Guidance
Table of Contents
Guidance Staff
Hallen, Lisa, PHD: Director & Counselor: Grades 9-12 L-Z
Robbins, Brittany, MEd: Counselor: Grades 9-12 A-K
Rancourt, Ashley, LCPC: Social Worker:
Ayer, Marissa: KBH School-based clinician:
Jabar, Bridget: Registrar
Rossignol, Di: Secretary
Santilli, Roberta, MS: JMG/MELMAC Specialist for career development
Valuable Links
AP Exams: AP Exams are open to students completing a specific, rigorous courses of instruction. The College Board manages tests and programs providing students potential college credit for completing the course and scoring sufficiently well on specialty exams.
AP Exam Dates watch for announcements of local times and locations
FAME: Maine's business and higher education financial aid agency. FAME works closely with Maine's lending community, offering a variety of loan, grant and scholarship programs.
Educators for Maine Program (normally 1 May application cutoff)
FAME Five - Five websites for student loan information every parent and senior should know and use.
High School Counselor Week: Hscounselorweek.com is an excellent online resource for counselors, teachers, parents, and high school students. A single source for college searches and countless current articles on everything from choosing and preparing for college to roomies, avoiding weight gain as a freshman, and more.
Accuplacer Info
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PREPARE FOR THE ACCUPLACER! Often, students may not pass if they "just" sit down to take the test. We strongly encourage students to take a practice test at either of these sites:
https://accuplacerpractice.collegeboard.org/login --make sure to create a login and password. You can get instant feedback on your questions, and prepare before taking the test.
OR
http://accuprep.pccc.edu/ --no login necessary, but a good site to use for free practice.
NEW IN 2018-19: THE MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM will be using PSAT and/or SAT scores as a part of the Admission Process. The ACCUPLACER will only be used during the senior year if students' PSAT or SAT scores do not qualify for admission. See the new Maine Community College requirements for specific information: 2018-19 Maine Community College Admission guidelines
The Accuplacer is an assessment required by Maine community colleges and some other institutions. It is an untimed test that students take using a computer. Most community colleges will require 4 sections: arithmetic, elementary algebra, sentence skills, and reading comprehension. Come colleges may also require the Writeplacer, where students have to respond to an essay prompt.
Students who attend the Mid Maine Technical Center can take the Accuplacer for free by arranging a time with their instructor. Other students can take the Accuplacer at KVCC or any other Maine community college.
Please stop in Guidance if you have any questions!
ACT Info
The ACT is a standardized test, very similar to the SAT, but scored differently and owned by a different company. Most 4-year colleges will accept EITHER the SAT or ACT.
To register and learn more about the ACT, go to this website: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html
AP Exams
Exam Dates
Most AP teachers and students we surveyed prefer to test earlier, while the content is still fresh.
Exams will be given from May 11–22.
Makeup test dates will be available for each subject from June 1–5.
Students can take exams at home or in schools, if they reopen.
Each subject's exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide.
View the full testing schedule.
We encourage you to remind your students about exam dates for their courses.
Exam Format
Most exams will have one or two free-response questions, and each question will be timed separately. Students will need to write and submit their responses within the allotted time for each question.
Students will be able to take exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. They'll be able to type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cell phones.
For most subjects, the exams will be 45 minutes long, plus an additional 5 minutes for uploading. Students will need to access the online testing system 30 minutes early to get set up.
Certain courses—Art and Design: 2D; Art and Design: 3D; Computer Science Principles; Drawing; Research; and Seminar—will use portfolio submissions and will not have a separate online exam. All deadlines for these submissions have been extended to May 26, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET. Teachers and students may receive separate course-specific communications.
Students taking world language and culture exams will complete two spoken tasks consistent with free-response questions 3 and 4 on the current AP Exam. Written responses will not be required. We'll provide additional details in the coming weeks to help students prepare.
To learn more about the rationale behind the exam content, watch Trevor Packer's presentation.
Tips for testing on specific devices will be available in late April.
Confronting the Digital Divide
We recognize that the digital divide could prevent some low-income and rural students from participating. Working with partners, we're investing so these students have the tools and connectivity they need to review AP content online and take the exam. If your students need mobile tools or connectivity, you can contact us directly to let us know by April 24.
Exam Scores and College Credit
As usual, students' work will be scored by our network of college faculty and AP teachers, and will be reported on a 1–5 scale. We anticipate releasing scores as close to the usual July timeframe as possible.
