Belleville West High School

September 2007

  This issue of the Counsel-Letter has been prepared for seniors.

It contains information on college application procedures and test dates. It is important that you be

aware of this information. If you have questions regarding procedures or your plans, ask for help.

If you need further help, we encourage you to make an appointment with your counselor.The secretary

in our office will help you make your appointment. The important thing for you to know is that we are

here to help you. We are concerned about you and your future.

TESTING INFORMATION

ACT ( American College Test) - Cost $30.00/ plus Optional Writing $44.50.

 The ACT is required by all state universities in Illinois . This the primary test for most of ourcollege

bound students. The ACT covers the fields of English, math, reading and science reasoning.An optional

writing portion is available. You may want to check with the college you are considering seeing if they

require the Optional Writing portion. Many of you have taken the Prairie State Achievement Test (PSAE)

last April which included an ACT test. You may want to take the test an additional time on a national test date.

SENIORS have a chance to retake the PSAE for free in October. See your counselor prior to September 14th

for a fee waiver form if you want to retake the ACT on Saturday, October 27 here at Belleville West High School .

You must register for the ACT by completing an ACT packet. BOTH the ACT and Part 2 of the PSAE must be

retaken for the fee waiver. PSAE, Part 2, will be given at school on Tuesday, October 30, 2007.

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT TAKE THE PSAE LAST YEAR !!!!!!!!

                         You must take the PSAE (ACT and Part 2) in order to meet graduation requirements.

                                         IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILTIY TO TAKE THESE TEST.

 ACT Assessment Test - BASIC FEE - $30.00 Plus Writing -- $44.50

TEST DATES: October 27, 2007              REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 21, 2007  

                           December 8, 2007                                                                   November 2, 2006

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) - BASIC FEE $43.00

TEST DATES: October 6, 2007   REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 10, 2007

    November 3, 2007                                                                              October 2, 2007

    December 1, 2007                                                                               October 30, 2007

    January 26, 2008                                                                                 December 26, 2007

APPLICATIONS FOR THE ACT CAN BE FOUND IN THE COUNSELING OFFICE OR ONLINE

at www.actstudent.org.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE SAT ARE FOUND ONLINE at collegeboard.com/reg.

CLASS OF 2007

YOUR RESPONSIBILITES:

1. Check your credits to ensure you are meeting all the requirements for graduation. This is especially critical

if you ever failed a class. There cords secretary and counselors are checking your credits too, but...

the final responsibility is yours .

2•  Students wishing to leave in December must complete an application now, which requires parent signature,

credit check by your counselor, and approval of the principal and school board.

YOU MUST HAVE APPLICATION IN BY DECEMBER 1ST IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO

GRADUATE EARLY. CHOOSING TO GRADUATE AFTER DECEMBER WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVING GRADES OF W/F REFLECTED ON THE STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPT.

5 DIRECTIONS MOST GRADUATES TAKE: 

1. Attend a two or four year college
2. Attend a technical school
3. Enlist in the military
4. Apprenticeships
5. Enter the world of work

1. HIGHER EDUCATION BOUND (Two, four year colleges and Technical, and Business schools)

A. Start the application process NOW , OCTOBER is the recommended month to send applications.

Addresses for admission offices can be found online or in the Guidance Office. Most Illinois school

applications are available in the counselors' office. Applications are also available on the schools websites.

B. Fill out the application , but bring it in to your counselor with a check if an application fee is required

and sign a release of information form. The application will be mailed from school with your transcript.

C. Common Applications are available in office. Students interested in applying to several private colleges

may use this if their schools are listed. College

D. Admissions Standards
1. Rank in class based on grade point average (GPA).

2. ACT/SAT scores. Repeat the test in October if you feel you can imporve your score or if you have

not taken it yet.

3. Letters of Recommendation. Fill out a form listing activities, community service, work experience,

honors, awards, etc. A form is available in the Guidance Office. Selected teachers you feel know you the

best and/or counselor to write letters for you. Don't wait until last minute!!! Teachers and counselors need

time to write well thought-out recommendations.

4. Some colleges require you to write a statement. Have someone proofread it for you.

E. Financial Assistance - FAFSA forms are available in the Guidance Office or online.

FINANCIAL AID UP-DATE MEETING - Wednesday, December 5, 2007 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COMMONS.

This is a FAFSA Form Completion Workshop. Many local colleges have special workshops in February

covering the FAFSA.

1. The first responsibility for financing a college education rests with the family

- the student and their parents.

2. Other monies are available from the Federal and State Governments, the college

attending, and private sources.

3. A FAFSA form should be completed by any student interested in scholarship or

other type of financial aid. They are available online or counselor's office, but

cannot be completed until after January 1, 2008. However, you can go on-line NOW

and get the parent and student PIN numbers.

         a. This form also serves as an application for Federal and State financial assistance.

         b. Some private colleges require CSS Financial Aid Profile and/or their own form.

4. Contact the "Office of Financial Aid" at the college you plan to attend. Find out about what

the financial aid they have available.

5. Scholarships which come from BTHS West will be announced in the Daily Bulletin every

Thursday. They will be posted on the school website http://bths201.org and on our special

"Scholarship Hotline" number is 222-7500, ext. 4444.

2. ENLIST IN THE MILITARY

A. Military representatives will visit our campus once per semester. Visits will

announced in the bulletin. They usually meet with students in the Commons during lunch hours. To meet

individually with the representative, you must arrange the meeting ahead of time, and obtain a pass from

the Guidance Secretary by the morning of the meeting. These meetings must take place in the Guidance Office

B. You must take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). Recruiters and counselors

can tell where and when you can take the test.

3. ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

A. Hospitals, nursing homes, food services, grocery stores, etc., have training Programs. If you are in our

Co-Op Programs, you are receiving on-the-job training. Once you have a job, stay with it, prove your

responsibility and competence and be willing to take classes at SWIC or elsewhere to upgrade your skills.

ON-LINE RESOURCES

www.careercruising.com User Name: Belleville / Password: Maroons

** this is a great website for both career and college searches

www.collegezone.com -- helps with financial aid for parents and students

www.fastweb.com -- scholarship search