In Academics:
- Curriculum
  * Departments
  * Year by Year
  * Program of Studies

- National Statistics
- College Destinations
  * Specific Colleges
  * Scholarship Statistics

		COLLEGE GUIDANCE UPDATES Final Exams: May 21, 22, 23 Honors Convocation: Tuesday, May 27th @ 7:00 PM Athletic Recognition Night: Thursday, May 29th @ 7:00 PM Firebird Fieldhouse Baccalaureate Mass: Friday, May 30th @7:00 PM Cornwells Lawn Graduation: Saturday, May 31st @10:00 AM ************************************************************** SENIORS: Congratulations to the class of 2008!!! The college decision has been made, graduation is right around the corner and you have three months to anticipate the next phase of your life. If you have any concerns or questions about college over the summer please know that you can contact the College Guidance office any time. E-mail is the best way to reach Mr. Grabowski and Mrs. Iuliano. Your FINAL TRANSCRIPT will be sent to the college you indicated you will be attending. We DO NOT need any forms from the college. If anything changes over the summer please notify us immediately. ************************************************************ JUNIOR SUMMER CHECKLIST By your return to school in August, you should have accomplised the following: 1. Taken the SAT I's twice. 2. Taken the Subject Test once if: a) colleges you are considering require the subject tests, b) you have taken an AP class in a subject area as a junior. The ACT's are an option to take which will fulfill taking the SAT I and the Subject Test. 3. Visited at least 5 Colleges. 4. Have a list of colleges you are considering applying to which include 1-2 realistic/safe academic and financial, 3-5 low reach schools, 2-3 high reach/dream schools. The realsitic/safe schools should be thoroughly researched and visited. 5. Done an estimated EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC)at the college board.com website. Talk to your parents about what they can contribute each year to your college expenses. You cannot complete any financial aid forms untike late fall (CSS Profile - some schools) and January 1st 2009 (FASFA- all schools.) 6. Done a scholarship search at one or both of the following websites: fastweb.com or scholarships.com. There is money out there, however, it can be time consuming searching for the scholarship that might work for you. It could be worth the effort! 7. Requested or checked the websites for applications to schools to which you are considering. BEGIN WORKING ON ESSAYS!!! 8. Enhance/update your resumes. 9. Talked to people about your college and college major/career plans. It helps to get different opinions about colleges from students who are attending/have attended a school you are considering. 10. Stay ORGANIZED! Have a folder for each school you plan to apply. 11. Have a "game plan" for your return to school in the Fall regarding college visits, SAT's, applications, school work, etc. You must work around your Fall./Winter activities and stay focused. 12. Try to do something interesting/different this summer: take a class, volunteer, get a job. 13. Athletes interested in competing in collegiate athletics at the DI or DII level should register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Go to ncaaclearinghouse.net to register. Download proper forms to bring to the college guidance office so that we may send the necessary paperwork. 14. Contact coaches, activity moderators, teachers, department heads at schools in which you are interested. 15. Before you leave for the summer, be sure that all college guidance assignments have been completed and turned into the college guidance office. 16. Check NAVIANCE on a regular basis through out the summer. Use the website to help you stay organized. Be sure that your PARENTS are REGISTERED by the time you return to school in the fall. 17. Have asked 2 teachers for a college recommendation. If you did not ask a teacher in the spring before you left for the summer, please contact a teacher through email asking if he/she will write you a recommendation. When you return in the fall you will be given the necessary forms the teachers will need to complete the recommendation. HAVE A SAFE SUMMER!!   *************************************************************   NAVIANCE What is it? - A web-based resource that supports college and career planning. The data that is available is specific to Holy Ghost Prep. Any college can be connected to through Naviance. What can it do? Compare colleges, track deadlines, show schedule of visiting colleges and ability to sign-up for visit, produce scattergrams, track college applications and much more! How is is accessed? Each senior and junior are given registration codes. All seniors are currently registered. All juniors will be registered during the first cycle of college guidance class. All senior and junior parents were sent registration codes through the mail. If you do not have a registration code please contact Mrs. Iuliano in the guidance office. CLICK THE ADDRESS BELOW TO BE CONNECTED TO NAVIANCE: http://connection.naviance.com/holyghostprep It is the goal of the College Guidance Office to get 100% parent participation. This is a GREAT way to communicate with all parents during the college process. PLEASE REGISTER NOW!! ************************************************************* WHERE IS THE COLLEGE GUIDANCE CONFERENCE ROOM? Room 215 in Cornwells is the College Guidance Conference Room. This room will be used for parent/student meetings and college visits. This room is NOT to be used as a place to just hang out. ************************************************************ SENIORS: THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW!!! EARLY TIPS FOR FINANCIAL AID : What is FAFSA? Free Application for Federal Student Aid When do I file? Not until January 1, 2008...don't put it off. Check colleges for their deadlines. The best time is between January 1st and February 1st!! Do I have to wait until I file the fafsa after January to get an idea of what my Family contribution will be? No...you can get a $ amount by going to fafsa.ed.gov and click on FAFSA4caster Should I use a paper copy or apply online? Online is fast and easy. Over 80% of all FAFSAs are filed online. