Volume 5, Issue 1

Fall 2017
It’s time to SHINE!
Finding balance dur- “college ready” (post
ing senior year is key secondary ready), visit-
to finding success in ing colleges, etc. etc.
the future. Being a etc. etc. OK, did I just
senior means that stress you out? My
you’ve got some ex- apologies if I did.
tra responsibilities TAKE A DEEP
that are added to your BREATH!
list of “things to do”.
Wouldn’t it be nice to Inside this issue you’re
be able to have more going to find a list of
time? More time to the most common mis-
do the things we love takes you can make
while maintaining a during senior year.
high GPA, getting the You’ll also find info
SAT/ACT score you on SAT/ACT, and
desire, remaining Scholarships. Utilize
committed to your these tools to help bal-
arts area, taking time ance your schedule.
for friends, attending
social events, keeping
Class of 2018

up with homework,
volunteering, being

College Application Tips

Now that I have your college admission tion process and how
attention… or at least officers “look for”? you can help your
I hope that I do… What are some ways application stand out
Let’s get into some that your application in the crowd!
tips on college appli- will shine? Inside
cations! you’ll find tips on
how to make the
Ever wonder what
most of the applica-

Inside this issue:

Fall Senior Points to Ponder
Senior Parent Night information 2
 SAT vs. ACT - which test “fits” YOU best?
What NOT to do 2
 Keep aiming for that dream school! Stay
College Application Tips 2 focused!
SAT/ACT Information 3  Make sure you have a “Plan B”
Your School Counselor’s Contact Information 4
 Are you using ALL of your resources for
How to request transcripts! 4
college information? If not, what is one
more that you can think of...
Scholarship Web Site Searches 4
 Mark your calendars for SENIOR PARENT NIGHT
Thursday October 19, 6:00 pm in the cafeteria
This is a great night for the dean, senior sponsors, school counselors and financial aid speakers to share and
discuss important information with seniors & parents.
 General graduation information
 Graduation requirements
 College admission process
 Financial aid
 Attendance and code of conduct

We want to make sure you are aware of everything going on. Don’t miss this important night!

What NOT to do as a Senior… www.campusexplorer.com

1. Miss Classes : Not only ar e you
missing valuable information for
tests, but you could be missing
information that you will need for
your college courses!
2. Think that your second semester
doesn’t “count”: Don’t lose fo-
cus! Your second semester is
VERY important to your Universi-
ty/College admissions office. Ad-
missions offices have been known
to rescind their decisions… They
WILL ask for your second semes-
ter transcript!
3. Give in to “senioritis”: Senior
year is busy. Don’t let yourself
lose your motivation. Keep your
eyes on the prize!
4. Get overwhelmed: Make lists
and timelines for yourself. You
have a lot going on! You can get
through this if you prioritize your
time and keep track of your dead-
lines.
5. Confuse priorities: Planning for
college does not mean that you can
lose sight of your current obliga-
tions inside and outside of the
classroom.
6. Forget to study: Keep up with
your assignments, even after a
tough week. While you’re taking
time off, there’s a student looking
to take your spot at your College
who isn’t slacking!
7. Underestimate the time you will
need to accomplish tasks: Be
realistic with your workload. Esti-
mate the time it will take to com-
plete the assignment, then double
it.
8. Let your mind wander: Going to
college is exciting, but don’t let
daydreaming about your college
dorm distract you from the here
and now.
9. Blow off your “less important”
work: Don’t fool yourself into
thinking that a quiz or writing an-
other draft for a paper doesn’t
count… it ALL counts!
10. Fail to use the resources availa-
ble to you: Take advantage of
the information available to you!
Internet, teachers, parents, guardi-
ans, SCHOOL COUNSELORS,
college fairs, college visits, etc!!!!

College Application Tips

 Diversify your application portfolio.
You should apply to roughly 5 col-
leges/universities. Place them into
three categories: Reach, Possible,
Likely. Reach Schools ar e those
just above your GPA, SAT/ACT.
Possible Schools ar e schools wher e
you believe its possible that you will
get in based on your GPA, SAT/
ACT. Likely Schools are those that
you feel you will likely be accepted
based on your GPA/SAT/ACT.
 Once you send application materials,
FOLLOW UP with the admissions
office. You need to be sure that a
school is receiving your information.
Get in touch with the admissions
office to ensure they are receiving
your documents!
 If possible, visit all of the schools
that you are applying to—you will
find that this is the best way to de-
cide if a school is right for you!
 Even if you aren’t proud of your test
results, send your scores anyway.
Schools will want to know that
you’re retesting and may be able to
“super score” or put your highest
scores together from each time
you’ve taken the test! Ask if the
schools you are applying to will
“super score”.

