Horseheads
High School
Career & College Planning
Guide
2009-2010
“Even if you’re on the right track, you get run over if you just sit there.”
-Will Rogers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Future Panning Process
Page
4
Career College Planning Time Line
5-7
Sample Resume
8
Three Steps in college Selection:
Step 1: Prioritize What You Want in a College
9-10
Step 2: Access Information on Colleges
10-15
Step 3: Name 3-5 Colleges and Apply
15
Financial Aid & Scholarships
16
College Admissions Testing Program
17-19
Disability Services
20-21
Letters of Recommendations
22
Horseheads High School Application Process
23-24
Most Common Errors on an Application
25
Terms
26-29
The Military
30
Military Academies
31
Reference Materials:
Career Internet Resources
Student Financial Aid– HESC
NCAA Freshman-Eligibility Standards
BRIDGES Program Instructions
32
34-35
36-37
38-39
2
HORSEHEADS HIGH SCHOOL
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT STAFF
Mrs. Mary Ann Schmitt, Chairperson
Mr. Patrick Beckwith
Mrs. April Cook
Mrs. Stephen Eberhard
Mrs. Gillian Jewell
Mrs. Lynda Thomas
3
Future Planning Process
SELF-INFORMATION
•
•
•
•
•
interests
abilities
values
personality type
CAREER
INFORMATION
•
•
•
•
•
nature of work
education/training required
job outlook
pros & cons of particular jobs
IMPLEMENTATION
• ongoing re-evaluation of “fit” between self & career
•
•
•
•
•
academic transcript built throughout high school
resume of activities/volunteer work/etc.
selection of post-secondary training programs
college/military/employment placement options
application to post-secondary program
When Exploring Your Career Interests, Ask Yourself These Important Questions:
What
are the JOB REQUIREMENTS?
What is the
ECONOMIC
OUTLOOK in this field?
Does the career match WHO I AM and WHAT I WANT in life?
What kind of EDUCATION/TRAINING is needed?
WHERE can I obtain that education/training?
What is the ECONOMIC OUTLOOK in this field?
Does the INCOME range match my lifestyle goal?
4
JUNIOR YEAR
•
•
•
•
•
•
Continue to do your BEST work in all classes---since, in general, college applications are submitted
in fall of senior year, this year’s grades may be the last ones that will count into the cumulative
average and rank in class that may determine your college acceptance
Complete tentative senior year course selection with your High School Counselor, including selection
of AP/ACE/RIT/Career & Technical Education courses &/or application to a New Visions Career
Exploration Program (if applicable)
For all college bound students: Register for & take the PSAT (Practice test for the SAT) (October
only)
For all college bound students: Register for & take the SAT Reasoning Test (usually taken in
March, May, or June)
For all college bound students: Register for & take the ACT College Admissions Test (usually taken
in April or June) Be sure to register for the writing portion!
For students planning on applying for highly selective colleges: Register for & take the SAT
Subject Tests (if appropriate)
My
Goals
an
Acade d
mic
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ements
•
F OR M
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______
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5
•
Start
researching
& apply to scholarships
applicable to juniors
DEVELOP
TENTATIVE
FUTURE PLAN
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Continue Career Exploration
Participate in Shadowing & Career Panels through Career Development Council
Discuss career and college options with family & your High School Counselor
Generate a list of potential colleges/technical schools/etc. that meet your needs
Write or email colleges for applications & catalogs/informational brochures
Register for & take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) (optional)
Visit college campuses
Start researching & apply to scholarships applicable to juniors
SHADOWING/CAREER PANELS THAT
I HAVE COMPLETED:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
O
OD
F
FOR
_C_A
__R__E_E_
_S_IDE _R__S__T_H
__A
__T__I_M
R:
___IG
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__-__
______
__
______ ___________
__
__
______ ___________ ___________
_
______
______
___ __ _ __ __
_ ___ __
_
__ ___ _
_ ___ __ ___ __
_____
__________________________
COLLEGES THAT I MIGHT
CONSIDER:
UN
_
____
_
_
_
__
__
T
____ _______ _
_
A
_
_
H
_
____ ______ _______
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_
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_
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THI UDE: _______ _______ _______
_
_
L
_
INC _______ _______ _______
_
_
_
____ _______ _______
_
_
_
___ _______
_
____
T
KE
I LI
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
BUILD RESUME
•
PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES
(AND KEEP A LOG OF ALL ACTIVITIES/TIME SPENT)
•
PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL/COMMUNITY/CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
(AND KEEP A LOG OF TIME SPENT)
• APPLY FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS
(ACADEMIC, CAREER, EMPLOYMENT, AND VOLUNTEER)
6
SENIOR YEAR
September
♦ Review career/college information in the Guidance Office
♦ Meet with college representatives who visit the high school
♦ Ask individuals (teachers, counselor, coaches, club advisors, employers) to write letters of
recommendation
♦ Research scholarships
♦ Register as a prospective athlete with the NCAA if you planning to play Division I or II sports
at www.ncaaclearinghouse.org
♦ Pick up registration form for October SAT/Subject Tests/ACT OR register online at
www.collegeboard.com / www.act.org
October
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
SUNY applications are available
Begin processing applications: See page 26.
