Senior Newsletter
November 2021
This newsletter is packed with information for ALL seniors no matter what your plans are for after high school. Please read through to hear about job opportunities for after high school as well as information on the community college and four-year college application processes.
There are also MANY scholarships listed in this newsletter!
I have met individually with all seniors applying to four-year colleges. This week, I will begin to meet individually with students who plan to attend community college and those who plan to join the workforce. Be on the lookout for an email letting you know about your meeting and please make every attempt to come to the meeting at the scheduled time.
Ms. Scully
Heading to work?
Field Trip Oppportunity
Opportunities for hands on work
The following opportunities are great for students who want to head to the workforce after graduation and those who prefer hands-on work. Do you wish you attended Smith Vocational? If so, keep reading!
Interested in a manufacturing career?
GCC has training for students interested in manufacturing careers including welding and machine operating. Our local area currently has numerous job openings in this field. Starting pay in this field is between $15-20 per hour. Funding is often available for these training programs. Click here for more information.
Jobs in the Pavement Industry
Palmer Paving Corporation, a local employer, is seeking to hire hard workers to join their team after graduation. Jobs in the paving industry can lead to union membership with lots of great benefits and high pay.
United Tractor Trailer School, Inc.
Tractor trailer driving is in popular demand right now, with tens of thousands of jobs available. United Tractor Trailer School Inc. in Holyoke offers day, evening, and weekend classes to help you get a commercial driving license. United Tractor Trailer School will even help you with career placement once your training is done.
Smith Vocation Evening Programs
Smith Vocational offers a number of evening training programs in the medical fields and trades. After graduation, you can attend Smith Voc to become a phlebotomist, EKG specialist, welder, small engine repair person, and more. Check out their programs here.
Please see Ms. Scully for more information about these opportunities.
Financial Aid Information
Need help filling out the FAFSA?
By clicking to register you will receive an email sharing a web link to that scheduled session.
Sunday, November 14, 2021: 2:00 - 4:00pm Click to Register
Wednesday, December 15, 2020: 4:00 - 6:00pm Click to Register
Tuesday, January 18, 2022: 6:00 - 8:00pm Click to Register
Sunday, February 20, 2022: 2:00 - 4:00pm Click to Register
Community College Applicants
Community College Workshops
When:
Wednesday, Nov. 17th during period 2
Thursday, Nov 18th during periods 1&4
Friday, Nov 19th during period 5
Who should attend: All students applying to community college. Many students have been automatically signed up for this workshop based on your answers to the Senior Questionnaire in September. If you are signed up, you should have received an email (on Tuesday, Nov. 2) telling you which workshop to attend. If you did not get an email and you would like to attend a workshop you can sign up by emailing Mrs. Jablonski.
Any student applying to a four-year college who would like HCC, GCC or STCC to be a backup should sign up for a Community College Workshop.
What will be covered: the application process, placement testing, and transferring to four-year colleges.
Decision Days for HCC, STCC & GCC
In December, admissions representatives from HCC, GCC and STCC will come to HRHS for Decision Days. During Decision Days, students will formally be accepted into the colleges. Decision days will be discussed in detail during the Community College Workshop.
The colleges will be here on the following days:
HCC- Dec. 6th
GCC- Dec. 9th
STCC- Dec. 8th
Virtual Information Sessions at GCC, HCC, and STCC
Holyoke Community College
On-Demand Information Videos:
The Admissions Office has created a series of videos for prospective students available on-demand so you can find out on your time what it takes to become a student at HCC. (Learn how to apply, and tips for navigating course options.)
Special Program Information Sessions:
These sessions are scheduled throughout the year for those interested in Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Veterinary Technician, and Foundations of Health programs. Visit their Program Information Sessions page for information on upcoming dates and times.