We're confident that the vast majority of higher ed institutions will award college credit as they have in the past. We've spoken with hundreds of institutions across the country that support our solution for this year's AP Exams.
Special Benefit for Teachers
To help support teachers and schools that are struggling to collect and score student work for course grades, we'll provide every AP teacher with their students' responses from the online exams by May 26. Administrators and teachers can individually determine whether they'd like to use these results locally as part of a course grade or as a final exam.
Exam Security
Like many college-level exams, this year's AP Exams will be open book/open note. The exam format and questions are being designed specifically for an at-home administration, so points will not be earned from content that can be found in textbooks or online. However, students taking the exams may not consult with any other individuals during the testing period. We'll take the necessary steps to protect the integrity of each exam administration, as we do every year.
We're confident that the vast majority of AP students will follow the rules for taking the exams. For the small number of students who may try to gain an unfair advantage, we have a comprehensive and strict set of protocols in place to prevent and detect cheating. While some of these practices are confidential to maximize their effectiveness, students and education professionals can learn more about our security measures.
At a minimum, test takers should understand that those attempting to gain an unfair advantage will either be blocked from testing or their AP scores will be canceled, and their high school will be notified as will colleges or other organizations to which the student has already sent any College Board scores (including SAT® scores). And they may be prohibited from taking a future Advanced Placement® Exam as well as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests™, or CLEP® assessments.
Remote Instruction and Practice
On March 25, we began offering free live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. The courses have been viewed more than 3.2 million times since they became available. On-demand lessons are now available for Art and Design, AP Capstone™, and Computer Science Principles.
In addition to sharing information about these classes with students, teachers who are providing remote instruction can use AP Classroom for most subjects. We've now unlocked secure free-response questions in AP Classroom so teachers can digitally assign relevant practice questions students can take at home. Additional tips for helping your students practice are available.
Professional Development Opportunities
We'll be providing webinars, videos, and other resources to help AP teachers and coordinators leading up to exam day.
Coordinators can register for live training on April 10 to learn more about exams.
Additional Information
We've added frequently asked questions to the site so you can find answers to important topics, including information for students with accommodations, details about exam fees and cancellations, credit and placement, calculator policies, and more. We'll continue to make updates on the site and share them with you through email, online educator communities, and social media.
Your support is critical to ensuring students have the opportunity to earn college credit and placement. Thank you for all you’re doing during this unprecedented time.
Sincerely,
Advanced Placement Program
Applying to College
It seems overwhelming, but if you start thinking about college a little at a time, its not so bad. You'd be surprised---it can take as few as 15 minutes to complete a college application. However, it is an important decision and one that we want students to think about and make carefully.
1. If you are completely uncertain about which colleges to put on "your list," try this website:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
This website is owned by the College Board. This link brings you to a search engine where you can search for schools by geography, by major, or by another interest. Be careful about answering EVERY QUESTION...if you answer too many questions, you could narrow your search too much. Think about the parts of a college that are most important to you. If you need help with this, just make an appointment in Guidance.
Here is a basic video that might help you search for and compare two outstanding colleges: UMaine and Northeastern (just using this as a demo so you can learn how to use some of the functions on the bigfuture webpage): VIDEO DEMO ON SEARCHING FOR A SPECIFIC COLLEGE USING BIGFUTURE
2. It's not too early to check out college campuses!
To request a tour of campus, all you have to do is call the undergraduate admissions office or often, just go online and request a tour on a specific date. When you visit, be certain to ask lots of questions! This may be one of the biggest decisions you make, so be sure you are asking questions about support services, how much debt graduates carry, career services, campus safety, and any other array of important questions. An early release day, teacher workshop day, school vacation day, and summer time are excellent times to visit a college campus. It might be a good idea to look at some of our local colleges, just to get used to visiting a campus, and asking questions!
3. Once you have decided on a college or 2 or 3, you will need to submit an application. Often, colleges provide an online application system on their Admissions page. If you end up applying to a handful of four-year colleges, you will likely use the Common App, which is a way to fill out 1 application that can be sent to multiple colleges and universities, saving time.
4. Figure out which requirements are needed for admission! Some schools require the SAT or ACT, others have different guidelines. If you are thinking about a Maine Community College, be aware that they require PSAT or SAT scores for admission: Maine Community College requirements
Just come in and make an appointment with Ms. Hallen or Ms. Robbins and we can help you through all of this! It's not as bad as it might seem, and much easier if you do a little research over time.
