COUNSELOR'S CORNER
NOVEMBER 2024
In reflecting on this past month, we are filled with gratitude for all that has been accomplished in support of our students’ academic and personal growth. Our school counseling department is here to help every student navigate the demands and challenges of school life, and it’s been a busy and rewarding few months! We recently hosted PSAT Day for all sophomores and juniors, providing a valuable opportunity for students to practice for the SAT, identify their academic strengths, and receive personalized feedback to help them prepare for college admissions. Additionally, high scores on the PSAT can qualify juniors for the National Merit Scholarship Program, providing potential scholarship opportunities for college. This past month the counseling department welcomed representatives from 26 colleges to meet with student’s right here at the high school, as well as a Dual Credit visit from Camden County College Administration to discuss advanced learning opportunities. Additionally, Mr. Tommasetti and Ms. Warren have been diligently supporting seniors with post-high school planning and college applications, providing the essential guidance needed for this pivotal stage in their lives. In support of mental wellness, Mrs. Kabo offered Mindful Meditation sessions for both students and staff, while Mr. May and Mrs. DiMedio led our Week of Respect and Red Ribbon Week celebrations, emphasizing the importance of respect and healthy choices. We also hosted a Financial Aid workshop, with over 60 families in attendance, for planning for college.
We are grateful for the involvement of our entire school community and want to remind students and families that we are here to support them every step of the way.
Grateful for AHS
As Thanksgiving approaches, Mrs. DiMedio has been meeting with students to discuss the importance of gratitude and the many things they are thankful for. These discussions offer students an opportunity to reflect on the positives in their lives and recognize the value of appreciation, both for themselves and others. Practicing gratitude is powerful; research shows it can enhance mood, reduce stress, improve relationships, and even boost resilience and physical health. By taking a few moments each day to keep a gratitude journal or simply share thanks with others, students can cultivate mindfulness and strengthen their emotional well-being. This month, we encourage everyone to embrace gratitude, allowing it to bring positivity and connection into their lives.
RED RIBBON WEEK 2024
Audubon Jr.-Sr. High School recently celebrated Red Ribbon Week 2024, with activities led by Mrs. DiMedio and Mr. May that emphasized the importance of making healthy, responsible choices. As part of the nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use, students signed a pledge committing to stay drug-free, respect themselves, and support friends in making positive decisions. Through engaging events and meaningful conversations, the school community came together to reinforce the values of self-respect, friendship, and responsibility, highlighting the strength and unity in choosing a drug-free lifestyle.
*Students and parents should bring electronic devices to complete the FAFSA.*
LOOK WHO'S COMING...
Throughout each school year, we bring in professionals from a number of local and national colleges, universities, technical schools, and military branches to present to students about their program offerings and admissions. Additionally, we bring in experts from various career fields to provide our students with a snapshot of what their occupation is like, communicate the education & training required to attain employment within the field, and provide interested students with the opportunity to ask any questions that they have. These representatives and volunteers are gracious enough to speak to any and all interested students regardless of their grade level. This is a particularly important activity for our students to participate in as they progress down their path towards visiting colleges in Junior year and applying in fall of Senior year. Students must sign up in Naviance to attend!
Alvernia University
Tue November 19, 2024 8:20 AM
Chestnut Hill College
Tue November 19, 2024 10:50 AM
Pace University
Wed November 20, 2024 8:20 AM
Goldey-Beacom College
Wed November 20, 2024 9:15 AM
University of New Haven
Thu November 21, 2024 8:20 AM
Marines
Tue December 10, 2024 11:40 AM
Winter Ball, The Sapphire Grand (Auletto's)
Friday, December 6th, 7-10:30pm
Holiday Door Decorating Contest
TBD
Spring Spirit Week
April 14th-17th 2025
Spring Food Drive
April 9th-17th 2025
Spring Pep Rally, Location TBD
Thursday, April 17th 2025
- December 6 Winter Ball, The Sapphire Grand @ Auletto’s 7-10:30 PM
- December 6 3rd senior Trip Payment due ($575)
- December/January TBD FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Aid) Filing Night
- January 6-17 Senior Trip t-shirt sale
- February 11 Senior Trip student meeting 2nd period (auditorium)
- February 12 Senior trip mandatory parent meeting 7:00 (auditorium)
- March 21 All students going on senior Trip must attend school this day.
