Central Catholic College Counseling
Class of 2022 - January 2021
Student To Do List - January 2021
College Planning Night - Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 6:00 PM. Stay tuned! We are working out logistics and will have details soon. This will be a virtual event.
What about the SAT or ACT? - At this point colleges are still considering and evaluating their testing requirement for the Class of 2022. We should know more in the spring. So keep checking emails and newsletters as I will let you know as policies are confirmed. See below for current test information.
Test Optional - See below for a list of colleges that did not require test scores for the Class of 2021 -- some have already made the call to go test optional for the Class of 2022.
Practice for SAT or ACT --Testing requirments are still to be determined. So it's always a good idea to prepare! Many of you took the practice PSAT through Compass earlier this month. Compass should have emailed your scores and information about test prep. Khan Academy is another test prep tool and it's free. See below for more information about both options.
Explore Naviance Student! Naviance Student is a comprehensive website that students and parents can use to research colleges and careers. Naviance Student is linked with Naviance, a service that we use to track and analyze college and career plans, so it provides up to date information that’s specific to Central Catholic. Naviance Student allows you to:
- Get involved in the planning and advising process -- build a resume, complete online surveys, and manage college application timelines and deadlines.
- Research colleges – compare GPA and standardized test scores of Central Catholic students who have applied and been admitted in the past.
- Research careers – research hundreds of careers and career clusters, and take career assessments.
Virtual College Fair sponsored by The National Association for College Admission Counseling
- Over 500 colleges will be represented
- 450 Live Sessions on topics ranging from college applications, scholarships, financial aid, and more!
- See the website for more information - NACAC Virtual College Fair
- REGISTER - HERE
Sunday, Jan 31, 2021, 10:00 AM
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ACT Updates
- See test dates below. I suggest you hold off on registering for the Feb ACT test date. Later test dates may be more conducive to Covid restrictions and not subject to cancellation.
- Previously announced plans to debut section re-testing have been postponed indefinitely.
- Previously announced plans to offer the computer-based ACT in the United States in September 2020 were postponed. ACT, however, hopes to launch a remote (at-home) online test soon. See ACT’s COVID-19 updates here.
- ACT recommends test takers wear masks -- but the state guidelines require masks.
REGISTER - HERE
SAT Updates
- Rather than canceling an entire test date as it did in May and June 2020, the College Board plans to let upcoming test cancelations occur by location, so please monitor the status of your test site regularly. Some host sites have already posted upcoming cancelations. For the latest site closures, click here.
- Most, if not all juniors should already have a CollegeBoard account. DO NOT create a new one -- use the one you have!
- College Board requires test takers to wear masks.
Compass SAT/ACT Test Prep
For those who took the online PSAT test earlier this month --- Scores were emailed to the address you used to register for the exam. If you have not received your scores please email me or contact practicetests@compassprep.com.
Compass takes an individualized approach to planning and preparing for college admission exams. Central Catholic students and families can schedule a consultation with a Compass director to interpret results, select a test, and devise an appropriate test prep plan. HERE
Khan Academy as a Test Prep Option
- Create a Khan Academy account -- unless you already have one!
- Add SAT prep to your list of courses.
- You will need to take some diagnostic quizzes to establish a baseline. The goal is to give you deliberate practice in the areas where you need the most help.
- Choose which subject you'd like to focus on first: Math or Reading and Writing. If you choose Math, you will be sent to a series of diagnostic quizzes in math. These quizzes help figure out what you already know and what you need to work on. With this information, the system can craft an ideal practice plan for you.
- After you complete the four diagnostic quizzes, the summary page will lay out your starting skill levels in a variety of math categories. Skill levels change to reflect your mastery.
SCHOLARSHIP
Due January 15
National Merit Entry for Class of 2022
In normal circumstances (non-Covid19), students would qualify for National Merit consideration by taking the PSAT-NMSQT in October of their Junior year. Of course, this year the test was cancelled due to the pandemic. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is offering an alternate entry using SAT scores. See below for details.
All three of the following must be completed in order to enter:
- Take the SAT by June 2021.
- Request that CollegeBoard send an official report of your SAT scores to NMSC (code 0085) -- add it like you add a college.
- Complete this Alternate Entry Form no later than Thursday, April 1, 2021.
In addition, the standard entry requirements still apply:
To enter the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program, a student must meet all of the following requirements.
- Be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school by 2022, and planning to accept admission to college no later than the fall of 2022.
- Attend high school in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. commonwealths and territories; or meet the citizenship requirements for students attending high school outside the United States.
CollegeBoard Student Search Service
CollegeBoard offers this free service to students as they explore college options. The benefit is twofold:
- Opt in to hear directly from colleges and scholarships. After joining Search, check your email and mailbox regularly for updates about degree programs, campus life, financial aid, or invitations to apply for scholarships.
- Share your interests to find your college match. Keeping your information up to date helps colleges and scholarship programs send you more relevant communications so you can find the school that’s right for you.
When you join Student Search Service, you agree to share information with participating organizations. Colleges pay for this service, but there is no cost to you. These organizations rely on this information to discover students who may be a good fit for their programs. You can update your information at anytime.
Register - HERE