U P C O M I N G    E V E N T S

Testing: The following tests will be coming up during this school year. You may register online for either or both tests. Please remember that all colleges accept either test, so it is important to look at both tests and choose the one you feel you will do best on. One is not easier than the other; it depends on your preferences and talents. Please be aware that more information (including free sample tests) are available in your house office and online at the websites indicated.  Remember that SAT and ACT scores are NO LONGER reported on the NFA transcript.

Financial Aid Workshop: This focus is on seniors and their parents/guardians, but anyone may attend. It will be an overview of the financial aid process, including how to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Due to the increasing numbers of students who are applying online, we wanted to provide this opportunity to help you understand how to navigate this process and what services are available to help you. This workshop will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2008, in the Ensemble Room in the Frank Center. Students and parents can get the FAFSA PIN (Personal Identification Number) now at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This will save you a great deal of time later on, and there is no cost.

College Visits at NFA: Each Wednesday until mid-December, representatives from a variety of colleges will meet with students at NFA to discuss their schools and programs. A listing of these colleges is available on the NFA website (www.norwichfreeacademy.com) under academics, click on the guidance eboard and then go to the college information tab.  Each week’s college visits will be read during morning announcements. Students interested in participating in these visits must obtain a pass from their guidance counselor or the Career Resource Center prior to the day of the visit. In addition, college open houses and summer programs that we know about will be posted on the website. Don’t forget that the best way to get the most-current information is on the college’s web site (many college websites are www.nameofthecollege.edu).

Career Resource Center (425-5620): Please be aware that you will probably receive information from various companies that offer to help your student find scholarships and/or college information for a fee. Most of these companies offer services that are available for FREE from your guidance counselor. You can find up-to-date college information on the Internet (a good site is www.fastweb.com) as well as updated scholarship information on our website (www.norwichfreeacademy.com). It provides a wealth of information about what is happening at NFA. Please check it out regularly. This resource is available to help all students with career and college planning information. The CRC is located at the entrance to the Cranston Building and is open during school hours. All students are encouraged to stop by and learn about the resources available there.  See Mrs. Murray for more information.

SAT and ACT Preparation Courses: During the second semester, we will offer (depending on the interest) both an SAT and ACT preparation course. If you are interested, contact Mrs. van den Berg in the Guidance Office in Allis House (425-5601), and more information will be sent to you once it is available.

PSAT:  The deadline to sign up for the PSAT is Friday, October 10.  The test will be given on Saturday, October 18, 2008.  Sign up with Mrs. Van den Berg in the Allis House.  Checks should be made out to NFA for $20.  This test is for 10^th & 11^th grade students.

Alpha and Zeta Units (9^th Grade):  Ms. Briggs will be your counselor for the remainder of the school year as Mrs. St. George is out on maternity leave.  Her email is briggsl(at)norwichfreeacademy.com, and her phone number is (860) 425-5611.

COLLEGE APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applying to college can be a long and sometimes confusing process. To help make some sense of this process, we have put together the following guidelines and helpful hints for you. Please read them over, and keep it for reference throughout the next few months. Since many schools require much of the application to be online, please be aware of the following procedures. Do not hesitate to ask questions; we are here to help you.

1.       APPLICATIONS. Colleges are encouraging students to apply online. Applications may be downloaded or completed online or picked up from the NFA Career Resource Center. Counselors are available to review your applications with you before you mail or submit them, but students should mail or submit their applications themselves. Please make sure to fill out your applications neatly and completely in black ink. Double check to make sure you have included all requirements and have followed all directions.

2.       RECOMMENDATION LETTERS. Please fill out the Request for Teacher Recommendation and Request for Counselor Recommendation forms (available on the NFA website under Guidance/forms). Then make an appointment with your teacher or counselor. You may want to make copies of your activities or other information for teachers who are writing recommendation letters for you. BE SURE TO GIVE THOSE WRITING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION PLENTY OF TIME. Be sure to set a date for you to pick up the letters.

3.       SAT/ACT SCORES. These scores need to be sent to every school you have applied to and can be sent directly from the College Board or ACT. You may submit your request online at http://www.collegeboard.com or http://www.act.org, or at the time of registration. If you choose to send scores when you register, there is no additional fee. If you don’t select this option and use the Additional Report Request, an additional fee is charged for each score sent.

4.       COLLEGE ESSAYS. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to write, proofread, and edit your essay(s). Have as many people as possible read them and give you feedback.

5.       FINANCIAL AID. If you are planning to apply for financial aid from any college, you must complete the FAFSA. This cannot be done until after January 1^st. Forms are available online (www.fafsa.ed.gov) or from your counselor. If you are completing your FAFSA online, you should apply for a PIN (both you and your parent will need one) from the website before January 1^st. NFA will host a Financial Aid Seminar in December. Also, be sure to check www.collegeboard.com to see if any of the colleges you are applying to require the CSS/Profile. This can be done sooner than January and is another way of determining eligibility. The financial aid offices of the schools you are applying to are most knowledgeable about the intricacies of financial aid, and they are very willing to help, even if you have not been accepted yet. Utilize them!

6.       NCAA. Athletes considering participating in Division 1 or 2 sports must file NCAA Clearinghouse Eligibility forms immediately upon returning to school. Please see your counselor for details or visit www.ncaa.org.

7.       COPIES. Keep copies of everything you send out.

8.       HINT. Stay organized. Be sure you know all deadlines and allow ample time for each step of the process. Admissions officers read applications in the order they are received, so be sure to send your applications in as soon as possible.

9.       QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS. Please ask if you have any questions or need further assistance. We are happy to help.

10.    OUR EMAIL. Your counselor’s email address is last name with first initial and then @norwichfreeacademy.com (for example, Mrs. Elliott is elliottj(at)norwichfreeacademy.com). Please feel free to email us with any questions you might have.

11.    THANK-YOU NOTES. It is important to write a personal thank-you note to each person who wrote a letter of recommendation for you. Thank-you notes should be written within two weeks of getting the letter of recommendation.

CEEB CODE/SCHOOL CODE: 070590

ACT CODE 212490