The Best Laid Plans….

Planning for Life AFTER High School

SeptemberSpend some time in the HUB using the college catalogs, Spend some time in the HUB using the college catalogs, and other materials available. and other materials available.

Listen regularly to Pulse announcements and subscribe to Listen regularly to Pulse announcements and subscribe to the guidance i-cal for important information about testing, the guidance i-cal for important information about testing, college visits, and the like.college visits, and the like.

Check the bulletin boards in the Student Common Area Check the bulletin boards in the Student Common Area and the cafeteria for upcoming college visitations in the and the cafeteria for upcoming college visitations in the HUB, local college fairs and college open housesHUB, local college fairs and college open houses

HIgh School Guidance Web Page

October

Taking the PSAT’s again in the junior year allows students to practice Taking the PSAT’s again in the junior year allows students to practice test taking skills in preparation for the SAT and to enter the test taking skills in preparation for the SAT and to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This test is administered only one time per year and you Corporation. This test is administered only one time per year and you must sign sign up for it in the Hub – not onlinemust sign sign up for it in the Hub – not online

Attend college fairs! We will advertise these regularly! Attend college fairs! We will advertise these regularly!

Listen for Pulse Announcements concerning visiting college Listen for Pulse Announcements concerning visiting college representatives. representatives. See Mrs. Coxe or Mrs. Berman in the Hub for a pass for that period.See Mrs. Coxe or Mrs. Berman in the Hub for a pass for that period.

Junior Conferences begin; letters will be sent to parents.Junior Conferences begin; letters will be sent to parents.

November

Get a copy of the booklet, "Taking the SAT" Get a copy of the booklet, "Taking the SAT" from the HUB. It contains a practice test. from the HUB. It contains a practice test. Take this test and score it. Take this test and score it.

Create an account on collegeboard.comCreate an account on collegeboard.com

Subscribe to the guidance I-cal!Subscribe to the guidance I-cal!

Schedule your Junior Conference!Schedule your Junior Conference!

December

PSAT scores are received. Be sure to pick up PSAT scores are received. Be sure to pick up the test booklet from the guidance office so the test booklet from the guidance office so that you can review the questions.that you can review the questions.

Determine the timing for the SAT you want to Determine the timing for the SAT you want to take based on how you did on the PSAT. take based on how you did on the PSAT. Determine a study plan!Determine a study plan!

January

Course selections for your senior year are Course selections for your senior year are made at this time. Be sure that you have made at this time. Be sure that you have completed all the required courses. Listen for completed all the required courses. Listen for information regarding Financial Aid Night.information regarding Financial Aid Night.

See your counselor with any questions about See your counselor with any questions about scheduling! scheduling!

February

AP tests are given in May. Listen for sign-up AP tests are given in May. Listen for sign-up details.details.

If you haven’t already, make sure to be If you haven’t already, make sure to be investigating colleges online in order to investigating colleges online in order to determine which schools you may want to visit determine which schools you may want to visit in the spring or summer.in the spring or summer.

March

Check the college catalogs to see if the Check the college catalogs to see if the college you wish to attend requires any college you wish to attend requires any achievement tests or call the admissions achievement tests or call the admissions office. office.

Plan college visits. Spring Break is a great Plan college visits. Spring Break is a great time to schedule college tours.time to schedule college tours.

April

Campus visitations are an important part of Campus visitations are an important part of the college selection process. It is important the college selection process. It is important to visit colleges when they are in session. Call to visit colleges when they are in session. Call or write to the college to schedule a visit for or write to the college to schedule a visit for next year. Juniors are allowed two approved next year. Juniors are allowed two approved college visitations. Check the student college visitations. Check the student handbook for more details. Mr. Enters will handbook for more details. Mr. Enters will also be coordinating visits to local colleges.also be coordinating visits to local colleges.

May

"ESL students and students who use another "ESL students and students who use another language in their home should consider taking the language in their home should consider taking the TOEFL test in addition to the SAT.  See Ms. Wolset TOEFL test in addition to the SAT.  See Ms. Wolset for details and registration information." for details and registration information." 

AP testsAP tests are given in May. Watch for details. are given in May. Watch for details.

Fall is a busy time for seniors, so avoid the rush and Fall is a busy time for seniors, so avoid the rush and request letters of recommendation from the request letters of recommendation from the teachers who know you well. Be sure to give your teachers who know you well. Be sure to give your teachers ample time to write a recommendation so teachers ample time to write a recommendation so that it can be sent with your college application that it can be sent with your college application package in the fall. package in the fall. A “Thank You” note is always A “Thank You” note is always appreciated by the teacher who has written a letter for you.appreciated by the teacher who has written a letter for you.

