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Fiske What To Do When For College
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December 2-8, 2007
The second week of December is not pretty. Most seniors are staring down the barrel of semester exams and the final sprint to finish January applications. Many are also in suspended animation waiting for the results from the early round, which probably won't come until next week.
The final week before winter break is always a madhouse, so this is the time for students to politely check with teachers and counselors to make sure that recommendations and transcripts have been sent or will be sent. If applying for financial aid, get the paper version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the guidance office. If you plan to apply online--the quickest option that cuts down on errors--go to www.pin.ed.gov to get a PIN for you and one parent. Where applicable, register to receive the CSS/PROFILE via a paper form available in the high school guidance office or at www.collegeboard.com.
Eleventh graders will be happy to know that College Board mails PSAT results from the October test this week.
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Deadlines This Week
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Sunday, December 2:
- PSAT results mailed to schools this week
Tuesday, December 4:
- Oglethorpe College, scholarship deadline
Wednesday, December 5:
- Presbyterian College, Quatllebaum scholarship deadline
Saturday, December 8:
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Handling an Early Deferral or Denial
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It hurts when you don't get in early. Denials in March or April come paired with acceptances. In December, one decision is all that comes.
You know this is not the end of the world, but give yourself time to grieve. Parents, empathize but don't show too much disappointment yourself. Pep talks won't mean as much as modeling a balanced, realistic approach. This one did not work out, but others will. Colleges make decisions in the context of a particular group that applies for admission in a particular year. Every college and every year are different. There is an element of randomness anyway. Small consolation.
As soon as possible, students shoul set their sights on the work ahead--more applications.
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| December 2007 |
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No matter how bad December is for students, the school counselor has it worse. Students should see the counselor early--and we emphasize early--in the month with a final list of colleges. About a week before the winter break, follow up with teachers to make sure that applications are on track. Students may use the first few days of the break to finish up January 1 applications. Financial aid applicants who sat out the early round should register to receive the CSS/PROFILE form where necessary.
December is the last shot at the SAT and Subject Tests for most students, so make it a good one.
For juniors, January is the first recommended date to take the SAT Subject Tests.
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