Counseling and Career Connection

As exams conclude and final grades are recorded, we celebrate a successful year at SWHS. Last Friday, the Class of 2024 walked across home plate at Dunkin' Park to receive their diplomas and step into the next phase of their lives, while our other classes are set to move up.

This final issue of our newsletter for the school year includes some helpful information as we wrap up the year and head into summer, including:

• Credit transfers to colleges
• Final transcripts for seniors
• A last listing of acceptances for the Class of 2024
• Summer hours for School Counseling
• Scholarships for the Class of 2025
• New job listings
  

We wish our entire South Windsor High School community a happy and healthy summer and look forward to kicking off another school year at the end of August!

You challenged yourself by taking the highest level of courses offered, and you survived all of the reading, notes, labs, essays, projects and exams that went with them. Now - how do you get credit for it?

If you are about to start your college career, now is the time to find out how credits will transfer and apply towards your undergraduate degree. If you are starting your college search, finding out how colleges will view your scores might be an important factor in deciding where you want to apply or ultimately attend. Here is a quick guide to get you started.

AP Credits

Many colleges will offer some sort of credit to students who have taken an AP course and scored at least a 3 on the final AP Exam given through the College Board. More selective schools or particular majors might set their minimum score at 4. What they offer for those scores will vary.

Some colleges allow students to use their completion and successful examination in an AP course to count toward credits they will complete in an undergraduate program. Others might allow students to place out of one level of a course and into a more advanced level. Since colleges are not required to provide any reward for taking AP classes and exams, there are occasions where a student may not earn any credit for AP scores. However, there is no doubt that successfully completing AP coursework is a helpful boost to any high school transcript and preparation for the rigor and expectations of college level work, which is a key component in college admissions decisions.

For specific information on what type of credit you can expect from colleges and how to send your scores, you can visit the College Board's page on AP credit and placement. This site provides an AP credit policy search engine and guidelines on how to send your AP scores to colleges.

ECE Credits

South Windsor High School also offers a range of ECE ("Early College Experience") classes that are taught right at the high school by SWHS faculty. Our ECE courses are affiliated with the University of Connecticut, so successful completion of these courses provides college credit on an official transcript through UConn.

Depending on when you enroll in these classes, a transcript of your coursework may be included in any college admissions applications or may be sent to the college where you eventually enroll. If you ultimately attend UConn, these courses will transfer more seamlessly into your college transcript. However, for any other college or university you will fill out a transcript request form through UConn and your future college will decide how to accept those credits. According to the University of Connecticut, there is an 87% acceptance rate of its ECE credits at other institutions.

For more information on how to transfer UConn ECE credits, visit their helpful website, where you will find a description of the credit transfer process, a link to the transcript request form, and access to their credit transfer database - a comprehensive guide to the credit transfer policies of over 950 colleges and universities.

CCP Credits

Many South Windsor High School students take advantage of the College Career Pathways program offered through the Connecticut State Community College system. If you took one of the courses offered, registered with the affiliated community college campus, and earned at least a C in the course, you are eligible to apply those credits toward an associate's degree on those campuses or transfer them toward a bachelor's degree at another college, depending on the policies of each college. Here is a the link for requesting transcripts through the CT State Community College system.

There is no guarantee of college credits when you take an AP, ECE, or CCP course in high school. However, the likelihood is high that you will reap some reward for taking the highest level classes. It is definitely worth taking a moment to find out how you can maximize the effort you have already put in!

*Seniors who are looking to transfer credits to a college for the fall 2024 semester should wait until after July 1 to request transcripts directly from the college affiliated with any courses they took at South Windsor High School in order to allow time for final grades to be entered and recorded at partner institutions. This also applies to College Career Pathways (CCP) courses through Manchester Community College, Capital Community College, and Asnuntuck Community College.

Final transcripts for graduating seniors will be sent to colleges and universities by the end of June. In May, seniors were asked to fill out their senior survey in Naviance to indicate the final outcomes of their college applications and to let School Counseling know where their final transcripts should be sent.

If you have not already filled out a senior survey, please call the School Counseling office at 860-648-5003.

The SWHS School Counseling office will be open throughout the summer. School Counselors will be in the office until Monday, June 24th and available between 8AM and 2 PM. They will return on August 14.

Should you need help with schedules, future planning or other matters outside of the school year, feel free to reach out to them during those times.

The School Counseling secretaries will staff the office throughout the summer, but will work more limited hours. Please call the office at 860-648-5003 before coming in to ensure someone will be here to help you.

Some students may be interested in taking a summer course for first time/original credit. SWHS partners with the Town of West Hartford for these opportunities. Details can be found here. Families interested in pursuing these opportunities should connect with your School Counselor, as there are SWHS forms that must be completed prior to the student enrolling in the course.

