COUNSELING NEWSLETTER September 2017 Volume 11, Issue 1

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www.edison.k12.nj.us/domain/344 Twitter: @jpscounseling

The Counseling Department is committed to helping each of our students fulfill their potential. In light of that, we run many programs throughout the year for students (and their parents) in every grade. Stay connected with us! Check out our Counseling website at www.edison.k12.nj.us/domain/344 frequently! 

See our calendar! It is constantly being updated with the latest information and events to come.

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Click on “Forms” to access Counseling Office forms.

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Read our latest newsletters online.

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Click on “Paying for College” to access information on scholarships, financial aid, and other resources.

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Under “Academics (School Year & Summer)”, you will find links to programs and other events that occur outside of JP.

Our Counseling Department

It’s a new year! Welcome back to another wonderful school year at JP Stevens! We hope your year is filled with much success. Our office has been busy with the start of the new school year! We welcome the addition of Ms. Courtney Allen who is taking the place of Mrs. Silberberg until January, along with three graduate school interns to our department. Besides making schedule changes, meeting with each new incoming students and freshmen individually (there’s over 690 freshmen!) in our offices, answering the many concerns that come to us over the phone, in emails and in person, we have been making visits to during homeroom to make sure any concerns of our new and returning students are addressed quickly. Seniors had lunch sessions with their school counselors last week to discuss the college process in detail. During Backto-School Night on 9/12, we held sessions with the parents of our seniors to go over what to expect in senior year and the college process. Though this is a busy time, we are never too busy for you! Please drop in or schedule an appointment with your counselor for any academic or personal needs.

Are you on Twitter? Follow us @JPSCounseling

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PSAT College Essay Crash Course: Wed, 10/11 in the AM PSAT Exam (for 10th and 11th grades): Wed, 10/11 in the AM JPS College Fair: Thurs, 10/12 at 6:30pm JPS Financial Aid Night: Wed, 10/18 at 6:45pm

www.collegeboard.org; CEEB Code: 310787 Test Date

Regular Registration

Late Registration (online)

October 7

September 8

September 27

November 4

October 5

October 25

December 2

November 2

November 21

March 10

February 9

February 28

May 5

April 6

April 25

June 2

May 3

May 23

www.actstudent.org Test Date

Registration Deadline

(Late Fee Required)

October 28

September 22

October 6

December 9

November 3

November 17

February 10 April 14

January 12 March 9

January 19 March 23

June 9

May 4

May 18

July 14

June 15

June 22

Attend a college fair to find meet representatives from colleges, get information, and to explore what is out there. Event Middlesex County Guidance Council’s College Fair

Date Wednesday, October 4

JP College Fair For a list of colleges attending, click:

Thursday, October 12

https://tinyurl.com/jpcollege

Time 6-8 pm at Middlesex County College-Physical Education Complex 6:30pm in the Café and Gym

The SAT and ACT are standardized tests. Many colleges use the scores as a part of their admissions criteria. We recommend that students take the SAT/ACT at least once in their junior year and again if needed. Both the SAT and ACT are equally accepted so choose the one you think you will score better in. Explore their websites for their differing formats and score systems. Sign up for an account and get a question a day emailed to you to help you prep! Consider taking advantage of free mock SAT/ACT tests that are often offered. We send out any we become aware of through Naviance so check your account or check your email. Also go to the Counseling website under “Academics” “Summer/ Enrichment Programs” for listings. *The SAT Subject exams (1 hour each) may be required for some colleges. Check the individual college you are interested in to see if you need to take them. We recommend that you take the SAT Subject exam the May/June you are finishing up the course.

A Dozen Ways to Study Smarter in Less Time A playbook: rules and equipment The Study Skills Help Page for Middle Tennessee State University suggests the following tips for high school students to get the most from studying at http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/hsindex.html. The following is from their site.

