UAIS Counseling Update 11/1/10
I am thrilled to be back as the UAIS College Counselor and want to let you know what I have been up to since returning.
I work a .4 part-time position and am in the building full days on Wednesdays and Fridays.
-E-mail: kristy.newell@uticak12.org (586) 797-3192 (direct)
-I have set up a website using blackboard. You can access the UAIS Online Counseling Center at bb9.misd.net with Username: uaiscc / Password: uaiscc (both are case sensitive). It includes tons of great information and college/career resources. Want info that you don't find there? Just let me know and I will find and post it.
-Using Facebook, I have just set up "Mrs. Newell's UAIS College Counseling Page". You can search for it by name or use the link http://on.fb.me/bUrkpI (This account/page is not set up to accept friends, but is used to deliver information, articles and suggestions relevant to my college counseling mission.) Parents and students can choose to "like" the page to receive College Counseling updates on their daily newsfeed.
-Twitter www.twitter.com/uaiscc (feeds from the facebook page above)
Introductions and Needs Analysis
On my first day back (10/8) I met with all of the juniors and the parent advisory board to re-introduce myself and shared with them a list of books they might want to check out. The book list is attached. You can peruse many of these books for free at google.com/books
On 10/13 I visited each house to introduce myself to 9th and 10th graders. I asked each student to write down at least 3 questions or needs in terms of college/career counseling. I am using this student input to plan our college counseling curriculum for the year. I am also eager to receive parent input, so feel free to send an e-mail with questions you may have about the college admissions process or the college prep needs of your teens.
Juniors
On Friday 10/22 I began meeting one-on-one with juniors through math classes. The students I met with were engaging, curious and enthusiastic about the college and career exploration process- my day was delightful. Thank you for sending us such wonderful students! I distributed the attached Top Ten Tips for Junior Year (it is also posted on my blackboard site under "Info by Grade"). I will continue these meetings until I have met with all juniors.
All juniors will take the ACT at school in the spring. In my experience it is worthwhile to take the test twice, so I do recommend that juniors consider registering for a Saturday test in June or February at http://www.actstudent.org/regist/index.html Test centers fill quickly, so it is a good idea to register soon for these Saturday tests to avoid being sent to far away test centers.
Some students are more successful on the SAT test, so registering for that test might be an advantage. All schools in Michigan accept the ACT test. Students considering schools outside of Michigan, particularly highly selective schools, may need to take the SAT (I) Reasoning test as well as 2-3 SAT (II) Subject Tests.
ACT/Michigan Merit Test Prep Workshops
During my meetings with juniors many students have asked me to help them find reasonably priced ACT prep options. Here are two to consider:
1) Register through UCS Community Education (586-797-6900). Presented by Advantage Education, the authors of McGraw-Hill's ACT prep books, this two-night workshop will prepare students for the ACT and MME by teaching proven strategies and techniques. Advantage Education's experienced classroom instructors have scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. Students will get hands-on practice with actual released ACT test items, and will leave the workshop with additional material on which to practice. Please bring a calculator to the workshop, all other materials will be provided. Instructor-Advantage Education. Location: Stevenson HS Course Number: 5464 Mon & Wed Nov 16 2 days 6:00-9:00 pm $119
2) Information about additional ACT preparation workshops is available at this link: http://www.scoremorepoints.com/schedule.htm (check out the Macomb Community College Center Campus location)
9th and 10th Graders
In between meeting with students, I worked to prepare for the administration of the PSAT (a pre-SAT test) for 10th graders on 10/13, 9th grade Social Studies MEAP on 10/20, and EXPLORE for 9th graders on 10/21. The EXPLORE test is a pre-ACT test which serves as a high school intake test, giving a baseline of academic progress. The EXPLORE also includes a career interest inventory. We should receive PSAT and EXPLORE results back in 2-3 months, and I will meet with students to explain their scores.
I am in the process of arranging to meet with 9th and 10th grade students during November to present college prep information relevant to each grade level. I am looking forward to getting to know these students!
On the horizon
I am also working to arrange visits by college representatives. The first five dates are below, and additional dates will be posted on my website under the college tab (choose college visits). If you would like to request that a representative from a particular school visit, please let me know. (Please note: Many of the most highly selective out-of-state schools do not visit individual high schools, but come to one large venue (such as a hotel conference center) and ask interested students in the state to attend.)
The presentations at UAIS are intended for juniors, but 9th and 10th grade students may be invited to attend as space permits. Students will be responsible for making up all work missed.
-Thu Nov 4, at 1pm >>Wayne State University, Dr. Freeman, Senior Faculty Advisor & Biology Professor, Irvin D. Reid Honors College Students interested in attending should register using this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CXC59TN
-Mon Nov 8, at 8:15am >> U of M Dearborn, Admissions Counselor, Students interested in attending should register using this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZRGK77R
-Tuesday, Nov 9, at 10:30 - 11:15 >> Rutgers University, Admissions Advisor
-Wed Nov 10, time TBA, >>Kalamazoo College, Lara Gallant, Admission Counselor, Students interested in attending should register using this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZR67WL3
-Fri Nov 12, 9:30 >> OU Honors College Director Dr. Gary Shepherd & Meghan Kelly Senior Recruitment Adviser, Students interested in attending should register using this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZR5PW5Q
-Tue Nov 30, 11:15 am >> Central Michigan University, Michael Hull, Assistant Director of Admissions, Students interested in attending should register using this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZTLVL76
Many of our students have some familiarity with most of the colleges above, but may not be aware that Kalamazoo College is probably the most highly selective private college in the state of Michigan and is renowned worldwide for its international orientation. It makes it onto most lists of the best private colleges in the country.
University of Michigan-Dearborn has graciously offered to pay for a bus to bring around 40 of our juniors to their campus for a recruitment visit. I will be working to schedule the date and identify interested students.
In an effort to continue the great tradition we began with our first freshman class, I am in the beginning planning stages of a class trip to the University of Michigan. I will be working on another class trip to the MSU campus to learn about the Honors College and the residential colleges Lyman Briggs and James Madison. The third group will hopefully have the opportunity to visit a small, private college. In the past, these trips have cost approximately $10/student which we have managed through donations and fundraising.
I am in the process of planning evening college information nights for parents by grade level, so please feel free to let me know the topics that are of most interest to you.
I encourage all UAIS students and parents to attend the Macomb College Fair on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, from 6:00-7:30 pm http://fb.me/Js0Rtoyf
Please feel free to contact me with questions at any time. E-mail is probably the best method.