We have celebrated the graduation for the Class of 2024, and now we share our last update on college/university acceptances, military enlistments, and offers of employment for next year.

This month's highlights:

• Wasif Ahbab – University of Connecticut, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, University of St. Joseph
  
  
• Mitch Chaves – Western Connecticut State University
  
  
• Valeria Guevara Gonzelez – Universidad Ineramericana Del Norte
  
  
• Kevin Joseph - Eastern Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut, University of St. Joseph, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Sacred Heart University
  
  
• William Kimber - Boston University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Northeastern University, University of Connecticut, University of Miami
  
  
• Maxwell Lines - Ithaca College, University of Hartford, Brandeis University, Bard College, Wheaton College, State University of NY - Potsdam, Western Connecticut State University
  
  
• Lota Onyia - Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Southern Connecticut State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Montclair State University, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts, Quinnipiac University, Rutgers University, Rowan University
  
  
• Nicholas Pejril - University of Connecticut
  
  
• Rohan Pruthi - University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Northeastern University, University of Maryland - College Park, Purdue University, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin - Madison. Ohio State University, Virginia Technical Institute (Virginia Tech)
  
  
• Cameron Rogoz - University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, Johnson & Wales University, Old Dominion University, University of Mississippi, Savannah College of Art & Design
  
  
• Anushri Sandeep - Boston University
  
  
• Rehan Shaik Hunday - Syracuse University, Indiana University - Bloomington, Pennsylvania State University, Bentley University, University of Connecticut
  
  
• Kabir SIngh - Carnegie Mellon University, University of Virginia, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign, University of Maryland, University of Connecticut
  
  
• Zach Synol - Bryant University, Western New England University, University of Connecticut
  
  
• India Wooding - Howard University, Clark Atlanta University, University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Hartford
  
  
• Grace Yang - Rice University, Boston College

PEO is an international women’s philanthropic educational organization that celebrates and supports the educational advancement of women. Their local Chapter X, located in Vernon, is seeking applications for the Class of 2025 STAR Scholarship. This $2,500 scholarship is open to young women who meet the following criteria:

• Citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada
• Age 20 or under as of November 30th of this year
• Plans to attend an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the US or Canada in the fall of the year after their graduation
• Has demonstrated excellence in each of the following areas: community service, participation in extracurricular activities, leadership skills, and potential for future success. Substantial community service is required for all applicants.
• A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  
  

To be considered, interested students should send a letter of intent and resume to oxbow4@snet.net by July 8, 2024 at 11 PM. These materials must be sent as Word or Adobe PDF attachments and cannot be Google drive documents. Any submission that does not conform to these standards or deadlines will not be considered. The resume and letter should demonstrate how applicants feel they meet the criteria listed above, including details of extracurricular and community service activities.

Once all candidates are reviewed by the local PEO Chapter, some candidates will be offered an interview. These will take place in mid-late August. From these interviews, the committee will nominate one young woman to the International Committee for review and to be eligible to complete an on-line application for review by the National STAR Committee. For more information about PEO or the STAR Scholarship, visit www.peointernational.org.

Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Carty until June 21st if you have any questions.

Please see the information recently shared with the Career Center:

The Office of U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy was tentatively approved a slot to sponsor a Senate Page for the 2024 Fall Semester. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with the official deadline listed below; we hope that the program’s return will generate excitement and submissions before the school’s end. Please take a look at the details below and reach out should you have any questions.

Senate Page Program

The Senate Page Program offers a unique opportunity for high school juniors to learn in depth how Congress works. Page responsibilities largely consist of delivering correspondence, preparing the Senate chamber for sessions, and delivering bills and amendments to Senate staff. In addition to their work in the Senate, pages attend early morning classes in the fully accredited Page School. Pages live in the Senate Page Dormitory, located just a short walk away from the U.S. Capitol and are paid a small stipend. Deductions from the stipend are taken for taxes, a meal plan, and residence fees. The program takes place this Fall Semester: mid-August to early-January.

Requirements:

• Pages must be 16 or 17 years of age during their employment and in their junior year of high school.
• Pages must be U.S. citizens or subject to agreements of the Department of State and have a social security number
• Pages must have a 3.0 minimum GPA
• No student may stay in the program if his/ her average falls below a “C” in any class. This important to ensure pages have a smooth transition to the Page School and a successful semester academically.
• Pages must have a certificate of immunization and be covered by health insurance. If a page does not have health insurance, they will be required to enroll in the Federal Employee health insurance program.
• Students must have all required vaccinations (This includes receiving both Covid-19 vaccine doses at least 2 weeks prior to August 15th)
• Senate pages are sponsored by a U.S. Senator.

