Final Transcripts

I have received a few messages from students who just graduated worrying about their final transcripts.  We made all seniors complete a final transcript form along with the page that explained which college you planned on attending.  So, unless you have had a change in your college plans, your final transcript has been sent to your college.  If your college is still saying that they don't have your transcript by this week, then there must be some problem because they should all have them by now.  If your plans have changed or if your college is still indicating that they haven't received your transcript, please contact Mrs. Hoyt at WKHS.  (She works during the summer.)  She will help send another copy of your transcript.

Halfway Through Summer

You are now half-way through summer.  Hard to believe isn’t it? I hope that you have been embracing the time off, enjoying the warm weather, and finding time to connect and spend quality time with your family and friends.  Although I suspect that many of you, like me, wish the summer would slow down, I am looking forward to seeing all of you again and hearing about everything you did this summer.  Since we are at the half-way point, I thought a few reminders might be in order…

-         --  Summer work!  Many of you have signed up for classes that require summer assignments to be completed.  I know that procrastination is king in many of your lives, but please let me remind you that if you put off completing your summer work until August then you are going to start the year in a mad scramble and you will already be sick of doing school work before the year has even started.  Believe me, I understand that it is hard to work on something that doesn’t *have* to be done yet, but in the long run, using your time now will be worth it.  Plus, for those of you who participate in fall sports, the reality is that your summer will essentially be over when August arrives because practices will take over all of your free time.

-        --   Summer School!  Quite a few students are taking summer school classes either at Thomas Worthington or through an online program.  Those of you who are going to school every morning at TWHS are certain to be making progress in your classes, but I always worry about the online classes since they require more self-discipline and like summer work are easy to procrastinate on until it is too late.  I have received transcripts already for a few students who have already finished their online summer school classes so I know that some of you are working on the courses, but if you have been putting this off, please get moving on your summer school assignments.

-       --  College visits – many students and families will use the summer months to explore colleges.  Whether it is wandering around a campus near your vacation spot, checking out a school that is definitely on your application list, or just visiting schools to try to figure out what you like or don’t like, please make sure you take a picture of you somewhere on campus for me!  I also suggest that you jot down a few notes about your first impressions of the school.  This will be helpful to you later in the college decision making process.

AP Test Scores

Scores from the AP tests taken during May are available online today.  Scores are no longer being mailed

home and are only available electronically. 

To access your scores visit www.apscore.org and then login using your college board account information.  (If you don’t have a college board account, you will need to create one.)

As you are probably aware, colleges determine the tests and scores needed in order to grant college credit.  Typically a 3 is the minimum score needed for credit.  Additional information is available on the college board’s AP website - http://www.apscore.org/credit.html.

I hope you are happy with your scores!

Common Application Essays

The Common Application is currently offline for revisions and system upgrades, but that doesn't mean you can't be working on the essay questions!  This is the time that senior students should begin working on their essays.  Take a look at these prompts and start brainstorming what your answers would be for each question.  After you list your thoughts for each question, look at which response tells the best story of who you are and will be the best introduction of you to the admissions committee.  Then it is time to start drafting and editing and drafting some more.  :-)  Students who utilize the common app will be asked to select and answer one question in 250-650 words.  (Please don't worry about word count on your first draft - it is always MUCH easier to cut words than it is to try to add more in later.)

Below are the common app essay questions to help you get started: 

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?

• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?

• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?

• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

(I liked the comic at the top of the page and wondered how many of you are thinking that I'm the one doing the nagging...sorry!)

E-mail

I realize that many students do not utilize e-mail regularly, however, it is very important to have an e-mail account of your own when it comes to college application time. College applications will ask you for your e-mail address. Often times the colleges will use your e-mail as their way to communicate with you including notifying you of your admissions decision. (This also points out that it is important to regularly check your e-mail.) Some questions to ask yourself, Do you have an account? (If not, you need to create one. There are tons of free choices available - gmail, yahoo, hotmail, etc.) Do you have an appropriate account? (In other words, is the name of your account appropriate as the college admissions officers will be seeing the e-mail address when reviewing your application.) Is it YOUR account? (A lot of times students just rely on their parents e-mail addresses which works a lot in high school, but when you are at the college application point it is important to have your own account as many of the colleges will ask for your address and your parents address.)

In addition to having an e-mail account, it is also important to remember to use proper etiquette when communicating with college representatives via e-mail. For example, when you need to e-mail admissions officers for any reason, as well as any other college representatives (advisor, professor, etc.) that you communicate with, please remember that the way you write your e-mail is a reflection of you. Please do not use text talk, avoid ALL CAPS, be mature, and write it in an official format “Dear _(insert their name with Mr/ Mrs)_, Text of your message, Sincerely, _(insert your name)__”.

Life in Jellybeans

Have you seen this video about your life in jelly beans?  It is pretty short and worth watching.  It is a good
reminder that we don't want to waste today.  A reminder as much for me as for anyone else.  So, I hope you are enjoying your weekend and that you make the most of today and every day!

College Visits

One common summertime activity for many students and parents is making college visits.  While traveling this summer for family vacations, don't forget to stop by the local colleges and explore their campuses.  Even if it isn't a school that you are considering, it is always beneficial to see a variety of different college environments to get a feel for the options available to you in the future.  And, even if you are not traveling over break, you can explore nearby colleges on a day when you are feeling bored and wondering what you're going to do with your time.  It probably goes without saying, but please remember that I would like your picture from somewhere on EACH campus that you visit!