Counselor’s Corner
Counselors: Donna Robertson and Karen Norris
1/20/12
All Students:
·
ACT testing dates:
o
September 8, 2011 Reg. Deadline: Passed
o
October 22, 2011 Reg. Deadline: Passed
o
December 10, 2011
Reg. Deadline:
Passed
o
February 11, 2012 Reg. Deadline: Passed
o
April 14,
2012 Reg. Deadline: Mar 9, 2012 Late: March
23
o
June 9,
2012 Reg. Deadline: May 4, 2012
Late: May 18
Who should take it? Seniors should check the college website of
their choice for deadlines for application to ensure ample time for ACT scores
to arrive prior to the deadline. Juniors should take the ACT at least once
during the junior year.
Why should I take it? ACT scores are used for scholarship
applications, admission requirements and placement. Even community colleges
(Jeff State, Gadsden State, etc) use the scores to place students in the correct
levels of English and Math. It is important that all students take the ACT test
at least once.
How to register:
Paper packets are available in the counselor’s office or register
online with a credit card at
www.actstudent.org. The school code for SHS is 012-530.
·
ACT Prep Class:
o
Act prep classes are offered
through Jeff State, Gadsden State, and Sylvan Learning. Cost varies, and you
should contact them directly to enroll.
o
Mr.
G’s Prep School is the class offered through the St. Clair Community Education.
Cost is $250. Students can enroll by calling St. Clair County Community
Education at 629-6222 ext. 243.
o
Free
for 45 days:
www.march2success.com Provides help in all subjects. This website is
sponsored by the US Army.
Sophomores, Juniors and
Seniors:
·
Reminder:
If you are interested in earning college credit while in high school, you may
apply for the University of Alabama’s Early
College Program.
Courses are offered online. Earn from 2 to 30 hours of college credit.
Students must have a 3.0 GPA to apply. For more information, see the counselor
or log onto
http://uaearlycollege.ua.edu.
·
NEW: Jacksonville State
University will host
Spring Preview Days for high school students and their families on Saturday,
February 4 and April 14, 2012. Activities begin at 9:00 AM. Representatives
from academic departments, student clubs, organizations, and support offices
will be available in Stephenson Hall. Campus tours will also be given.
·
NEW: Auburn University’s College
of Engineering will
host its annual E-Day on February 24, 2012.
Register online at
http://eng.auburn.edu/eday .
Seniors:
- BIG QUESTIONS:
- How do I send
my transcript?
There is a “transcript request” clip board in the counselor’s outer office.
AFTER YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION FOR A SCHOOL, stop by and fill out the
information. Transcripts are normally sent out on Fridays.
- How do I find
scholarships? Keep
your eye on this document!! Any information that comes into the counselor’s
office is dispensed through this document. School names (if applicable) and
deadlines are in bold print. New items are identified, also. You need to
check out the scholarships offered through your school of choice. The best
way is to visit their websites.
- I got my
acceptance letter, but it says “conditional admittance”. What does that
mean? Typically, you are admitted on the condition that you complete high
school. That is verified through sending your final transcript AFTER
graduation. If there are additional items that place you on conditional
admittance, it should be stated in your letter.
- What is a
senior resume’?
Seniors should compile a list of accomplishments, club/organization/sport
involvement, volunteer work, and paid work experience. This information is
used in applying for scholarships. You can use the “Career Cruising”
program shown to you last year.
- Who should
complete a “letter of recommendation”?
It is appropriate to ask
faculty members to complete letters of recommendation that may be needed for
admission or scholarship applications. However, make sure to give the
person a copy of your senior resume’ and to write down what the letter of
recommendation is for (the name of the scholarship or school, etc.). Give
the person plenty of notice. Do not expect someone to write a good
recommendation letter with only a few hours’ notice.
- Scholarship
search engines:
- Reminder!!!
Looking for financial aid for college? Check out
www.fafsa.ed.gov to find out information for the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid. FAFSA forms cannot be completed by current students
until January, 2012.
- AXA Achievement
Scholarship is now taking applications. Scholarships range from $2000 to
$25,000. Learn more and apply online at
www.axa-achievement.com. Earliest
deadline is December 1, 2011.
