SENIORS CLASS OF 2010
Fall Seniors: what you should be doing;

Meet with your counselor to go over the college process

• Register for the Fall SAT and ACT dates.
• Check in the Guidance Office and listen to the announcements to find out about visiting College and University representatives.
• Collect applications required for college admission and check out all deadlines, including financial aid.
• Ask appropriate people for letters of recommendation, remembering to give them adequate notice to complete this favor for you. Provide a resume to aid them in this process in addition to any specific recommendation forms that are necessary. Please be thoughtful and thankful, a thank you note would be greatly appreciated.
• Plan visits to college campuses and set up tours/interviews with the college admission office.

Seniors planning on participating in a Division I or II sports in college should apply for NCAA Clearinghouse certification before graduation. The required forms for NCAA Clearinghouse certification can be found online at: www.NCAAclearinghouse.net. All high school students who wish to practice and compete for a Division I or II institution must register with the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse.

College Search and Application Process

Responsibilities of the student/parent:

• Request applications for admission from the colleges/universities you plan to apply to or download applications online.
• If student applies online they must notify the guidance office via the transcript request form immediately so corresponding school records may be mailed from the guidance office.
• Be aware of and register for all assessments required by the colleges/universities you are applying to (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, etc).
• Schedule visits and/or interviews at college/post-secondary schools.
• Meet all application and financial aid deadlines. As a courtesy please make counselor aware of all application deadlines far in advance.
• Write required/recommended essays with the help of an English Teacher.
• Request letters of recommendation from faculty at least two weeks in advance of when it will be needed.
• Request letters of recommendation from Counselor at least two weeks in advance of when it will be needed or it cannot be guaranteed.
• Make sure all supplemental recommendation forms are submitted to teachers and counselors at least two weeks in advance of the deadline.
• Request official SAT score reports from the College Board to be sent to appropriate colleges/universities when applicable.
• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profile (if applicable).
• Research and apply for scholarships.

Responsibilities of the School Counselor:

• Provide the opportunity for individual counseling and advisement with each student.
• Be accessible to both parents and students for assistance throughout the search and application process.
• Assist students/parents in researching deadlines, requirements and other relevant information upon request.
• Host college admissions representatives.
• Host a Financial Aid Night in December.
• Make available FAFSA forms, SAT/ACT registration materials and other forms/information when appropriate in the guidance office.
• Update and maintain the Scholarship Binder, which is available in the Guidance Office.
• Forward official school records to colleges upon request. (transcripts, class rank, G.P.A., school profile, course selections etc…)
• Complete Secondary and Mid-year school reports when applicable.

COLLEGE SEARCH WEBSITES

www.lentzsatprep.com - SAT prep classes
www.collegeboard.com - SAT registration, AP info, college info and search
www.collegeview.com - College search and videos
www.collegeexpress.com - College search and general info
www.petersons.com -Info on colleges, careers, and financial aid
www.review.com - Princeton Review college search and info
www.number2.com - Free SAT tutorial and prep

CONNECTICUT WEBSITES

www.ctmentor.com - Info and applications for CT colleges
www.uconn.edu - University of Connecticut website
www.ctstateu.edu - Homepage for Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western
www.commnet.edu - Homepage for CT Community College system

FINANCIAL AID WEBSITES

www.wiredscholar.com - Free college scholarship search
www.cslf.com -CT Student Loan Foundation
www.fafsa.ed.gov - Government website for FAFSA and federal financial aid programs
www.fastweb.com -Scholarship data base and personalized search
www.finaid.com - General financial aid info
www.nebhe.org -Info on tuition discounts for certain majors at other New England colleges
www.blackexcel.org - Scholarship database for minority students

LINKS TO THIRD PARTY SITES:

The links in this area will let you leave Lyman Memorial High School’s site. The linked sites are not under the control of the district and The District is not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. The District is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by The District of the site.

Essay Writing Tips
Write an Effective Application Essay

A great application essay will present a vivid, personal, and compelling view of you to the admission staff. It will round out the rest of your application and help you stand out from the other applicants. The essay is one of the only parts of your application over which you have complete control, so take the time to do a good job on it. Check out these tips before you begin.

DOs

Keep Your Focus Narrow and Personal

Your essay must prove a single point or thesis. The reader must be able to find your main idea and follow it from beginning to end. Try having someone read just your introduction to see what he or she thinks your essay is about.

Essays that try to be too comprehensive end up sounding watered-down. Remember, it's not about telling the committee what you've done -- they can pick that up from your list of activities -- instead, it's about showing them who you are.

Prove It

Develop your main idea with vivid and specific facts, events, quotations, examples, and reasons. There's a big difference between simply stating a point of view and letting an idea unfold in the details:
" Okay: "I like to be surrounded by people with a variety of backgrounds and interests"
" Better: "During that night, I sang the theme song from Casablanca with a baseball coach who thinks he's Bogie, discussed Marxism with a little old lady, and heard more than I ever wanted to know about some woman's gall bladder operation."

Be Specific

Avoid clichéd, generic, and predictable writing by using vivid and specific details.
" Okay: "I want to help people. I have gotten so much out of life through the love and guidance of my family, I feel that many individuals have not been as fortunate; therefore, I would like to expand the lives of others."
" Better: "My Mom and Dad stood on plenty of sidelines 'til their shoes filled with water or their fingers turned white or somebody's golden retriever signed his name on their coats in mud. I think that kind of commitment is what I'd like to bring to working with fourth-graders."

DON'Ts
Don't Tell Them What You Think They Want to Hear

Most admission officers read plenty of essays about the charms of their university, the evils of terrorism, and the personal commitment involved in being a doctor. Bring something new to the table, not just what you think they want to hear.

Don't Write a Resumé

Don't include information that is found elsewhere in the application. Your essay will end up sounding like an autobiography, travelogue, or laundry list. Yawn.
" "During my junior year, I played first singles on the tennis team, served on the student council, maintained a B+ average, traveled to France, and worked at a cheese factory."

Don't Use 50 Words When Five Will Do

Eliminate unnecessary words.
" Okay: "Over the years it has been pointed out to me by my parents, friends, and teachers -- and I have even noticed this about myself, as well -- that I am not the neatest person in the world."
" Better: "I'm a slob."

Don't Forget to Proofread

Typos and spelling or grammatical errors can be interpreted as carelessness or just bad writing. Don't rely on your computer's spell check. It can miss spelling errors like the ones below.
" "After I graduate form high school, I plan to work for a nonprofit organization during the summer."
" "From that day on, Daniel was my best fried."

College Visits
Upcoming College Representatives at Lyman 

College and University representatives will be visiting Lyman throughout the Fall. The list of visiting schools is posted in the Guidance Office and may also be found on the school website and school T.V. channel. Students should obtain a pass from the Guidance Office if they would like to meet with the representative.

Scholarships & Awards

 There is scholarship and award information in the guidance office. Students should check in periodically and review the scholarship binder for any new scholarships or awards that we may have. It is never too early to start applying for scholarships!

Notes to Seniors

 Plan on meeting with your counselor in the fall to get started on the college application process.

These websites can be helpful in the college search process:

www.collegeboard.com

www.review.com

Attention Seniors : Columbia Ford is currently seeking a student intern to work part time in their sales department. The internship has the potential to develop into a full time position after graduation. Please see your counselor for more information.

New London Scholar Program

Connecticut College will be accepting applications for the New London Scholars Program. This program allows seniors at Lyman the opportunity to enroll in classes free of charge at Connecticut College this spring. Students must have excellent academic records to qualify for this program. Please see your counselor for more information.

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