Ft. Recovery HS Guidance Newsletter:  September 2008

 

Monthly guidance newsletters are also available via the FRHS homepage at www.noacsc.org/mercer/fr/FRHS/highDEF.htm

 

GENERAL NEWS:

 

1.       Magazines, Magazines! (9-12):  There are several “free” copies of magazines in the guidance office shelves about colleges, careers, the military, etc.  Stop by anytime and pick some up!

2.        All students who plan to go to college should take a college entrance exam.  An ACT (or SAT) test score is a requirement for admission to many colleges and universities.   In general, colleges in the Midwest prefer applicants to take the ACT, while those on the coasts prefer the SAT.  Many colleges accept either the ACT or the SAT.   FRHS students usually take the ACT (1-3 times).

 

·         ACT National Test Dates 2008-2009                        Registration Deadlines

October 25, 2008                                               September 19, 2008

December 13, 2008                                            November 7, 2008

February 7, 2009                                                January 6, 2009

April 4, 2009                                                      February 27, 2009

June 13, 2009                                                    May 8, 2009

 

**Students can register for the ACT via paper packet or online at:  www.actstudent.org.  Our CEEB code is 362-165.  If registering online, be sure to complete the process in one sitting (approx. 25 minutes), or your session may “time out”.  You must use a credit card to register online.

 

**I strongly encourage students to take the optional “writing” portion of the test one time.  There is no need to take the writing portion more than once.

 

**if you are on an IEP/504 Plan and would like special testing accommodations for the ACT (i.e. extended time), you must see Mrs. Kaiser well in advance of the registration deadline to file your paperwork.  You will need to register via a paper packet.

 

**Students may take the ACT at any time:  you need not be a junior or senior.  Younger students sometimes take the ACT for the purpose of practicing and studying for future tests.  The following are the times I suggest students take the ACT:  Seniors should take the October (and December?) ACT.  Juniors should take the ACT for the first time in February, April and/or June.

 

** Fee Waivers are available for the ACT…check out the details on the website to see if you qualify:  www.actstudent.org

 

**Hints for the ACT:  Take challenging classes, and STUDY FOR IT!  I have information on ACT Prep courses at Edison and Sylvan Learning Centers.  Practice tests are available in the guidance office and online.  Pace yourself, and don’t leave any questions blank (it is to your advantage to guess).

 

·         SAT National Test Dates 2008-2009                                    Registration Deadlines

October 4                                                                      September 9

November 1                                                                   September 26

December 6                                                                   November 5

January 24                                                                    December 26

March 14                                                                       February 10

May 2                                                                           March 31

June 6                                                                           May 5

 

**Students can register for the SAT online at www.collegeboard.com.  Our CEEB code is 362-165.

 

3.       ACT Prep Courses:  See Mrs. Kaiser for more details… 

·         Edison Community College (Piqua) classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from September 23-October 9.  Cost: $70.

·         Sylvan Learning Center (Celina YMCA and other locations) is offering 5 different sets of classes.  Each class is offered 6 weeks prior to test date.  First session begins the week of September 15.  Three out of four Sylvan Prep students raiser their ACT score by 5 points or more.  Cost: $600.

4.       Practice ACT and AP Exams online at http://www.infohio.org/ER/secure/LearningExpress.asp.  Click on “Learning Express Library”.  You will need to create a user account (username: think and password: infohio).  This account will be good until June 30.  You can also check out this site: http://www.actexampracticetests.com for study tips and ACT questions with detailed answer explanations.

5.       Mercer County S.T.O.P. (Students Teaching Other Prevention) Group is looking for new members.  This is a county-wide group for students interested in maintaining a drug and alcohol free lifestyle.  The STOP group is very active in community service activities, and is an important part of S.T.A.R. weekend (for Junior High Students).  See the poster outside the office for meeting dates.  The program’s advisor is: Ashley Westerfield 419/586-4030.

