March 3, 2010
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Managing the College Jump
A personal calendar can keep you on track
N. S tyles
F or the P ortland O bserver
The college preparation that
takes place during your senior
year of high school is filled with a
lot of details and paperwork. Cre­
ating a personal calendar can help
you keep track of the due dates for
the college admission applica­
tions, scholarship essays, finan­
cial aid forms and other deadlines.
Throughout your senior year,
continue to build your resume by
achieving academic success, as
well as participating in extracur­
ricular activities. Colleges are very
interested in well-rounded stu­
dents. It’s also important that you
involve your parents as you re­
view your career plans and decide
which type of postsecondary tapes, writing samples, or other
evidence of talent if required for
school is best for you.
Here are some things that you admission. Complete the admis­
should have already done, if not, sions applications by deadline
each college prescribes. If neces­
the time is now:
• Save money for tuition and col­ sary, register to retake the SAT
lege expenses. List your top col­ and/or ACT.
lege choices. Request admissions • Sign up for a PIN to complete
information and school catalogs. your FAFS A online. (Also let your
Go on college visits. Obtain regis­ parents know that they will need
tration materials and test dates for a PIN.) Finalize admission appli­
the Scholastic A ptitude Test cations. Urge your parents to file
(SAT) and/or ACT assessment. their taxes as soon as possible.
Compare costs of each school that This will ease the financial aid
interests you by contacting the process. Research and apply for
colleges by phone, mail, or via other financial aid, including
th eir
w ebsites.
V isit grants and scholarships.
Going2College for information • Keep copies of all documents,
about career, college, and finan­ including your PIN, in a file. If you
cial aid resources in your state. can't attend financial aid nights,
Mark your calendar with registra­ ask if you and your parents can
tion, admissions, and financial aid borrow a video of an event from
deadlines and fees. Determine if your counselor. Be mindful of
the schools that interest you have deadlines. Always submit infor­
online admission applications. If mation on time.
not, request them by mail now. • Watch for the e-mail notice in­
Meet with school representatives dicating your Student Aid Report
who visit your high school. Look (S AR) is ready. Review your S AR
at virtual tours of college cam­ for errors and make any correc­
tions as indicated. Rank your top
puses online.
• Ask employers, teachers, and school choices. Attend a College
guidance counselors for letters Goal Sunday event.
of recommendation to accompany March Calendar Checklist:
your admissions applications. • Check with college financial aid
Take the SAT and/or ACT. Work offices to ensure your paperwork is
on your admissions essays. If you complete. Submit tax forms if they
haven't already done so, attend request them.
college planning and/or financial • Narrow your school choices and
aid information nights and col­ make campus visits.
lege fairs. Go online and visit your • Be on the lookout for acceptance
top school choices. If possible, letters.
make appointments with faculty, • Start looking for summer jobs.
staff, and students. Complete ap­ April Calendar Checklist:
plications for every scholarship • Compare financial aid award let­
for which you may be eligible.
ters.
• Meet with your guidance coun­ • Make your final school decision
selor to develop a college admis­ and mail deposits, as required.
sion and financial aid application • Check with the school you've cho­
plan. Make a folder for each of sen about returning financial aid
your college choices. Contact the award letters.
schools' financial aid offices to • Notify the schools you have cho­
determine which forms they re­ sen not to attend.
quire. Some schools may require • Plan for registration, orientation,
special forms.
and housing, and mark your calen­
• Finalize portfolios, audition dar with important dates.
Page 7
You are cordially invited to the
Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship
by F a S hin
.WJ
Viu; j i . ix. v u -ru siu i Lom e ivi.
Family Reunion Praise and Worship
3:30 pm • Sunday, March 14,2010
Philadelphia Community Missionary Baptist Church
224 NE Mason, Portland, OR 97211
Pastor Roy E Clay Sr.
RSVP 503-281-6017
■ \
Your Path
We’re all about that.
n r /s the
biqqest school
in POrtletnd, a n d it's
close to home. Ptd the
most im portant reason I
chose PCC is thai when
1 cjraduaie, I H be
p re p a re d fo r a universitq.
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Future Dentist
Classes start
March 29!
Portland
< Q > Community
College
Colleae
We’re all about
your future.
www.pcc.edu
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