IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS – 2008-09

September 11	Registration for PSAE retakes due to Mrs. Rowley in counseling office.
October 8	College Night 2008 – Rock Valley College – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the PE Center. This evening program has over 150 college representatives available to answer your college admission and scholarship questions. It is a great time to obtain application materials and information about a variety of colleges and careers.
October 20	Deadline for University of Illinois applications to be submitted to the counselor. (November 1 is priority filing date.)
October 25	PSAE Retake for Day 1 – ACT (if you have registered using the voucher)
October 28	PSAE Retake for Day 2 (only if you have pre-registered by September 12)
October 31	Deadline for NIU and ISU applications to be submitted to the counselor. (November 15 is priority filing date.)
November 7	Senior Assembly to receive cap and gown information.
November 13 & 18	Cap and Gown orders taken Parent/Teacher Conferences held at night
December 1	Deadline to submit all remaining college applications to counselor.
January 8	City-Wide Financial Aid Night – Rock Valley College.
May 15	Senior Awards Breakfast (by invitation only)
May 27	Memories and Reflections, 7:00 p.m. in Guilford Auditorium
May 28	Graduation - 10:00 a.m. – Metro Centre

In order to assist your senior, the counseling department wishes to make you aware of the following:

1. NOTE: ALL SENIORS MUST TAKE THE PSAE TO GRADUATE IN MAY 2009. IF YOU HAVE NOT TAKEN THE PSAE, THE ONLY TIME TO DO SO IS THIS FALL. YOU MUST TAKE THE FIRST DAY OF THE TEST ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 AND THE SECOND DAY ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28. To do so, you MUST sign up in the counseling office by Thursday, September 11. This is a law in the State of Illinois and applies to all Illinois public high schools.

2. Every senior will be meeting with his/her counselor for a senior credit check. All seniors must make certain that they are scheduled for the proper classes needed for graduation and will have earned forty (40) credits by May 2009. Seniors failing required courses during the first semester will need to contact their counselor to either add the course failed to their second semester schedule or to obtain permission from their counselor to register for evening classes at Roosevelt.

3. Seniors planning to participate in the graduation ceremony on May 28^th must wear the traditional graduation gown. Cap, gown, and announcement orders will be taken at Guilford on November 13^th and 18^th.

4. Senior athletes planning to participate in athletics at a Division I or II school after graduation must complete the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Form. The cost to apply is $60.00. This form along with the student’s high school transcript and senior year courses in progress must be on file with the Clearinghouse before an athlete may make an official athletic visit. These forms are available online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. You must print the forms and bring them to the counseling office to mail with your transcripts.

5. Seniors planning to enter the military after graduation should plan to sign up for the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This test is free and is usually given in December at Guilford. Interested seniors should contact their counselor for the exact date and time of this test.

6. Seniors planning to attend college next fall and have not taken the ACT and/or SAT, should consider taking one of these tests as soon as possible. Students attending Rock Valley College are not required to take the ACT or SAT for admission but are encouraged to take the test for advisement purposes. Students planning to attend Rock Valley will be required to take three assessment tests (reading, mathematics, and English) at Rock Valley before registering for classes. Seniors are encouraged to take these tests in the spring of their senior year. Practice the ACT and SAT on line at www.number2.com . Students having ACT scores of 19 or above in English, 18 or above in math, or 19 or above in reading may use those scores in place of the RVC assessment.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO YOUR COUNSELOR FOR PROCESSING BY DECEMBER 1. Please be aware that some schools have earlier priority filing deadlines. Applying early allows students time to get all required materials to the admissions office and puts them in position for any available merit scholarships they are eligible to qualify for as incoming freshmen. Most college and scholarship applications will require a high school transcript. To request a transcript, the student must complete a Transcript Request Form available in the counseling office and Career Center. A TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM MUST BE COMPLETED FOR EACH APPLICATION. GUILFORD WILL PROVIDE SENIORS WITH ONE FREE TRANSCRIPT. THE CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSCRIPTS IS $2.00 EACH. PLAN ON AT LEAST ONE WEEK FOR TRANSCRIPTS TO BE PROCESSED.

THINGS TO REMEMBER IN COMPLETING APPLICATIONS:

1. Follow directions carefully. Read the form before completing it.
2. Type the form if possible or print neatly in black ink.
3. Sign and date the application. Make certain parents also sign if necessary.
4. Note deadline dates on application.
5. Proof read all parts of your application. Complete it early so you are not rushed by the deadline.
6. Make certain that your ACT/SAT scores are sent.
7. Have a Transcript Release Form completed for each application.
8. Have a check for the application fee made out to the college. Include your name and social security
number on the check. (Not all colleges have application fees).
9. Make certain your counselor is aware of recommendations that must be included.
10. If possible, follow up your application with a college visit and campus interview.

IF YOU NEED A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION, PLEASE ALLOW YOUR TEACHERS AND COUNSELOR TEN SCHOOL DAYS (2 WEEKS) TO PREPARE THE RECOMMENDATION.

CITY WIDE FINANCIAL AID NIGHT SPONSORED BY DISTRICT 205 WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2008. Parents are encouraged to attend this session to learn about financial aid. This will be an important meeting for parents sending their first student to college and should be helpful to anyone seeking financial aid no matter where you will be attending college. Representatives from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Rock Valley College, Rockford College, and Guilford will be available to answer your questions.

Students looking for financial aid should listen to daily announcements and check SCHOLARSHIP BULLETINS distributed in senior English classrooms. COMPLETE THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) AS SOON AFTER JANUARY 1^st AS POSSIBLE. Online filing is recommended at www.fafsa.ed.gov . Some students applying to private colleges may also need to submit the PROFILE FORM from the College Scholarship Service. Information about the FAFSA and PROFILE are available in the counseling office..

SENIORS MAKING VISITS TO COLLEGES NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN THEY HAVE BEEN EXCUSED PRIOR TO LEAVING FOR THEIR COLLEGE VISIT.

DEADLINES ARE THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY! WE DO NOT WANT STUDENTS TO MISS OUT ON AN OPPORTUNITY AS THE RESULT OF MISSING A DEADLINE!

If you have questions, make certain you ask. Keep the counselor informed of your future educational plans.


	Senior News Be sure to read ALL of the information below this calendar of "Important Dates" for other important details. This includes college application tips, scholarship information, securing recommendations, and testing. -------------------------- Need a Transcript? Many seniors may be looking at the process of filling out college applications. If you need a transcript, click on the link above to get the proper forms. -----------------------