ASVAB/Military Info
The ASVAB is an assessment required by all 4 military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Marines. The test includes the following sections:
General Science
Arithmetic Reasoning
Word Knowledge
Paragraph Comprehension
Math Knowledge
Electronics Information
Mechanical Information
Assembling Objects
There are restrictions with the number of times a student can take the ASVAB. Be sure to work with a recruiter and practice before taking the ASVAB. For more information, go to this link: http://official-asvab.com/
FAFSA & Financial Aid
FINANCIAL AID SESSIONS DURING COVID
School counselors and partners - We hope that you and your families are safe and doing okay. In light of the current environment and to be helpful to Maine families, FAME has added four online Financial Aid & Higher Education Financing sessions. Please share the following invitation with your students and families:
ONLINE FINANCIAL AID SESSIONS:
Thinking about your family's future higher education? Now is a good time to learn more about Financial Aid & Higher Education Financing
We hope that you and your family are safe and doing okay.
As we look to a brighter future, FAME is here to help and provide information to families and students so you can be more prepared when things return to some sense of normal.
Earning a degree or certificate is an important financial and personal investment. But many students and families wonder how to navigate the financial aid process and pay for college.
Please join FAME for one of our online Financial Aid and Higher Education Financing session (also known as a Financial Aid Night).
During a Financial Aid and Higher Education Financing session you'll learn more about:
The financial aid process and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Types of financial aid and tools for comparing financial aid offers
Strategies to minimize college costs
Impact of current events on the financial aid process
These sessions will be offered via Zoom webinar and provide the same content as our regular in-person sessions. The webinars will be held:
Friday, April 10 at 2:00 PM – register me
Tuesday, April 14 at 6:00 PM – register me
Wednesday, April 22 at 2:00 PM – register me
Thursday, April 30 at 6:00 PM – register me
You will receive a confirmation once registered. You can join your session via your computer, Zoom app (which you’ll need to download), or by calling in via telephone.
These sessions will be hosted by a member of FAME's College Access team. There will be the opportunity to ask questions of a FAFSA expert.
FAME's College Access and Financial Education Team:
Mila Tappan, College Access and Outreach Manager
Jessica Whittier, College Access Counselor
Maria MacDougal, College Access Counselor
Nikki Vachon, College Access Counselor
Floreka Malual, College Planning Advisor
Mary Dyer, Financial Education Officer
Need a visual? Watch this short video on the FAFSA
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Financial Aid!
FINANCIAL AID INFO NIGHT: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 6PM, WSHS MEDIA CENTER
Financial Aid can seem really overwhelming, but we are very fortunate in Maine to have some extremely helpful resources that help clarify this process. In a nutshell, here are some brief facts and resources:
FSA ID: Federal Student Aid ID
Before filing the FAFSA, each student and 1 parent/guardian must obtain an FSA ID. Essentially, this is a login and password students (and 1 parent/guardian) can use to sign the FAFSA electronically. We urge students/parents to DOCUMENT THEIR FSA ID and keep it somewhere safe, to use each October when filing a new FAFSA. To obtain your FSA ID, go to this website: www.fsaid.ed.gov
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA is an electronic form that students must submit every year they plan to enroll in college. Each year, the new FAFSA is "open" on October 1. Do NOT submit a FAFSA before October 1st! The student applying for college and 1 parent/guardian must apply together--signing off on the same electronic FAFSA. The FAFSA calculates a number of factors, including household income, in order to determine a student's EFC (expected family contribution), which colleges use to determine financial aid awards.
Every year, WSHS Guidance hosts an informational FAFSA night, where volunteers are on hand to help families with questions and to walk them through the FAFSA form. In addition, families who need extra help based on unfamiliarity with the FAFSA OR complex family situations are encouraged to contact the Guidance Office. We have an arrangement with a financial aid colleague who will come to WSHS and meet individually with families as needed to help process the FAFSA and to review financial aid award letters later on in the year. If you need assistance, please ask! THE SOONER A FAFSA IS SUBMITTED, THE BETTER. The FAFSA is always free. Never pay to file a FAFSA! To make the process as easy as possible, be sure to have your SSN available and your 2018 tax returns on hand for students applying to go to college in 2020-21. Here is the official website: www.fafsa.gov
PLEASE CLICK ON THE PDF AT THE END OF THIS SCREEN FOR A LIST OF DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO COMPLETE A FAFSA!
