GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
Mr. Thomas Reinisch, Director, Counselor, Grade 12
Mr. David Doemel, Counselor, Grades 9 & 11
Ms. Margaret Sickles, Counselor, Grades 6, 7, 8 & 10
Mrs. Linda McGraw, Guidance Secretary

IMPORTANT DATES THIS MONTH
Tuesday, 5/7 – Deadline to register for June SAT Exam held on Saturday, 6/1
Friday, 5/3 – Deadline to register for June ACT Exam held on Saturday, 6/8
Saturday, 5/4 – SAT Exam
Thursday 5/16 – Mothers’ Day Graduation Review – 7:00pm (Rain Date – Friday, 5/17)
Graduation Liturgy – Saturday, 5/18 – St. Pius X – 7:00pm
Senior High Graduation – Sunday, 5/19 – “Ned McGraw” Gymnasium – 1:30pm
Friday, 5/24 – St. La Salle Day – No School
Monday, 5/27 – Memorial Day – No School

ATTENTION SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS

Summer online classes in Psychology and Sociology are now available through Hudson Valley Community College “College in the High School Program”.  These online classes will begin on Monday, May 20th and will conclude on Friday, August 9th.  If you have any questions or would like to register for classes, please call Mr. Ille at ext. 167.  The last day to register for class is Friday, May 24th.

ATTENTION CLASS OF 2014

It’s not too early to begin the college process. In fact, whether you are aware of it or not, you have started the process by taking the PSAT back in October.  As you review those scores with Mr. Doemel and your family, you are underway and have been. There are a few things that we need for you to come in and discuss.  Even better, let’s have the family come in to discuss the process and ways to improve your college preparation and selection process.

Let’s move forward about putting a plan in place!

Step #1) Sign up to take college admission tests in the spring.  Whether you take the SAT, the ACT, or even better, take BOTH,  it is very important that you take an exam.  Your scores may act as a baseline for additional improvement as you prepare for the next test. The scores may also assist you in the college selection process as for some schools standardized test scores are critical in the admissions and scholarship process.

Just an additional thought.  After taking a test in the spring, you will have the summer to prep to take the test again in the early part of the fall; plenty of time before the Early Decision deadline.

Step #2) Begin a search for financial aid sources.  National sources include the College Board’s Scholarship Handbook and electronic sources.  Please don’t overlook local and state aid sources.  Ask your counselor and check with your public library.

Step #3) Ask your counselor or teacher about taking SAT Subject Tests in the spring.  It is a good idea to take them while course material is still fresh in your mind. You can download” Getting Ready for the SAT Subject Tests,” which offers test-prep advice at www.SATSubjectTests.org

Not all schools require subject tests. Many of the most selective colleges or universities either require them or strongly suggest them.

Those who are enrolled in Advanced Placement classes; you have been registered to take those exams when offered in the spring.

Step #4) Compile a list of 15 or 20 colleges that are of interest to you.  There are a few search engines out there that can help you come up with your list.  College Board is a great resource.  Your guidance counselor will help you put a list together.

There may be many factors that are important to you as you go through the process of selection:  academic major, location, campus activities, size, legacy are just a few.  Consider placing schools in categories. For instance, those that you are sure to get accepted to (some may refer to them as safety schools), those you may get accepted to, and those that may be a reach.

Step #5) Make plans to visit.  Nothing will help you more in the process than actually visiting the college.  Then you may see and get a feel for where you will spend the next four years after high school and if you have confidence that you will fit in with the flow and the vibe of the campus.  Depending on the location of the campus, visiting takes planning.  Begin the process many weeks in advance.  Find out if the school you are visiting gives scheduled tours.  Will admission and financial aid professionals be available to answer your questions?  Be sure you have the opportunity to see everything on the campus you want to see.  Be sure to see the dorms and consider eating a meal in the cafeteria.

Consider visiting a few of our local schools.  We are extremely fortunate that we live in an area where we have fantastic public and private schools.  Visiting a local school will take very little advanced planning, and will take very little in terms of investment in time and money.  Local schools may give you an idea of something you may be looking for on another campus if you are interested in going to a school in an area other than the Capital District.  But rest assured, we have virtually every program you may imagine right outside of your front door.

Visits should continue throughout the summer if possible.  Once we get back in to school, making campus visit road trips can become very complicated, especially for those involved in fall sports or activities.

Step #6) Get started on your Common Application.  More and more colleges and universities are using the “Common App” as a convenient way for prospective students to apply to their school.  Though the application takes time, the steps are not difficult.  See your Guidance Counselor to get started before you leave for vacation.  We will be visiting classes in the spring to be sure we are all on board.  We will work on resumes as well as articulating your goals and ambitions through the application process.  Our Naviance program becomes a great tool and we will work with you to have the ability to use all of its services as we go through the process. Those in the lower grades are building their profiles as they move forward.

Step #7) If you are considering military academies or ROTC scholarships, contact Major Erickson before you leave for summer vacation.  It is a critical element for those looking at academies or ROTC that your process begins in the summer before your senior year.

 **Consider these steps or “time line” to begin now.**

CHALLENGE YOUR MIND AND BE A WINNER

Each week, the eighth graders are invited to participate in a trivia contest composed of ten questions on one topic such as but not limited to history, geography, current events, sports or literature. They may look up the answers and one winner will be chosen at random from the correct entries. The prize will be a free lunch. Eighth grade parents please encourage your son to participate. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Sickles at (518) 452-9809, extension 107 or at sicklesm@cbaalbany.org.

~CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS~
Jarrod Roberts
Matthew Martell
Amir Taylor
Jacob LaChapelle
Matthew Martell
Amir Taylor
A.J. Collins
Matthew Martell
Jarrod Roberts and Zachary Terry
Harold Hubbard and Matthew Martel
Harold Hubbard, Jarrod Roberts and Joseph Russ

                                                           COLLEGE  ACCEPTANCES

                                                                   ~CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2013~