October 2024

Important Dates

End of Q1 Progress Report: 10/4/24

End of Q1: 11/8/24

End of Q2 Progress Report: 12/13/24

January Regents Exams: 1/21/25 - 1/24/25

End of Q2: 1/24/25

End of Q3 Progress Report: 3/7/25

End of Q3: 4/4/25

End of Q4 Progress Report: 5/16/25

End of Q4: 6/16/25

A/B Day Rotation

AP Exam Payment

We are currently collecting AP exam fees for the May 2025 exams.

Each Exam Fee: $99.00 per exam ($10.00 per exam for families who qualify for free/reduced lunch).

Full Payment is due by October 4, 2024; however, if you would like to make two payments you may do so on the following dates:

• October 4, 2024 - 1st half due of total exams taken
• November 1, 2024 - 2nd half due of total exams taken

Checks should be made out to Schuylerville Central School and given to Tracy Lyon in Student Services.

Example of payment breakdown is as follows:

Apply to SUNY for FREE (October 21st - November 3rd)

Beginning Monday, October 21st, and ending Sunday, November 3rd, students may apply to up to five SUNY campuses with no application fee! This includes all campuses, no matter which application vehicle the student uses. Details are available here.

Additionally, over the coming weeks, The State University of New York will be holding a variety of virtual events to help students and families prepare for the college application process. Some topics include:

• Which SUNY Are You?
• How to Apply to SUNY
• Educational Opportunity Program

Applying Early Action or Early Decision?

If you are applying Early Action or Early Decision with a deadline of October 15th, November 1st or November 15th, please be sure to see your counselor ASAP to review your application and submission of materials!

Application Essay

TIPS TO MAKE YOUR ESSAY STAND OUT AMONG THE CROWD!

Your college essay is the purest part of your application! Here are some tips to set yours apart:

1. Be sure to tell a story that grabs the readers attention and engages them!
2. Be truthful and represent yourself in the best way possible; be passionate and personal.
3. Tell the reader something they can't gain from reviewing your application.
4. Use simple language and tone; correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation are a must.
5. Write a rough draft ... revise it ... edit it ... proofread it ... polish it ... then submit it!

To Test Or Not To Test?

Many colleges and universities are still implementing Test Optional policies which allow students to apply to schools without being required to have a SAT and/or ACT score. If your school is test optional, please reach out to the admission offices directly as specific majors still may require a SAT and/or ACT score. Also ask if you are able to qualify for Merit (academic) scholarships without a score.

Scholarships

Hagan Scholarship: a nationwide, four-year, need-based merit scholarship providing each recipient with the opportunity to graduate college debt-free, providing up to $7,500 each semester. After graduation from college, Hagan Scholars can apply for a two-year extension of their scholarship to attend graduate school or a professional school, receiving $6,000 each semester. Deadline: December 1.

Dollars for Scholars: it is never too early to start your Dollars for Scholars online application! Our local chapter gives out thousands of dollars in scholarships at our graduation ceremony for eligible students. The Schuylerville online application can be found here.

• Once you are on the home page, click on the 'Students and Parents' tab at the top of the page.
• On this next page, under Student and Parent Login, click on the red Login. This will open the Scholarship America Dollars for Scholars Student Center. You should see 'Don't have an account yet? Create one here'.
• After clicking on that link in Schuylerville Junior-Senior High School, under 'High School Name' and click on the blue link that reads 'Choose this school'.
• You will then be directed to several pages of info that students need to fill in...only those with asterisks are required.

For questions about the Dollars for Scholars Program, please contact your counselor.

Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship: eligible applicants must be a US Citizen; however, they do not need to be related to a member of the Elks; applicants will be judged based on leadership, financial need, and scholarship. Please be sure to use the pulldown box for the association Elks Lodge, which would be Saratoga/Wilton #161. Deadline: November 12, 2024

Elks Legacy Awards: eligible applicants must be a child or grandchild of a living Elk member in good standing; more information can be found online. Deadline: February 3, 2025

College & Military Virtual Information Sessions

Visits from college / military representatives will be happening throughout the fall - see schedule below. Most of the informational sessions will be in-person with the representative from the Office of Admissions coming right into our high school. This schedule will be updated frequently, so please be sure to check the daily announcements, as well as your email for changes! You must obtain a pass from Student Services to attend these informational session visits.

Fall College Fair at SUNY Adirondack

On Thursday, October 3rd from 6 pm - 8 pm, SUNY Adirondack will be hosting a College Fair. There will be representatives from over 40 colleges in attendance. This is a great opportunity for students and families to gather information about various colleges. For more information, please see the flyers below:

Upcoming SAT/ACT Testing Information

The SAT and the ACT will be offered on the following (Saturday) National testing dates during the 2024-2025 school year. The cost of the SAT is $68. The ACT has a basic fee of $55.50, with an optional writing test (cost with writing is $70.25). If the cost of these tests presents a hardship, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. Please check with Mrs. Rust or Mrs. O'Brien.

SAT Test Dates (Registration Information)

November 2, 2024 (October 18, 2024)

December 7, 2024 (November 22, 2024)

March 8, 2025 (February 21, 2025)

May 3, 2025 (April 18, 2025)

June 7, 2025 (May 22, 2025)

**Be sure to take advantage of free Official SAT Practice at Khan Academy®. Become more confident on test day by taking practice test!

ACT Test Dates (Registration Information)

December 14, 2024 (November 8, 2024)

February 8, 2025 (January 3, 2025)

April 5, 2025 (February 28, 2025)

June 14, 2025 (May 9, 2025)

July 12, 2025 (June 6, 2025)*

*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.

Registration is now open for the 2025 HOBY State Leadership Seminar!

This multi-day program is proven to provide students with an experience that cultivates personal growth and leadership development while building new connections and friendships throughout the state. Students return from HOBY with a deeper sense of self-awareness, elevated confidence, and the inspiration and tools to give back to their communities through leadership and service.

What is HOBY?

HOBY’s (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership) mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.

HOBY programs provide students selected by their schools to participate in unique leadership training, service learning and motivation building experiences.

Who is this for?

High School sophomores from across the country.

When and where is our leadership program?

Date: May 30, 2025 - June 1, 2025

Location: SUNY Albany

Why attend?

HOBY allows students to recognize their leadership talents and apply them in becoming effective, ethical leaders in their home, school, workplace and community. Students attend seminars and participate in hands on leadership activities, meet leaders in their state and explore their own personal leadership skills while learning how to make a positive impact in their community.

How do I apply for consideration?

Students must submit a typed, 200-300 word essay on the following topic:

Please describe both the most rewarding and the most challenging aspect of being a leader in your school and/or community.

Students interested in applying also need to submit a typed resume highlighting their involvement in community service.

Once these items have been received by your school counselor, an interview may take place as the final component of the application process. Deadline: October 31, 2024

More information about HOBY, can be found here.

Contact Information

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SERVICES

Mrs. Tracy Lyon, Administrative Assistant

(518) 695-2256. ext 2239

School Counselor Contact Information

Ms. Bean (Grade 9, Career Education & AP Coordinator)

Mrs. O’Brien (Grades 10-12, A-K)

Mrs. Rust (Grades 10-12, L-Z)