Ethel Walker School
Postgraduate Year
Get ready to take on college and beyond
Postgraduates leave Walker’s with a greater understanding of their own passions — and with more confidence and preparedness to take on college, and beyond.
Taking an extra year among intellectually curious young women in a supportive campus environment provides a unique opportunity to grow on many levels: academically, personally, and athletically.
Walker’s admits qualified applicants who have earned a high school diploma to join our boarding and day community. The unique components of Walker’s post-graduate experience are geared to each young woman’s educational objectives for the year, including full access to college counseling services, our capabilities approach to the acquisition of life-long skills, and our athletic and co-curricular programs.
Admission
The postgraduate year is open to high school graduates. Admission applications are accepted on a rolling basis; we accept ACT or SAT standardized tests as part of the application process.
Academics
Postgraduates at Walker’s will find our academic environment challenging and supportive. The curriculum provides flexibility for postgraduates to tailor their year. Many opt to balance honors and advanced level courses to bolster their college-admissions potential with highly applicable, real-world offerings, such as public speaking, first aid, and financial literacy. Walker’s emphasizes writing and critical thinking skills — essential tools for success in college — and many postgraduates take our popular Visiting Writer Seminar.
Unique course offerings ensure that students are not just repeating classes from high school. Engaged faculty challenge Walker’s girls to think deeply and critically, and to find their voice in the classroom and in subjects where girls and women are often underrepresented.
Campus Life
Postgraduates are an integral part of the Walker’s community. They participate in all aspects of campus life including the arts, athletics, clubs, and affinity groups. Postgraduates enter as members of the senior class and quickly find their place through activities and traditions that mark a very special year at the School. The memories, friendships, and connections postgraduate students make with students from across the globe in just one year will last them a lifetime.
Seniors and postgraduates live together on campus which provides a perfect balance of independence and supervision. Rather than structured study hall each night, seniors and postgraduates in good academic standing can take advantage of quiet hours in their dorm rooms.
Highlights of a postgraduate year at Walker’s include:
- Making new friends from across the globe
- Participating in weekend trips to New York City, themed dinners and senior activities
- Enjoying the freedom of senior privileges, providing a taste of the independence of college life
- Competing in wide-ranging athletic programs for all levels
- Participating in Walker’s traditions, including Mountain Day, Suns and Dials spirit clubs, Lacuna, and Dogswood Day
Academic Advising
Walker’s provides an academic advisor specifically dedicated to postgraduates. The post graduate advisor has knowledge of the unique aspects and opportunities of a postgraduate year and guides students in selecting courses and experiences that will help them to make the most of this time.
College Counseling
While some students may come in with college acceptances, others use this year to focus on preparing for and deciding on their next step. College counseling for postgraduates begins the summer before they arrive on campus. College Counseling Advisors meet regularly with graduating students to support all aspects of the college application process.
In Their Words
The next step is a really big one. I actually wanted more time in an environment where I’m safe and I know people around me. Being a postgraduate allows me time to explore what I want to do.
—Marie L. '21, Germany
