To: Seniors and Parents - CLASS OF 2012
From: Holly Murden, School Counselor
[hmurden@mcps.org]
Guidance Phone 268-3011
College Day Field Trip
Field Trip to NRCC on Friday, September 16, 2011 from 8:15 to 10:00. All permission forms must be returned to guidance no later than Tuesday, September 13th! Over 53 colleges/universities will be in attendance!!! Any senior planning to attend college next fall needs to attend.
College Visits
- Listen to the P/A announcements: Colleges visit EMHS and meet with students throughout the year. Make sure to listen to the announcements and check with Ms. Meredith to find out when colleges are coming.
On-Site Visits
- Virginia Tech and Radford on-site visits: This means that representatives come to EMHS and review applications and decide
“ON-SITE” if you are accepted, deferred, or denied admission into the college/university. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU MEET THE MINIMUM SAT/GPA REQUIREMENTS WHEN YOU APPLY. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TAKEN THE SAT OR ACT AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE APPLYING FOR ON-SITE OR YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DEFERRED!
- The most successful applicants at Virginia Tech have a mixture of advanced level courses with A/B achievement in the majority of classes.
- Successful applicants of Radford University take a mix of some advanced courses with B achievement in most classes.
- If you would like more specific information about admission requirements, please reference www.radford.edu or www.vt.edu. Information about the requirements are found under “Incoming student profile” under the “admissions” link.
On-Site Dates:
- Virginia Tech will be here November 18th Applications are due to Ms. Meredith by November 11th
- Radford University will be here November 10th at 1:00p.m and they will notify us of the decision at most 4 days later. Applications are due to Ms. Meredith on November 3th.
Your Future Plans:
Please complete the attached form (Senior Plans Survey) indicating your plans following graduation. This information will allow me to help you through this very important year. I will be glad to work with any senior throughout the year. However, during early fall I will concentrate on those seniors planning to apply to 4-year colleges: THEY HAVE DEADLINES TO MEET.
College Admission Tests:
- SAT -If you have not taken the SAT, it is imperative that you take the October 1st, November 5th, December 3th SAT if you plan on attending a 4 year college. SAT is College admission test published by College Board. The test is divided into Verbal and Math sections. The maximum score is now 800 on each sub-test, for a possible score of 2400 (combined verbal, math, and writing) OR a 1600 (combined verbal and math). Many colleges require a specific minimum score. Many colleges allow scores between specified ranges. Check the College Handbook available in the guidance office OR check the college web-site to find out SAT requirements for admission. College Board prefers that you register on-line: www.collegeboard.com, but you must have access to a credit card to do this. Some students are eligible for a few waivers. If you think you may qualify for a fee waiver, please see Mrs. Murden. The cost of the SAT is $47.00
- ACT-College admission test published by American College Testing. Some states prefer ACT; many colleges will accept either test for admission purposes. This test is divided into 4 sections-English, math, social studies reading, and science reading. Average score [21]. You can register at www.actstudent.org
Most 4-year colleges require you to take tests for admission purposes. (COMMUNITY COLLEGES USUALLY DO NOT!!! NRCC doesn’t). It will be your responsibility to obtain college catalogs, check out the College Handbook from guidance, or consult the college homepage for the requirements of schools to which you might apply. DON’T WAIT…REMEMBER 4-YR. COLLEGES HAVE DEADLINES!
SAT Testing Schedule for 2011-2012
SAT – COST IS NOW $47.00
Testing Date Registration Deadline
October 1 September 9
November 5 October 7
December 3 November 8
January 28 December 30
March 10 February 10
May 5 April 6
June 2 May 8 *Remember to register on-line go to: www.collegeboard.com/
College Applications:
Start a folder or filing system NOW for all your college paperwork. Include the following items:
- SAT results
- Resume or activity sheet; updated frequently – List only high school awards/accomplishments*
- Your admissions essay (if required)
- School transcript (unofficial from Spring ‘11’ can be obtained from guidance) with a signed release
- If you need a recommendation letter, don’t wait until deadline date! Ask the person (s) well in advance (at least 2 weeks) and provide your references with either a pre-addressed, stamped envelope OR instructions to return the letter directly to me! A copy of your senior profile should be given to your reference at the time of your request. Please do not request recommendation letters at the last minute!
*CHECK DEADLINES! Scholarship money and even admission is often denied due to late entries!
*BE NEAT! It isn’t necessary to type applications unless stated. Hand printing is sometimes neater! Remember your application is the first impression admissions officers have of you.
Transcript:
Please complete a gray release form and return it to guidance signed by you and your parent. If you are applying online, YOU MUST let guidance know as soon as you have completed the application process. Otherwise, we will have no idea where you applied and when to send a transcript! If you are applying paper/pencil, most colleges would prefer to receive your application and ALL supporting materials at the same time. College admissions offices don’t know you. They have hundreds of applications to process, so help them out by mailing everything together.
Your EMHS transcript is not official if given to you….it's only official if mailed by EMHS to the college. Therefore, when you have completed an application, clip everything together and bring it to us, with your check or money order. Unless the college has provided an envelope, let us address the envelope and affix postage. We will provide postage. Please let us know if your school requires a mid-year transcript. We will automatically send your final transcript immediately after graduation.
GPA and Rank-in-Class:
The guidance office can provide you with a copy of your transcript at any time WITH A SIGNED RELEASE. It includes GPA and rank-in-class, based on all grades earned in all classes taken. AP and Dual-enrolled classes are weighted and this factor has already been calculated.
SPECIAL NOTE: Deadlines are your responsibility! Please mark them on your calendar and keep up with them. The guidance staff will do everything possible to make this complicated process easier, but we cannot guarantee same-day or next-day mailing. It takes time to check over everything and verify accuracy. Two days in advance is a goal to aim for. Thanks!
FINANCIAL AID:
Information and applications for financial aid for 2011-2012 (FAFSA forms) will not be available until December. A financial aid workshop will be held in early January at CHS. Parents and college-bound students should plan to attend. College financial aid officers will help to guide you through the application process. We have materials and website addresses in the guidance office if you wish to study ahead!!! Parents should plan to file your taxes early or use last year’s tax forms to do an estimated financial aid form. Colleges set in-house deadlines for the FAFSA. Again, WATCH THOSE DEADLINES…THE DEADLINES VARY FROM COLLEGE TO COLLEGE!
If you are an early grad planning to attend college this spring semester, you must check with the college you are applying to and find out the colleges specific spring deadline for financial aid- your deadline would be BEFORE other graduates. Deadlines vary so you will have to check with the college in which you are applying.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Information about national, state, and local scholarships will become available throughout the year. We will be making announcements with important senior scholarship information that you need to be aware of. In addition, we will mail scholarship memos home as they become available. As we get closer to graduation, it will become increasingly important for you to be aware of all opportunities that may help you to achieve your goals. Please be on the alert for scams. If there is a fee to apply for a scholarship- IT IS PROBABLY A SCAM!!! If they promise you a scholarship, IT IS PROBABLY A SCAM!!! Parents should feel free to call Mrs. Murden or Mrs. Meredith in guidance as questions arise. THERE IS MONEY OUT THERE…YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!
MILITARY RECRUITERS:
Recruiters from all branches of the military are welcomed to EMHS on regularly scheduled visits during lunch time. ASVAB testing and other recruitment activities should be arranged with the recruiter on the student’s own time. These activities should not interfere with the normal school day for students
This is a busy and exciting time for SENIORS! Please let us know in guidance if we can be of any help!
GOOD LUCK SENIORS!
Keep working hard this year to assure that the best opportunities for your future are available!