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Janine Kieran, Principal
Mercy Kurian, College Advisor
Overview
The College Office at George Westinghouse High School advises students in many aspects of the college process. The college process is a series of steps that a student must proceed through in order to get to college. These factors include the PSAT, SAT, ACT, essay writing, recommendations, the college selection, college application, financial aid, scholarships, etc… It is an all-encompassing department that assists the student in every phase of the process.
Junior Year
Thinking about college at George Westinghouse begins generally in the fall term of the 11th grade. Students are encouraged to take the PSAT in the fall, which gives them a barometer of how they will score on the SAT. In addition, this exam qualifies them for the National Merit Scholarship program. In the spring term of the 11th year, students will take either the May or June SAT. If the student scores well enough at that time (1000 or better), he/she may not need to take the exam in the fall of their senior year. Over the summer, juniors need to start thinking about schools they might be interested in attending after graduation. They should also start requesting information from these schools, so when they return as seniors in the fall, they have an idea of where they would like to go. It is generally a good idea to have selections narrowed down to five schools. In their selections, students should include one CUNY, one SUNY, and one private school. At this point in the process students should go through a period of self-reflection to determine their interests, skills, aspirations and values.
Senior Year
During the senior year, students begin the actual application process. This includes the college essay, gathering recommendations, scholarship applications, applying to college, and the SAT in October, November, or December. Students must take a realistic look at their options. A student’s GPA, SAT, and extra curricular activities are looked at by the admissions committees. Four-year colleges are generally looking for well-rounded individuals, who can balance academics (80 average, 1020 SAT) with community service, school activities, sports, or part time employment. Although it is not mandated, students who participate in activities outside of their academics, have an advantage in the eyes of the admissions committees. The college must select a group of students who will be an asset to the institution. The goal of the college is a population of students who will study, work and play well with each other and a population that will be diverse enough to learn from each other. Schools want a rich blend of diverse students to make living and learning on campus a rewarding experience.
The completed application will consist of informational forms, a transcript of grades and standardized test scores. Student essays, teacher recommendations, and an interview may also be required. You have the right to obtain information from colleges and universities concerning their admission and financial aid policies. Be sure you are fully informed of policies and procedures concerning application fees, deposits, refunds, housing, and financial aid. You may want to defer a response or a deposit on any offers of admissions or financial aid until you have heard from all colleges and universities to which you have applied or May 1, whichever comes first. As you complete your application, remember that thousands of students are completing that same form. Make sure your application reveals the real you.
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