HRHS Senior Newsletter
October 2021
Hello Seniors and Families!
I hope you had a smooth start to the school year. Throughout the fall I will continue to meet with seniors to help you with your plans for after high school. Please email with any questions or if you would like to set up a meeting.
Keep reading to find information about upcoming events for students interested in the military or community colleges as well as information pertaining to four-year college applications. Make sure to scroll down to the end of the newsletter to read the "Career Spotlight" and learn about some of the fastest growing careers.
-Ms. Scully
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The counseling office is inundated with information about special college programs and scholarships. There are too many to include in the newsletter. Like us on Facebook so you don't miss out on these opportunities.
Military Visits
Army information session
October 5 - 10:00
Navy information session
October 21 - 12:30
Come down to the counseling office or email Mrs. Jablonski to sign up.
Financial Aid Information
Financial Aid
Don't forget that some competitive private colleges also require the CSS Profile in order to apply for financial aid at their institution. Check each college's Financial Aid Website to see if this is a requirement and to find out each college's deadline for applying for financial aid.
Want to learn more about financial aid? Sign up for one of these workshops:
Emerald College Funding Solutions is offering a virtual Financial Aid Workshop for HRHS families on October 27th. Click on the link below to register for this event. You must sign up in order to attend.
Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 6:30-8:00
Click on the links below to register for one of the MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) Financial Aid Workshops.
To request closed captioning or any other accommodations on a webinar, please contact Lauren Patten at lpatten@mefa.org or 617-224-4856 at least one week in advance of the webinar.
Tuesday, October 05, 2021, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 06, 2021, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 07, 2021, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Financial Aid Workshop in Spanish
Community College Applicants
Please remember that students applying to community college do not need letters of recommendation, SAT scores, or an essay.
Community College Workshops
When:
Nov. 17- period 2
Nov. 18- period 1 and 4
Nov. 19- period 3
Who should attend: All students applying to (or thinking about applying to) GCC, HCC or STCC (or any other community college). Students who checked the 2-year college box on the senior questionnaire will automatically be signed up for one of these workshops. Any student applying to four-year colleges who would like HCC, GCC or STCC to be a back up, should email Ms. Jablonski to sign up for a workshop.
What will be covered: the application process, placement testing, and information about transferring to four-year colleges.
Community College Information Sessions
Springfield Technical Community College
STCC will be coming to HRHS for an information session on Oct 7th from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Please email Ms. Jablonski to sign up or sign up on Naviance.
Greenfield Community College
GCC will be be coming to HRHS for an information session on Oct 15th from 12:30-1:15 p.m. Please email Ms. Jablonski to sign up or sign up on Naviance.
Decision Days with HCC, STCC and GCC
In December (dates TBD), admissions representatives from HCC, GCC, and STCC will work individually with seniors to review their submitted applications and to officially accept them into the colleges.
Four-Year College Information
Counselor Letters of Recommendation - Important Deadlines
Most four-year colleges require a counselor letter of recommendation. Please check to see if you need a letter from a counselor. Below are the deadlines to turn in the required Brag Sheet which is needed to request a letter. If you miss these deadlines, Ms. Pietrzak and Ms. Scully will not be able to write the letter.
For November 1st college deadlines - Brag Sheet deadline was 10/1
For November 15th college deadlines - Brag Sheet deadline is 10/15
For December 1st college deadlines - Brag Sheet deadline is 11/1
For December 15th college deadlines - Brag Sheet deadline is 11/15
For January 1st college deadline - Brag Sheet deadline is 12/1
Teacher Letters of Recommendation
College Application Checklist
The following must be completed at least one month before filling out college applications: Print off and check off each step once completed
Complete a Senior Brag Sheet.
Have your parent/guardian sign the Transcript General Release Form. Please print, sign, and return the form (emailing a photo will suffice)
Fill out Teacher Recommendation Forms and give the forms to teachers when you ask them to write a recommendation. Let them know that your resume is on Naviance.
After a teacher agrees to write a recommendation, request the teacher recommendation through the Naviance system. Add as a “General Request” so that letters can go to all schools that you add.
Send SAT/ACT scores directly to colleges via collegeboard.org or act.org (if applicable)
Add colleges to your “colleges I am applying to list” and update the application type by clicking on “Edit” for each college. Make sure the deadline on Naviance matches the deadline you plan to use.
Fill out the FAFSA (and possibly the CSS Profile-required by many private colleges)
Common Application and Naviance Matching
To match accounts:
1. Log into Naviance
2. Go to "Colleges I'm Applying to"
3. Click "Match Accounts" on the top right
4. This brings you to the Common App. Follow the directions from there.
Common Application Workshops
If you would like help with your Common Application, sign up for one of the following Common Application workshops. Please email Ms. Jablonski to sign up or sign up on Naviance.
October 6th during period 1 or 4
October 7th during period 3
October 8th during period 6
October 28th during period 1
October 29th during period 2
November 10th during period 6
Naviance Scattergrams
Do You Have a Financial Safety School on Your List?
As you narrow down your list of safety, target and reach schools don't forget to make sure you have a financial safety school on your list.
Each college has a Net Price Calculator on the financial aid page of their website. The Net Price Calculator will give an estimate of what your family will pay at that college based on your income and family size. Many schools can also estimate merit aid based on your GPA and test scores. It is highly recommended that you take a few minutes to fill out the Net Price Calculator for each school on your list.
