The Beacon College Planning Guide, a reference tool created by the College Office Staff was handed out to all junior in February, through advisories.
This is a 60+ page booklet that discusses all aspects of the college search and selection process including topics such as: how to start your search, writing the college essay, standardized tests, issues facing students with learning/physical disabilities, scholarships, helpful website, etc.
You can view and print an extra copy of this booklet by CLICKING HERE.
A link to this planning guide can permanently be found on the right side bar of this blog following the VITAL STATISTICS SECTION.
JUNIORS - Tuesday, June 12th there will be a FINANCIAL AID NIGHT – from 6-7:30pm in the Cafeteria at Beacon. Our speaker – Heather McDonnell is the Director of Financial Aid at Sarah Lawrence College (one of the most expensive schools in the country). It is VITAL that a parent/guardian attend this meeting, or that you attend the meeting and share the information with your family. We will have a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) meeting in the fall, but that will cover different information. This specific meeting will not be repeated in the fall.
For the most up-to-date SENIOR WEEKLY BULLETIN CLICK HERE For a full list of current SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CLICK HERE.
To dowload the current JUNIOR WEEKLY BULLETIN CLICK HERE. For our complete list of SUMMER PROGRAMS for High School students CLICK HERE.
Now that May 1st is behind us - Seniors should:
NOTIFY SCHOOLS THAT YOU DO NOT PLAN TO ATTEND: Most of you have chosen your college and have sent off the deposit. Take a moment to write a short note to the other colleges who accepted you and let them know that you will not be attending. This way they do not have to do any further work on your behalf and can offer your spot to other interested students. It’s quick and easy and you can use the same form letter for each college – for example….Thank you for offering me admission to (insert name of school) for the fall 2007 semester. After careful consideration, I have decided to enroll at another college (you can name the school you will attend if you want – but you don’t have to). I appreciate all of the time that your office put into my application review. Sincerely, (typed name, social security number and signature).
SAY THANK YOU to your TEACHERS and ADVISORS who wrote your recommendations. They helped and had a role in your success.
NOT LOOK BACK: You made your decision and just dropped your deposit into the mailbox. Suddenly panic sets in – OH NO, I made a mistake! STOP!!! A recent study by the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) found that “about 87 percent of college students rate their overall experience as ‘good’ to ‘excellent,’ and 80 percent would probably go to the same institution if they had it to do over.” So relax, calm down, you made the right decision. The process is over; the future is waiting. Now hit the books, keep up the grades and you’re all set for college in September.
UPDATE NAVIANCE: As you begin to hear back from your colleges, you must update your Naviance profile with the results from each school (i.e., were you accepted, denied, put on a wait list, etc.). THIS WILL BE MANDATORY BEFORE GRADUATION – SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL DO IT NOW!!!!!!!!! Colleges require final transcripts with proof of graduation, before you can register for classes, and we will be sending only those final transcripts for students who have updated NAVIANCE.
NOT BLOW IT NOW: Remember, colleges can REVOKE YOUR ADMISSIONS DECISION if you change your academic course load significantly or if your grades take a dive after you have been admitted. Don’t give them a reason to get in touch with you over the summer to tell you they have changed their minds – THIS DOES HAPPEN! You are so close to reaching a major achievement – HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. Stay focused and do what needs to be done.