Visit College Information Day at the Arnot Mall
SAT/ACT/Subject Tests exams given
Attend Financial Aid Workshop at Horseheads
November
♦ SAT/Subject Tests exams given
♦ December 15th: Guidance Office deadline for college applications that are due January 1st (for
other deadline dates, applications must be turned into Guidance 10 working days before any
deadline date)
December
♦ SAT/Subject Tests/ACT exams given
January
♦ File Financial Aid Form(s) as soon as possible after January 1st
♦ Colleges will begin sending admissions decisions
Feb./March
♦ Mid-year reports (transcripts) will be sent to all four year colleges and universities to which
you applied. Please notify the Guidance Office if there are any colleges or universities to
which you do not want a mid-year report sent
April
♦ Notify colleges if you are declining admission
♦ Reminder: Tuition and housing deposits are usually due in May
7
SAMPLE RESUME:
CHRIS STUDENT
125 Turner Lane
Horseheads, NY 14845
607-739-1234 (Home)
607-738-5678 (Cell)
[email protected]
Education:
Horseheads High School
Regents Diploma, June 2007
GST-BOCES 2 year Career & Technical Education Certificate
Cumulative G.P.A—85.26%
Skills:
Computer skills: Power Point, Microsoft Word, Access, Excel
Organization, Communication & Analytical Ability
CPR Certification
Volunteer:
Science & Discovery Center
43 hours—summer 2007
Gave instruction to pre-school & elementary children
HHS Interact Club (Horseheads Rotary Club sponsored)
32 hours—Fall 2004-Spring 2007
Participated in road clean up, spelling bee, gift wrapping
Work:
McDonald’s (Horseheads)
10 hours per week—June, 2006-present
Cashier/cook
Sports:
Varsity Basketball (Horseheads High School)
Winter season, 2005, 2006, 2007
Interests:
Rollerblading, computer games, bike riding, reading
References:
Available upon request
8
THE 3 STEPS IN COLLEGE SELECTION
STEP 1: PRIORITIZE WHAT YOU WANT IN A COLLEGE
There are many criteria that you should consider when prioritizing your “want” list. Examples include:
College major/minor, location of college, admissions qualifications, activities, athletics and financial assistance.
◊
COLLEGE MAJOR:
Are there several areas of study that interest you?
In what area of study do you want to specialize?
In what high school courses have you done well?
At what types of things are you particularly good?
What are your interests and abilities?
Can you combine your interests with a career?
Do you want a technical, 2-year, or 4-year college?
Do you want a private, religious, or public college?
If you select a 2-year college, will your credits transfer to a 4-year college?
Will your ACE/RIT college credits transfer to your college?
◊
LOCATION:
Do you want to attend college in state or out of state? How far away?
Do you want to live in a rural, city, or suburban area?
What size college do you want to attend – small, medium or large population?
What kinds of activities do you want available in the community – shopping, athletic clubs,
cultural events?
Can you visit the college before you apply or is it too far away?
◊
ADMISSIONS:
How rigorous is your high school program (course selection and performance)?
What college admission testing requirements are required? (Do they also require SAT Subject
Tests?)
How many years of math, science and foreign language does the college require?
Do you need a portfolio or audition?
Is an essay or campus interview required/recommended?
Are there any additional admissions criteria?
◊
ACTIVITIES:
What activities do you enjoy in high school and/or your community now?
Are these activities available at college?
Are there support services available at the college – personal, academic, career planning/
placement?
9
◊
ATHLETICS:
Do you want to participate in athletics?
Do you want to compete at the intercollegiate level? If so, check the current N.C.A.A.
requirements for participation in Division I and II.
Do you want to participate at an intramural level?
Consult with your high school coach and counselor about colleges that offer your sport.
◊
FINANCIAL COST:
Have you met with a financial aid counselor at each college?
Have you investigated all forms of financial assistance? (Federal and state programs, collegesponsored scholarships and awards, and other scholarships.)
Does the college offer work-study programs?
Can you get a part-time job in the community?
Are there scholarships available – based on need, major, ethnic background, athletics,
academic achievement?
Do you need to file specific financial aid forms such as the CSS/Profile?
◊
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS:
Are there co-op or internship programs?
Are there study-abroad opportunities?
What types of job placement services are available?
What are the placement statistics for your major at that college?
STEP 2: ACCESS INFORMATION ON COLLEGES THAT MEET
YOUR NEEDS
Once you have prioritized your needs and know what is most important to you in selecting a college, you can
begin locating colleges in a variety of ways. Your school counselor is an excellent resource-person who can help
you locate information, as well as assist you in defining your goals and proceeding through the college selection
process.
◊
Bridges
Our Bridges program is a comprehensive suite of online career exploration and planning programs,
providing instant access to Choices Explorer, Choices Planner, and the Do What You Are personality
type indicator, all in one place. This comprehensive web-based suite of programs is available to all
Horseheads High School students, and can be accessed by completing the following set of
instructions:
(a) Open your browser
(b) Click on the address bar and type http://www.bridges.com
(c) Click on the student button
(d) Enter the Horseheads High School user name and password
User name: 0037240
Password: horse
*Students have been taught how to use this program in their sophomore year, and should have a
portfolio set up. If you don’t remember your portfolio name or password, please see your counselor.
10
Choices Explorer is a career exploration system that expands a student’s awareness about
education and career possibilities. Students explore vast libraries of education, careers, and
recreation articles—all in an interactive magazine-style format. Students can browse hundreds of
occupations by career clusters and interest zones or search by key words. Included are interviews
with actual workers and hundreds of links to quality career sites and America’s Job bank.
Choices Planner is an advanced online career delivery system which helps students in career and
educational planning as they compare, connect, and choose from a vast network and education
options. Included are:
(a) An online Interest Profiler, which identifies student interests,
(b) A Career Finder with over 650 O*NET occupations with key topics such as interests,
education, school subjects, skills, earnings, and US DOE career clusters. Students can
access information, including suggested school courses by career pathways for Grades
9-12, Myers-Briggs personality type codes and descriptions for over 2000 additional
occupations.
(c) A School Finder which provides comprehensive and up-to-date information about more
than 7000 two and four year colleges, technical schools and graduate schools in the US
and Canada. Included is a Parent Loan Advisor and thousands of financial aid awards.
(d) An Electronic Portfolio that can help students develop individual education and career
plans.
Do What You Are is a program based on personality type. Students can learn which occupations
are a good match with their personality type.
◊
CATALOGS/CD ROMS
Many college catalogs and CD Roms are available in the Guidance Office. Students may sign these
out.
◊
COLLEGE GUIDES
The Guidance Office has a variety of college guides that provide information on specific colleges.
Some of the reference books available for use in the Guidance Office include: Peterson’s Guide to 2 and
4-year Colleges and Peterson’s Private Secondary School Guide, Colleges for Student’s with Learning
Disabilities, The Princeton Review – The Best 361 Colleges, and Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges.
