Student Services Table of Contents
When you visit a campus:
What to look for; what to ask:
Intellectual Atmosphere
Social Atmosphere:
Room and Board:
Kathy Randall, Social Worker
Portland High School
Kathy Randall has been a social worker in the Portland Public School system for over twenty years, and has worked for the past ten years at Portland High School. She provides individual and family counseling to students and families at school and during home visits, and works with community agencies and at other schools to meet the needs of her students. Ms. Randall's expertise extends from substance use evaluation to crisis intervention and suicide assessment. She teaches classes for students at all grade levels on depression, peer relationships and suicide. Ms. Randall works closely with a wide-range of students at Portland High School.
Ms. Randall is a licensed social worker and she has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Maine and a Master's degree from the University of Southern Maine.
Please call Ms. Randall in Student Services anytime she can help.
Advisors
Ms. LaPlante
Ms. Sherburne
Mr. MacLean
Ms. Mullen
Guidance Secretaries
Ms. Liz Bryant
Ms. Timi Carter
"School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case managment services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self managment, self advocacy, and learning."
This definition was adopted by the National Association of School Nurses Board of Directors, June 1999.
Maryellen O'Toole, R.N.
School Nurse
The School Nurse is available daily at Portland High School:
Phone Number: 874-8250
Cell Phone Number: 650-2426
Email: otoolm@portlandschools.org
Please contact Ms. O'Toole regarding any health issue that will impact your child's learning and school attendance. Permission forms for medication administration and scheduled appointments at the PHS School Health Clinic are available from the school nurse.
Please read these instructions carefully to expedite the work permit process.
Criteria for Work Permits:
The Maine State Work Permit Form will need to be completed at the Superintendent’s Office.
Please bring the following to the Superintendent’s Office, 331 Veranda Street, Portland between the hours of 8:30 am-3:30 pm:
Plan ahead. It takes approximately two weeks after applying for a work permit at the Superintendent’s Office for the approved permit to return from the State Department of Labor in Augusta. The approved permit will then be sent to the mailing address listed on the work permit form. The student is then responsible to provide the copy of the approved work permit to her/ his employer prior to beginning work. The minor cannot work until the approved work permit is received from the State.
Fall/Winter in Junior Year
1. Continue to do your best academic work as this is an important year in the eyes of college admissions officers and potential employers.
2. Register for and take the PSAT in October.
3. Use PSAT results returned to you in December as a study guide in preparation for the SAT I in the spring.
4. Use college guide books at a bookstore or library and/or the Internet (i.e. www.collegeboard.com) to look up colleges that interest you.
5. Students considering applying to military academies should inform their counselor at this time if they have not already done so.
6. Start exploring careers and colleges. Use Choices 2004, on the school computers, to identify your interests and apptitude.
1. Continue to take your academic work seriously and do the best you can.
2. Register for the March/April or May SAT I (or ACT) and June SAT II subject tests, (if appropriate). Prepare for these tests through practice tests in books, test prep courses or on the computer….
3. Develop a tentative college list. Write, call or e-mail colleges for information. Contact college coaches and activity leaders who may be interested in your talents/skills.
4. If possible, visit colleges during April vacation as most schools are in session then.
5. Plan your summer visits and schedule tours and interviews where necessary and appropriate. Call now to schedule your interviews for the fall, if you will be away during the summer.
Summer in Junior Year
1. Learn as much as you can about specific colleges and college life by visiting colleges, taking tours and interviewing where appropriate. Current college students are an excellent source of information relative to life on campus.
2. Spend your summer in a meaningful way (i.e. work, community service, travel and/or other educational/cultural experience).
3. Request applications; review them; begin to gather your thoughts and develop ideas for application essays.
4. Inquire about merit (no need) scholarship opportunities available through colleges, church, social, fraternal and civic organizations. Parents should investigate merit scholarship opportunities through their places of employment.
1. Continue to achieve the best grades possible.
2. Revise and update your college list; request applications.
3. Attend college information sessions given by admissions representatives visiting Portland High School.
4. Register for the October, November or December SAT I (or ACT) and/or SAT II subject tests.
5. Request a letter of recommendation from the teacher who knows you best.
6. If you have not already done so, visit colleges to which you plan to apply. Attend classes and arrange to stay overnight on campus whenever possible.
7. Contact college coaches and activity leaders who may be interested in your talents/skills.
8. Prepare your college essay(s) with care. Ask a qualified adult to read it over, checking for content, structure and spelling.