Page 2 C L A S S O F 20 1 8

SAT, ACT, Oh my!
SAT:
 Sign up at www.collegeboard.com
 Cost: $46.00 (no essay), $60.00
(with essay)
 Test Day check list items: Your ad-
mission ticket, pencil, photo ID,
acceptable calculator, watch, back up
calculator batteries
ACT Registration and Testing Dates
Test Date
October 28, 2017
December 9, 2017
February 10, 2018
April 14, 2018
June 9, 2018
July 14, 2018
SAT Registration and Testing Dates
Test Date
October 7, 2017
November 4, 2017
December 2, 2017
March 10, 2018
May 5, 2018
June 2, 2018
". . . the arts have been an inseparable part of the human journey; indeed, we depend on the arts to carry us toward the
fullness of our humanity. We value them for themselves, and because we do, we believe knowing and practicing them
is fundamental to the healthy development of our children's minds and spirits…”
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
“Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
ACT: QUESTIONS?
 Sign up at www.act.org Contact SAT or ACT with your ques-
tions!
 Cost: $46.00 (no essay), $62.50
SAT: 212-713-8000
(with essay)
ACT: 319-337-1270
 Test day check list items: Your ad-
mission ticket, photo ID, acceptable
calculator, pencil, watch, back up *Check with the school counseling office
calculator batteries to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver
Registration Deadline Late Fee Required
September 22, 2017 Sept. 23-Oct. 6, 2017
November 3, 2017 Nov. 4-17, 2017
January 12, 2018 January 13-19, 2018
March 9, 2018 March 10-23, 2018
May 4, 2018 May 5-18, 2018
June 15, 2018 June 16-22, 2018
Registration deadline Late fee required
September 8, 2017 September 27, 2017
October 5, 2017 October 25, 2017
November 2, 2017 November 21, 2017
February 9, 2018 February 28, 2018
April 6, 2018 April 25, 2018
May 3, 2018 May 23, 2018
National Standards for Arts Education
Page 3
 Your School Counselors

KATHY ANDERSON
School Counselor, 9-12, A-F, ext. 119
mortensenk@duvalschools.org
ALLIE ARMSTRONG
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts School Counselor, 9-12, G-M, ext. 117
2445 San Diego Road armstronga@duvalschools.org
Jacksonville, FL
SHANEKA FERRELL
Phone: 904-346-5620
School Counseling Department Chair
Where Art and Academics meet in School Counselor, N–Z Grades 9-12, ext. 116
excellence! ferrells1@duvalschools.org

Follow our Blog!

douglasandersonguidance.blogspot.com/

How do I request transcripts?

All r equests go thr ough the School
Counseling Office! The process is slightly
different depending on where your tran-
scripts are going — check out the steps
below so you’re in the know!
Request transcripts for ALL Colleges/
Universities through your NAVIANCE
account:
 School Counseling office will send
transcripts electronically at no cost to
your college/university for schools
participating in Naviance eDocs sub-
mission.
 The college will process your tran-
scripts which can take up to 3-4
weeks. Electronic does not mean
instant. *THINK ABOUT YOUR
DEADLINES*
 The college will post your status on
your application screen. Always fol-
low up to make sure they have re-
ceived your documents!
For colleges that do not accept
eDocs submissions, you will see a
“stamp” logo next to the school
name.
 Pick up hard copies of the
tran- script in the School
Counseling office. The first three are
FREE. Each one after that is
$2.00.
 Personally mail them off.
Career and College Search Tools
www.bigfuture.collegeboard.com
www.flchoices.org
www.naviance.com
Looking for a scholarship? Check out
the school counseling section of the
DA web and Counselor’s Corner at
douglasandersonguidance.blogspot.com
along with these web site database
searches!
www.zinch.com
www.fastweb.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.collegenet.com
www.scholarships.com
www.scholarshipmonkey.com
www.ScholarshipFly.com
Want to see reviews on these web sites?
Check out this link for more info!
www.usnews.com/education/blog