The Counselors' Corner is published semiannually. The purpose of the Counselors' Corner is to provide an overview of the guidance services and to assist the student in academic and career planning. Important dates for parents including Applying to College Night and Financial Aid Night are noted.archive
COUNSELORS' CORNER
Publication of the Seneca Valley High School Guidance Department
Visit our guidance bulletin at http://www2.svsd.net/~shguid/ for bi-weekly scholarship opportunities.
2008-2009
Volume 21 No 1
Senior High School Counseling Staff
Mrs. Wendy McQuiston - Counselor for Students A-G
Mr. Keith Chrestay - Counselor for Students H-O
Mrs. Darla Ramirez-Hoss - Counselor for Students P-Z
Mrs. Michelle Bergman - Counselor for Gifted and Learning Support
Ms. Christine Sherman - Student Assistance Coordinator and Counselor for Alternative Classroom (7-12)
Ms. Wendy Kasing - Secretary
Mrs. Sue Berlin - Secretary
Intermediate High School Counseling Staff
Mrs. Kristen Kress - Counselor for Students A-G
Mr. Tony Del Prete - Counselor for Students H-O
Ms. Amy Calder - Counselor for Students P-Z
TBA - Counselor/Special Education
Mrs. Kathie Brown - Secretary
2008-2009 EVENING PROGRAMS
Freshman Class Orientation
August 19, 2008 - 6:30 p.m. IHS AuditoriumJunior Class & SHS New Student Orientation
August 28, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. SHS AuditoriumIHS New Student Program
August 21, 2008 - 10:00 a.m. IHS GuidanceApplying to Post-Secondary School Night (Grades 10-12)
September 17, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. SHS Auditorium
Financial Aid Night (Grades 11-12)
December 10, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. SHS Auditorium
(Make up date December 17, 2008)Registration Night (Grades 10-11)
January 21, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. SHS Auditorium
(Make up date January 28, 2009)College & Career School Fair
April 22, 2009 - 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. SHS Gymnasium
SAT TEST PREP
Included in the Guidance Central program is unlimited access to SAT prep lessons, tips and practice. Go to www.bridges.com and log in to your portfolio with your portfolio name and password (portfolios were created in 9th grade with the guidance department). If you must create a new portfolio use Seneca’s site ID# 10000045 and password seneca. Once your portfolio is created write down the portfolio name and password for continued use of the program.
To begin your testGear SAT Account:
- Click on “testGear” (Under Your Tools)
- Take the BrainScan (30 minutes) to be matched up to a personalized test prep curriculum.
- Take your time and work through 15 units of practorials, micro labs quizzes and full-length tests.
2008-2009
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TEST SCHEDULE
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) - October 18, 2008
SAT REASONING AND SAT SUBJECT TESTS:
Test Date Registration Deadline October 4, 2008 September 9, 2008 November 1, 2008 September 26, 2008 December 6, 2008 November 5, 2008 January 24, 2009 December 26, 2008 March 14, 2009 February 10, 2009 May 2, 2009 March 31, 2009 June 6, 2009 May 5, 2009 PLAN (Preliminary ACT) - October 25, 2008
ACT Tests:
Test Date Registration Deadline September 13, 2008 August 12, 2008 October 25, 2008 September 19, 2008 December 13, 2008 November 7, 2008 February 7, 2009 January 6, 2009 April 4, 2009 February 27, 2009 June 13, 2009 May 8, 2009 Note: exam dates in bold are held at Seneca Valley High School.
Registration forms and all testing information may be obtained in the guidance office throughout the school year or visit www.collegeboard.com and/or www.actstudent.org for information. The code for Seneca Valley is 395465.
SAT and ACT services are available for students with disabilities. Please contact Ms. Jeanette Mike at extension 208 for SAT/ACT information.
*Late registration and stand-by options are also available.
ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is scheduled to be administered at the Senior High School on October 8, 2008. Interested students can sign up in the guidance office in September.
RUTH VARNER OTTO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Ruth Varner Otto Memorial Scholarship applications will become available to Seneca Valley seniors in February, 2009. The scholarship committee will consider academic standing, extra-curricular involvement, citizenship and financial need.
If you are planning to apply for this scholarship, you must first register with the College Scholarship Service (CSS) and then complete a CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE application. Registration forms for the College Scholarship Service are available in the guidance office or online at www.collegeboard.com .
