Currently, colleges are taking an increasingly holistic approach in deciding to accept or reject student applications. This means that not just a student’s grades and classes are being evaluated, but also the courses that they could have taken and the extracurricular activities a student is participating in. According to several sources, colleges focus on putting together a “community” just as much as they focus on grades. Given that Woodward’s core classes can be more demanding than those in other schools, how does this affect student applications?
Ms. Liz Carter, the counselor for the class of 2026, asserts it as a fact that Woodward’s courses are more difficult than those offered at many other schools, which could lead to students worrying that their efforts and work are not being recognized.
“ [College admissions officials] know that we are more rigorous than the typical public school downstream, and so they do take that into account,” Ms Carter said. “A CP class here is already a step above a regular high school class.”
However, it is important to know that a college does not just see a list of AP courses, but they get a letter from the school explaining all that is taught in those classes. Ms. Jodi Hester, one of Woodward’s college counselors, spoke to how they offer context to schools WA students apply to.
“[Colleges] also [see] the stretch and the rigor that comes [from] students who are doing those honors courses, and often you… take honors as your stepping stone to get to AP [courses],” Ms. Hester said.
A downside to the rigorous academics of Woodward is how they may not leave students with as much time for extracurricular activities, which are also considered by colleges during the application process. However, Woodward’s large selection of clubs and organizations helps in this area, as they make it easier to find a club that a person may get very involved in.
A student getting involved in one club and sticking to it is, according to Ms. Carter, more important than having a wide array of clubs that a student has participated in little.
“[Colleges want to see you] find your place, rather than just being, you know, a random participant in 10 different clubs,” Ms. Carter said. “They don’t want to see that. They want to see you find something you love and run with it.”
Furthermore, given Woodward’s 100% acceptance rate into colleges, according to Ms. Hester, students can over-worry about trying to look particularly good for colleges and not make the most of their time in high school.
“In general, everybody who leaves here is college ready and prepared to do good,” Ms. Hester said.
