Students applying themselves–to college | The News Desk

Students applying themselves–to college | The News Desk

Great Advice from the article:

APPLICATION ADVICE
Figuring out the application is half the battle of getting into college. Here is advice from Courtland High School’s guidance director, Emily Hall, and U.Va. admissions counselor Pierce Coughter:
Start early. Hall said researching schools is especially important. “Don’t wait until your senior year to decide where you want to go,” she said.

Students should fill out the application by themselves. Hall said she knows it is tempting for parents to take over applying to college. But students need to ask for their own transcripts, ask for their own recommendations and fill out forms by themselves, she said. “They will be attending that school without their parents and need to learn to be responsible with these tasks.”

Early action vs. regular decision. Coughter said that early action does not offer any benefits that regular decision doesn’t. He said regular decision can be a better choice, especially if a student wants to include a stellar fall semester, senior-year report card with the application, which wouldn’t be feasible when applying early.
Take advantage of opportunities. Coughter knows that every school is different. He said when looking over applications he doesn’t compare students from different schools apples-to-apples. Instead, he looks at whether the applicant took advantage of what was offered. “We want to know you took advantage of the best curriculum at your school,” he said.
Essays. “Your essay topic has been done before,” Coughter said. What he looks for in an application essay is great writing, rather than an inventive topic. The best essay he ever read was about baseball, which has been written about often, but was passionately stated. For U.Va., though, he recommends not writing about Thomas Jefferson.

FAFSA Overview

College, Career, and Academic Resources

Be sure to check out our College, Career, and Academic Resources page at http://guest.portaportal.com/kghscounseling.  Practice sites for the VPT (Virgnia Placement Test) were recently added to help students prepare for the dual enrollment placement test.  Check it out under Academic Resources.

Senior “Submit” Party

The counseling department is excited to throw a Senior “Submit” Party Wednesday,  November 20 at 10:35 in the cafeteria.  

Seniors are invited to join us for cake to celebrate their college application submission, decision to attend a college or technical school, and/or enlistment in the military.  Seniors still working on applications are also invited to participate.

Seniors who have submitted college applications by November 20 will get special recognition.

Report cards go out today!

Report cards have been distributed to students today, October 17.  The announcements on the report card include:

Parents:  Please be sure to use Parent Portal to monitor your child's progress.  School Messenger emails are also accessible from Parent Portal now!  Check out the Principal's Podcast on the KGHS website.

Ice Cream Social for Honor Roll students: October 24 during FLEX in the cafeteria at the fine arts hall entrance.  Bring your report card.

SAT Prep - November 23 at KGHS from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.  This is a great opportunity to help improve your score for the December 7 SAT test! Cost = $20 per student payable to KGHS.  Please sign up with Mrs. Morrison by November 8.

Report Cards for 2nd marking period - December 5, 2013
Report Cards for 3rd marking period - January 30, 2014

Planning ahead.......
Financial Aid Night for seniors and their parents - January 9, 2014.

AP Testing - May 5-16.  Last day to register and pay exam fee of $89 is March 14, 2014.

Juniors....start planning for College Application Boot Camp in August 2014!  Dates to choose from include August 14, 15, 16, 18, and 19.

PSAT Registration

The last day to register for the 2013-2014 PSAT is Wednesday, September 25.  Please see Mrs. Morrison in the counseling office.  The cost is $20.

Dual Enrollment Payments Due September 27, 2013

Payments for fall dual enrollment courses are due September 27.  Checks should be made payable to KGHS.  Testing will be offer in school Tuesday, September 24 and Wednesday, September 25. 

	ENG 111/112	Dual Enrollment English 12*	6 credits	$30
	ITE 100/130	Computer Information Systems	6 credits	$30
	ITE 140/215	Advanced Computer Information Systems	7 credits	$35
	ITD 110/170	Design Multimedia Web	6 credits	$30
	ITD 210/212	Advanced Design Multimedia Web	6 credits	$30
	MKT 100	Marketing	3 credits	$15
	MKT 270	Advanced Marketing	3 credits	$15
	SDV 110	Teacher Cadets	3 credits	$15
	EDU 195/198	Advanced Teacher Cadets*	6 credits	$30
	ACC 111	Accounting	4 credits	$20
	ACC 112	Advanced Accounting	4 credits	$20
	ECO 100/FIN 107	Economics and Personal Finance	6 credits	$30