- One last Senior Trip refresher meeting 1st period (auditorium)
- March 23 Luggage check in for Senior Trip 1:00 PM (auxiliary gym)
- Mandatory for Students going on Senior Trip
- March 24-28 Senior Trip to Walt Disney World/ Universal Studios
- April 9 Spring Food Drive
- April 14-17 Spring Spirit Week
- May 2 Junior-Senior Prom
- June 13 Senior Farewell 7:00 PM (auditorium)
- Senior Sunset/ Yearbook Signing 8:00
- Yearbook distribution
- June 18 Graduation 6:00 PM
- Project Graduation
JUNIOR HIGH SNOWFLAKE DANCE
AP Testing at Audubon
Audubon High School is thrilled to announce that we will be administering 133 AP Tests this spring! Families, we encourage you to take action now by visiting the link to submit payment for the exams your students are registered to take. Students can also send a check written out to the Audubon Board of Education or bring cash to Mrs. Weil in the Counseling Office.
Don't wait—all payments are due by January 10, 2025!
Let’s make this AP season a success!
Thank you for your attention to this deadline! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
ACT & SAT INFORMATION
College Board SAT
College Board SAT Suite of Assessments shares information about the SAT, which is designed to assess a student's academic readiness for college. It provides a path to opportunities, financial support, and scholarships, in a way that's standardized, in an effort to provide equal opportunities for all students. Below is more information:SAT Dates and Deadlines
- SAT Practice Tests
- SAT - Most students take it for the first time during the winter or spring of junior year and possibly a second or third time during the fall of their senior year.
- SAT Fee Waiver - Free/Reduced Lunch students are eligible for SAT fee waivers. Using a SAT fee waiver serves as a springboard to qualify the student for college application fee waivers. See your counselor for more details.
- College Board Services for Students with Disabilities- Students with disabilities may submit a request. Consent Form for Accommodations Request
ACT
ACT is a nationally administered, standardized paper-and-pencil test that helps colleges evaluate candidates. Colleges accept ACT or SAT scores interchangeably, which means you have the opportunity to decide which test you would prefer.
- Register for the ACT Test - Dates & Deadlines
- Free ACT Test Prep
- ACT Fee Waiver Eligibility Requirements - For Free/Reduced Lunch students.
- ACT Requesting Accommodations - Students with disabilities may submit a request. Consent to Release Information to ACT - For parents to sign and return to their school counselor.
Test Optional
- FairTest Test Optional and Test Free List - List of colleges that do not require SAT or ACT for admissions purposes.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
The Audubon School District partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs regardless of circumstance. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language.
Visit https://caresolace.com/site/apsd/ and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
In this guide, a family can find out more information on how to apply for food, income and employment assistance, as well as health care and much more. A caregiver can get information on support programs and services to assist them in caring for their loved ones. Individuals with disabilities and their families can get information on various services that include in-home supports, vocational rehabilitation, and education.
2ND FLOOR
"A safe space for Teens'
Download it today by choosing your mobile app store and receive 1:1 CONFIDENTIAL chat support, communicate directly with your peers on message boards, or find daily inspiration!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You must complete this form to apply for financial aid.
HESAA
The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority is the State of New Jersey's financial aid resource for state level grants and scholarships. Students will need to fill out an application for this after the FAFSA has been filed. The website also contains helpful financial aid information and guidance.
Rutgers presentation that covers: College Preparation, Application Tips, Financial Aid, and Rutgers–Camden.
"Going to College in New Jersey"
Helpful tips and data about college costs, programs of study and career paths, and key deadlines for college applications and financial aid can be found here.
One application accepted by almost 700 colleges. The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application - online and in print - that students may submit to any of the almost 700 colleges that accept it.
Big Future College Search
Search and get matched with colleges, explore career interests, and plan financially with this easy-to-use tool!