9. Complete all sections of your applications and submit your cover sheet (transcript release form) and the appropriate materials to you counselor. Students are responsible for mailing their portion of the application directly to the college. Your counselor expects Early Decision and Early Action materials by October 1; January 1 applications by December 1; and all other applications should be submitted at least two weeks prior to their deadlines.
10. The financial aid process begins when you apply for admission. Complete all forms requested by your colleges and pay careful attention to deadlines!
Winter in Senior Year
1. Complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) required to be eligible for all federal funds. Forms are available in the Guidance Office and on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. Investigate scholarship opportunities at the college of your choice and file any additional forms required.
3. Maintain the highest level of academic achievement possible throughout your senior year.
Spring in Senior Year
1. Continue to maintain the highest level of academic achievement while waiting for responses from colleges. The college you attend will receive your final transcript.
2. Once you have reviewed your acceptances and financial aid packages, confirm your intent to enroll at the college of your choice by sending in your deposit by May 1, the Candidates' Reply Date. Notify the colleges you will not be attending once you have made your decision. This notification allow colleges to admit students from their Wait Lists.
3. If you are on a Wait List at your first choice college, see your counselor to discuss strategies. Be sure to send in a deposit to the school you plan to attend if you are not accepted off the Wait List.
Visiting the colleges that you are interested in is an important part of the process. You will find that colleges can be very different. It is also advisable that you meet with an interviewer when you visit. Here is some information to guide you.
Preparation for the interview
1. Make an appointment by calling or e-mailing the admissions office. You do not need to speak with an admissions officer to make an appointment; the office secretary usually arranges interviews.
2. Read about the college in advance to become an informed interviewee and/or prospective applicant.
3. Know yourself well.
4. Think about questions you would like to ask the interviewer and information about yourself that you would like to share with him/her. (It's okay to take notes and have a list of questions and points you would like to cover.)
5. Dress appropriately. Avoid extremes. (Suit/coat and tie are not necessary.)
When you have your interview
1. Be prompt. Call if you are delayed.
2. Be yourself - do not pretend to be something or someone you are not! Smile, be friendly, considerate and polite.
3. Demonstrate confidence, a willingness to learn and a genuine excitement about the challenge of going to this college. Enthusiasm is contagious! Help the interviewer visualize you as part of the student body.
4. Answer questions to the best of your knowledge and ability. Do not be afraid to admit that you don't know something.
When stumped:
Gain the time you need to think by asking a question such as, "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean.
Could you repeat or rephrase that please?"
When you do not understand:
Simply ask for clarification by asking the above question or by asking, "Could you please clarify the question? I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
5. Be ready to volunteer information - know your scores, GPA/rank in class, latest grades and what courses you now carry or will carry in your senior year. Be prepared to discuss your most important extracurricular activities, your job, summer activities or your special interests. College admission people like to know what is important to you and how you spend your time out of school.
6. If the interviewer asks what you would like to contribute to the college community, comment on such topics as: a. Your active interest in studying. b. Your desire to meet people and be a member of a community. c. Your goal to use your talents, skills and interests by participating in meaningful school activities.
7. When you are asked a questions, do not answer with "yes" or "no". Elaborate briefly. The interviewer want to hear you converse.
8. Pay attention to the interviewer and try to respond directly and specifically. Do not try to analyze the interview while it is in progress. Try to relax and enjoy the exchange.
9. Toward the end of the interview, if you have questions, or if there is information you would like to share, be sure to mention it in a way that is comfortable to you.
10. Before you leave, be sure you have your interviewer's name and title. Ask for his/her business card. Thank the interviewer for his/her time and interest in you. Shake hands. After the interview Send a thank you note to the interviewer. It shows that you have taken the time and interest to think about your recent interview. This is also a great opportunity to reinforce or clarify something from the interview or bring up something that was not discussed.
About Your Prospective Major
* In what major field are you interested? Have you had any experience in this field?
* How did your interest develop?
* What are you interested in doing after college and why?
About Your Academic Record and Your High School
* What is your GPA? SAT/ACT scores? If there is a discrepancy between your GPA and scores, can you explain it?
* What are your favorite courses taken in high school and why?
* What have you read that was not required in the past year?
* Describe your high school and the different groups within your class. Where do you fit in?
* What are some controversial issues at school? How do you/students approach these issues?
* Describe the community in which you live and your participation in it (work, sports, church).
* What do you see as the value in taking challenging courses?
* How do you measure academic success?