◊
COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES
College representatives visit the High School throughout the year. A schedule of college
representative visitations is posted outside the Guidance Office and announcements are made each
morning indicating which college representative is available.
11
◊
COLLEGE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
http/://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ The National Center for Education Statistics has created this
comprehensive page on the Federal Department of Education website. It allows visitors to conduct a
quick search and locate information on colleges, universities and other post-secondary institutions.
Users can see and compare profiles of more than 7000 facilities across the nation.
petersons.com –deemed the “Education Supersite”, this page provides information on colleges and
universities, graduate programs, test preparation and much more. Contains a search tool to help
match student criteria with matching colleges.
ecampustours.com- This site provides 360 degree IPIX virtual tours of over 1,000 college campus’. If
you can’t get there, this is the next best thing!
Princetonreview.com – Formerly “Embark” this site has multiple options from test prep to online
applications. It contains a college search (Explore Schools; Counselor-O-Matic), weblinks to the
schools that you select, an option to apply online & links to submit questions via e-mail to admissions
staff at the colleges you select. This site is very large and asks some thought provoking questions for
students regarding their high school program and their list of “must-have’s” at an ideal college.
Fastweb.com- This extensive scholarship search site also has a personalized college match service
which utilizes information from over 4,000 schools.
allcareerschools.com- This site contains information on career training options in the following areas:
Art, Business, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Health Care, Nursing and Technology.
pbs.org/tenstepstocollege- America's premiere college consultants, Howard and Matthew Greene,
take the guesswork, panic, and confusion out of planning a successful college admissions
campaign ... step by step! This site has great information for students of all grade levels.
www.collegeconfidential.com A wealth of information with hundreds of pages of articles about
choosing a college, getting into the college you want, how to pay for it and more! This site also
includes a college search and a large message board with topics for both students and parents.
ed.gov/students/prep/college/edpicks Provides links for planning and paying for college; career
development; military services; community service and more.
12
◊
COLLEGE INFORMATION DAY
College Information Day is sponsored by area high school counselors and is held each October at the
Arnot Mall. A variety of colleges and universities set up information booths and are available to give
you information about their school. We encourage both students and parents to attend this exciting
event.
◊
COLLEGE VISITATIONS
Visiting college campuses is an excellent way to determine what the college truly has to offer! When
you decide to visit an individual college, plan in advance by calling or e-mailing for an appointment
with an admissions counselor to arrange for a tour of the campus. You can also plan to attend a
scheduled college open house program. Ask a lot of questions! When taking a tour, feel free to ask
students on the campus their impressions of the college. Arrange an appointment with someone in
the financial aid office. It is ideal to visit the college while in session, if possible.
♦
Questions to ask Admissions Representatives:
♦ Discuss your major(s) and ask what careers people have gone into with that major from that
college.
♦ Verify admissions requirements (SAT Reasoning/SAT Subject/ACT scores, high school
course work, application deadlines, essays, and recommendations).
♦ Does the college have an active Career Center to help you prepare for a successful job search
after graduation?
♦ Are internships in your major arranged for sometime during college years? (Does the Career
Center or major department set up internships?)
♦ What help is available if you have trouble with any of your subjects? (i.e., Resource Centers,
peer tutors, or professors offering help?)
♦ How is technology supported on campus? (internet ports in dorm rooms, computer labs, etc.)
♦ What is the typical class size? (Survey classes? Classes in your major?)
♦ What intramural or intercollegiate sports are available?
♦ What percentage of students gets involved with athletics?
♦ Ask for a school calendar and catalog--if you don’t already have them.
13
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14
Your Campus Interview
If an interview is required or recommended at the college in which you are interested, consider the following as
your interviewer is looking for certain qualities:
Be neat in appearance
Smile—exhibit self-confidence
Maintain eye contact with the interviewer—don’t be shy
Speak up—nothing will hurt you more than being misunderstood
Ask questions
Listen closely to questions asked
Your interviewer may ask you about:
Scholastic standing—grades, rank in class, SAT/ACT scores, etc.
Course work—past and present performance
Extracurricular activities—hobbies, special interests, sports, non-academic activities
The “personal” you—be frank, honest, sincere
Sample questions commonly asked in the interview:
Why are you interested in ____________ College?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What do you do in your spare time?
What kinds of work experiences have you had?
Who is your favorite author and why?
What do you imagine doing ten years from now?
What extra-curricular activities have you participated in?
In what ways have you served your community?
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
The key to success in your interview is KNOW yourself and BE yourself.
STEP 3: NAME 3 TO 5 COLLEGES AND APPLY
Sometimes it can be difficult to reduce your final list of college choices! Do the best that you can
and follow these final suggestions in selecting the colleges that are best for you.
In this final process, it is helpful to consider the following:
The admissions criteria: Your choices may include a “stretch” school—one at which it might be
difficult to be accepted, and a “safety” school—one at which you are confident in being accepted.
Is it a good “fit”? Academically, Socially and Geographically.
The cost of each school vs. the estimated financial aid package.
Reflect on the information that you acquired throughout the college planning process (size,
location, setting, student/faculty ratio, facilities and athletics) and ask yourself if you could
visualize yourself as a student on that campus.
15
◊
FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITES
fafsa.ed.gov- this U.S. Department of Education website will walk you through the process of
preparing for, filling out and following up on submission of the Federal Free Application for
Financial Aid. Make sure to check out the heading topics for additional student aid information.
fafsa4caster.ed.gov- By using FAFSA4caster, you and your family will receive an early estimate of
eligibility for federal student aid. This Web site provides you with an opportunity to increase your
knowledge of the financial aid process; become familiar with the various types of federal student aid
that are available; and investigate other sources of aid, such as grants and scholarships. When you're
ready to apply for aid, you can easily transition from FAFSA4caster to FAFSA on the Web. Much of the
information that you enter in the FAFSA4caster will populate your FAFSA on the Web application,
making the experience of applying for federal student aid a lot easier.
fastweb.com – this site is an amazing resource for any college bound student. Users fill out a profile
of themselves and FastWeb matches their data to the criteria of over 600,000 scholarships. Students
establish a mailbox that scholarship notices are sent to and they can also receive an e-mail when a
new award has been posted that they may be interested in. This site is not restricted to just high
school seniors and it often contains links to scholarship organization pages so that students can apply
for the award online.
