CHS School Counseling Newsletter
August/September 2018 edition
Meet Your School Counseling Team!
Mr. Ryan Schuyler
Last names: A-Fo
Mrs. Debbie Huntsinger
Last names: Fr-Me
Mrs. Melicer Jones
Last names: Mi-Sp
Ms. Mallory McMullin
Last names: St-Z
Mrs. Lorrie Hummer
College Advisor
Important Notes
Scholarship Information
Scholarship Scams
Scam Warning Signs
You have to pay a fee
Money-back offers or guarantees
Credit card or bank account information required
Provides “exclusive” information
Common Scams
“Phishing”
Unsolicited emails that bear the logo of your bank or credit card
Appear legitimate but are traps to lure you into giving out your personal or account information
Never give out your Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers to unsolicited emails or calls
“Pharming”
Unsolicited emails that encourage you to visit a website or click on suspicious links
Make sure your inbox spam filters are up to date
Be careful about giving out your contact information or email address
Top 5 Scholarship Application Mistakes
Only applying for private scholarships
Most people think of scholarships as something offered by a private organization, but did you know there are federal and school scholarships as well? Don’t count those out!
Applying for too few scholarships
Getting lots of small scholarships adds up. Smaller scholarships are often less competitive, so you have better chances of winning an award
Not following instructions and other application mistakes
Always double-check your work, or even better, get someone else to look over your work. A second pair of eyes can help catch careless mistakes.
Not paying attention to deadlines
Missing a deadline is the biggest mistake you can make. Apply before the deadline hits. It really doesn’t pay to procrastinate.
Looking for scholarships for only a few weeks
Start your scholarship search as early as you can, as that means more time to complete applications and earn scholarship awards.
Trusted Scholarship Sites
Below is a list of trusted scholarship websites. Please use caution and discretion when navigating scholarship websites.
- Fastweb.com
- ScholarshipPoints.com
- Cappex.com
- Scholarships.com
- Bigfuture.collegeboard.org
- StudentScholarships.org
- ScholarshipExperts.com
- SuperCollege.com
College and Universities in Virginia: Average GPA
Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
SAT
- Scores: The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600
- Questions: SAT questions require more time to answer and understand
- Reading: The SAT has 5 reading passages
- Science: If you’re a true science-phobe, the SAT might be a better fit.
- Math: Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, and Trigonometry
- Tools: You do not get a calculator on all the math questions on the SAT
- Essay: The SAT essay section is more comprehension focused (50 minutes)
ACT
- Scores: The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36
- Questions: ACT questions tend to be more straightforward
- Reading: The ACT has 4 reading passages
- Science: The ACT has a science section that tests your critical thinking skills
- Math: Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, and Trigonometry
- Tools: You get a calculator for ALL math questions on the ACT
- Essay: The ACT wants to see how well you can evaluate and analyze complex issues (40 minutes)
Senior Checklists
Four Year College Bound
_____ Sign-Up for the appropriate testing: SAT, SAT II, ACT
- CHS School Code: 471200
_____ Application
- Once you have selected your colleges/universities, begin to search and write down the due dates of the application.
- Start your application process early! Most online applications will allow you to save your info and return later to finish it.
- Be prepared to submit your college essay with your application.
- Be prepared to pay the application fee before you submit your application (you will need a credit card to do this).
- Note: Colleges have different dates for applications and for consideration of scholarships.
Reach: ________________________________________________________________
Good fit: ______________________________________________________________
Safety: ________________________________________________________________
_____ College Essay
- College essay topics vary from school to school. Be sure to check the online application to review the essay topic.
- Always edit your application before submitting!
- Consider letting someone (a teacher, a parent, etc.) edit your essay.
_____ Fill out your Senior Profile
- School Counselors will not write a letter of recommendation without a Senior Profile on file.
_____ Letters of Recommendation
- Ask your 2-3 recommenders (teachers/school counselors/coaches/club sponsors/etc) to write letters of recommendation for you. Give them at least two weeks to write your letter.
