counseling corner november/december

The Counseling Corner

The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day SchoolThe Ben Lipson Hillel Community High SchoolThe Juda and Maria Diener Elementary SchoolThe Henrietta Scheck Middle School

November/December 2011Cheshvan/Kislev 5772

This spring, all students in the College Readiness course will be taking college visits to a wide range of universities. College visits are an integral and important part of the college application process because they allow students to learn about a campus, get a feel for the environment, and help them begin to make more informed choices when creating their college list.

To encourage our students to see varying schools from large, public state universities to small private colleges - Hillel’s college counselors will take the junior class on a few one-day college visits followed by a more comprehensive three-day trip to central and western Florida. Students will tour the campuses and then meet current students who will share personal experiences. The counselors will also coordinate visits to campus Hillel programs at each school so students may be exposed to the importance of Jewish life in college.

From the College Counseling Office

The Importance of the College Visit

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Students do not thoroughly read the directions for each application and often leave 1. out important information/documents OR INCLUDE documents that are not required/recommended.

Suggestion:• Read each application in total before filling it out and ask your counselor to proofread the application prior to submitting.

Students complete the online application but fail to request information from their 2. college counselor.

Suggestion: • Carefully follow your school’s application process and notify your counselor about each school to which you have applied.

Students have inappropriate or questionable photos and/or comments on social 3. networking sites, like Facebook and others.

Suggestion:• Double-check all social networking sites to ensure that no such material exists.

In the college essay students exceed the number of words required. 4. Suggestion: • If you are required to write a 500-word essay, do not go beyond 500 words. Colleges test your ability to follow directions and communicate your thoughts concisely and clearly.

Students miss the application deadline. 5. Suggestion:• After deciding which schools you would like to apply to, keep a detailed list/spreadsheet with all the requisite deadlines.

Students misspell their intended major: psychology and business are the most 6. misspelled.

Suggestion:• Spell check all applications when able and ask college counselor to review/edit prior to submitting.

The student’s parent/college counselor fills out the application or writes the essay. 7. Suggestion:• You are the one seeking admission into college. Therefore, you should be the one to complete the application. Colleges are generally aware of those essays and applications that are filled out by someone other than the applicant and the result is in most cases, a rejection.

Tips for College Applicants: Avoiding Mistakes The college admissions process is stimulating and exciting at its highest moments, and arduous and overwhelming in its darkest. The application is a snapshot of the applicant and serves as the opportunity to put the best foot forward. Many believe the process itself is a rite-of-passage and that it also serves as a measure of an applicant’s ability to follow directions and attention to detail. Despite its importance, however, mistakes are often made and by-in-large, are often avoidable. The following is a list of common mistakes and basic suggestions to avoid less than ideal results.

The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School | The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School 2

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Paying for College and 529 Plans: What are they and why you should consider them

For many, the college application process can be daunting and overwhelming, but once the applications are complete, the big question is asked: How are we going to pay for all of this? Hillel encourages families to begin thinking about this long before the first application to college is completed and we can offer assistance at any time to help answer questions about how to best prepare to pay for college.

One of the most popular and useful ways to assist families with paying for college is 529 plans. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future college costs. Legally known as “qualified tuition plans,” 529 plans are sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions and are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. In the state of Florida, the 529 Plan is known as Florida Pre-Paid.

Activity list is too long and/or not meaningful or leaves out relevant experience. 8. Suggestion:• Thoughtfully describe your activity/interest and discuss in detail what you have done and how it has shaped who you are today. Do not forget to include all experience such as paid work, volunteer endeavors, sports, clubs, etc.

Students use the same essay for more than one school and in cutting and pasting, fail to change a 9. school name within the essay.

Suggestion: • Simply, DO NOT DO THIS! Admissions officers like nothing less than a student writing why they want to attend a school other than the one to which they are applying. Take the time to review your application and essay with a fine tooth comb...check and double-check.

Students do not address the essay question/topic or write a generic essay. 10. Suggestion:• Discuss your ideas with your college counselor to ensure that you are on point. Relate the essay specifically to you and include those details that give the admission officer a true sense of who you are.

Students list an e-mail address that is in bad taste or “too cute”.11. • Suggestion: Be aware of the impression your e-mail address makes. Create a “professional” e-mail address for college and job applications. It’s hard to take “cutiepie1111” seriously.


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From the School Counseling Office

Please visit the following sites to learn more about 529 Plans and how you can participate:

www.myfloridaprepaid.com

http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/intro529.htm

http://www.mint.com/blog/planning/529-plans-the-antidote-to-college-sticker-shock-092011/?display=wide

Warm regards,

Vanessa Donaher Dana PonskyDirector of College Counseling College Counselor305-931-2831 x132 305-931-2831 [email protected] [email protected]

Quarter 1 Grades Benjamin Franklin once said, “Time and tide wait for no man.” So here we are at the start of Quarter 2 and by the time you read this, you will have obtained your child’s report card. We hope that all of you are pleased with the grades received.

If not, there is ample time for the students to dig in, buckle down, and raise their performance to higher levels which are more satisfying. There is opportunity to make a change for better results. In Middle School, the final grade is made up of all four quarters plus the final exam, and in High School the final exam and Quarter 2 grades are an integral component of the Semester 1 grade. If you or your child is concerned about any grade that was received we recommend that you contact individual teachers to discuss strategies that can be done in the classroom to improve performance.

Guidance Curriculum We are excited that our new guidance curriculum has begun for students in Grades 6-10. Grade 6-7 students will be exploring and developing their identities as individuals and as a community. The first week of our curriculum was community-building activities involving silent communication and guided discussion on each activity. In Grade 8 students discussed their evolving thoughts and ways in which they have personally changed over the last few years. They also learned the connections between behavior, thoughts, and feelings and how changing one can affect the other two. Grade 9 students explored their personal identities, values, and beliefs. The curriculum for Grade 10 included self-development activities and will be followed by individual meetings with students to discuss their transcripts, grades, GPAs, and personal goals.

The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School | The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School

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Upper SchoolWhitney Fisch Counselor, Grades 6-7305-931-2831 [email protected]

Linda FeigenbaumCounselor, Grades 8-9305-931-2831 [email protected]

Contact Us

Lois Perlman Counselor, Grades 10-11305-931-2831 [email protected]

Rita Jacobson Registrar305-931-2831 [email protected]

Lower SchoolDr. Nancy GouldCounselor, Grades K-5 305-931-2831 x140 [email protected]

Girls Group

Girls Group is a small group lunch bunch for Grade 6-7 girls (divided by grade) taking place once a month. The purpose of Girls Group is to teach girls to communicate efficiently and effectively with one another. The Girls Group is designed to raise awareness, develop empathy, teach healthy conflict resolution, explore feelings, and promote a positive change in female relationships.


counseling corner november/december

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