Locust Valley High School
Winter Counselor Newsletter Part II
Career in the Spotlight
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts are the people responsible for creating and implementing strategies around a company's computer network. They can work for a variety of industries, including nonprofits and government agencies. It is an incredibly important field in today's business environment, since most organizations rely heavily on information systems in their daily work.
Career Growth: It is projected that the demand for information security analysts will grow 31% by 2028. The demand will grow because more organizations will need people to create secure and innovative solutions to protect their information from hackers. Organizations will also need these people to implement a security strategy for their networks.
Pay: The latest data shows that the average annual pay for an information security analyst is $98,350.
Education Requirements: If you're interested in becoming an information security analyst, most jobs require a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field.
Major in the Spotlight
Actuarial Science
Actuaries are trained in mathematics, statistics and economic techniques that allow them to quantify risk. They use their skills to analyze and solve business and social problems related to insurance, pensions, Social Security, employee benefits and related fields. New and ever-changing health care laws and financial regulations help drive companies' needs for their services, and their usefulness is well compensated: Actuaries enjoy a median salary of $101,566 a year.
Expect your graphing-calculator usage to be exponentially higher in college. You likely already warmed it up in high school with advanced placement calculus or statistics. In college, you can expect to take micro- and macroeconomics, probability and risk theory courses, too.
College in the Spotlight
SUNY Plattsburgh
- Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner - The first and only SUNY with a real-time financial trading lab built into the business curriculum.
- Center for Cybersecurity & Technology - An on-campus “hackerspace” with internships for Computer Science, Computer Security, IT, and MIS.
- The Only Five-Year Combined Education Programs in SUNY - Earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Childhood/Special Education (birth-grade 6) or Adolescence Education (grades 7-12), with field experience as early as first semester, freshman year!
- 55+ STEM Offerings - Biomedical Sciences, Medical Technology, Robotics (the only program in SUNY), pre-professional health tracks like Pre-Med, Pre-Physical Therapy, and more!
Use their program finder to explore majors: https://www.plattsburgh.edu/programs/index.html?utm_campaign=ADM%3ESchool%20Counselor%3EUnique%20Offerings&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
2020-21 Course Selection
Realizing the importance that course selection plays in our students’ lives, we want to make sure that our students and families have all of the necessary information as next year’s schedule is planned.
From February 3rd to February 12th, students worked with their counselors to choose their courses for next year using the course planning sheets below.
If you have not done so already, please take some time to review the Course Selection Guide 2020-2021 with your child. Your input is essential in helping to create the best possible academic program for your child. You can access the Course Selection Guide on the Locust Valley High School’s website or by going to the following link: https://tinyurl.com/LVHS20-21.
In March, you will receive a letter of verification listing all of the courses your child has chosen for next year, that you will be asked to review and approve.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s counselor.
What Are We Learning?
On January 29th, Ms. Villa participated in a "Reimagining Readiness: Preparing Students for Life After Graduation" think tank session. School District teachers and administrators from all over Long Island came together to discuss what students need to learn in our K-12 schools in order to be successful after high school. Ms. Reno, along with 2 high school students, attended a follow-up discussion at BOCES on February 10th.
On January 31st, Ms. Reno and Ms. Dickstein attended a conference with college admissions representatives, "Where Both Sides of the Desk Meet: Professional Development for College Admission Counselors and High School Counselors." This conference featured discussions between high school counselors and university admissions counselors, and included strategies on how to support students and families with college planning and communication.
School Counselors: Building Better Humans And Creating Positive Change
February 3rd to 7th was dedicated to the tremendous impact that school counselors have in helping students achieve school success. This week we celebrated counselors as a part of National School Counseling Week 2020!
Junior College Workshops
All juniors should be working toward completing the “To-Do’s & Tasks” in Naviance.
Flipping the Script: Why it's important to know yourself before you get to know colleges
February/March Tasks
Update Naviance as you recieve admissions decisions
Check College Portals
Check your email daily! Colleges will email you about the status of your application
Beware of senioritis! Remember that your third quarter grades could move you to the top of a wait list in May or June! Remember, too, that colleges can change their minds and rescind their offers, once they have received your final transcript
Juniors!
Conduct a college search to identify schools that match your interests and needs. Add to “Colleges I’m Thinking About” in Naviance
Update Resume in Naviance
Subscribe to the Class of 2021 Remind going to: https://www.remind.com/join and use the class code: ddag823
Complete “Post-Secondary Planning Survey” in Naviance
Schedule Post-Secondary Planning Meeting with your counselor
Visit colleges during Winter Break
Choose senior classes wisely
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if you have the potential of being a recruited athlete
Seek out Summer opportunities
Begin College Applications (ie. Common App, SUNY, Coalition, CUNY, School Specific)
Give some consideration to applying to college under one of the “early” options
Sophomores!
