HELLO
SENIORS!
Important Information for Seniors Graduating in 2026
Common App Information:
Got more questions? Reach out! [email protected] & [email protected]
- GPAs: **UNWEIGHTED** (recent change)
- Class size: 122
- AAPS: DOES NOT RANK
- Graduation date: 5/29/2026
- ACT/SAT code: 230-084
- Does the school you’re applying to require a counselor letter? Make a copy of this form and share with your counselor.
Got more questions? Reach out! [email protected] & [email protected]
Helpful Links and Shared Resources
Senior Meeting Slides 2025 - 2026 FAFSA Night Presentation with WCC - 9/18/25
Overwhelmed by College Applications? The counseling department has got you covered!
Quick Links:
College Application Timeline
September
October
November
- Work on Common App
- Curate your college list
- Ask for counselor letter, if required
- Ask teachers for recommendation letters (See "Recommendation Letter Guidelines" below.)
- Visit campuses virtually or in-person
October
- Start the FAFSA with your family
- Draft essays and ask for writing critiques
- Continue your Common App
- Know your deadlines
November
- Submit by November 1 for most early action schools (early DECISION is legally binding, early ACTION is not)
- Submit by November 15 for many early decisions (early DECISION is legally binding, early ACTION is not)
- Try to complete all applications by Thanksgiving break
Recommendation Letter Guidelines
Check to see if your schools REQUIRE letters. If so, follow these guidelines:
- Keep in mind that a recommendation letter is a GIFT, not an expectation or requirement. Request a letter AT LEAST two weeks before the application deadline. (NOTE: Teachers typically spend several hours on each letter, so give them as much time as possible to fit it into their schedule.)
- Ask your teacher in person or by email BEFORE you submit the request in Common App.
- Only submit what the colleges ask for; admissions folks do NOT like extra materials.
- Pick two ACADEMIC teachers (i.e. English, math, social studies, science) UNLESS you are going to a music or arts school, then choose your music or art teacher. Do not ask your forum leader for an academic letter unless they were an actual academic teacher for you.
- Ask teachers in different departments (e.g. don't ask two English or two science teachers).
- The counselor letter is a great way to include a professor, forum leader, or CR teacher without using one of your full letter spots.
Gap Year Information
Articles
Organizations
Events
USA GAP YEAR FAIRS
Why take a gap year? The best way to learn about gap year options and connect with gap year program providers is to connect face-to-face at a USA Gap Year Fair virtual or in-person event. With more and more students choosing to take gap time this year, there is a growing need for students, parents, and educational professionals to become aware of the advantages of taking “time out” from traditional education and “time on” for experiential learning.
USA Gap Year Fairs is an annual circuit of 30-40 events that bring together reputable gap year organizations, interested students and parents, educational professionals, and gap year experts. For the past 16 years, the circuit has crossed North America each winter and expanded to offer virtual events the last several years. As the premiere event series of its kind, the fairs have provided students with broad exposure to gap year programs that encourage active learning through travel, cultural immersion, service, work experience, and mentorship. Opportunities for face-to-face conversations with gap year program providers, trip leaders, advisors, and alumni offer attendees a personal and individualized experience. Each event begins with a presentation by gap year advisors and alumni. These gap year experts provide attendees with a rich overview of the gap year option, share relevant data, highlight authentic student experiences, and offer tips and resources to help guide families through gap year research.
In 2018, USA GYF was acquired by Go Overseas (GoOverseas.com), the leading site for discovering gap year programs through alum reviews, articles, and scholarship information. With a mission to empower human connection through perspective-changing travel, Go Overseas is thrilled to grow the event circuit and help popularize gap year options in the coming years. Go Overseas is particularly excited to make gap years more accessible than ever this year, not only through offering nationwide free virtual fairs but by offering $5,000+ in gap year scholarships.
For more information on USA Gap Year Fairs, visit www.USAGapYearFairs.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Organizations
- Do you love the outdoors or wilderness expeditions? Check out NOLS (formerly the National Outdoor Leadership School)! The school offers outstanding wilderness skill and leadership training for students as young as 14. It's an interesting option for a gap year or study abroad, too. Many NOLS graduates say the experience was one of the richest and most intense learning experiences of their lives. Stay within the U.S. or go abroad! There's a wide variety of trainings and experiences that can fit everyone.
- CIEE is a reputable study abroad program that includes gap year options! They are accredited by the Gap Year Association, which means they have met the required standards approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. You can find information on their gap year programs here. There are worldwide options available. Follow CIEE on Instagram, Tik Tok, or Twitter to see what you can expect! Stop by the counseling office if interested, and Heather can help put you in touch with a CIEE representative.
Events
USA GAP YEAR FAIRS
Why take a gap year? The best way to learn about gap year options and connect with gap year program providers is to connect face-to-face at a USA Gap Year Fair virtual or in-person event. With more and more students choosing to take gap time this year, there is a growing need for students, parents, and educational professionals to become aware of the advantages of taking “time out” from traditional education and “time on” for experiential learning.
USA Gap Year Fairs is an annual circuit of 30-40 events that bring together reputable gap year organizations, interested students and parents, educational professionals, and gap year experts. For the past 16 years, the circuit has crossed North America each winter and expanded to offer virtual events the last several years. As the premiere event series of its kind, the fairs have provided students with broad exposure to gap year programs that encourage active learning through travel, cultural immersion, service, work experience, and mentorship. Opportunities for face-to-face conversations with gap year program providers, trip leaders, advisors, and alumni offer attendees a personal and individualized experience. Each event begins with a presentation by gap year advisors and alumni. These gap year experts provide attendees with a rich overview of the gap year option, share relevant data, highlight authentic student experiences, and offer tips and resources to help guide families through gap year research.
In 2018, USA GYF was acquired by Go Overseas (GoOverseas.com), the leading site for discovering gap year programs through alum reviews, articles, and scholarship information. With a mission to empower human connection through perspective-changing travel, Go Overseas is thrilled to grow the event circuit and help popularize gap year options in the coming years. Go Overseas is particularly excited to make gap years more accessible than ever this year, not only through offering nationwide free virtual fairs but by offering $5,000+ in gap year scholarships.
For more information on USA Gap Year Fairs, visit www.USAGapYearFairs.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