The National Association for College Admission Counseling
A Roadmap for College
This interactive site was designed by students for students and has a lot of relevant information about why to go, what to do, and how to pay for college.
The site also helps with the creation of a "roadmap" to college. A useful resource for students and families.
My Future
There’s more to college than mascots and dining halls. Here you'll find info on everything from choosing a four-year, two-year or trade school education to applying and paying for tuition. Click on Tools and Checklists for helpful tips on how to prepare for college from your freshmen year through your college visits and shopping for dorm supplies!
COLLEGE FAIRS
Burlington School Counselors Association's College Fair
The National Association for College Admission Counseling College Fairs
Philadelphia Architecture and Design College Fair
PACAC Delaware County Regional College Fair
State University of New York (SUNY) Spring College Fair
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
New Jersey College Open Houses
Pennsylvania College Open Houses
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York and Virginia College Open Houses
VIRTUAL COLLEGE TOURS
Liberal Arts Virtual College Fairs
Northern Burlington County Regional High School Virtual College Fair
Princeton Review Virtual Campus Tours
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
RaiseMe
RaiseMe allows students to begin earning scholarship in their freshman year! They can build a profile that acts as their transcript/resume and continuing adding to it throughout the years. They can earn money for grades, outside of school and within school club, activities, and athletics, awards, standardized testing scores, and even college tours!
FastWeb
Fastweb can help you find your dream school and then help you pay for it. Free Scholarship and College Search Services provided.
Going Merry
"The Common App for Scholarships". A scholarship match tool that only requires you to fill out one application that you can send to several scholarship opportunities.
Your source for free scholarship information.
Peterson's scholarship search tool reaches super hero status with its ability to filter available scholarships by school type, ethnicity, gender, field of study, state of residence, award type, and more!
COLLEGE SEARCH AND INFORMATION -- Most Frequently Used
- Common Application Online - This site has options to download Common Application software or to do the Common Application online. Options are available to create School Reports and Teacher Evaluation forms. Be sure to check if the particular school requires a supplement to the Common Application.
- College Board Online - This site supported by the College Board includes SAT and Subject Test (formerly "SAT II") registration, as well as information on the SAT, Subject Tests, and PSAT/NMSQT tests. Also included is a scholarship search, college search, and financial aid information.
- College Board Code List Search
- CollegeBoard.com's College Search - Use the College Board's outstanding College Search features to help find the best college match.
- ACT Assessment Home Page - Find assessment information, online registration, sample questions, how to apply to college, and an online financial aid need estimator.
COLLEGE SEARCH AND INFORMATION -- Miscellaneous
- TOEFL - The official web site for the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
- CollegeNet's Custom College Search - Enter your own personal criteria to find a list of colleges which may suit you well.
- Princeton Review's Advanced College Search - Enter your own personal criteria to find a list of colleges which may suit you well.
- U.S. News Advanced College Search - Enter your own personal criteria to find a list of colleges which may suit you well. College Information
- NACAC - NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) offers many valuable articles related to college planning, early decision, college visits, etc.
- CollegeData - This site offers tools regarding how to choose, prepare, apply, and pay for college.
- College Navigator - The National Center for Educational Statistics and the Institute of Education Sciences provides college information.
- CollegeNet - This site lets applicants complete, file, and pay for their admissions applications entirely through the internet. There are also college search resources, a free financial aid search, and scholarship search resources.
- College-Scholarships.com - This site provides links to scholarships and has college information.
- College Visits - This company offers a variety of college tours for a fee.
- Fiscal Tiger - This site is a college finance glossary for students and parents.
- GoCollege: The Collegiate Websource - This site offers a college search feature, financial aid information, and also a scholarship database.
- Mapping Your Future - Provides college, career, and financial aid information and services.
- New Jersey Commission on Higher Education - Many links to valuable information about higher education in New Jersey, including financial aid.
- Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education - Information regarding the Pennsylvania state colleges and Universities.
- The Princeton Review - Ranks colleges, suggested techniques for taking the SAT, PSAT, and the ACT exams, and assistance on college applications. Also has an extensive career search capability.