- Log into Naviance
- Complete Do What You Are Assessment in Naviance
- Review Questions to Ask on a College Visit to prepare for our College Trip on March 2nd
Freshman!
- Log into Naviance
- Track your activities on your resume
- Complete the Learning Styles Inventory and/or the Career Interest Profiler Assessment in Naviance
SAT and ACT Preparation
If you have not done so already, you are encouraged to begin mapping out your plan to take the SAT and ACT. Although 10th graders will most likely not take the SAT or ACT until next year, it is important to get a head start on mapping out your plan and preparing. We believe that students should consider taking both the SAT and ACT at least once. Colleges are giving you two chances to be successful and knowing early which exams highlight your strengths is imperative. Students are strongly encouraged to register early for all exams, as testing centers become full very quickly. Students who receive free/reduced lunch should go to the Counseling Office for a fee waiver for these exams. Information for students who receive testing accommodations can be found at: http://www.lvcsd.k12.ny.us/parents/septa Locust Valley High School will be offering review sessions for the Spring SAT and ACT. Review sessions are designed for 11th grade students who will be taking the exams this spring. 10th grade students who would like to get an early start on preparing for the exams are also encouraged to attend. Review sessions will help you to identify your strengths and the areas in which you may need to focus prior to taking the exams. SAT Preparation Designed for students who are preparing to take the SAT on May 2, 2020 and/or June 6, 2020 Dates: Monday through Thursday from March 2nd to April 30th Times offered: 6:45 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: High School Classroom (TBD) Cost: Free Register: https://tinyurl.com/LVHS2020SAT Registration deadline: Wednesday, February 26th ACT Preparation Designed for students who are preparing to take the ACT on April 4, 2020 Dates: March 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, and April 1 Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Location: High School Classroom (TBD) Cost: $300 Register: www.methodtestprep.com/locustvalley Registration deadline: Friday, February 28
Please note that registration for these review sessions does NOT register you for the SAT/ACT exams. You must go to www.collegeboard.org to register for the SAT exam and www.act.org to register for the ACT exam.
8 Facebook Pages and Groups to Help With College Prep
Have you ever had a question about college prep and there was no one to ask? Do you wonder what other parents have done in your situation? Is there a question about paying for college that you simply can’t find the answer to?
Odds are, you can find most answers to your unanswered questions on Facebook (or at least a suggestion on who to ask). From parenting a teen through the college process, paying for college, financial aid, scholarships and connecting with college parents, you can find groups or pages to help.
See full article here: https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2020/01/29/8-facebook-pages-and-groups-to-help-with-college-prep/
New Club Alert: Global Student Society (GSS)
The main goal of the Global Students Society (GSS) is to promote cultural empowerment and cultural awareness. The club offers an understanding environment for discussion of global issues including: gender equality in America and globally, environmental activism and its relationship to the global economy, and personal rights and safety in America and globally. Students will have a place to learn about current events all around the world and experience the music, art, literature, and personal experiences of different cultures from club members. The Global Students Society held a hunger banquet to fight world hunger on February 12th.
New members are always welcome. See Dr. Comerford for more information.
The Common App 2020-2021 Essay Prompts
The Common App first-year essay prompts will remain the same for 2020-2021
https://www.commonapp.org/blog/common-app-2020-2021-essay-prompts
Alumni Day is More than Just a Reunion
Alumni Contacts
Do you have questions about a college you are interested in but don’t want to ask them directly?We have contact details for recent LVHS graduates at many colleges and they are willing to talk to you directly! View the list here: Alumni Contacts. Come to the Counseling Office for more information.
Harvard Interviewer Speaks to LVHS Seniors About The How, What and Why of a College Interview
Going to a college admissions interview can be daunting even for the most qualified candidates. To give Locust Valley students the best possible chance of admission to their top choice schools, the high school counseling department brought in an experienced interviewer from Harvard University to share secrets of the perfect college interview.
Nanette Bischoff, president of the Harvard Club of Long Island and interviewer for more than 20 years, spoke with interested seniors in December, detailing what makes her recommend a student for admission after a personal interview. She explained that the experience is similar to a first date, sharing the most interesting aspects of one another’s lives. She said she often asks admissions candidates what they are watching on Netflix, what they do after school or what motivates them.
Ms. Bischoff emphasized that the college interview is intended to uncover traits about a student that were not highlighted in the admissions application and transcript. She said the interviewer is looking for “that extra thing” or the trait that makes you shine.
One example of elaborating on information the school already has is that if an application mentions fundraising activities, the interview is an opportunity to discuss how that fundraising made an impact on the community. Interviewers are also interested in knowing if a prospective student has overcome adversity, and if so, how it affected them.
Ms. Bischoff encouraged the Locust Valley students to ask questions at their interviews, showing that they are curious and interested in learning more about the school, while also demonstrating knowledge of the school and the specific characteristics that attract them to attending.
