Dear Montfort Parents,
This year we have a comprehensive strategy for our students, especially those taking the SATs for the first time.
1. When we return from the Christmas break (January), Mr. Antonios and I will be offering short, guided study sessions on Tuesdays, from 3-4pm. This will consist of discussing the test parameters for particular sections and questions, laying out strategies for time-efficiency and process of elimination, and doing practice exercises. We will alternate between verbal/writing and math every other week. These sessions will be open to students of any grade, but are especially designed for juniors. No additional fees will be requested. Please keep in mind that our preparation at Montfort will be limited in time and scope and are not intended to replace intensive SAT preparation courses.
2. We will build a momentum leading up to the SAT I exam on Saturday, March 13, 2010. We strongly encourage juniors to register in advance for this test date, so please mark this on your calendar. You must set up an account on The College Board web site to register: http://www.collegeboard.com/
3. After March 13th, we will concentrate on preparing juniors for SAT Subject Tests (or SAT IIs) in History and Literature, on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Admissions offices across the nation now recognize SAT IIs (and ACTs) as an important addition to the student's academic profile. Many of the more competitive colleges and universities now require two or even three subject tests for the application! At present juniors are following an AP curriculum in History and in Literature, and so it makes good sense for them to take these subject tests towards the end of their junior year.
Juniors
Juniors will have the summer months to study further, and we strongly recommend enrolling in an SAT summer course. Unless a student happens to be a super-highly-motivated individual, willing to work long hours for many days by himself or herself, there is no better way to get to know the substance and parameters of the SAT. As last summer, we will arrange for courses to be offered at Montfort by an experienced SAT prep teacher, so that our students can benefit from a reduced rate.
A new series of test dates will be offered in the fall of 2010, and all students have the opportunity to improve their scores before college applications are due. Please keep in mind that early decision application deadlines are set any time between October and January (deadlines vary greatly according to the institution).
Thank you for working with us so that our Montfort students will strive for greater achievements and have an increased potential for scholarship opportunities in the future. Wishing God's blessings on all.
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Academic Guidance
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The PSATs are in!
Dear Parents,
The results for the PSAT arrived yesterday morning. Congratulations to all!!! Needless to say, some students were highly satisfied with their results, while others were a bit disappointed. So now it is time to take advantage of the results, devise a study plan, and prepare to aim higher!
I distributed to each student his or her Score Report Plus, which offers a detailed analysis of test performance as well as each of the questions on the test. I've outlined three of the most important items to consider:
1. Please see the web page which explains the Score Report Plus distributed to each student yesterday and go over the results with your son or daughter. (pasted in below, or link) In mid-December, each student will have access to "My College QuickStart," an online guide to the test questions and a personalized college planning tool. It is explained below. While the PSAT is a low-stakes test, it is also a vital indicator of strengths and weaknesses in the areas tested.
2. There are two basic ways of looking at scores:
a) the numerical scores: Multiplied by ten, these scores correspond to the SATs. For example, a 64 in Critical Reading = 640 (out of 80 = 800).
b) the percentage: This ranks a student based on those sophomores and juniors who took the test. Any student younger than a sophomore (that is, freshmen) are ranked with sophomores. The percentage measures how many others you scored higher than in your grade level, therefore 99 is the highest.
3. Please note that the National Merit Scholarships apply to juniors only. Juniors can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship IF they apply to one of the colleges listed in the information/practice test booklet and if they score well on the test. See the information/practice test booklet for details.
My sincere wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your families!
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Academic Guidance
____________________________
PSAT/NMSQT® Score Report Plus
Helping Your Child Use Score Report Plus
http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/tests/meet-tests/31008.html
Be sure to look beyond the scores when you read your student's PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus. You'll find a thorough review of his performance and suggestions for improvement in school and out, as well as advice and tools for college and career preparation.
Scores
Your student's PSAT/NMSQT scores are printed right at the top of the report. Each score—one each for critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills—is based on a scale of 20-80. But the scores are just the beginning. Other important data available on the report include score ranges and percentiles.
Score ranges show how much scores might vary if your student were to take the PSAT/NMSQT repeatedly without learning additional skills. In other words, the scores within this range are considered equal, statistically.
Percentiles compare your student's performance to that of other students, nationally. If he or she is in eleventh grade, his or her score is compared to the scores of all eleventh-graders who took the test. If he or she is in tenth grade or younger, his score is compared to the scores of all tenth-graders who took the test.