JuneIt is important that college applications are sent It is important that college applications are sent from the Guidance department as a from the Guidance department as a complete complete package. Be sure to read carefully the college package. Be sure to read carefully the college application directions and requirements. Most application directions and requirements. Most packages include the following: application, packages include the following: application, transcript, essay, activity list and appropriate letters transcript, essay, activity list and appropriate letters of recommendation. If applying “on-line”, be sure to of recommendation. If applying “on-line”, be sure to submit a completed “Transcript Request Form” to submit a completed “Transcript Request Form” to Mr. Enters along with the remaining required items Mr. Enters along with the remaining required items allowing enough time for processing and mailing.allowing enough time for processing and mailing.

If you are an athlete and plan to play Division I or If you are an athlete and plan to play Division I or Division II school, visit Division II school, visit https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/

Get Your Letters of Recommendation

Early!

Ask 2 or 3 teachers with whom you’ve had a Ask 2 or 3 teachers with whom you’ve had a good working relationship if they would be good working relationship if they would be willing to write you a letter of willing to write you a letter of recommendation. If so, make sure to give recommendation. If so, make sure to give them a completedthem a completed

““Letter of Recommendation Request Form”Letter of Recommendation Request Form”

Available on the guidance websiteAvailable on the guidance website

Register ASAP for the SAT

and/or the ACT!

If you are applying to top tier

schools, you may need to

register for at least 2 SAT II

subject tests!

  

  

Registering for TestsUM CEEB CODE: 392015

http://www.actstudent.orghttp://www.actstudent.org

http://www.collegeboard.com

TIPS FOR PARENTS

This process can be long and difficult and you can be of This process can be long and difficult and you can be of great assistance to your son or daughter during this time. great assistance to your son or daughter during this time. Here are some tips which may help youHere are some tips which may help you

Begin by discussing your role in the selection process with Begin by discussing your role in the selection process with your son or daughter. If you have an understanding from your son or daughter. If you have an understanding from the beginning, it will save you headaches later.the beginning, it will save you headaches later. Be Be realistic!realistic!

Encourage your child to begin this process EARLY.Encourage your child to begin this process EARLY.

Encourage them to seek the assistance of their guidance Encourage them to seek the assistance of their guidance counselor.counselor.

Accompany them on interviews and college visits Accompany them on interviews and college visits whenever possible.whenever possible.

Preparing for a College VisitConsult your guidance counselor and the materials available in the guidance office. Consult your guidance counselor and the materials available in the guidance office. Select a number of colleges which appear to fit your needs and interests.Select a number of colleges which appear to fit your needs and interests.

Write or telephone the Admissions Office in advance (2-3 weeks at least) to arrange a Write or telephone the Admissions Office in advance (2-3 weeks at least) to arrange a visit.visit.

Read the college catalog and related materials before your visit.Read the college catalog and related materials before your visit.

Inform the college of your interest areas. This will allow the college to respond with Inform the college of your interest areas. This will allow the college to respond with information related to your particular interests.information related to your particular interests.

Bring along an unofficial transcript - obtainable through Ms. Berman in the HubBring along an unofficial transcript - obtainable through Ms. Berman in the Hub

Dress neatly. Be punctual. Evidence sincere interest in the college you are visiting.Dress neatly. Be punctual. Evidence sincere interest in the college you are visiting.

Allow plenty of time for your visit. You may wish to include all of the following in your Allow plenty of time for your visit. You may wish to include all of the following in your visit:visit:

Sitting in on a classSitting in on a class

Eating a meal in the dining hallEating a meal in the dining hall

A campus tour and informal conversation with students attending that collegeA campus tour and informal conversation with students attending that college

Meeting with a faculty member in your interest areaMeeting with a faculty member in your interest area

Take your camera and a notebook to record your impressions.Take your camera and a notebook to record your impressions.

WHAT THE COLLEGE INTERVIEWER MAY ASK OR LOOK

FOR:

 •   Appropriate attire and groomingAppropriate attire and grooming

• Your interest , sincerity and maturityYour interest , sincerity and maturity

• Manner of speech, habits, manners and posture.Manner of speech, habits, manners and posture.

• Your enthusiasm for attending college. Also, your degree of enthusiasm for that Your enthusiasm for attending college. Also, your degree of enthusiasm for that particular college. Have you done your research? Is it clear that you know what you particular college. Have you done your research? Is it clear that you know what you want?want?

• Your academic record (strengths and weaknesses).Your academic record (strengths and weaknesses).

• Your initiative and capacity to solve problems independently.Your initiative and capacity to solve problems independently.

• Your ability to work with others (extracurricular record).Your ability to work with others (extracurricular record).

• Your reading habits, hobbies , special abilities, and interests.Your reading habits, hobbies , special abilities, and interests.

• Employment and summer experiences.Employment and summer experiences.

• Your college and career plans (how realistic are you?).Your college and career plans (how realistic are you?).

