Updates - 1/4/2016

Happy New Year!

Seniors -
 

Any student with a January 15 deadline who has not handed in a yellow sheet to their counselor should do so ASAP.  Please don’t forget!

 

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) will be administered at Westford Academy on Friday, January 8. 

The ASVAB is open to all juniors and seniors interested in the military.

Interested students should see Mr. Doherty in the Guidance office as soon as possible to sign up for the ASVAB.

Were you deferred from Early Action/Decision?.....

Students who have applied early action or early decision have started to hear the college’s decisions. Sometimes Early Action and Early Decision applicants are deferred to the regular decision pool. Deferred admission gives the admissions officer the opportunity to wait for mid-year grades and consider additional information from senior year. If you are deferred to the regular decision pool, you may want to take advantage of the following suggestions:

1. Write a letter restating your interest in the school and outlining reasons why this school is your best match. With more students than ever applying early, a college may not assume that they are still your first choice.

2. Send updates! If you have any new accomplishments to report – grades, newspaper articles, test scores, leadership positions, athletic recognitions – send these along to the college. Any additional information you send will confirm your interest and help you to stand out in the regular decision pool.

3. Your guidance counselor will send your mid-year grades with the updated, seven semester GPA.

It is also suggested that all students who have sent applications and have updates for their resume (sports results/ recognitions, newspaper articles, academic recognitions, student of the month, etc.) send a note to the colleges and ask that the update be added to their application file.

Stressed Much?!?!

With the college process in full gear and the holidays right around the corner there is no shortage of stress. Here are some stress-management tips that may help you feel better - and less stressed - every day:
• Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
• Keep a positive attitude; rather than defaulting to negatives (''Nothing goes right for me,'' or ''Bad things always happen to me''), give yourself positive messages (''I'm doing my best,'' or ''I'll ask for help'').
• Halt stress in its tracks; if you feel overwhelmed, take a walk, listen to enjoyable music, or talk to a friend/ family member.
• Do things that are pleasurable, like reading or watching a funny show.
• Take 15-20 minutes every day to sit quietly and reflect. Learn and practice relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing.
• Exercise regularly by bicycling, walking, hiking, jogging, or working out at the gym. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
• Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
• Seek out social support of friends or family members.

Scholarship Opportunities - Remember that a full list of scholarships can be found on Naviance under the "Colleges" tab.

The Ron Brown Scholar Program. Applications can be obtained from the website at www.ronbrown.org. The final application deadline is January 9, 2016.

The Hood Milk Sportsmanship Scholarship - a one time award of $5,000 to three student athletes from each state in New England. Find the application at www.hood.com.

Red Pine Scholarship

Students from low- to middle – income families who will have substantial unmet need to pay for college, have a strong academic record, and who plan to enroll at a competitive four-year college next fall are encouraged to submit an application by February 12, 2016.  For more information and application instructions, go to: http://www.tpi.org/scholarship/red-pine-scholarship. The link to apply can be found on Naviance.

Yawkey Foundation Scholarship Program – a four-year renewable tuition scholarship for talented, motivated, low-income students from Massachusetts.  In addition, you must be attending a private four-year college in the fall of 2016, have participated in activities with leadership, and have established a “meaningful sustained mentoring program or ongoing relationship with an adult role model” such as a club advisor, coach, employer, etc.  Application must be completed online at http://www.tpi.org/scholarship/yawkey-scholars-program and are due by February 12, 2016 at noon.

Rebekah Assembly of MA, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, offer a $500 scholarship to qualified seniors who plan to further their education by attending a two or four-year college program. The deadline is March 15, 2016.
Applications must be maield to:
Trudy Atkinson
789 Hampshire Rd.
Brownfield, ME 04010-2255

College Information - Info Sessions, etc.

The South Carolina School of the Arts - Anderson University

Scholarship Audition Opportunities

January 29 - Music, Theatre, and Visual Art Workshops: also Music and Theatre Auditions,a dn Art Portfolio Review

February 12 - Music Preview and Music Auditions B

February 26 - Theatre Auditions and Art Portfolio Review

March 4 - Music Preview and Music Auditions

March 11 - Teatre Preview and Auditions

April 22 - Music & Theatre Preview and Auditions

To schedule yoru scholarship audition or to learn more, visit schoolofthearts.com or call 800-542-3594.

Visit Merrimack

Winter Warrior Days - February 15-19,2016

Junior Discovery Days - April 18-22, 2016