Review Your Answers
Here you'll find the correct answer, your student's response, and the difficulty level of each question. For math questions, the general area of math that is covered is also indicated. Your student should receive his or her original test book along with his or her Score Report Plus. Reviewing questions he or she got wrong is an excellent way for your student to prepare for the SAT®. Encourage him or her to look into the reasons he or she got them wrong:
* Did he or she not know the answer? Or was there another reason he responded incorrectly?
* Did he or she make a careless error?
* Did he or she guess instead of leaving the question blank?
Reviewing answers and going over difficult questions with a teacher will help your student improve his skills and performance.
Improve Your Skills
This section lists some specific skills that your student needs to improve. These suggestions are based upon his pattern of responses across test questions. You'll find personalized feedback on up to three critical reading and mathematics skills and up to two writing skills. While other areas may also need improvement, the skills listed here are the ones that can be best improved through additional attention and learning. Share this information with your student's teachers because these skills affect classroom performance and are important for success in college.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation Programs
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) cosponsors the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The scholarship competitions are for eleventh graders only. Eleventh graders are automatically entered into the NMSC scholarship competition. Qualification is based on the Selection Index—the sum of critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills scores. In September, NMSC will notify principals of students who have been commended or are eligible for continuing in NMSC scholarship competitions.
If your student's selection index has an asterisk, it means that he is in some way ineligible to enter the competition. This is not because of his scores, but most likely because he is not yet in eleventh grade.
Educational Plans
This section offers college major information. Before the test, your student provided his grade average and the college major he's considering. Here, you'll find a description of the major he chose and recommended high school courses that will help him prepare for college-level work.
My College QuickStart™
Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive free access to My College QuickStart, a personalized college planning tool that complements the Score Report Plus. With the access code provided on his score report, your student can access the following:
* Complete answer explanations, state and national percentiles, and projected SAT score ranges
* A personalized SAT study plan based on his PSAT/NMSQT results (high school students only)
* An initial list of colleges that can be personalized using additional search criteria
* Personalized lists of majors and careers. Using the Personality Profiler, students can also find their personality types and receive suggestions for related majors and careers.
Students can access My College QuickStart until they graduate from high school.
Next Steps
With the help of teachers and counselors, students should use the information provided on the PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus and in My College QuickStart to improve their academic skills and plan for college and a career. Your student should also take the following next steps:
* Review his high school transcripts with his counselor and select strong courses for next year that will help him reach his educational and career goals.
* Consider taking AP® and honors courses in high school.
* Take the PSAT/NMSQT again in the fall of his eleventh grade, if he's in tenth grade.
* Register for the SAT in the spring, if he's in eleventh grade. Register online for upcoming SAT tests.
* Get involved in extracurricular and community activities. College admissions officials weigh the contributions that students will make to the college community.
* Visit collegeboard.com for Action Plans for all four grades of high school.
The results for the PSAT arrived yesterday morning. Congratulations to all!!! Needless to say, some students were highly satisfied with their results, while others were a bit disappointed. So now it is time to take advantage of the results, devise a study plan, and prepare to aim higher!
I distributed to each student his or her Score Report Plus, which offers a detailed analysis of test performance as well as each of the questions on the test. I've outlined three of the most important items to consider:
1. Please see the web page which explains the Score Report Plus distributed to each student yesterday and go over the results with your son or daughter. (pasted in below, or link) In mid-December, each student will have access to "My College QuickStart," an online guide to the test questions and a personalized college planning tool. It is explained below. While the PSAT is a low-stakes test, it is also a vital indicator of strengths and weaknesses in the areas tested.
2. There are two basic ways of looking at scores:
a) the numerical scores: Multiplied by ten, these scores correspond to the SATs. For example, a 64 in Critical Reading = 640 (out of 80 = 800).
b) the percentage: This ranks a student based on those sophomores and juniors who took the test. Any student younger than a sophomore (that is, freshmen) are ranked with sophomores. The percentage measures how many others you scored higher than in your grade level, therefore 99 is the highest.
3. Please note that the National Merit Scholarships apply to juniors only. Juniors can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship IF they apply to one of the colleges listed in the information/practice test booklet and if they score well on the test. See the information/practice test booklet for details.
My sincere wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your families!
