Current juniors can take advantage of the summer months to prepare for the upcoming college applica-tion process. Here are some suggestions:

1. Identify 1 or 2 teachers to ask for a letter of recom-mendation. Plan to ask before the end of this school year or early in September. Always ask in person. Find out what information the teacher may need to help them write their letter (resume, transcript, etc.)

2. Work on updating your activities resume. Include information about all extra-curricular activities (sports, clubs, volunteer work, jobs, leadership, etc.) There is a “Resume” feature on the “About Me” tab of Navi-ance. It is simple to use and can be customized.

3. Update the “Senior Pro-file” which can be accessed on the “About Me” tab on Naviance.

4. Create your 2017-2018 Common Application ac-count. There is a link to the Common Application on the home page of Naviance. Once the account is created, students can begin working on the dif-ferent sections (family back-ground, demographics, extra-curricular activities, education and the college essay. For a sneak peek at the 2017-2018 Common Application essay topics, see page 4 of this newsletter.

5. Figure out which topic you prefer and generate some preliminary ideas, and even a rough draft of your college essay.

6. Continue researching and visiting colleges.

7. Log into Naviance often to stay informed and update your list of colleges.

8. Refer to your Handbook for College and Career Planning. The Handbook is also accessible as a link on the home page of Navi-ance.

If students follow the steps previously suggested, it will be easier to manage the ap-plication process.

GETTING READY FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS—CLASS OF 2018

CLASS OF 2017: GRADUATION SURVEY REMINDER

Attention current seniors! If you have not already done so, please complete the Graduation Survey on Naviance as soon as possible. Simply click on the "About Me" tab to complete the Graduation Survey and share your post-graduation college or career plans. It takes less than 2

minutes to complete!

Note: This is the only way to communicate where you want the Counseling Office to send your final high school transcript. Remember, your acceptance to college is contingent upon the college's receipt of your final high school transcript. Please stop by the Guidance

Office, if you have any questions. Thank you!

SHS COUNSELING

CENTER NEWSLETTER

June 2017

Volume 4 Issue 6

Class of 2018 Notes 1

Senior Workshop Preview 1

Graduation Survey 1

SAT & ACT Test Info 2

Scholarship Info 3

College Open Houses/

Programs 4

Common Application Essays 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Preview of the Septem-ber Senior Workshop for the Class of 2018

Attention rising seniors! When you return to school this September, your School Counselor will be eager to meet with you regarding post high school planning. The School Counseling De-partment will hold a spe-cial workshop to provide instructions about the college application process and how to utilize Naviance.

Following the Senior Work-shop, all students will re-ceive an updated custom transcript which will show the cumulative GPA and rank in class. Valua-ble information will be pro-vided to assist students with their applications.

Throughout the fall semester, every student will have the opportunity to meet indi-vidually with their School Counselor to discuss specific questions and application requirements.

Shaker High

School

Counseling

Department

Abelson Test Prep is hosting a Summer SAT Prep Course in preparation for the new August SAT. The course will take place from 3-5 PM at the Comfort Inn on Wolf Road in Colonie on the following dates: July 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 and August 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 & 24. The course fee in-cludes books, materials, and individual and group lessons. For more infor-mation and to register, go to abelsontestprep.com/registration

Other commercially available test prep options include: Princeton Review and Kaplan. Go to: www.princetonreview.com or www.kaptest.com

Khan Academy, in par tnership with the College Board offer s free SAT and ACT practice. Students can connect to Khan Academy from the home page in Naviance by clicking on the sat&act prep link.

The College Board is offering an SAT in August. The test will be on Saturday, Au-gust 26th. The registration deadline is July 28th. There are a limited number of high schools in the capital region that will offer the SAT on this date. They include:

-Albany High School

-Troy High School

-Ballston Spa High School

-Notre Dame/Bishop Gib-bons HS

Since the August test is a new option, and there are fewer test centers, we rec-ommend that interested stu-dents register well ahead of the July 28th deadline.

Students that may qualify for fee waivers should contact their School Counselor before leaving for the summer.

For additional testing infor-mation, please see the chart below.

SAT ACT *Shaker is a test site on this date for SAT’s

August 26, 2017 September 9, 2017

October 7, 2017* October 28, 2017 **The ACT is not scheduled in New York for February or July

November 4, 2017 December 9, 2017

December 2, 2017 February 10, 2018** -Shaker is not a test site for the ACT. Offered at local high schools.

March 10, 2018* April 14, 2018

May 5, 2018* June 9, 2018 -Go to collegeboard.org or act.org for details regarding the

June 2, 2018 July 14, 2018** registration process, including deadlines.

TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES

COLLEGE BOARD TO OFFER SAT IN AUGUST 2017

ANTICIPATED SAT & ACT TEST DATES: 2017-18

SHS COUNSELING CENTER NEWSLETTER Page 2

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6 Page 3

THE NEW YORK STATE EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP This year, Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature enacted the nation’s first tuition-free degree program, the Excelsior Scholarship. The Scholarship is making college possible for hundreds of thousands of students across the state and helping to alleviate the crushing burden of student debt. A college educa-tion is increasingly necessary to secure the jobs of tomorrow, and the Excelsior Scholarship ensures New York’s students have access to a quality education and the skills they need to succeed.

