends: Andy Hilnbrand and Brian Leaf.

Andy Hilnbrand is the founder of Quotient Education (quotiented.com). He is a professional tutor specializing in standardized testing preparation and math and science course support (including AP Calc, Stats, Physics, and Chem). A former Director of Mathematics and Sciences and Princeton Review Instructor, Andy also served as a math and science department chair for 13 years and has had his own independent tutoring business for 20 years. In addition to tutoring, Andy is a professor at the University of Massachusetts School of Education. He can be contacted at: andy@quotiented.com or (413) 320-2645.

Brian Leaf (brianleaf.com) is the author of six books, including Defining Twilight and the four-book SAT and ACT test-prep series McGraw-Hill’s Top 50 Skills. He is Director of the New Leaf Learning Center in Massachusetts and has provided SAT, ACT, GED, SSAT, and GRE preparation to thousands of students across the country. He can be contacted at (413) 584-0075.

Additional Resources

Williston also partners with Revolution Prep to offer student interactive online tutoring.

Williston’s Clapp Memorial Library has free access to Peterson’s Test Prep (thanks to the state-wide database program by Massachusetts Library Association).

As part of the College Advising process, Williston helps facilitate opportunities for juniors interested in group test-prep sessions for the ACT and SAT. We work with two school-vetted tutors who offer multi-week sessions and full-day intensives—fees determined by the tutors.

Test prep dates for 2024-2025:

Williston has a long relationship with local tutors Andy Hilnbrand and Brian Leaf, who offer PSAT, SAT and ACT test prep courses on campus. Below you will find information about courses currently offered during the 2024-2025 school year. The information will be updated as more test prep courses become available.

Test Prep offered by Brian Leaf

One-day PSAT Intensive for the October PSAT

You’ll learn strategies for every section of the test, insider tricks and tips, how to avoid the most common careless errors, and test-day stress management from bestselling test-prep author Brian Leaf.

When: Sunday, October 13^th, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: Plimpton
Cost: $350, all materials included
REGISTER/PAY ONLINE NOW

SAT/ACT Math Skills Class

Do you need to brush up on math skills for the SAT or ACT? In this four-week class, bestselling test-prep author Brian Leaf will review exactly what shows up on the math sections of these tests so you can be ready. Plus, you’ll learn test-day stress management and how to avoid the most common careless errors. Don’t miss it!

When: Four Sundays: Jan 26 through Feb 23, 10am-12pm
Where: Plimpton
Cost: $500, all materials included
REGISTER/PAY ONLINE NOW

Barron’s

• Best Buys in College Education
• Profiles of American Colleges

College Board

• College Handbook
• Scholarship Handbook
• International Student Handbook
• Meeting College Costs: What You Need to Know Before Your Child and Your Money Leave Home

Fiske

• Guide to Colleges

Peterson’s

• College Guide for Performing Arts Majors
• College Guide for the Visual Arts Majors
• Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities or ADD

Princeton Review

• America’s Best Value Colleges
• Visiting College Campuses

Suggested Reading for Parents

• “College (Un)Bound” by Jeffrey Selingo
• “There is Life after College” by Jeffrey Selingo
• “Gap to Great: A Parent’s Guide to Gap Year” by Andrea Wien
• “How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success” by Julie Lythcott-Haims
• “The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College” by Jacques Steinberg

Suggested Reading for Students and Parents

• “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania” by Frank Bruni
• “This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life” by David Foster Wallace
• “If This Isn’t Nice, What Is? Advice for the Young” by Kurt Vonnegut
• “The Freshman Survival Guide: Soulful Advice for Studying, Socializing, and Everything In Between” by Bill McGarvey and Nora Bradbury-Haehl

Testing Information

Testing Dates & Deadlines for 2024-2025

Online Resources

College Board – PSAT/ SAT/ SAT II/ AP

ACT Online

Test Optional List/Fair Test

TOEFL

October

• Take the PSAT.
• Attend panels about college admissions at Fall Family Weekend covering topics such as current admission trends, advice from admissions deans, financial aid, and athletic recruitment.

November

• SCOIR accounts will be assigned to assist in exploration of colleges
• Consider visiting a college over long weekend or in the early part of Thanksgiving break.

January

• Make an appointment for your first meeting with your college counselor
• Attend required College Advising classes

February

• Meet with College Counselor
• Arrange Spring Break campus visits
• Students and families should work to see a variety of colleges and universities, both in terms of size, program, location, and selectivity

March

• Visit colleges over the break (make sure and call ahead or visit school admission websites to confirm tour schedules)
• Take notes so that you’ll be able to remind yourself of details from the tours and info sessions

April

• Take ACT
• Continue to do online research and schedule visits whenever possible
• Meet with College Counselor
• Continue refining your college list and plan your senior year classes

May

• Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams, if applicable
• Work with your advisor and College Counselor to choose senior classes
• Take SAT Reasoning Test
• Ask teachers to write recommendations

Summer

• Take SAT Reasoning
• Visit college campuses, if possible, and interview where available
• Start working on your college essays
• Complete the Common Application (www.commonapp.org)

September

• Attend sessions in the College Advising Office with visiting college admissions officers
• Meet college representatives at the fall mini fairs

October

• Narrow list of colleges to which to apply with your college counselor
• Attend sessions in the College Advising Office with visiting college admissions officer
• Decide whether to apply Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA), if appropriate.
• Visit colleges on long weekends
• If applying for financial aid, fill out the CSS PROFILE registration form
• Begin submitting applications with rolling deadlines (if any)
• Retake SAT Reasoning Test, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests if necessary

November

• Contact colleges which require alumni interviews. These can be arranged on campus with a local alumnus
• Finalize your college list
• Remember to check Early Decision (ED)/Early Action (EA) application deadlines
• Retake SAT Subject Tests or SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT, if necessary
• If applying for financial aid, submit the completed CSS PROFILE
• Finalize application essays and applications, if applying EA/ED
• Complete your applications, if applying EA/ED

December

• Confirm final college list online with your College Counselor for all regular decision applications
• Retake SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests (if necessary)
• Finalize applications with December 31 and January 1 deadlines

January

• DEADLINES: Submit any applications due January 1 or later
• If applying for financial aid, file FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1
• DEADLINE: Submit any applications due January 15

February

• Continue to focus on your classes
• Remember: colleges consider final senior grades and, in many cases, matriculation is contingent upon strong academic performance through senior year

April

• Visit colleges and universities to which you have been admitted
• Decide which college to attend
• Notify all other colleges to which you were admitted that you will be enrolling elsewhere

May

• Remember to reply to colleges by Nationwide Candidate Reply Date on May 1
• If applicable, decide whether or not to remain on any waitlists and communicate your decision to the colleges in question
• Commencement!