Class of 2020 valedictorian Michelle Hsu said Ms. Bischoff’s presentation helped her understand what to expect at a college interview. “You get to talk about something that you want to talk about,” she said. Michelle added that she feels more comfortable now knowing that the college interview is more of a conversation, rather than an interrogation.
Michelle will likely remember many of the tips she heard, including to greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, to be authentic and to email a thank-you note following the interview.
Incoming Grade 9 Orientation
College & Career Information Night
What Do These College Admissions Buzz Words Really Mean?
Passion: It’s the buzzword in admissions offices. Colleges want to see a strong interest in something, a devotion and a commitment to following it through.
Responsibility: This is where internships and work experience work in a student’s favor. Colleges are gratified to know that students maintained a job and performed well in school, showed up for work on time and could be counted on in a professional setting. These are signs of maturity and independence that are highly valued.
Enthusiasm: Enthusiasm stands out, particularly since so many 17 and 18 year olds have laissez-faire attitudes. Students who demonstrate that they care about something, community service, a sport, youth group, etc. are likely to bring that same enthusiasm to a campus.
Leadership: Leadership skills are life skills and will always be a prized asset. But not everyone is meant to be a leader. For instance, the swim team member who has given his or her all, gone to 5 a.m. practices, swim meets after school and been an active team player in a very demanding sport probably hasn’t had the opportunity to be a leader. Colleges recognize this.
Initiative: High school can be a great time to think outside the box, take a risk, start a club or an activity. Colleges like students who create something from nothing, focus their passion on a goal and work hard to attain it. Again, these are life skills that will benefit the student, and the college will see them as benefiting them as well.
Maturity: Students who communicate their naiveté through their essays, an interview or even through their letters of recommendation suggest to colleges that they may not be ready and it may be held against them.
Character: Colleges want to know what you’re made of. They really want to find out what you care about, what’s important to you and what you’re thinking about. How you choose to spend your time outside of school, particularly your involvement is a great way to demonstrate your character and your personality.
College Admissions Strategies with Lee Bierer. Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte: lee@collegeadmissionsstrategies.com; www.collegeadmissionsstrategies.com
#NACACreads: Boosting Student Happiness
Student mental health has been a hot topic among educators for the last decade or so. But, too often, efforts to address this important issue have centered on students who are already struggling. In contrast, When Likes Aren’t Enough: A Crash Course in the Science of Happiness, focuses on prevention. The book, our latest #NACACreads selection, shines a light on positive psychology strategies that can be used by all students to increase their sense of well-being.
College admission professionals from around the globe gathered on Twitter Wednesday to discuss the book and its implications for those in the college admission field. Developing healthy habits, learning from setbacks, and keeping social media in perspective can help make the transition to college a little smoother, Bono said. “Let’s stop the narrative of college as the ‘best four years of your life,’” tweeted Bono, a psychologist and lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis (MO). “Yes, college is a wonderful time, but it’s also a time to develop psychological strength to endure life’s inevitable adversity. Let’s help students keep expectations realistic.”
The happiest students are those who understand life includes ups and downs, he said. And happiness comes with its own rewards. “When we are happier, we work harder, our ideas become more creative, we develop stronger relationships with others, and we rebound more quickly from adversity…all of which keeps us on track toward our goals and positions us for success,” Bono noted.
View a transcript of the chat and learn more about the book!
Admitted writer/editor Mary Stegmeir welcomes additional comments and story ideas at mstegmeir@nacacnet.org.
Evaluating a Financial Aid Letter: What’s Usually Missing
Financial aid awards are often confusing. Plenty of colleges and universities intentionally make financial aid awards hard to decipher to trick families into thinking that their institutions are being generous even when they aren’t. Obfuscation is an effective way to keep parents from effectively evaluating a financial aid award.
Learn how you can easily analyze a financial aid letter. View the article here.
College Senior Offers Financial Advice to Incoming Freshman
It’s no secret that a college education is expensive. But there are ways to keep costs as low as possible. Laura Uzes, a senior at UCLA, shared her tried-and-true advice for keeping college costs down with Homeroom, the US Department of Education’s blog.
High up among her tips: planning ahead.
View the full article here.
Interested in BOCES? Make Your Passion Your Career!
LVHS Career Fair 2020
The Locust Valley High School Career Fair provides an opportunity for students to explore a variety of career options. If you would like to be part of this event on March 12, 2020 and share your career with LVHS students, please let us know. Click on the flyer for more information.
Interested professionals can fill out this form.
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020, 08:30 AM
LVHS Gymnasium
Save the Date! 2020 LVHS College Fair
Thursday, Apr 2, 2020, 05:30 PM
LVHS Gymnasium
Our Team!
Counselors: Jaimie Dickstein, Jillian Celli, Faith Keenan, Kelly Reno
Email: mvilla@lvcsd.k12.ny.us
Website: http://www.lvcsd.k12.ny.us/our_schools/guidance_HS
Phone: 5162775130