- US News Colleges and Career Center - A practical guide to the complete college admissions process including the important steps of preparation, application and admission.
COLLEGE SEARCH -- Special Interest
- Educational On-Line's Listing of Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Links to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other college-related links.
- Christian College Guide - Links to Christian colleges. Includes a college search feature.
- National Catholic College Admission Association - Links to Catholic colleges and universities. Includes a college search feature.
- Directory of Canadian Universities - This site provides information on higher education in Canada.
NEW JERSEY COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
- New Jersey College and University Directories - The State of New Jersey's list of colleges and universities in New Jersey.
- New Jersey Council of County Colleges - Valuable links to county and community colleges in New Jersey.
- NJ Transfer - This is the website that helps you transfer community college courses in the State of New Jersey. Its many features will allow you to learn: which courses to select at a community college; how the courses will satisfy four-year degree requirements; where you can transfer your community college courses in New Jersey; and how to contact a New Jersey college or university if you need information about admissions, transferring courses, or transfer recruitment events.
LOCAL COUNTY & COMMUNITY COLLEGES
- Rowan College at Burlington County
- Atlantic Cape Community College
- Camden County College
- Rowan College at Gloucester County (formerly Gloucester County College)
FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS -- PUBLIC
- New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities - This site provides information on undergraduate programs at the nine New Jersey state colleges and universities. The site includes sections on "Getting into College" and "Paying for College."
- The College of New Jersey
- Kean University
- Montclair State University
- New Jersey City University
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
- Ramapo College of New Jersey
- Rowan University
- Rutgers University
- Stockton University
- Thomas Edison State University
- William Paterson University
FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS -- PRIVATE
- Berkeley College
- Bloomfield College
- Caldwell University
- Centenary University
- College of Saint Elizabeth
- DeVry University
- Drew University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Felician College
- Georgian Court University
- Monmouth University
- Pillar College
- Princeton University
- Rider University
- Saint Peter's University
- Seton Hall University
- Stevens Institute of Technology
ARMED FORCES & MILITARY ACADEMIES
Military Academies
- United States Military Academy at West Point
- United States Naval Academy
- United States Air Force Academy
- United States Coast Guard Academy
National Guard
Reserve
Audubon High School Application Checklist (2 & 4 year college)
- Create a balanced list of reach, match, and safety colleges. Utilize Naviance "Find Your Fit" to create this list
- BE PROACTIVE! OVER COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR!!!
- Create a Common App account (if applicable). Create accounts for schools that do not use Common App
- Match Common App to Naviance account and add colleges that do not accept the Common App to the “Colleges I’m applying to list.”
- Check to see if schools are test optional & if certain majors require testing.
- If needed, take other required or recommended tests (e.g., SAT Subject TestsTM, AP Exams, IB exams) & send admission-test scores. **Students must send SAT/ACT Scores directly to colleges**
- Make a note of the regular application deadline / early application deadline **Do not wait until the deadline**
- Complete your admissions essay
- Request recommendation letters from teachers in person and send requests on Naviance. You must complete both steps to streamline the recommendation process. Send thank-you notes to recommendation writers
- Submit application & contact your counselor
- Request high school transcript sent (after applications are submitted)
- Submit FAFSA® *Add each school you are applying to*
- Make a note of the priority financial aid deadline & the regular financial aid deadline
- Student athletes: Division 1 or 2. Register for the NCAA Clearinghouse and check requirements
- Submit college aid form & state aid form, if needed
- Confirm receipt of application materials
- Request midyear grade report sent, if needed *Contact Your Counselor*
- Once accepted notify the counseling office, review/accept any financial aid, pay deposit, take an admission test, if required.
Again: Please over communicate with your school counselor!!! We are here to help!!!
NCAA Registration for Juniors & Seniors
Student-athletes in the 11th grade who are hoping to play at the NCAA Division I or II levels in college must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. All student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to making any official school visits or receiving a written offer of athletically related financial aid with “D-I” or “D-II” colleges. You can register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Senior athletes who have not already done so, should register immediately