Additional deadline is February 1, 2012.
- The Kids’ Chance
Scholarship Fund is accepting applications for scholarships geared toward
students who have had a parent killed or permanently and totally disabled in
an on-the-job accident. Students can complete an application on the
foundation’s web site at
www.alfinc.org. Deadline for
submissions is May 1, 2012.
- For the
Ambassador’s Scholarship, students must have good “people skills”, be
willing to work several hours a week as a school ambassador, complete an
application, and be invited for an interview. Applications are due by March
1, 2012.
- For the
Academic Scholarships, students must have a minimum ACT score of 22
and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications are due March 1, 2012.
Applications for both are online at
www.jeffstateonline.com or in the
counselor’s office.
- Auditions for
Jefferson State Singers will be March 27, 29, 31, April 3, 5, and 6. For
information or to set an audition appointment, contact Jessica Kaufhold at
205-856-7900 or
jkaufhold@jeffstateonline.com/choir.
Full-tuition scholarships are available!!
- Any senior interested
in the Counselor’s Scholarship should submit a two-page essay on why you
would like to attend Jefferson State to Mrs. Robertson by February 24th.
- NEW: Gadsden
State Community College
is now accepting applications for the Ambassador’s Scholarship,
Academic Scholarships and the Honors Scholarships, as well as Minority
Scholarships and Technology Scholarships.
- For the
Ambassador’s Scholarship, students must have good “people skills”, be
willing to work several hours a week as a school ambassador, and complete an
essay.
- For the Academic
Scholarships, students need to submit ACT scores as well as a
recommended GPA of 90 or above (unweighted and core classes only)
- For the Honors
Scholarships, student need an 85 GPA, a minimum 25 ACT score and submit
an Honors Scholarship Application in addition to the general scholarship
form.
- Minority
Scholarships
are available and priority will be given to African-American students
enrolled in classes on the Valley Street Campus.
- Technology
Scholarships
are awarded to students planning to pursue technical degrees OR
certificates.
- Scholarship
applications are available online at
www.gadsdenstate.edu or in the
counselor’s office. The deadline for ALL is March 1, 2012.
-
Note: Students interested in applying for
athletic or performing arts scholarships must contact the respective
departments directly.
- NEW: Imagine
America Foundation offers $1000 scholarships to eligible seniors attending one
of the participating career colleges. For a list of schools and information
regarding eligibility, see the counselor, your career tech teacher, or
www.imagine-america.org/highschoolscholarships.
- NEW:
Seniors planning to pursue a teacher education program at any college or
university next fall will want to apply for the Phi Delta Kappa
International’s Scholarship Grants for Prospective Educators. Applications
are available in the counselor’s office and should be mailed no later than
February 24, 2012.
The application includes an essay and letters of reference. Do not wait!
- NEW:
The St. Vincent St. Clair Auxiliary
is now accepting applications for students pursuing a degree in
the medical field. Applications are in the counselor’s office and are due
February 15, 2012.
- NEW: Seniors
interested in AUM….don’t forget that the priority scholarship deadline is
February 1, 2012. Get online at
www.aum.edu/admissions for more
information.
Junior Only:
- Question: When should I apply
for schools? Answer: Be looking over schools this year. Make note of the
school’s priority deadlines in anticipation for NEXT YEAR. Narrow your search
to your top 2 or 3 and make plans to schedule a visit through their admissions
offices. You should apply for schools after completing your junior year.
- Question: What can I do about
scholarships? Answer: Keep an eye on this document throughout the year and
make note of scholarships that you may be eligible for next year. Begin
searches through the websites listed and through Career Cruising. You may not
be able to apply until you are a senior, but you would know what to look for
next year.
- NEW: The Rural Health Scholars
Program through the University of Alabama is taking applications from current
juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA, 21 ACT score (including writing), and an
interest in making a career in the health field. Applications should be
postmarked by March 15, 2012 and are available in the counselor’s office.
- NEW: Interested in fine art,
film, urban geography, modern legal systems, research science, engineering or
medicine? Apply for the Alabama Governor’s School to be held June 17-29, 2012
at Samford University. Applications must be obtained from and returned to
Mrs. Robertson by March 1, 2012