***BE CERTAIN TO LIST ALL OF YOUR COLLEGES ON THE FAFSA, ESPECIALLY IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND AND APPLY TO ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS***
CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is another electronic form required by some PRIVATE COLLEGES. The Maine community college system, and the University of Maine system do not require the CSS Profile. Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby are examples of Maine colleges that do require the CSS Profile. Before you complete the CSS Profile, make sure that your college requires it....many do not. To find out if a college requires the CSS Profile, just check the college's financial aid page or stop in Guidance to ask.
Quick slide show about the CSS Profile: what you need, how to get through it, etc.
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
Asking questions and checking on financial aid
It is really important to follow the following steps:
1. Obtain an FSA ID
2. Complete a FAFSA; list all of your colleges
3. Complete a CSS Profile ONLY if required by your college
4. Print the following documents and keep them safe: FSA IDs, Student Aid Report from the FAFSA.
Other important categories, can't repeat enough.....
1. CHECK THE COLLEGE'S FINANCIAL AID WEBSITE, AND CALL THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE WITH QUESTIONS! If there are extra forms you need to submit, you want to make sure you meet all deadlines and communicate regularly with the financial aid office at your college/s. They are there to help and answer questions!
2. Students: CHECK YOUR EMAIL, CHECK YOUR EMAIL, CHECK YOUR EMAIL!!!
Most colleges/universities communicate with students through email, or through a college portal. Students will miss out on extremely important announcements unless they regularly check email. It is wise to have a personal email account that you check; your AOS92 email will be purged at some point after you graduate.
3. If any information changes--address, email address, phone number, etc. Be sure to update your college, your FSA ID, your FAFSA and/or CSS, and your friendly neighborhood Guidance office!
4. JUST ASK! Please come in and ask if you have any questions about this.
Other great resources:
Finance Authority of Maine: a great, free resource to get FAFSA, CSS, assistance and to get questions answered. FAME is our go-to place for all financial aid questions.
https://www.famemaine.com/education/topics/learning-about-financial-aid/
Financial Aid Glossary of Terms:
Big Future: tons of information about choosing a college, college costs, etc:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid
Understand student loans: How long might it take you to repay loans?
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/your-money/student-loan-repayment-calculator.html
Understanding the FAFSA Verification Process:
Fantastic how-to videos can be found at FAME's youtube channel: Easy, short, financial aid videos for Maine families
NY Times STUDENT DEBT CALCULATOR to gauge what your payments might be like when you graduate from college: Student Debt Calculator
Finding A Job
Need help looking for a job? GO TALK TO MRS. SANTILLI! Mrs. Santilli meets with area employers and can help you prepare a resume, obtain an interview and interview practice, and work on "work readiness" skills. All you have to do is ask! Contact Mrs. Santilli for more help and a meeting to get you started: rsantilli@aos92.org
DID YOU KNOW that the Waterville Public Library is open for job search assistance every Tuesday from 10:00 am-noon? Staff are on hand to help you, friends, parents, guardians, anyone with beginning the job search process. Check out this link for more information: Waterville Public Library job search resources
Also, check out the Maine Career Center for tons of job searching tools and help: Maine Career Center
In-house Counseling
Being a teenager is tough! There are many ways to access emotional support through high school. We are happy to make referrals through any of the following resources:
Our in-house KBH school-based counselor, Marissa Ayer
Marissa accepts referrals for students who are interested in school-based treatment. Students must have Maine Care in order to initiate counseling with Marissa. The process is easy--just ask! Students or parents can contact Ms. Robbinsor Ms. Hallen in Guidance, and we can complete a referral form. Once a referral form is completed, Marissa will be in touch with parents/guardians to schedule an "intake meeting." Then, Marissa will begin meeting with the student individually, during the school day, to provide counseling and support. These meetings are confidential. For more information, just call the Guidance Office at 861-7609.
Referral to an off-campus provider
There are many outstanding providers in the central Maine area. Referrals can be obtained through the Guidance Office, through a physician or doctor's office, or just by calling individual therapists. Therapists tend to accept different kinds of insurance, so be sure to check first to make sure appointments are covered as much as possible by your insurance plan.
