GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT SENIOR BULLETIN #1 October 15

GUIDANCE and SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

SENIOR BULLETIN #5 ~ January 11, 2007

The Senior Bulletin is distributed by the Guidance Office as a tool to help seniors prepare for the college admissions process as well as to alert you to scholarships and other sources of financial aid. Remember – while your counselor will help and guide you, much of the responsibility rests with YOU as you plan for this next part of your life. Do the research and follow the guideline and procedures your counselor has discussed with you and are outlined below. Please see your school counselor if you have any questions or are unsure of what you need to do. We wish you the very best in your quest.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION TOP PRIORITY! If you have asked faculty member(s) to write LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, you must check with the teacher(s) and offer to provide the teacher(s) with an addressed, stamped envelope for each college to which you are applying. You might also give the teacher(s) your social security number to put on the letter so that the letters can be merged with your file at the post-secondary institution. In addition, you must complete the top portion of any specific college and/or Common Application teacher recommendation forms that are required for your particular college and give them to the teachers who are writing letters.

FREE & REDUCED LUNCH STUDENTS If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you may qualify to take the SAT test as well as apply to college at no cost. See your counselor about a fee waiver

SAT TEST The next SAT test date at Coventry High School is June 2, 2007. You must register by April 27, 2007 to avoid paying a late fee. You are encouraged to visit the SAT website at www.collegeboard.com to take practice tests, look into the SAT subject tests (some schools require these); register online for a test, and a host of other services designed to help you with the college selection process.

ACT ASSESSMENT The ACT (American College Testing) Assessment is another type of college entrance exam which many colleges accept. The next test date is February 10, 2007. While the SAT measures Critical Reading, Math and Writing, the ACT tests skills in math, English, social studies and natural sciences. Many students prefer this type of test as it may be closer aligned to the type of assessments you take in school. The ACT is administered at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). Test dates and registration information is available in Guidance or online at www.actstudent.org.

COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS Your counselors have thoroughly reviewed with you the college application process and have been to your advisories to remind you of how to submit an application to a college (paper version and on-line), the use of the Common Application, and requesting and submitting letters of reference (see top of this page). A full flow-chart describing the CHS’s College Application Process for students, parents and teachers is available in Guidance and on the Guidance web site (www.coventryschools.net, then go to Guidance).

TRANSCRIPTS – The following is how you request a transcript be sent to a college, university or for a scholarship. You MUST allow Guidance at least 5 days to process your transcript (10 days for URI and RIC in December). a. Seniors may come down to the Guidance Office every school day from 7:15 -7:30 a.m. and 1:55 - 2:10 p.m. b. You must fill out the 3-part Transcript Request Form completely. This includes the proper name of the office or department at the college who should receive the transcript and the full address. c. Attach 1 envelope with stamps * addressed to the college for each application d. Attach any additional “School Report Forms” that your Counselor needs to complete for you  Complete your top portion of this form and paper clip to the Transcript Request Form.  These forms are required for URI and RIC e. Your counselor will return to you the pink copy when the transcript is mailed.

* When mailing your own college applications, you may need additional postage; have it weighed for appropriate postage.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION Information continually arrives in Guidance regarding the various scholarships and opportunities for financial assistance. This information is available in the scholarship drawer in the Guidance Office (behind the counter), through the Senior Bulletin, and online at www.coventryschools.net (go to the Guidance site.) Students should keep in mind that scholarship applications are treated the same as college applications. Those requiring a transcript from the counselor should submit a Transcript Request no later than 5 days before the application deadline in order to insure timely mailing of the scholarship application.

Many scholarships are requiring that you get the application and all information online. You may make arrangements to use the computers in the library, the In Focus Center, or in Guidance. The following are some current scholarships.

