Guidance Department
 

Guidance News and Notes

This is the first of many Senior News & Notes that you will receive over the next several months.  Included in each “edition” will be news about colleges visiting Cathedral, Open Houses, College Fairs, scholarships, deadlines, and other pertinent information pertaining to the college process…but first some information about the Guidance Office and its procedures.
 

• The Guidance Office opens at 7:30 a.m.
   

• College Videos & CDs may be borrowed for 2-3 days; sign the index card in the box and give it to Ms. O’Neill (the Guidance secretary).
   

• View books should not be taken from the Guidance Office. When we have more than one copy, you may take it for your use.
   

• When the Guidance Office receives applications, they are filed in alphabetical order in the black file cabinet by Ms. O’Neill’s desk.  You may take applications from this file (one copy per college).
   

• There are 3 bulletin boards which you should check on a regular basis – one lists Open Houses, another – scholarships, and the third - other up-to-date information which arrives in the Guidance Office after News & Notes has been distributed.
   

• Official transcripts may not be given to students.  Transcripts are mailed directly to colleges or scholarship organizations.  The fee is $2.  This covers the costs of copying and mailing applications and transcripts.
   

• Seniors who plan to visit a college/attend an interview on a school day must request a permission form to be filled out by a parent.  Forms may be picked up from your counselor.  Forms must be returned to your counselor for her signature and then be given to the Student Life Office no later than one day before a visit.  Seniors should make every effort to make these visits on days off.
   

• SMALL GROUP COLLEGE COUNSELING will begin on Day A (9/17) during the fourth period of the day.
   

• Remember, if you need to see your counselor, drop by and ask for an appointment.
   

• Students who plan to do Early Decision applications should see their counselors within the next week. Most Early Decision applications are due at colleges between October 15 and November 15.
   

• College representatives will be visiting Cathedral.  If a “college” is visiting during a class period, and you would like to meet with the representative, you must sign up with your counselor one day before the visit.

Please ask your guidance counselor about any of the open houses or information sessions that are listed.  Many of them are out of state colleges holding their sessions in NY.  Some may require registration.  Those that take place on a weekday are generally in the evening.  Your counselor has the details.

COLLEGES VISITING CATHEDRAL 

DAY/DATE                                          COLLEGE                                          TIME                    PLACE 

Wednesday, 9/24                                Barnard College                                    2 pm                  Guidance Office

Tuesday, 9/30                                     Union College                                        11:44                 Cafeteria 

COLLEGE OPEN HOUSES
 

DAY/DATE                                            COLLEGE                                                            PLACE 

Sunday, 9/21                                        Mt. St. Mary College                                        Newburgh, NY

Saturday, 9/20                                    Quinnipiac University                                         Hamden, CT 

Saturday, 9/27                                    Johnson & Wales University                             Providence, RI 

Saturday, 9/27                                    Wellesley College                                              Wellesley, MA
Saturday, 9/27                                    College of Westchester                                     White Plains, NY

Saturday, 10/4                                    Barnard College                                                 NYC

Sunday, 10/5                                       Western New England College                         Springfield, MA

Sunday, 9/21                                        University of CT                                               Storrs, CT
 

INFORMATION SESSIONS

DAY/DATE                                          COLLEGE                                                            PLACE 

Tuesday, 9/23                                      Tulane University                                              Uniondale, NY*

Tuesday, 9/23                                      Princeton University                                         NYC 

Saturday, 9/27                                    Suffolk University                                             Boston, MA 

Thursday, 10/2                                   Tulane University                                              NYC* 

*You must register for this event

OTHER DATES TO NOTE 

9/17        Cathedral HS College Fair- gymnasium, 1:30-3:30 

9/19        Deadline to mail ACT application for October test 

9/26        Deadline to mail SAT application for November test 

10/4        SAT exam

    SCHOLARSHIPS

1) QuestBridge (deadline 9/30) is a nationally focused non-profit organization that links bright, motivated low-income students with the educational and scholarship opportunities at the nation's best colleges.  They are offering full scholarships for students who enroll at their partner colleges.  Please ask your guidance counselor for eligibility requirements and more information or visit www.questbridge.org  

2) The New York Times (deadline 10/17) will award a scholarship of $7,500 a year to 20 students with the following characteristics: 

1.       Outstanding academic achievement

2.       Commitment to learning and to public service

3.       Success in the face of financial or other obstacles

4.       US citizen or permanent resident

 Preference will be given to students whose parents have not graduated from accredited four-year colleges or universities.  Applications are online at www.nytimes.com/scholarship

3) The Coca-Cola Scholarship (deadline 10/31) awards 250 achievement-based awards each year.  Students must be well-rounded individuals with highly developed interests in their community.  Applicants are evaluated on the following:

1.       Demonstrated leadership in school

2.       Commitment to community

3.       Academic achievement

Students must submit an application online at www.coca-colascholars.org for an application.  If you need help, see your counselor.

 4) The Ron Brown Scholarship Program awards $40,000 ($10,000 per year) scholarships to academically talented, highly motivated African American students.  The  scholarship committee places strong emphasis on academic achievement and community service.  Students must be US citizens or permanent residents.  The scholarship may only be used at four-year colleges and universities in the US.  There are two deadline dates; November 1st and January 9th.  Ask you counselor for more details. 

 5) The Society of Automotive Engineers is offering a number of scholarships (deadline 12/1/08) to qualified students who are interested in studying engineering and the related sciences.  You must intend to earn a degree in engineering or related science, be a US citizen, and meet the minimum GPA and SAT/ACT requirements as outlined by each scholarship.  See your counselor for more details. 

6) The AXA Achievement Scholarship (deadline 12/15/08) awards up to $15,000 in scholarships to students who show ambition and drive; determination to set and reach goals; respect for self, family and community; and the ability to succeed in college.  Visit www.axa-achievement.com for details.

7) The Skidmore College Department of Music is awarding a four-year scholarship ($10,000 each year) through their Filene Foundation Music Competition.  You must attend Skidmore College and complete your admission application by 1/15/09.  You may visit www.skidmore.edu/filenescholarship to enter.  The deadline is 1/15/09.

8) JPMorgan Chase Smart Start Scholarship (deadline 2/1/09) awards a four-year full tuition scholarship at one of its member colleges.  The scholarship is open to all NYC residents who plan to attend college in the Fall of 2008.  The scholarship applies to all majors except life sciences and fine arts.  It requires that you take the SAT I exam no later than December 2008 and submit an essay.  Visit www.jpmorganchase.com/smartstart or see your guidance counselor for more details.