*Scholarships*
Scholarship information packets are in 3 ring scholarship binder in the front office. Ask Mrs. Leiter for it and you can peruse through it. Scholarships will be listed with basic info. To see specifics, flip through the book to find the scholarship you are interested in. All pertinent information will be highlighted --- date due, amount, specific requirements, etc. If there are copies in the pocket, please feel free to take one. If you need to make copies, please ask Mrs. Leiter for assistance. DO NOT take the original!
Please be aware that scholarships are not always based or grades, nor are they always based on need. There are all kinds of varieties of scholarship opportunities available.
Official transcripts must be requested in advance. There are transcript request forms located outside the office. When you need a transcript sent, please fill out the form and the transcript will be sent out within 1-3 days. Transcripts DO include any PSAT, SAT or ACT scores that you may have. Transcripts are only considered official if they in a sealed envelope and some require direct mailing from the school. Do not open any official transcript envelopes.
Brainstorm a list of recommendation letter writers. Often they are required from other people than teachers. Other people to consider: pastor, youth pastor, teachers, family friends, employers, etc. When you contact these people for letters, provide them with your success sheet (activities involved in, sports, work history, clubs, volunteer work, special honors and accomplishments) for them to refresh their memory. Ask these people for several signed originals of their recommendation letter so you can use the same letter for more than one application.
A lot of applications will require a personal history – your life story in a few short paragraphs – usually 1 or sometimes 2 pages – MAXIMUM. They are trying to get a sense of what kind of person you are and things you have been involved in. You need to make this interesting to read --- revolve around a theme or consistent thought.
Always read the directions/requirements carefully. Scholarship committees will eliminate you from their pool simply for not providing EXACTLY what they requested for information. Read, edit, re-read, edit EVERYHING.
Apply for as many as possible. They are a lot of work, but can be well worth it!
*Personal Folders*
Keep brainstormed list of recommend letters. Keep any extra original generic recommend letters, as well as copies of all other recommend letters. You may find these useful when applying for jobs during college or after.
Any applications that you send in (college OR scholarships) --- ALWAYS keep a copy of applications. If you end up in an interview situation, you will want to remember what information you have already provided. Jill will copy and file any scholarship applications that go through her. Everything in the file will be forwarded to the graduate in June.
Keep a copy of your personal history, success sheet, SAT entrance tickets, etc.
Click on "Register for the SAT" link, then again on the "register link", then the "sign up" link (bottom right of page). When signing up, students should sign up for the SAT Reasoning Test ONLY. They do not need to take any other test. The cost for the test is $43 and will take place at KPC. The SAT is a multiple choice test covering math and English. There is also a writing portion of the test that most colleges haven't started looking too seriously at yet. A perfect SAT score is 2400 and an average score is around 1500.
Cook Inlet Academy School Code Number is:
020132
I suggest that students take the test 2 times during their junior year. The average student scores 30 points better the second time over the first. I also suggest that seniors take the test again in October.
