may announcements
straight from the source: insightful admission blogs
College admission offices are opening their doors to you. Check out these blogs to learn more about applications, campus visits, and newsworthy events. The following links are just a few examples of the different types of schools offering you an insiders' glimpse into what they do on a day to day basis.
Summer College Visits
Given your busy schedules during the academic year, summer might be the most convenient time for you to go and visit colleges/universities. While many college students will not be on campus over the summer, you will still have some opportunities to engage with student tour guides and learn about the unique programs offered.
Start checking the admission office websites at schools to get a sense of their visit schedules during the summer months. Make sure you register for any programs if possible and remember that a lot of students and families will visit schools over the summer months. If you plan on making visits during the final weeks of summer break, tours and information sessions could be large!
As with all college visits, keep good notes and talk to as many representatives of the school as possible.
last Standardized Testing opportunities for the 2009/2010 school year
The upcoming SAT and ACT June test dates will be your last opportunity to sit for the tests until the fall. If you plan on taking either test or both, follow the links below and register as soon as you can!
Final Reminders as the End of junior Year Approaches
- Keep up the good work! For juniors, the grades that you will receive at the end of this year will be the last of those factored into the cumulative GPA that gets sent to colleges on your transcript. (Don't forget, though, that senior year grades will be just as important; they just won't show an entire year's worth of work!)
- Make a plan for the summer that includes relaxation, time well spent in areas that you're interested in, and a bit of college planning (visiting, essay drafts, and testing practice!).
- Make sure you meet with your College Counselor before the end of the school year!
april announcements
important dates for seniors
We know you are counting down to April 30 for the Class of 2010 Senior Breakfast and the send-off to May Term, but we also want to remind you of some other important dates coming up this month!
- Waiting List Response Dates - If you have been placed on a Waiting List that you would like to pursue, take a close look at the information the school provided with its decision. There may be a deadline for you to indicate if you would like to be considered for a spot off of the Waiting List. For more information on how to appropriately pursue any Waiting List options, please speak with your college counselor.
- May 1: National Notification Deadline - Now comes the hard part - deciding which college to attend! You must notify the college or university of your decision to enroll on or before May 1. Remember send your enrollment deposit to only ONE college or university as it does secure your intention to participate in orientation activities and begin as a freshman for the upcoming school year.
notes for juniors
Soon, you will assume your position as the leaders of the student body. As the weather gets warm and spring sports get under way, there are just a few things we want you to keep in mind!
- If you haven't already met with your college counselor, make an appointment as soon as possible! You can sign up to meet with your counselor in Mrs. Perna's office.
- If you have met with your counselor, continue to keep the communication open. Tell your counselor about recent or upcoming college visits, testing plans, changes to your senior schedule, and your summer plans. Also be sure to be in touch with any questions you have about the college process.
- If you have not yet registered for upcoming standardized tests, do so now. Register for SAT Reasoning and Subect Tests on the College Board website. You can also register for the ACT test on the ACT website.
- Mark your calendar for the Mock Interview Workshop for Juniors on Saturday, May 15. Please RSVP to Betsy Rosini if you have not already done so!
sat subject tests
What are SAT Subject Tests? SAT Subject Tests are 1 hour exams in particular areas of academic study including English, History and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science, and Languages. For more information about particular tests, click here.
Should I take any SAT Subject Tests? If applicable, underclassmen should have received notification from the Academic Dean about upcoming SAT Subject Tests. We recommend that you speak with your current teachers if you are wondering whether or not to take a Subject Test or two this spring. Also, chat with your college counselor about your options for standardized testing and developing a testing plan for your college process.
Do colleges require SAT Subject Tests? Some colleges require that applicants submit two or three Subject Tests for admission. Other schools will recommend that students take Subject Tests to supplement their application. There is also an increasing number of colleges and universities that offer the SAT Subject Tests as a testing option. For example, Middlebury College requires its applicants submit the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT or 3 Subject Tests.
How do I prepare for the SAT Subject Tests? Many students will take Subject Tests in June and therefore, studying for final exams will help with preparing for Subject Tests. The College Board recommends taking the tests, particularly in History and Science "as soon as possible after completing the highest level course work they plan to take in the subject (while the material is still fresh in their minds)." In addition, the CCO has a limited supply of practice books available for students to borrow. Finally, listen for announcements about review sessions that some Academic Departments will offer students.
february announcements
second semester news
- SENIORS: Congratulations on making it through your final series of MKA exams! The CCO has submitted your Mid-Year Grades to all colleges and universities to which you still have a pending application for admission. Please remember that your second semester grades are important to the college process, as well! Offers of admission are always contingent upon successful completion of your current course schedule. In addition, should you be offered a spot on a college or university Waiting List, you will want strong grades to submit to colleges at that time.
- JUNIORS: Your Junior Student Questionnaires and Junior Parent Questionnaires are due in the CCO by Thursday, February 11. Once all of your paperwork has been received, we will contact you to schedule our first individual appointment and then we will begin meeting with parents.
- FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORES: As you begin making your summer plans, please remember that you are welcome to browse through the Summer Opportunities bin located in the CCO.
JUNIORS PLAYING SPRING SPORTS
If you are a junior student-athlete who plays a spring sport and is considering athletics in college, please make an appointment to meet with Mr. Lambert, our CCO Athletics Liaison. Compiling statistics and footage of games or practices will be important during this upcoming season as it will be the last opportunity to showcase your talents prior to the college application process. Mr. Lambert will also offer guidance for student-athletes interested in developing student-athlete webpages and learning about appropriate and timely communication with coaches.
SAT/ACT Testing
Juniors, it may seem difficult to imagine but you can now take SAT and/or ACT tests that could be considered in your application to colleges and universities next year. We strongly recommend that all juniors take the SAT or ACT at least once during thier junior year. Your scores will help you determine colleges and universities that fall into reach, probable, and foundation categories as you continue your college research. Please visit the College Board website for information on SAT test dates and registration. For more information on the ACT, please go to the ACT website and search The Test.
january announcements
happy new year!
The CCO hopes that you and your family had an enjoyable holiday season. We extend our best wishes to you in 2010!
The new year gets started with quite a busy schedule for the CCO. Please see the following announcements below as they pertain to your class year:
- SENIORS: Please finalize your college list with your college counselor and make sure that the teachers writing your recommendations are up-to-date, as well! Remember that it will take a while for college admission offices to process all of the application materials they will receive for Regular Decision applications. If you are notified that the admission office needs another copy of your materials, don't panic! Let us know and we'll re-submit your materials to complete your file.
- JUNIORS: Ready, set, go! The Junior College Counseling Kick-Off program is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2010. (In case of inclement weather, the snow date is Saturday, February 6.) Please check your email for the official invitation from PAMKA and RSVP as soon as possible! We look forward to seeing you there and officially starting the college process.
- SOPHOMORES AND FRESHMEN: The CCO will host informal meet and greets for parents (only) of Sophomores (Wednesday, January 27, 2009 between 7:00p.m. and 8:30p.m.) and Freshmen (Thursday, February 4, 2009 between 7:00p.m. and 8:30p.m.). Please check your email in the coming days and weeks for your invitation. If you cannot meet us for coffee and casual conversation on these evenings, we hope you find our online resources helpful and we will look forward to meeting you soon.
upcoming standardized testing dates
- SAT: The next SAT is scheduled for Saturday, January 23. Seniors, please note that this is the last possible date that you can take the SAT in hopes of it being reviewed by admission committees this season. Juniors, please note that this is the first test date for which scores you earn can be submitted to colleges and universities along with your application for admission next year.
- ACT: The next ACT test will be administered on Saturday, February 6. Late registration for this ACT will close on January 15.
mid-year grades
Mid-year grades will be sent to every college to which any senior has an outstanding application (ie. applications that were submitted Regular Decision and Early Decision II and applications that were submitted for Rolling Admission, Early Decision I, and/or Early Action that were deferred to the Regular Decision pool or are still without a final decision). Once these grades become available, we will automatically process and mail them to these colleges. Please note that we do NOT need any common application or school-specific Mid-year Report forms.
summer opportunities
With all of this snow and ice and cold weather we've been having, it's hard to not think about sitting on a beach somewhere this summer or investigating those amazing summer programs you've heard so much about from other students.
As you take inventory of your interests and where your summer path might lead you, remember to utilize the following resources:
- The PAMKA/CCO Summer Program File can be found in the main reception area of the CCO.
- Friends, neighbors, and classmates can be incredibly helpful as you try to get a sense of the programs available to high school students and those that have been most worthwhile based upon personal experience.
- There are a number of online resources to help you navigate the vast array of opportunities, such as Enrichment Alley, based upon your specific interests and needs.
december announcements
FINANCIAL AID DEADLINES
Regardless of whether you are applying under Rolling Admission, Early Action, Early Decision, or Regular Decision admission plans, you and your family should be taking note of college/university Financial Aid policies and deadlines.
To help you get started, access our CCO Financial Aid Information Sheet.
NOTE: All forms must be submitted by the appropriate deadlines for families to receive full consideration for financial aid.
REGULAR DECISION AND EARLY DECISION II APPLICATION DEADLINES
Upcoming admission deadlines are fast approaching! Applications are due for many colleges and universities at the beginning of January. Please plan accordingly for submission of your applications as school will be closed for Winter Break between December 19 and January 3. Please keep your college counselor and your teachers who are writing recommendations on your behalf informed of any changes/updates to your college list.
SAT REGISTRATION DEADLINE
The registration deadline for the January 23 SAT is December 15. If you are considering this test date, please contact the admission offices at those schools to which you are applying to confirm that these scores will be accepted and reviewed by the admission committee.
