The ACT & the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT Subject TESTS:  Students may pick up registration packets for the ACT & the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT Subject Tests from Mrs. Pratt in the guidance office.  Students are required to take the ACT or the SAT Reasoning Test for admission to most 4 year and some 2 year colleges.  Most state institutions require only the ACT or the SAT Reasoning Test for admission.  Some 4-year private institutions also request students to take one, two, or three SAT Subject Tests which they use admission or placement purposes.  Check the requirements of colleges under consideration before deciding which tests to take.  New England Christian Academy’s CEEB Code used for both tests is 222106.

 THE 2008 NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FAIR is coming to our area.  It will be at Gordon College in Wenham, MA on September 30 and also at Whitinsville Christian School in Whitinsville, MA on October 1.  At these fairs you can talk to dozens of Christian college admission representatives and pick up important college planning materials.  For detailed maps and directions to these fair sites log onto www.NACCAP.org

 THE 2008 FALL COLLEGE FAIR will be at UMASS Dartmouth on September 14, 2008 from 2:00-4:30 pm.  This is a great opportunity to speak with representatives from over 200 colleges that will be represented and to pick up application materials.

 EARLY DECISION/EARLY ACTION/EARLY NOTIFICATION APPLICANTS ARE MINDED TO ADHERE TO THE STRICT DEADLINES ENFORCED by 4-year colleges.  If you are seriously considering this type of application, it is strongly recommended that all information (application, transcript, recommendations, etc) be received at the institution by November 1^st.  Since this is a different type of admission process, those seniors considering early applications are advised to schedule an appointment to see Mrs. Pratt as soon as possible.

What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action or Early Notification? Early Decision requires a legal commitment on the part of both the college and the applicant.  Early Action and Early Notification offer an early commitment on the part of the college or university but require no commitment to enroll on the part of the applicant.

MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM: In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts there are three distinct public systems for higher education-the two-year community college, the four-year state college, and the four-year state university.  Presently, there are fifteen community colleges, nine state colleges and four state universities all strategically located throughout the state of Massachusetts.  A student applicant is required to complete a separate application for each and every community college, state college or state university to which he/she wishes to gain admission.  Applications to these institutions will be available at “College Night” and in the guidance office throughout the school year.  Students may also apply online. 

POST-SECONDARY FINANCIAL AID: Financial aid forms for the 2009-2010 school year should be received in the guidance office this fall.  There are two forms involved in the financial aid filing process.  One form is the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Students applying for federal financial aid must complete this form.  It cannot be completed until January 1, 2009.  The second form is the 2009-2010 Financial Aid Profile.  The second form is optional to complete depending on the policy of the institution(s) the student will be applying to for admission(s).  It is extremely important that students consult with institutions to confirm if the one form (2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or both forms (2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid and 2009-2010 Financial Aid Profile) are to be completed by students and parents. 

FINANCIAL AID NIGHTS    Many high schools hold financial aid nights in December and January which are open to the public where often financial aid officers from colleges are invited to discuss the financial aid process with parents.  Please call your local public school to find out if there will be one near you.  I also encourage you to look into MEFA seminars on financial aid.  More information about MEFA can be found on the N.E.C.A. website under the Guidance Section.

SENIORS should be in the process of obtaining individual catalogs and applications for the schools in which they are interested.  The career center, which is located in the media center in Room 5 in the school building, has much information that can help students in their search.  Students may also visit the College Planning Center of Rhode Island, which is located in the Warwick Mall.  Professional counselors will provide FREE one-on-one advising and assistance to help students and families achieve their higher education goals.  You can also check them out on the web at www.collegeplanningcenter.org.  Public libraries also have sections devoted to higher education. 

Autobiographical Sketch & Parent Questionnaires:  Please encourage your child to fill out the autobiographical sketch and if you could fill out and return the parent questionnaires that would be much appreciated.  This information can be helpful to me as I fill out the guidance counselor recommendation for your child’s college applications.  If is also useful information to supply to others who might be writing recommendations for your child’s application and it is definitely not too early to consider who that might be and perhaps approach them to write a recommendation.  It is common courtesy in asking (& you should ask!) a person if they would write you a recommendation to give that person a stamped addressed envelope to the college they are to send the recommendation to.  However, some colleges request that all application materials be sent together and in that case the person writing the recommendation can put the recommendation in an envelope, seal it and sign on the seal and give you that envelope to send with the rest of the application materials.  If you are given the choice to sign the recommendation form as to whether you waive your right to see it at later date or not, my recommendation is to waive that right.  In that case the college receiving the recommendation can feel fairly confident that the person writing the recommendation has been honest.  Finally, it is also good manners to send a thank you note to all who were kind enough to write you a recommendation.

 NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE – All college-bound student-athletes who wish to practice and compete at a division I or II institution must register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse.  Since 1994 all student-athletes must be cleared through the Clearinghouse before they may practice or compete.  The Clearinghouse will determine a student’s eligibility by reviewing an official high school transcript and the official SAT/ACT score.  Students may check out these guidelines at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.  Please note that division III colleges do not participate in the NCAA Clearinghouse procedure.  For more information visit www.ncaa.org or phone 877/262-1492 or 317/917-6222.

 Feel free to call or email me at neca02777@yahoo.com.  The senior year if full of work and decisions, however I hope that you can find some time to enjoy some of the special times and events that come with being a senior.

God Bless!

Mrs. Pratt