meritaid.com- this brand-new comprehensive website is dedicated to helping students and parents
discover merit aid scholarship opportunities nationwide.
petersons.com – This site gives you access to the Peterson’s database of 800,000 scholarships and
helps assess your best college deal. It also contains tips for finding money for college and has links to
every undergraduate institution accredited in the United States. This page is the all-around college
and financial aid information site.
finaid.org- This site contains excellent information about financial aid scams. It serves to educate financial
aid candidates as to how they can obtain the best aid package possible. This site, among many other
things, offers great strategies on how parents can maximize their student’s aid eligibility and
information on military aid (ROTC) programs. An electronic newsletter is available by subscription.
hesc.com- HESC is the New York State agency that helps people pay for college. HESC administers
the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and 25 other grant, scholarship, and loan programs,
guarantees federal student and parent loans, offers guidance for college planning, and provides a
highly-rated 529 college savings plan.
A Final Note…When searching for scholarships, most students use the Internet to save time. When you utilize the
Internet to search for scholarships, there are both fee-based and free services. If you decide to use a free service, be aware of
their privacy policy and what they plan on doing with your personal information. If you decide to use a fee-based service,
many offer risk-free sites, a strict privacy policy, and ongoing customer support for their paying members. In general, free
and fee-based services offer the same information often in different formats; it is up to you to determine your individual
comfort level and expectation from internet search sites. Use caution with a fee-based service and be aware of financial aid
scams which are often presented as Scholarship Search Services. Although there are reputable, fee-based companies; you
should investigate them thoroughly- many of the web-sites above can help you do this.
16
◊
COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTING PROGRAM
PLAN
The PLAN is an assessment administered on a Saturday morning in the fall of the sophomore year. It
provides information and direction for educational and career planning. The interpretive report
helps students consider their academic achievement and post high school goals as they evaluate their
progress. PLAN also provides an estimate of how a student might score on their ACT Assessment
(used for college admissions). The assessment includes tests of skills in English, Mathematics,
Reading, and Science Reasoning, as well as an interest inventory, and a needs assessment.
PSAT
Given on a Saturday morning in October of the junior year, this test serves two purposes: it is a
practice test and a diagnostic tool to predict student performance on the SAT, and it serves as the
qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. From the student’s performance on
the PSAT, their counselor will recommend they take either an SAT-I or ACT College admissions test.
SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT Reasoning Test is a college admissions test offered on six different test dates in New York
during the year. The test measures critical reading, mathematical, and writing skills, and is scored on
a range of 200 to 800 for the critical reading, math, and writing sections, with an average of 500 for
each. Students will also receive two writing scores; a score of 20-80 for the multiple choice questions
and a score of 2-12 for the essay. The three subscores are added to compute the combined SAT score,
so this score would range from 600-2400. The testing time for the SAT Reasoning Test is 3 hours and
45 minutes. Remember to indicate Horseheads High School when registering for your test, so that scores are
reported to us in order to add them to your transcript. The Horseheads CEEB Code is 332-465.
ACT
The ACT is a college admissions test offered on five different test dates in New York during the year.
The ACT Assessment contains multiple-choice tests in four areas: English, Mathematics, Reading
and Science. The test scores in each area range from 1 to 36 and are averaged to compute a composite
ACT score. The ACT offers an optional Writing Test which measures a student’s skill in planning
and writing a short essay. According to ACT, the Writing Test complements the existing English
Test, combining to show a student’s handle on written English and the ability to produce a sample of
writing. As the Writing Test is optional, students are encouraged to check with schools and
scholarship programs in which they are interested to find out if the Writing Test is required. In the
absence of this information, we recommend that students do take the optional Writing Test.
Remember to indicate Horseheads High School when registering for your test, so that scores are reported to us
in order to add them to your transcript. The Horseheads CEEB Code is 332-465.
SAT Subject Tests (formerly called “Achievement Tests”)
These tests, offered in 17 subject areas, are recommended or required by some colleges and
universities as additional college admissions tests. The student needs to check with each college they
are considering to find out if these tests are recommended or required. The tests are each one hour
long, and a student can take one, two, or three tests during one test date. *Some colleges may accept
the ACT Assessment in lieu of the SAT Subject Tests. Remember to indicate Horseheads High School
when registering for your test, so that scores are reported to us in order to add them to your transcript. The
Horseheads CEEB Code is 332-465.
17
Preparation
The best way for you to prepare for college admissions test is by taking challenging courses,
especially extra courses in math and science to strengthen your analytical and problem-solving skills,
and to read as much as possible to strengthen your verbal and reading comprehension skills. It also
helps if you complete practice tests for the test that you plan to take, so you will be familiar with the
test format, types of questions, and timing of the test.
We recommend that students take either an SAT Reasoning test or an ACT test in the spring of their
junior year, and if they choose to take another test, they should test again at the first test
administration offered in the fall of their senior year.
If you have a documented physical/learning disability and are applying for testing accommodations
for college admissions testing, please see your School Counselor for instructions. Please note that you
may not be approved for all accommodations you receive at the high school. Applications to request
accommodations are due well before the registration deadline.
SAT & ACT Information & Preparation:
Register for tests on-line and get help preparing to take college entrance exams.
THE COLLEGE BOARD
ACT’S WEB SITE
SAT TEST PREPARATION
THE PRINCETON REVIEW
www.collegeboard.org
www.act.org
www.number2.com
www.prepsage.com
www.review.com
Recommended Testing Schedule
Sophomore Year: PLAN--Fall
Junior Year: PSAT--October
ACT in April or June and/or
SAT Reasoning Test in May or June
SAT Subject Tests in January or June, if appropriate
Senior Year: ACT or SAT Reasoning Test in October, November, or December
SAT Subject Test in October, November, or December, if appropriate
Horseheads High School
CEEB Code
332-465
18
TESTING SCHEDULE
Fall 2009/Spring 2010
SAT Dates
www.collegeboard.com
The registration dates for the 2009-10 SAT test dates will not be finalized by College Board until
after the June 2009 test date. The registration dates listed below are proposed deadlines only.
