Counselor Newsletter - November 2015
Regina Taylor,
A-F / Kristen Wilson,
G-O / Monica Lewis,
P-Z / Jessica Zeitz,
Testing Coordinator / Sara Swinford,
Social Worker / Sandra Simmons,
Registrar
Checklist:
Senior Appointment with your counselor (if not already met with counselor).
Register to retake the ACT and/or SAT, if necessary.
Schedule college visits and attend Open Houses.
Fill out college applications. Request transcripts via Parchment. Email Ms. Simmons at if you need test scores sent to colleges. If the college does not accept test scores from WCHS (i.e. University of Kentucky) and you did not request for your scores to be sent to the college when you registered, you will need to contact the testing agency.
Show college acceptance letters to Ms. Simmons for the Class of 2016 College Bulletin Board.
Participate in College Application Week activities.
Top Ten Things to Consider When Choosing a College
- Career goals: If you know what you want to major in, that helps narrow the search.
- School size: You can choose from small colleges to huge universities. What you choose depends on what is important to you.
- Where the school is: You have lots of choices. Do you want a school in a large city with lots to do, or do you prefer a small-town or even rural setting?
- How far from home: You may want to go far away from home, live at home to save money, or choose somewhere in between.
- How much it costs: Colleges do not all cost the same. Community colleges are not expensive, but selective private colleges and many for-profit colleges can be.
- Financial aid: How much financial aid you get can influence whether you choose an expensive or inexpensive college. It can also influence whether you stay in Kentucky or go out of state, because your KEES awards cannot be used everywhere outside of Kentucky.
- Extracurricular activities: Do you want to play sports, be in the band or do some acting? Some schools provide more chances than others. Some may even offer you a scholarship to participate.
- Special programs: Maybe you would like to study abroad for a year or work on an archaeology dig. The schools that offer these opportunities may influence your decision.
- Who else goes there: Not all schools have the same kind of student body. Some are more diverse in terms of race and national origin. Some are affiliated with a certain religious denomination.
- Where you feel right: Pay attention to your gut reaction. You should go where you feel the most comfortable.
College Application Week
College Application Week will take place at WCHS on Monday,November 9 through Friday, November 13. The goal of College Application Week is to have all seniors seeking post-secondary education complete a college application with individual assistance.
Date/Time / Events / DescriptionMonday, November 9 / Channel 4 Kick-Off
(Block 1) / Special Channel 4 edition highlighting activities for the week and featuring seniors, faculty, and staff who will discuss the college planning process and give tips to students.
Senior English
Classroom Visits / WCHS Counselors and David Scott, Kentucky Higher Education (KHEAA) Outreach Counselor, will visit seniors to discuss the college planning process and how to access their Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) account online. (Gold Day Senior English Classes)
Tuesday, November 10 / Senior English
Classroom Visits / WCHS Counselors will visit seniors to discuss the college planning process and how to access their Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) account online. (Black Day Senior English Classes)
College Connection Night
(6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) / Families will be given the opportunity to connect with college representatives at a mini college fair in the library and then attend multiple self-selected mini workshops related to the college planning process.
Wednesday, November 11
(All Day) / Complete College Applications
Sign up outside the Guidance Office for individual assistance completing college applications with a WCHS counselor or college admissions representative in the computer lab.
Thursday, November 12
(All Day) / KHEAA College Info Roadshow / A state-of-the-art mobile classroom/bus will be in the co-op parking lot and equipped with Internet access and laptops to connect students with information needed to research, pursue, and be successful in the college planning process.
Complete College Applications / Sign up outside the Guidance Office for individual assistance completing college applications with a WCHS counselor or college admissions representative in the computer lab.
Friday, November 13
(All Day) / Complete College Applications
Sign up outside the Guidance Office for individual assistance completing college applications with a WCHS counselor or college admissions representative in the computer lab.
Door Prizes / Students attending College Application Week events will be entered into a drawing and eligible for door prizes.
College Connection Night – Tuesday, November 10
Some Participants include…
Asbury University, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC), Eastern Kentucky University, Georgetown College, Lindsey Wilson College, Midway University, Morehead State University, St. Catharine College, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, Sullivan, Kentucky State University, KHEAA, National Guard, Army, Marines, Navy, Lexington School of Recording Arts
Agenda
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.College Fair (Library)
7:00 p.m. – 7:10 p.m.Workshop Introductions
7:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.Workshop 1 (Classroom)
7:35 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.Workshop 2 (Classroom)
7:55 p.m. – 8:10 p.m.Workshop 3 (Classroom)
8:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.Workshop 4 (Classroom)
Session Options (Choose 4)
- Where to begin the college planning and search process
- Writing college essays
- What to look for on college campus visits
- What to do your senior year
- College opportunities for minority students
- KHEAA College Cost and Planning Report
- Advanced Placement and Dual Credit Classes
- College Timelines
- What college admissions representatives look for
- Using technology in the college and scholarship search
- What you must know when considering selective colleges
- Community colleges
- College application and scholarship etiquette
- NCAA requirements for athletes
- The Christian college experience
- Participating in summer programs on college campuses
- Serving your country and going to college for free
- 2-year degree programs
- Everything you wanted to know about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Meeting ACT benchmarks
- Advantages of small private colleges
- The Net Price Calculator
- Pros and cons of Early Admissions decisions
- Latino/Hispanic outreach services
(**Some of these topics may vary**)
ACT RegistrationTest Date / Deadline / Late Fee
September 12 / August 7 / Aug 8 - Sep 21
October 24 / September 18 / Sep 19– Oct 2
December 12 / November 6 / November7-20
February 6 / January 8 / January 9-15
April 9 / March 4 / March 5-18
June 11 / May 6 / May 7-20
Stop by the Guidance Office to pick up an
ACT and/or SAT practice test.
