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College and Career Counseling

College Acceptances for 2009!

Allegheny College


Boston College (2)


Boston University (2)


Case Western Reserve University


College of Charleston


College of William and Mary


Eckerd College

 

Emerson College


Emory University


Evergreen State College


Florida Atlantic University


Franklin and Marshall College


George Washington University (3)


Indiana University (3)


Juniata College


Kansas State University


Lehigh University


Miami University of Ohio


Mount Holyoke College


Northwestern University


Ohio State University (2)


Penn State University – Smeal College of Business


Penn State University (5)


Purdue University


Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

 

SUNY Binghamton


Susquehanna University (2)


Syracuse University (5)


Universidad de Monterrey – (Mexico)


University of Arizona


University of California (Davis, San Diego, Santa Barbara)


University of Colorado


University of Delaware


University of Illinois


University of Maine


University of Mary Washington – (Virginia)


University of Miami


University of Missouri


University of Oregon


University of Pittsburgh (3)


University of Richmond - (Virginia)


University of South Carolina


University of Washington


University of Wisconsin


Vassar College


Villanova University


Virginia Tech
The College Counseling department assists students in the college exploration, search, and application process.    It is the student’s responsibility to research and explore colleges.  We educate our students on the college admissions process and how to use the resources available to them for their college search.  We provide students with the advice and support they need to compile their college list.  This is done through individual meetings and structured small group seminars in the junior and senior year.

What are colleges looking for?

Well, we are glad that you are thinking about this. It may seem that everyone has an opinion regarding this issue. But the fact is that getting into college is quite fair. Each college is looking for the most qualified applicant, and that usually means looking at all the information that they have. What is important to remember is that each college looks at each component. The following is a list of factors that colleges take into consideration. Please consider this as you continue through high school.

High School Record


Your high school record, which includes which courses you took and how well you did, is the most important aspect of getting into a college.  This is the best indicator for colleges to tell how well you'll perform when given a college workload. Colleges will look at your overall grades, the level of difficulty of your courses, any improvement in grades, as well as if you let your senior year grades slide.

Test Scores

Test scores are an important factor in the college application process. Colleges feel that they are important in evaluating an applicant and their potential. Tests like the SAT and ACT show colleges your level of problem-solving, reading, and other basic skills. They also give colleges a way to compare applicants from different schools and backgrounds. You will need to prep for the test, either by taking a prep course and/or by using a good prep book. Some people say they aren’t good test takers. Practicing for these tests is key to individual success. “Practice makes perfect.” Just do your very best to prepare for such tests, and try to achieve as good of a score as possible.  As long as you do that, that’s all anyone could ask from you.

Activities and Other Accomplishments

If you are a student who is active in community service or are involved in an internship that is going to expand your knowledge and enrich your high school experience- schools want to know this.  Consider extracurricular activities that interest you and stick to it. Be sure to look at all of your options so that you can find the activities that are the best fit for you.

Essays and Recommendations

This is a qualitative factor in your application. Meaning, it fills in the empty spaces of your application and paints a picture of who you are.  It will show what is important to you, your strengths and weaknesses and your goals in life.   Your essays and recommendations provide a view of who you are as a person. When reading an applicant’s essay or letters of recommendation, colleges are getting to know you beyond the high school transcripts and test scores.  If they like what they see in your essay or recommendation, your application will stand out above others.

Click for a  College Fair Checklist and Kaplan Tutoring Pricelist

Senior TO DO List

September
  • Make sure you have all applications required for college admission & financial aid.
  • Check on application & financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply. They may vary & it is essential to meet all deadlines!
  • Meet with your guidance counselor to be sure your list includes colleges appropriate to your academic & personal record. Review your transcript & co-curricular record to ensure their accuracy.
  • Register for the Oct./Nov SAT Reasoning Test and/or SAT Subject tests, or the Sept./Oct. ACT.
  • Check to see that your recommendations are on file. Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations.
  • Plan visits to colleges & set up interviews.