Greenfield Community College
Check out one of these Information Sessions to learn about GCC:
- Wednesday, November 3 - 7:00 pm – Virtual Admission Information Session
- Tuesday, November 9 - 12:00 pm – Virtual Admission Information Session
- Tuesday, November 16 - 12:00 pm – Virtual Admission Information Session
- Tuesday, December 7 - 12:00 pm – Virtual Admission Information Session
Springfield Technical Community College
Virtual Visits
You can take a virtual tour of STCC by clicking here!
Special Program Info Sessions
These info sessions are available for students interested in nursing or physical therapy
Four-Year College Applicants
Submitting College Applications - Important reminders
1. Don't forget to use this College Application Checklist to make sure that you are completing all of the necessary application steps including those you need to complete after you submit your application.
3. If you look at your information for each school on your Common App account, you can check to see if your letters and transcripts have been submitted.
4. Ms. Scully will submit your letters and transcripts by the deadlines that are in Naviance. So, please keep these up to date. See below for how to do this.
5. For those students who apply on or before November 15th, Ms. Scully will send your first quarter grades to your November schools as soon as they are finalized which will be about a week after grades close.
Naviance College Lists
Please make sure that your college list and application deadlines are updated on Naviance. Also, delete colleges that you are not applying to. If these lists are not accurate, your transcripts and letters of recommendation will not be sent to schools on time.
Here is how to update the list:
1. Add all colleges to "Colleges I'm Applying To" list.
2. Click the "edit" button next to each college.
3. Click "App Type"
4. From drop down menu, select which type of application you will be using (Early Action, Regular Decision, etc)
Email Ms. Scully with any questions.
Sending SAT and ACT Scores
Reminder: If you wish to include your SAT/ACT scores with your application, you must request to have your SAT and ACT scores sent to colleges directly from the testing agency (College Board or ACT). The Counseling Office cannot send out test scores.
How to Send Scores
SAT Scores
1. Log into your College Board account.
2. Click on "My SAT".
3. Click "Send Scores" and follow the prompts to select the colleges you want to send your scores to.
ACT Scores
The ACT requires you to select colleges to send your scores to at the time you register for the test. If you need to send your scores to a college that was not on your list at the time you took the ACT, click here for instructions on how to update your request.
SAT & ACT Test Dates
Test Date: Dec. 4
Registration Deadline: Nov. 4
Colleges will receive scores by 12/30
There is one more opportunity to take the ACT.
Test Date: Dec. 11
Registration Deadline: Nov. 5
Colleges will receive scores between 12/26-2/8
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 may not be able to write the letter. Here is the link to the Brag Sheet.
For November 15th college deadlines - Brag Sheet deadline was 10/15
For December 1st college deadlines - Brag Sheet deadline is 11/15
For December 15th college deadlines - Brag Sheet deadline is 12/1
For January 1st college deadline - Brag Sheet deadline is 12/15Common Application Help
- This Common Application help sheet includes information about our school that is needed to complete the application as well as tips for filling out each section.
- The Help tab on the Common App website is the best place to go if you need assistance with a technical issue.
- Ms. Scully is available to review your application before you hit submit. She can also help you troubleshoot problems as they come up.
College Representatives Visiting HRHS
If interested in meeting with one of the representatives, students should sign up on Naviance or email Mrs. Jablonski.
Here is the schedule of visits for November.
Regis College - Nov 2nd 12:30 p.m.
Mass Maritime Academy Nov 4th 8:52 a.m.
Framingham State Nov 4th 10:00 a.m.
Umass Amherst Nov 4th 12:30 p.m.
Wentworth Institute of Technology Nov 5th 10:00 a.m.
Johnson&Wales University Nov 10th 12:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart University Nov. 17th 12:30 p.m.
Scholarship Information
Where to look for scholarships?
Students should also check the scholarship listings on Naviance and create an account on Going Merry. Scholarships will be updated on both of these websites throughout the year. Going Merry will list all of the local scholarships that are open to HRHS students.
Big Y Scholarship
Big Y offers $250,000 worth of scholarships to Massachusetts residents.
Click here to apply.