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Academic Guidance
____________________________
PSAT/NMSQT® Score Report Plus
Helping Your Child Use Score Report Plus
http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/tests/meet-tests/31008.html
Be sure to look beyond the scores when you read your student's PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus. You'll find a thorough review of his performance and suggestions for improvement in school and out, as well as advice and tools for college and career preparation.
Scores
Your student's PSAT/NMSQT scores are printed right at the top of the report. Each score—one each for critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills—is based on a scale of 20-80. But the scores are just the beginning. Other important data available on the report include score ranges and percentiles.
Score ranges show how much scores might vary if your student were to take the PSAT/NMSQT repeatedly without learning additional skills. In other words, the scores within this range are considered equal, statistically.
Percentiles compare your student's performance to that of other students, nationally. If he or she is in eleventh grade, his or her score is compared to the scores of all eleventh-graders who took the test. If he or she is in tenth grade or younger, his score is compared to the scores of all tenth-graders who took the test.
Review Your Answers
Here you'll find the correct answer, your student's response, and the difficulty level of each question. For math questions, the general area of math that is covered is also indicated. Your student should receive his or her original test book along with his or her Score Report Plus. Reviewing questions he or she got wrong is an excellent way for your student to prepare for the SAT®. Encourage him or her to look into the reasons he or she got them wrong:
* Did he or she not know the answer? Or was there another reason he responded incorrectly?
* Did he or she make a careless error?
* Did he or she guess instead of leaving the question blank?
Reviewing answers and going over difficult questions with a teacher will help your student improve his skills and performance.
Improve Your Skills
This section lists some specific skills that your student needs to improve. These suggestions are based upon his pattern of responses across test questions. You'll find personalized feedback on up to three critical reading and mathematics skills and up to two writing skills. While other areas may also need improvement, the skills listed here are the ones that can be best improved through additional attention and learning. Share this information with your student's teachers because these skills affect classroom performance and are important for success in college.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation Programs
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) cosponsors the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The scholarship competitions are for eleventh graders only. Eleventh graders are automatically entered into the NMSC scholarship competition. Qualification is based on the Selection Index—the sum of critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills scores. In September, NMSC will notify principals of students who have been commended or are eligible for continuing in NMSC scholarship competitions.
If your student's selection index has an asterisk, it means that he is in some way ineligible to enter the competition. This is not because of his scores, but most likely because he is not yet in eleventh grade.
Educational Plans
This section offers college major information. Before the test, your student provided his grade average and the college major he's considering. Here, you'll find a description of the major he chose and recommended high school courses that will help him prepare for college-level work.
My College QuickStart™
Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive free access to My College QuickStart, a personalized college planning tool that complements the Score Report Plus. With the access code provided on his score report, your student can access the following:
* Complete answer explanations, state and national percentiles, and projected SAT score ranges
* A personalized SAT study plan based on his PSAT/NMSQT results (high school students only)
* An initial list of colleges that can be personalized using additional search criteria
* Personalized lists of majors and careers. Using the Personality Profiler, students can also find their personality types and receive suggestions for related majors and careers.
Students can access My College QuickStart until they graduate from high school.
Next Steps
With the help of teachers and counselors, students should use the information provided on the PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus and in My College QuickStart to improve their academic skills and plan for college and a career. Your student should also take the following next steps:
* Review his high school transcripts with his counselor and select strong courses for next year that will help him reach his educational and career goals.
* Consider taking AP® and honors courses in high school.
* Take the PSAT/NMSQT again in the fall of his eleventh grade, if he's in tenth grade.
* Register for the SAT in the spring, if he's in eleventh grade. Register online for upcoming SAT tests.
* Get involved in extracurricular and community activities. College admissions officials weigh the contributions that students will make to the college community.
* Visit collegeboard.com for Action Plans for all four grades of high school.
Monday, October 26, 2009
ACT info
Dear Parents,
You are already familiar with the College Board's "Scholastic Aptitude Test," known as the SAT. By now you will probably also have heard of the "American College Test," or ACT, a similar standardized exam for assessing educational development and scholastic aptitude. ACT originated in the Midwest, and it has been accepted or required by colleges and universities in many areas of the country for the past 50 years.
You can read more about the ACT here
At this time, more colleges and universities are accepting and looking at the ACT, even in those places where the SAT is required.
Why? The simple fact of the matter is: admissions professionals now openly admit that too often the SAT alone does not reflect accurately a student's education, aptitude & ability, and it is therefore time to move beyond the SAT. One result of this conclusion is the College Board's implementation of the SAT IIs, or SAT subject tests. Nevertheless, ACTs have also been recommended in those situations where the SAT does not sufficiently demonstrate a student's ability. Although used for a similar purpose, ACT is a different test and most students in fact seem to perform better on this test with less advance preparation.
