Monthly Memo: February 2008
Seniors:
Two important things happen February:
1. Seniors who applied to college on January 1 and 15 check with their colleges to make certain that all parts of their applications are complete and accounted for. Many colleges start reviewing applications and making decisions at the end of this month.
To confirm that your applications are complete, send an e-mail to your colleges with the following message (you can cut and paste this message):
Dear _____________ (college name) Admissions Office:
My name is _______________ , and I'm a senior at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy. I am writing to check the status of my application. Please let me know if I need to follow up on resending any parts of my application. I know you are very busy at this time of year so thank you for taking the time to review my application.
My social security number is ____________ . (optional)
My birth date is ___________________.
My school code is 120150.
Thanks again, ________________ (your name)
If you have received a notice or e-mail from colleges that your application is incomplete, please read the following memo "They Lost My Materials!?" to better understand the situation. We ask that you respond to these notices from colleges quickly and calmly. To learn what to do for different types of missing materials (transcript, test scores, school report, teacher recommendation), please read these detailed guidelines: "Checking and Completing Applications."
2. In February, more and more seniors join the search for competitive scholarships. We keep a binder in the College Counseling Center for popular scholarships. You should also look at our Web page section titled "Aid and Scholarship."
College Application Deadlines
February 1 and February 15 - Regular College Deadlines
Test Registration Deadlines
March 9 - Registration deadline for April 12 ACT
April 1 - Registration deadline for May 3 SAT
Juniors:
All juniors should have taken the January SAT; this month they all will take the February ACT. If they were/are not able to take either of these tests, it is their responsibility to schedule an alternate date during this school year. Once juniors have received both scores they can compare their results to choose the test that is best for them. Most colleges will accept either test score for admissions purposes. To see how the actual tests are different and how the scores compare, you may refer to the following document "SAT vs. ACT."
The other important assignment for juniors to complete right away is the "Mock College Application." Juniors are required to submit this assignment before spring break. We recommend that you keep a copy for when you apply to college next year. This assignment allows juniors to both experience completing a college application and introduce themselves to their college counselors. The counselors will use some of their responses in writing the School Report for colleges.
The next assignment that juniors complete this semester is our series of "Assessment Forms." College Counseling uses these assessments to help write the School Report for each senior when they apply to college. Like the "Mock College Application," these assessment forms are very important. Please make sure they all are completed by the end of your junior year. If you need another copy of any of these forms, you may download them from our Web page section titled "Forms."
Finally, it is a great idea to start planning for your summer vacation. Some ideas for a productive summer include taking a college tour, doing volunteer work, pursuing an internship or work experience, taking academic classes for credit or enrichment, and working on college essays and test prep. Students usually apply for more selective academic programs in January or February. To learn more about various summer programs, visit our resource library in the College Counseling Center or begin an Internet search in areas of your interest.