Salem Academy Charter School

The College Lady's Newsletter

Ms. Lynn Welbourn is Salem Academy's college advisor. In 2009, she will see her first graduating class head off to college. Ms. Welbourn coordinates financial aid seminars, colleges visits to SACS as well as off-campus, guides students through the application process and so much more.

Below are highlights from her current newsletter:

THE COLLEGE ADVISOR APRIL 2009

APRIL IS A GOOD MONTH FOR…..

Seniors

• To celebrate college acceptances.

• To attend receptions and overnights for admitted students.

• To finalize your college decision and send in the deposit by May first.

• To keep your focus academically for a strong finish to your high school career!

Juniors

• To decide when to take the SAT, SAT subject tests (only if necessary – note that fewer than 200 colleges and universities require subject tests), and/or ACT. Be mindful of registration deadlines, which are noted on the College Board and ACT websites. To arrange for college visits, tours, and yes, even interviews at colleges that do offer interviews. Spring break is the perfect week for a family trip to make a series of college visits.

• To make sure that your next year’s academic schedule includes the five academic courses: math, science, English, history or social studies, and a foreign language. And be sure to take courses at the highest level of rigor you can comfortably manage (without stressing out!).

HELPFUL WEBSITES:

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/: A good resource to help families calculate their projected Expected Family Contribution toward college expenses.

www.fairtest.org: Did you know there are more than 700 colleges that do not require standardized testing to apply for admission? This site tells you which ones.

http://www.dickinson.edu/tips/planning.html: This Dickinson College site is a hidden gem, and it is not “selling” Dickinson. It leads you to “College Planning Made Simple,” which asks students to consider factors that are important in identifying appropriate colleges. It also can serve as a beginning for discussions between students and their parents about differing or similar priorities in the college process.

GOOD REASONS TO GO TO COLLEGE

People who attend at least some college earn higher incomes and have less chances of being unemployed than workers with only a high school diploma, according to the U.S. Dept of Labor. Although the following chart originated before our current economic woes set in, it still bears some truth in the relative comparisons of educational level and unemployment rates:

2006 Unemployment Rates

Level of Education Unemployment Rate (%)

Professional Degree 1.1 percent

Doctorate 1.4 percent

Master’s Degree 1.7 percent

Bachelor’s Degree 2.3 percent

Associate Degree 3.0 percent

Some College, No Degree 3.9 percent

High School Graduate 4.3 percent

No High School Diploma 6.8 percent

(Source: U.S. Dept. of Education)

		The College Lady's Newsletter Ms. Lynn Welbourn is Salem Academy's college advisor. In 2009, she will see her first graduating class head off to college. Ms. Welbourn coordinates financial aid seminars, colleges visits to SACS as well as off-campus, guides students through the application process and so much more. Below are highlights from her current newsletter: THE COLLEGE ADVISOR APRIL 2009 APRIL IS A GOOD MONTH FOR….. Seniors • To celebrate college acceptances. • To attend receptions and overnights for admitted students. • To finalize your college decision and send in the deposit by May first. • To keep your focus academically for a strong finish to your high school career! Juniors • To decide when to take the SAT, SAT subject tests (only if necessary – note that fewer than 200 colleges and universities require subject tests), and/or ACT. Be mindful of registration deadlines, which are noted on the College Board and ACT websites. To arrange for college visits, tours, and yes, even interviews at colleges that do offer interviews. Spring break is the perfect week for a family trip to make a series of college visits. • To make sure that your next year’s academic schedule includes the five academic courses: math, science, English, history or social studies, and a foreign language. And be sure to take courses at the highest level of rigor you can comfortably manage (without stressing out!). HELPFUL WEBSITES: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/: A good resource to help families calculate their projected Expected Family Contribution toward college expenses. www.fairtest.org: Did you know there are more than 700 colleges that do not require standardized testing to apply for admission? This site tells you which ones. http://www.dickinson.edu/tips/planning.html: This Dickinson College site is a hidden gem, and it is not “selling” Dickinson. It leads you to “College Planning Made Simple,” which asks students to consider factors that are important in identifying appropriate colleges. It also can serve as a beginning for discussions between students and their parents about differing or similar priorities in the college process. GOOD REASONS TO GO TO COLLEGE People who attend at least some college earn higher incomes and have less chances of being unemployed than workers with only a high school diploma, according to the U.S. Dept of Labor. Although the following chart originated before our current economic woes set in, it still bears some truth in the relative comparisons of educational level and unemployment rates: 2006 Unemployment Rates Level of Education Unemployment Rate (%) Professional Degree 1.1 percent Doctorate 1.4 percent Master’s Degree 1.7 percent Bachelor’s Degree 2.3 percent Associate Degree 3.0 percent Some College, No Degree 3.9 percent High School Graduate 4.3 percent No High School Diploma 6.8 percent (Source: U.S. Dept. of Education)