Gearing up for College

at Des Moines Christian School!

JUNIORS

Fall

PSAT TESTING:

• Take PSAT.
• Sign-up to take the PSAT at DMCS begins week of September 19^th.
• Contact Mrs. Kostek, School Counselor, to sign up.
• PSAT test will be taken October 12^th.

COLLEGE SEARCH:

• Review your student portfolio that you started in 8^th grade.  Note your interests, preferences, personality strengths, spiritual gifts, and job/career preferences.
• Learn about colleges that will accommodate your career choice.

(Please note the dates and locations of college fairs announced on this web page!)

• Read more about majors and careers on collegeboard.com.

• Continue to communicate with Mrs. Kostek regarding college possibilities and plans.

FINANCIAL AID:

• Look over the folder of information Mrs. Kostek will have given you by the end of the semester.  Share this information with your parents.  The College Planning

Center packet information is included.  The College Planning Center is a great

resource to contact if you have questions regarding financial aid.  You may go to

www.collegeplanning.org or call 1-877-272-4692.

• Attend The National Christian College Fair.  The College Planning center will have representatives present who can assist you with the financial aid process.

Winter

Plan Your Spring ACT/SAT Testing Schedule:

• Register for ACT online at www.actstudent.org ~ Use the following code to complete your ACT registration: 161 – 184.  If you cannot register online, pick

Up a registration packet from Mrs. Kostek.

ACT NATIONAL TEST DATES AND DEADLINES:

Test Date:                                                                     Registration Deadline:

October 22, 2005 ------------------------------------------------September 16, 2005

December 10, 2005 -----------------------------------------------November 4, 2005

February 11, 2006 -------------------------------------------------January 6, 2006

April 8, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------March 3, 2006

June 10, 2006 --------------------------------------------------------May 5, 2006

• Register for SAT online at collegeboard.com.  If you cannot register online, pick up a registration packet from Mrs. Kostek.

SAT NATIONAL TEST DATES AND DEADLINES:

      Test Date:                                                                        Registration Deadline:           

October 8, 2005 ----------------------------------------------------September 7, 2005

November 5, 2005 -------------------------------------------------September 30, 2005

December 3, 2005 --------------------------------------------------October 28, 2005

January 28, 2006 ---------------------------------------------------December 22, 2005

April 1, 2006 --------------------------------------------------------February 24, 2006

May 6, 2006 ---------------------------------------------------------April 3, 2006

June 3, 2006 ---------------------------------------------------------April 28, 2006

Spring

• Explore and visit colleges of interest.
• If you are considering military academics, or ROTC scholarships, contact Mrs.

Kostek. 

JUNIORS & SENIORS…You and your parents are invited to attend local college fairs!

2005 NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FAIR

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Hosted by:  Des Moines Christian School

Fair Location:  DMCS Timberline Campus

                                                    13007 Douglas Parkway

                                                    Urbandale, IA  50322

For more information, contact Cindy Kostek, DMCS School Counselor

Phone:  (515) 277-8665     email:  ckostek@dmcs.org

COLLEGE FAIR

Tuesday, October 24, 2005

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Hosted by:  Southeast Polk Community School District

Fair Location:  8325 NE University Avenue

                                                   Runnells, Iowa  50237

For more information, contact Rosemary C. Freel, Counselor

             Phone:  (515) 967-6405         email:  freelr@se-polk.k12.ia.us

NATIONAL COLLEGE PREP DAY

Saturday, October 29, 2005

8:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Located on campus of Drake University

Olmsted Center

For more information and to register on-line:

www.iowacollegeaid.org

(deadline to register is October 24, 2005)

SENIORS:

Fall

PULLING APPLICATIONS TOGETHER

• Narrow down college choices.
• Communicate your college plans with Mrs. Kostek.
• Get an application for entrance from each college and an application for financial aid.
• Note college application due dates, required financial aid applications and deadlines, due dates for recommendations.
•  Ask persons to serve as recommendations for you.  Give each person your resume, provide a stamped, addressed envelope and any other required forms.
• Write application essays and ask teachers, parents, and friends to assist with proof-reading. 
• Identify scholarships to apply for.  The following scholarships are open for application:

CollegeSTEPS Program Scholarship Sweepstakes

Sign up today for free college planning information and a chance to win a $1,000 tuition prize.  Sign up on-line at wellsfargo.com/collegesteps.  For more information contact website or call 1-888-511-7302.

Mandelbaum Family Scholarship

for the academic year 2006-07 at Iowa State University

Qualifications:  Preference will be given to students enrolled in majors of Political Science, Economics, and International Relations.  To be considered you must file free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have an offer of admission to Iowa State prior to March 1^st.

For more information, contact Ann Wessman, Assistant Director, at (515) 294-0065.

Argonne Post No. 60

Oratorical Contest

Contest date:  November 1, 2005

Izaak Walton League Building, 4343 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, IA.

Luncheon served at 11:30 a.m.  The contest will begin at 12:20 p.m.

Requirements:  Each contestant must give a prepared oration on some phase of the United States Constitution, giving emphasis to the duties and obligations of a citizen to his/her government.  Prepared Oration must be original effort of each contestant and must be 8 – 10 minutes in length.  All participating students will receive a United States Savings Bond. 

Eligibility:  Must be citizen or lawful permanent U.S. resident.  Must be under the age of 20 and be enrolled in high school or junior high school during time of participation.  Oration must be delivered in the English language. 

If interested, contact Robert R. Reiber, Commnder, no later than September 30, 2005 at 225-3365.

SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES & TIPS

Applying for scholarships

• Remember that you may use search engines to identify web-sites that have additional scholarship information.  Look under key words such as Scholarships, funding, etc.
• Many scholarships have similar criteria for their awards.  By maintaining a high grade point average, staying as active as you can in your community and extracurricular activities, evaluating personal and professional strengths, and setting future goals for your education and career, you will be prepared with the information and experience to apply for need and/or merit based funding. 
• Do not be afraid to ask for assistance.  Many higher education terms are difficult to understand.  Financial aid processing can be confusing also.  If you need assistance, talk with Mrs. Kostek, DMCS Guidance Counselor.  You may also contact the Registrar’s office or Financial Aid office of the college of your choice. 
• Build a network of professionals, work supervisors, teachers, etc., who are willing to work with you, serve as a reference for you, proofread your applications and essays, and guide you through the application process.

It is a competitive process

• Remember that not everyone who applies for funding are awarded a scholarship.  It is a competitive process.  Give great care to submitting your very best work.
• Take pride in your life and work when writing a personal statement.  The way you phrase a statement can have a positive influence on the selection committee members.

Your Personal statement

• Make certain that all requested topics requested are covered in your personal statement. 

Your Reference Letter

• Find a school official or teacher who will write a great recommendation for you and give advance notice to him or her whenever possible.  Ask that reference letters be written on official school letterhead stationary. 
• Show your appreciation by writing a note of thanks to the persons who took time to write your letters.

Specific Information for Scholarship Applications      

• Make sure you have all the pages of the application, including instructions.
• Mail all items in one package to ensure that your application materials are received in time.
• Submit all documents on white 8-1/2” x 11” paper.  (Except transcripts and Letters on letterhead.)
• Do not use staples in any materials you send.  (Staples delay processing.)
• Do not send extra materials or any materials you wish to have returned to you.
• Do not use plastic binders or sheet covers with your package.
• Sign your application form.  Unsigned applications become ineligible.

“IF GOD BRINGS YOU TO IT, HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT!”