Completed CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE applications must be received by the College Scholarship Service no later than March 1, 2009 in order to process the information in sufficient time to be considered for the Ruth Varner Otto Scholarship.
You must still complete an application for the Ruth Varner Otto Scholarship from the guidance office when it becomes available in February, 2009.
F A L L S T U D E N T C H E C K L I S T
F R E S H M A N Y E A R:
- Use the Guidance Central program.
- You and your parents should begin the career decision process early and schedule a meeting with your counselor to discuss future planning. Courses and grades earned in classes this year will have a direct bearing on future options in both school and in careers.
- Become familiar with college admissions tests (PLAN, PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject tests, ACT, ASVAB, AP) and create a testing plan that meets your needs.
S O P H O M O R E Y E A R:
- Continue to use the Guidance Central program.
- Find out what other resources are available in school to plan for post-secondary schools. Talk to a counselor about career choices. Visit the Guidance Office to become familiar with career software programs, books, pamphlets, and other informational guides that are available for career planning.
- Consider signing up to take the PLAN test on October 25, 2008.
J U N I O R Y E A R:
September
- Identify the sources available in the high school to plan for post-secondary schools. Talk to a counselor about career choices. Visit the Guidance Office and the Career Resource Center for post-secondary school catalogs and view books, guidance publications, and the internet driven Guidance Central program.
- Check the dates for college open house programs that will be held at various locations in the area and sign up to meet college representatives in the Guidance Office.
- Consider taking the PSAT/NMSQT on October 18, 2008 at the high school. After registering for the test, pick up a free copy of the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin and take the practice test inside. By doing well on the test, you may be eligible for scholarships and awards.
- Revisit your college admissions testing plan and make adjustments.
October
- When you take the PSAT/NMSQT, be sure to sign up for the College Board's free Student Search Service (SSS). The SSS matches your background and interests with colleges that are looking for students just like you. The colleges will begin to send you information about their programs in the spring of your junior year.
November
- Continue to use the Guidance Central program.
- Develop a list of post-secondary schools that meet individual interests, needs and abilities. These include size, type of school, location, fields of study offered, academic quality, necessary facilities, desirable opportunities, cost and financial aid opportunities, and social and cultural environments. Try to rank them in order of preference.
December
- PSAT/NMSQT results will be available this month. Use the information provided by the Educational Testing Service to interpret and understand the scores.
S E N I O R Y E A R:
September
- If you have not clarified your educational goals, needs and preferences, and developed a preliminary list of post-secondary schools, do so now. Reduce your list to approximately 5 to 10 schools.
- When information is received from post-secondary schools, analyze the application instructions to see what information is required and to learn about all due dates.
- If you are applying to more than one post-secondary school, rank your preference by location, academic program, and other priorities that are important to you.
- Create a completed checklist of test names and registration deadlines, financial aid applications and deadlines, and other materials that will be needed.
- If you are applying for early decision, acquire and start filling out the necessary forms for application and financial aid to meet the college’s deadline, which is usually in November.
- If the SAT, SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT are being taken this year, plan to take them at least 4 weeks before the scores must be submitted to post-secondary schools. Check in the Guidance Office for the registration dates and materials.
October
- Some applications require an essay as part of your application. Develop an outline that conveys your personal qualities and complete the first draft of your essay. Have your draft critiqued through the senior high College Essay Writing Service located in the library. Keep a copy of your essay for future reference. Decide whom to ask for recommendations, and ask them now if you have not done so. When you ask, provide an addressed, stamped envelope with the appropriate post-secondary forms.
- By now completed transcript authorization and student information sheets should be on file in the guidance office. Official transcripts cannot be released until these forms are completed.
- Indicate on the transcript processing form how you want the guidance office to aid in your application process.
November
- Check the deadlines to apply to post-secondary schools. Be sure to apply on time. Some schools have deadlines in December, while others are in February or later.
- If you would like to pick up transcripts or have them mailed from the guidance office prior to Thanksgiving break, you must give the completed application to your counselor no later than November 18, 2008.
December
- If you would like to pick up transcripts or have them mailed from the guidance office prior to the holiday vacation, you must give the completed application to your counselor no later than December 15, 2008.
- Begin completing the financial aid forms and other student aid applications. If a school that you’re planning to attend has its own financial aid forms, fill them out and return them when you apply for admissions. Fill out the FAFSA and if required, the CSS/PROFILE completely, accurately and legibly. The FAFSA cannot be filed prior to January 1, 2009.
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