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October

  • Attend a regional college fair to investigate those colleges to which you will probably apply.
  • Begin filling out applications.
  • If applying for early decision or early action, send in your application now.  Also prepare applications for back-up schools. Submit financial aid information if requested from early decision/early action.
  • Register for the December/January SAT Reasoning Test and/or Subject Test or the December ACT if you have not completed the required tests or if you are unhappy with your previous test scores & think you can do better.
  • Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list.

November

  • Take the SAT Tests if appropriate. Don’t forget to have the scores sent to colleges on your list.
  • Be sure to keep your grades up.
  • Continue completing applications to colleges. Make copies of all applications before mailing them.
  • IF you need financial aid, obtain a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) from your guidance office. Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid forms. Register for the CSS Profile if required & obtain the college’s own financial aid forms, if available.
  • Keep all records, test score reports & copies of applications for admission & financial aid.

December

  • Have official test scores sent to colleges on your list if you have not done so.
  • Consult you school counselor again to review your final list of colleges. BE sure you have all bases covered.  It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you mail the application by mail.
  • If you applied for early decision, you should have an answer by now. If you are accepted, follow the instructions for admitted students. If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied, submit applications now to other colleges.

January

  • Keep working in your classes! Grades & courses continue to count throughout the senior year.
  • Request that your counselor send the transcript of your first semester grades to the colleges to which applied.
  • Parents and students, complete your income tax forms as soon as possible. You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA. Complete & return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1st. Check to make sure your colleges or state does not require any other financial aid forms.

February

  • Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent & received on time and that they are complete. Stay on top of things; you can ruin your chances for admissions by missing a deadline.
  • IF you completed a FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within 4 weeks after submitting the FAFSA. Review the SAR carefully & check for any inaccuracies. If necessary, correct your data and return it to the FAFSA processor.
  • IF more than 4 weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA & you have not received an acknowledgment, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (319) 337-5665.
  • Complete scholarship applications.

March

  • Stay on top of important financial aid deadlines.
  • Respond quickly to college requests for additional documentation
  • Stay focused & keep studying -only a couple of more months to go.

April

  • Review your college acceptances & financial aid awards. Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process.
  • Make a decision & send in your tuition deposit-Most colleges require a response by May 1.
  • Notify the other colleges that you won’t be attending (other students will be happy to take your spot.

May

  • Make sure you meet the May 1st deadline.
  • Mail your official transcripts. Respond quickly to requests & return necessary forms.
  • Take advanced Placement exams, if appropriate & request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend.
  • Request that you counselor send your final transcript to the college you will attend.

June

  • Know when the payment for tuition, room & board, meal plans, etc, is due. IF necessary ask the financial aid office about a possible payment plan that will allow for you to pay in installments.
  • Enjoy your summer.

 

Junior TO DO List

September

  • Register for the October PSAT.
  • Meet with your counselor to review your courses
  • Save samples of your best work for your academic portfolio (all year).
  • Maintain your co-curricular record (all year).

October

  • Junior year PSAT scores may qualify a student for the National Merit Scholars Programs. So, even though these scores will not be used for college admission, it is still a good idea to take the PSAT. The more time you take standardized tests, the more familiar you will become with the format & the types of questions asked.

November

  • Junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process, because they are a measure of how well you do in advanced, upper-level courses. Grades also are used to determine scholarships & grants for which you may be eligible. SO put in the extra effort & keep those grades up!
  • If you will require financial aid, start researching your options for grants, scholarships & work-study programs. Visit the college center or do research on your own using the internet.

December

  • You should receive the results of your PSAT. Read your score report & talk to your college counselor to determine how might improve on future standardized tests.
  • If you plan to take the ACT, register now for the February ACT. Most colleges accept the ACT or the SAT Reasoning Test. Some colleges require the ACT or both the SAT Reasoning Test & the SAT Subject Tests.  When you begin to explore colleges, double-check to see if they prefer or require the ACT, the SAT Reasoning Test and/or the SAT Subject Tests.