* How do you hope college will be different from high school?
About Your Activities, Interests and Work Experience
* What is/are your most important activity(ies)? Why?
* What work or volunteer experiences have you had during school or summers?
* What have you learned from these experiences?
* Besides working, how have you spent your summers?
* What are some qualities that may set you apart from the other people I spoke to today? (What is unique about you?)
* What local, national or global issues concern you most?
* How are you different from your friends?
About Your Interest in this College
* Who or what influenced you to consider this school?
* Do you know any alumni or present students of this college?
* Do you plan to attend here if accepted? * What other colleges have you visited? What others do you plan to apply to?
* What questions do you have for me? (It is always good to have a few.)
The document in this PDF provides an easy way to organize yourself for when applying to a college. Keep one for each to track what you need to complete.
Student
1. Completed Application Form
Read the directions for each college carefully. Send applications well before the deadlines and only send applications that are neat and complete.
Some colleges require the application to be sent with the transcript. Most want them mailed separately.
2. Official Test Scores
If your college(s) wants official SAT/ACT scores, you will need to request that a score report be mailed directly from the testing company to the college. You need to notify the testing company where you want your scores sent and keep track of where you are sending scores. This can be done via mail, telephone and the on-line (www.collegeboard.com for SAT's and www.act.org for ACT's). There is a fee for each score report that you request.
Counselor
1. High School Transcript
To send your transcript, make sure that you familiarize yourself with the procedure (see Application Cover Sheet ) and make your requests early. The person in charge of sending transcripts will be very busy and will not be able to process last minute requests. A lead time of two weeks prior to applications deadlines is strongly encouraged.
2. Counselor recommendation (if required).
Teacher
1. Teacher recommendation (if required).
NOTE: It does not matter which of these arrives first or in what order they arrive as long as everything gets to the college by the deadline. The first item that arrives starts a file in the admissions office. As additional pieces of information arrive, they are added to the file.
Consider "Priority Deadlines" to be absolute deadlines.
Keep track of what you have sent and what you need to send.
Use the Application Organizer and create a folder for each college to which you are applying.
Make copies of everything you send and keep these copies in their folders.
You may wish to include a self-addressed, stamped postcard in your application materials. The mail processor at the college will stamp the date received and return to you. This will help to keep track of when the admissions office receives your application materials.
Before you start to write:
1. Begin thinking of essay topics early in the fall.
2. Write a time-line of your life, noting special dates and important events.
3. Make a list of five or six possible essay topics and discuss them with your friends, parents and teachers.
4. Find a quiet place and "write" the essay in your mind.
While you are writing:
1. Make sure you are answering the question appropriately.
2. Have a dictionary and a thesaurus handy.
3. Try different atmospheres. Write in silence or with music.
4. If you get "writer's block," first try writing the whole essay the way you would say it.
Or, "talk" the essay into a tape recorder. Write whatever you are thinking.
5. Seek assistance from an English teacher.
6. Let your essay sit for a few days, then re-read it. You'll probably find a number of improvements you can make.
Before you finalize and mail it:
1. Double-check for spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes.
2. Check for wordiness. Most essays could make their point more effectively if they were about half as long.
3. Make sure the essay looks neat.
4. Make sure you are satisfied with the essay. Does it reflect your personality and how you want to present yourself? Can you say, "This sounds like me?" 5. Ask an adult to proofread your essay.
6. Make sure your name and social security number are on each page of your essay before photocopying.
EDIT, EDIT, EDIT!!
The above are tips from "Essays That Worked", edited by Boykin Curry and Brian Kasbar.
Guidance Counselor Recommendation:
Your counselor will write a comprehensive letter of recommendation for you. This descriptive letter is sent with your transcript to all schools to which you apply. This recommendation is developed through personal contact with you, your school record and teacher input.
Teacher Recommendations Requested by the Colleges:
If a college requires letters of recommendation from teachers, they will include forms in your application packet. It is strongly recommended that these letters be written by your junior or senior teachers, as colleges prefer to hear about your most recent academic performance. You should first inquire whether a teacher is willing to write a recommendation for you and make your request early. Provide each teacher with the college form, along with a stamped envelope addressed to each college. Teachers will then send these forms directly to the colleges. Since most colleges request similar information, teachers generally write one letter of recommendation which they will duplicate and mail to every college you indicate. While most colleges request only one letter of recommendation, some will require two. If that is the case, you should ask a teacher in another department and follow the same procedure.
