Counseling Corner – January 2010

The short month of December was one of the most hectic we’ve seen – that’s saying a lot. Letters of recommendation for seniors (and some early acceptance announcements!), course selections for next semester, and doing at-risk counseling. The month of January is big for Juniors and Seniors.  Here are reminders:

ALL GRADE LEVELS:

Second Semester Class Registration— On December 15^th students signed off on their spring semester classes.  Petitions for class changes were due 12/18.  There isn’t much room for changes, so they may or may not get their requests granted.  We are now processing them along with teacher recommendations. Parents should call the Counseling Department if there are any concerns.  The Semester starts January 19^th, after Martin Luther King Day. There will be no changes after January 22, unless counselor error or improper placements occurred.

Sign up and Register on Naviance – We need all seniors to sign up with Naviance and register their plans for next year. We use this as a communications tool with all students (grades 9-12) and their parents. Please be sure your students are using this valuable communication tool. See flyer elsewhere in newsletter.

Did your student take the PSAT?  Students who took the test were given their original test booklet, the feedback of their results, and a note inviting parents and students to attend the PSAT Feedback Night on January 7, 6:30 to 8:00 in the PAC.  DP counselors will give information on how to interpret the results, how to prepare for the actual tests (using Colleboard, RMASS, career center books, and Naviance), timelines for college preparation, and resources for college and scholarship search. Please bring your results with you.

Students taking STATs/MATH 117 next semester:  If students are planning on taking MATH 117, they must assess at SBCC by January 12th.  They must receive a K-number,  take their photo ID to the assessment office, and take test #3.  Results must be given to their counselor by January 18^th .

SBCC Spring Registration— new information:  Students who have taken an SBCC class at DPHS or at SBCC in the Fall do not have to re-apply.  They only need to have a counselor sign a parent permission form and take it to SBCC.  If a student is not currently enrolled, they must apply on-line and have a Counselor Recommendation Form signed by a DP counselor before signing up for classes (two maximum). Remember, no tuition costs; only health fees, transportation fee, and book costs. Registration began on December 14; classes start January 25. Please be sure that if your student takes an SBCC course, that they pay strict attention to deadlines and pass their courses with at least a "C".  A lower grade could result in being placed on academic probation!!  See your high school counselor if problems with SBCC occur.

SENIORS

Scholarships—Scholarships are posted entirely on Naviance now – access it through the dphs website or directly on your own.  Scholarships are also available through the CSU’s, but you must contact them directly.  SBCC will have their own form, with a deadline of March 2.

Please fill out your Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation application and hand deliver or mail it by January 29, 5:00 pm—this is worth quite a bit of money. The forms are also available online at www.sbscholarship.org. Letters of recommendation are required, so plan ahead.

FAFSA & GPA Verification – Seniors will have received a letter in the mail about the importance of filling out a FAFSA and a GPA verification form. Please turn in the signed verification form with your social security number on it ASAP. This will allow you to participate in the grant and loan process in the quickest manner as possible. Seniors should fill out their FAFSA by mid February, although March 2 is the deadline. If you don’t turn in your GPA verification and FAFSA by March 2, your financial support will be limited severely. The FAFSA website is www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Get a PIN for parent and student (one for each of you) at www.pin.ed.gov to be able to give an electronic signature and avoid mailing the signature.

Financial Aid Info—Cal-Soap and The Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation will be on campus January 7 in econ and government classes. UPDATED INFO: Family and students can attend the Cash For College Financial Aid Night on February 10 from 6:00-8:00 at SMHS.  $1,000 will go to one lucky student.    Start preparing your taxes now!  The earlier the better.  Call Cal-Soap at 963-6412 or Maritza Mejia at 687-6065 for a one on one appointment for assistance with the financial aid process.

Seniors Must Continue Challenging Themselves - colleges can withdraw offers of acceptance if students do not take a rigorous courseload (4 academics) or do not finish courses the same or better as previously done.  If seniors change their courses signficantly, they must notify the admissions office.

JUNIORS

SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines -Please be sure that your juniors sign up in time for their exams.  www.collegeboard.com for subject and SATs; www.actstudent.org for ACTs. Take the ACT+writing for UC’s. You can either take the Reasoning or the Subject test, but not both on the same day. You will get a mailer from RMASS telling you about a 5 hour SAT and ACT Prep workshop. We endorse them, as well as using the Naviance Program for free SAT prep. You can study for the Subject Exams by using books from the Career Center.

SATs:   

January 23 – Standby only (not at DPHS)

March 13 – (Reasoning only; we recommend this date) – February 4 deadline

May 1 – March 25 deadline

June 5 – April 29 deadline (suggested date for subjects)

ACT:  

February 6 – January 5 deadline

April 10 – March 5 deadline (our suggested time)

June 12 – May 7 deadline