SAT versus ACT: What gives?

The SAT and ACT are college entrance exams. A lot of the students ask, "What's the difference? Which one should I take?" 

The answer we usually give them is they are basically Coke versus Pepsi. Both one in the same, but different for the tastes. This document from Pathway To Your Future gives a good overview of those inquiries. 

Which Post-Secondary School Should I Attend?

Having a hard time deciding which post-secondary school is for you? This article from the National Association for College Admission Counseling can help answer some questions. As for right now, decisions on where you will finally attend can be put aside. The application process should be in full swing at this time. 

Things to remember:

1. Your counselor must send your transcripts for you application to be complete. 

          ***YOU must notify us when you apply. Colleges do not contact us to send your information. Email, stop in or make an appointment with us. 

2. We will send anything that you cannot submit online. Colleges prefer online applications to paper applications unless the admissions staff has given you a paper application with a fee waiver.

3. You may need to send your SAT scores directly from the College Board. Most schools will take the copy we have in our office, but some require you send them electronically online. Review each school's application process as they can differ from each other.

4. This is YOUR process....not your counselor's, not your teachers', not your parents'. Take ownership! If you need help, we are all available, but this is YOUR future. YOU should be the one applying and asking the questions.

5. All applications should be complete prior to Thanksgiving break (or before.)

6. If you have questions, ASK! We are here for you.

Honors Society---Is this legit?

Many times students and parents will come to us with a letter they've received from an organization claiming that a student "has been recognized as <fill in the blank>." While we love when our students are recognized for their achievements, so do outside for-profit organizations. One of these organizations that our students have received letters of recognition is the National Society of High School Scholars. While the organization is legit, the claim that they make is not necessarily what the student is always anticipating. Within West Mifflin Area High School we have a National Honor Society as many other high schools are also affiliated. These two organizations are very different from each other. The NHS is an organization in which the students apply and are accepted based upon certain achievements. See Mrs. Shields for details.

The NSHSS randomly selects students based upon different websites in which they are registered. For instance, if a student signs up with a national scholarship search such as FastWeb or Scholarships.com, they can elect to release their information to third parties thus having their names selected for the NSHSS. The NSHSS may also claim to be able to acquire scholarships for students by paying a nominal fee. Scholarships are just that...scholarships. Free money. No strings attached. If you are asked to pay to find scholarships (for-profit organizations,) it is most likely not a good idea.

Again, while we appreciate the accomplishments of our students, this particular honors society is a bit of a farce. Read more here and here.

The Connection Equation

I read this article last night and thought it resonated well with what WE can do as teachers, counselors, principals, students...people.

The article written by blogger Momastery tells the story of a teacher who is making difference in her classroom by searching for students who are alone, left out, disconnected. She uses "math" by looking for patterns. I think we can all agree that 1+0= 1 and according to Three Dog Night, One is the Loneliest Number. 

A particular excerpt I that struck me was:

"It’s like taking an X-ray of a classroom to see beneath the surface of things and into the hearts of students. It is like mining for gold – the gold being those little ones who need a little help – who need adults to step in and TEACH them how to make friends, how to ask others to play, how to join a group, or how to share their gifts with others."

We do these things as teachers, counselors, principals. A lot of times this is the main reason we have chosen the field of education. We are teaching academics, but we are also teaching connections and helping those students who have a hard time doing just that. This particular teacher is in an elementary school, but the need doesn't stop with the younger kids. Our teenagers need just as much help as the 5th grade student.

The other really awesome part of our job is that we also know that our students do a really good job at this as well. Many times in between classes, in the lunch room, after school we see students reaching out to other students who may be shy or feel left out. We are often in awe at the compassion we witness. (Yes, we take note of it!)

I hope this article is a reminder to us ALL that no matter the formula, 1+1=<3.

Volunteer and Internship Opportunity - Allyson Schwartz for Governor

Interested in an Internship Opportunity? Volunteering? Politics? What it takes to work on a campaign?

Internship Program

Organization:	Pennsylvania for Allyson Schwartz Campaign
City:	Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas
Location:	Pennsylvania
Country:	United States
Description & Details
The Pennsylvania for Allyson Schwartz campaign is looking for bright, energetic individuals who want to make history and help elect Congresswoman Schwartz as the state's first female Governor. Hours are completely flexible with a small requirement, and Team Schwartz is a lot of fun. No experience necessary. You will finish this internship knowing how to run a local field program and run a successful "Get Out The Vote" operation, as well as having met some really great friends. Responsibilities include: ·         Working directly with the campaign’s Field Organizers to identify, recruit, train and supervise volunteers teams; ·         Coordinating and participating in direct voter contact to motivate and mobilize voters in key areas; ·         Database management; ·         Staffing campaign events;

Opportunity is for any interested student. For more information, please see Miss Harbst.

Apply here: Allyson Schwartz for Governor High School Internship Application

Financial Aid--How Early Should I Start?

Not sure on how early you should start thinking about financial aid? The Federal Office of Student Aid has answered that question with some really great links on their website. Stuff we really like: The info graph on the left and the checklists.

Financial Aid Completion Saturdays

We know a lot of parents and students have questions on what to do about financial aid for post-secondary schooling options. While we in the guidance office have some advice for you, we are not the experts on this area. What we can offer you is some information and direction to the experts. Representatives from PHEAA are offering some help on completing the FAFSA forms on Saturdays in the next few months. Below is schedule of locations in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. A full list of workshops across the state are listed here.

We highly recommend attending one of these workshops as you'll be able to ask personalized questions and have a guide while completing the financial aid forms. Please read ahead of time on the websites for FAFSA and PHEAA as to what you will need to bring with you. 

2/18/2014	6:00–8:00 PM HS Library	Gateway Senior High School 3000 Gateway Campus Boulevard Monroeville, PA	Allegheny	N/A
3/1/2014	10:00 AM to Noon Computer Lab	Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Brookline 708 Brookline Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA	Allegheny	Pre-registration Mandatory (412) 561-1003
3/8/2014	10:00 AM to Noon Room TBD	Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Homewood 7101 Hamilton Avenue Pittsburgh, PA	Allegheny	Pre-registration Mandatory (412) 731-3080
3/29/2014	10:00 AM to Noon Computer Lab	Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Carrick 1811 Brownsville Road Pittsburgh, PA	Allegheny	Pre-registration Mandatory (412) 882-3897
4/5/2014	10:00 AM to Noon JCEC Center	Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main 4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA	Allegheny	Pre-registration Mandatory (412) 622-3133
4/12/2014	Noon to 2:00 PM Computer Lab	Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Beechview 1910 Broadway Pittsburgh, PA	Allegheny	Pre-registration Mandatory (412) 563-2900
2/5/2014	5:30–6:30 PM Computer Lab	Norwin Library (sponsored by State Rep. George Dunbar) 100 Caruthers Lane North Huntingdon, PA	Westmoreland	Pre-registration Mandatory (724) 774-0305
2/5/2014	6:30–7:30 PM Computer Lab	Norwin Library (sponsored by State Rep. George Dunbar) 100 Caruthers Lane North Huntingdon, PA	Westmoreland	Pre-registration Mandatory (724) 774-0305
2/18/2014	5:30–8:00 PM Cassell Hall, Room 210	University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg 150 Finoli Drive Greensburg, PA	Westmoreland	Pre-registration Mandatory (724) 836-9881
4/2/2014	5:30–8:00 PM Cassell Hall, Room 210	University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg 150 Finoli Drive Greensburg, PA	Westmoreland	Pre-registration Mandatory (724) 836-9881