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov What is a PIN number and why do I need one? The U.S. Department of Education offers Personal Identification Numbers(PINs) that serve as electronic signatures for both the student and at least one parent to use for signing the FAFSA on the web. How do I get a PIN? PIN numbers can be obtained at the website: www.pin.ed.gov. Students AND parents need to apply for these numbers BEFORE you begin the FAFSA application process. This means you can apply for a PIN NOW. Don't wait until January to apply for the PIN. Once you receive the pin this four digit number remains the same throughout the student's college years and should be kept secure. What is the CSS/Financial Aid Profile: PROFILE is a service of the College Board - a not-for-profit membership association of high schools, school systems, colleges and universities, and educational organizations. The College Board's mission is to connect students to college success.Colleges, universitites, graduate and professional schools use the information collected on the PROFILE to help them award nonfederal student aid funds. The College Board DOES NOT award scholarship money or other financial aid. By completing the PROFILE, you provide the college with a complete picture of your family's financial circumstances.Register for your customized PROFILE Application at www.collegeboard.com and click on CSS/PROFILE under "Pay for College." Not all Colleges and Universities require the CSS/PROFILE so be sure to check to see if the schools your son are applying to require this application. List can be found on the college board website. ************************************************************* GENERAL INFORMATION BULLETIN BOARDS There are 4 bulletin boards that hold college information. All boards are in Cornwells. • 2nd floor – large board across from the College Guidance Office. This is where students can sign up to schedule an appointment with Mr. Grabowski or Mrs. Iuliano. • 2nd floor – small board across from the men’s bathroom. This board will contain information pertaining to SAT and ACT. • 3rd floor – large board at the end of the hall outside room 307. This board will have posters from Colleges/Universities that will be visiting HGP with the date/time of their visit.(Look under “Colleges Visiting HGP” sign.) The rest of the board will display a variety of school posters which will change periodically. • 3rd floor – large board at the end of the hall outside room 309. This will contain information about Scholarships and Open Houses. Please be sure to check all boards on a regular basis. ************************************************************* CLASS of 2009: Please review the following procedures for submitting your college applications: PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATIONS Where to bring request for transcript envelopes: All transcript requests come through the Guidance Office. If no one is in the office, put the envelop in the bin marked "College Applications" sitting on top of the file cabinet. How many schools should I apply to? Schools fall under three categories and you should apply to several in each category: - Realistic (academically & financially) 2-3 - Maybe (reach) 2-4 - Dream 1-2 Completing the application: The easiest way to apply to a college is online. You will need a credit card to pay for the application fee. Check to see if the colleges you are applying to use the Common Application. This can also be submitted online. Go back and check all your answers.Whether you decide to use a paper application or apply online be sure to: • read over carefully before filling out • answer all questions on scratch paper first • check spelling • print neatly (if using paper application) • answer all questions • sign and date where needed • be sure you have the correct Social Security number What is turned in to the Guidance Office: All materials to be sent to the colleges need to be in a 9 x 12 envelope with three 42cent stamps. Please DO NOT use a regular business envelope. These are not large enough for all the records that need to be sent. Be sure you have the correct address of the college/university. What goes in the envelope? The following should be enclosed in the envelope: • college application (if you submitted the application online or used the common application make a copy for your records. We do not need a copy.) • Your resume • If you did not submit your essay online include a copy.(Have someone check for spelling and grammar. Don’t depend on the computer spell check.) • Application fee (check or money order) if you did not apply online • Be sure to place your name and correct Social Security number on all forms • If the application has a Part I and Part II, send Part I yourself then bring Part II to the Guidance Office in appropriate envelope. • If you apply online or while visiting a school we still need a stamped envelope to send your official records. Enclose a piece of paper with your name and any other materials that need to be sent. • Write the deadline lightly in pencil on front of envelope. Remember...if you apply online it is possible that the envelope you bring to the guidance office could be empty. If you have been able to complete everything online (essay, activities/resume) then remember to include a note with your name so that we know who you are! WE WILL SEND YOUR TRANSCRIPT, SCHOOL PROFILE AND GUIDANCE RECOMMENDATION. WE DO NOT SEND SAT SCORES. THIS MUST BE DONE BY EACH STUDENT THROUGH THE COLLEGE BOARD. How long will it take for my request to be processed? Give the Guidance Office two weeks for processing, three weeks for those who have not turned in junior guidance assignments. NOTE: absolutely no applications will be accepted for processing between 12/12/08 and 1/02/09. Recommendations: • The Guidance Office will send one. • You are responsible for getting any additional recommendations from teachers. Be sure to pick up the Recommendation Request form and the Teacher Recommendation form from the guidance office. • Take the time to speak to the teachers whom you would like to write a recommendation. • Give the teacher an addressed (name of the college/university), stamped envelope for each school you need a recommendation sent. Include a current resume. • Give teachers Recommendation Forms four (4) weeks before they are due. • Do not send more recommendations than requested by the college. Important Information Needed for Applications: School Address: 2429 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA 19020 School Code/CEEB#: 390870 School Phone #: 215-639-2102 School Fax: 215-639-4225 If you have any questions during this process do not hesitate to call the Guidance Office. Mr. Ted Grabowski: 215-639-2102 ext. 222 Mrs. Karen Iuliano: 215-639-2102 ext. 226 ********************************************************** SAT/ACT INFORMATION Check back for Test Dates. They will be posted when they become available for the 2008/2009 school year.   ************************************************************ JUNIORS • If you have taken an SAT Prep course over the summer you should plan on taking the October SAT • The easiest way to register for the SAT is online. GO to www.collegeboard.com • Check the SAT registration deadlines above. * Check to see if any colleges you are interested in require SAT II's also known as SUBJECT TESTS. May and June are a great tume to take care of this. It is best to take a Subject Test immediately after the completion of a course. ************************************************************** COLLEGE VISITS -Juniors, it is not too soon to begin your college visits. Start now and continue through next summer. Many colleges have Spring Open Houses specifically for Juniors. Interested in a college tour? Go the College Visits at http://www.college-visits.com/college.html Take advantage of all the colleges that visit HGP this fall. GO to Naviance to see list and sign-up. GOALS The goals of the College Counseling Program at Holy Ghost Prep are twofold. First, we attempt to match each student with the college that affords him the best possible options from an academic, extracurricular and social aspect. Group (college guidance classes) sessions, individual meetings with students and parents, and computerized searches are some of the ways that this end is achieved. In order to help studnets to gain acceptance at the eventual college of their choice, we spend much of the junior year working with them on essays, resumes, the interview process, college visits and scholarship possibilities. We also conduct meetings with their parents regarding the progression to college and the financial aid process. The second goal is to prepare students for their transition to college. We enlist the aid of alumni, utilize journal articles, and engage in group discussions to facilitate this process. One hundred percent of our seniors are accepted to college.
A STUDENT'S PROGRESSION TO COLLEGE FRESHMAN YEAR Academic adjustment and achievement Extracurricular involvement Individual counseling Study Guidance Program SOPHOMORE YEAR Academic achievement and extracurricular involvement (important every year.) PSAT test (October) - just to familiarize student with the test; average HGP student's scores rise 200 points by highest SAT's Alumni career program (May) Senior college preparation program (May) JUNIOR YEAR PSAT (Oct.) - still really practice for the SAT's although it determines National Merit Finalists. Only about one percent of financial aid (grants and scholarships) comes directly as a result of success on PSAT. Good time to be visiting colleges, attending Open Houses, etc. College/Career Days - Alumni program at HGP. College Day over 60% of our graduates go to the colleges which participate in this program. SAT I tests - all Juniors should take this in November, December or January and possibly again in March or May. November-January testing is critical to the college selections process. College preparation - Guidance classes for Juniors meet each cycle, culminating with the completion of a college application, including an essay and resume. SAT II in May and/or June especially for any students planning to apply "early decision" or "action" to college and those taking AP/honors courses in Junior year. Individual college and career counseling. Computerized College Exploration using COIN3 An SAT Prep course. Summertime is best! College scholarship search on www.fastweb.com Special Summer Projects: college visits (surface as opposed to in depth) participation in special programs (college courses, exchange programs, Governor’s School and PFEW) begin writing specific college application essays a tentative list of college choices should be formed SENIOR YEAR Final College List: should be formed by October 15, and should include 1-2 safe (academic & economic) schools, 2-4 reach schools and 1-2 dream schools. Average HGP student applies to 7 colleges. The final list should include a chart of the deadlines, requirements and other important characteristics of the schools. In-depth college visits--assuming surface visits have been completed. SAT I tests in October. SAT II re-tests (Nov.) - a must for those applying to highly competitive colleges. Senior Guidance Class Topics include the application process, Financial Aid and adjustment to college. Early Action/Early Decision choices. Alumni College/ Career (same as junior year) Numerous hand-outs are distributed as well as FAFSA and Profile forms. These aid forms should be completed and sent between January 1st and February 1st with actual or estimated figures or student may lose out on aid despite the fact that deadlines are actually later for most schools. Decision Time: must visit before deciding base decision on where you're most comfortable, not who has best program. get extensions on commitments or pay deposit to insure a spot if necessary. once the decision is made, put it behind you. Final Semester Grades - although the 6th and 7th semester grades are probably most important, all semester grades are important too, even the last semester of senior year. All acceptances are conditional based on "successful" completion of student's last semester and graduation. Senior year first semester grades are sent to all colleges to which a student applies. Final transcripts are sent to school to which graduate is going. No forms are necessary.