Test Date / Deadline / Late Fee
October 3 / September 3 / September 22
November 7 / October 9 / October 27
December 5 / November 5 / November 23
January 23 / December 28 / January 12
March 5 / February 5 / March 23
May 7 / April 8 / April 26
June 4 / May 5 / May 25
Benchmarks
Subject / ACT / COMPASS / KYOTE
English / 18 / 74 / 85
Math / 19 / 36 / 22
Reading / 20 / 85 / 20
Stop by the Guidance Office to pick up an ACT and/or SAT practice test.
Free/reduced lunch students are eligible for 2 fee waivers. See your counselor.
When registering, remember to request that your test scores be sent to the colleges you are
applying to.
Scholarships!
Deadline / Scholarship / DescriptionNovember 13 / Kentucky School Board Association (KSBA) First Degree College Scholarship Program / KSBA will fund two $2,500 scholarships for seniors (one male, one female) to attend any two-or four-year accredited college. Eligible students must be the first members of their immediate families (parents/guardians, siblings) to attend college and a minimum 20 ACT reading score. Scholarships will be awarded based on a drawing conducted by KSBA. See Guidance Office.
November 15 / Hagan Scholarship / 150 scholarships will be awarded in the amount up to $5,000 per semester to seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and minimum 23 ACT composite score. Must attend a four-year accredited college. Apply at
December 18 / NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation (YEF) Award / If you are a young entrepreneur who operates their own small business you may be eligible to receive this award. Visit
February 15 / WACE Scholarship / 160 merit scholarships awarded to students with a 3.5 GPA and accepted into a WACE Partner Institution i.e. University of Cincinnati. For a list of other eligible institutions and to apply, visit
January 7 / GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship / In honor of the legacy and character of President Ronald Reagan, this program annually rewards up to 20 college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with up to $40,000 per recipient. Apply at
December 4 / Frankfort Lodge No.530 is offering Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship Awards. / Any high school senior who is a U. S. citizen is eligible to apply. Applicants will be judged on leadership, scholarship, and financial need.
December 18 / Kentucky Association of School Business Officials (KASBO) / Awards one-time scholarships annually to three Kentucky high school graduating seniors, who will major in business or education.Applicants must submit their completed application, counselor verification form, and two letters of recommendation
March 15 / Woodford County Conservation District Agricultural/Natural Resources Scholarship / Applicants must be a resident of Woodford County who plans to study agriculture or related science in a KY college, university, or technical college. Must have a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Click Here to Apply
March 15 / Woodford County Conservation District Community/Technical/ Trade School Scholarship / $500 per semester will be awarded to a graduating senior who is a resident of Woodford County planning to enroll in a KYcommunity/technical /trade school, majoring in agriculture related field, and demonstrating financial need. Click Here to Apply
June 10 / Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants Scholarship / Awarding $1,000. Submit an essay on the topic that appears on the application page. Apply at
June 17 / BigSun Athletic Scholarship / Offering a $500 scholarship to a deserving student athlete, regardless of which sport you participate in. Visit
Free Scholarship Searches:
November 6: Balfour @ 8:15
November 6: 12 Weeks Progress Reports
November 10-14: College Application Week
November 10: College Connection Night
November 16-19Compass Testing
November 20: Club Day
November 23-24 Compass Testing
November 24:Thanksgiving Food Drive Assembly (9:00 a.m.)
November 25-27: Thanksgiving Break
November 30:Senior Pictures Due ()
WESTERN KY UNIVERSITY:Head for the Hill (formerly known as Focus on WKU) will be held onWednesday, November 11.We anticipate hosting over 1,000 prospective students and families on campus that day to learn more about the WKU experience. While here, they’ll have an opportunity to attend information sessions, tour campus, and visit with representatives from academic departments and various student support services offices.CLICK HERE more information
FREE SAT/ACT Combo Practice Test!: OnSaturday, November 14,there will be a Free SAT/ACT Combo Practice Test held by Kaplan Test Prep to help students decide between the New SAT or ACT. The practice test will be held at the University of Kentucky, Whitehall Classroom, CB 110 at 9:30am. Please visitkaptest.com/satvsactto sign up today.
Please contact your counselor if you have any questions.This is a secure Staff Intranet content page and cannot be viewed by the public. Please contact your Technology Director to gain access to the Staff Intranet area in order to view this page.
Thank you,