Check in with our in-house social worker, Ashley Rancourt
Ashley's office is a busy place, located within the Guidance Department. Ashley has access to a number of resources, including a stash of food, supplies, clothing, and other needs. Ashley is a terrific resource to utilize when a student is anxious, angry, or just needs a sounding board to work through problems.
Need help? The Maine Crisis Hotline is open 24 hours/day, every day. 1-888-568-1112.
ShineOnCass
The ShineOnCass Junior Service Award is in memory of Cassidy Jean Charette, August 31, 1997-October 11, 2014.
The ShineOnCass Junior Service Award, first started in 2015 at Messalonskee High, now includes recognition of outstanding students in surrounding local high schools! Beginning in 2018, this award will be bestowed annually to a JUNIOR at Waterville Senior High who best emulates Cassidy Charette's genuine kindness, exceptional community and school service, compassion, and selfless concern for others. This is a great addition to college applications! All students in the Junior Class are eligible to receive the award. Candidates may be nominated by a parent, teacher, guidance counselor, or community organization, Students are also encouraged to nominate themselves.
The ShineOnCass recipient will receive a monetary gift from the ShineOnCass Foundation to be used at their discretion to extend kindness and service. The recipient will receive a self-addressed stamped envelope and is encouraged to send a note to the Charette family, sharing how they chose to Shine Cassidy's light. Honorable mention recipients will also be recognized.
Applications are completed online and are submitted to the High School Guidance Office. The deadline is May 11, 2020. Awards will be presented at an assembly at the end of the school year.
The link to apply can be found here: SHINE ON CASS NOMINATION 2020
Mid-Maine Technical Center
The Mid Maine Technical Center provides career/technical education classes in a variety of fields, from health care to computers to automotive and machining. All classes allow for students to earn up to date industry certifications and, if they meet the requirements, college credits through NESCOM and Maine community colleges.
Space is limited, and students are expected to attend school regularly, maintain professionalism, follow instructions, and conduct themselves safely.
Classes are available in the following areas:
CTE Academy, a sampler course designed for sophomores
Programs for juniors and seniors:
Medical Careers/CNA certification
Electrical 1&2
Residential Construction
Finish Carpentry
Outdoor Leadership and Wilderness Exploration
Automotive Service
Automotive Systems
Food Preparation
Restaurant Operation
Law Enforcement and Police Patrol
Crime Investigation and Criminology
Child Care
Early Childhood Education
IT Support Specialist
Apple Technology and App Development
Videography and Multimedia Journalism
Broadcasting & Multimedia Production
Machine Tool
Machinist Operations
EMT, Basic
Firefighting
Fore more information, click on the link for the MMTC website:
PSAT Info
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO TO UNDERSTAND THE PSAT, AND TO CONNECT WITH KHAN ACADEMY!
click here for a PSAT 8/9 video, FRESHMEN ONLY!
Click here for a how-to video if you can't see your scores!
The PSAT is a practice assessment usually given during sophomore and/or junior year. At WSHS, we give the PSAT to most sophomores and juniors. It is an early indicator of college and career readiness as defined by the College Board.
When does it take place? In October. The next test date for the PSAT for WSHS is Wednesday, October 16, 2019.
Why should I take it? The PSAT gives an early read on what your SAT scores may look like. The score report contains lots of information about individual skill sets, and how to improve. All students who take the PSAT will receive an in-depth answer analysis, along with a link to a free, individualized study guide made possible through a partnership between the College Board and Khan Academy. In addition, students will have access to career and college exploration software, a personality inventory, and more to start planning for college/service/employment. And, as a junior, taking the PSAT is the ONLY WAY to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship.
How long is the PSAT? The test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. There are a couple of breaks built in.
What does the PSAT cover?
-Words in context
-Command of evidence
-Math that matters most
-Problems grounded in real-world context
-Analysis in Science and History/social studies
-US Founding documents and the great global conversation
And, no penalty for guessing! For more information, go to: PSAT content info
Teachers, here is the link for more PSAT and SAT practice: SAT/PSAT practice for teachers
SAT Info
COVID UPDATES TO SAT:
We are regularly receiving information about rescheduling the SAT. As of April 3, 2020, the June 6 administration is still available, although that may change depending on how Maine's social distancing/essential programming policies are updated over the next month or so. There may be summer administrations, or an online administration....we are staying in touch with the College Board and will relay any new decisions/dates on this website and through an email announcement to students' homes.
