FRCPS: College Advising

From a Parent:

"It has provided a nurturing and stimulating environment for my daughter and given her a positive attitude towards education"

Andy Stenson, College Counselor astenson@fourriverscharter.org
Telephone: 413-775-4577 ext. 114

Leslie Taylor, Administrative Coordinator ltaylor@fourriverscharter.org
Telephone: 413-775-4577 ext. 105

College Search Tools

www.collegeboard.com

www.princetonreview.com

www.peterson.com

www.cappex.com

College student reviews

www.collegeprowler.com

www.unigo.com

Financial Aid

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority provides trusted content information
and external websites for college planning and financing college.
Links for college searching, test registration, etc.

www.mefacounselor.org

www.fastweb.org

www.finaid.org

www.communityfoundation.org

Standardized Testing

www.collegeboard.com

www.act.org

Gap year resources:
www.americorps.org year long federal program, earn money for college
www.city-year.org community service programs in cities throughout U.S.
www.afs.org year or semester homestays, serves over 50 countries
www.aiysep.org American international youth student exchange program. Year and semester homestays.

General

Seven Tips for Surviving the College Admissions Process

Standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT, are required my the majority of four year colleges. We encourage students to take the SAT Reasoning or the ACT with Writing in the spring of their junior year. Most students take these tests again early in their senior year. We provide some preparation for these tests as part of our regular curriculum, but students are also encouraged to use other resources such as study guides or formal test preparation classes.

Subject tests are required by many of the more competitive schools and we recommend that they be taken at the conclusion of the relevant coursework. To find out about subject test requirements, looking at the websites of colleges that you are considering is often helpful.

Other Helpful Hints:

* Be aware of any conflicts, such as ultimate or soccer tournaments, when planning your testing date.
* Remember to practice ahead of time for standardized tests. Getting accustomed to concise writing, using your calculator wisely, and reading a variety of passages in a timed situation is an uncommon academic experience.

Registration instructions, as well as a variety of test preparation materials, are available at the college board website - www.collegeboard.com.

The largest database of scholarships is at www.fastweb.org. Users are required to create a profile and, based on the information provided, relevant scholarship opportunities are sent our via email.

In terms of local scholarships, we maintain a file in the college counseling section of the library. Scholarships are organized by due date and this file is updated on a regular basis. Seniors are encouraged to check this on a regular basis.

Students who are on IEP's or 504 plans, and who have received testing accommodations at Four Rivers, may be eligible for accommodations for the SAT or ACT tests. This will be discussed at annual team meetings beginning in 10th grade and a decision will be made as to what accommodations, if any, will be requested.

Students who have qualified for free or reduced lunch for the current school year, or who meet certain income eligibility guidelines, are eligible for standardized testing and college application fee waivers.

Please see Mr. Stenson to obtain the necessary information and forms.

The College Advising Program at Four River Charter Public School provides information and services to students and their families throughout their high school career. The program aims to establish a good college match, or other post-secondary experience, where students will succeed in their post-high school years. Four Rivers expects all students to apply to a least one college during their senior year.

The program offers services for both students and their families, including assistance in applying for financial aid, college admissions test preparation, and informational updates on important deadlines and opportunities related to college admissions. Additionally, Four Rivers hosts a variety of college representatives throughout the year. These representatives meet with students in small groups providing students an opportunity to cultivate personal relationships with the college.

Through a highly individualized program, the College Advising Program guides juniors and seniors through all facets of the college admissions process. While considering their interests and talents, students explore which colleges suit them in terms of such considerations as majors and career interests, geography, learning styles, student activities, and study abroad opportunities. With a particular focus on individuality, the College Counseling Program seeks to support students and their families through navigating the college admissions process with communication and collaboration in mind.

The following is a list of colleges and post-secondary institutions where our students have received acceptance:

Alfred University

American International College

American University

Antioch College

Becker College

Boston University

Champlain College

Clark University

Cochise College

Earlham College

Eckerd College

Elms College

Emerson College

Emmanuel College

Fashion Institute of Technology

Fitchburg State University

Florida SouthWestern State College

Framingham State University

Franklin Pierce University

Green Mountain College

Greenfield Community College

Hampshire College

Hartwick College

Humboldt State University

Ithaca College

Keene State College

Lasell College

Lesley University

Marlboro College

Marymount Manhattan College

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Michigan Technological University

Middlebury College

Mount Holyoke College

New England College

Northeastern University

Northern Arizona University

Norwich University

Oberlin College

Paul Smith's College

Principia College

Regis College

Rochester Institute of Technology

Russell Sage College

Sarah Lawrence College

Simmons College

Skidmore College

Smith College

Springfield College

Suffolk University

SUNY College at Oneonta

Syracuse University

Temple University

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art

The Juilliard School

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tufts University

Unity College

University of Hartford

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

University of Massachusetts, Boston

University of New England

University of New Hampshire

University of Phoenix

University of Rhode Island

University of Vermont

Westfield State University

Wheaton College MA

Whitman College

Worcester Polytechnic Institute