KEY POINTS: By 2024, 3.5 million jobs in New York State will require an Associate’s Degree or higher – roughly 420,000 more jobs than in 2014. Even as high-

er education becomes more necessary for an individual to succeed, the cost to attain a college degree is rising beyond what most families can afford. To make

college possible for everyone, Governor Cuomo’s Excelsior Scholarship program will provide more than 940,000 eligible families and individuals making up to

$125,000 per year the opportunity to attend college tuition-free at SUNY or CUNY schools. Tuition-free college will begin immediately for students whose families

make up to $100,000 annually and extend to those making $125,000 annually by 2019.

ELIGIBILITY: In order to apply, students must: Be residents of New York State; Plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year degree program; Take 30 credits per year and make progress towards graduation; Maintain good academic standing; Be on track to graduate on time with an Associate’s Degree in two years or a Bachelor’s Degree in four years. HOW IT WORKS: When fully implemented, the Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other aid programs, will allow 200,000 students — 52 percent of resi-dent full-time students—to attend a SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free. New York already operates a generous $1 billion Tuition Assistance Program. The Excel-sior Scholarship is intended to supplement all current aid programs, including but not limited to TAP, PELL, and SUNY/CUNY Tuition Credit programs. The Excel-sior Scholarship then provides assistance to students to cover any tuition gaps and make college tuition free at New York’s prized public universities. The total cost of the program is approximately $163 million.

LEARN MORE: To learn more about the scholarship, including frequently asked questions, and how to apply, visit www.HESC.ny.gov or text COLLEGE to

81336.

APPLICATIONS: Online applications are expected to be available beginning June 7th. Students may provide an email to receive a notification that the applica-

tion is open. To sign up for the Excelsior Scholarship Alert, go to www.hesc.ny.gov/excelsior

NYS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH (STEM) INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP

Students in the top 10% of their graduating class may be eligible for a STEM award, which provides a full tuition scholarship for the pursuit of a STEM degree at a SUNY or CUNY college or university. Award recipients must agree to live in New York State and work in a STEM field in NYS for five years after graduation. Applications for the Class of 2017 can be completed now. The deadline to apply is August 15, 2017. For more information, visit hesc.ny.gov/STEM

For information on other New York State scholarship opportunities, visit www.hesc.ny.gov/faprograms.

PRIDE CENTER OF THE CAPITAL REGION SCHOLARSHIPS

The Pride Center’s Youth Scholarship: (One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded)

The purpose of the Pride Center’s Youth Scholarship is intended to help Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer/Questioning, Asexual (LGBTQA) students and

their allies who exemplify leadership, academic achievement and commitment to LGBTQA equality.

The David, Gladys & Candace Groudine Scholarship: (Two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded)

The purpose of the David, Gladys, & Candace Groudine Scholarship is intended to help LGBTQA students and their allies who exemplify leadership, academic

achievement and commitment to LGBTQA equality.

The Gregg Stein Scholarship: (One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded): Gregg Stein was the brother of Nicole Stein, who established this scholarship in his

name. The scholarship is for students who intend to study in one of the following fields: visual and performing arts (music, art, theater, sculpture, teaching, etc.);

broadcasting; journalism; performance management; design, production, direction, sound; and/or, other related field.

The application deadline has been extended to July 31, 2017. For more information regarding the scholarships, please visit the website at https://www.capitalpridecenter.org/programs-services/youth-scholarship/; or e-mail Jen Maley-Wheeler: Programs and Special Events Coordina-

tor at jmaleywheeler@capitalpridecenter.org.

***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Log in to Naviance for information about other scholarships, applications and eligibility. To research scholarships and view the complete “Scholarship List”, click on the “Colleges” tab in Naviance.

COLLEGE OPEN HOUSES AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS

US Merchant Marine Academy—Admissions Open House on Friday, July 28th from 8 AM to 1 PM. Learn about admissions requirements, the academic program, athletics, the Sea Year and career opportunities. For agenda and registration infor-mation, go to www.usmma.edu/admissions

Smith College—Women of Distinction: October 20-22, 2017: Women of Distinction is a program for high school seniors that highlights the opportunities at Smith for African American, Latina, Asian American and Native American students. Admission is competitive. Smith will provide round-trip transportation, meals and accommodations for all participants. The deadline to apply is June 16, 2017. To learn more about Women of Distinction and apply to the program, go to www.smith.edu/admission/wod

Attention Rising Seniors! The 2017-18 personal essay prompts are here! The 650 word limit will remain the same.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Re-count a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Take advantage of the summer months to begin a rough draft of your college essay. It is a great way to stay on top of the college application process!

COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY PROMPTS FOR 2017-18

LOGGING IN TO NAVIANCE

Have you forgotten your Naviance password, or still need to register? Contact your School Counselor or stop by the Counseling Office for assistance. Remember you can link to Naviance from the North Colonie District website. Go to Shaker High School, then Guidance to find the link.

http://connection.naviance.com/shakerhigh