Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start planning my career?

Answer: You are never too young (or too old) to research your desired career.

How do I find out what I need to do to get started in a career?

Answer: You can research your career with programs like Naviance or by looking through the Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook. Both of these resources tell you what type of education you need to get started, what the jobs are like, and how much they pay. Naviance goes one step further by helping you search for colleges that offer these programs.

What if I don't know what I want to do for a career?

Answer: That's okay, most students aren't exactly sure about what jobs are out there, let alone how to get started preparing for these jobs. You can take a test (vocational assessment) using your Naviance account that will match up your likes with related jobs, then you can see what colleges offer programs to help you prepare for your career.

What are SAT's and ACT's?

Answer: SAT stands for "Standardized Aptitude Test". This is a test of Math and English. Each of these sections has a perfect score of 800, for a combined perfect score of 1600.

ACT stands for "American College Testing", the name of the testing company. The ACT is similar to the SAT, but the test also has questions about science. A perfect score on the ACT is 36.

These tests are used to help colleges understand how strong of a student you are compared to students from other schools.

When should I take my SAT's or ACT's?

Answer: You can take the SAT or ACT whenever it is administered and in any grade, but you are most prepared to take it in the spring of your Junior year or during the fall of your Senior year (at the latest). Also, you should take the SAT at least twice since they will take the highest score on each section (Math, English, Writing), and over multiple tests. For example, if you scored low on math the first time that you took the SAT, but scored high during the second time you took the test, then you can use you higher score.

How do I sign up to take an SAT or ACT?

Answer: Students are responsible to register themselves for these tests since they are not required to graduate (although most colleges require them for entrance). The easiest way to sign up is to do it online. Follow the links from our links page to start. You will see an up-to-date list of registration deadlines and fees, as well as testing locations. Most of our students take their tests at Riverhead HS or Westhampton Beach HS. All test dates are on a Saturday and usually given once per month.

How can I get scholarships?

Answer: During our Senior Seminar class, students provide our counselors with student and parent emails. Our counseling office staff will email students and parents locally sponsored scholarship applications as they are received in our office. Paper applications for scholarships are also available in the high school counseling office. Students are also encouraged to apply for national scholarships through Fastweb.com. This site also matches students with scholarships based upon their qualifications.

There are several types of scholarships and for varying amounts: Athletic Scholarships Some scholarships are for athletes. These are usually provided by universities who have scouted students with exemplary athletic ability. Merit Based / Academic Scholarships These scholarships are for students who have a high grade point average (GPA). Colleges provide varying amounts of money to students who perform well academically. Competitive Scholarships These scholarships are sponsored by many local, state, and national organizations. It can be either public or private money that is available to students because they meet the qualifications outlined in the scholarship paperwork. These scholarships typically require some sort of essay and a transcript to be mailed in and compared to other applicants. The winner gets the money.

What is FAFSA?

Answer: FAFSA stands for "Free Application for Student Aid". The federal government want to know how much money you and you parents have available to you for college. You provide this information each throughout college (starting in January of your high school senior year) by filling out your FAFSA form online. You can find the link on our links page. This information is sent to your potential colleges, and then their Financial Aid departments can find you student loans, grants, and scholarships. It is helpful to have filed for your taxes beforehand since most of the information is similar to FAFSA.

What is TAP?

Answer: TAP stands for "Tuition Assistance Program". Students who attend college in NY should apply for TAP. TAP is free money to those who qualify based upon financial need. You can apply for TAP by following the link on our links page.

When should I apply to college?

Answer: Only seniors or high school graduates can apply for college. Seniors should apply as soon as possible, typically September - December. Each college has it's own application deadlines. You can find these deadlines on your preferred college's website and/or on your Naviance account. The most popular deadlines are:

Early Action: November 1st

Regular Decision: December 1st or 15th and January 1st or 15th.

Rolling: Colleges will review applications as they are received.