Deadline

1/15/07 American Planning Association $5,000 Essay Contest is open to any junior or senior high school student planning to further his/her education. For more information and application process please visit www.planning.org/institutions/hsessay.htm

1/31/07 The McKelvy Foundation Entrepreneurial Scholarship is available to all high school seniors who have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by owning and operating their own business while in high school. Complete application on line at www.mckelveyfoundation.org

1/31/07 Coventry Teachers Alliance announces the Union Plus scholarship program which is open to children of AFT members (American Federation of Teachers). To obtain more information about the scholarship and to download an application, visit www.unionvoic.org/ct/xpz9fX61DPWT/

2/1/07 Grand Lodge of Rhode Island will award 5 - $1,000 scholarships to students who desire to further their education. Three (3) students from each school will be chosen by the scholarship committee and forwarded to the Grand Lodge for their final decision. This is an essay contest and must be submitted to your guidance counselor no later than January 24, 2007. More information is available in the scholarship drawer.

2/1/07 The National Wild Turkey Federation Conservation Scholarship program will award scholarships to students who actively support the preservation of the hunting tradition and actively participate in hunting sports. Applicants must hold a current hunting license and membership in the NWTF. Application and more information can be found at www.nwtf.org/jakes

2/10/07 The Mercedes-Benz US Scholarship Program will award $2,500 Renewable Scholarships to a first generation of your family attending college. For more information, visit www.MBUSA.com/drivefuture

2/15/07 2007 Commitment to Agriculture Scholarship Program will be awarding 100-$1,000 to students pursuing a career in agriculture and related areas. Application and more information available at www.monsanto.com or www.nafb.com

2/15/07 National Commission for Cooperative Education offers many scholarship opportunities, check on line for more information www.co-op.edu.

2/15/07 RI Polonia Scholarship Foundation will award to students of Polish-American decent who belong to a RI Polish American organization. Applications are available in the scholarship drawer.

2/16/07 The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America wishes to honor students who are role models for others who suffer from asthma and/or significant allergies. Download application at www.asthmaandallergier.org

2/21/07 Scholarship for Military Children will be awarded to children of active duty, Reserve/Guard and retired military personnel. To obtain more information about this scholarship and to download the application, visit www.militaryscholar.org

2/28/06 RI Pilots Association will award scholarship to students interested in flight training and avation relation fields. Applications available on line at www.RIPilots.com

2/28/07 Cox Communication Scholarship for seniors with an interest in the field of communications are encouraged to apply for this scholarship program. Applications available on line at www.cox.com/newengland/inthecommunity/default.asp

3/1/07 David Taton Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student who has participated in a school to career program during high school and planning to attend a vocational or technical school after graduation. Applications are available in the scholarship drawer. 3/15/07 Shaw-Worth Memorial Scholarship applications are now being accepted from any high school senior who has made a meaningful contribution to anima protection. There is no standardized application form to complete. The student must submit a letter with a narrative of the students achievements in the area of animal protection. More information available in the scholarship drawer.

3/30/07 The 2007 Aaron and Rita Slom Scholarship Fund for Freedom and Diversity is available online at www.tourosynagogue.org. Students will submit an interpretive work (i.e. written submission, audio visual or documentary film. Check the guidelines on-line.

3/31/07 Lucille Putnam Leonard Fund will be awarded to a senior student who is a member of the Coventry High School PTSA. It is not too late to become a member of the PTSA. More information is available in the scholarship drawer.

3/31/07 2007 Robert G. Porter Scholars Program is available to the children of AFT members who will be graduating in June. This program will award several $8,000 scholarships to eligible graduates. Download application at www.aft.org/aftplus/scholarships/index.htm.

2/15/07 RI Saltwater Anglers Association will award several $500 scholarships to students planning to enter a Marine Biology, Marine Affairs or in Fisheries and Agriculture programs. More information is available in the scholarship drawer.

4/15/07 The RISPCA Lewis Scholarship will be awarded to a senior who demonstrates overcoming difficulty, hardship, discrimination and a significant contribution to animal welfare, humane education etc. Applications are in the scholarship drawer in the Guidance office.

5/2/07 The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund – applicants must have a 3.0 or higher GPA, be involved in a balance of community service, school and work activities. www.phillips-scholarship.org

Open Dates The Rhode Island Foundation has any scholarship opportunities available at the following online www.rifoundation.org.

Open Dates DECA has many scholarships available to qualified applicants. Log on to their web site and learn more about these opportunities. www.deltaepsilonchi.org