• The Grafton High School Counseling Department is dedicated to providing a proactive, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate program to address students' academic and career goals in addition to supporting their personal and social needs.  This is accomplished through a partnership with parents/guardians, staff, and community members to enable all students to become successful, productive citizens and lifelong learners in a diverse and changing world.
     
    A Message From Your School Counselors
     
    In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, information is changing daily.  Please check this web page for updated School Counseling information.  School Counselors are available to support students and families with specific questions and concerns through email or phone contact.  Counselor contact information is listed on the right side of this page. Together we will work through these unprecedented times.
     
     
     
    CLICK HERE to find information, and all public communications, from Grafton Public Schools regarding how our schools are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
     
     
    Mental Health Resources

    The School Counseling office acknowledges that feeling anxious and stressed in these rapidly changing times is normal. It is essential that you take care of yourselves and monitor your own physical and mental health. In the event of a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to your local emergency room.  Students and parents CLICK HERE to access social/emotional resources to support those who may be struggling.

     

    Parent Resources to support students in time of COVID

     

    Parent Webinars from Brookline Center/BRYT Network

     

    SAT, AP, ACT Updates

    • FREE SAT Prep Courses offered by GraftonSATprep.com.
    • SAT and SAT Subject Test administration test dates for May and June have been cancelled.  The College Board is working on plans for future administrations for August, September, October, November and December.  CLICK HERE to access the latest information from College Board.  If you need to contact College Board for refunds: Email:sat@info.collegeboard.org or call: 866-756-7346
    • AP EXAMS have been modified to an online format during the weeks of May 11 and May 18.  CLICK HERE to access AP resources and information from the College Board.
    • CLICK HERE for AP Parent webinar about the changes to AP Exams.
    • ACT has postponed the late spring administration of the ACT exam and tentatively has scheduled a June 13 administration.  CLICK HERE to access the latest information from ACT.org. 
     
     

    School & Community Scholarships/Deadline

    Scholarship Applications are now closed.  Watch for more information about scholarship award ceremony. 

     

    College Information: Spring College Fairs, Campus Visits, and more

    UMASS AMHERST:  Recently released resources:

    Common Application Next year, on the 2020-2021 application, Common App will provide students who need it with a dedicated space to elaborate on the impact of the pandemic, both personally and academically. Click HERE to access the Common Application site to see the questions. 

    College Financing Webinars: Citizens Bank is pleased to offer a series of live, remote learning sessions focused on navigating the financial path to college.

    Understanding Your Award Letter

    Designed especially for College Bound Seniors and their families to help them understand their financial aid package, answer questions that come up after the acceptance, and explore both federal and private options for financing any gap not met by free aid. Helpful tools to compare the cost of colleges are explored and our experts answer your live questions.

    • Tuesday, May 12th,, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
    • Wednesday, May 27th, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

    Financial Aid Basics

    Designed for rising Seniors and their families to help understand financial aid, preparing for and starting the FAFSA form this fall, and understand financial aid components like scholarships, grants, federal loans and how to finance the gap. This live session includes time to ask questions and have them answered by our experts.  

    • Tuesday, May 5th, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • Thursday, May 14th, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
    • Wednesday, May 20th, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • Tuesday, May 26th, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

    Click HERE to register.

    MA State School COVID-19 Webinar. (Published 4/24/20) Developed by our colleagues at Westborough High School, hear from a panel of admissions officers and administrators from the Massachusetts State College system as they answer questions and offer empathy to students and families navigating the college admissions process during COVID-19. 


    OPEN LETTER TO JUNIORS from The Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Worcester Polytechnical Institute. Read this Washington Post article that includes encouraging words from a college representative about the landscape of admissions.  

    NACAC Enrollment Deposit Fee Waiver 

    NACAC (The National Association for Adission Couseling) is offering an enrollment deposit waiver for students experiencing significant financial hardship. Similar to NACAC’s current application fee waiver, the enrollment deposit waiver is used by students to request a fee waiver or deferral. 

     

    Presented in partnership with the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC)
    As school closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic continue with no predictable end, the college admissions process is quickly adapting to the new virtual paradigm: expanded online recruiting, virtual campus tours and interviews, delays and cancellations in test reporting, virtual high school classes, and changes in grading and assessments are among the many challenges. Hear from a panel of college admissions professionals who will share their perspectives on how schools can help their students navigate the college search and application process during this uncertain time.

     

    Webinar: College Admissions & the Impact of COVID-19 - Westborough HS Admissions Webinar (Published 4/13/2020) Developed by our colleagues at Westborough High School, hear from a panel of five admissions officers and administrators as they answer questions and offer empathy to students and families navigating the college admissions process during COVID-19. 

     

    Colleges have begun changing Deposit Deadlines beyond May 1 for admitted students.    UMass Lowell, for example, has extended its deposit deadline to June 1. Please check EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL for any changes in deadlines and requirements. 

    Many colleges are cancelling tours, open houses, and admitted student programs this spring. Please check EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL for any changes in programming. 

    The National Association for College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) has developed a tool that will serve as a gathering point for updates from colleges and universities about how they are adapting to the impact of the coronavirus. Many colleges are changing policies around school visits, deadlines for replying to offers and submitting enrollment deposits, and sharing other ways to get in contact. This site will be important for Juniors and Seniors.

    CLICK HERE to follow the NACAC website for real-time information about college fairs, visits, and more. 

     

    College Fair Guide Digital Edition

     

    April 20 - April 23: The Strive Virtual College Exploration Week provides a robust and diverse schedule of events, with 300+ colleges from around the country. Colleges from our region and nationally will be sharing their knowledge and expertise on topics ranging from finding a college fit, essay writing, virtual campus visits and in-state vs. out-of-state options. Students and families can visit StriveScan.com/virtual to view the schedule of sessions and register.

     

    Remote Academic Enrichment Opportunities and Ideas

     

    Online Summer College Courses

     

     

    Given the interruptions to education and opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities and/or full academic experiences, students  might consider taking on some Remote Academic Enrichment Opportunities. These can be added to an academic resume and will demonstrate your commitment to continued learning. We encourage you to visit college websites for virtual programming as they are becoming innovative in finding ways to keep students connected with what are typical summer college experiences. Revisit this list as we will provide updates as we receive them.

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
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