• Your questions – are they thoughtful, to the point and insightful?Your questions – are they thoughtful, to the point and insightful?

  

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AFTER YOUR VISIT

Write a brief and legible “thank you” note to your interviewer and others Write a brief and legible “thank you” note to your interviewer and others as appropriate.as appropriate.

Recheck your literature and notes taken to determine the appropriateness Recheck your literature and notes taken to determine the appropriateness of the colleges for you. Is it a good match, in your view?of the colleges for you. Is it a good match, in your view?

Review your impressions and evaluations with your counselor and parents.Review your impressions and evaluations with your counselor and parents.

Keep the college and the counselor informed as you solidify your plans.Keep the college and the counselor informed as you solidify your plans.

Familiarize yourself with the NACAC Statement on Students’ Rights and Familiarize yourself with the NACAC Statement on Students’ Rights and Responsibilities in the College Admissions Process: www.nacacnet.orgResponsibilities in the College Admissions Process: www.nacacnet.org

WRITING YOUR ESSAY

Quantity is not quality. Clear, concise writing is much better than volumes of mediocrityQuantity is not quality. Clear, concise writing is much better than volumes of mediocrity

Leave plenty of time to revise, reword and rewrite. You Leave plenty of time to revise, reword and rewrite. You cancan improve on your presentation  improve on your presentation 

• Read the directions carefully. You will want to answer the question as directly as possible, and Read the directions carefully. You will want to answer the question as directly as possible, and you’ll want to follow word limits exactly.you’ll want to follow word limits exactly.

• Be honest about yourself. The admissions committee is anonymous to you; you are completely Be honest about yourself. The admissions committee is anonymous to you; you are completely unknown to themunknown to them

• FFocus on an aspect of yourself that will show your best side. You might have overcome some ocus on an aspect of yourself that will show your best side. You might have overcome some adversity, worked through a difficult project or profited from a specific incident. A narrow focus adversity, worked through a difficult project or profited from a specific incident. A narrow focus is more interesting than are broad based generalizations. Make your point with examplesis more interesting than are broad based generalizations. Make your point with examples

• Be creative. Find an original way to express yourself. Catching and maintaining the interest of Be creative. Find an original way to express yourself. Catching and maintaining the interest of the reader can be very influential the reader can be very influential 

• Feel comfortable in expressing anxieties or weaknesses. Everybody has them, and it’s good to Feel comfortable in expressing anxieties or weaknesses. Everybody has them, and it’s good to know that an applicant can see them and face them know that an applicant can see them and face them 

• Speak positively and Speak positively and emphasize emphasize your greatest assets and achievements. your greatest assets and achievements.

• See good examples at:See good examples at:www.www. collegecollegeboard.com/student/apply/board.com/student/apply/ essayessay-skills/9408.htmwww.-skills/9408.htmwww. collegecollegeboard.com/student/apply/board.com/student/apply/ essayessay-skills/9408.-skills/9408.College Board Sample EssaysCollege Board Sample Essays

SPECIFIC AND PERSONALIZED INFORMATION

 • Definitely DO IT! Even if it is optional. Keep in mind that “not required” Definitely DO IT! Even if it is optional. Keep in mind that “not required”

and RECOMMENDED are two different things. Go the extra mile and do and RECOMMENDED are two different things. Go the extra mile and do it.it.

• TYPE IT!TYPE IT!

• Proofread for errors.Proofread for errors.

• Relevant to the topic providedRelevant to the topic provided

• Focus on uniqueness, not just a regurgitation of the academic recordFocus on uniqueness, not just a regurgitation of the academic record

• Why did you choose this college?Why did you choose this college?

• Why this major?Why this major?

• Any major-related experience? (Especially if you are choosing a Any major-related experience? (Especially if you are choosing a competitive major)competitive major)

• Bottom Line: Let them get to know you.Bottom Line: Let them get to know you.

Mistakes to Avoid!• Do not hand write your essayDo not hand write your essay

• If you are sending the same essay to many If you are sending the same essay to many schools, PLEASE ensure that the correct college is schools, PLEASE ensure that the correct college is named on the essay. Make sure the correct essay named on the essay. Make sure the correct essay goes in the correct envelopegoes in the correct envelope

• Retelling them what they’ve read on your Retelling them what they’ve read on your transcript/application or not answering the transcript/application or not answering the question asked.question asked.

• No direction or flow to the essayNo direction or flow to the essay

• A thesaurus-ized or plagiarized essay . A thesaurus-ized or plagiarized essay .

TIPS FOR FILING COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Filling out the application:Filling out the application:

Mr. Enters, the College Counselor, will be processing all college applications. His office is in Mr. Enters, the College Counselor, will be processing all college applications. His office is in the Hub. If you need to reach him, you may do so by phone, email, or making an appointment the Hub. If you need to reach him, you may do so by phone, email, or making an appointment through Ms. Berman or Ms. Coxe.through Ms. Berman or Ms. Coxe.

