
Today is the late registration deadline for the February 12th ACT exam.
Today is the late registration deadline for the February 12th ACT exam.
We can’t stress enough how important it is to be on top of filing your 2023-24 FAFSA accurately and on time, if you haven’t already done so.
The US Department of Education has an excellent help section which will answer most of your questions and help you to avoid the most common FAFSA mistakes. Read through this list to make sure you maximize your chance of receiving financial aid.
Scholarships help a great many college students pay for their education. Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid and so, are the best type of financial aid to receive. By the way, the terms “grants” and “scholarships” are often used interchangeably.
Two types of scholarships are provided to students:
Need-Based Scholarships are granted to students based on financial need.
Merit Based Scholarships are grants awarded depending on a student’s academic or extracurricular record.
Start your search as soon as possible to find funds to help pay for college. When searching for scholarships, remember the following:
Helpful resources to match you with scholarships include:
Talk to your guidance counselor for additional information and while in your guidance office pick up scholarship applications and look through the lists of special scholarships available to students in your school district and town
Make a list of scholarships you plan to apply for with their respective due dates and check them off as you complete your applications. Apply as soon as possible to maximize your chance for help funding your college education.
We hope 2023 is the start of a year filled with good news and excitement. Spend time and work hard now to set yourself up for success and cause for celebration later. Make the most of this back-to-school time after the holidays to put yourself on the right track.
Seniors, finish your last applications and submit them in time to meet the due dates. There are schools with regular decision deadlines in January as well as rolling and open decision schools you may still be thinking about or might consider looking into. Be aware, also, of any deadlines for special programs within schools to which you have already applied.
Juniors, make an appointment with your guidance counselor. If you have not already met, this is the time to introduce yourself and discuss your college bound goals. If you have already had conversations about your college process with your counselor, now is a good time to review your plans and get started.
Sophomores and First Years, attend any introductory college programs your school offers. The new year is a good time to become more aware of your high school’s graduation requirements and your own goals for your high school years. This is also the right time to learn about general college going prerequisites for different types of schools.
Make a good impression on Admissions by submitting your best application. Confirm that all the content is accurate and carefully written, and review your applications before you press “submit.” Avoid common mistakes which may reflect poorly on you and could make you seem disorganized and/or careless, this is not the introduction to Admissions you’ll want to make.
Check the following before you submit your application:
Spelling: Don’t rely on spell check and be careful of autocorrect. For example, you’re on the “Honor Roll” not the “Honor Role”. Read and re-read your application multiple times. You’ll be surprised by the number of errors you might find.
Accuracy: Check for typos or easily overlooked mistakes such as incorrect information about your counselor’s contact info or your telephone number and email address should Admissions try to get in touch. Be sure your date of birth and social security number match what is on your high school transcript. Have you listed your extracurricular activities on the Common App in the order of importance to you?
Be Specific: Make sure each essay and your short answers are detailed and specific to the school to which you are applying. If you mention the school, be sure to refer to the correct school when coping and pasting. If you’ve indicated a high level of commitment in a club or activity throughout high school, highlight and discuss your involvement on your application in order to demonstrate your interest.
Due Dates: Applications, special programs, scholarships and financial aid all have different deadlines, even within the same school. Don’t miss out on any opportunities because of a missed deadline. Look them all up on school websites and keep a calendar or agenda with each due date.
Proofread: Read and re-read your application. Have at least one other person read your application before submitting. You want to make sure you’ve conveyed your message clearly and confirmed that you haven’t overlooked any errors.
Early decisions will be released soon. Check your school’s website for details so you know when to sign on for your outcome. If you applied early decision and are accepted, you will have a few new items for follow up. If you’ve applied early action and/or rolling and receive positive news, you will also need to take action. This is what you’ll need to do:
ACCEPTED
Early decision is binding.
Early action is not binding.
Rolling admission is not binding.
DEFERRED
If you are deferred or rejected, it may not mean you are not qualified. It may simply mean there is not enough room for all the qualified candidates who have applied. Most competitive schools receive a greater number of applications than there are available spots in their incoming class.
If you have committed to a school, reach out and thank your teachers and counselors and anyone else who has supported you in your college bound process. A hand written note is a really nice touch.
While you have good cause for celebrating, keep in mind acceptances are conditional on maintaining your grades throughout senior year. Continue working hard to finish this school year strong.
Look for an internship now to set yourself up for the summer. It’s a good idea to gain some work experience outside of school. Summer internship offer the opportunity to:
Internships may be available after school, during the school year or during the summer months. Look for internships with government agencies, private companies, non-profits and cultural organizations to name a few. If you’re thinking about an internship during the school year, consider your schedule and whether you really have the time to devote to another commitment. If not, limit your search to summer internships. Here are some helpful tips on how to begin your search:
Think about how you’ll present yourself and consider doing the following:
Today is the late registration deadline for the December 10th ACT exam.