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Differentiators and Data Demonstrate College Counseling Success
Berwick Academy teaches, challenges, and develops compelling individuals—students who stand out, positively impact their communities, and grow into thoughtful, virtuous leaders. Today, higher education institutions are seeking precisely these types of well-rounded, authentic individuals, and Berwick’s dedicated College Counseling program is built to ensure every student’s unique story shines through.
To better share the depth of our college counseling strategy with our community, a newly formed College Counseling Committee is outlining new initiatives, expanding digital resources, and creating a comprehensive vision for supporting families from Grade 9 through graduation.
A Highly Personalized, High-Touch Approach
Berwick’s College Counseling Office operates as a vibrant hub of student activity, offering a "full-court press" for every twelfth grader. The team’s approach is rooted in strong relationships, candid advising, and close collaboration with key departments across campus:
- Athletic Recruitment & College Pathway: Counselors collaborate closely with athletics staff—including Melinda Neale, who in her first year as Assistant Director of Athletics focuses on working directly with student-athletes to increase exposure and navigate collegiate recruitment opportunities—helping Bulldogs connect with schools in all three NCAA divisions and competitive collegiate club programs.
- Arts & Creative Portfolios: The team works hand-in-hand with visual and performing arts faculty to guide student artists through portfolio development, audition preparation, and specialized conservatory or liberal arts matching.
- Specialized Prep & Mock Interviews: All juniors participate in mock interviews conducted directly by active college admissions officers, gaining real-world confidence and individualized feedback.
- Financial & Strategic Guidance: Counselors assist families in navigating complex decision-making factors, balancing financial considerations, and optimizing selective admissions strategies—all without the need for families to seek external consulting.
Comprehensive Web Revamp & Upcoming Resources
Families can check out a revamped College Counseling webpage. Designed for seamless navigation, the updated site features quick-access tiles highlighting key areas of the program:
- Top Program Differentiators: Detailing how Berwick fosters a healthy, low-stress mindset while maximizing student outcomes.
- Four-Year Process Roadmap: Insights into how our team supports students and families from Ninth Grade through Senior Year.
- College Outcomes Data & Maps: A comprehensive five-year college acceptance list, matriculation maps showing where Berwick graduates are currently thriving, and data demonstrating top-choice placement rates (coming soon).
- Graduate Profiles: Inspiring stories from recent alumni detailing how their Berwick foundation prepared them to excel at the collegiate level.
Next Steps for Berwick Families
In addition to the website upgrades, Head of School Scott Erickson will also present a detailed deck during the November parent feedback sessions to walk families through these tools and answer questions directly.
Whether your student is just entering the Upper School or actively preparing applications, Berwick’s College Counseling team remains committed to meeting every student where they are now and launching them toward success at Berwick and beyond.
Berwick Academy
31 Academy Street
South Berwick, Maine 03908
Contact:
Admission | 207.384.6300
Main Office | 207.384.2164
South Berwick, Maine 03908
Contact:
Admission | 207.384.6300
Main Office | 207.384.2164
Berwick Academy, situated on an 80-acre campus just over one hour north of Boston, serves 520 students, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Postgraduates. Berwick students are from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and several countries. Deeply committed to its mission of promoting virtue and useful knowledge, Berwick Academy empowers students to be creative and bold. Berwick strives to graduate alumni who shape their own learning, take risks, ask thoughtful questions, and come to understand and celebrate their authentic selves.
