The College Advising Program at Four River Charter Public School provides information and services to students and their families throughout the junior and senior years and earlier. The program aims to establish a good college match where students will succeed in their post-secondary education. Four Rivers expects all students to apply to a least one college during their senior year.
The program offers services for both students and their families, including assistance in applying for financial aid, college admissions test preparation, and informational updates on important deadlines and opportunities related to college admissions. Additionally, Four Rivers hosts a variety of college representatives throughout the year. These representatives meet with students in small groups providing students an opportunity to cultivate personal relationships with the college.
Through a highly individualized program, the College Advising Program guides juniors and seniors through all facets of the college admissions process. While considering their interests and talents, students explore which colleges suit them in terms of such considerations as majors and career interests, geography, learning styles, student activities, and study abroad opportunities. With a particular focus on individuality, the College Counseling Program seeks to support students and their families through navigating the college admissions process with communication and collaboration in mind.
CALENDAR
2009
December 16 (Wednesday)
College Financial Aid Presentation for parents, 7:00 pm in the Common Room in the High School. The speaker will be Michael Ireland, Associate Director of Financial Aid at Smith College.
2010
January 12 (Tuesday)
Beginning the College Search - Presentation for Juniors and their Families, 7:00 pm in the Common Room in the High School. Speaker: Fred Itterly, College Advisor.
Ongoing
Juniors - call or email Mr. Itterly for appointments beginning in January on most Tuesdays after 2:30 pm.
Seniors – track your college application deadlines and work to submit all required materials on time.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING TOOLS
College planning calendar for seniors [open document #1]
Seven Tips for Surviving the College Admissions Process
Academic Planning by Grade Level
THE ONE-STOP WEBSITE – www.mefacounselor.org
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority provides trusted content information and external websites for college planning and financing college. Links for college searching, test registration, etc.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
Seniors are reminded that the dates for registering for the SAT and ACT tests are fast approaching.
SAT Dates and Deadlines
| January 23rd |
Sign up by December 15th |
Late registration 12/30/09 |
| March 13th |
Sign up by February 4th |
Late registration 02/18/10 |
| May 1st |
Sign up by March 25th |
Late registration 04/08/10 |
| June 5 th |
Sign up by April 29th |
Late registration 05/13/10 |
ACT Dates and Deadlines
| February 6th |
Sign up by January 5th |
Late registration 1/15/10 |
| April 10th |
Sign up by March 5th |
Late registration 3/19/10 |
| June 12th |
Sign up by May 7th |
Late registration 5/21/10 |
SAT registration and preparation materials are at www.collegeboard.com
ACT registration and preparation materials are at www.act.org
ACT
Juniors should take the ACT with Writing once in the spring time. We strongly urge students to take both the SAT and ACT because of the differences in the style of the exams. You may perform better on one or another of the tests.
ACT registration packet are available in the college counseling area of the library. In addition, there will be information about preparing for the ACT available.
SAT
Juniors should take the SAT Reasoning once in the spring time. Subject test should be taken at the conclusion of coursework, for instance U.S. History. Check with the colleges you are considering for their SAT subject test requirements.
Helpful Hints:
- Be aware of any conflicts, such as soccer tournaments, when planning your testing date.
- Remember to practice ahead of time for standardized tests. Getting accustomed to concise writing, using your calculator wisely, and reading a variety of passages in a timed situation is an uncommon academic experience.
STUDENTS WITH ACCOMODATIONS
Students who receive accommodations at Four Rivers need to fill out accommodation requests for the SAT through CollegeBoard.com and the ACT through ACT.org. These organizations have different criteria for granting accommodations for college admissions standardized testing than a public school has. Paperwork needs to be filed within a strict timeframe to be fully processed. Please contact Mr. Stenson, if you have any questions.
FREE WAIVERS
Students who have qualified for free or reduced lunch for the current school year are eligible for standardized testing fee waivers. Please see Ms. Taylor two weeks in advance of the registration deadline for the appropriate paperwork and codes. Additionally, students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will be provided waivers for college application fees. (Please do not wait until the last minute to request information)!
SCHOLARSHIPS
The largest database of scholarships is at www.fastweb.org. Seniors, continue to check the black bin in the College Counseling Resource Center in the Farmhouse library. New scholarships are arriving all the time.
JUNIOR TIMELINE:
Take PSAT in October.
Make an Appointment with Fred Itterly, your College Advisor, in January or February
Meet with college representatives
Visit colleges: attend open houses, tours, overnight programs.
Get college info directly from colleges that interest you.
Take SAT II tests in May or June, if necessary.
Take SAT I or ACT in May or June.
Develop resume for college applications and scholarships.
Explore possible career interests.
Develop list of colleges appropriate for you- include reach, likely and safety schools and at least one financial aid safety school.
Investigate scholarships for next year.
Work on admission essay- from common application
Check out common application and or other applications.
In late spring, arrange for letters of recommendations.
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