6.       Prospective College Athletes who plan to play Division I or II sports must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.  The cost to register with the Eligibility Center is $60.

7.       United States Military Academy Nomination Applications for the graduating class of 2009 are available by contacting John Boehner’s office.  Nominations are competitive, Contact Brittany Elking at 1-800-582-1001.  The deadline is October 31.

 

College Info:

8.       Looking for a college or a career that’s right for you?  Check out collegeboard.com or http://ocis.ode.state.oh.us (Ohio Career Information System…username:  ftrecov and password:  ohiocis03).  They are BOTH great websites to help you narrow down your choices!

9.       College Visits at FRHS (grades 11-12):  Several College/University/Military Representatives visit FRHS each year.  Check out the calendar outside the office for upcoming visits.  Juniors and seniors may sign up for a visit in the guidance office.  (This must be done at least two days prior to the visit.)

10.   Upcoming College Fairs:

·         Coldwater High School College Fair:  over 50 colleges and military reps will be at the Coldwater HS Commons on Monday, September 15, 2008 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

·         St. Marys High School College and Tech Night:  very similar to Coldwater’s fair….Wednesday, September 17, 2008 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

·         Students with Learning Disabilities:  a college fair will be held at Gahanna Lincoln High School (Columbus Area) on Monday, October 6, 2008 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

·         Lima College Fair (OSU and Rhodes State):  Wednesday, October 15 at 6:00 p.m.

11.   Many Colleges hold Fall Open Houses on Saturdays.  Check out the displays by the office, or see Mrs. Kaiser for specific dates.

12.   Students planning to apply to the University of Cincinnati must be sure to apply prior to December 15th to meet the priority deadline for UC Scholarships.  Architecture and design deadline is November 15th.  College-Conservatory of Music deadline is December 1st.

 

SCHOLARSHIP INFO:  Additional information is available on most scholarships.  See the postings outside the guidance office, or contact Mrs. Kaiser.

 

13.   ROTC (Military) Scholarship information is available.  Military recruiters visit FRHS throughout the year, and set up in the Commons area at lunch so students can gather information about the military and ask questions.

14.   AES Scholarships:  AES Engineers offers scholarships to high school seniors or college students (regardless of courses being studied) who intend to be future leaders across a wide spectrum of field of study.  You are not required to be taking Engineering courses to be eligible.  To apply, students must submit an essay of no more than 1000 words in answer to one of the two questions that are posted on their sit:  http://www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm.  The award is $500 and deadline is September 15, 2008.

15.   Wendy’s High School Heisman Award Program is open to athletes who have a minimum “B” average.  Info can be found at:  www.wendysheisman.com and are due October 1.

16.   Mercer County SWCD Scholarship:(Grade 12): The Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District, along with the Marion Mutual Insurance Association will again be offering a $500 college scholarship to a local high school senior OR college freshman or sophomore. To be eligible, a student must be pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in environmental education, natural resources, agriculture, or a related field. Winners are expected to attend the SWCD’s annual banquet on November 13, 2008. Applications are due on October 24

17.   2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Scholarship:  students who have taken part in community service activities can apply online for this $1,000 award at  www.prudential.com/spirit (access key:  spirit).  Submission deadline is October 31, 2008.

18.   2009 SAE Engineering Scholarships:  are available to seniors planning to pursue a degree in Engineering or related sciences (math, chemistry, physics, biology, technologies, computer science, etc.).  Deadline to apply is December 1, 2008.

19.   The Mercer County Civic Foundation has a small pool of student loan funds available to undergraduate students.  These low-interest $900 college loans are renewable, and the 4% interest rate does not begin to accrue until 6 months after graduation from college, and are interest-free if repaid within that time.  Applications due by June 1st.

20.   Check out schoolsoup.com and fastweb.com for scholarship and college information.

 

Upcoming Dates:

 

If you have additional questions, please stop by the guidance office or email me at:  kaisera@fr.noacsc.org

-Mrs. Kaiser