FROM MYRA ROSS, THE ARHS COLLEGE ADVISOR
All students are advised to take coursework seriously, to do assignments carefully and on time, and to meet with teachers as soon as they begin to feel uncertain of course content and expectations. The rigor of a students program and academic performance are the most important factors in college admission. Senior year is not a time to lighten academics.
If you and your senior have not yet made an appointment to meet with me this fall, please encourage him/her to complete the online questionnaire, necessary before making an appointment.
Students should now be creating their college lists and working on application essays. We are beginning to mail college applications for students applying early.
Most regular decision deadlines are between January 1 and February 1.
Please remind your students to:
Important:
(1) Colleges will see grades through the second trimester Progress Report before they make their admissions decisions (unless students are accepted early). The college in which a student chooses to enroll will also receive the final transcript in June.
(2) Colleges use the senior year schedule to assess the rigor of the senior year. Once we send that document, students should change classes only if they add one for which they are on a waiting list.
* Attend College Admission Night, Thursday October 16 and Financial Aid Night, December 2, both 7:30-9:00 in the ARHS cafeteria. Experts from many area colleges will be the presenters.
I will begin meeting with juniors in classroom settings in January and with families in late February. Every junior is encouraged to meet with me in the spring. College questions that come up before then should be directed to a junior’s guidance counselor, who will consult with me if there is a need.
Beginning with the class of 2010, students will be allowed to choose the SAT scores that they want their colleges to receive. They cannot select between Reasoning Test subscores, but they can select individual Subject tests.
Most students take the SAT Reasoning Test twice, once as juniors, in the spring and once as seniors, in the fall. Students applying to highly selective colleges will also need to take SAT Subject Tests. Consult www.collegeboard.com for sample tests and test dates so you can plan.
An increasing number of students, particularly those who do not like their first SAT scores, are now taking the ACT, an equally acceptable college admission test. Consult www.actstudent.org for sample tests and test date information. Students can choose the ACT composite scores they wish to send.
The best college preparation for younger high school students is to develop a strong academic work ethic, which will result in broader knowledge and skills. Students are encouraged to read for pleasure and to find activities in and out of school that are meaningful to them. This includes service activities, artistic, entrepreneurial, athletic or academic pursuits, paid or volunteer work, or anything that helps them grow in creativity, responsibility, leadership, knowledge, personal gratification or self respect.
ARHS students should consider taking SAT Subject tests in biology or chemistry upon completion of the course if they earn a grade of B+ or better in our honors or AP courses. Chemistry students will need to cover some units on their own before the test. Our U.S. History course does not align well with the SAT Subject test. All other subject tests are best taken in the junior or senior year.