January

  • Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to research further. Surf the Internet and visit the College Center to use the college resources.

February

  • Meet with your College Counselor to discuss your preliminary list of colleges. Discuss whether your initial list of colleges meets your needs & interests (academic program, size, location, cost, etc.) & whether you are considering colleges where you are likely to be admitted. You should be optimistic & realistic when applying to colleges.
  • Register for the March SAT Reasoning Test if you have completed the math courses covered on the SAT Reasoning Test. If not, plan to take the SAT Reasoning Test in May or June. Prepare for the SAT or ACT by signing up for a prep course, using computer software or doing the SAT/ACT practice tests available in the counseling office or at bookstores.  BUT don’t spend so much time trying to improve your test scores that grades & co-curricular involvement suffer.

March

  • Write, call, or use the internet to request admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list.  There is no charge and no obligation to obtain general information about the admission and financial aid.
  • Talk to your parents about what you are thinking about when it comes to you college plans.
  • Think of 3 people who you would like to write a letter of recommendation for your college application.

 

April

  • When selecting your senior courses, be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically.
  • Register for the May/June SAT Reasoning Test and/or the May/June SAT Subject Tests. Not all SAT Subject Tests are given on every test date. Check the calendar carefully to determine when the Subject Tests you want are offered, Register for the June ACT if you want to take that test.
  • Continue to evaluate your list of colleges. Eliminate colleges from the original list that no longer interests you & add others as appropriate. Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs. Colleges love to see students using their knowledge & developing their skills & interests.
  • Begin to ask for letters of recommendation.  These letters will be held in your college file for when you begin your college application process.

May

  • Attend a college fair to get more information about colleges on your list.  Visit www.nacacnet.org and look at the National College Fairs Web page to check out the schedule.
  • Get a jump start on summer activities- consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college, pursuing a summer school program, applying for an internship, working or volunteering. If you work, save part of your earnings for college
  • Begin visiting colleges. Phone to set up appointments. Interviews are always a good idea. Many colleges will tell you that they are optional, but an interview will show interest, enthusiasm and initiative on your part & provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered.
  • Take the SAT Reasoning Test or the SAT Subject test

June

  • After school ends, get on the road to visit colleges. Seeing the college first  hand, taking a tour & talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether or not a school is right for you.
  • Take the SAT Reasoning Test, the SAT Subject Tests and/or the ACT.
  • Enjoy your summer while trying to enhance your college application with special summer academic or enrichment programs. Remember, colleges love to see this!

July

  • Visit colleges, take tours, have interviews and ask questions. Make college visiting a family event. Involve your parents in every step of the application process. Choosing the right college is a tough decision; the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you.

August

  • Continue to refine your list of potential colleges.
  • Begin preparing for the actual application process; draft application essays; collect writing samples; and assemble portfolios or audition tapes. If you are an athlete & plan on playing in college, contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying & ask about intercollegiate & intramural sports programs & athletic scholarships.
  • Complete the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse form if you hope to play Division I or II sports.

 

Sophomore TO DO List

September

  • Consult your guidance counselor about taking the PSAT in October.  The PSAT is a preliminary test that will prepare you for the SAT Reasoning Test.
  • Take NCAA- approved courses if you want to play sports in college.

October

  • Take the PSAT for practice. The results will not be used for college admission.
  • Sign up, if you have not done so already, for co-curricular activities that interests you. The level of involvement and accomplishment is most important, not the number of activities.
  • Keep a record of your co-curricular involvement, volunteer work and employment (all year).

November

  • Make sure you are “on top” of your academic work. If necessary, meet with your teacher for additional help.
  • Save your best work in academic courses and the arts for your academic portfolio (all year).