Other Letters of Recommendation:
It may be appropriate for you to include letters of recommendation from an employer, coach or other advisor. We suggest that these letters be on appropriate letterhead if possible, and addressed "To Whom It May Concern." These letters will be kept on file in the Guidance Office, duplicated and set with your application packet, or you may send them directly to the colleges yourself.
Note: Sending too many letters of recommendation can work against you. As a rule of thumb, do not have people send letters unless they know you well enough to provide direct observations of your performance in and area not already documented. Your guidance counselor will be able to advise you about the appropriateness of extra letters
Standardized test scores give colleges some indication of a student's aptitude for college work, however these scores are only one of several criteria used in the admissions decisions. Colleges accept students with a range of scores; colleges resource books generally indicate the middle range of scores (25th to 75th percentile) for accepted freshmen. Test scores are one way a student can assess his/her chances for admission at a given college.
There is small list of colleges for which standardized testing is optional. For a list of these schools, check out www.fairtest.org.
SAT schedule |
ACT schedule |
TOEFL schedule |
AP schedule |
SAT Registration Online |
SAT II: ELPT schedule |
The SAT Reasoning Test is the nation's most widely used admissions test among colleges and universities. It tests students' knowledge of subjects that are necessary for college success: reading, writing, and mathematics. The SAT assesses the critical thinking skills students need for academic success in college—skills that students learned in high school.
The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors. It tells students how well they use the skills and knowledge they have attained in and outside of the classroom—including how they think, solve problems, and communicate. The SAT is an important resource for colleges. It's also one of the best predictors of how well students will do in college.
Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800, with two writing subscores for multiple-choice questions and the essay. It is administered seven times a year in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Territories, and six times a year overseas.
These tests measure a student's mastery of specific subjects. Scores are used primarily for placement purposes, sometimes allowing a student to bypass an introductory college course. However, they are also often used by highly selective colleges for the admissions process. Many selective colleges will "recommend" or "require" the SAT II (usually a writing test, a math test and a third subject of choice). Students generally take SAT II Subject Tests in June of their sophomore and/or junior years as they complete courses (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Math and U.S. History).
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The TOEFL measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is used in college and university settings.
Scores on the test are required by more than 4,300 two- and four-year colleges and universities, professional schools, and sponsoring institutions.
The test includes four sections (Listening, Structure, Reading and Writing), plus computer tutorials and a break. It takes between three and one-half and four hours to complete everything. The test is offered on computer at a testing center in South Portland.
Appointments are available throughout the year, but you must call at least three days before your first-choice appointment date. Centers fill quickly, so it is best to schedule your appointment early. You can only test once per calendar month. The busiest months are October, November, December, April, and May. The TOEFL costs $110; if you receive free or reduced school lunch, see your counselor to find out about a fee reduction. For more information on the TOEFL, visit the Student Services Office or www.toefl.org.
The ACT measures achievement, or what students have learned in the past, versus aptitude (SAT). It is another test that may be used in the admissions process and is accepted by most colleges in the United States
200-820 Portland High School Code
20-270 Portland High Test Center Code for SAT (not all test dates offered at P.H.S. - check registration bulletin)
189520 Portland High Test Center Code for ACT (not all test dates offered at P.H.S. - check registration bulletin)
20-265 Deering High Test Center for SAT (check registration bulletin for dates)
Financial Aid Information on the Web
The attached PDF contains information about many sources of scholarships.
P.H.S. Student Services Office
A wide variety of materials are available for students and parents to access during the school day.
Resources include:
* Reference books on college admissions, financial aid, college majors, careers
* College viewbooks and course catalogs
* Videos (take a video tour of a college campus)
* College applications
* Scholarship applications
* Choices 2003 - Multi-faceted computer program about college and career options
Library/Bookstores
There are dozens of college admissions books available at bookstores and the local library. Find a book that you like - some are more data oriented, others more subjective.
College Information on the Web
www.collegeboard.com College Board/SAT Info
www.act.org ACT Information On-line
www.collegeedge.com Search for colleges
www.commonapp.org Common Application
www.uwaterloo.ca/canu/index.html Canadian Universities
www.clas.ufl.edu/CLAS/american-universities.html College Home Pages
www.smart.net/~pope/hbcu/hbculist.htm Historically Black Colleges
The United States military is the nation's single largest employer. It offers training and employment in over 300 job specialties, 75% of which have civilian counterparts.
ASVAB
Obligations & Benefits
Basic Training
The Reserves and National Guard
The Academies