We know it’s tempting for seniors to cruise through the rest of their high school days after receiving admission to the colleges of their choice. Resist this temptation. Increasingly, selective colleges are rescinding acceptances for students who do not maintain the same grades that won them acceptance. Although not all colleges request mid-year reports, all do expect to see final transcripts before students are permitted to register for classes. A drop in once-stellar grades, the appearance of a D or two, or worst of all, failing grades, will trigger an automatic review. Students will be asked to provide an acceptable explanation for their senior slump. In some cases, colleges will withdraw the offer of a place, while in other instances, students will be placed on academic probation or be otherwise expected to prove themselves to the university.
Considering dropping AP or switching to a less rigorous program for the second semester? Better consider carefully before making any changes in the schedule you reported to your colleges. If you have a compelling reason to change a class,
be sure to first notify your college of choice and receive written permission for the switch. You’ll need to get consent even from colleges that have not as yet rendered an admission decision. Remember that, sometimes, choice of a challenging curriculum is part of the decision to admit.

Beware Senior Slump

February 2006

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Inside this issue:

THE COUNSELOR
A College Counseling Newsletter for our CVC Families

Central Valley Christian Schools

Don’t Wait Till it’s Too Late!

Allison Bosma Cal Baptist
Amy Brown La Sierra
Kendall Brown Chico State
Tara DeHaan Fresno State, Concordia
Taylor Gilkey Concordia
Danika Heatherly Azusa, Harding University,
Point Loma, Presbyterian
Kirstie Kampen Fresno Pacific
Chris Kausen Point Loma
Kirk Kindy Azusa, San Jose State
Joel Ruiter Cal State Monterey Bay
Renee’ te Velde Concordia
Mark Tos Fresno State
Andrea Van Beek Biola
Jarie Van Bockel Trinity, Azusa
Lisa VanderEyk Fresno State, Concordia
Michelle Vryhof Azusa, Fresno State

Spring is prime time for college visits, and the time to plan for them is now. Seniors may use these campus visits as a way of finalizing their decision about which college offer to accept. Juniors should use the visit to determine the qualities that are important to them in selecting a college.
For juniors, a more cursory look is in order. Read about the college before your visit. Join the organized tour at the admissions office; student tour guides are usually wonderful sources of inside information. Ask the questions that are important to you and try to get a real sense of life at that college. If the tour doesn’t include facilities that are of interest to you (such as art studios or film-editing labs) ask to meet with someone from the appropriate department. Attend the information session. Take time to wander around campus on your own. Be sure to have a meal in the student union, and while there, check out the notices posted on kiosks. Get a copy of the campus newspaper so you can learn what issues are important to the students. In short, try to picture yourself as a student at that school. Take lots of photos and jot down your impressions of each campus you visit. Concentrate on your likes and dislikes.
Seniors need to delve more deeply. Call several weeks ahead of time and arrange an overnight stay in the dorms. Speak to as many students as you can and get their first-hand impressions about life on that campus. What’s been best (or worst) about the school in their experience?
Sit in on a class in a subject of interest to you. Arrange to talk with a faculty member who teaches a course in your anticipated major. Stop by the Placement Office and learn how the college’s graduates have fared. Check out research opportunities, availability of professors, chances for internships, study abroad. Determine how well the school fits you.
Juniors, if you need help getting started, stop by and see Mrs. Thornton in the Counseling Center. She can help you with contacts names, phone numbers and also has a lot of brochures and information to share with you.

More College Acceptances!

Campus Visits

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THE COUNSELOR
A College Counseling Newsletter for our CVC Families

If you are planning on going to a four year college or university right after high school and you have any D’s or F’s on your high school transcript, it is important for you to know that you will need to retake those classes and get a C or better in them. The sooner you retake them, the better.
Do not wait until your senior year to do this because you’ll need to begin applying to colleges and sending in transcripts in the fall of your senior year. Only your first three years grades will be reflected on your transcripts. UC, Cal State and most other schools will NOT accept you if you have a D or F on your high school transcript.
See Mr. Ruiter or Mrs. Thornton before the end of the semester to discuss this if it pertains to you.
The best advice: study hard, give your best effort the first time around and you won’t have to worry about repeating any courses.

The FAFSA – Understanding the Process

All Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors…Please Read

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) gathers information that all colleges use to determine a student’s ability to pay for college. Utilizing federal formulas and methodology, the FAFSA seeks to level the playing field for all students and families. For the fastest results, apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Beware of fafsa.com—it’s a scam.
Carefully read directions and gather needed documents before you begin to complete the FAFSA. Some of the records you’ll need include your social security number, driver’s license, records of money you earned in 2004 including a W-2 form, your parent’s 2004 Federal Tax Return, current bank statements, business and investment records, and records of untaxed income such as social security or veteran’s benefits.
Apply for a PIN number that will allow you to access your online form, as well as sign your FAFSA electronically. Then begin to complete the FAFSA form, carefully entering all data. Save your information often so that it will not be lost if your session is interrupted. Print out a copy for your own records before submitting your FAFSA.
You (and the colleges you listed on the FAFSA) will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) two to three weeks after submitting your FAFSA. It will contain an estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC), a preliminary estimate of the amount you and your family will be expected to pay toward your next year of education. Colleges use the EFC in order to determine a family’s established need. The expected family contribution will remain the same for all colleges; need will vary depending upon the total cost of attendance at each institution. Each college you indicate that offers you a place will also provide a financial aid package that will attempt to meet your family’s established need. These packages may differ depending upon the colleges’ ability to meet all or only part of need.

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THE COUNSELOR
A College Counseling Newsletter for our CVC Families

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College Acceptances

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Every year, students everywhere need extra help with their work. Be it reading or math or science, almost every needs some amount of special attention to help them succeed their class. This year make it a point to not wait until last minute to try and find that special tutor for your specific class. As you study and learn, pay attention to how you do on each assignment. A student can usually tell whether he or she is going to do well in that class after the very first test, so don’t wait. When final exams time comes around, it will be too late to have someone bring you up to speed on a whole semester’s worth of information. We have many tutoring services available. See the counselors’ office to find out what options are available to you, and remember...Don’t Wait Until it’s Too Late!!!