The Module System
College Counseling
College Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions about Life After CSW
- How are CSW students prepared for the academic demands of college?
- Do college admission officers understand the Mod System?
- How are traditional measurements of challenge and success like Advanced Placement courses and class rank viewed within CSW’s unique program?
- What do CSW students do after graduation?
- How are families assisted with the college admission process?
- How many students does each college counselor advise?
- Does CSW offer assistance with the college financial aid application process?
- Do CSW graduates play college-level sports?
- How are CSW students prepared for the academic demands of college?
- Do college admission officers understand the Mod System?
- What do CSW students do after graduation?
- How are families assisted with the college admission process?
- How many students does each college counselor advise?
- Does CSW offer assistance with the college financial aid application process?
- Do CSW graduates play college-level sports?
The Cambridge School of Weston’s progressive and intensive academic program challenges students to be inquisitive, innovative and pro-active learners. Classes at CSW emphasize substantive exchange and debate, preparing students for college-level seminars. Students are encouraged to think for themselves, ask difficult questions and go beyond obvious answers. They are expected to think critically and creatively, and to express themselves skillfully in both oral and written presentations.
CSW’s Module System affords students the opportunity to explore subjects in-depth and to investigate connections between disciplines. Students are inspired to take intellectual and creative risks, and to pursue both artistic and academic studies with equal passion and discipline. CSW students are well-prepared for the level of rigor and engagement required at selective colleges and universities. Indeed, colleges report that CSW graduates show particular strengths in creativity, critical awareness, curiosity, initiative and resourcefulness. Outside of class, CSW graduates are also known for their activism and community involvement.
Our Mod System and academic philosophy—and their unique advantages—have a long history at CSW, and are very familiar to college admissions officers. In addition, each year, admission officers from nearly 100 colleges visit CSW to meet our students and learn more about our school. Our team of experienced college counselors works closely with students to help them present their CSW work and achievements throughout the admissions process, while also working to ensure that admission officers understand the course work completed—and skills acquired—by CSW students. In short, because our students gain the skills necessary to thrive in a rigorous college setting—and the skills to present themselves and their work—they are very successful in the college admission process.
The academic program at CSW provides dynamic and integrated learning experiences focused on helping students develop critical and creative thinking skills. This approach to learning is, we believe, the best training we can give our students to prepare for the challenges ahead. While CSW recognizes that standardized tests are one tool by which young people will be evaluated, we choose not to teach directly to these tests. We do not emphasize memorization or rote learning. Instead, we develop higher skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation that are critical to success in college and beyond. Our curriculum may overlap with the AP curriculum in some classes, and many CSW students choose to take Advanced Placement tests. We have found that our curriculum allows students to study subjects in greater depth while acquiring the necessary knowledge to perform well on the exams.
At CSW, we do not rank our students or calculate GPA. Because all of our students are college-bound and our pedagogical practices emphasize individual excellence and intellectual and creative risk-taking, we believe that comparing students in this manner would be misleading. Instead, each student’s achievements are thoughtfully presented to colleges in a personalized manner.
Each year, approximately 98 percent of CSW graduates attend a wide range of four-year colleges or universities, including eight percent who attend four-year degree programs in the arts. (Click for a list of schools that have admitted CSW graduates in recent years.) Two percent of CSW graduates defer admission to college to pursue other interests, often completing a “gap year” to travel, work, or participate in specialized apprenticeships or volunteer programs.
Our college counselors partner with parents to support students throughout the college search and selection process. They provide information and guidance, and encourage frequent communication and meetings with individual families. Individual meetings typically begin during the junior year, but families who wish to meet earlier are welcome to do so. In addition, the College Counseling Office offers evening parent programs at critical points in the process.
CSW employs two full-time college counselors. Each of these counselors works individually with members of the junior and senior classes (graduating class typically has 85 members). Students have the option to work with the counselor of their choice, and some choose to consult with more than one counselor. In addition, a member of the arts faculty counsels ten to fifteen seniors who plan to apply to degree programs in the arts and the Director of International Programs provides additional support for CSW students from other countries.
Relying on our experience and knowledge of current requirements and practices, the CSW College Counseling Office provides basic guidance in the area of financial aid. We also direct families toward outside resources that can help them plan for the costs of a college education.
Yes, some CSW graduates participate in all levels of collegiate athletics, and we actively support those students who aspire to do so. Our athletics program provides challenge for competitive athletes while also remaining accessible for novice or recreational players. Though CSW is not a sports-centered school, some young athletes find that we provide the perfect balance of athletic and non-athletic opportunities for them.
