Class of 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLASS OF 2011 – rising Sophomores’ “MUST DO” LIST FOR THE SUMMER from the guidance office!


1.  I challenge you to spend some time in the Word and in prayer. Devote yourself to know the Lord better. Pray and journal.  Remember when choosing to spend time with friends that “iron sharpens iron”; choose wisely and be a positive influence.


2.  Go over your PLAN ACT and PSAT tests.  You have your answer sheets, test booklets and correct answers. Spend some time examining what you missed and working on concepts or techniques that need improvement. Your PSAT test date for the fall is Wednesday, Oct.18th, 2008. Your PLAN ACT test date for the fall is Wednesday, November 26th, 2008.


3.  Serve someone other than yourself.  We should be doing this as a way of life. Find opportunities to volunteer at a local organization, church, summer camp, or other ministry serving the community. Remember that community service hours completed in the summer will count towards the 2008-2009 school year. You can access a new, service log on the ENEWS.


4.  You must spend some time “searching” and comparing colleges so that you are familiar with the standards for admission.  Use the websites I’ve provided to do some searches; go the guidance page of the ENEWS for a listing of the helpful websites.  If there are colleges nearby in which you are interested and they offer academic or athletic summer camps, you should look into those camps.  That is a great way to see their campus and learn more about their school.


5.  If you haven’t already, register with collegeboard.com so that you receive emails from them including upcoming events, SAT sample questions, and lots of others resources if you have not already done so.  Use CFNC.org as a tool; it’s great!

 

 

 

WHAT To Do With the PSAT & PLAN ACT Results?

PLAN ACT results will be distributed to all freshmen and sophomores this week.  All students who took the PLAN ACT will receive their original test booklet, their result sheet including their answers and the correct answers.  They will also be given a very descriptive brochure that gives explanation to the PLAN ACT test results. For more information about the PLAN ACT, visit http://www.actstudent.org/plan/tests/epas.html for scores, tips and sample tests

Students can sign up at www.collegeboard.com/psat for more information and resources.   Students can get personalized online college planning tools with My College QuickStart at www.collegeboard.com/quick.


These resources are all free.  Summer is a great time for students to pull out the PSAT test booklet and results to review the content and see where they can improve.

 

Current Seniors and Parents of Seniors

Well, I’m sure that you have heard or read by now that this Class of 2008 is the largest in the history of the United States which means that more students are applying to colleges than ever; therefore, the competition for admission is at an all time high.  Next year will be an even more competitive year due to the numbers.


Many Seniors have heard back from the colleges to which you have applied and some are still awaiting notification from their prospective schools.  Students who have been accepted, simply wait for notification from your “other” schools so that you can make an informed decision.  It is a good idea to be sure you’ve met any and all financial aid and scholarship deadlines for which you are eligible.  All families should have completed the FAFSA form already.  If you have not, do so ASAP.  Parents must be active in completing this document.  Financial aid and some scholarships based their decisions upon the results of the FAFSA. Financial aid is often given out on a first come, first serve basis.


                If you have been deferred from a school, be sure you follow the instructions provided to you by the college or university.  Each school does it a bit differently.  Deferral simply means that they are going to review your application again once they’ve received all of their applications.  Some require the student to fill out additional information on their websites.  However, one requirement for all deferrals is that the schools want your 1st semester grades.  All seniors’ 1st semester report cards and updated transcripts were sent to all colleges and universities in January.  Final transcripts will be sent only to the college or university to which each senior is planning to attend.  Seniors, you will be required to inform the guidance office of your college choice in the spring.
               

When you know that you are going to accept the offer from a school you should communicate that with them by calling or emailing the appropriate admissions office.  You should also communicate that you are not going to accept an offer from a school once you’ve made that decision.  This is courteous and allows the school to offer your spot to another student.  Be sure that you communicate accordingly to all of the schools to which you’ve applied.  Please also communicate this information to the CDS guidance office as you make these decisions.
                Don’t forget to write thank you notes to teachers, employers, coaches and pastors who wrote letters of recommendation for you.  Be sure to keep track of all deadlines which will vary depending on the colleges.  There are multiple scholarship deadlines that are also your responsibility.


                If there are still colleges and/or universities to which you desire to apply, complete your application(s) as soon as possible.  Also complete the transcript request form and give that to Miss Mills.  There are many colleges of which it is not too late to apply if you are wanting to do so.  Simply check their websites for deadlines.

 

Transcript Request Form

 

F.A.F.S.A.

Get more info, You'll be Glad You Did >>

 

VISIT COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES OF WHICH YOU ARE INTERESTED.

YOU’VE GOT TO GO TO KNOW……

Most colleges have either sneak preview weekends or sometimes a single day for juniors and/or seniors to come a visit their college or university.  Some of these days include both a student and parent track.  This is one of the best ways to see if a school is a good fit for you. 

Check out college and university websites of which are interested and make your plans to visit the school.  There is usually a way to register for these events on their  website.   Review the “profile” of their freshman class to see if the college or university is a “reach” school, “match” school or “safety” school for YOU.

You can also call the admissions office and speak with an admissions representative to arrange a visit which can usually include spending the night in the dorm, visiting a few classes, meeting with a faculty member, an admissions counselor and possibly a financial aid officer.  Be sure you call in advance.

 
 

THE BEST USE OF YOUR TIME AND EFFORT IN REGARD TO SCHOLARSHIPS IS AS FOLLOWS:

1.       Apply to colleges & work directly with the admissions and financial aid office of that institution to see what merit money scholarships you qualify for.

2.       Research local scholarships of which you have an affiliation.  (examples:  parents employer, church, school, local businesses)

3.       Check out the scholarship websites that are listed on the “HELPFUL SITES FOR THE COLLEGE PROCESS” which includes several good scholarship sites.   Go >>

Covenant Day School

Class of 2008 – ClassVerse

”And this is my prayer:  that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:9-11

Miss Mills lists her favorite websites that may be helpful to you.  Click on the form below to get help as you prepare for the college experience.

Helpful Sites >>

Photo  of students at Catawba College, conveniently located in Salisbury, NC. 

For more info >

 

This suggested reading list has been compiled for you with the intent of helping you research the important process of  choosing a college or university.  As you begin to think ahead for and with your child about higher education.  I strongly encourage you to do your research.  This suggested reading list is for the Christian parent &/or students wanting to engage in serious thought about choosing a college.  Not all author are Christians, but all works are thought provoking.

Click here to view the attached suggested reading list.

Enjoy!

 Miss Heather Mills

Student in need of work permits are to visit the North Carolina

Department of Labor at www.nclabor.com if order to get the approved work permits.

Miss Heather Mills, CDS High Guidance Counselor