December 7, 2009
Priority List and Reminder
Today, those girls who will be taking the HSPT, the entrance exam for Convent, Mercy, SI and SHCP, will have a review session with Scott Cowan. Scott has vast experience in test preparation, and I am pleased that he was willing to work with the girls to get them ready for this test. Scott will review test format as well as strategies. This should be an excellent opportunity for the girls to get some valuable insights into this test. By the end of the week, I will provide each girl with a practice test to do at home over the winter break. Sitting for a practice test is actually one of the best methods of preparation.
I am pleased that a few of you have made determinations as to your “order” of high school choices. In the next month, I need all families to put together a list of priorities. What is your top choice? Why is it your top choice? Where do the other schools fall on the list? Send me an email by January 4th with this information clearly outlined. If you have already indicated your preferences to me in the form of a list, send me an e-mail that briefly explains why you would like your daughter to attend a particular school. Include in this list public and parochial schools as well as independent schools. If you are a family that is applying to boarding schools along with day schools, please make sure that you explain whether boarding or day is your preference. You have plenty of time to think this through, perhaps using some time over the initial part of the winter break to get some distance from the process in order to gain perspective. If at the end of the month, you do not have a definitive list or do not yet know where boarding schools fit into the picture, please let me know via e-mail. We can then we discuss by phone or in person strategies that may be helpful in getting a better understanding of the family’s options and priorities.
The girls should be making the final push towards completing their applications. It would be wonderful if they did not have to worry about applications or essays over break so use the homework free weekends wisely. Of course, if they are working over break it is not a problem, but keep them focused and moving forward. January 14 is a very firm deadline and all independent school applications must be submitted by this time. Be aware of other deadlines as well, especially for boarding schools.
If you are applying for financial assistance you should be working on those forms as well. Meeting financial assistance deadlines is of the utmost importance. Remember, you must go to the NAIS website to access the forms. Please refer to my Monday Note dated October 12 for specific instructions regarding financial assistance. Be aware of each high schools’ expectations and due dates for 2009 tax forms as well. Give me a call if you need any help with this process. I look forward to seeing a number of you tomorrow night for the financial assistance workshop. We will meet in the media room at 6:00 P.M.
As always, please be in touch if you need anything. I am available to talk through options, review your list with you, and talk through anything that may be on your mind regarding high school.
Best,
Lisa
