Academics
College Counseling
At Westminster, college counseling is a four-year journey rooted in relationships, self-discovery, and thoughtful planning. Our counselors work closely with students throughout their time on Williams Hill, helping them explore their interests, identify their strengths, and ultimately find colleges and universities where they will thrive. While the application process begins in earnest during the Fifth and Sixth Forms, the foundation is built through years of academic growth, involvement, and personal reflection.
College Matriculation
The list below shows where four or more Westminster graduates of the classes of 2021-2025 enrolled.
Boston College
Brown University
Bucknell University
Colby College
Colgate University
Connecticut College
Dartmouth College
Denison University
Endicott College
Fairfield University
Brown University
Bucknell University
Colby College
Colgate University
Connecticut College
Dartmouth College
Denison University
Endicott College
Fairfield University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Hamilton College
Indiana University-Bloomington
Lehigh University
Middlebury College
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Princeton University
Georgetown University
Hamilton College
Indiana University-Bloomington
Lehigh University
Middlebury College
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Princeton University
Providence College
Santa Clara University
Skidmore College
Southern Methodist University
St. Lawrence University
Syracuse University
Texas Christian University
Trinity College
Tufts University
Tulane University of Louisiana
University of Colorado Boulder
Santa Clara University
Skidmore College
Southern Methodist University
St. Lawrence University
Syracuse University
Texas Christian University
Trinity College
Tufts University
Tulane University of Louisiana
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Connecticut
University of Denver
University of Denver
University of Miami
University of Richmond
University of St Andrews
University of Virginia
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Vassar College
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
Washington University in
St. Louis
Wesleyan University
The College Process
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Third Form Year
Third Form students are encouraged to spend the year focusing on acclimating to the boarding school community, finding confidence in the classroom, and exploring extracurricular interests. Since the Westminster community mimics that of a college community, students should take stock of what they enjoy about this experience. Since our college counselors live on campus and are fully immersed in the community, Third Form students have the opportunity to develop relationships with the counselors who will guide them throughout the college process.
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Fifth Form Year
Fifth Form students begin engaging with the college search in December with an all-Form meeting. At this meeting, Fifth Formers are introduced to key college search concepts, including the value of research, an overview of the online platforms the college office uses to manage the college search and application process, and important dates and deadlines. They are also given the Fifth Form Student Questionnaire, which is an opportunity for students to highlight their high school accomplishments and future aspirations. Once students turn this document into the college office, they receive the name of their College Counselor. Parents are also invited to complete the Parent Questionnaire for their student.Throughout the winter and spring, Fifth Form students meet individually with their College Counselor to develop a list of colleges that could be an appropriate match based on what they have learned in individual conversations with their College Counselor and attend all-Form college meetings. Students benefit from participation in the Hartford Area Independent Secondary School College Counselors Association (HAISSCCA), which hosts a college fair in the spring that is regularly attended by well over one hundred colleges from around the world.Fifth Form students are encouraged to take either the SAT or ACT during the winter or spring terms. They are also invited during the fall term to take the PSAT to qualify for National Merit Scholarship opportunities. It should be noted that not all students will be required to use their standardized testing as part of their admission process and students will meet their individual counselor for the most appropriate individual strategy.Also, in the spring, Fifth Form students begin to write a college essay draft, request college recommendations from their teachers, and begin to solidify their final college list.
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Fourth Form Year
Fourth Form students should be hitting their stride in all aspects of the Westminster community. These students will be introduced to practice standardized tests - starting with the PSAT in the fall term and the PreACT in the spring term. Students will receive the results a few weeks after each test and should take these results with a grain of salt. For example, many Fourth Formers may not have received full exposure to all of the math that is on these tests. It should be noted that the PSAT and PreACT are not used by colleges in the admission process and we do not recommend that students do much preparation for each test. The purpose of these tests is to gain a baseline on possible areas to improve.Parents and guardians of Fourth Form students are invited to attend an information session hosted by the College Counseling Office during Parents and Family Weekend during the fall term.
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Sixth Form Year
College Counselors require Sixth Form students to submit a draft of their college essay in September and the counselors meet with students regularly throughout the admissions process. The College Counselors support students by solidifying their college lists, deciding on appropriate application timelines, editing essays, and completing applications.Counselors host an all-Form meeting every two weeks throughout the fall term to keep students on track with their applications and to discuss larger college counseling concepts. Throughout the fall, Sixth Formers meet with representatives from leading universities who visit the Westminster campus. During this time, Sixth Formers have the opportunity to take the SAT or the ACT in advance of early and regular decision application deadlines in November, December, and January.By the May 1 national college deposit deadline, Sixth Formers are wrapping up the college process by accepting an offer of admission from a college or university.
Meet the College Counseling Staff
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Contact Us
995 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070
P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070
P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001
Explore Our Website
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
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AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.