With this in mind, please take note of the following free program offered at Katonah Village Library:
Prepare for ACT with Alan Sheptin
Free, registration required - 914-232-3508 or katref@wlsmail.org
Nov. 14, Sat., 10-1 p.m. In this session, students will sit for an ACT practice exam.
Nov. 21, Sat. 10-12:30 p.m. In this session, students will review the test they took, and Mr Sheptin will assist them with test-taking strategies.
Yours sincerely,
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Academic Guidance
You are already familiar with the College Board's "Scholastic Aptitude Test," known as the SAT. By now you will probably also have heard of the "American College Test," or ACT, a similar standardized exam for assessing educational development and scholastic aptitude. ACT originated in the Midwest, and it has been accepted or required by colleges and universities in many areas of the country for the past 50 years.
You can read more about the ACT here
At this time, more colleges and universities are accepting and looking at the ACT, even in those places where the SAT is required.
Why? The simple fact of the matter is: admissions professionals now openly admit that too often the SAT alone does not reflect accurately a student's education, aptitude & ability, and it is therefore time to move beyond the SAT. One result of this conclusion is the College Board's implementation of the SAT IIs, or SAT subject tests. Nevertheless, ACTs have also been recommended in those situations where the SAT does not sufficiently demonstrate a student's ability. Although used for a similar purpose, ACT is a different test and most students in fact seem to perform better on this test with less advance preparation.
With this in mind, please take note of the following free program offered at Katonah Village Library:
Prepare for ACT with Alan Sheptin
Free, registration required - 914-232-3508 or katref@wlsmail.org
Nov. 14, Sat., 10-1 p.m. In this session, students will sit for an ACT practice exam.
Nov. 21, Sat. 10-12:30 p.m. In this session, students will review the test they took, and Mr Sheptin will assist them with test-taking strategies.
Yours sincerely,
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Academic Guidance
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thursday, Oct 29 confirmed
Dear Parents,
I would like you-all to know that the College Information Round-Table will take place as proposed last week: Thursday, October 29th, from 6 to 8 PM. Montfort will provide water, coffee/tea and some light refreshments. It would be helpful, too, if your son or daughter is present - it is, after all, their future we're talking about!
I look forward to an interesting and constructive conversation with those of you who can attend. Thank you to all of you who have R.S.V.P.'d so far. Keep 'em coming!
Sincerely,
John Pilsner
I would like you-all to know that the College Information Round-Table will take place as proposed last week: Thursday, October 29th, from 6 to 8 PM. Montfort will provide water, coffee/tea and some light refreshments. It would be helpful, too, if your son or daughter is present - it is, after all, their future we're talking about!
I look forward to an interesting and constructive conversation with those of you who can attend. Thank you to all of you who have R.S.V.P.'d so far. Keep 'em coming!
Sincerely,
John Pilsner
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
College Information Round-Table: Thursday, October 29th, 6-8pm
Dear Parents,Planning for college and filling out applications may seem like a no-brainer. You (or your son or daughter) call some colleges, the colleges send you packets (and packets, and more packets) of information with applications, which you then fill out online or in hard copy. This sequence may in fact describe the general application process for many people. But it is also true that many, many opportunities and resources are overlooked routinely. Keeping an open mind may eventually shed light on a college or program you hadn't heard of before, or a scholarship you hadn't known about, or a life-circumstance which affects your financial aid forms. Paying attention to detail on the application can actually make the difference in an acceptance or a scholarship.
It may also be a little too easy for us to forget that college discernment involves young person's call to holiness and service. Whether one will continue a structured education, in what environment, and with what ends in mind necessarily raises the question, "What does God want me to do with my life?" or "How do I want to live my life for God?" High school students have a golden opportunity to begin serious reflection - perhaps for the first time - on how to employ their God-given talents, intellectual abilities, personalities, and inclinations. They can - indeed they should - begin to dream about and, where possible, to explore college majors, professions, and occupations - all in the context of a single, married, or religious life.
That said, I would like to plan a round-table discussion about colleges and college applications, on Thursday, October 29th, from 6 - 8 PM. We can discuss such practical topics as:
* Shopping colleges, majors, and careers: what are some resources?
