Welcome to the Simsbury High School Counseling Department. Simsbury High School is a unique school, rich in tradition and spirit. It is a wonderful environment in which to grow academically, personally, and socially. You will be presented with many new and exciting opportunities to explore areas of interest that will help cultivate this growth. It is the philosophy of the School Counseling Department to encourage and promote this exploration as a means of self-inquiry, and as an important tool in the development of self-awareness. We pride ourselves in understanding how individualized the developmental process is for each student and work hard to encourage choices that will help you question your assumptions, challenge your intellect, and stimulate your creativity.

The School Counseling Department is a major hub of Simsbury High School and a primary source of information throughout your high school journey. Our goal is to know our students, know our families, and know the opportunities that exist for you. We look forward to a productive partnership with you, and to providing the necessary support and encouragement through these exciting years.

Jane Ellen Peregrin
Director of School Counseling

Students should email their counselors requesting an appointment and include the following information: (email addresses can be found on the Counseling Staff Directory above this page).

• student's full name
• day/period/time he or she is available to meet (students are not allowed to miss class)
• a brief description of what will be discussed

For urgent situations, students may always come to the counseling office without making an appointment and one of the secretaries will assist them.

College visits are schedule on the hour and half hour throughout the year, and student's receive permission from their teachers to attends visits that take place during class. Students are also required to sign up in Naviance.

We ask that college representatives sign up through RepVisits by visiting https://repvisits.com and searching Simsbury High School.

For questions about a visit, please contact Jenny Belliveau at jbelliveau@simsbury.k12.ct.us or 860-658-0451 x436

For our 2017-2018 School Profile, please click HERE.

Things to think about:

• What are my talents and strengths?
• Am I taking courses that lead to my post high school plans?
• In which courses am I particularly strong?
• In what areas do I need to build more skills?

Things to do:

• Become familiar with graduation requirements.
• Develop a Simsbury High School personal file, highlighting academic, extra curricular and community involvement / awards.
• Develop a relationship with your counselor and teachers.
• Maintain strong academic performance and maintain excellent attendance record.
• Keep a record of all grades including tests, homework, papers, etc. in all classes.
• Seek assistance or support when needed from teachers and counselor
• Talk with teachers, parents, and counselor about your sophomore course selections (late January).
• Become involved in an extra-curricular activity, sports, clubs, music volunteer work, etc.
• Review finalized 10th grade schedule with counselor in April.

Capital Region Inter-district Leadership Academy (CRILA) is offering an Outward Bound program for a week in Maine for sophomores and juniors interested in developing their leadership skills. The program requires a commitment to meet regularly during the 2018 – 19 school year with other participants to work on community service projects and to study ethical and collaborative leadership. Applications are available in the School Counseling Office or click here to get started. For more information please see your school counselor. Deadline: March 23, 2018

Things to think about:

• In which subjects did I excel?
• Am I taking courses that lead to my post high school plans?
• Am I giving my best to sophomore courses?
• Of my unique talents and strengths, which would I most like to develop?
• Am I involved in at least one extra-curricular activity or community service?
• What potential career/post high school option have I considered?

Things to do:

• Update my personal file.
• Keep a record of all grades including tests, homework, papers, etc.
  in all classes.
• Seek assistance from teachers and counselors when needed.
• Take the PSAT test in October.
• Maintain strong academic performance and maintain excellent attendance record.
• Be aware of your graduation requirements.
• Talk with your teachers, parents, and counselors about course selections
  for Junior year (late January).
• Visit counselor to explore post high school plans and interest.
• Continue involvement in extra curricular activities.
• Review finalized Junior schedule with counselor in April.
• Consult with academic teacher and counselor concerning SAT Subject Tests (ie. AP Biology)

Junior Parent Letter - Oct 2017

Things to think about:

• Am I taking courses that lead to my post high school plans?
• Am I giving my best to Junior course work?
• With which teachers have I established a strong rapport? (Potential college/job letters of recommendation).
• Which talents or strengths might I want to further develop through college studies or post high school plans?
• Which activities will I highlight on my college/job application?

