Welcome Back to School!

You and your parents will be receiving the College Counseling Newsletter every six to eight weeks throughout the year. If you have specific questions or topics you would especially like us to address, please call or e-mail, and we will try to include them in an upcoming newsletter.

College Counseling Resources

Nancy Donehower and Kate Grant share college counseling responsibilities. Robyn Washburn, our Registrar, coordinates our college-counseling publications including this newsletter and our School Profile, releases transcripts, assists with recommendation form submissions, and manages our Naviance Family Connection site. Jessica Marlitt coordinates college visits to the school. All of our offices are located in the Dant House.

Contact Information

If we are meeting with a student, teaching a class, visiting colleges outside the area, meeting with a college representative on campus, or meeting with parents, voicemail will collect your message. We will return your call as soon as possible or forward your message to a staff member who can assist you. You may also reach us by e-mail.

Dates to Remember

Oct. 1:  If you are applying to a college using an Early Decision or Early Action plan with a November deadline, you should absolutely, positively have asked your teachers for recommendations by this date.   

Oct. 10: SAT and Subject Tests date

Oct. 14:  Sophomores and Juniors take the PSAT from  8 to 11 AM 

Oct. 23:  Catlin Gabel College Mini Fair, 8 to 10 AM, The Barn -- Read more. . .

Oct. 24:  ACT test date

Oct. 25-26:      NACAC College Fair, Oregon Convention Center, Sunday, October 25, 1 to 5 PM and Monday, October 26, 9 AM to 12 PM

Oct. 28:  Financial Aid Information Evening for Junior and Senior Parents, 5:30 PM in Gerlinger.  Guest Speaker:  Glendi Gaddis, Director, Student Financial Services, at Lewis and Clark College.   Applying for Financial Aid? Read More. . .

Oct. 30:  Registration deadline for the November 5 SAT and Subject Tests.

Nov. 1-15:  Early Decision and Early Action application deadlines at many schools fall on or between these dates.   

Nov.  7:   SAT and Subject Tests date

Nov. 6:  Registration deadline for December 12 ACT

Dec. 5:  SAT and Subject Test date

Dec. 12:  ACT test date

PSATs – Wednesday, October 14, 8 to 11 AM

All sophomores and juniors will take the PSATs on Wednesday, October 14, from 8  to 11 AM.  Students are automatically registered to take the test.  Sophomores will report to the Barn for testing.  Juniors will be divided into smaller groups and assigned to regular classrooms for the test.  Students qualifying for extended time will take the test in a separate classroom and may end later. 

Make the Most of a Campus Visit

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS. Counselor's Canvas

You can gain valuable information about colleges and universities in which you're interested through brochures, web sites, college guides, and recommendations. But how do you know if a college is a good fit for you?  The best way to find out is to tour the campus, attend classes, and meet members of the campus community.  Read more. . .

Reminder to Seniors! We've posted a Fall 2009 College Admission Planning Calendar:  

Read More. . .

PODS Assignments

PODS (our small group college counseling sessions) will begin this fall during the week of September 28, and will meet regularly until early December.  Each senior has been assigned to a PODS, and it is important that you attend these sessions.  Attendance will be taken.  Kate and Nancy will be running the PODS jointly.  Here is a schedule of topics to be covered. Read more. . .

College Visits Schedule

Representatives from colleges and universities across the country visit Portland in the fall.  Many colleges send representatives to meet during the day with students at Catlin Gabel.  Read more. . .

Internet Etiquette: Do’s and Don’t’s for Your Students

* from “Counselor’s Canvas” newsletter published by the Washington University in St. Louis

E-mail, blogging, Facebook, My Space. . . electronic communication and social networking Web sites are becoming a normal part of students’ everyday communications.  E-mail is often the preferred way to get in touch with colleges and universities.  The nature of Internet communication is informal compared to standard business mail, but when is informal too informal?  Here are a few “do’s” and “don’t’s” to help your students with their electronic communication.  Read more. . .

NACAC Portland National College Fair

Sunday, October 25, 1 – 5 PM and Monday, October 26, 9 AM – 12 PM

A free program to the public, the fairs allow students to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of postsecondary institutions to discuss course offerings, admission and financial aid requirements, college life in general, and other information pertinent to the college selection process. View a complete list of colleges here.

2009 NACAC College Fair -- Participating Colleges and Universities