3+November

Topic: • Peer review and capstone proposal DUE before parent teacher conferences on November 23 & 24 • Parent teacher conferences are on November 23 & 24 • how to rent an apartment

Resources: CraigsList City Paper Campus Housing - apartment locator Local Newspapers look up the housing authority in your county to help with state and local landlord tenant laws negotiate to pay off the last months rent by paying a little more in the first 3 months.

Dates: November 1 - early decision applications due

=READ THIS! - A letter from the College Counselor's office....= Seniors-

I've been processing quite a number of transcript/documents and there are a few things that I'd like to bring to your attention as you work on your end to complete your parts. Please make sure you do the following:

TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS/COUNSELOR FORMS Submit addressed/stamped envelopes for ALL transcript requests. If you left a transcript request in my office without an envelope, I cannot process your paperwork. The main office is selling stamped envelopes for $1.75 each. REMEMBER that if you are applying "ROLLING" admissions, you need your documents processed as soon as possible to increase your chances of acceptance.

If a school requires a counselor form to be filled out, please bring it to my office. I will complete certain parts of it and then I will note that your advisor is attaching a letter of recommendation on your behalf. You will have to make sure that you remind your advisor that you need your letter posted in naviance so that I can print it and then send along with your transcript, school profile and any other requested document.

SAT/ACT SCORES It is your responsibility to contact College Board or ACT to have your scores sent to each school you are applying to. Depending on the school, you might have the option of submitting only your best scores, so you will want to take advantage of this option. Also, please make sure that you are fully aware if the schools you are applying to require the SAT subject tests. We are now in the late registration period for the December 5th SAT and no fee waivers can be used.

COMMON APP/SECONDARY SCHOOL REPORT SLA is using it's own Secondary School Report (found in naviance or college office) and you must use our form to be sent to the schools you are applying to. You must complete one per school.

TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS Most colleges require 2 letters (1 academic teacher and 1 advisor/counselor) and a few will require 3 letters (2 academic teachers and 1 advisor/counselor). It is not necessary for you to request more than that. Colleges have TONS of applications to read and they expect students to adhere to their requirements and give careful thought to who they are asking to write their letters of support. We've noticed that some students have gone as far as asking 5 teachers and then not follow up with those requests. Please understand that teachers spend a LOT of time crafting your letters and it is not fair to ask for a recommendation that you will not use or need. Teachers should be given at least two weeks notice to complete their letters and they need to have those addressed/stamped enveloped in their hands for that time to count.

I strongly recommend that you waive your right to view your recommendations. Colleges want to know that your teachers have free range to express themselves and not waiving your right can signal that you do not trust your recommender to be candid in his/her statements.

MID YEAR REPORTS/FINAL GRADES Please remember that I will be sending mid-year and final grades to the colleges that your applying to/accepted to. You want to be putting forth your best effort in all your classes. Students who get wait-listed and then demonstrate hard work through their grades might have an edge in colleges final decisions.

Lastly, while I want to help all of you with all of your request, please make sure that you are not skipping class to come to my office to work on your college applications. If you don't have your teacher's permission, you are essentially cutting class. It is your responsibility to use your free time or come see me afterschool. I'm usually in my office after school until 4:30 everyday and you can also make an appointment to see me.

Good luck! Mrs. Hirschfield