CLASS OF 2008 

WELCOME BACK SENIORS!

The purpose of this newsletter is to inform you about important career and educational opportunities, college admission information, and various deadlines which are of particular interest to seniors.  Please make sure you read it carefully, and share it with your parents or guardians, as it is filled with important details.  Extra copies are available in the Guidance Office.  We’d also like to remind you to read and show your parents/guardians the packet that was distributed to you on the first day of school by your guidance counselor.  It contains important procedural information regarding applying to college as well as information about financial aid and valuable college search websites.  (An additional excellent financial aid site is www.GetCollegeFunding.org.)  If you cannot find the packet, it is online at www.arps.org/hs/offices/guidance/collegeplanning/.  Hope this year is your best ever. 

We hope to be sending newsletters to you and your parents this year to give you important reminders and information.  We will use your school address.  We would like to have parent/guardian e-mail addresses as well.  If your parents/guardians did not provide this information on your emergency card, please ask them to e-mail Ms. Tracy (tracyc@arps.org) or Ms. Cappelli (cappellic@arps.org) to inform them of their e-mail address.  Thank you.

GUIDANCE OFFICE COUNSELING TEAM

Michael Bardsley                      bardslem@arps.org      362-1721         Dept. Head

Ericka Alschuler                       alschule@arps.org        362-1781         S – Z / 9-12

Kelly Cortis                              cortisk@arps.org          362-1716         A-C / 9-12

Alessandra Mucci-Ramos         ramosa@arps.org         362-1782         D – HE / 9-12

Na’imah Muhammad                muhamman@arps.org   362-1724         Me – R/ 9-12

Myra Ross                               rossm@arps.org           362-1715         College Advisor

Derek Shea                              shead@arps.org           362-1712         Hi-MC / 9 - 12

                                                                                                                          

NEWS ABOUT SENIOR YEAR OPTIONS PROGRAM 

The Senior Year Options Program is off and running with 40 seniors participating during the first trimester.  Students have been working hard over the past two weeks to begin their community service projects, set-up internships, and begin working with ARHS teachers in our classrooms.  They will attend a seminar once per week where topics such as dress for success, self-advocacy and resume writing will be addressed.  Some examples of the types of projects students are working with include: 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Nunia Mafi (mafin@arps.org) or Sherry Balzano (balzanos@arps.org).  It’s not too late to sign up for the second or third trimester if your schedule will allow it.  Please see your counselor if you are interested.   

SENIOR YEAR SUGGESTIONS 

Time flies and this year will go even faster.  At graduation you will wonder where the year went.You are to be congratulated for coming this far successfully.  There are still some tasks yet to be accomplished.  The following are a few suggestions we have and a few issues we would like to raise. 

  1. Take Care of Business:  Graduate on time in June.  Go to class and do your work.  Be aware of the attendance policy and keep track of any absences from class.  If you have an outstanding attendance waiver and are uncertain of your credit status, see your counselor. Make sure paperwork for ALPS and Senior Options has been turned in.   
  1. Meet Deadlines:  This year you will find that there seems to be a deadline for everything.  Senior pictures, SAT’s, ALPS, applications, financial aid forms, yearbooks, etc., etc., etc.  Each has a time and place in your life.  Trying to keep track of it all can be overwhelming.  Be calm, be organized (use spreadsheets) and ask us for help if you get confused.  Don’t assume deadlines will just go away if you ignore them.  In all likelihood, you will miss something you wanted to do.  So meet those deadlines. 
  1. A Word About Schedule Changes for Seniors:  Colleges receive senior year progress reports and report cards.  Admissions Offices are notified of course changes in the senior year, including those that are made after your college applications are submitted, even after you have been accepted.  Do not drop courses or let your grades slide, as this could negatively affect your admission status. 
  1. Set Some Goals and Make Some Plans:  For the first time in at least twelve years, the plan for next year is not simply to go on automatically to the next grade.  Next year you have many choices, options and possibilities.  It is time to explore, plan and set a direction.  Most of you will change your goals and plans as you go along.  Talk with us and your teachers about the career areas that you are exploring.  Make decisions and start taking action.  Our doors are always open for you. 
  1. Include Your Parents/Guardians:  We would suggest that some time during the year you include your parents/guardians in a meeting with one of the counselors.  All seniors should also make a fall appointment with the college advisor to consider college options and plans.  Parents/guardians are sometimes left out of the college/career decision-making process, and this is unfair and even unkind.  Your parents or guardians have supported you for a long time.  Perhaps they have some knowledge that can be of use in developing your goals and plans.  Graduation from high school is traditionally a time when young adults and their parents/guardians separate.  By including your parents/guardians in the process, you may find it more reassuring to all involved as you move on to the next phase of your life. 

