COUNSELOR CONNECTION
La Canada High School
DAILY LCHS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Can't hear the PA Announcements in class? Did you know that all of the announcements are posted on the school website? Just go to the Student Portal on the upper left corner of the website, then "PA Announcements" on the right gold bar. (Or, you can click here for the link.) Stay informed and never miss an announcement again!
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
LCHS Students in Action:
See what our LCHS students are up to this week!
Today, October 18th: Speech and Debate Follies 6:00-8:00 p.m. LCHS Auditorium
Friday, October 21st: Comedy Sportz 7:00-9:00 p.m. LCHS Auditorium
Sunday, October 23rd-Tuesday, October 25th: Jake's Women 7:00-9:00 p.m. LCHS Auditiorium
Athletics at Home This Week:
Tuesday:
3:30 PM Girls Tennis vs Monrovia
3:30 PM Boys Water Polo vs San Marino
4:45 PM Girls Volleyball vs Blair
Thursday:
5 PM Boys Water Polo vs Temple City AT PCC
Friday:
3 PM Boys Water Polo vs Blair
Mock ACT and Mock SAT opportunity at LCHS!
Princeton Review is partnering with LCHS to host a Mock SAT and Mock ACT on November 12th. Students can sign up now with Mrs. Erickson at break or lunch until November 4th. Cost is $20.00. Click here for more information.
Local Community Service Opportunity
The Stewardship Leaders Volunteer Docent Program is starting in mid-October. Participants will attend five weekend training sessions (about 4 hours each time) to become qualified to lead tours in special natural areas and parks in eastern LA County. The parks are part of the Emerald Necklace, an inter-connected network of multi-benefit trails, parks, and greenways based on LA County's waterways. These places are being restored and revived with the goal of improving habitat for wildlife and native plants, providing healthy spaces for recreation, and preserving and enhancing water conservation and storm water management. Click here for more info: Stewardship Leaders and Stewardship Leaders Volunteer Docent Program
Math Tutoring Available
Math support is available on campus every Wednesday after school by Ms. DiFiore in Room 213. (2:45-4:00). Tutoring is open for all math levels.
SAT/ACT Testing Dates
Click below for important SAT and ACT dates and deadlines.
2016-2017 SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
Freshman Forum
Save the Date Freshmen!!
Your Link Crew Leaders are busy planning both a Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest and a Baking Contest for you on Friday, October 28th from 3:30-6:15 right here in the LCHS Auditorium. After the contest we will be watching a "scary" Halloween themed movie in the auditorium. Hope to see all freshmen there!
Follow Link Crew this year!
Instagram: @LCHSlinkcrew / Snapchat: LClinkcrew / Twitter: LCLinkcrew
Remind 101 Counseling Text Reminders
- If you would like to receive text reminders and valuable information from your counselor this year, text @yourcouns to 81010 to join the Freshman Forum Remind 101.
SOPHOMORE SCENE
Remind 101 Counseling Text Reminders
- If you would like to receive text reminders and valuable information from your counselor this year, text @yourcoun to 81010 to join the Sophomore Scene Remind 101.
JUNIOR JUNCTION
Remind 101 Counseling Text Reminders
- If you would like to receive text reminders and valuable information from your counselor this year, text @juniorjun to 81010 to join the Junior Junction Remind 101.
SENIOR STOP
Important Dates and Events:
October 1 (ongoing): FAFSA opens online→ www.fafsa.ed.gov
October 19: STEP UC/CSU Application Workshop (see details below)
October 22: Performing and Visual Arts Colleges Fair at UCLA 1:00-3:30 p.m. Click here for more information and Click here to register.
October 26 & 27: “Application Free Time” during STEP in the IRC Chromebox Lab
November 1: Early Action and Early Decision deadlines. Be sure to track your application deadlines carefully.
November 2 & 3: STEP Scholarships and Financial Aid workshops
November 4: LAST DAY TO SEE YOUR COUNSELOR TO REQUEST A COUNSELOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION/TRANSCRIPTS/ACTIVATE YOUR COLLEGE LIST IN NAVIANCE
November 30: UC Applications Due
November 30: CSU Applications Due
December 1: USC Scholarship Deadline
December 1: Last day to opt-out of Cal Grant GPA submission (see details below)
Upcoming College Visits*:
October 19: Ithaca College
October 19: University of Toronto
October 19: Tulane University
October 21: Savannah College of Art and Design
October 21: Drexel University
October 21: Hamilton College
October 24: Whitman College
October 24: University of Wisconsin, Madison
October 24: St. Mary’s College of California
October 25: Arizona State University
October 25: Washington College
October 25: Willamette University
*For the extended list of visits, please log-in to your Naviance account. Visit sign-ups will take place through Naviance. Please remember to ask your teacher in advance, prior to the visit. When you sign up on Naviance you will be prompted to print a permission slip, available in the document library. You MUST bring the signed permission slip with you to the visit in order for it to be an excused absence.