* Different learning environments: what urban, suburban, and rural campuses have to offer
* Maintaining and strengthening a Catholic and Christian identity during the college years
* Making the application the best it can be, even the common application
* Why paying close attention to the college essay benefits the applicant
* SATs & ACTs: what can we do about it now?
* Financial aid and loans: what's out there?
We aren't limited to these topics, but they will keep us busy for a while, I guarantee!
Lastly, before we write this on the calendar with electronic ink, I would like to get a general idea how many of you are interested in getting together. Therefore, please RSVP if you would seriously consider attending an information event. Let me know too, if you are interested but the date is not available. I'll do what I can to accommodate.
Pax et bonum,
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Guidance
Monday, October 19, 2009
Reminder: College Conference is tonight!
Dear Parents,This is a reminder about the College Fair at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, tonight, Monday, October 19th, 6:30 - 9:00 PM. Over 40 Colleges will be represented, mostly from the Northeastern United States.
I was at the County Center just this afternoon for a seminar on college financial aid. They have a nice set up. It's not every day that you can talk to people from several colleges in one shot. College fairs can save you a lot of telephone time and leg-work down the road. And there are not only colleges but also guidance consultants from ACT, The College Board, career services, and other organizations.
There is a large, County Center parking lot right off of the Bronx River Parkway (a left turn if you're coming from the north), which makes getting there a lot easier.
As I said before, this would be a great time to explore the many different kinds of colleges by speaking with admissions representatives and sampling promotional materials.
The College Fair at Yorktown High School will take place from 6:30 - 9:00 PM tomorrow night.
Westchester-Putnam College Conferences
List of Colleges Attending
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Guidance
Friday, October 16, 2009
Post-PSAT info
Dear Parents,
We would like to congratulate our 27 students who sat for the PSAT yesterday:
Charles Bachmann
Mary Boulton
Alexandra Brady
Patrick Coffman
Anthony DiProperzio
Kayleigh Fonseca
Nicholas Hanley
Martin Jennings
Patrick Jennings
Jackie Kane
Valerie Kaplan
Krishna Magalona
Joseph Margand
Grace McNamara
Brian Melendez
Rocco Palumbo
Erica Pereira
Emily Petrillo
Jack Petrillo
Shannon Primavera
John Ragbir
Charles Rex
Benjamin Rodriguez
Janna Rae Rosenthal
Madelaine Sansone
Andrew Tilley
Roger Wright
You could feel the heat from all those brains hard at work in one place! (actually, Room 7 was sort of toasty already). The exams were signed, sealed, and delivered to the College Board. The scores will be delivered to Montfort and to students' home addresses sometime in early December.
A little study goes a long way on these exams. The next step is take a good look at the strengths and weaknesses, individually and as a whole, so that we can address where and how to concentrate our study efforts for the year to come.
Congratulations, and prayers for high scores!
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Academic Guidance
We would like to congratulate our 27 students who sat for the PSAT yesterday:
Charles Bachmann
Mary Boulton
Alexandra Brady
Patrick Coffman
Anthony DiProperzio
Kayleigh Fonseca
Nicholas Hanley
Martin Jennings
Patrick Jennings
Jackie Kane
Valerie Kaplan
Krishna Magalona
Joseph Margand
Grace McNamara
Brian Melendez
Rocco Palumbo
Erica Pereira
Emily Petrillo
Jack Petrillo
Shannon Primavera
John Ragbir
Charles Rex
Benjamin Rodriguez
Janna Rae Rosenthal
Madelaine Sansone
Andrew Tilley
Roger Wright
You could feel the heat from all those brains hard at work in one place! (actually, Room 7 was sort of toasty already). The exams were signed, sealed, and delivered to the College Board. The scores will be delivered to Montfort and to students' home addresses sometime in early December.
A little study goes a long way on these exams. The next step is take a good look at the strengths and weaknesses, individually and as a whole, so that we can address where and how to concentrate our study efforts for the year to come.
Congratulations, and prayers for high scores!
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Academic Guidance
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
College Fair!
Dear Parents,Westchester-Putnam College Conferences is having their annual College Fair at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, on Monday, October 19th, 6:30 - 9:00 PM. (And the Northern Westchester College Conference at Yorktown High School will be on October 20, 2009, from 6:30 – 9:00.)
Over 40 Colleges will be represented, mostly from the Northeastern United States.