Things to do:

• Update my personal file.
• Keep a record of all grades including tests, homework, papers, etc. in all classes.
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT test in October.
• Continue extra curricular activities.
• Maintain strong academic performance and an excellent attendance record.
• Check your graduation requirements.
• Attend Simsbury High School College Fair in April.
• Talk with teachers, parents, and counselor about Senior year course selections.
• Talk with parents about college needs, interests, etc.
• Take SAT School Day in March
• Register for SAT (May or June administration).
• Attend post high school planning sessions for juniors in February.
• Meet with parents and school counselor to discuss post high school plans.
• List college choices with counselor.
• Consult academic teachers about SAT Subject tests.
• If taking an AP course, register for AP Exams (May).
• Schedule interviews and college visits for Spring, Summer and/or Fall.
• Review Senior schedule with counselor in April.
• Continue to explore career options.

Senior Parent Letter - Nov 2017

Senior Parent Night Presentation (9-7-2017)

Things to think about:

• Am I continuing to challenge myself?
• Have I written for college catalogues, applications, financial aid information, etc.?
• Am I giving my best to senior course work?
• Have I obtained enough information about the colleges of my choice and application deadlines?
• Am I meeting with my counselor regularly?
• Have I made campus visits to my top colleges?

Things to do:

• Update my personal file - finalize resume - see counselor.
• Register for SAT Reasoning* and SAT Subject Tests; *see counselor before registering.
• Maintain strong academic record and attendance.
• Check your graduation requirements.
• Seek assistance from teacher and counselors when needed.
• Continue extra curricular activities and community involvement.
• Meet with counselor to finalize post high school planning (September-November).
• Meet with college representatives during visits (September - November).
• Complete college applications (September - December).
• Be aware of deadlines including early decision and early action options.
• Complete Local Scholarships application in January.
• Attend Financial Aid meetings.
• Have parents complete the Financial Aid Form with FAFSA on the web. (Available on October 1)
• If taking an AP course, register for AP exams (February).

Naviance/Family Connection is a web-based college and career planning resource designed especially for SHS students and parents. Through Family Connection, the Counseling Office is able to track and analyze date regarding college and career plans, so it provides up to date information specific to Simsbury High School students.

To access Naviance Family Connection, click here or go to https://connection.naviance.com/family-connection/... and follow the instructions on the screen to log into your account.

Family Connection allows students to:

• Get involved in the planning and advising process: Build a resume, complete on-line surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about college and careers.
• Research colleges: Compare GPA, standardized test scores and other statistics to actual historical dad from SHS for students who have applied and been admitted in the past.
• Sign up for college visits: Find out which colleges are visiting SHS and sign up to attend those visits.
• Search for Scholarships: Use the database to look for scholarships.
• Communication: Students can also use the site to send their counselors and college admission representatives emails.

*A students' personal profile and date are confidential and are only accessible to the student, parents and counselors. College admission offices do not have access to the information in Naviance.

Senior Year Timeline (Class of 2018)

Building a Well-Balanced College List

Simple Guidelines for Applying to Colleges

The College Search Process

College Admission Testing Information

Researching Colleges
Selecting a College/Gaining Admission
Categories Regarding College Choices
Points of Caution
Your College Preferences
Factors to Consider
Kinds of Colleges/Universities
Terms
Peterson's College Search
Nat'l Association for College Admission Counseling

College Visits
Obtaining Information
Hints for College Visits
College Visit Report

Interview
The Interview
Interview Questions from Students
Interview Questions from Colleges

Resume
Creating and Uploading your Resume
Resume Template (new format updated 12-13-17)
Resume Template

The Application

Application Process
Application Programs/Admissions Decisions
The Common Application

Admissions Decisions
FAIR TEST: Here you will find a listing of colleges and universities that do not require ACT or SAT scores.

The College Essay
College Essay
What Colleges Look For

Financial Aid
How to Pay for College
Reducing your Cost of Attendance
Scholarship Information
Additional Tips

IMPORTANT FAFSA INFORMATION - 9/15/16

Helpful Financial Aid Links
Information that encompasses the financial pieces of the college application process is available online.