STEP College Advisory Topic for this Week: UC/CSU Application Workshop
This week, the counselors will host a STEP class on Wednesday only. Students will have free time to work on any and all parts of their UC/CSU applications. Counselors will be available for questions/support. Come ready to work and make sure you know your login information.
If interested in attending, please sign up in Naviance by clicking the upcoming college visits link and sign up as you would if attending a college visit: Naviance → College Tab → College Visits → then select the STEP workshop and sign-up! Space is limited. The STEP workshops meet in the IRC 1 Chromebox lab.
Remaining STEP College Advisory Workshops are as follows:
October 19: UC and CSU Application Workshop: Free-time to work on your apps and get your questions answered!
October 26: Free-time to work on ANY portion of your apps and get your questions answered!
October 27: Free-time to work on ANY portion of your apps and get your questions answered!
November 2: Scholarships and Financial Aid
November 3: Scholarships and Financial Aid
FAFSA Submission Deadlines
From the FAFSA Website (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
Deadlines 2017-2018
State Deadline
California - For many state financial aid programs – March 2, 2017 (this is the deadline for FAFSA submission with Cal Grant consideration. Students are encouraged to apply no later than this date).
Federal Deadline
Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2018.
Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 15, 2018. Students are encouraged to submit early (no later than March 2), as federal deadlines fall far later than the state deadline.
College Deadline
Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date the college receives your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed. Some colleges will be looking for FAFSA submission as early as October/November. When in doubt, submit early.
Additional Financial Aid Information/Tips
Cal Grant also requires submission of a school certified GPA by March 2, 2017 (LCHS does this automatically → for more info, see below). For additional community college Cal Grants - deadline September 2, 2017 (date postmarked).
If you are a non-citizen holding a Social Security card issued through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or for some other work authorization, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application found at www.caldreamact.org. Do NOT fill out a FAFSA. Contact the California Student Aid Commission (www.csac.ca.gov) or your financial aid administrator for more information.
Additional forms may be required (such as the CSS Profile → more information below).
Applicants are encouraged to keep a record of their submission by printing out their online FAFSA confirmation page or obtaining proof of mailing the FAFSA.
With the implementation of Assembly Bill 2160, California public high schools are required to submit a Cal Grant high school Grade Point Average (GPA) for all graduating seniors, unless the student has opted-out of the submission process.
Cal Grant gives funds to every eligible senior student who meets the requirement. A Cal Grant pays for tuition, room and board, or books and other supplies for California colleges. Cal Grant applicants must also file the FAFSA or the California Dream Act application between October 1 and March 2.
If you DO NOT wish to have your student’s information submitted electronically, you must complete the opt-out form (attached below) and return to:
Beth Waas, Registrar
La Canada High School
4463 Oak Grove Drive
La Canada, CA 91011
This form must be returned by December 1, 2016. After that date, the information for all Seniors, excluding those who opt-out, will be submitted electronically to the California Student Aid Commission for Cal Grant consideration. Access the form here: Opt-Out FormCSS Profile
From the CollegeBoard CSS Profile Presentation (http://css.collegeboard.org/)
WHAT is the PROFILE?
The PROFILE is an online application that collects information used by certain colleges and scholarship programs to award institutional aid funds. (All Federal funds are awarded based on the FAFSA, available after Oct. 1 at fafsa.ed.gov.)
Some colleges may require additional information, such as tax returns or an institutional application. If your parents are divorced, some colleges will also require your noncustodial parent to complete the Noncustodial PROFILE.
WHEN do I file the PROFILE?
You may file the PROFILE as early as Oct. 1, 2016. However, you should file no later than two weeks before the EARLIEST priority filing date specified by your colleges or programs. WHO must file the PROFILE?
Check your colleges’/programs’ information to determine whether they require the PROFILE. A list of colleges that require the PROFILE from at least some of their applicants can be found by clicking on Participating Colleges, Universities, and Scholarship Programs on the PROFILE Homepage.