This would be a great time to explore the many different kinds of colleges by speaking with admissions representatives and sampling promotional materials. Those not immediately anticipating graduation can begin acquiring information, comparing and contrasting, and building a list of colleges you might like to look further into. Those graduating in 2010 will want to talk turkey with representatives, asking about specific majors, academic programs, campus housing and other facilities, financial aid, scholarships, and application deadlines.
Don't be afraid to pop them the big question: Why should I, a student from The Montfort Academy, go to your school instead of another one?
Westchester-Putnam College Conferences
List of Colleges Attending
I will be at the one in White Plains, and I'd be happy to help out in any way I can. Please let me know if you're interested. Happy hunting!
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Guidance
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
PSAT
Dear Parents,
The PSAT exam will be administered this Wednesday, October 14th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. There is a fee of $15, which can be paid with a check to The Montfort Academy. The fee pays for the scoring of the exam by the College Board and for the cost of shipping. If your son or daughter plans to take the exam on Wednesday (tomorrow) and has not yet submitted a check, please have them bring one with him or her.
Thank you and best wishes to all our students on their exam.
Sincerely,
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Guidance
The PSAT exam will be administered this Wednesday, October 14th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. There is a fee of $15, which can be paid with a check to The Montfort Academy. The fee pays for the scoring of the exam by the College Board and for the cost of shipping. If your son or daughter plans to take the exam on Wednesday (tomorrow) and has not yet submitted a check, please have them bring one with him or her.
Thank you and best wishes to all our students on their exam.
Sincerely,
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Guidance
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
To Study or Not to Study for the PSAT?
Dear Montfort Parents,To Study or Not to Study for the PSAT? This question has been raised since the practice exam.
According to the College Board, "Spending your school years taking challenging academic courses and reading widely is the best way to get ready for the PSAT/NMSQT."
That said, taking academic courses is not the only way to prepare. The College Board provides two main avenues for extended practice:
1) The booklet which comes with the PSAT practice exam. Those who took the timed practice session last Friday already have this booklet, and I will make sure those who didn't attend have one as well. It contains detailed instructions and guided demonstrations for each section.
2) A practice section on the College Board web site, where the student can read through some test tips and practice answering a few questions. See here for more.
Eager beavers can purchase additional resources, such as the Princeton Review guide.
At this preliminary stage, the first goal should be attaining a level of familiarity with the test format. Having some advance knowledge of what to expect reduces test anxiety and nurtures the kind of focus needed to answer all the questions within the time frame.
After the PSAT, the student can "graduate" to an SAT study guide, such as this one published by the College Board, or the guide prepared by the Princeton Review.
I hope this information is helpful. Have a great day!
Totus tuus,
John Pilsner
Monday, October 5, 2009
Congrats, PSAT Pioneers!
Dear Montfort Parents,We would like to congratulate the 19 students who stayed two and a half hours late on Friday afternoon to test their skills on the practice PSAT:
Charlie Bachmann
Mary Boulton
Alexandra Brennan
Patrick Coffman
Anthony DiProperzio
Kayleigh Fonseca
Nicholas Hanley
Krishna Magalona
Joseph Margand
Grace McNamara
Rocco Palumbo
Erica Pereira
Emily Petrillo
Jack Petrillo
Shannon Primavera
Charles Rex
Benjamin Rodriguez
Janna Rosenthal
Roger Wright
What did we accomplish? Whether our students are honing their skills or sizing up the exam for the first time, all benefit from assessing the procedures and questions in each of the five sections and from exploring some of the strategies needed to answer all the questions within a limited time frame. This practice is a "psyche-up," not a "psyche-out," for the official PSAT as well as the SAT!
In order to measure their progress on future exams, I have asked each of the students to calculate his or her score, as described on the final pages of the exam booklet, and to tell me what that score is. I, in
turn, will calculate collective and class averages for verbal, math, and writing. Please encourage your son or daughter to follow through and assure them that their practice scores will not be disclosed. If there are any questions, I can help.
Thank you one and all for cooperating in this important endeavor.
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Guidance
The Montfort Academy
Monday, Oct. 5:
Dear Montfort Parents,
Katonah Library is sponsoring the following talk on Monday, Oct. 5, suitable for all high school students & parents concerned about college applications:
October 5, 2009, 7 p.m.
Navigating the Common Application - Strategies for Success with College Admissions Pro Dr. Gay Stebbins Pepper.
