EHS COUNSELING NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER, 2011
Dear Students,
Welcome to your 2011 and 2012 school year! We have a month of school underway, and the rest of the semester is very swiftly approaching! Fall is always an incredible time of year that comes too fast with the conclusion of long summer days, yet it passes so quickly. This is especially true for seniors who will be applying to 4-year universities. It is an exciting time of year, but one which is filled with many nerves for our students. Hold on to your Pumpkin Spice Lattes, here’s what’s coming up!
SENIORS:
The application window for California State University campuses is October 1-November 30th, 2011. You may apply and find information at: www.csumentor.edu. The application window for The University of California is November 1-November 30th, 2011. However, the application opens on October 1st, so students can begin writing their personal statements now, and begin to work on their applications early! Do not wait until the middle of November to begin writing your personal statements and applications. If you can smell the turkey and the stuffing, then you’ve waited too long to get started! Applications sites have been known to crash on the final day of the application window, so keep vigil!
There are LOTS of resources for help writing your personal statements, and any other questions you may have about college application processes. The UC has its own YouTube channel, and has lists of videos meant to help you and your family make college admissions as easy as possible. Check out this personal statement video: http://www.youtube.com/user/UCofficeofpresident#p/c/9/iB4O2UXdLo0. Visit www.collegeweeklive.com, another EXCELLENT resource for all of your college and financial aid questions. College Week Live hosts webinars with colleges from all over the nation, and there are a multitude of videos answering questions that parents, students, and even counselors might have. Check it out! Humboldt State University Admissions Day is Saturday October 22, 2011. Any student in our high school who meets the requirements for a CSU is admitted to HSU on this day if they attend. Even if HSU is not your first choice, GO TO THIS EVENT! Seniors, keep as many options open for yourself as possible-apply broadly and to many different colleges! HSU is a sure choice if your first choices don’t work out! You can register for this event here: https://pine.humboldt.edu:8891/oem/bin/aday/aday.cgi. Seniors, if you still need to take the SAT or ACT, you must take these tests no later than December 2011 for your 4 year university applications. The UC’s only take English and Math test scores from the same test session (E.g. If you took tests in July and September, you must report English and Math scores from either July OR September, not both). The CSU’s allow a student to choose their best English and Math scores of any test session. Stay tuned to the Counselor Blog and visit these websites for SAT and ACT information: (SAT) www.collegeboard.org, (ACT) www.actstudent.org. Subject tests are no longer a requirement for UC admission, however it may be recommended by some programs and majors. You can find this information at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/campuses/index.html. Subject test scores cannot hurt you, regardless of your score. Seniors in the Navi lab: The Navi Lab has moved this year-right across the hall from the Counseling Department. We are excited to meet with seniors in the lab this fall to assist with the college applications and planning process!
JUNIORS:
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 is the Humboldt Del-Norte College Night from 5pm to 8 pm at Eureka High. This is an exceptional night to meet college reps for colleges from coast to coast. Now is the time to begin thinking about colleges that are right for you. You will be able to talk to reps about campus life, college majors, their college culture, and what it’s like to be a student at their university! Look for the flyers in the classrooms and halls, YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT!
Juniors, keep your focus! Sophomore and Junior years are the years that universities will focus on when you apply to colleges in the fall of your senior year. Keep your goals in mind at all times! Write your goals on a sticky note and post it somewhere where you will see it every day to remind yourself what you’re working for hard each day.
Juniors in the Navi Lab: Juniors will continue the development of their E-Portfolios in the Navi Lab, which are great tools for job and college applications. We will continue to explore career options as well. We can’t wait to hear about the summer jobs each of you got with the help of your E-Portfolios!
FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES:
We welcome you to attend College Night on September 28th. This is an excellent way to begin informing yourself about universities that pique your interest, and to continue thinking about your post-high school goals. Many students attend College Night and talk to reps for schools that they previously had no idea existed. Often, students learn that there are colleges which are uniquely best fit for them. This is the place to make those connections and to ask your questions!
Freshmen and Sophomores in the Navi lab: Freshmen will be working on the development of their 4-year plan in the labs this fall, and sophomores will be updating their 4-year plans. Sophomores will continue to develop their E-Portfolios and explore college and career options for their future.
Freshmen and sophomores, take advantage of the Eureka High School learning pathways, which offer an opportunity for you to explore a particular area of interest and develop job skills. The pathways are a great way to become well-informed in your area of interest, and they look great on your resumes and E-portfolios. Students who complete a learning pathway also receive an honorary cord to wear for high school graduation. Eureka High School offers a wide variety of courses to support career exploration. You can locate detailed information on course offerings and learning pathways at: http://www2.eurekacityschools.org/ehs/learningpathways/. EVERYONE:
We are very excited to be back in action with our awesome Eureka High Students. We encourage you to contact a teacher or counselor if you have questions about anything related to college or jobs for your future. We are here to help you make a plan for your adult life, and to help you reach it! Remember, nothing comes to you without a little hard work! So, keep your eye on the prize and remind yourself why you WANT to work hard each day!
Sincerely,
The Eureka High School Counseling Team
Monica Rivera (A-G) Delores Haskamp (H-O) Audra Gosvener (P-Z)
Lee Rowley, Secretary Carmen Alexander, Secretary