Naviance Reminders: Counselor Meeting Checklist
Students needing counselor letters of rec, transcripts and/or a secondary school report, should use the “Counselor Meeting Checklist” as their guide for the final college meeting they have with their counselor. This is the meeting in which your counselor will be activating your FINAL list of schools, which allows the teacher and counselor to send supporting documents to colleges on your behalf (transcripts, letters of rec., school profile and counselor reports). This is also the time when students will be paying for transcripts. All items on the checklist must be complete at the time of your meeting (with the exception of college essays and your actual application--you can still be working on those). Students can find the checklist by following these steps:
Log into Family Connection. http://connection.naviance.com/lchsca
Read the “Welcome Message”
Click on “Document Library” on the right hand side of the homepage
Open the “College Forms” folder and print the “counselor meeting checklist” as well as the “instruction sheets” and “transcript request form.” The checklist should be complete PRIOR to your final college counseling meeting, and you will bring the checklist and all corresponding documents with you to your meeting, including the transcript form and transcript fees.
Any time you need to update your final college list AFTER your official meeting, you must make an individual follow-up appointment with your counselor. It is very important to alert your counselor to any changes, as this is the list that both counselors and teachers use when sending your materials. Do the best you can to have a final list when you come in; however, please know that we understand that changes of heart take place and we are happy to adjust your list accordingly.
Meetings for requesting letters of rec. from the counselor must take place by Nov. 4th. Note: if you have an early deadline, the final day to see your counselor was October 14th. If you missed the deadline, please make an appointment ASAP using the Sign-Up Genius links below.
Zooi A-Cha link:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090E4CAFA92AA4FC1-senior
Hays Che-Ga link:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090F45ACA923A0FD0-senior1
Kukta Ge-Kh link:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090F45ACA923A0FD0-senior2
Maljian Ki-L link:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090F45ACA923A0FD0-senior3
Rogers M-Pa link:
www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F45ACA923A0FD0-senior
Lauxen Pe-Sm link:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090F45ACA923A0FD0-senior4
Basmajian Sn-Z link:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090F45ACA923A0FD0-senior5
Remind 101 Counseling Text Reminders
If you would like to receive text reminders and valuable information from your counselor this year, text @seniorstop to 81010 to join the Senior Stop Remind 101.
College/Career Resources
Handouts from the Oct. 12th Financial Aid Night: To download the handouts, please click here.
Dos and Don'ts when using the "Additional Information" part of the college application: https://jlvcollegecounseling.com/2016/10/10/additional-information-on-college-applications/
“8 Tips for Crafting Your Best College Essay”
Retrieved from: Big Future by The College Board
(Adapted from The College Application Essay by Sarah Myers McGinty)
1. Get started by brainstorming
Starting the essay can be the hardest part. Brainstorming about your personality traits and defining your strengths is a good place to begin.
2. Let your first draft flow
After you've gathered your notes, create an outline to organize your essay and decide where you want examples to appear. Now you're ready to write your first draft. Don't worry about making it perfect. Just get your ideas flowing and your thoughts down on paper. You'll fix mistakes and improve the writing in later drafts.
3. Develop three essay parts
Introduction: One paragraph that introduces your essay.
Body: Several paragraphs explaining the main idea with examples.
Conclusion: One paragraph that summarizes and ends the essay.
4. Be specific
Give your essay focus by figuring out how the question relates to your personal qualities and then taking a specific angle. Make sure everything you write supports that viewpoint.
5. Find a creative angle
Katherine, a college freshman, had to describe why she would make a good Reed College student for that school's essay. "I am a huge fan of Beat Generation writers, and many of the West Coast Beat writers attended Reed," she says. "So I related my love for writing and the Beats to why I would be a great fit for the school."
6. Be honest
The essay question might ask you about your best quality, an experience that shaped you or the reason you want to attend a certain college. Don't be tempted to write what you think the admission officers want to hear; answer the question honestly.
7. Get feedback
Show your draft to family, friends or teachers. Ask if it makes sense and sounds like you. Consider their feedback and make changes, but keep your voice. High school senior Dana warns, "Make sure the essay is in your own voice. If at some point you read over your essay and you hear your mother's voice, something is wrong."
8. Proofread and make corrections
Read your essay over carefully to check for typos and spelling and grammar errors. It's best to ask someone who hasn't seen it yet to take a look as well. They're likely to see mistakes you won't catch.
For more thoughts on college essays, please see the following articles/videos:
http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/tip-sheet-essay/?_r=0
http://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/college-essay
http://college.usatoday.com/2014/10/23/9-essay-writing-tips-to-wow-college-admissions-officers/
http://wiselikeus.com/collegewise/2011/10/a-college-essay-checklist.html
What is the difference between Early Decision vs. Early Action?
