Small Town Times | Page 17

Counselor’s Corner Continued… Is Your Child on Track to Graduate? 250 credits are required to graduate from Litchfield High School. A student must complete all necessary requirements for graduation, including receiving passing grades on required coursework and having a good attendance record. Seniors…have you visited your top colleges? If you haven’t done so already, visit your top colleges soon to narrow your choices. Application deadlines will start hitting later this this fall. Follow these tips for a successful visit: Contact the admissions office at least two weeks in advance to schedule your visit. Make appointments with an admissions representative, financial aid counselor, and a faculty member in the area of study that interests you. Check out the college website before your visit. Most college sites have a section for prospective students where you can learn about the admissions process, types of majors, student services, and employment opportunities. You might even be able to schedule your campus visit online. Visit while school is in session. You won’t get the true flavor during breaks or finals week. Ask LOTS of questions. Winning the scholarship game Follow these tips to increase your chances of earning scholarships: Don’t pay for scholarship searches! Use free search sites including ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org where you’ll find over 2,000 state and local awards Visit your guidance office weekly for information about local scholarships. Get organized. Place scholarship applications in deadline order and prioritize each award. Local and college-specific scholarships deserve top priority because you're more likely to earn them. Continually update your activities, honors and volunteer or paid jobs using the Activities Resume at EducationQuest.org. Earn the best possible ACT/SAT scores by taking the exams in the spring of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year. Use quality references such as a teacher, coach or counselor. Encourage them to write specific examples of your leadership skills. Give them advance notice and a specific deadline. Pay close attention to grammar and spelling. Ask at least two people to proofread your application. October “To Do” List Complete these tasks during October. Juniors and Seniors: ___ Attend a college fair in your area. ___ Sign up for Countdown2College for to receive monthly college planning tips. Page 17 Seniors: ___ Schedule campus visits. ___ Narrow your college choices and be aware of application deadlines and criteria. ___ Register for the ACT.