This workshop addresses key topics in the common application that can increase a student’s chances of being admitted. Dr. Pepper will discuss strategies:
• on how to prepare the Activity Chart (required) and the Resume (optional)
• how to write a compelling Short Answer Essay
• for the “Additional Information” section
• for completing the college supplement on why you want to attend that college
• writing personal essays that convey the your “voice”
The key to writing a winning application is understanding what colleges are really looking for as they read your application, especially the personal essay. Students will critique actual college essays, as well as brainstorm ideas about their personal essays.
ABOUT THE LECTURER
Dr. Gay Stebbins Pepper holds a B.A. with Distinction from Stanford University, a Masters from Washington University in St. Louis, and a doctorate from Columbia University. She has been a leader in college counseling for over twenty-five years.
Hope to see you there!
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Guidance
The Montfort Academy
Katonah Library is sponsoring the following talk on Monday, Oct. 5, suitable for all high school students & parents concerned about college applications:
October 5, 2009, 7 p.m.
Navigating the Common Application - Strategies for Success with College Admissions Pro Dr. Gay Stebbins Pepper.
This workshop addresses key topics in the common application that can increase a student’s chances of being admitted. Dr. Pepper will discuss strategies:
• on how to prepare the Activity Chart (required) and the Resume (optional)
• how to write a compelling Short Answer Essay
• for the “Additional Information” section
• for completing the college supplement on why you want to attend that college
• writing personal essays that convey the your “voice”
The key to writing a winning application is understanding what colleges are really looking for as they read your application, especially the personal essay. Students will critique actual college essays, as well as brainstorm ideas about their personal essays.
ABOUT THE LECTURER
Dr. Gay Stebbins Pepper holds a B.A. with Distinction from Stanford University, a Masters from Washington University in St. Louis, and a doctorate from Columbia University. She has been a leader in college counseling for over twenty-five years.
Hope to see you there!
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Guidance
The Montfort Academy
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
PSAT/PSAT practice
Dear Parents,This year, the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, or PSAT, will be administered at Montfort on Wednesday, October 14th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM . The PSAT is a low-stakes exam: it does not require any advance preparation, your scores do not go on your high school academic record, and your prospective colleges are not informed. But because we want our students to do their very best, we would like to offer them the opportunity to take a free practice test here at Montfort on Friday, October 2nd, from approximately 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Practice tests have been shown to reduce test anxiety. They will help any student to be better prepared for the “official” PSAT and the SAT.
According to the College Board, the PSAT measures:
* Critical reading skills
* Math problem-solving skills
* Writing skills
Some of the most common reasons for taking the PSAT are:
* To receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
* To see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
* To enter the competition for scholarships from NMSC (grade 11).
* To help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
* To receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.
We are registering all Montfort juniors and sophomores for the ""official" PSAT. If, however, a freshman would also like to take the exam, he or she is welcome to do so (please contact me to register). The fee per student is $15. Please have your son or daughter bring in a check payable to The Montfort Academy by Friday, October 7th.
You can read more about the PSAT on the web site for the College Board, here.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to drop me a telephone message or email. Thank you!
Yours sincerely,
John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions and Guidance
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
PSAT date
Added to the school calendar for Wednesday, October 14:PSAT from 9:00 – 12:00
Dismissal at 12:30pm. There will be no classes for students not taking the PSATs.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Catholic College Identity Guide
Click here to read the Catholic College Identity Guide, if you'd like to see which colleges participated in this survey and how they fared.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Three FREE programs!
Three important dates for anyone who is interested in FREE help getting into college:SAT MATH
with Eric Frankfort
October 7, 2009, 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesday
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Call 914-232-3508 or send email
to katref@wlsmail.org to register
In this free program, Eric Frankfort, a NYS certified math teacher, will help students prepare for the math sections in the upcoming SATs.
The three math sections in each SAT contain some problem types that are virtually the same in every SAT and which seem to cause difficulty for many students, even those who are quite proficient in math. Mr. Frankfort will review many of these type problems and teach students how to analyze them for increased SAT MATH performance, along with suggested test strategies.
Eric is a New York State Certified Math Teacher (for grades 7-12) and has taught in Westchester public schools. He holds a BSEE & MSEE in electrical engineering and worked for many years in industry.
Katonah Library
26 Bedford Road, Katonah, NY 10536
914-232-3508
email: katref@wlsmail.org
Programs are free, but registration is required. Call 914-232-3508 to register.
Navigating the Common Application -
Strategies for Success with College Admissions Pro
Dr. Gay Stebbins Pepper.
