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We've put together a large list of
questions and answers for students and
parents alike, and organized them by
category:
Arrival
General
Host Families
Dorm Life
 Q.
How much does it cost to attend Washington
Academy?
A. Our base tuition
for host home students is $26,600 and $28,600 for boarding students. Compared
to other quality schools, Washington
Academy is a truly affordable way to
get a quality U.S. education. Even so,
we realize that tuition is a real investment,
and we want to make it as easy as possible
for you and your parents.
Q. Can I apply to Washington
Academy online?
A. Yes—you can
begin the application process now by
filling out our Online
Inquiry Form.
Or, if you prefer, you can download
a PDF of the complete application
and mail or fax it to our Admissions Office.
Q. When is my application due?
A. Washington Academy
has "rolling admissions," so you can
apply any time. However, remember that
it takes time to finish your application
and to get a visa. It's a good idea
to apply by the spring for fall admission.
Q. When will I know if I have
been accepted?
A. Admission decisions
are usually made within 1-2 weeks after
we receive your application. You will
be notified by email or telephone, whichever
you prefer, followed by a letter by
regular mail.
Q. In my country, our school
year does not run from September to
June. Can I still attend WA?
A. Yes. It's best if
you join us in September, but we may
have openings available in January.
Please contact
our Admissions Office for more information.
Q. Some of the questions on
your application form do not fit with
my educational program. What should
I do?
A. We recognize that
some of our questions, such as a request
for test scores, may not "translate"
exactly to other school systems. We
are here to work with you so that you
can provide the information we need.
Please call 207-255-8301 Ext 207 or email Kim Gardner, in Admissions
with your specific questions.
Q. My teachers don't know me
very well. May I substitute recommendations
from a coach or from a family friend
instead?
A. It's important for
us to learn about your ability in the
classroom from teachers who have taught
you recently in academic subjects. If
you wish, personal recommendations from
coaches or friends may be submitted
in addition to the academic recommendations.
Also, feel free to include samples of
your work, if you have skills that your
school records don't show.
Q. I already know what my future
goals are. How do I know that Washington
Academy is the right choice to help
me get into the college or career that
I want?
A. We have very high
placement rates of our graduates in
the colleges of their choice. This is
because we have a large variety of classes
and we keep our class size small so
each student gets individual attention.
We also choose excellent teachers, so
learning is exciting. We would be happy
to talk with you about your goals.
Q. How do I obtain a Visa to
attend Washington Academy?
A. When you are accepted
to the Academy, we will send you an
admission document called Form I-20.
This document may be used to support
your request at the Embassy. An education
consultant or travel agency can help
you and your parents with the application.
Visa applications should be submitted
to the United
States Consulate in your country.
For more information on student visas
to the U.S., visit http://travel.state.gov.
Q. What if my application for
a Visa is denied? Will you refund any
tuition already paid?
A. Yes, any tuition
pre-paid will be promptly refunded.
Your application fee of $50, however,
is not refundable.
Q. Can I work in the United
States during the summer?
A. It is against the
law to take any form of employment in
the United States as an International
student unless you have the appropriate
authorization to work. For more information,
visit the U.S.
State Department Web site.
Q. Can I stay in the United
States over the summer?
A. Yes! Summer is a
great time to study or volunteer. There
are lots of options for just about any
area of interest. See our Summer Opportunities
section for ideas.
Q.
When do I need to arrive at Washington
Academy?
A. We hope to see you several days before
the school year opens, so you can get
to know the school and get comfortable.
Please view our current academic calendar
for this year's schedule.
Q. What airport should I fly
to?
A. We prefer you arrive at Bangor International
Airport (1.5 hours from Washington Academy)
or Portland International Jetport (3.5
hours from Washington Academy).
Q. Will someone pick me up
from the airport?
A. Yes. You will be met as soon as you
get off the airplane, and will enjoy
a tour of the beautiful coast of Maine
on the drive to Washington Academy.
Q.
Do students have to wear uniforms? What
do we wear to classes?
A. Students do not wear uniforms. Go
ahead and wear what makes you feel comfortable.
Jeans are always a favorite. We do have
a general dress code requiring students
to dress with reasonable modesty.
Q. Do you have mandatory study
halls?
A. For students living in the dormitories,
yes. Mandatory study hall is from 7:00
pm to 8:30 pm.
Q. Where will I eat?
A. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all
eaten at the school cafeteria. Kitchen
dorms are also available for student
use, with permission.
Q. What happens if I get sick?
A. We have a doctor that our students
see when they are sick. His office is
only five minutes from the school. If
you are very sick, we have hospitals
nearby. All international students are
required to buy U.S. health insurance
before arriving, so your doctor visits
will be covered.
Q. Is Washington Academy a
safe school?
A. Absolutely. We are located in a small,
friendly town in Maine, which has very
low crime rates. We do not allow weapons
of any kind into our school and make
certain the main office checks any visitors
to the school. Keep in mind that the
media has made some American schools
seem more dangerous than they really
are. In our part of the country, school
violence is very rare.
Q. Can I learn to drive while
I'm a student at Washington Academy?
A. Yes! You can take a driver's education
class from a local company, get your driving permit, and
actually get driving experience. You
can even practice and get your license,
although you will not be able to use
it with a student visa. The driving
program costs approximately $500.
Q. I like to take exercise
classes and workout. Do you have any
gyms nearby?
A. We have a wonderful facility -- The
Center for Lifelong Learning at the
University of Maine at Machias -- that
offers free classes in many areas from
karate to yoga. A shuttle bus goes to
UMM every afternoon for our students.
Q. What can I do for fun on
weekends?
A. We make sure you have plenty to do.
We have fun things to do right around
town, and most weekends we take a day
trip to a Maine attraction, from the
Bangor Mall to the Bar Harbor area.
We also offer trips to places like Boston,
New York and Sugarloaf Mountain during
school vacations.
Q. How can I contact other
residential students with more questions?
A. You can e-mail a student recruitment
volunteer via our admissions office email. They will make all the arrangement necessary for you to converse with other residential students!
Q. Is there a place my family
can stay nearby if they come to visit?
A. There are a number of places nearby
where your parents can stay. We can
help make reservations. Click
here to see lodging options both near
the school and near the airports.
Q.
Why do some students live with host families
rather than in a dorm?
A. Some students would rather live in
a family than with other students. It
is a personal choice. Both options offer
advantages. We encourage you to discuss
both options with admissions counselor,
Kim Gardner, by phone, email or online
chat.
Q. Do I have to pay my host family room and board?
A. No. Washington Academy pays host
families a stipend to help with your
food and living expenses.
Q. What are the dormitories
like?
A. Our dorms are like large houses with
lots of high tech advantages! You'll be
able to surf the Internet in your room.
You'll have plenty of space, even though
you'll probably share a room. Each dorm
has large common rooms on the ground floor
for eating and relaxing.
Q. Will I have to follow a
lot of rules?
A. We don't have many rules. We expect
you will be helpful and respectful of
each other's needs. Of course, for everyone's
well being, we don't allow alcohol,
drugs, weapons or harassment anywhere
on school grounds, including the dorm.
And we shut off the lights at eleven!
Q. What do I need to bring?
A. You'll need to bring some basic clothes,
toiletries and whatever you need to
feel at home: photographs, favorite
music, a lucky pen.
Q. What if I need clothes or
school supplies?
A. We have several stores within a few
minutes from the school. We also frequently
visit the Bangor Mall on weekend trips.
When it comes time to buy coats, boots
and sporting equipment, we take a trip
to the to world famous store, L.L. Bean.
If you need it, we will help you find
it!
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