SAS
December 2013
School for Advanced Studies
College Bound Newsletter
Volume 7, Number 3
In This Issue

SAS’s College
Bound

Important Dates and
Deadlines

School Costs and
Net Price

Financial Aid 101

Video Overview of
how the Financial
Aid System Works

Using FAFSA
Against Students

2013 – 2014 SAT
AND ACT TEST
DATES

SAT / ACT Test Fee
Waivers

ACT vs. SAT

Connectedu is
HERE – it’s time to
get registered!

So You Want to be a
Doctor?
SAS’s College Bound
SENIORS, each year we have had a tradition of recognizing students when they are accepted
to and commit to the college or university of their choice. This year is no different. You should all
be very proud of your accomplishments and join in by letting all of us here at SAS share in your
joy and accomplishments. All you need to do is make a copy of your acceptance letter and give
it to your SAS counselor.
Important Dates and Deadlines
December 1, 2013: (Seniors)
Registration for Florida Bright Futures
This is a reminder that at this time you can now register for Florida Bright Futures. The direct
link to the registration is:
Click Here > Initial Student Florida Financial Aid
Application (Please use Microsoft Internet Explorer browser version 6.3 or
higher for best results)
Please register before the end of this month.
Beginning January 1, 2014: (Seniors)
FINANCIAL AID - FAFSAs for the 2014-2015 academic year can be filed beginning January 1,
2014 by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov . I highly recommend that your parents finish their 2013
Federal Income Tax as soon as possible. I will be talking to all seniors through their Govt./Econ
classes starting in early December..
SAT / ACT Testing: (Juniors)
See your SAS counselor to receive test fee waivers if you are on free or reduced price lunch.
Register by December 27 for the SAT and Subject Tests on January 25 and by January 10th for for
the ACT on February 8th .
We would like all juniors to finish their SAT/ACT testing by the end of their junior year!!!!! …
just ask a senior why? Take
time to plan out your testing dates and follow through.
College Searches
College Board BIGFUTURE
ACT - College Search
Engine
Knowledge for College:
Art and Design Colleges:
College Accreditation:
Colleges that change lives
Florida Health Careers:
Colleges in the UK:
School Costs and Net Price
School costs can be one of the most important factors in choosing potential colleges or career
schools—and costs can vary significantly from school to school. While the cost of college
includes tuition and fees, it also includes equipment, travel, and more. Learn about what is
included in the cost of college and ways to reduce college costs.
You’ll want to make sure that the cost of your school is reasonable compared to your earning
potential in your future career. In other words, you want to make sure that you can earn enough
money to cover any student loan payments you may need to make, along with living expenses,
after you graduate.
Any school that participates in the federal student aid programs is required to provide
information on its cost of attendance and to offer a net price calculator on its website. This
calculator will give you an idea of how much a program may cost after subtracting any financial
aid. The average net price to attend the school is determined by subtracting the average
amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the
total cost of attendance for the institution’s largest program.
Virtual College Tours:
College Confidential
College View
Financial Aid 101
Occupational Outlook
Handbook
Financial aid carries with it responsibilities that college-bound students must manage throughout
college and beyond. Students and families should take the time to learn about their financial aid
options before signing on the dotted line.
The common Application:
There are four types of aid that can create a financial aid package:

