SENIORS - We are on the home stretch with UC and CSU deadlines on November 30. Please, please, please do not wait until November 30 to hit the submit button. If you are still polishing up your essays for the University of California, here are two useful links you can access by clicking here and here.

Additionally, there are many private schools which have December 1 deadlines, so don't let those sneak up on you. And since those deadlines fall on not only a weekend, but a holiday weekend, get any school-related questions answered NOW since no one will be answering phones at LJHS next week! 

SENIOR PARENTS - After your students have submitted their applications, the next big thing will be submitting forms for financial aid. I sincerely hope that the students have filled out the applications on their own - but the financial aid forms are usually the parents' responsibility, as the information requested is complex.  Please plan to attend the Financial Forms Workshop on January 9 from 6-7:00 p.m.in Parker Auditorium.  You will receive step-by-step information about how to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is required by most colleges for the awarding of need-based financial aid - and by many colleges for receipt of merit aid.

JUNIORS - Last week I suggested you research colleges online by going to the college's website and looking up programs which might be of interest to you. If you think a college will merit further consideration from you, be sure to "sign up" to receive additional information from them. Sometimes, joining their email information list is simple and the "sign up" button is well-marked. Other times, it can be tricky to find - maybe under the "visit us" tab or under "admissions" information. When you find it, you will enter your email address and periodically, they will send you tidbits about their school. SO, a word about the email address you choose: if your current email address is cute, silly or vulgar, open a new one - a simple and appropriate one containing possibly your first initial and last name. Make that the email address you use to communicate with colleges. And then, you need to check this email address - and will need to do so more and more frequently as your college season arrives. By signing up to be on a college's information list, you are taking the first step in demonstrating your interest in them. Make sure you make a good first impression by having an appropriate email address.

ALL STUDENTS - A quick college-related follow-up to last week's informative parent program "Navigating the Teen Years" where the legal ramifications of inappropriate teen behavior was discussed. On college applications, there is a place where you are asked whether you have been the focus of disciplinary action. You (or your counselor) must report any infractions which have resulted in suspension or legal action. Additionally, over 1/3 of college admissions personnel reported checking a student's social media, and when they found things which they considered negative or inappropriate, you can be sure it swayed their decision whether to admit or deny an applicant. This applies not only to college admission, but to scholarships as well. Please be aware that your behavior can have very real, long-term consequences so please use good judgment - both in the real world, and in the virtual world of social media.