WHS Counseling Office News
November 2019
Student Success Day - Thursday, November 14th
Junior College Visitation Day - Thursday, November 21st
2019-2020 Common App Essay Prompts
Almost 900 colleges and universities accept the Common Application (Common App). The following is a list of the essay prompts you may chose from when completing the Common App.
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Help Paying for College
Below are some guidelines and suggestions that we hope you find helpful in navigating the financial aid process around college bound seniors.
Students should complete their student profile in the WHS Dollars for Scholars by December 1, 2019. Over $20,000.00 was awarded to our seniors last year (the most ever). Students can stop into Counseling if they have questions or need assistance.
Students should get in the habit of checking our Counseling Newsletter and Scholarship Bulletin once a month - which is available on our website. As the year goes on, there will be many more scholarship opportunities listed in our Bulletin.
- Attend one of the upcoming SUNY Financial Aid Days.
Depending on the college(s) that your student applies to, they may need to complete up to four (4) different financial aid forms. Find out which forms are required at your college and be mindful of deadlines:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).This form is used to apply for aid (grants and loans) from federal student financial aid programs. The FAFSA is required at all schools and should be submitted as soon as possible after October 1, 2020. The FAFSA is filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and is free to complete.
NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). This form is required by both public and private colleges in NYS only. You should be linked to the TAP application when you file the FAFSA online.
College Scholarship Services Profile (CSS Profile). This form is required by some private colleges. Visit student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile to see if it is required by your college.
Many colleges also require families to file their own institutional financial aid forms. Inquire about this with your college and adhere to deadlines.
Please visit or call the high school Counseling Office if you have any questions!
Scholarship Bulletin
Class of 2020 Student Athletes - Section V Scholarships Available!
College and Military Representative Visits
FREE SAT Practice!
- Personalized practice plans
- Thousands of practice questions, videos, and lessons
- Eight full-length practice tests
- Free practice to all students
Sophomores - Interested in Visiting Wayne Technical and Career Center (WTCC)?
Current 10th graders will have the opportunity to visit WTCC during the week of December 9-13. More information to follow.
Dates to Remember
11/8 - End of 10 week marking period
11/11 - Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
11/14 - Student Success Day in the AM/Half Day PM - HS dismissed at 11:30am
11/14 - Report Card Night
11/27-11/29 - Happy Thanksgiving! NO SCHOOL
Williamson High School Counseling Office
Email: kpetrucci@williamsoncentral.org
Website: williamsoncentral.org
Phone: 315.589.9624