Harding Academy of Memphis October 17, 2017

COLLEGE NEWSLETTER
Junior
Important Dates

Harding Test Dates

PSAT...10/25
ACT at Harding02/27

ACT Dates Deadlines

12/09.11/03
02/10.01/12
04/14...03/09
06/09..05/04
07/14....06/15

SAT Dates Deadlines

11/04.10/05
12/02..11/02
03/10...02/09
Think College Night
5/05..04/06 The Counseling Oce is excited to host our third annual
06/02...05/03 Think College Night. We have been active with your
Holidays for College Visits students this semester, spending several days in classes with
MLK Day..01/15 them and answering some of their questions regarding
Presidents Day02/19 college. We are excited to have the opportunity to share
Spring Break..03/12-16 some of this information with you. Parents of juniors will
Easter Break.03/30-04/02
attend two sessions tonight. The first is a parent panel
A note about college visits: comprised of parents of alumni who will share their wisdom
Harding does not routinely excuse
gained from experiencing the college process with their
absences for visits to college or
university campuses. Each student is child. This session was our most well-received last year and
encouraged to use the breaks built into we are excited to oer it to you this year. Next, Mrs. Banker
the schedule for making such visits. If
will talk through the information that has been presented to
you must miss a day of school for a
college visit, seek approval for the your student in classes this semester. Most of this
absence at least two weeks in information is in this handout so you can reference it later.
advance.Upon your return to school, all
Thank you for coming tonight. We hope you benefit from
missed work should be completed and
documentation of the visit should be the information shared!
given to Mrs.Webb in order for your
absence to be excused. Mrs. Banker and the Counseling Team

Counseling Services counseling@hardinglions.org 1

Harding Academy of Memphis
Attention Prospective
College Athletes:
If you are interested in playing
college-level athletics, you need
to register with the NCAA
Eligibility Center and/or the
NAIA Eligibility Center. The
registration steps are as follows:
Go to
www.eligibilitycenter.org for
the NCAA or
www.playnaia.org for NAIA.
Create an account and
register. (Registration with
each organization costs $80.)
Send ACT and SAT scores.
Log in to your Naviance
account to request to have a
transcript sent.
Communicate your desire to
play with your coach and Mrs.
Banker.
Stay Connected
Don't miss out on important college-
related events, announcements, and
information!
Check your email for bi-monthly
college planning updates.
Follow us on Canvas: Counseling
Grade 11.
Regularly check out our blog for
announcements, events, and
resources:
hardingcounselingservices.weebly.com
Follow us on Twitter @MHA_College.
Counseling Services
October 17, 2017
Junior Year Tasks...
Below are the seven tasks we recommend our juniors focus on
this year.
Maintain strong grades and good study habits. Your
junior year grades will be the last grades to appear on your
transcript if you apply next fall. Figure out what you need to do
in order to improve your grades. Get help if needed from your
teachers, counselors, peers, or parents. Colleges are looking for
students who can succeed in college-level work. Be sure that
your grades demonstrate your potential and college-readiness.
Research colleges and develop a "Colleges I'm Applying
To" list. Consider what you need in a college environment to
be successful. Search for colleges that meet your needs. Form a
list of college options that includes reach schools, realistic
schools, and safety schools. Record important admissions
information you find such as admissions representative contact
information, tuition costs, admissions steps and requirements,
scholarships, and deadlines on your College Planning Sheet.
Visit colleges, attend college fairs and local events,
attend college rep lunch visits. Learn about colleges and
show your interest in them by attending local college events
and college rep lunch visits. Visit college campuses and
schedule college tours. Prepare a list of questions you have
before your visit. If you need to miss a day of school for a
college visit, get permission from Mrs. Semore two weeks in
advance and remember to get documentation of your visit
from your college in order for your absence to be excused.
Study for and take the ACT and SAT. Take advantage of
the PSAT results you will receive December 13. Use this test as
a free practice test and take advantage of the customized feed-
back oered to you in your score report. Develop a plan for
taking the ACT and the SAT. Take both tests in close
proximity to determine which test plays toward your strengths.
When you get your results, determine which test yielded you a
higher score, develop a study plan and retake the test. Aim to
get the score you need for your application or scholarships
before the start of your senior year.
Get involved. What are your passions? Confused about what
you want to study in college? Participate in activities that
demonstrate those passions and allow you to explore career
interests. Volunteer, job shadow, intern, join new organizations,
and network. Document these activities on your Naviance
resume and keep it updated throughout the year. Include all
school activities, awards, jobs, leadership experiences,
volunteer work, and enrichment programs.
Get organized. Start a file box with information you receive
from the colleges to which you might apply. Create a file for
each college of interest. Fill in your college planning sheet for
with all of the important information you collect that will be
helpful as you apply next year. Write dates and deadlines on a
calendar.
Communicate with your college counselor. Remember
that Mrs. Banker is your advocate to the college reps in this
process. Keep her informed on which schools you are
considering and what events or activities you've attended.
Email her or set up an appointment with her to discuss your
college options. Let her know what she can do to help you in
this process.
counseling@hardinglions.org 2
 Harding Academy of Memphis October 17, 2017
ACT TESTING OPPORTUNITY:
On February 27,
Colleges Visiting Harding 2018, all juniors will
have the opportunity to
DATE TIME COLLEGE COLLEGE REP LOCATION
take the ACT on
10/18 11:40 Southwest TN Amanda Victory Blue Room campus, in classrooms
Community College during the school day.
10/19 11:40 Univ. of Arkansas Paige Griffith Stepherson Room Students do not need to
register for this test on ACT's website. An exam
10/20 11:35 Univ. of Alabama Michele Kisel Blue Room has been ordered for each junior. The $45.00
exam fee will be collected by Harding prior to
10/23 11:35 Univ. of Mississippi Neal Ann Chamblee Blue Room
the exam administration. Visit http://
10/24 11:35 Christian Brothers Univ. Olivia Betterton Blue Room www.hardinglions.org/act-information for
10/24 11:35 Univ. of TN Martin Emily Sparks Stepherson Room more info.

10/27 11:35 Abilene Christian Univ. Darci Halstead Blue Room COLLEGE MEETINGS:

11/01 11:40 Univ. of Missouri-St. Louis April Young Cafeteria In the spring semester, juniors will be
encouraged to sign up for a one-on-one
11/10 11:35 Mississippi State Univ. Parker Jones Blue Room college planning meeting with Mrs. Banker to
Note: Students must sign up for college visits through their Naviance accounts. To discuss colleges of interest and develop an
learn how to sign up for a visit, watch the Signing Up For a College Visit application plan for senior year. In the
screencast on the counseling blog: hardingcounselingservices.weebly.com. meantime, students who want to meet with a
Students will receive an email when a visit is set up with a school that is listed in counselor to discuss college-related topics or
their Colleges Im Thinking About list. Please keep this list updated. questions can sign up for a meeting with Mrs.
Banker or Mrs. Canterbury using their online
scheduling sites: calendly.com/banker-sarah or
calendly.com/canterbury-melissa.

COLLEGE PLANNING SHEETS:

Each junior will

be given access
to a college
planning sheet
in their google
drive this
semester. This
document will be used to collect information
as you research colleges this semester.
Develop a list of five colleges including at
least one reach school, realistic school, and
safety school. These sheets will be discussed
in your one-on-one college planning meeting
with Mrs. Banker in the spring and will guide
you as you apply next year. The deadline to
complete your sheet is February 15, 2018.

Counseling Services counseling@hardinglions.org 3