GUIDANCE  NEWS April 2006
Volume 11 – No. 3
COLLEGE FAIR On Friday, May 12, 2006, members of the Junior Class will have the opportunity to attend a Springtime College Fair. This year Keene State College is hosting the fair. Colleges from throughout New England, and beyond, will be represented. This is a good time to learn about various college programs and bring home college material. This is the beginning of  the process that the seniors are now completing. All Juniors are encouraged to attend this field trip; a bus will be provided. More details to follow. ATTENTION JUNIORS!!! All juniors who plan to apply to four year colleges should take the SAT and/or the ACT usually in May and/or June.				The deadline for the common scholarship application is April 14, 2006. Complete one application and submit copies for any of the following scholarships for which you are eligible: Ashburnham American Legion Women’s Auxiliary Post 142 Scholarship Ashburnham Historical Society Scholarship Ashburnham/Westminster Rotary Club Scholarships Ashburnham/Westminster Teachers Association Scholarships Jane Burgoyne Memorial Scholarship Jack Bresnahan Memorial Scholarship Forever Young Scholarship Hanna & Anton Patari Memorial Scholarship Oakmont Association Scholarships Thomas P. Sweeney Memorial Scholarships Wayne Tuominen Memorial Scholarship Westminster Firefighters Association Scholarship Westminster Police Association Scholarship Westminster Senior Citizens Friendship Club Scholarships Westminster Women’s Club Scholarships Other Scholarships (and their deadlines): April 14 – North Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors Scholarships April 17 – Leominster Art Association Scholarship April 24 – Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce Scholarship April 24 – Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce Trevor Martin Scholarship April 28 – Health Alliance 2006 Scholarship April 30   Oakmont Booster Club Athletic Scholarships May 1 – GEM Scholarship May 1 – Rena Rogers Memorial Scholarship May 5 – Henri’s School of Hair Design Scholarship May 8 – American Federation of Musicians Scholarship May 15 – Gordon & Frances King Scholarship May 15 – Massachusetts Flower Growers Scholarship May 15 – The Westminster Lions Club Scholarship May 19 – The Ruth S.T. Cotting Memorial Scholarship May 31 – Rob Roy Scholarship
DATES TO REMEMBER – SAT & ACT
SAT Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Deadline
5/6/06 -- Reasoning & Subject Tests	4/3/06	4/12/06
6/3/06 -- Reasoning & Subject Tests	4/28/06	5/10/06
ACT Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Deadline
6/10/06	5/5/06	5/19/06
				ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS The AP Exams will be given during May. They presume at least a semester of intensive college level work and enable students to obtain advanced placement and/or college credit at 2,000 colleges throughout the nation. Although it is not necessary for a student to be enrolled in an AP course in order to take an AP Exam in a particular area, students who do not take an actual AP course would be at a disadvantage when taking the exam. AP Exams are offered in Studio Art (Drawing or General Portfolio), Biology, Chemistry, English (Literature and Composition), Latin (Vergil), Mathematics (Calculus AB), Music Theory, Physics, Psychology, Spanish Language, and United States History. Most AP Examinations include multiple-choice and free-response (essay or problem-solving) sections. Multiple-choice questions require you to select the correct answer from several choices. Free-response questions require you to organize your knowledge and write clear, coherent answers. Exams are graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with grades of 3, 4, or 5 generally receiving advanced placement and appropriate credit. The cost of the exam is $82.00, but could lead to significant savings in reference to college costs. If a student is granted a full year of college credit on the basis of several AP Exams, the saving could range from $3,000 to $20,000. As colleges vary in their consideration of AP Exams, students should consult the policy of the school(s) to which they plan to apply. Advanced Placement is a program of the College Entrance Examination Board.
ATTENTION MALE STUDENTS APPROACHING THE AGE OF 18 Do not forget to register for the Selective Service System – failure to do so will affect your financial aid eligibility! You may register on line at the Selective Service System or see Mr. Denny in the Guidance Office.
SENIOR COUNTDOWN The end of the year is now drawing near. We want it to be a very happy time for you all. In order for this to happen you must stay focused in your classes and not let down. We want to be sure that you all enjoy your senior week and graduate. Remember to check with your teachers if you have any questions about your performance in their classes or any possible incompletes. If there is a problem, be sure to stay in touch with your counselor as well. We hope that you all have a wonderful and successful final quarter at Oakmont!
SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Scholarship opportunities are coming in daily. Seniors should check the Guidance bulletin board for eligibility information and deadlines. ATTENTION SENIORS!!! Guidance Needs to Know….Please stop by the Guidance Department to let us know which college you will be attending in the fall.  Please do so as soon as possible..…Thanks and congratulations!! Do not forget to let other colleges, to which you are accepted, know that you are not planning to attend.