Please check the College board web site for the final dates, which should be available by the end
of June.
Test
Registration Date
Late Registration Date
Test Date
Oct. 10, 2009
SAT/SAT Subject
September 9, 2009
September 23, 2009
Nov. 7, 2009
SAT/SAT Subject
October 1, 2009
October 15, 2009
Dec. 5, 2009
SAT/SAT Subject
October 30, 2009
November 12, 2009
Jan. 23, 2010
SAT/SAT Subject
December 15, 2009
December 30, 2009
Mar. 13, 2010
SAT Only
February 4, 2010
February 18, 2010
May 1, 2010
SAT/SAT Subject
March 25, 2010
April 8, 2010
June 5, 2010
SAT/SAT Subject
April 29, 2010
May 13, 2010
ACT DATES
www.act.org
Registration Date
Test Date
Late Registration Date
Sept. 12, 2009
August 7, 2009
August 8-21, 2009
Oct. 24, 2009
Sept. 18, 2009
Sept. 19-Oct. 2, 2009
Dec. 12, 2009
Nov. 6, 2009
Nov. 7-20, 2009
April 10, 2010
March 5, 2010
March 6-19, 2010
June 12, 2010
May 7, 2010
May 8-21, 2010
PSAT:
PLAN:
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
19
Disability Services in Post Secondary Education
Going to college can be a very exciting time! If you have a disability that affects you in learning
situations, it can be VERY frustrating.
Here are some facts and tips to help you make an easier transition to college.
There are many differences between high school and college.
During you elementary and high school years, the laws said that it was the school’s responsibility to
identify your disability and determine what to do about it. Your parents were your advocate, and
you just had to “go with the flow”. Now that you are no longer in that system, things have changeda lot! The law now says that, if you want assistance and accommodation related to your disability
(like extra time on tests), YOU need to take the responsibility.
Nothing happens unless you request it
Unlike high school, where committees and others decided your disability-related program, no action
will be taken in college unless you formally request it. Even if your school sends some information to
the college SDS office, it will not result in any action unless you use the appropriate system for
requesting it.
You are responsible for verification of your disability
You have the responsibility for identifying yourself as a student with a disability, and you must be
able to verify that with documentation.
Documentation must be provided to verify your disability and its current effects
Documentation is a report or an evaluation from a qualifying professional (learning specialist,
physician, psychologist, etc.) that describes the disability and its effects on the individual. It is the
responsibility of each student seeking accommodations and services from CCC’s Student Disability
Services office to provide a written, comprehensive psychological and/or medical evaluation
verifying the diagnosis. Documentation is confidentially kept.
Documentation must be current
Even though it may not be required by the secondary school system, most colleges require an
evaluation that addresses your current needs. Disabilities and their effects change over time, and it is
important to verify that your disability requires the accommodations you will be requesting. CCC
prefers an evaluation done in the senior year of high school so that adult measures of your skills and
abilities can be done. It can also save you having to purchase an evaluation at your own expense if
your documentation is too old or inadequate to meet your college’s requirements. Colleges and
universities are not required to provide evaluation services.
20
Take care of your documentation yourself
Get a copy of your evaluation information for your files so that you can send it to the disability
services office on your college campus. Don’t rely on the school or your parents to do it. Rememberit is now YOUR responsibility to take care of things.
An IEP is no longer in effect after high school
While you were in elementary or high school, an IEP served as the school’s plan for you. Now that
you are in college, YOU must design a new plan in cooperation with the SDS coordinator. The old
IEP plan is no longer in effect after high school.
Meet with the Student Disability Services Coordinator as part of the process of applying to the
college
This is as important as your application form! This is the FIRST STEP in the college’s system of
determining your eligibility for accommodations. The Coordinator will review your documentation
and discuss your learning needs with you.
You may require accommodations for placement tests
Most colleges require all incoming students’ placement tests to take placement tests to determine
your skill level in reading, math, and written expression. Academic accommodations are available
for these tests (with proper documentation, of course). You must request accommodations ahead of
time through the Student Disability Services office.
You are in charge of what happens!
No one will make decisions about your disability or what is right for you without your input. No
information will be shared with others (even you parents!) without your permission.
A person with a disability has a lot of rights-but also a lot of responsibility. One of those
responsibilities is to use established procedures for requesting and receiving reasonable
accommodations.
Learn self-advocacy
Not everyone feels confident about having a disability-much less describing it! That’s one of the
ways that the Student Disability Services office can be of help. We can help you find your way
through the college maze, link you with support services and campus resources, and provide support
while you learn what you need and how to get it. All visits are confidential and the use of
recommended services is voluntary.
Remember-you’re in charge!
21
LETTERS OF
RECOMMENDATION
1. Decide whom you want to ask for letters of recommendation. Often, letters of recommendation
are from your counselor, a teacher, or another person who knows you well (coach, community
person, etc.), Many times a college or scholarship the will specify who the letter(s) should be
from, so check with them.
2. It is best to make a written request for the individual to write you a letter of recommendation.
This should include the following information: where you are applying to, what major or interest
you have in that college, any background information about you that you feel they need, a
reminder of any particular thing you’d like them to include in the letter (for example, if it was a
teacher you did well with two years ago, remind them of what you were like in their class or of a
special project that you did, etc.), and the specific date when you need the letter mailed.
3. Provide the individual with stamped envelopes addressed to the college admissions office. Also
provide them with the Letter of Recommendation form(s) if the college requires a specific form to
be used.
4. If the college Letter of Recommendation Form asks if you would like to waive your right to see the
recommendation, indicate that you DO waive your right to see it, so that the college knows this is
a confidential recommendation and it carries more weight. If you want a copy of the letter, ask
the person who wrote it if they feel comfortable giving you a copy. Don’t assume it is a bad
recommendation if they feel uncomfortable giving you a copy.
5. In order for your counselor to write you a letter of recommendation, you need to fill out a
“Student Record Sheet” which will be distributed to you by your counselor.