We are also getting many updates from colleges indicating a test-optional policy for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle. However, there are many specifics related to each campus and sometimes, each major. For the most accurate information, please visit the college's admissions website. Ms. Robbins & Ms. Hallen will try to help you find the information if you get stuck. Just reach out and ask!
You CAN still practice for free using KHAN Academy. Go to satpractice.org to get started.
Pre-COVID information:
ALL JUNIORS WILL BE TAKING THE SAT ON April 14, 2020 AT WSHS. Students do not have to register or pay for this exam. It is a part of the Maine Department of Education high school assessment requirements for all Maine public high schools.
WHAT IS THE SAT?
The SAT is an assessment used by many, but not all, 4-year colleges as a part of the admission process. In 2018-19, Maine Community Colleges also used SAT or PSAT scores as a part of the admission process as well. The sections included in the exam are:
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Math
Essay (optional but will be a required part of the April 9 exam)
HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE SAT
For all other SAT registrations OTHER THAN APRIL 14, 2020, students must register by using their College Board account. They will need to select a test date, upload an appropriate photo ID, and have access to a debit or credit card to pay for the SAT. Students who receive free/reduced lunch should inquire in the Guidance Office about a fee waiver. Pay special attention to deadlines. Registration dates and exam dates are as follows:
EXAM DATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE
August 24, 2019 July 26, 2019
October 5, 2019 September 6, 2019
November 2, 2019 October 3, 2019
December 7, 2019 November 8, 2019
March 14, 2020 February 14, 2020
May 2, 2020 April 3, 2020
June 6, 2020 May 8, 2020
August 29, 2020 At least 1 month in advance of all test dates
September 26, 2020-----NEW DATE DUE TO COVID 19
October 3, 2020
November 7, 2020
December 5, 2020
March 13, 2021
May 8, 2021
June 5, 2021
For all updated information, students should use their College Board accounts and go to:
HOW IS THE SAT SCORED?
Evidence Based Reading and Writing: 200-800
Math: 200-800
Essay: 3 scores ranging from 2-8
Some helpful links on the SAT:
More information on SAT scoring
More information on the SAT sections and what they include
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE SAT?
Every student who took the PSAT as a sophomore or junior has access to an individualized study plan. In order to access this study plan, students must login to their College Board accounts, and give permission to link their College Board Account to Khan Academy. Then, all of their PSAT information will be uploaded and Khan will develop an individualized, tailored study plan. Students can sort questions, learn what skills they have already mastered and what areas to work on, and how to use their time to prepare for the SAT.
HELPFUL LINKS TO PRACTICE FOR SAT:
Many free, easy ways of practicing!
Let's Get Ready is offering its second session, beginning in February. This is a free SAT prep class, held at Colby College. For more information, check this link or stop in Guidance for registration materials.
Scholarships
Search for Scholarships like it's your job!!!
A few important factors to consider when searching for scholarships:
1. They won't find you; you need to find them.
You must apply to be considered for the vast majority of scholarships. Often, this requires completing a form online or in paper, submitting and essay, and sending it by the deadline to the correct organization. A few tips:
WRITE CLEARLY IN PEN, NOT PENCIL, NOT MARKER, NOT CRAYON
SPELLCHECK, SPELLCHECK, SPELLCHECK
If you are writing an essay, be certain it is relevant for that scholarship, or responds to the correct prompt. Don't simply mass produce your college essay and send it to different organizations.
To increase your chances of being selected, use care in your scholarship applications and remember, you are competing with other students who also want to be funded!
2. Understand how your college will use scholarship money in your financial aid package. For example, some institutions may replace their scholarship dollars with your scholarship dollars....others will replace their student loans with your scholarship dollars. Contact the financial aid office to be fully understand how your scholarship awards will be factored into their financial aid package. As a rule, we recommend that students search regularly for scholarships.
3. When searching for scholarships, think locally, then regionally, then nationally.
Many organizations may provide scholarships to help students offset college costs. Some examples are:
Your part-time employer
A parent/guardian's employer
Your hometown bank or credit union
Your church
Your hometown American Legion
Professional affiliations, like MaineGeneral, Girl Scouts or the Maine Christmas Tree Association
Then, think about Maine organizations that provide scholarships. Some examples are:
The Mitchell Institute
Maine Community Foundation
Maine Educational Services
There are many national organizations too.