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TESTING
Here are some websites
that provide SAT and ACT
preparation
Number2.com
Max the Test
Princeton Review
State University Minimums:
SAT:
Math: 460 / Verbal: 460 /
writing: 440
ACT: 19 Reading
19 Math
Scholarships - Students usually do not have to pay back scholarships, which award
money for academic achievement, athletic ability, special talents, and more.
Scholarships are often available through public service organizations, like the Lions
Club, the Rotary Club, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP), through religious institutions and local businesses.
Grants - Grant programs may be federal, state, or school-sponsored. Students may
receive federal and state grants based on financial need, and they may receive schoolsponsored grants based on financial need or merit. Students should check with the
schools they're interested in attending for more information on school-sponsored grants.
Work-study - Schools can provide students with on- or off-campus employment to help
pay for college costs. Students also gain career-related, hands-on work experience.
Student loans - Borrowers must repay loans with interest. Several types of loans are
available:
o Federal Perkins Loans and Direct Subsidized Loans are need-based,
government-subsidized loans. The government pays the interest that accrues
on these loans while students are in-school at least half-time and during their
grace period. However, if the loan was disbursed between July 1, 2012 and July
1, 2014, the student is responsible for paying the interest that accrues during
their grace period.
o Direct Unsubsidized Loans are calculated based on your student's cost of
attendance, minus other financial aid he/she receives. Interest begins accruing
on unsubsidized loans from the date of disbursement. Your student is
responsible for all interest that accrues on these loans. Any unpaid interest that
remains at the end of the student's grace period will be capitalized (added to
the principal balance) before repayment begins.
o Parent PLUS Loans are federally guaranteed loans for parents who want to
help pay for their student's education. Parents can borrow up to the cost of
attendance, minus any financial aid awarded to the student.
o Private Education Loans are available through financial institutions like banks
or credit unions. They typically have higher interest rates, more fees, and less
flexible repayment options than federal student loans. Loan terms and limits on
Private Education Loans vary substantially by lender. Students should consider
these loans only if they need additional funds after obtaining aid through
scholarships, grants, and federal loans.
Video Overview of how the Financial Aid System Works
To apply for federal student aid, you need to complete the FAFSASM or Free Application for
Federal Student Aid. Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and easier than ever, and it
gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school.
NCAA INFORMATION
NCAA online:


NCAA
Clearinghouse
initial eligibility
NCAA Sports by
In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA data to determine your eligibility for state
and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to
determine whether you qualify for their aid.
View accessible version (wmv) (16.1 mb)
(This is a MUST view to understand financial aid)
Type and Division
*****************
Using FAFSA Against Students
October 28, 2013
BY
Ry Rivard
Some colleges are denying admission and perhaps reducing financial aid to students based on
a single, non-financial, non-academic question that students submit to the federal government
on their applications for student aid.
Millions of high school students and their parents probably have no idea this happens after they
fill out the ubiquitous Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The form, known as the FAFSA,
is used by nearly every American who needs help paying for college.
Common Application Errors
“I’ll start the application
next week.” Don’t run out of
time to complete the
application. Give yourself at
least two weeks to find
mistakes.
“I already ran a spell-check
on my computer.” Words
can be spelled correctly but
used incorrectly. Ask a
counselor, teacher or family
member to proof read the
application to catch any errors
or poor phrasing.
“One copy is enough.” Print
out any online forms and keep
copies of all paperwork.
“I can send my application
as soon as I’m finished.”
Before you seal the envelope
or click “Send” on your
computer, double- and triplecheck that you have included
all necessary materials.
It turns out students’ pleas for help are now being systematically used against them by some
colleges.
Read more: Using FAFSA Against Students
Inside Higher Ed
Thanks to,
Maria Sahwell, MS
College Assistance Advisor
Miami Beach Senior High School
A special scholarship opportunity: free rent at college!
The Southern Scholarship Foundation awards rent-free housing to a select number of students
who have been accepted and will attend Florida State University, Florida A&M University, the
University of Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Santa Fe College or Tallahassee
Community College. Recipients live in a home-like environment, share household duties and
work together to plan budgets, prepare meals, clean and study together. To qualify, students
must demonstrate financial need, a minimum 3.0 GPA, outstanding character and motivation.
Priority deadline for fall 2014 admissions is March 1, 2014. For complete eligibility requirements
and application, visit www.southernscholarship.org.
2013 – 2014 SAT AND ACT PROGRAM TEST DATES
Follow-up in two weeks to
verify that all mailed
materials have been NATIONAL TEST DATES
received.
REGISTRATION
DATES
2014
“I assume this is right.” If
January 25
you’re confused by a question
February 8
or any part of the application,
March 8
ask someone. A quick call to
April 12
the admissions office can
May 3
save you from making an
June 7
embarrassing
June 14
error
TEST
SAT I & II
ACT
SAT I
ACT
SAT I & II
SAT I & II
ACT
REGULAR
POSTMARK DEADLINE
December 27
January 10
February 7
March 7
April 4
May 9
May 9
LATE
POSTMARK DEADLI
January 10
January 24
February 21
March 21
April 18
May 23
May 23
SAT / ACT Test Fee Waivers
If you are currently on free or reduced lunch you qualify for the following.
Please remember that you must reapply each year, at the start of the school year to remain
eligible.
2 ACT test waivers TOTAL
2 SAT test fee waivers TOTAL
You must see the SAS
Registrar to request copies
of your
Transcripts to be sent to
those Colleges you applied
to.
When you become seniors you can receive:
4 College Board - College Application Fee Waivers
4 ACT – College Application Fee Waivers
.
LOST WAIVERS WILL NOT BE REPLACED
To receive a waiver, see your SAS counselor or Mr. Coats if you attend SAS Kendall.
+
The deadline to register for the January 26th SAT is Friday, December 28th. You will have
plenty of time to register! The deadline to register for the February 9th ACT is Friday, January
11th .
Please take a moment to plan out your testing schedule (see the following SAT/ACT
SCHEDULE)
Remember
(SAS Kendall 101179, SAS
Homestead 102147, SAS North 101143, and SAS
Wolfson 101006)
s are
College Planning Timelines
Whether you are coming in
as a new freshman, a
transfer student or a
returning student, a lot of
moving parts go into
planning for college. Stay
on track, up-to-date and
organized by following a
step-by-step college
planning timeline suited to
your current status.
we will not get copies of your
scores and, the State of Florida will not get copies of your score.
To ensure your success,
Begin your SAT/ACT Testing EARLY and remember to
study!!!!!
Timelines:



