GUIDANCE NEWS OAKMONT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (978) 827-5907 ext. 2161

OCTOBER 2007

APPLYING TO COLLEGE The days of filling out a college application by hand are nearly gone. This year our seniors can complete applications on line. Helpful hint…have the essay ready before beginning the electronic application and have a credit card available to pay the application fee! Whether applying on-line or with a paper application, seniors must notify the guidance department. This ensures that recommendations and transcripts will be sent. 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 the many resources available in the Guidance Office. Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges College Handbook – 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 PSAT SIGN-UP Juniors and Sophomores are invited to take the PSAT on Saturday, October 20, 2007. The Preliminary SAT is a practice test for the SAT (SAT examination is required by most four-year colleges). PSAT results are not distributed to colleges. The results are provided to students, parents, and guidance counselors. The College Board offers an analysis of the student’s strengths and weaknesses. This is a wonderful way to prepare for the SAT. Juniors generally take the SAT in May and/or June and often repeat the test in the fall of senior year. Date: Saturday, October 20, 2007 Time: 7:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Cost: $23.00 Bring: Calculator and #2 pencils Sign up in the Guidance Office by October 12.

COLLEGE VISITS IN THE OAKMONT GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT Representatives from the following colleges have been scheduled to meet with students in the Guidance Department. Oct. 3 at 8:30 a.m. Suffolk University Oct. 15 at 12:30 p.m. Elms College Oct. 16 at 11:00 a.m. Westfield State College Oct. 16 at 12:30 p.m. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Oct. 19 at 8:30 a.m. Bentley College Oct. 19 at 10:00 a.m. Bryant University Oct. 24 at 9:45 a.m. Springfield College Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m. St. Michael's College Oct. 29 at 11:15 a.m. Stonehill College Oct. 30 at 8:00 a.m. Worcester State College Oct 30 at 9:00 a.m. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Oct. 31 at 8:00 a.m. Western New England College Oct. 31 at 11:15 a.m. Southern New Hampshire University Seniors … Please Note College applications are due in Guidance by Monday, December 3. There will be a $4.00 fee per application, to cover mailing costs, due when applications are submitted. 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 here. 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 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. PLANNING FOR COLLEGE Check out the Guidance homepage on the Ashburnham/Westminster School District’s website for links to sites that will provide valuable career and college information. Here are a few helpful websites to navigate in your college search process: 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. 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 BOARD SERVICES STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES The College Board has a process for students who may require accommodations when taking the PSAT, SAT Reasoning and Subject tests, and the Advanced Placement Exams. The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) requires that students and parents only need to submit the SSD form ONCE, 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 should be submitted early, prior to the student registering for any test. Please remember to speak with your Guidance Counselor about the necessary paperwork. 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 information for the CSS/Financial Aid Profile is available in Guidance or online. FAFSA forms will be available in the Guidance Office in early December and online (not fafsa.com). Be sure to use the form for the 2008-2009 school year! Please note: you may complete the CSS/Financial Aid Profile now, however, the FAFSA form CANNOT be submitted until January 1, 2007. ATTENTION – MALE STUDENTS Don’t give up your financial aid eligibility! Register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of your 18th birthday online or at your local post office - it’s your civic and legal obligation to do so. See Mr. Denny for more information.

Attention Parents of Seniors Financial Aid Night December 6, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Oakmont Auditorium Review the Federal Student Aid application form, called the FAFSA, with an expert advisor from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority and learn about alternative methods for financing higher education!

CONTACT US:
PHONE (978) 827-5907 ext. 2161
Mr. Robert Denny (A-F) ext. 2164
Ms. Suzanne Saven (G-M) ext. 2159
Ms. Carla Roy (N-Z) ext. 2163
Mrs. Wendy LeBlanc ext. 2174

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