Early Decision is a binding application contract. If you are admitted under Early Decision, you are agreeing to attend that school no matter what. It is important to think carefully about this decision. Before applying ED, you should have fully researched all aspects of the school, including their financial aid information. If after all of that, you have no doubt that College A is your #1 choice over Colleges B-Z, then Early Decision might be right for you. Applying ED should be a family decision. An ED contract is required. If, like the great majority of students, you have a top choice school but cannot seem to rule out wanting to attend other schools on your list, then it may be better to look at Early Action or Regular Decision options as you continue with your college research. Deadlines for ED and EA are earlier than Regular Decision deadlines, often occurring in November (but sometimes October, so check your dates carefully!).
Please see the following handouts/articles for more information:
“Should I Apply Early Decision?” From Tufts University
“Should You Apply Early Action vs Early Decision?” From Princeton Review
Financial Aid-Changes to the FAFSA Process for 2017–18:
SUBMIT A FAFSA EARLIER: Students will be able to submit a 2017–18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit their FAFSAs as early as October 1 every year. Be on the lookout for "Financial Aid Night" hosted at LCHS in October- Date and Time TBD.
USE EARLIER INCOME AND TAX INFORMATION: Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students will be required to report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017–18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income and tax information, rather than their 2016 income and tax information. For more details and to sign up for a FAFSA ID number: https://fafsa.ed.gov/
UC Preview Days and CSU Preview Days
Applying to a UC or Cal State? A great way to get to know these campuses is to visit! Please use links below to get information on tours, open houses and preview days. Some preview days are scheduled as early as October 8th, so don't wait!
Past Presentations and Handouts:
Facing the College Application Process.
Facing the College Application Process Parent Presentation.
Instructions for Completing Naviance for Counselor Letters of Rec
Instructions for Completing Naviance for CSU/UC/Community College/Non Letter of Rec Schools Only
Financial Aid Planning
Everything You Need to Know About the 2017-2018 FAFSA- This blog post addresses questions such as “Will state and college financial aid deadlines be earlier since the FAFSA is launching earlier?” and “Will I receive financial aid offers earlier if I apply earlier?” and “How will I know what colleges to list on the FAFSA if I haven’t decided which colleges I’ll be applying to?”
For additional information, resources, and tips regarding financial aid, please check out these links provided by College Board: Financial Aid Essentials Net price calculators
College Planning
Half of "Top 100" National Liberal Arts Colleges Do Not Require ACT/SAT
College Applications
College application season is here! Commonly used websites include:
New application platform available for some schools: http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
Testing
If you are applying to even one private school or out-of-state school, the GREAT majority of those schools will want a counselor letter of rec, a.k.a. the "Secondary School Report". This is in ADDITION to teacher letters of rec. Make contact with your teachers and counselor early, especially if you are applying Early Action or Early Decision. It is imperative that your Naviance account is up-to-date. Be sure to finish any summer tasks that were assigned during the Junior College Project.
Know your deadlines! Naviance is a great tracking tool. Be sure to use your Google calendar to track important events as well. Colleges have deadlines ranging from October 1 through May 31, and everywhere in between. It is your responsibility to know your deadlines.
Financial Aid-Changes to the FAFSA Process for 2017–18:
SUBMIT A FAFSA EARLIER: Students will be able to submit a 2017–18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit their FAFSAs as early as October 1 every year. Be on the lookout for "Financial Aid Night" hosted at LCHS in October- Date and Time TBD.
USE EARLIER INCOME AND TAX INFORMATION: Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students will be required to report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017–18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income and tax information, rather than their 2016 income and tax information. For more details and to sign up for a FAFSA ID number: https://fafsa.ed.gov/
College Essay Writing Resources
Think about your college essays. Brainstorm ideas and look for common themes so that you do not reinvent the wheel with every essay. The earlier you begin your essays, the better. It allows for a calmer approach and more time to proofread and gather input from teachers and friends.
COUNSELING CORNER
Resources:
How to raise successful kids- without over-parenting (TED Talk by Julie Lythcott-Haims) With passion and wry humor, the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford makes the case for parents to stop defining their children's success via grades and test scores. Instead, she says, they should focus on providing the oldest idea of all: unconditional love.
From LCF Community Prevention Council: "The Small Book of Big Issues"
Books by Challenge Success and Its Founders
Registration 2017-18
Save the Date Reminder - August 7, 2017 for grades 12-10, August 8, 2017 for grade 9.
Links to websites are offered for your convenience in accessing related information, but do not constitute an endorsement of the website or its content. LCHS takes no responsibility for the views, content or accuracy of the information presented by an external website.