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Hello from the guidance office! The 2008-2009 school year has begun, and preparations are already being made for all the upcoming plans, tests, and decisions that students will face this year. Following are copies of two documents already handed out to Juniors and Seniors about some important test dates that are coming up. Please take a minute to go over these documents with your child and discuss their plans for taking these tests. If you have any questions, feel free to stop by the guidance office - I'm available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:30 to 1:30.
Mrs. Dorn
Covenant Christian High School
Junior Year Guidance Information
2008-2009
1. THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS PLANNING
- credits, requirements
- post high school plans - educational and vocational
- self-assessment: Who am I? What are my strengths and weaknesses?
- Academic records are important! Colleges consider:
a) courses taken during high school
b) GPA of freshman - junior year
c) class rank
d) college entrance test scores
e) teacher and/or counselor recommendations
2. GUIDANCE INFORMATION AVAILABLE
- guidance office - college application forms and scholarship information
- library - college and career information, college catalogs, videos & computer information
- internet search
3. JUNIOR YEAR TESTS
a. PSAT - This test is also called the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT is for college bound students, students wanting to assess college potential, and students wishing to qualify for National Merit Scholarships.
TEST DATE: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
TEST COST: This test is free for juniors. If you are
a sophomore taking the PSAT, the fee is $13. Sign
up forms and test fees are due in the office no later
than September 26, 2008.
TEST PRACTICE: Official Student Guides which
include a practice test will be given to all
sophomores and juniors. Check out
www.collegeboard.com/psat for information about
the test and sample questions.
b. ACT and SAT - These are college entrance tests that should be taken in April or June of the student's junior year and can be retaken in fall of the student's senior year if desired. The ACT and the SAT are run by two different organizations: most colleges will accept either form of entrance test, but some colleges prefer one over the other. If you already have a college in mind, you may want to contact them to see which test they prefer. In general, liberal arts and/or private colleges prefer the ACT, while public institutions prefer the SAT.
TEST DATE: The ACT test dates are September 13, October 25, December 13, February 7, April 4, and June 13. The SAT test dates are October 4, November 1, December 6, January 24, March 14, May 2, and June 6. Please note that Covenant is an official test site for the June 13, 2009 ACT (site number 222-670).
TEST COST: The ACT cost is $31.00 without the writing section and $46.00 with the writing section. The SAT cost is $45.00. Students can register for both of these tests by mail or online. When you register for the ACT or SAT, make sure to include our High School Code # 150-798 to ensure that your test scores are sent to Covenant to be placed on your official transcript. If you are taking the ACT at Covenant on June 14, 2008, our site number is 222-670.
TEST INFO: Please check out the ACT website (www.act.org) or the SAT website (www.collegeboard.com) for registration, information, and further testing assistance.
4. OTHER AVENUES FOR INFORMATION
A. A financial aid seminar for parents is usually scheduled for the second or third Thursday in January in the evening at Covenant. For the past few years, a Calvin College financial aid representative has been our presenter. Check announcements and KnightLine for specific details.
B. College visits: Juniors are encouraged to take more than one college visit. There are a few steps to preparing for a college visit:
1. Call or e-mail the college (usually the admissions office) to decide on the best time for you to visit. Most colleges have designated "College Visit Days" with planned activities, tours, and classroom visits for potential students.
2. Pre-arrange your visit with the college. If you're going to be at the college for more than one day, it's a good idea to ask someone in the admissions office about staying overnight in the dorms.
3. Notify the Covenant office of your college visit and fill out the necessary forms (obtainable in the office) at least two days in advance. Notification further in advance is encouraged and appreciated.
C. College representatives at Covenant
1. Usually visits occur during lunch period in the cafeteria.
2. Sign-up sheets are located in the office.
3. Check the announcements for details.
D. College nights: Check announcements for information regarding college fairs. Information on local college fairs can also be looked up online.
