February. . . the longest shortest month.

Seniors wait, seniors celebrate…
This is an admittedly challenging time of the year for many seniors applying to college. They know first hand how arduous the waiting game can feel, with admissions announcements and spring itself seeming to come at a glacial pace. For me, patience has been a perennial lesson of my adulthood, a lesson I have to engage every so often, no matter how old I become. While we do still have some students waiting for news, we also have many enjoying early returns. Over 75% of our seniors have heard positive news from at least one school on their lists. 83% of them have earned at least one merit scholarship, with scholarships totalling over $2.6 million over four years. Over 40 schools--small, medium, large, public, private, as diverse as our student body itself--have so far shown their confidence in our Griffins. Among some recent returns, several Colleges that Change Lives: Clark University, Lawrence University, Cornell College, Kalamazoo College, and Knox College. Students have also had great news from Purdue University, UIUC, the University of South Carolina's heralded Honors College, Michigan Technological University, to name a few. Some seniors may need to wait a little while longer, but more great news will certainly come. I invite any one who needs a reminder of how specifically stellar you are to come see me for a pep talk. 

Annual College Fair at Oakton Community College
This past Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2018, sophomores and juniors boarded a bus to Oakton Community College to speak with representatives from over 70 colleges and universities across the country. This was a great chance for students to learn about schools they may have on their early wish lists, but an even better chance to learn about programs and places that might have otherwise not shown up on their college radars. Roycemore Griffins spoke with reps from Rutgers, UIUC, Miami Ohio, Augustana College, Knox College, Savannah College of Art and Design, and the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, shown here.


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JUNIORS - Your College Counselor is IN!
This is the time of year when juniors meet with me one on one to start crafting their college admissions plans and lists. So far, I have enjoyed some great meetings, getting to know your interests and aspirations, which not only helps with this journey but also with the counseling letter of recommendation I will write on your behalf next fall. While many families wish to meet together, students may also come on their own. Either is fine, but most important is the meeting itself. Please swing by or reach out by email, and propose a 45 minute window to meet anytime after B Block.

SENIORS!!! Ms. Finley O’Dell Wants to Talk to You!
Yes, the head of school wants to see you. Gulp. Why, you might wonder? Ms. Finley O’Dell wants to get to know you, to create a graduation ceremony that celebrates each one of your individually. This is a wonderful opportunity not only to leave a lasting impression, but also to share your hopes for yourself and for Roycemore for future years. Please come see me to sign up to spend an hour of what I promise will be a wonderful, memorable conversation. 

Upcoming Standardized Tests

ACT:      Test Date:    April 14.     Registration:     March 9
                                     June 9       Registration:     May 4    
                                     July 14       Registration:     June 15

SAT:    Test Date:    March 10    Late Registration:     February 28
            Test Date:     May 5        Registration:               April 6
             Test Date:     June 2      Registration:             May 3    

Juniors!!! Please remember that you’ll want to have taken some combination of two of the SAT and/or ACT before the school year ends. Waiting till summer or fall can add to the workload and stress of culling a strong application. As your college counselor, I know you’ll have bigger--and far more delicious--fish to fry in mid-July. Hey, that rhymed! 

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