• FAFSA
• CSS/Financial Aid Profile
• 2016-2017 Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Aid
• Cappex.com
• Fast Web
• SallieMae
• ScholarshipExperts.com
• U.S. Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• FinAid: The Smart Student's Guide to Financial Aid
• Connecticut Department of Higher Education
• New England Board of Higher Education Regional Student Tuition Discount Program
• College Toolkit.com (Scholarship Search Engine)
• COLLEGEdata 1st Financial Bank USA online College Advisory Service
• www.americorps.org
• www.affordablecollegesonline.org/rotc-guide

Gap Year Options

Gap Year Fair
Conard High School
West Hartford , CT

Class of 2012 Testimonials (Gap Year)
Testimonial #1
Testimonial #2
Testimonial #3
Testimonial #4
Testimonial #5

Careers in the Military

• ROTC & Military Academies
• Nominations
• Military Enlistment
• Scholarships for Veterans

http://www.trade-schools.net/locations/connecticut-schools-directory.asp

http://www.technical-schools-guide.com/connecticut-technical-schools.html

http://www.technicalschool.org/state/find-technical-schools-and-colleges-in-connecticut

http://u101.com/colleges/Vocational/Connecticut

http://www.branfordhall-us.com

http://www.porterchester.com

http://www.lincolncollegene.edu

http://www.goodwin.edu/default_full.asp

http://www.lincolnedu.com

www.devry.edu

www.LearnHowToBecome.org

2017-2018 NCAA Eligibility Center Brochure

Guide to Division I Eligibility Requirements

Guide to Division II Eligibility Requirements

2017-2018 NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student

NCAA Release Form

A complete list of SCHOLARSHIPS

available in Naviance

Please check Naviance for a list of scholarships as it is updated often.

School Counseling Office Address:

Simsbury High School
School Counseling Office
34 Farms Village Road
Simsbury, CT 06070

860-658-0451 x310
860-658-1576 (fax)

ALUMNI:

Release of Records Form

SHS alumni requesting a transcript should download and complete this release form, then send it to the School Counseling Office by fax at 860-658-1576 or email to Mrs. Ingrid Coloske at icoloske@simsbury.k12.ct.us

There is a $4 processing fee for each transcript requested. Cash or check (made out to Simsbury High School) are accepted.

Please provide the following information:

• Your full name at the time of graduation
• Date of birth
• Year of graduation
• Where your transcript should be mailed.
• Your telephone number/email address in case we need to reach you.

CURRENT SENIORS:

Transcript Release Form

Students requesting a transcript can download this form and submit it to the School Counseling Office. Forms are also available in the School Counseling Office. Please allow two weeks for processing.

1. Indicate which college you would like your transcript to be sent.
2. Indicate whether or not you are using the Common Application
3. Add application deadline and indicate Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, or Rolling Admission.
4. Include the names of the individuals writing recommendations.
5. Bring the completed form directly to your School Counselor along with the $4.00 processing fee for each transcript requested. One check is acceptable if there are multiple requests.

Scholarship Release Form

Students requesting a transcript be sent to a scholarship can download this form and submit it to the School Counseling Office. When possible, please provide your scholarship application so that all materials can be submitted together. This form is also available in the School Counseling Office.

Please allow two weeks for processing.

1. Indicate which scholarship you would like your transcript to be sent, along with the address.
2. Indicate the scholarship deadline.
3. List the names of the individuals whose recommendations you'd like to include.
4. Bring the completed form directly to your School Counselor.

Welcome to the Simsbury High School Student Employment area of the website. In partnership with the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, our goal is to connect students with job, volunteer and internship opportunities that will help our students build the skills needed to succeed post high school.

Working papers are required for all 16 & 17 year old minors. Working papers are obtained in the SHS Main Office upon presentation of a promise of employment from the employer.

Permitted Occupations/Hours of Work

• Permitted Occupations/Working Hours for 14 & 15 year olds
• Permitted Occupations/Working Hours for 16 & 17 year old minors
• Permitted Occupations/Working Hours for persons under 18 ENROLLED IN and not graduated from a secondary institution

Other information for youth/workers under the age of 18

Questions? Call the Wage & Workplace Standards Division at (860) 263-6791 or visit the Department of Labor website at www.ct.gov/dol

Don't work too long, don't work too late, stay in school, GRADUATE!

• School Profile - 2017-18

Frequently Requested Forms:

• Authorization Release/Obtain Records and Withdrawal Form
• Alumni Transcript Request Form
• Level Override Form
• Instructions for Requesting Recommendation Letters
• College Transcript Request Form
• Scholarship Transcript Request Form
• SHS Schedule Adjustment Form