College & POst HIgh School Planning
Local College Fairs
College Night:
Speak to representatives from over 100 colleges and universities at the SUNY Plattsburgh Field House on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 from 6:30-8:30pm.
College Fair Day:
Attend a field trip to NCCC to speak with over 50 college representatives on Thursday, October 4, 2018. Pick-up a permission slip and information packet in the school counseling office.
College & Military Representatives visit KCS
Please check this Google Doc for a detailed listing of colleges and military officials who will be visiting KCS throughout the school year. This is a great opportunity for students to have conversations with a college representative and to learn more about colleges that they may be interested in attending before scheduling a visit.
College Research Search Links:
Collegeboard College Search: Find college matches through a variety of search filters
SUNY Schools: Find information on NYS’s 2-year and 4-year college and university options
NYS Private Schools: Find information on the private colleges and universities in NYS
Online College Tours/Chats: Research and connect live with more than 200 colleges and universities around the world! Get expert advice on how to navigate the financial aid and scholarship process, and chat with admissions counselors to learn more about academic programs and campus life.
Campus Tours: Access interactive maps and virtual tours of colleges and universities in the USA and several other countries.
Best Colleges: A site dedicated to helping prospective students find the school that best meets their needs through proprietary research, user-friendly guides, and hundreds of independent college rankings.
Peterson’s Guide: Find current and detailed information on all colleges and universities across the nation
School Guides: Detailed college profiles and search tools
JLV College Counseling: Follow this college preparation blog and newsletter throughout the school year for regular, timely updates for students and parents/guardians.
Western NY College Connection: A site dedicated to help students and families learn about the 21 colleges and universities, 100’s of majors, and 1,000’s of corporate partners and internships in Western New York.
College Application Links:
SUNY Application: Complete this application if you are applying to multiple SUNY 2-year and 4-year colleges (that do not have free applications on their individual websites).
The Common Application: Complete this application if you are applying to multiple colleges and universities (note that SUNY 4-year colleges are included in this application as well).
For colleges not participating in the above applications, you should seek their web pages for individual electronic applications.
*Please note that some students may qualify for application fee waivers. Please see the school counseling office for more details.
College Entrance Exam Links:
Visit the links below for registration deadlines, to complete the registration process, and for studyguide information on the various college entrance exams. Although some colleges do not require these exams, it is recommended that students take both the SAT and the ACT at least once. Retesting is possible, with the highest scores taken by colleges. It is recommended that students take the SAT in May of 11th grade and the ACT in June of 11th grade. Some students take the SAT subject tests in June of 11th grade as well. Students generally retest to earn a higher composite score in the fall of 12th grade. All students will take the PSAT in 11th grade during the school day with Mrs. Johnson. The PSAT is a practice SAT to help students get a predicted score range, means to potentially qualify for merit scholarship aid, and a step to be connected with a study plan for the SAT.
The SAT Subject Tests (SAT IIs)
KCS students take these exams at other local, larger schools who are approved test centers.
Keene’s CEEB School Code (to ensure we receive your scores): 332655
Students who qualify for testing accommodations should contact the Special Education Chair to apply for testing accommodations on these exams.
A limited number of fee waivers are available for students who participate in the Free/Reduced Lunch program. See the School Counseling Office for details.
GAP Year Resources
GAP Year Association: The goal of this resources is to help students maximize their potential through accessible and meaningful gap year opportunities.
GO Overseas: A resource for locating International GAP year travel programs.
USA GAP Year Fair: A resource for GAP Year programs.
Other Training/College Related Links
AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps places thousands of young adults into intensive service positions where they learn valuable work skills, earn money for education, and develop an appreciation for citizenship.
ACCESS-VR: Resource for students with a documented disability (a 504 or IEP plan). Students who qualify through this program are connected with a ACCESS-VR transition counselor in their 11th grade year. Supports in college and beyond are available for qualifying students. See this brochure or contact the KCS Special Education Chair for more information.
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Policy: A great resource for learning about what AP scores could transfer to the colleges you are looking at. *Please note, the final decisions about transfer college credit are made by each specific college once you forward your AP test scores.
Checklists for Academic & Financial Preparation: Elementary, middle and high school, and adult checklists are available from the U.S. Department of Education.
CV-TEC Career & Technical Education : Technical education and training options for high school and local adult students
Educational Opportunity Programs: Programs at 2-yr and 4-yr SUNY system colleges to help academically and financially challenged students attend and find success at college.
Military Careers : Learn more about US Military training and education options. Information for both students and parents.
NCAA Eligibility Center for College-bound Athletes: For any student who intends to play athletics in college, you must register and follow the guide of the NCAA. All divisions must register with the NCAA.
NCAA Divisions : Reference this page to understand the difference between division I, II, and III athletics.
NCAA Educational Resources : The following resources are designed for high school student-athletes, parents, coaches and other who help students successfully navigate the initial-eligibility process.
NCAA Guide To Becoming A College Athlete 2019-2020: Reference this guide to help you through the steps to becoming a college athlete.
Study Abroad: Visit this International Student Exchange and Study Abroad Resource Center for information on studying internationally.
Trade & Vocational Schools: Utilize this site to locate various technical and vocational training programs.
KCS Junior & Senior Seminar Opportunities
KCS is fortunate to offer the Junior and Senior Seminar courses as a resource for students and families as they embark on the college planning journey. Be sure to check-in with your student to view the multiple resources and announcements posted on GOOGLE Classroom for each of the CDOS courses.
Please consider these courses as a supplement to what you are doing as a family to prepare for the college admissions and financial aid process.
11th Grade: Junior Seminar
College majors research
Career assessments
Potential degree and/or educational futures
Resume, cover letters and portfolio development
Self reflection/brag sheets
Personal essay for college applications
College and job searches/College tours
Practicing interview skills/mock interviews
SAT and ACT introduction and prep time
Introduction to Senior Seminar
12th Grade: Senior Seminar
Completion of portfolio
Letters of recommendation
College application assistance
College admission & military visits
Job shadow experiences
Career research paper
Board of Education presentations
Senior Legacy Service Projects
Work readiness skills (continued)
College & technical school survival
Life 101/ Adulting
Scholarship search and applications