As students prepare to enter high school often it is the extracurricular activities they look forward to. They sometimes dream of scoring the winning touchdown, making a game winning free throw or cheering the team to victory. Of course, everyone can't be a star athlete, but everyone can be a star. You don't have to play football to score--to reach your goals. Getting involved in school activities is an essential part of the game. It seems that the more pride you have in your school, the more pride you take in things involving your school, including academics. You don't have to be the quarterback on the football team to be successful; but like the quarterback, you need to strive to reach your goal line. A quarterback knows what his goal looks like; he learns the plays necessary to get there and practices with discipline so that he can do his best in the game. You also need to set some goals, learn the plays and practice with the same zest of a state championship team quarterback. This section of the webpage is designed to give you the plays necessary to be a successful student. Being an A student doesn't mean you have to study all the time, but just as being a star athlete requires discipline to demonstrate the skills he knows, so does being a star student. The plays require practice.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10. 11. 12.

Understand each teacher's grading system--what counts what. How much does homework count? daily quizzes? projects? six weeks tests? (It's hard to play the game unless you know how to keep score.) Keep all assignments, handouts, tests etc. that are given back Keep a lists of grades made in each class. (Equipment needed: an organized notebook.) Always record assignments as soon as they are given. Don't trust your memory. (Equipment needed: small date book or assignment calendar.) Always use study time if it is given at the end of class. Use study halls to study—preferably the class you just completed prior to study hall. If at all possible, study the same time and same place daily. (Equipment needed: a quiet spot free of distractions--one you can call your own. Pencils, paper, dictionary, calculator, note cards, books, etc.) Ask for help as soon as you realize you don't understand--especially in math. (That's why we have coaches.) Process information each day. Don't wait until right before a test. (Winners don't wait until game day or the day before to practice. It's done daily.) Make flash cards of things you think will be on tests as you come to them in class or homework. (definitions, terms, vocabulary words, formulas, important dates) Keep these handy. Recite the answers out loud often. (Equipment needed: index cards. I like to punch a hole in them and keep them on a ring. If right brained, use colored pencils.) Form a study group for major tests. Take notes and keep them organized and labeled. Do your best on every assignment.

Did you know that college and universities come to visit JP during the school day? To find out what colleges are coming and when, please visit our website at www.edison.k12.nj.us/domain/344. A calendar is posted there listing all of the colleges. You will also find this information in your Naviance account. This is open only to seniors. (Juniors will be given the opportunity to visit with reps in the Spring.) Seniors are allowed to register for up to five college visits. Register for visits through your Naviance account.

There are many colleges that do not require submission of standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) in the admissions process. These schools are known as Test Optional schools. For a listing of test optional schools, go to www.fairtest.org/university/optional.

Attending a college fair is a great way to gather information about colleges that you may already know about and to find out about those you have not heard of before. The JP College Fair is open to all students and parents. It will be on Thursday, October 12 from 6:30-8:30pm in the Café and Gym. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the college fair before you arrive: 

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When applying for college, keep in mind that you must see your counselor with your rave sheet, parent rave sheet (recommended), and signed activity sheet at least 3 weeks (15 school days) prior to the deadline. Remember the earlier, the better!  If you lost the packet you received during senior lunch, you can download it at the Counseling website. You want to make a great first impression! Use a professional email address for your applications. Also take note of your social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, etc.). Colleges may search applicants online before making decisions regarding admissions or scholarships. https://www.usnews.com/education/bestcolleges/articles/2017-02-10/colleges-really-arelooking-at-your-social-media-accounts Here are some suggestions on how to use social media to help you in your application process: https://www.petersons.com/collegesearch/social-media-collegeadmissions.aspx#/sweeps-modal

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Print out and bring along self-stick labels to place on college inquiry cards. Bring at least 25 labels. It will save you time and allow you to show your demonstrated interest in each college by being on their mailing lists. Be sure labels include: o Name o Address o Email address o Date of Birth o High School you attend o High School Graduation Date o GPA o Area(s)you are interested in studying Bring a bag to hold all the viewbooks and information you will collect. Each school attending the fair will provide great information to aid in your college search. Look at the list of colleges that are coming ahead of time and visit the colleges you want to know more about first. You can find a list of the colleges attending the JP College fair on our Counseling website by clicking on the “College and Career” link. Find a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges on our Counseling website by clicking on the “College and Career” link.