22
THE HORSEHEADS HIGH SCHOOL
PROCESS FOR SENDING STUDENT RECORDS
The form on the next page (the Senior Records Request form) is used by the Horseheads High School
Guidance Office to insure that student transcripts and supplementary materials are sent to all
institutions to which students apply. These forms are available in the Guidance Office. It is
important that students are clear about what needs to be sent from the Guidance Office, as well as the
deadline date for all materials. Due to the high volume of college applications we receive, our office
should have at least 10 working days to process applications. A Senior Records Request form should
be completed by December 15th for any application with a January 1st. deadline.
Once students completely fill out the Senior Records Request form, it should be returned to the
secretary of the student’s guidance counselor. Students must be sure to include any supplementary
forms to be sent, envelopes for materials sent out, as well as the proper postage. Students will be
billed for any additional postage used. *Please note that a mid-year report/transcript will
automatically be sent out in February to all four-year institutions to which each student has applied,
therefore, envelopes and postage must be included for the mid-year reports , as well.
Students, please remember……….
•
•
•
•
If you are applying on-line, you still need to print off and distribute all of the supplementary
materials, if applicable, to the correct people (i.e., the Application Recommendation Form(s) to
those who are writing you letters of recommendation). Any supplementary materials which
need to be filled out by your counselor may be submitted with the Senior Records Request
form.
You need to make sure your application (and any supplemental material) is completely filled
out, signed, and dated.
You need to include the appropriate application fee with you applications.
You need to provide addressed, stamped envelopes to those you ask to write letters of
recommendation.
* Please Note: Colleges and universities receive thousands of applications. Should your college/
university notify you that they have not yet received your transcript or supplemental materials,
please check with the Guidance Office. We have been informed by the colleges that they are often
premature in sending such notices. Materials are often sitting, not yet opened and processed at the
colleges/universities due to the volume of mail and the slow turn-around in processing this mail.
The Horseheads High School Guidance Office documents the date of all transcripts and pieces of
mail sent from our office to colleges and universities for our students.
23
Senior Records Request
Horseheads High School
401 Fletcher Street
Horseheads, New York 14845
CEEB Code: 332-465
Student Name: _______________________________
Counselor:_______________________
I am requesting Horseheads High School to release records as follows to the institutions listed.
Student Signature_____________________________________
Date:_______________
*Please note: A mid-year report will automatically be sent out to all four year college and university choices, unless you indicate
otherwise.
Please submit addressed envelopes and postage for all records to be sent.
NAME OF INSTITUTION:__________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________
____________________________________________
APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE: ____________________
Check the items you are asking us to send to this college:
 Application
 Official Transcript
 School Profile
 School / Counselor Report Form
 Counselor Recommendation
 Application Fee Enclosed Check# _____for $_____
 Application Fee Waiver
 Other _______________________________
 ____________________________________
 ____________________________________
OFFICE USE ONLY
DATE RECEVIED_________
 Application
 Official Transcript
 School Profile
 School Report Form
 Counselor Recommendation
 Fee/Waiver
 Postage Amt _________
 Other _______________
 ____________________
 ____________________
DATE MAILED___________
 Mid-year Report
DATE MAILED___________
NAME OF INSTITUTION:__________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________
____________________________________________
APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE: ____________________
Check the items you are asking us to send to this college:
 Application
 Official Transcript
 School Profile
 School / Counselor Report Form
 Counselor Recommendation
 Application Fee Enclosed Check# _____for $_____
 Application Fee Waiver
 Other _______________________________
 ____________________________________
 ____________________________________
OFFICE USE ONLY
DATE RECEVIED_________
 Application
 Official Transcript
 School Profile
 School Report Form
 Counselor Recommendation
 Fee/Waiver
 Postage Amt _________
 Other _______________
 ____________________
 ____________________
DATE MAILED__________
 Mid-year Report
DATE MAILED___________
****SAT/ACT/AP scores are included on the official high school transcript. Some colleges require that your scores be sent directly from the test center
and will not accept those on the transcript. If this is the case, please request the test center to send your scores. You can do this online at
collegeboard.com (SAT) or actstudent.org (ACT).
Remember this may take 3-5 weeks processing time
24
9 MOST COMMON ERRORS MADE ON
APPLICATIONS
♦Allowing mistakes in grammar and spelling to slip
through on the application.
♦Sending in an application marred by erasures, crossedout words, and white-out sentences.
♦Selecting a major the institution does not offer. Students can find out what majors a college does offer by
looking in the college catalog.
♦Mentioning every school-sponsored club or activity the
applicant ever had contact with, instead of only those in
which he or she has actively participated.
♦Failing to say in the personal essay what the applicant
can contribute to the institution.
♦Not addressing either in the personal essay or in a
cover letter, why certain grades or semesters are poor.
♦Not following up to make certain that all credentials required by the college have been received: transcript, recommendations, and test scores, in particular.
♦Failing to send the processing fee with the application.
♦Submitting the application after the stated deadline.
25
TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Advanced Placement (AP) – College credit earned by students while still in high school. Many high
schools offer specially designed AP courses that prepare students for the College Board’s AP Exams.
Administered in May, they can qualify students who score well for advanced standing when they
enroll in college.
ACT – Test administered to high school juniors and seniors by the American College Testing
Program. Accepted as one admission criterion by most colleges nationwide.
Arts and Sciences (also called Liberal Arts) – A broad term that encompasses most traditional courses of
study, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and foreign
languages. (See also “humanities” and “social sciences.”)
Candidate’s Reply Date – The May 1st deadline, observed by most colleges, by which the applicant
must respond to an offer of admission, usually with a nonrefundable deposit of several hundred
dollars.
Common Application – A form produced by a consortium of about 346 colleges that may be filled out
and sent to member colleges in lieu of each school’s individual application. www.commonapp.org
Consortium – A group of colleges affiliated in some way. The extent of the association can vary
widely. Some consortiums – usually among colleges in close proximity – offer a range of joint
programs that may include cross-registration, interlibrary loan, residential exchanges, and coordinate
social, cultural, and athletic events.