College Fairs
NACAC (National Association for College Admissions Counseling) is offering virtual college fairs on the following dates:
Sunday, Oct. 3rd from 1-6
Sunday, Oct. 24th from 1-6
Sunday, Nov. 14th from 1-6
During each college fair, students will have an unparalleled chance to explore their options. More than 600 colleges and universities will be accessible each day to offer live and interactive Zoom sessions and more. To register for one of the fairs go to:
14 on the 14th: Liberal Arts College Across the U.S.
Virtual College Fair7:45 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Fourteen competitive liberal arts colleges across the country are hosting monthly virtual college fairs on the 14th of every month from September to December. Each week, the event will begin with 15 minutes of college application tips followed by an hour-long college fair.
Click here to register and see the schools who will be in attendance.
SAT, ACT and AP Scores (for students who took them)
Reminder: Students must request to have their SAT, ACT, and AP scores sent to colleges directly from the testing agency. The counseling office cannot send out test scores.
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
College Representatives Visiting HRHS
Check out the most updated list of colleges that are doing in person college visits at HRHS!
Students should keep in mind that these visits are an important part of the application process. The admissions representatives providing the information sessions are often the ones who will be deciding whether or not you will be admitted to their school. If you are unable to attend a visit, you can email the representative to ask any questions you may have.
You can sign up on Naviance or by emailing/stopping by to see Mrs. Jablonski.
Scholarships
SMART Scholarship for STEM Students
Planning to major in science, technology, engineering, or math in college? You could get paid to earn a degree – and then get hired at graduation by the Department of Defense. The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program offer scholarships (full tuition and related expenses, paid summer internships, and up to $38,000 in cash) for undergraduate and graduate students. The scholarships assist any students seeking a degree in any of the STEM disciplines, including chemistry, computer science, oceanography, mechanical engineering, and behavioral science.
Sound interesting? Applications are due December 1, 2021 at 5pm. Visit the SMART website for more information.
Henry David Thoreau Foundation scholarship
The Henry David Thoreau Foundation selects Massachusetts high school seniors interested in studying areas related to environmental sciences, such as environmental engineering, oceanography, green architecture, conservation biology and alternative energy.
To apply for the Henry David Thoreau Scholarship you must:
- reside in Massachusetts and be in your final year at a Massachusetts high school
- plan to enroll in college the year that the Thoreau Scholarship is awarded
- demonstrate strong academic qualifications and a commitment to an environmental field
Click here for more information and to apply to this scholarship. The application opens on October 15th.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities. Up to 40 students will become Jack Kent Cooke Scholars and have access to funding for up to four years for undergraduate studies.
This highly competitive scholarship includes:
- Up to $40,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school
- Ability to pursue any area of study
- Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid
- Multifaceted advising about how to transition to college and maximize the college student experience
Selection Process
A rigorous application review includes analysis of grades, standardized test scores, participation in available advanced courses, student essays, letters of recommendation, and family finances. Each year 30-40 students will be selected into the program.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
At a minimum, applicants must:
1) Plan to graduate from high school in spring 2022.
2) Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2022.
3) Earn a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above.
4) Demonstrate significant unmet financial need. We will consider applicants with family income up to $95,000.
Click here to apply. This application is now open with a deadline of November 18, 2021 11:59 p.m.
Did you miss last newsletter?
Career Spotlight
Top Ten Jobs for the Next Ten Years
Advanced medical technologies, aging baby boomers, demand for higher quality child-care, advanced medicines and rapidly changing technology will contribute to the increase of the growth of the following careers.
Computer Programmer– In the past, companies within a wide variety of fields would use the same exact software programs to conduct their business. The current trend is for companies to create their own custom software to solve problems and create products. Technology is ever changing and businesses need fresh minds to create ways to keep up.
Day Care Provider– Quality day care is in high demand and therefore people are willing to pay more for day care centers with great reputations. Day Care Providers with a background in early childhood education and special education will be earning more money in the years to come.
Elder Care Specialist– The fast growing senior communities that are designed to house and assist the “Baby Boomers” will need a variety of healthcare specialists to care for the residents.
Employment Specialists– Employment specialist work for employment agencies matching employees who are looking for short-term jobs or jobs with flexible schedules with employers looking for qualified workers.
Environmental Engineers– Engineers are needed to help solve problems as our population continues to grow. They need to juggle the task of create new water, sewer, and electrical systems while also protecting natural resources.
Home Health Aide– Many baby boomers wish to live at home or be cared for at home while recuperating from injuries or illnesses. Home health aides can be nurses or adults without a specific training that help adults care for themselves in their homes.
Management Consultant– Companies often look outside their staff when trying to solve problems or challenges. Consultants can work with companies all over the world while working in their home offices or they can travel the country to meet with business executives.
Network Specialists– Network specialists are in charge of creating and maintain technology systems within companies. They control company’s servers, trouble shoot hardware and software challenges and give IT support to employees.
Physician’s Assistant– People hoping to pursue a career in medicine often choose the PA track since it requires less education than that need to become a doctor. Physician’s Assistants can do many of the tasks that doctors can do including prescribing medication, performing simple surgeries, and acting as a primary care provider.
Social Services Coordinator– Coordinators monitor the safety and wellness of groups of people and make sure that clients have access to a variety of assistance programs. Social Services Coordinators work with people of all ages and work within a variety of organizations.
Information taken from www.worldwidelearn.com