How to Apply:

All page applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be received by July 30th at 8pm ET.

Please send the following items to Page_Program@murphy.senate.gov with the subject line “2024 Fall Page Application: Your name”

• Current resume
• Current academic transcript (official or unofficial)
• One letter of recommendation
• 250 word essay on a social issue you want to resolve and why

Applications will not be reviewed until Academic Transcripts are received. Report cards are fine.

Selection Process:

• Please note that Senator Murphy is not always guaranteed a page slot each session making this opportunity rather rare. There are typically about 30 pages slots for 100 senators. If Senator Murphy is selected to appoint a page, the page program predetermines whether he must select a male or female page to provide equal opportunities for young men and women. Our office will reach out after reviewing all applications.

Here is a story of Senator Murphy’s former Page, Jayvon, who was a fantastic member of the Page program from Waterbury. The U.S. Senate Page Program is a prestigious program that allows high school students from across the country to spend a semester living and working in Washington, D.C. Pages play an important role in the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Senate, witness historic debates on the Senate floor, and meet respected national leaders, all while continuing their high school education.

Questions:

Please email us at Page_Program@murphy.senate.gov or call Senator Murphy’s Hartford Office at (860) 549-8463 with any questions. If you have more specific and immediate inquiries, please ask for Trayvonn Diaz when you call.

If you are in the Class of 2025, make sure you are taking advantage of the BigFuture Scholarships program and its opportunity to win up to $40,000. Anyone with a College Board account can participate by taking six steps in the college search process. Each step is a helpful part of the process to help college bound students get ready, so why not make yourself eligible for monthly drawings of $500 or $40,000 scholarships?

The deadline to be included in the drawing for step one, "Build a College List", is June 30th. The remaining steps all have deadlines that will come up during senior year. For a helpful guide to the entire program, click here.

We are sharing the list from our last issue for students still looking for summer jobs. Additionally, there are new postings that came in just as the year was coming to a close. The Career Center will be open until June 21st if students want to stop in and review the bulletin board.

• State of Connecticut - Camps, Lifeguards, Department of Transportation
• South Windsor Public Schools - Painting (18+) and Custodial (find listing here)

Additionally, South Windsor Parks & Recreation will already accept applications to be counselors for next year's program. See a copy of their flyer below. SW Parks & Rec has other job opportunities on their site as well, including seasonal events help. Use this google form to apply to any of these positions.

Upon obtaining a job, employees between the ages of 16 and 18 must have working papers to work in Connecticut. Those papers can be obtained in the School Counseling office. During the summer, please call ahead - 860-648-5003 - to schedule a time to come into the office.

Please bring a promise of employment letter from your employer that clearly states the expected hours per week, hourly rate, and a detailed job description.

Find out more about employment for minors on the state's website: https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/wgwkstnd/minors/wgwrkpap.htm

Congratulations on completing your first year of high school. You navigated a year full of "new" - buildings, teachers, schedules, classes - and you figured it all out! Ms. Keleher and Ms. Nordmark wish the Class of 2027 all the best as they move on to Grade 10 and transition to their new counselors. Enjoy a restful and relaxing summer!

To our departing grade 10 students - congratulations on completing half of your high school career! The next two years will bring new challenges and exciting opportunities to think about your future. As you return for the second half of high school, set goals, stay focused, and get involved! In the meantime, use your summer wisely. Take a much needed break from waking up early and juggling school and activities. And then invest in yourself.

If you are old enough to have a first job, that is a great way to earn not only money, but great life skills - independence, leadership, teamwork, communication. If you cannot get a job, take some time to volunteer or job shadow. While you are helping others, you might learn some valuable things about yourself.

Other ways to get ahead for next year are to take practice PSAT tests and do a little college research. If you are college bound, your junior year will kick off that chapter of your life. You will take your official PSAT test in October and your first SAT in March, and you may want to visit college campuses to narrow down your list. This doesn't mean you should not give yourself time to relax! Spending 15-30 minutes a few times a week on these topics is plenty to get the ball rolling and your brain moving.

Most of all, summer is a time to take a reset for yourself. Enjoy your break and come back ready to take on a new year at SWHS!

All students in grades 9-12 have a dedicated school counselor. The role of a school counselor centers on each student's social-emotional development, academic achievement/advisement, and career/future planning. These areas are covered through classroom lessons, individual conferencing, family meetings, and in conjunction with school-based teams. School counselors are committed to meeting the needs of each individual student and family.

The Career Center offers a variety of assistance to students and parents preparing for post-secondary opportunities. It is located in the School Counseling office and can also be accessed from the hallway outside School Counseling.

Website: https://highschool.southwindsorschools.org/departments/school_counseling
Phone: 860-648-5003