The days of filling out a college application by hand or typewriter are virtually gone. This year our seniors can complete applications online. Some colleges will waive the application fee when the student applies electronically. Helpful hint…have the essay ready before beginning the electronic application!

Although technology continues to play an ever-expanding role in the college research and application process here at Oakmont, students and parents should feel free to come in and review these recent purchases available in the Guidance Office.

• Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges
• College Handbook 2007 – The College Board
• The Insiders Guide to the Colleges
• Choosing the Right College
• Profiles of American Colleges – Northeast Edition
• The Fiske Guide to Colleges
• Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities
• The Best 357 Colleges – The Princeton Review

These resources and our college videos can add color and dimension to the search process.

Scholarships will be posted in the Guidance Office as they are received. Most, however, become available in the spring. In the meantime seniors should check out the college application files for individual college scholarships as well as the scholarship file drawer.

Can’t find your college major at a  Massachusetts public college or university?  Use the New England Regional Student Program (RSP) and receive an out-of-state tuition break when you study certain majors at state colleges in the other New England states. Visit The New England Board of Higher Education or the Guidance Department.

All colleges use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. Some colleges may also require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile or their own financial aid application. Registration forms for the CSS/Financial Aid Profile are available in the Guidance Office or online.  FAFSA forms will be available in the Guidance Office in late November and online. Be sure to use the form for the 2007-08 school year! Please note: you may complete the CSS/Financial Aid Profile now, however, the FAFSA form CANNOT be submitted until January 1, 2004.

PLANNING FOR COLLEGE

Here are a few helpful websites to navigate in your college search process:

• The College Board – registering for the SAT and taking a practice test are just a few of the features of this extensive website.
• The Princeton Review – provides much more than test taking tips, such as researching colleges, financial aid information, and tips on applying to college.
• FastWeb – an excellent search engine for colleges and scholarships.
• Common Application – check to see which colleges accept the Common Application. This is a time saving way to apply to several member schools by filling out just one application.
• wiredscholar – a site created by Sallie Mae that provides information about paying for college.

Don’t give up your financial aid eligibility! Register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of your 18^th birthday @ www.sss.gov or at your local post office - it’s your civic and legal obligation to do so. See Mr. Denny for more information.

NCAA ATHLETICS ELIGIBILITY

If you hope to participate in the athletic programs at a Division I or II college/ university you must complete a NCAA eligibility application. It only takes a minute. Registration materials are available on-line at the NCAA Clearinghouse website. See your counselor if you have questions.

COLLEGE BOARD SERVICES STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The College Board has begun a new process for students who may require accommodations when taking the PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, and Advanced Placement Exams. The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) now requires that students and parents only need to submit the SSD form ONCE  - beginning this year - for all three exams during the student’s high school career (unless the students transfers to another school). To qualify for accommodations, such as extended time, the student must have a documented disability, and a plan already established and in use at Oakmont. The SSD Student Eligibility forms can be submitted early, prior to the student registering for any test.  Please remember to speak with your Guidance Counselor about the necessary paperwork, and to submit a paper application when registering the first time you take the PSAT, SAT or AP exams.

PSAT TURNOUT

73 juniors and 47 sophomores responded to the challenge and signed up to take the PSAT on Saturday, October 21, 2006. The new PSAT provides students with an opportunity to practice for the SAT. By the time a student is ready to take the new SAT in the spring of the junior year, he/she will be comfortable with the test format and types of questions. Junior PSAT scores are used to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The test results will arrive at Oakmont during December. The guidance counselors will distribute the scores and assist in the interpretation of the results at that time.