CHS Black Knights

Charlottesville
High School

CHS Counseling Department

Planning for College

College Guide

The College Guide can help students, parents, and alumni with registering for college admissions test, college searches, the application process, financial aid, and completing an activities list (resumé). Walk-ins are welcome from 8:30am-4:30pm in media 153 (library). Contact Mr. Rich at reshaud.rich@ccs.k12.va.us or call 245-2721 with all questions and concerns.

PSAT

The College Board Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) will be administered at no charge on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at Charlottesville High School to all freshmen, sophomores and juniors enrolled in a mainstream English course.

The PSAT is the practice test for the SAT, the most widely used college admissions test in the country.  It measures critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills.  Taking the PSAT gives students an opportunity to become familiar with the test instructions, the format of the test, and the type of questions asked.  The PSAT is basically a shortened version of the SAT that uses questions from previous SAT administrations.  Equally important is the individual score analysis each student receives that enables them to develop a study plan for improving their test scores.  Juniors taking the PSAT are also eligible for National Merit Scholarship consideration.  Students who do not plan on attending college may opt out of the testing with parent permission.

Free SAT Prep - http://ineedapencil.com
This website was founded by a Harvard senior who saw an injustice in the expensive test-prep programs. Students do need to sign up with a user name and e-mail address, but this will track their progress for them and allow for both prep exercises and practice tests.

Due Dates for Transcript Requests and Autobiographies

  • For students who are applying at Early Decision or December deadlines: September 23, 2011
  • All others: October 31, 2011

Parents/Guardians

As counselors are preparing to write college letters of recommendation we welcome your input. Please feel free to complete the College Questionnaire for Parents/Guardians and submit this form to your child’s school counselor. 

SAT Deadlines

  • Register at www.collegeboard.com
  • Click here for the 2011-2012 Test Dates
  • CHS’s school code is 470423
  • Also contact our College Guide, Mr. Rich (245-2721) for additional information.
  • ALWAYS remember to bring a calculator on test day!
NOTES:
  • Sunday administrations will occur the day after each Saturday test date for students who cannot test on Saturday for religious reasons.
  • The Language Tests with Listening are offered in November only.

ACT Deadlines

Register at www.actstudent.org

 

Test Date RegistrationDeadline (Late Fee Required)
September 10, 2011 August 12, 2011 August 13 –26, 2011
October 22, 2011 September 16, 2011 Sep. 17 -- 30, 2011
December 10, 2011 November 4, 2011 November 5 –18, 2011
February 11, 2012* January 13, 2012 January 14 –20, 2012
April 14, 2012 March 9 , 2012 March 10--23, 2012
June 9,2012 May 4, 2012 May 5 –18, 2012

* No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.

 

Scholarship Information

Applying to College

College Resources

College Board
Practice and register for SAT's, conduct college searches, create your own college search portfolio, compare your financial aid awards, do a scholarship search, and use the EFC calculator to help your family estimate how much they will be expected to contribute to the cost of college.
ACT
Register for the ACT
Common Application
College Answer
Guidance on preparing, selecting, applying, paying, deciding, and financing college.
FASTWEB:
Comprehensive search for financial aid and scholarships.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
NCAA Guide for College-Bound Athletes
Information on academic eligibility and core-course requirements and a lot more.

Helpful Websites:

www.educationplanner.org
AES free college planning site
www.knowhow2go.org
College prep for middle and high school
www.princetonreview.com
Prepare for entrance exams, financial aid
www.students.gov
Answers questions on education and careers
www.fafsa.ed.gov
U.S. Dept. of Education FAFSA introduction
www.finaid.org
Guide to financial aid
www.freecollegemoney.org
Free college money
www.hsf.net
Hispanic scholarship fund
www.studentaid.ed.gov
Free info from the U.S. Department of Education
www.schev.edu
Preparing, picking, and paying for college
www.avid.org
advancement via individual determination
www.vawizard.org
career, community college, and college match

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