- Give that person a copy of your senior profile so they may be able to write a comprehensive recommendation.
_____ Transcript Request
- Complete a transcript request form available in the School Counseling Office and return the form to your School Counselor.
- Complete a Germanna Community College or Rappahannock Community College Transcript Request form if you have taken dual enrollment classes. The GCC and RCC forms can be found in the counseling office.
- Attach all papers to the transcript request form and turn them into your counselor.
- *** Counselors need up to 2 weeks to process paperwork. Pace yourself and turn in paperwork in a timely manner to ensure transcripts are submitted before they are due. ***
_____ College Visits
- If possible, visit the schools you have applied to or plan to apply to. The college or university you choose will be your home for several years!
_____ NCAA Application
- If you are planning to play a sport in college, you must complete and submit the NCAA application found at www.eligibilitycenter.org.
_____ Financial Aid
- FAFSA.gov – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Begin working on the application on October 1st.
- Attend the Financial Aid Workshop at CHS on October 23, 2018 at 5:30 pm in the CHS Auditorium
_____ Scholarships
- Check the scholarship newsletter monthly (October – April) to see which scholarships you qualify for.
- http://chscounseling.blogs.ccps.us/school-counseling-newsletter/
- Most scholarships will require you to submit an essay along with the application.
- Apply for any scholarships available through the scholarship newsletter and outside sources.
_____ College Acceptances and Scholarship Award Letters
- Bring a copy of all acceptance letters you receive to the School Counseling Office and notify your counselor of the college you are going to attend. A final transcript will be forwarded to that school after graduation.
- Your acceptance letters from a school will ask for you to confirm your intention to attend and will request a room deposit (if you plan to live on campus). Once you have chosen your school, return your confirmation form and room deposit before the schools deadline.
Community College and Technical School Bound
_____ 1. Make a list of the post-secondary schools and/or apprenticeship programs that offer the occupational program or interest.
_____ 2. For community colleges, check into the Transfer Agreement if you plan to transfer to a four year school.
_____ 3. Check to make sure all entrance requirements have been met.
_____ 4. Obtain the necessary application forms and if possible, visit the specific training area and talk with the instructor.
_____ 5. Complete application forms correctly.
_____ 6. Request an official transcript from your school counseling using the “transcript request” form located in the counseling department. Counselors need up to 2 weeks to process paperwork.
_____ 7. If needed, obtain any letters of recommendation from either one of your teachers and/or school counselor. Give them at least two weeks to write your letter.
_____ 8. Check the scholarship newsletter monthly (October – April) to see which
scholarships you qualify for.
http://chscounseling.blogs.ccps.us/school-counseling-newsletter/
Most scholarships will require you to submit an essay along with the application.
Apply for any scholarships available through the scholarship newsletter and outside sources.
FAFSA Workshop 2018!
Tuesday, Oct 23, 2018, 05:30 PM
Caroline High School, Rogers Clark Boulevard, Milford, VA, USA
Armed Services Bound
_____ 1. Contact recruiter of the desired branch of service.
_____ 2. Take the ASVAB test and discuss results with the recruiter, parents, and school counselor.
_____ 3. Determine opportunities related to career interests.
Workforce Bound
_____ 1. Select a chosen field of employment. If still undecided, seek assistance through the Career Center. (Mrs. Hummer)
_____ 2. Survey possible employers.
_____ 3. Check with friends, relatives, teachers, counselors, and others for job openings.
_____ 4. Develop a resume. Use resources such as the internet, your counselor, and the career center.
_____ 5. Obtain job applications either from the internet or by visiting the company.
_____ 6. Prepare for each interview by learning information about the company and the job for which you are applying. Review interviewing skills prior to going to the interview.
_____ 7. Attend interviews dressed appropriately, use appropriate interviewing skills, and have a resume with you.
_____ 8. Follow up interviews with a note thanking the employer for the interview and a weekly telephone inquiry.
_____ 9. Continue the above steps until a job is offered.
_____ 10. If more than one job is offered, contact the employers that you do not select to express appreciation for their offer.