May 2009

ACT provides this monthly newsletter to inform students and their parents about college and career planning. ACT is a not-for-profit organization that serves millions of people in schools, colleges, professional associations, businesses and government agencies with programs and services that help people achieve their education and career goals. Visit www.actstudent.org for more information and services.

Make summer count

Just because the academic year is coming to an end doesn’t mean that learning has to come to an end too. Summer is a great time to do the extra things that will have you prepared for next fall. If you’re a junior who has already taken the ACT test and you would like to strengthen your score, summer is a great time to enhance learning. Here are a few suggestions to help you make your summer count:

• Visit your local library. Public libraries are great resources for additional learning materials. Talk with a librarian to locate items targeted to your needs. What is not available locally often can be retrieved through interlibrary loan programs.
• Seek out tutors. Talk with your teachers and school counselor for help locating individual coaching in areas in which you want to improve or even expand your understanding.
• Use every opportunity to learn. Taking a family vacation? Spend time learning about the area you’ll visit, its history and demographics. Painting your house? Learn about the chemistry of paint or calculate the amount of paint you’ll need to cover the desired square footage.
• Read, read, read. Summer is a great time to read a book without a deadline. Immerse yourself in each one, researching the author and relevant history.
• Take a trip around the world in 80 days. Since summer break typically lasts about 80 days, map your own way around the globe by studying different areas each week.

By taking advantage of every opportunity, you’ll have fun and learn at the same time.

Using and understanding your ACT scores

Your ACT test score is more than a number. It is an indication of how prepared you are for college. While your ACT score is one component considered during the admissions process, it can also be a factor in:

• Course placement in first-year courses, especially when several sections of the same course are offered.
• Advising students on a course of study.
• Identification of qualified students for scholarships and financial aid.

The most important use of your ACT score is college planning. You can use your score to:

• See how you compare to other students.
• Match the requirements of your preferred colleges.
• Determine strengths and areas for development in your own skills.
• Compare against your grades to see how you are applying the knowledge you learn.

For more information about using your score results, visit www.actstudent.org/pdf/uyar.pdf
 

College planning for the first in the family

For students who could potentially be the first in the family to attend college, the planning process can be emotional and challenging. Several resources exist to help first families throughout the decision-making process. Family Firsts, a series of booklets from ACT, was created for first-generation college students and their families to assist with college planning. To access the booklets, visit www.act.org/path/secondary/resources.html.

A key to the process is learning about the college planning calendar. Most two- and four-year schools follow approximately the same admissions schedule. ACT offers online checklists for keeping all students on track to a college education.

Visit www.actstudent.org/college/checklist.html to see the steps you should be taking in each year of high school.

Many potential first-generation students and their families believe that funding is unattainable. However, several websites are available to help explain financial aid and other resources for paying for college. Learn more by visiting:

• www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.asp – A list of federally funded scholarships, fellowships, grants and internships geared to high school, undergraduate and graduate students.
• www.fafsa.ed.gov – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. This is where you start when you are ready to apply for financial aid.
• www.finaid.org – Features a free scholarship search as well as information on loans, savings programs and military aid.
• www.act.org/fane – A financial aid need estimator.
• www.hsf.net – A Hispanic Scholarship Fund website that features scholarships for Hispanic students and research reports on the education of Hispanic students.
• www.studentaidalliance.org – Student success stories and descriptions of need-based financial aid programs.

Also, seek out the help of teachers and school counselors for advice and resources. The rewards are worth the effort.

Beware of scholarship scams

A key component of college preparation is financial aid. While no scholarship or grant opportunities should be overlooked, college financing does have its share of scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), you should look for the following signs of scams in scholarship offers:

•  Any suggestion that you must pay in exchange for a scholarship.
•  Your scholarship will be held only if you provide credit card or bank account numbers.
•  The organization is offering information about funding sources not available anywhere else.
•  Any indication that you’ve been selected as a finalist for a contest you did not enter.

Annually, the FTC and the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice report to Congress on scholarship scams. You can read the latest report at: http://www.ftc.gov/os/2008/05/collegescholarshipfraudpreventionrpt.pdf.

The FTC also provides current scam information, including a list of defendants in complaints, at www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams.

The best way to prevent fraud is to have up-to-date information. If you happen to encounter a fraudulent offer, file an online complaint at the FTC’s scholarship scams webpage.

Padres ACTivos

ACT now publishes Padres ACTivos, a newsletter written with Spanish-speaking parents in mind. Padres ACTivos is the Spanish version of our popular ACT Parent newsletter. Subscribe today to receive valuable information on college planning, including frequently asked questions and other tips to guide parents through the college planning process.
Visit http://www.act.org/path/spanish/news/ to sign up to receive monthly issues of Padres ACTivos electronically.

Matching skills to work

The Job Outlook 2009 report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that the ideal candidate is well-rounded with a strong work ethic and solid communication skills, which includes written and verbal communication.

Some of the top skills employers want their employees to have:

• Communication skills
• Teamwork skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Analytical skills

These are in addition to the computer and technical requirements of most jobs. If you want to see how you stack up, take a skills test. ACT’s WorkKeys^® system, for example, analyzes the skills needed for specific jobs and tests those areas. If your school doesn’t offer the tests, visit www.act.org/workkeys/centers.html to find a testing site near you.

WorkKeys assessment scores also serve as the basis for the National Career Readiness Certificate, an easily understood and universally valued workforce credential. By qualifying for one of three certification levels, you demonstrate your initiative and confirm your skills for potential employers and possible college internships.

National Career Readiness Certificate information can be found by visiting www.act.org/certificate.

Test date reminder

The next national ACT test date is June 13, 2009. The registration deadline is May 8. Late registration is available May 9–22. Register online today at www.actstudent.org.

The September test date will be available nationwide beginning this fall. With the expansion to all 50 states and D.C., students across the country can meet early college scholarship and admissions deadlines by testing as early as possible in the fall.

Online registration for the 2009–2010 test dates (including September) will be available beginning mid-July at www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html.

An optional Writing Test is available in addition to the multiple-choice achievement test. Go to www.actstudent.org/writing to find out about the Writing Test, including the colleges that require it.

On the ACT student website, check out the test prep aids. Free sample questions are available along with test-day tips, a list of what to bring and approved calculators for use on the Math Test.

Preparing for the ACT, a booklet with a complete practice test, scoring key, writing prompt and sample essays, is available to download on the Test Prep section of actstudent.org. The ACT registration packet, available from the counseling office, also contains the booklet. Sign up for ACT Online Prep^TM, the only test prep program developed exclusively by ACT test development professionals. At only $19.95 for a year’s use, it’s a great tool.

For all your questions about the ACT test, visit www.actstudent.org.