Best of luck and have a great senior year! 

IMPROVING YOUR COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE

Myra Ross, College Advisor 

A little confusion is normal for most seniors who are thinking about college.  You’re wondering:  “What’s the right college for me?”  “Should I stay close to home or go away?”  “Can I even afford to go to college?”  “Why didn’t I start planning earlier?”  “Will any college accept me?” 

Relax!  If you want to go to college, I can help you find a school that is appropriate, attainable and affordable.  My job as college advisor is to help you sort through the questions listed above and other concerns that you and your family may be experiencing as you explore the college option.  Sometimes this seems like an overwhelming task.  After a while all the glossy brochures and web sites look exactly the same, and you get more and more “stressed out” as friends, relatives, and total strangers badger you with that dreaded question, “Where are you going next year?” 

Believe it or not, there is hope.  There is even a systematic method for improving your “college knowledge.” 

STEP ONE:  Fill out the senior online college conference questionnaire, and see Mrs. Tracy in room 107 to schedule an appointment with me.   This form is useful in several ways.  It helps me find colleges that match your interests, it gives me an insight into your personal needs in the college admission process, and it helps counselors write a comprehensive recommendation for you.  You must complete the conference questionnaire before scheduling a fall college meeting for yourself and your parent/guardian.  Don’t procrastinate!  Take a few minutes and fill it out now.  (Your parent form does not have to be completed prior to scheduling an appointment.)   

STEP TWO:  Narrow your college choices to four-seven schools (usually 1-2 “reach” schools, three “probable” schools, and 1-2 “likely” schools is a good formula).  During our appointment, I can help you decide which schools are reaches or likely schools for you.  Contact each school or visit its website and request information.   Read up on admission and financial aid policies and procedures.  If you have not done so, schedule a campus visit and an interview (if recommended or required). 

STEP THREE:  Register for the appropriate college entrance examinations.  You can do this easily “online” at www.collegeboard.com.   Check to see what tests are required by the colleges that you are considering.  The SAT Reasoning Test is usually required or recommended, and some colleges and universities also require two or three SAT subject tests.  Registration materials and information about fees/fee waivers are available in the Guidance Office.  Remember, you cannot take SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests on the same test date, so plan accordingly.  Register NOW and avoid the stress of missing a deadline, or paying a late fee. If you are using a fee waiver (available from the Guidance Office), you must register for each test by the regular deadline.  IMPORTANT!  You must send test results directly to colleges from the Education Testing Service (College Board). This can be done at the “send scores” section at collegeboard.com or with paper when registering for SAT’s.  Foreign students or students whose primary language is not English may also wish to take the TOEFL which is given at the SylvanLearningCenter in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.  The Guidance Office has TOEFL registration information or visit www.ets.org/toefl. You must bring a current passport, green card, birth certificate or special identification letter (with a photo) from our school on the day of the test.  Please notify the secretaries a week in advance of the TOEFL, and bring in a photo, if you need them to prepare a letter of identification for you.  You will not be admitted without proper identification. ACT (The American College Testing Program) is a college admission test that is accepted by almost all colleges as an alternative to the SAT.  The ACT takes three hours and has five sub-sections including: English, mathematics, reading, science reasoning and an optional writing section.  The test is offered at CentralHigh School in Springfield or Northfield-Mt.HermanSchool, on October 27th (registration deadline is September 21st) and at Mt.Herman or Williston on December 8th (registration deadline is November 2nd).  Further information and registration materials for the ACT are also available in Guidance Offices or at www.actstudent.org. 

STEP FOUR:  After October 1st, check to make sure your teacher recommendations are on file in the Guidance Offices, as per your requests last spring.  If not, see your teachers again and remind them to submit their recommendations to the Guidance Secretaries before October 22. If you have no teacher recommendations on file, you may pick up a blank form in either of the Guidance Offices.  Remember that teachers are under no obligation to honor late requests.