Co-op Job – A paid internship, arranged for a student by his or her college, that provides on-the-job
training usually in an occupation closely related to the student’s major. Some colleges are known as
co-op schools and may require students to attend for a longer period of time in order to complete the
co-op requirements for graduation.
Core Curriculum – A group of courses all students in a college must take in order to graduate. Most
colleges have some variation of general education course of study.
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE - A form administered by the College Scholarship Service (CSS), which
is a division of the College Board. This form is required by many private colleges and universities to
determine your non-government financial aid, such as the institution’s own grants, loans, and
scholarships.
Deferral – A college’s postponement of the decision to accept or reject an early-action decision or
applicant. The applicant’s file is entered in with those of Regular Action candidates and is reviewed
again, this time for a final decision.
Distribution Requirements – Rules that require students to take courses in a variety of broad subject
areas in order to graduate. The number and definition of subject areas and the number of courses
required in each varies from school to school. Typical categories include the humanities, social
26
sciences, fine arts, natural sciences, foreign languages, and mathematics. Unlike a core curriculum,
distribution requirements do not usually mandate specific courses that students must take. (See also
“humanities,” social sciences,” and “core curriculum.”)
Early Action – A program that gives students early notification of a college’s admission decision.
Like early decision, a student can only apply early action to one school, but unlike early decision, it
does not require a prior commitment to enroll if accepted. Deadlines for early action applications are
usually in late fall, with notification in December, January, or February. An applicant accepted under
early action usually has until May 1st, the candidate’s reply date, to respond to the offer of admission.
(See also “early decision” and “candidate’s reply date.”)
Early Decision – A program under which a student receives early notification of a college’s
admissions decision if the student agrees in advance to enroll if accepted. Students may apply early
decision to only one college; it should be a clear first choice. Application deadlines for early decision
are usually in November, with decision letters mailed in mid-December.
Family Contribution – The amount of money that a family is “reasonably” expected to pay toward a
student’s education, as determined by the FAFSA. (See also “Free Application for Federal Student
Aid.”)
Fee Waiver – Permission, often granted upon request, for needy students to apply for admission
without having to pay the application fee. Sometimes coaches will waive an application fee for a
prospective student athlete.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – The financial needs analysis form submitted by
students applying for federal financial aid. It yields the expected family contribution. (See also
“Family Contribution.”) The FASFA also allows NYS students to apply for TAP (Tuition Assistance
Program) when completing the FASFA.
Financial Aid Package – The combination of loans, grants, scholarships, and a work-study that a
school puts together for a student receiving financial aid.
Government Aid – Money that federal or state governments make available to students, most of
which is administered through the colleges on the basis of need. Government aid can come in the
form of grants, loans, and work-study jobs. For further information on government aid programs
contact the state and federal departments of education or visit the websites on page 14 of this guide.
Resources on Financial Aid are also available in the Horseheads High School Guidance Office.
Greek System – The fraternities and sororities on a particular campus. They are called “Greek”
because most take their names from combinations of letters in the Greek alphabet.
Humanities- Subjects in which the primary focus is on human culture. Examples include history,
philosophy, language, and literature. (See also “social sciences.”)
Independent Study – A course, usually in a student’s major field, in which he or she studies one-onone with a professor on a topic of their choosing. Some colleges require an independent study essay
or research paper for graduation.
27
Interdisciplinary Major – A major that combines two complementary subjects from different fields,
such as biology and psychology. Students completing these majors take courses in each area as well
as courses that explicitly join the two.
Intramural – Athletic leagues informally organized within a college. Students are free from the
burden of tryouts, and play with and against fellow classmates.
Language Requirements – A rule at many colleges that stipulates that students must study a foreign
language before graduation. Two years on the college level are usually required, although credit
from Advanced Placement, SAT Subject Tests, or college course taken while in high school often
allows students to bypass the requirements.
Legacy – An applicant whose mother or father is an alumna or alumnus of a particular school.
Students with legacy status are often given preferential treatment in admissions.
Merit Scholarship – A financial grant for some part of college costs, usually awarded for academic
achievement or special skills in an extracurricular activity, and not based on need. Private
corporations and many colleges offer merit scholarships.
Need-based Aid – Money awarded solely on the basis of need, usually administered through the
colleges. Some schools agree to pay the difference between their total fees and the expected family
contribution; others pay part of it, leaving some “unmet” need. Most financial aid packages consist
of some combination of four components; grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study jobs. Some of
the money comes from the college’s own resources, although part is financed by federal and state
governments. (See also “government aid.”)
Open Admission – A policy under which any applicant with a high school diploma is accepted. At
state universities that have this policy, open admission is usually limited to state residents. Most
community colleges employ an open admission policy.
Pass/Fail – An option offered by some schools in some classes. A student may enroll in a class and
simply receive credit or failure for it on his/her transcript instead of a specific grade.
Religious Affiliation – A reference to the connection of some private colleges and universities with a
religious denomination. How close the association is can vary widely. Some religiously affiliated
schools are more or less controlled by their sect; others maintain only loose ties with their affiliate
denomination.
Rolling Admission – A policy under which a college considers applications almost immediately after
receiving them. Decision letters are usually mailed within a month after the application is filed.
Colleges with rolling admission continue to accept applicants only until the class is filled, so it is best
to apply early.
SAT Reasoning Test – Test administered to high school juniors and seniors by The College Board,
with math, critical reading, and writing sections. The SAT is used as an admission criterion at most
colleges nationwide.
28
Social Sciences – Subjects that deal systematically with the institutions of human society, most
notable economics and political science. The behavioral sciences, which include psychology,
sociology, and anthropology, are often included in this group as well.
Teaching Assistant (TA) – A graduate student who assists a professor in the presentation of a course.
Usually the professor gives two to four lectures a week for all the students in the class, and teaching
assistants hold smaller weekly discussion sections.
Three-two Programs (3-2) – A program in which students can study three years at one school,
followed by two at another, more specialized school. Upon completion, many of these programs
offer both the bachelor’s and the master’s degrees.
