Welcome to College Counseling @ CPS

General Announcements

Dates, Events, Information, & Announcements:

FOR JUNIORS AND JUNIOR PARENTS:

APRIL 22ND 6:30 PM: ANNUAL CASE STUDIES WORKSHOP AND COLLEGE FAIR WILL BE HELD AT ST. MARY'S COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL IN ALBANY.  Please plan on arriving between 6:30 and 6:45 pm.  Parking is limited; carpooling is a good idea.  There will be representatives from colleges around the country, and some from abroad.  Please bring with you the printed packet of the mock "case studies" which you will be deciding on in a group with colleges admissions representatives.  To view and print the case studies, click here.

Family Connection guest access information:

1. Go to http://connection.naviance.com/college-prep (or click the link to the left)

2. In the service of proper confidentiality, a guest password is now required---please email jan_walt@college-prep.org or call the College Counseling Office to receive this password.

Note:  If you are having or have had problems accessing Family Connection (either as a "guest" or as a student initially registering), we apologize for any difficulty! Please click here for some troubleshooting tips...

 NEWS from Colleges:

The COMMON APPLICATION was available online as of  July 1, 2007 at www.commonapp.org. (This application may be used for 300 colleges and universities--often with a supplement.)

Student athletes –

If you are a senior who is planning to participate in Division I or II sports as a college freshman, you must register and be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. You must do this in order to qualify for college athletics. Check out the student information page at https://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ncaa/NCAA/student/index_student.html. You also can request “The Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete” by calling 1-800-638-3731. The guide provides a summary of the rules and regulations in an easy-to-read form. Guidelines relate to recruiting, eligibility, financial aid and college freshman eligibility requirements for Divisions I and II.

Visiting Colleges?

AMTRAK is offering a Buy one, Get One Free discount to
College-bound students traveling with a parent to any college campus in the
US. You can access the information on the following Web sites:
www.BostonVisit.com , www.oneBigcampus.com, and www.theCollegeCity.com.

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COLLEGE BOARD FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS:

Monthly newsletters published by the College Board are available by clicking on the following links. Students can also receive these newsletters via email by setting up an account with the College Board and indicating that you would like to receive the newsletter. These newsletters contain helpful hints about the college selection process, testing, essay writing, financial aid, etc., along with links to many other sources of information.Free SAT/ACT Preparation!

College Board Direct Link
Juniors: http://click.collegeboard.com:80/2307878.11374.0.2761
Seniors: http://click.collegeboard.com:80/2307878.11374.0.2762

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PROGRAMS/INTERNSHIPS (Please check the CPS Library for more summer program information)

British Council USA: Learn about the benefits of study and degrees in the United Kingdom- how to apply, how to fund studies, what a UK university is like-check the website for information.

Canadian Universities and Colleges: For information see the website.

Gap Year or Year Off
Try something different- How about a postgraduate year or a "gap year"? Taking a year off to study abroad, volunteer, or work are just some of the many things high school graduates do before going to college. Students may apply senior year and request to defer their admission for a year. You must provide the college with a plan of action. Check out these websites for ideas: interimprograms.com, bridgeyear.com, dynamy.org, SeaMester.com, ServeNet.org, StudyAbroad.com, AmeriCorps.org, National Association of Service and Conservation Corps.