We post all scholarships we receive in the Guidance Office regularly as follows:
Scholarship Bulletin 1: September-November deadlines
Scholarship Bulletin 2: December-February deadlines
Scholarship Bulletin 3: March-April deadlines
Scholarship bulletin 4: May-September deadlines
In addition, here are a few great websites that help students use search engines to identify scholarship opportunities:
Maine Community Foundation scholarships
Summer Opportunities
UMaine is offering many tuition-free college classes for high school students for the summer of 2020! For more info, click on this link: UMAINE SUMMER CLASSES
There are loads of summer opportunities available throughout Maine and in other "away" places. Many colleges offer pre-college summer programs in a variety of fields. It is difficult to maintain a list of every summer program we hear about, but we do post them regularly in the lobby of WSHS. Here are just several worth looking into:
2020: Eastern Maine Community College is offering an Adventures in Healthcare residential camp for students entering 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Fee is $300 but scholarships are available. June 25-28. Campers will practice casting, suturing, spine immobilization, and other hands-on health care practice activities. For more information, see this website: EMCC Adventures in Healthcare Summer Camp
2020: Consider Engineering at UMaine: free summer program for qualified high school juniors
This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity to apply principles you have learned in high school to engineering problems. You will learn and have fun as one of 102 students who will be selected competitively to spend four days in Orono at the University of Maine with all program costs being paid by the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation. The program will enroll students from throughout Maine and other states as well. For more information and to apply, go to this website: UMaine Consider Engineering Camp 2020Applications due by APRIL 15, 2020
2020: Maine General is looking for volunteers! If you are interested in learning more about all the jobs you can prepare for at Maine General Medical Center, you should consider volunteering. Maine General Medical Center is accepting applications for volunteers beginning at age 14. Students will need to provide a resume, cover letter, and have a formal interview. Jobs can include: non-patient contact (customer service, help in gift shop, help in food/nutrition), Patient-level contact (greet and provide information, directions, escorts to guests, help with same day surgery patients); Patient Care (assist patients one on one in various departments) or Patient Transport, just to name a few. Students must be able to commit approximately 4 hours/week to their volunteer position. Maine General is flexible with scheduling around sports and other school commitments. For application materials and a brochure, just stop by Guidance and ask for a copy.
2020: DIRIGO GIRLS' STATE: A non-partisan, hands-on opportunity for young women to learn about responsible citizenship in a democratic society. The Girls' State program is a government simulation in which delegates role play campaigns and elections for local, county and state government. Female juniors keenly interested in government and current events, have high moral character, show strong leadership abilities, and demonstrate above average academic achievement are encouraged to apply.
Every summer!
Other announcements we have received:
Summer programs at Northeastern University
Academy of Media Production at BU
Journalism workshop at Regis and Simmons College
Pre-College at Stanford University
Pre-College at University of Rochester
Pre-College at Adelphi University summer program
Pre-College at Smith College
Pre-College at Boston University
Pre-College at Barnard
Pre-College at Ithaca College
Pre-College at WPI
Pre-College at Regis College
Pre-College at Duke University
Pre-College at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Pre-College at Banson Fashion/NYC
Vermont Young Writers' Conference
Journalism conference at Regis & Simmons in Boston
Pre-College Architecture program at Roger Williams University
Pre-College design and fabrication at Wentworth Institute of Technology
Other pre-college programs listed at Summer Fuel
Taking a College Class
UMaine is offering many tuition-free college classes for high school students for the summer of 2020! For more info, click on this link: UMAINE SUMMER CLASSES
Our nearby colleges offer a variety of courses for current high school students. Each college offers different classes, requiring different forms and pre-requisites. Some require fees, some do not. If you are interested in signing up for a college class, please see Ms. Robbins or Ms. Hallen in Guidance so we can help you obtain forms and information. Usually, students can request a college class now, but they won't find out if they are placed until after the college's full time students have registered, so students may not know if they secured a space for certain until later in the summer. Here is a list of the colleges that have shared fall courses to date:
AP4ALL: Online AP classes for Maine students (all year classes)
Summer & Fall '20 UMaine Academ-e: online classes for Maine high school students
Husson University Early Access Program
Thomas College Fall 2020 courses
Colby courses are now available. Contact Ms. Robbins or Ms. Hallen for specific forms.