Barbara J. Sinnot - Student of Integrity Scholarship
The Student of Integrity Scholarship awards $1000 to four graduating seniors from Massachusetts. The scholarship is based on a number of factors including an essay answer to a question posed on:
- The importance of character
- Always doing the right thing
- How you encourage others to do the right thing
Click here for more information and to apply.
Application deadline: January 31, 2022
The Henry David Thoreau Foundation Scholarship
This is a scholarship (worth up to $20,000) to foster future environmental leaders. Applicants should be interested in environmental studies.
Application Criteria
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.
Application deadline: Feb 1, 2022
The Massachusetts Junior Chamber International Senate Scholarship
This is a $1000 scholarship awarded to twenty Massachusetts seniors.
Click here to apply
Application deadline: January 14, 2022
Abbott & Fenner Scholarship Program
Abbott and Fenner Business Consultants will be awarding a $1000 scholarship. To apply, students must submit a 500 to 1000 word essay on the following prompt:
"Describe your educational career and life goals. Explain your plan for achieving these goals. Include your degree/major, why you selected it, and how this degree/major will help you achieve your goals."
Click here for information on how to submit your essay.
Application deadline: June 12, 2022
Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship
Click here for more information.
Application deadline: May 2, 2022
The Smith Charities Nursing and Tradesperson Beneficiary Program
On-Line Resources
LendEDU Scholarship Guide
Fastweb Scholarship Database
Link: https://www.fastweb.com
College Confidential
MEFA
Link: https://www.mefa.org
Career Spotlight
Like Psychology?
Here are ten growing careers that require a background in Psychology…
1. Career or Vocational Counselor
Average Salary: $46,000
Help individuals make career decisions and utilize tools including personality assessments, interest inventories and other evaluation measures. They help clients work on building skills, practicing interviews, improving resumes and locating job openings.
2. School Psychologist
Average salary: $59,440
School psychologists work in educational settings to help children deal with emotional, academic and social problems. Thanks to increased interest in the mental health of children and federal education legislation, school psychology has rapidly become one of the fastest growing fields.
3. Counselor
Average Salary: $47,530
Counselors help people with a wide variety of problems, including marriage, family, emotional, educational and substance abuse issues. Nearly half of all counselors work in health care or social welfare settings, while another 11-percent work for state and local governments.
Average salary: $71,100
Genetics counselors help provide information about genetic disorders to couples and families. Genetics counselors often work with a team of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and geneticists to offer support, guidance and assistance to families who have a family member with a genetic disorder or who may be at risk of passing down an inherited disorder to their offspring.
5. Forensic Psychologist
Average Salary: $59,440
Forensic psychologists apply psychology to the fields of criminal investigation and law. Forensic psychologists often work with other experts to resolve child custody disputes, scrutinize insurance claims, perform child custody evaluations and investigate suspected child abuse.
6. Engineering Psychologist
Average Salary: $79,818
Engineering psychologists use psychology to investigate how people interact with machines and other technology. These professionals use their understanding of the human mind and behavior to help design and improve technology, consumer products, work settings and living environments. For example, an engineering psychologist might work as part of a team to redesign a product to make it more efficient and easier to use in a work situation.
7. Clinical Psychologist
Average Salary: $81,100
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose and treat clients suffering from psychological disorders. These professionals typically work in hospital settings, mental health clinics or private practices.
Average Salary: $45,000 to $80,000
Sports psychologists focus on the psychological aspects of sports and athletics, including topics such as motivation, performance and injury. The two major areas within sports psychology are centered on helping improve athletic performance or using sports to improve mental and physical health.
9. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Average Salary: $97,820
Industrial-organizational psychologists focus on workplace behavior, often using psychological principles to increase worker productivity and select employees that are best suited for particular jobs.
10. Special Education Teacher
Average Salary: $47,650
While slightly outside of a traditional psychology career, the field of special education offers a great deal of opportunity for those who enjoy helping children. Special education teachers work with students with a variety of disabilities.