9th/10th Grade
College Planning
Timeline
11th Grade College
Planning Timeline
12th Grade College
Planning Timeline
ACT vs. SAT
By: Lynn O'Shaughnessy
The College Solution Newsletter
Blogger l Author l Speaker l Consultant
When deciding whether to take the ACT or SAT, you need to keep in mind that the tests require
different types of skills.
College Issues:
Teens who do well on the ACT tend to:

College Articles &
Advice

Read quickly.
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



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


Planning For College
Taking College
Entrance Exams
Choosing a College
The College
Application Process
Paying For College
Paying for Two-Year
Colleges and Trade
Schools
Campus Life
Going to Graduate
School
Checklist: Testing
Tips
Checklist: Campus
Visit
Checklist: Writing a
College Essay
Checklist: College
Interview
Checklist: Financial
Aid Application
Checklist: Off to
College
Checklist: Managing
Academics
*************************
Careers and Majors
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Career Articles &
Advice
Finding a Job
Creating Your
Résumé
Creating Your Cover
Letter
Acing the Interview
Internships
Volunteer Work
Career-Changing
Tips
Résumé Builder
Résumé Examples
Checklist: Tips for
Successfully
Wrapping up an
Interview
Checklist: Job
Search
Checklist: Building
a Career Network
Careers - Top Careers
In Demand Careers


In-Demand Careers
Fastest-Growing

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Process information swiftly.
Have great memories
Do well in Science.
Teens who do well on the SAT tend to have these characteristics:

