College Connection Newsletter for Today's Student

Winter 2009

College Connection Newsletter

for Today's Student

I know it's cold outside and we're actually scraping ice off our windshields in the morning, but it's not too early to begin planning for summer.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Interview for Internships- Begin to explore some areas of interest and try out potential careers.

Plan for College Visits - If you are out of town on vacation, do some research ahead of time and take the family on a "side trip" to a college of interest.

Attend a Class or Summer Camp - Learn a new skill or improve an existing one! Improve your GPA with a community college class in a subject of interest to you.

Start your own Business - You'll earn some spending money (or college savings!) while demonstrating your leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.

Volunteer Opportunities - There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities in your local area. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce, religious organization or high school.

Aaah - I feel warmer already!

As always, feel free to share this newsletter with friends and family.

ATTENTION

High School Juniors

College? Me? Now?

You bet! It's half way through your Junior year in high school, here's a checklist to see if you are on schedule:

Academic program for senior year decided (as rigorous a curriculum as is comfortable)
College list is complete
Plan in place to visit several of your top choice schools
Consideration is being given to which teachers you will ask for letters of recommendation
SAT and ACT standardized test plans are in place and test prep underway or scheduled
Summer plans are in the works - internships, camps, community college classes, volunteer work, and other ways to demonstrate your interest and leadership skills.

Make it your goal to have the bulk of your college admissions efforts COMPLETE by the end of summer, then you are in a position to take advantage of all that senior year has to offer!

In the Know...

SAT SCORE CHOICE Policy

We included an announcement about the College Board's new policy called "Score Choice" in the Fall newsletter. Well, it has been quite a drama to see it unfold in the college arena in the past few months! As mentioned earlier, beginning in March 2009, high school students will be able to choose which SAT scores to send with each college application.

However ... many colleges have opted out of the Score Choice policy and are still requiring all SAT test scores. To learn more, read the Newsweek article by David A. Kaplan entitled: The New SAT Score Policy: Tiny Loophole, Big Shock http://www.newsweek.com/id/172585

Next SAT Test

March 14, 2009 - Regular Registration Deadline is past.

Late Registration Deadline: February 24, 2009

Next ACT Test

February 27, 2009 - Registration Deadline is past.

April 4, 2009 - Regular Registration Deadline: February 27, 2009

Don't forget to plan for your SAT Subject tests too!