College Corner #5

By Ms. Van Velsir, iLEAD Online School Counselor

ATTENTION, ALL JUNIORS AND SENIORS! A MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNSELOR

All juniors and seniors were required to meet with me at least once before May 1, 2020, to discuss your academic path, your progress towards graduation, and your future plans. If you haven’t yet met with me, you can contact me by email or text pamela.vanvelsir@ileadonline.org or 661-816-1581.

Juniors:

Here is a great resource that was available for FREE from Monday April 20 – May 8. Although it is no longer free, I think you will find this very informative and helpful! Click here to visit colleges of interest.

As you are aware, the March 14 SAT date was canceled. See HERE to get the latest update on SAT testing. AP testing will still take place. Updated AP testing information is expected to be posted by March 20. You can check for updated information HERE. While many colleges are not requiring the SAT due to the pandemic, some still are. Please check your colleges of interest to be sure of their policies.

Free Official SAT Practice Tests | SAT Suite of Assessments

Think of this time as if you are a detective: Narrow your focus regarding what your college goals are. Investigate colleges that offer programs you are interested in. Make a list of these colleges and when (or if) possible make arrangements to visit those college campuses in order to become more familiar with the culture and their programs. Many colleges are offering virtual tours, and you can check those websites to see if your college is providing that resource. Confirm which tests the colleges you are interested in are requiring at this time. Some colleges do not accept the ACT, only the SAT. This information is available on the college’s online site.

Another important thing to think about is how much this is going to cost. Investigate options for scholarships, grants through your colleges, and be sure to go online to read about the FAFSA: Federal Student Aid to get an idea of what it is, what is necessary to do to apply, and when you will need to do that.

Here is an article that talks about the efforts of one California University to help with the financial burden of a college degree.

Seniors: You are probably experiencing some anxiety now as everything has changed, and colleges and universities are still in flux as to how things will go forward in the fall. You will probably want to check in with your college (either online or by phone) if you have any questions. By now you have completed your college applications, testing, financial aid applications, and have probably heard back from your chosen schools. While all that is true, there are still some things to remember.

• Keep Your Grades Strong. Second-semester senior grades are part of the final transcript sent to your college choice
• Check Your Transcript
• Know Your Deadlines
• Review the Financial Aid Awards
• Count Admission Notifications. Check the outcomes. Were you accepted? Congratulations! Flat out rejected? Move on. Receive a different response, such as spring start or wait list?

As you evaluate outcomes, revisit your priorities, and review your current school options to determine your first choice from your admitted results. Read the entire acceptance or denial letter. Be clear on the specific agreement into which you may be entering. Keep in mind that schools may take all summer — until August 1 — to make a decision about the wait list. This is the time to engage your best decision-making skills. Then, if your number does come up and you are offered a spot, you can confidently notify the college of your decision. Try to visit or even revisit the colleges where you have been accepted. Here is a great resource that was available for FREE from Monday April 20 – May 8. Although the window has passed, this is an excellent site where you can visit colleges of interest.