Hello, Seniors!

Welcome back to school! I hope that your first week is going well.

As you know, college representatives have already begun visiting Garden School, letting you know that the college process is underway. There are things that you need to do now to make sure that you stay on schedule and on track:

print our teacher recommendation forms from www.gardenschool.org and ask 2 teachers to write college letters for you. Signed forms should be turned in to the college office as soon as possible

register with ConnectEdu.net

visit www.fastweb.com for information about scholarships

check the bulletin board for a schedule of college visitors to Garden School and decide which meetings to attend

if you are planning to file either Early Decision or Early Action, you must make that decision by 10/1/09. Early Decision/Early Action commitment forms are available in the college office

register now for standardized tests

international students should schedule a Fall 2009 TOEFL test

Information about when and how to file applications:

Please do not file any applications until you have met with me and discussed your revised college list.

Go to www.commonapp.org and register for the Common Application. Review applications and supplements for the colleges you are considering

Visit the websites of your other college choices to review the applications and required essays

Work on your applications so that you are ready to send them later in the fall.

Questions? Post them to the blog, send me an e-mail or drop by the office!

Ms. Sohmer

Welcome to the Garden School College Counseling Blog! Every week, I’ll post information about college and the college process and you will be able to suggest topics and ask questions. Please remember, though, that the comments you make will be public. If you have questions that you prefer to ask privately, please come to my office or e-mail me at LSohmer@gardenschool.org. • Juniors and Seniors will have the opportunity to review their schedules and make changes before the first day of school. You will receive a notice with the date and time of the meeting. • Colleges are already setting up visits to Garden School. So far, the following meetings have been scheduled: 9/23:Bentley University (MA) at 11:30am, 10/1: Drew University (NJ) at 9:30am and Mt. Holyoke College (MA/women only)at 10:45am, 10/13: Fordham University (NY) at 9:20am and 10/16: Muhlenberg College (PA) at 12:30pm • Now is the time to ask your summer job supervisors for letters of recommendation. Please ask them to use a “To Whom It May Concern” format and to send the letters to me at Garden School. I look forward to seeing you in September! Ms. Sohmer