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Possess strong vocabulary.
Avid readers.
Enjoy test-taking strategies.
Like puzzles.
The ACT test is more straightforward than the SAT, but teenagers have less time to complete it.
For instance, the ACT asks 40 reading questions and gives student just 35 minutes to answer.
The SAT has 54 reading questions, but allows students 70 minutes to answer.
Because the SAT test contains lots of smoke screens, students who enjoy puzzles can do
better.
Learn more about the standardized tests by reading:
Differences Between the SAT and ACT
Studying for the SAT for Free
Sizing Up Your SAT and ACT Score
Comments: The Successful College Admissions Interview
From the NACAC E-List
Students, I subscribe to the NACAC E-List. From time to time there are some very interesting
comments that other counselors make about various topics. Here are some very good bits of
advise about how to pull off a successful college interview.
***********************************
As a former admissions rep, I have to say, keep the jeans, short skirts, and flip flops at home –
certain things should be left for the beach. First impressions say a lot on a college interview and
so does a good handshake. I am sure you can touch on the positive aspects of eye contact,
knowledge about the college the student is visiting, and how to ask a really good question (not
one that can be answered by one look at the college website). Just some broad tips.
##########
A few tips:
1)
Research shows that the first FOUR minutes of the interview sets the tone. Get it right at
the start, and it can go well.
2)
Have questions of your own, and make sure they are not obvious factual ones. Ask the
interviewer about how he/she found some aspect of the college’s culture.
3)
Dress informally so you are comfortable, but not too informally, like jeans, flip-flops. No
overly dramatic colors, jewelry, etc. There is a difference between a presentation and a display.
4)
Be on time.
5)
Don’t solve a Rubik’s Cube during your interview. (A kid actually did this once.)
6)
There are no trick questions coming up; this is not an interrogation, but they do want to
find out what makes you tick, so you may not get the expected questions.
7)
Don’t talk too much. Yes, it is YOUR interview, but the best interview is a conversation.
Catch yourself and stop.
8)
Figure out what to do with your hands ahead of time, and do it. Do not play with your
hair, your shirt, or pick your nails. Yes, you are nervous, but there is an art in pretending
otherwise.



Careers
Highest Paying
Careers
Most New Careers
Careers with Most
Military Veterans
9)
When the interviewer starts to talk a lot, the interview is over, and the selling of the
college is underway. The interview is a marketing opportunity for the college too, not just a
device to get to know you informally. So let it happen.
10) Have an idea about the last book that you liked; it doesn’t have to be Gabriel Garcia
Marquez (unless that is truly the answer). Don’t fake it either. Don’t fake anything, for that
matter.
##########
Bring a resume, don't yawn, don't look at your cellphone (and don't hug the admission officer,
something that very weirdly happened to me this year).
##########
After 10+ years of interviews I can say that the 2 "worst practices" are: 1)answering a cell
phone during an interview; and 2)telling the interviewer that you are there because your mother
made you come.
##########
The #1 thing I would advise students about is to be prepared to thoughtfully discuss their
academic preparation and achievement record. If there are any glaring anomalies (one
semester that drops precipitously, a "D" in the junior year, a very reduced course schedule as a
senior, etc.), the student should proactively address the issue in the interview (as well as in the
application).
So You Want to be a Doctor?
Prepare Yourself: For pre-Med
By Alexandra Guerra, 2008 Alumni
Many of us would like to be a doctor someday. But do we really know what it takes? And how
can we better prepare ourselves in high school to be successful in college and then on to
medical school.
In order to pursue a medical career, there are a number of required undergraduate courses that
a student must take. Most of these courses can jeopardize the student, if not properly prepared
for in high school. Admissions committees want students to prepare for the rigors of scienceintensive med school coursework and maintain minimum requirements in their undergraduate
studies.
Although, mandatory courses vary somewhat from school to school, the basic requirements for
medical school are biology or zoology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics,
and English. Additionally, various schools require coursework in calculus, behavioral
science, the humanities, and computers. In order to prepare for these difficult courses,
students should take college level classes (AP) or actual college dual enrollment courses in high
school, and a variety of different classes in science and math including Physics, Biology,
Anatomy, and Chemistry. Moreover, applicants to medical school should maintain an average
college GPA of 3.5 or above in order to be accepted to medical school.
When being evaluated, the student’s GPA is determined according to their science GPA and
their overall GPA. The student’s acceptance to medical school can be swayed by an exceptional
performance on the MCAT. For more information on medical schools, please visit the Area
Health Education Centers (AHEC) website at:
http://www.flahec.org/hlthcareers/
For more information about the American Medical Association go to:
http://www.ama-assn.org