 STEP FIVE:  Listen to the school announcements and check the Guidance Office bulletin board or website (www.arps.org) to see which colleges have scheduled visits with us.  Close to one hundred representatives visit us each fall and your parents or guardians are encouraged to attend with you, if they wish. (See enclosed list.) Also, information about scholarships is included in the school announcements.

STEP SIX:  Once you have your applications in hand, and you have a final list of 2-7 schools, you need to make sure you file your applications properly, and that you file all financial aid forms by the very important published deadlines.

 INFORMATION FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

(Also available at www.arps.org)

School Contact:   Please list the counselor who is writing your recommendation.

 Amherst Regional High School CEEB/ACT code:         220-015

AmherstRegionalHigh School Address:                       21 Mattoon Street, Amherst,

MA   01002

Amherst Regional High School Guidance Office FAX number:   413-549-2018 

a.        You must bring $5.00 for each application (up to 6) and $10 for each subsequent application when you submit your form.  Income eligible students get the first six free and then must pay $5 each up to the tenth application and $10 for each subsequent application.  

b.        State College/University Applications – Most state schools have a fairly simple application form.  Fill out the entire application online or on paper and bring the appropriate transcript/recommendation forms to the guidance secretaries (along with the paper application if appropriate) at least three weeks before the application deadline.  Make sure you have included a check (if appropriate) for the application fee.  Waivers are available for those who qualify for the free or reduced lunch programs.   

c.        PrivateCollegeUniversity Applications – There may be several sections that are part of a private school application package.  You should find the forms that are labeled “School Report,” “Teacher Evaluation,” and “Mid-Year Report”, and bring these forms (with your name and address typed or printed neatly on the top of each) to the guidance secretary at least three weeks before the application deadline. You do not have to have your application or essay completed to submit these forms. If you are applying on-line, you still need to download the school report and teacher recommendation forms and bring them to us ASAP.  You should complete the remaining sections of the application, online or with paper, including your essay and any institution-specific financial aid forms, and send them directly to the college yourself with the application fee.  (Waivers for fees are available for those who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.)   

d.        Common Application:  Check the Common Application website (www.commonapp.org) to see if the colleges you have chosen use the Common Application.  UMass accepts it.  The common application is available online or in print.  It can save you a lot of time.  Paper copies of the common application are available in the guidance office. 

e.        Internet or college website applications:  Most colleges have applications on their own websites.  Some have reduced fees for applying on-line. Some link to the Common Application as their preferred application form.  Many colleges prefer electronic submissions, but you can print your application if you prefer.  Keep a copy of each application you submit.  

f.          IMPORTANT:  You must print out any school report forms, transcript request forms or teacher recommendation forms from these web sites and immediately give them to the guidance secretary. They will be placed in a folder, on which you will tell us where to send them.  You or your parent, if you are not yet 18, must sign a lime green release form allowing us to send materials to each college or we cannot forward your official transcript and recommendations. 

g.        Financial Aid:  Remember to review college websites or contact the colleges directly for information on financial aid.  This information is not included in the Common Application materials.  All students who apply for financial aid must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  It is best to do it online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Before you are ready to work on the FAFSA, go to www.pin.ed.gov to get PINs for both students and parents.  It can take up to three days to get a PIN.  Many private colleges also require the CSS Profile form, available only online, at www.collegeboard.com.  Be sure to adhere to all financial aid deadlines, even if you must estimate rather than providing actual 2007 tax data.   

The Guidance Office staff will process over 1,500 applications this fall.  In order to ensure that your materials are handled in a timely fashion, you must adhere to deadlines.  If you do not give us at least three weeks lead-time for school report preparation and processing, we cannot guarantee that your college will receive your materials on time.  Remember, applications that are due January 1st must be into the appropriate Guidance Office before December 1st, because the office is not open during the vacation.

The school part of your college application forms is due in the Guidance Office three weeks (15 school days) before they are due at the college!!!

