College Counseling

Because 100 percent of Academy graduates attend college, the advising and planning for college applications begins early. As soon as a student enters Salem, her adviser, teachers and the college counselor begin her preparations for college by helping to plan her courses and activities and by carefully monitoring her progress. Through a cooperative effort, the personal academic growth of each student is fostered to ensure that she masters the skills required to perform successfully in college.

The Counseling Process

College counseling starts with a group meeting in grade nine designed to introduce students to the process of selecting colleges. The college counselor begins to meet individually with students in the junior year to discuss their educational goals and college plans. This type of counseling continues through the senior year. Parents are also encouraged to take part. Subsequent conferences with the college counselor are scheduled as frequently as necessary until the student completes the college application process.

Researching Colleges

College admissions representatives from all over the United States visit Salem, but students are also advised to visit colleges and schedule interviews during spring break and the summer between their junior and senior years. Juniors may be absent three days and seniors may be absent two class days during the academic year for college visits. Salem students and parents also use the Naviance web program to assist with researching colleges and their acceptance histories at Salem Academy.

Testing

All freshmen, sophomores and juniors at Salem take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). The test gives them an early opportunity to learn what areas of vocabulary, reading comprehension, composition, and mathematics need strengthening. In addition, the PSAT offers experience in test-taking. The PSAT also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test for juniors. Juniors and seniors take the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT I and SAT II) necessary for college applications. SAT I preparation is offered through the Courses for Community program at Salem College's Fleer Center. 

Facts

SAT
The average SAT score for the Class of 2008 was 1245 (critical reading and math) and 1867 (critical reading, math and writing.)

College and University Merit Scholarships
The Class of 2008 was awarded merit scholarships of approximately $1.1 million.

College Board Advanced Placement
In 2007-2008,76 students took 127 AP exams; 86 percent received scores of three or higher, making them eligible for college credit.

Morehead-Cain Scholarship, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Salem Academy has had 12 Morehead Scholars in the 33 years the competition has been open to women.

Service Academy Acceptances
Salem Academy seniors have received appointments to the United States Naval Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, and to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

National Merit Scholarships
In the last three years, competition for these scholarships has yielded three Finalists, one Semifinalist and four Commended Students.