December

  • Receive results of PSAT. Read materials sent with your score report. Consult your college counselor to explore ways to improve on future standardized tests and courses to discuss which may be required or beneficial for your post-high school plans.

January

  • Keep studying!
  • Volunteer- it s a great way to identify your interests and to develop skills.

February

  • It is never too early to start researching colleges and universities. Visit your guidance office to browse through literature and guidebooks or surf the Web and check out college and university home pages.

March

  • Visit www.nacancet.org to view a list of online resources to help you in the college admission process. Look for Web Resources for the College-Bound.

 

April

  • Register for the June SAT Subject Test.  These are one-hour exams testing you on academic subjects that you have already completed. Many colleges require or recommend one or more of the SAT Subject Tests for admission or placement. You can take the SAT Subject Tests when you have successfully completed the corresponding course in high school study (B+ average or better). Talk to your teachers and counselor about which tests to take.
  • Visit your college counselor for advice.
  • Continue to research career option and consider possible college majors that will help you achieve your career goals.

May

  • Plan now for wise use of your summer. Consider taking a summer course or participating in a special program (e.g., for prospective engineers or journalists or for those interested in theatre or music) at a local college or community college. Consider working or volunteering.

June

  • Take the SAT Subject Tests that you registered for in April.
  • If you work, save some of your earnings for college.

July

  • During the summer, you may want to sign up for a PSAT/SAT prep course, use computer software, or do the practice tests in books designed to familiarize you with standardized tests.

August

  • Make your summer productive. Continue reading to increase your vocabulary.

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Freshman TO DO List - It's never too early to plan for the future!

  • Get to know your college counselor.
  • Meet with your counselor to begin talking about colleges and careers.
  • Make sure you are enrolled in the appropriate college-preparatory or tech-prep courses.
  • Get off to a good start with your grades. The grades you earn in ninth grade will be included in your final high school GPA and class rank.
  • College might seem a long way off now, but grades really do count toward college admission and scholarships.
  • Explore your interests and possible careers. Take advantage of Career Day opportunities.
  • Get involved in extracurricular activities (both school and non-school-sponsored).
  • Start investigating how much college will cost.
  • Talk to your parents about planning for college expenses. Continue or begin a savings plan for college.
  • Look at the college information available in your counselor’s office and school and public libraries. Use the Internet to check out college Web sites.
  • Tour a nearby college, if possible. Visit relatives or friends who live on or near a college campus. Check out the dorms, go to the library or student center, and get a feel for college life.
  • Investigate summer enrichment programs.

 

8th and 7th Grade TO DO List

 

Eighth Grade

  • Continue to develop very good study habits and organizational skills.
  • Keep doing your homework! Homework is practice, and practice makes perfect!
  • Keep working hard to get good grades. It is important that you do well in ALL of your subjects, not just your favorites, so you get off to a good start in high school.
  • Take the Self-Assessment Quiz at www.educationplanner.org to learn more about your interests, strengths, and abilities.
  • Begin thinking about your education beyond high school. Will you go on to college, to a career school, to the military? You have many options, and now is the time to begin exploring them.
  • Consider the course selections you will be making for high school.
  • Meet with your school counselor to discuss your ninth grade courses.
  • Talk with your parents about how your high school courses, your future educational plans, and your career plans all fit together.
  • Have your parents learn about financial aid opportunities that can help them pay for your college education.

Seventh Grade

  • Participate in school activities such as music or sports.
  • Be active in clubs if you have the opportunity.
  • Keep doing your homework!
  • Begin looking at career options that interest you.
  • Take the Career Key Assessment at www.educationplanner.org to learn about your personality type, and then explore careers that fit your personality.
  • Review Career Clusters at www.educationplanner.org to see what general types of jobs might interest you (for example, business, computers, engineering, health, etc.)
  • Talk with your parents about career possibilities. You might even be able to job shadow by following them to work some day to see first hand what they do in their career.

Information provided by American Education Services (2008)

www.educationplanner.org

 

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