• Read the entire application before you begin to fill it out. Think about what information goes Read the entire application before you begin to fill it out. Think about what information goes in each space. Check application deadlines carefully and allow a minimum of ten (10) school in each space. Check application deadlines carefully and allow a minimum of ten (10) school days for Ms. Jackson to process your completed application.days for Ms. Jackson to process your completed application.

• Print or type the application. If printing, use dark blue or black ink. Do not use a felt tipped Print or type the application. If printing, use dark blue or black ink. Do not use a felt tipped pen. Neatness is of the utmost importance.pen. Neatness is of the utmost importance.

• Follow all directions of the application. If you need to attach the application fee (check or Follow all directions of the application. If you need to attach the application fee (check or money order), do so in the proper space. If no space is specified, attach the check to the money order), do so in the proper space. If no space is specified, attach the check to the front page of the application.front page of the application.

• Some colleges require essays. Follow the instructions for these carefully. If you are using a Some colleges require essays. Follow the instructions for these carefully. If you are using a separate page for the essay, be sure to include your name and social security number on separate page for the essay, be sure to include your name and social security number on each page.each page.

• If applying online, print any supplemental forms (if applicable) and bring them to Mr. EntersIf applying online, print any supplemental forms (if applicable) and bring them to Mr. Enters

• Remember to sign and date the application!Remember to sign and date the application!

Requesting Teacher and/or Counselor Requesting Teacher and/or Counselor RecommendationsRecommendations::

• Some colleges require teacher and guidance Some colleges require teacher and guidance counselor recommendations. Ask the teachers counselor recommendations. Ask the teachers who know you well if he/she would write a who know you well if he/she would write a recommendation for you. Be sure to include the recommendation for you. Be sure to include the name of the college(s), including the form if name of the college(s), including the form if applicable, your major and a date to have the applicable, your major and a date to have the recommendation letter returned to your recommendation letter returned to your counselor. Be sure to give teachers 10-14 school counselor. Be sure to give teachers 10-14 school days to complete a letter.days to complete a letter.

• Check with Enters a few days before the deadline Check with Enters a few days before the deadline date to ensure that she has received the letters date to ensure that she has received the letters of recommendation.of recommendation.

After you have completed your application….• Transcript Request Form.pdfTranscript Request Form.pdf

• This is form that you must complete for each This is form that you must complete for each and every college to which you apply. It gives and every college to which you apply. It gives us permission to mail your school records.us permission to mail your school records.

  Submitting the Application: Submitting the Application: 

• Submit the completed application package including: application, essay, activity Submit the completed application package including: application, essay, activity resume and recommendatins to Mr. Enters. Be sure you and your parent(s) have resume and recommendatins to Mr. Enters. Be sure you and your parent(s) have signed where needed and that you have included the application fee (check or signed where needed and that you have included the application fee (check or money order), if applicable. Do not submit any applications that are not completemoney order), if applicable. Do not submit any applications that are not complete

• When applying online, be sure to let r. Enters know to which colleges you have When applying online, be sure to let r. Enters know to which colleges you have applied. Transcripts, recommendation letters and supplemental forms will be sent applied. Transcripts, recommendation letters and supplemental forms will be sent together from the Guidance Officetogether from the Guidance Office

• Mr. Enters will review the application and attached pages with you. She will also Mr. Enters will review the application and attached pages with you. She will also complete any sections which need official verification, class rank, GPA, counselor complete any sections which need official verification, class rank, GPA, counselor information, etcinformation, etc

• The entire application package will be mailed together with an official copy of your The entire application package will be mailed together with an official copy of your transcript. A confirmation post card is also included to assure us that the college has transcript. A confirmation post card is also included to assure us that the college has received this package. We provide the postage. Do not put postage on the received this package. We provide the postage. Do not put postage on the envelopes.envelopes.

• Mr. Enters needs a Mr. Enters needs a minimumminimum of ten (10) school days to process an application. of ten (10) school days to process an application. Please check deadline dates carefully.Please check deadline dates carefully.

• Attention potential college athletes!Attention potential college athletes!You have an additional step in the college application process. If you hope to play at You have an additional step in the college application process. If you hope to play at a Division I or Division II school, you MUST register with the National Collegiate a Division I or Division II school, you MUST register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Visit https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common Athletic Association. Visit https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common 

Finding the Right College

There are numerous search engines that you There are numerous search engines that you can use to find schools that might be can use to find schools that might be appropriate for you, but your best bet is appropriate for you, but your best bet is College Matchmaker found on College Matchmaker found on collegeboard.comcollegeboard.com

Or for more links, see, the guidance website orOr for more links, see, the guidance website or

Ms. Greenstein's WebsiteMs. Greenstein's Website