E. Internet information sites for college and career information:
www.fastweb.com www.finaid.com
www.learnmoreindiana.com www.finaid.org
www.indiana.collegeanswer.com www.srnexpress.com
www.collegeanswer.com www.fastaid.com
www.fafsa.ed.gov www.collegenet.com
5. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
College applications are not required until after the summer of 2008. This will become a more pressing concern as you begin your senior year. However, now is the time to begin seriously considering college choices. Courses taken, grades, class rank, test scores, and school, community, and church activities are taken into account during the admissions process, so pay attention to these things now! (see #1 for more information)
6. YOUR COUNSELOR
The counselor is available to all juniors for educational, vocational, or personal concerns. Please contact Mrs. Dorn with any questions or concerns you may have. Take school seriously, plan diligently, and pray that God will lead you as you seek His direction for a life of service for Him.
Covenant Christian High School
Senior Year Guidance Information
2008-2009
1. THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS ORGANIZATION
- retake ACT/SAT if so desired
- refine college choices and submit applications
** Most colleges don't require applications until January or February, but it's a good idea to aim for completion by the beginning of second semester.**
- continue self-assessment - Who am I? What are my strengths and weaknesses?
- Academic records are important! Colleges consider:
i. courses taken during high school
ii. GPA of freshman - junior year
iii. class rank
iv. college entrance test scores
v. teacher and/or counselor recommendations
- check out scholarship opportunities
2. SENIOR YEAR TESTS
ACT and SAT - These are college entrance tests that should have been taken in April or June of the student's junior year but can be retaken in fall of the student's senior year if desired. The ACT and the SAT are run by two different organizations: most colleges will accept either form of entrance test, but some colleges prefer one over the other. If you already have a college in mind, you may want to contact them to see which test they prefer. In general, liberal arts and/or private colleges prefer the ACT, while public institutions prefer the SAT.
TEST DATE: The fall ACT test dates are September 13, October 25, and December 13. The fall SAT test dates are October 4, November 1, and December 6.
TEST COST: The ACT cost is $31.00 without the writing section and $46.00 with the writing section. The SAT cost is $45. Students can register for both of these tests by mail or online. When you register for the ACT or SAT, make sure to include our High School Code # 150-798 to ensure that your test scores are sent to Covenant to be placed on your official transcript.
TEST INFO: Please check out the ACT website (www.act.org) or the SAT website (www.collegeboard.com) for registration, information, and further testing assistance.
3. GUIDANCE INFORMATION AVAILABLE
- guidance office - college application forms and scholarship information
- library - college and career information, college catalogs, videos & computer information
- internet search
4. OTHER AVENUES FOR INFORMATION
a. A financial aid seminar for parents is usually scheduled for the second or third Thursday in January in the evening at Covenant. For the past few years, a Calvin College financial aid representative has been our presenter. Check announcements and KnightLine for specific details.
b. College visits: Seniors are encouraged to take college visits in their first semester. There are a few steps to preparing for a college visit:
1. Call or e-mail the college (usually the admissions office) to decide on the best time for you to visit. Most colleges have designated "College Visit Days" with planned activities, tours, and classroom visits for potential students.
2. Pre-arrange your visit with the college. If you're going to be at the college for more than one day, it's a good idea to ask someone in the admissions office about staying overnight in the dorms.
3. Notify the Covenant office of your college visit and fill out the necessary forms (obtainable in the office) at least two days in advance. Notification further in advance is encouraged and appreciated.
c. College representatives at Covenant
1. Usually visits occur during lunch period in the cafeteria.
2. Sign-up sheets are located in the office.
3. Check the announcements for details.
d. College nights: Check announcements for information regarding college fairs. Information on local college fairs can also be looked up online.
e. Internet information sites for college and career information:
www.fastweb.com www.finaid.com
www.learnmoreindiana.com www.finaid.org
www.indiana.collegeanswer.com www.srnexpress.com
www.collegeanswer.com www.fastaid.com
www.fafsa.ed.gov www.collegenet.com
5. YOUR COUNSELOR
The counselor is available to all seniors for educational, vocational, or personal concerns. Please contact Mrs. Dorn with any questions or concerns you may have. Take school seriously, plan diligently, and pray that God will lead you as you seek His direction for a life of service for Him.
(Updated August 15, 2008)
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