If your College Deadline is:            The Guidance Office Needs Your Forms By:

                  November 1                                                     October 5

                 November 15                                                   October 24

                 December 1                                                     November 13

                 December 15                                                   November 21

                 January 1                                                          November 30

                 January 15                                                        December 14

                 February 1                                                       January 9

                 February 15                                                     January 24

FINANCIAL AID:  Check websites from your colleges to determine which forms are required.  Starting October 1st.  C.S.S. Financial Aid Profile Forms will be available for completion online at www.collegeboard.com.  Click on the CSS/Profile section under “Pay for College”. There is no paper version.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed after January 1, 2008 at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov well in advance of your first financial aid deadline.  This year, paper versions will be available only as PDF downloads.  This year we will be sponsoring two financial aid workshops, one on Thursday, November 1, (for general information )by MEFA, the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority, and the other on Wednesday, Nov 28 (including a walk through of forms) by local college financial aid experts.   Both begin at 7:30 p.m. in the ARHS cafeteria.

COLLEGE VISITS:

A schedule of college representatives visiting the Guidance Office is available on our web site.  You may attend if you have a directed study period.  If you have a class, please inform your teacher in advance and remember, the attendance policy applies to college visits.  Bring a college visit pass (available in the Guidance Office), to notify your teacher well in advance of your planned college visit.  Parents or guardians are welcome to attend.  NOTE: Check our bulletin board and the ARHS website for updates/additions to the attached list. 

A FINAL WORD:  I am looking forward to meeting with as many seniors as possible during the next few weeks.  If you have a quick question or if you feel worried, don’t hesitate to catch me in the hall or stop by before school or between classes.  You may also leave a written note for me with the Guidance Office secretaries or e-mail me at rossm@arps.org.  I will get an answer to you quickly.  Remember:  colleges have lots of support services, tutoring, ESL programs, etc.  Community Colleges are a great option with low costs and open admission policies.  Do not think you are “not college material.”  Do not be afraid to consider options for taking a “year off” before college.  I have resources to help with that as well.  Most importantly, work hard in all your classes, and read as much as you can on your own.  These variables help the most in college admission.

AMHERSTREGIONALHIGH SCHOOL

College Advising Program

***IMPORTANT DATES FOR FALL***

You are encouraged to attend any and all of the following events that have been designed to support you through the college application and financial aid application processes. 

 College Planning Workshop for Students Whose Primary Language is not English –Monday, September 17, ARHS, Room 172

Western New England College hosts a college fair Monday, September 17th, 2007 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the AlumniHealthfulLivingCenter (Check their website or call 413/782-1321 for directions).

Athletes and College Recruiting presentation:September 18th at 6:30; ARHS Choral room.  Guest speakers include Mike and Ben Coblyn - This presentation is for all students who might be interested in participating in sports in college.

 Workshop for Early Decision/Action Candidates and Parents/ Guardians:  Tuesday, September 25th, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.; ARHS choral room; Counselors from AmherstCollege will be the speakers.  ARHS. 

Essay Writing Workshop: Tuesday, September 25; 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Free essay-writing workshop from Hampshire Smith Club; Smith College Neilson Browsing Room.

LSSE SAT Prep; A six-session course to prepare students for PSAT or SAT Reasoning Test.  ARHS; Tuesdays and Thursdays; Sept 18 through October 4th; 3 - 4:30 p.m.; $120 before 9/11 and $130 after 9/11.

HampshireCountyCollege Fair:  Thursday, October 11th,at South HadleyHigh School from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Over 150 colleges attend this event, which is strongly recommended for students grades 10-12 and their parents or guardians.

 UMASS Open House for High School Seniors:  Saturday, October 13th at 9:00 a.m..  Take tours, hear presentations, meet with faculty.

College Admission Night for Seniors and Parents/Guardians:  Tuesday, October 16th, 7:30 p.m., ARHS Cafeteria.  Get an “insider’s” perspective on the admission, application and financial aid process from admission and financial aid experts.  Counselors from a range of 2- and 4-year colleges will be the presenters.  Strongly recommended for seniors.

Boston Performing and Visual Arts Fair:  Tuesday, October 23rd  from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., BostonCenter for the Arts - Cyclorama.

CANCELLED:  Financial Aid General Information presentation from MEFA (Massachusetts Education Financing Authority):  Thursday, November 1, at 7:30 p.m. - ARHS feteria.  A representative of MEFA will provide general financial aid information

Financial Aid Workshop – completing forms:  Wednesday, November 28th, at 7:30 p.m. - ARHS Cafeteria.  Financial Aid experts from private and public colleges will assist parents/guardians/students with financial aid forms and procedures for maximizing access to all sources of financial aid.