Individualized or Student Designed Major (also called self-designated or special major) – A program
offered by many schools in which a student can plan his or her own major, combining the offerings of
two or more traditional majors, usually in consultation with a faculty member. An example is
Medieval Studies, in which the student might study the history, literature, philosophy, and art of the
period, taking courses from a number of departments.
Wait List – A list of students who are not initially accepted, but who may be depending on the
number of accepted students who choose to enroll in a college. Most colleges ultimately accept only a
fraction of the students on the waiting list, and notification dates vary greatly.
Work-Study – Campus jobs, for financial aid recipients, that are subsidized by the federal
government. Work-study jobs are a component of most need-based financial aid packages. Students
typically work ten to twenty hours a week to help finance their education.
NOTES
29
THE MILITARY
Students interested in joining a branch of the military after graduating from high school may gain
information and insight from any of the following sources:
•
•
•
•
•
Literature in the Guidance Office
The School Counselors
Recruiters who come to visit school. Listen to and read announcements for the dates and times.
Calling or visiting the recruiting offices
Talking with people who have been in the military
REGULAR ENLISTEMENT:
Regular enlistment generally is the term to indicate that after high school graduation, a student has joined a
branch of the military for a specified period of time. The length of active duty time can vary among branches
of the military or within one branch. Your training program is established partly by your performance on the
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.) Make sure you completely understand what
“guarantees” are being offered before signing your enlistment papers.
ROTC:
If you are planning to attend college, but you would like to receive training to become a military officer at the
same time that you are attending college, you should investigate the Reserve Office Training Program, or
ROTC. You may wish to apply for an ROTC scholarship to help you pay your college expenses.
NATIONAL GUARD and RESERVE:
The National Guard and Reserve Programs allow you to serve in the military and maintain a civilian life at the
same time. You would begin by attending basic training for eight weeks, followed by an additional eight
weeks of specialized training. Following that, you would be expected to attend training sessions one weekend
each month and for two consecutive weeks each summer. You are paid for the days you work and receive
educational benefits. Reservists can be called to active duty in the event of a conflict, or in the event of a
national emergency. In addition to responding to the needs of the federal government, the Army and Air
National Guard also help state governments deal with natural disasters and with conflicts such as strikes and
riots.
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery):
The ASVAB is a ten part, three hour test designed to identify a student’s aptitudes and strengths. Taking the
ASVAB in no way obligates a student to the military service; however, in order to be eligible to enlist in the
military, a student must obtain a minimum score on the ASVAB.
Students may sign up in the Guidance Office to take the ASVAB, which is given each year at Horseheads High
School in November. Although it is difficult to study for the ASVAB, students should take a practice test in
order to become familiar with the format of the ASVAB. These are available in the Guidance Office, and local
libraries, and bookstores. Applicants with high ASVAB scores will have more career and training options
from which to choose; it is therefore important for students to do as well as possible on the ASVAB. Each
military branch has its own score requirements.
30
MILITARY ACADEMIES
The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard have their own academies (West Point, the Naval
Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy). These academies are among the top
ranked and most competitive colleges in the nation. After receiving a free four year college education,
academy graduates enter the military as officers. You may obtain information about the academies from the
Guidance Office or by contacting the academies directly.
Director of Admissions
U.S. Military Academy (Army)
606 Thayer Road
West Point, NY 10996-9902
http://www.usma.edu/
Candidate Guidance Office (Navy)
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5018
http://www.usna.edu/
U.S. Air Force Academy
Admissions Office
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80840-5651
http://usafa.edu/
Director of Admissions (Coast Guard)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
New London, Connecticut 06320-4195
http://www.cga.edu/
APPLYING FOR AN ACADEMY APPOINTMENT:
The application procedures for the academies are quite different from regular college admissions.
Except for the Coast Guard Academy, which accepts appointments on a nationwide competitive basis, the
academies require that you be nominated for an appointment by a member of the U.S. Congress from your
state. To ensure consideration by your Congressman or Senator, you should write (in the spring of your junior
year) to ask for consideration for a nomination. You should also contact the academy for a “pre-candidate kit,”
which will outline for you all the necessary steps you should follow. You can also find some very good
guidance in the catalogues of these academies. The catalogues generally contain some sample letters to follow
when writing a member of congress for an appointment. Applicants to the academies must be excellent
students with high SAT/ACT scores and GPA’s. Students must also have significant athletic and extracurricular activities.
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Career Information on the Internet
www.bridges.com - Bridges is a career resource provided for Horseheads students by Horseheads
School District. This site provides career and college exploration, interest inventories, value and skill
assessments, as well as “Do What You Are” personality type profiler.
Site ID: 0037240 Password: horse
www.nycareerzone.org - Career Zone provides self-assessment, information on 900+ occupations,
job preparation, college preparation tests and civil service exams, and links to apprenticeships,
college, internship and military site.
www.myfuture.com - My Future has information on military service, volunteer work, vocational/
technical education, internship and apprenticeships. Work interest quiz, resume, cover letter and
interview tips, funding college and money management.
www.careerkey.org - Provides help in choosing a career, choosing a college or training program, and
career planning. Identify promising jobs and get information about them.
www.mapping-your-future.org - Information about planning a career, year-by-year checklists for
high school students, researching occupations, internet resources, help with selecting a college and
the financial aid process.
www.bls.gov/oco/ - Occupational Outlook Handbook is the US Department of Labor reference
information on occupations form a-z.
www.quintcareers.com - Quintessential Careers provides career profiles, links to vocational
information, self assessment forms and career exploration exercises, career research checklist, and
help with choosing a college major.
www.snagajob.com - SnagAJob is the largest site for finding part-time jobs and internships. Search
by type of job, location and zip code to generate a list of jobs.
www.grovejob.com - Search for part-time jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities by zip code
or state.
www.studentjobs.gov - US government internships, co-ops, summer employment and part-time or
permanent positions.
www.labor.state.ny.us - New York State Department of Labor site provides an a-z index of jobs in
NYS, as well as jobs in demand and projections.
Chemung County NYS Department of Labor (Elmira)
200 Baldwin Street
Elmira, New York 14901
Phone: 607-733-7131
Fax: 607-737-8973
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