GUIDANCE NEWS

OAKMONT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

VOLUME 11, NO. 1

(978) 827-5907 ext. 2161

APPLYING TO COLLEGE

  

PSAT TURNOUT

GOES HIGH-TECH

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

RESOURCES, RESOURCES, RESOURCES

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 2006 – 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 DVD’s and videos can add color and dimension to the search process.

Attention Parents of Seniors

Financial Aid Night

     December 1, 2005 at 7:00 P.M.

Oakmont Auditorium

Review the federal application form, called the FAFSA, with an expert advisor from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority and learn about alternative methods for financing higher education!
  78 juniors and 42 sophomores responded to the challenge and signed up to take the PSAT on Saturday, October 15, 2005. 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 the first week of December.  The guidance counselors will distribute the scores and assist in the interpretation of the results at that time.

COLLEGE VISITS IN THE OAKMONT GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

Representatives from the following colleges have been scheduled to meet with students in the Guidance Department.

Please note

College applications are due in Guidance by Thursday, December 1.

There will be a $4.00 fee per application to cover mailing costs.

SENIOR OPPORTUNITIES

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.

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.  See your counselor if you have questions.

WANT A TUITION BREAK?

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 their website or the Guidance Department.

PLANNING FOR COLLEGE

Check out the Guidance homepage.

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 – Princeton Review’s website that 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.
  • The 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.
  • College Answer – a site created by Sallie Mae that provides information about paying for college.
  • College News – links to more than 400 campus newspapers across the country.
  

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 last 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.

FINANCIAL AID

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 Guidance or online at The College Board. 

FAFSA forms will be available in the Guidance Office in late November and online at FAFSA.  Be sure to use the form for the 2006-07 school year! Please note: you may complete the CSS/Financial Aid Profile now, however, the FAFSA form CANNOT be submitted until January 1, 2006.

ATTENTION – MALE STUDENTS

Don’t give up your financial aid eligibility!  Register with the selective service bureau within 30 days of your 18th 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.

 

 PHONE (978) 827-5907 ext: 2161
  Mr. Robert Denny        ext: 2164
  Ms Amy Dubovick      ext: 2163
  Ms Suzanne Saven    ext: 2159 

 

 

 

Back to Guidance main page                                         Posted October 2005