October 5, 2009, 7 p.m
High School Seniors – College application deadlines are looming!
The key to writing a winning application is understanding what colleges are really looking for as they read your application, especially the personal essay. This workshop addresses key topics in the common application that can increase a student’s chances of being admitted.
Dr. Pepper will discuss strategies:
• on how to prepare the Activity Chart (required) and the Resume (optional)
• how to write a compelling Short Answer Essay
• for the “Additional Information” section
• for completing the college supplement on why you want to attend that college
• writing personal essays that convey the your “voice”
Students will critique actual college essays, as well as brainstorm ideas about their personal essays.
ABOUT THE LECTURER
Dr. Gay Stebbins Pepper holds a B.A. with Distinction from Stanford University, a Masters from Washington University in St. Louis, and a doctorate from Columbia University. She has been a leader in college counseling for over twenty-five years.
In this free program, Eddi Zampf will help students prepare for the writing sections in the upcoming SATs.
• on how to prepare the Activity Chart (required) and the Resume (optional)
• how to write a compelling Short Answer Essay
• for the “Additional Information” section
• for completing the college supplement on why you want to attend that college
• writing personal essays that convey the your “voice”
Students will critique actual college essays, as well as brainstorm ideas about their personal essays.
ABOUT THE LECTURER
Dr. Gay Stebbins Pepper holds a B.A. with Distinction from Stanford University, a Masters from Washington University in St. Louis, and a doctorate from Columbia University. She has been a leader in college counseling for over twenty-five years.
SAT Writing
with Eddi Zampf
September 30 2009, 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesday
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Call 914-232-3508 or send email
to katref@wlsmail.org to register
In this free program, Eddi Zampf will help students prepare for the writing sections in the upcoming SATs.
She will present information and strategies designed to help students approach the writing section of the SAT exam with greater ease and confidence.
She does not teach "trick", but she will teach strategies that will help students achieve a higher score on this unique test.
Eddi Zamft is co-owner of Zamft Tutoring and has been providing tutoring services for the SAT for the past 18 years and has a M.A. in Education
Katonah Library
26 Bedford Road, Katonah, NY 10536
914-232-3508
email: katref@wlsmail.org
Friday, September 18, 2009
Three new college posts!
Click here to see the newest and latest information added to College Guidance.
Included are:
The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College. This excellent new guide for Catholic colleges is particularly concerned with the way the faith is integrated into the curriculum and how it is observed on the college campus. It comes with several informative articles.
Princeton Review's College Rankings. You'll need to create an account to use this web site, but it keeps track of a lot of helpful information for you on the "My Stuff" page. It will remember colleges that you have looked at, and you can explore what students have said on surveys about their majors at various colleges.
NCCAA: The National Catholic College Admission Association. This search guide profiles 187 Catholic colleges across the nation.
Included are:
The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College. This excellent new guide for Catholic colleges is particularly concerned with the way the faith is integrated into the curriculum and how it is observed on the college campus. It comes with several informative articles.
Princeton Review's College Rankings. You'll need to create an account to use this web site, but it keeps track of a lot of helpful information for you on the "My Stuff" page. It will remember colleges that you have looked at, and you can explore what students have said on surveys about their majors at various colleges.
NCCAA: The National Catholic College Admission Association. This search guide profiles 187 Catholic colleges across the nation.
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is offering a free, full length, proctored; practice PSAT on September 26th to students in your area. Information about the practice PSAT day is below. Call 914-722-3234 or go to Princeton Review to sign up!There is still time to take a FREE practice PSAT with The Princeton Review!
The Princeton Review is holding a free, full length, proctored practice PSAT in your area. Don’t miss this great opportunity to see how you will score on the first standardized test of the college admissions process. You’ll also receive a detailed score report analyzing your results with tips on how to boost your score.
Bedford: 9:00AM – 11:30AM
Bronxville: 9:00AM – 11:30AM
Congers: 9:00AM – 11:30AM
Poughkeepsie: 9:00AM – 11:30AM
Scarsdale: 9:00AM – 11:30AM
Getting In–The Knowledge to Get Into College, September 26- October 3
Don’t forget to register for our Getting In workshops! This is your chance to get your admissions questions answered and to discover the secrets of landing a spot at the best school for you!
FREE Getting In workshops near you. Visit www.PrincetonReview.com/events to sign up
Scarsdale 9/30/09 7:00PM – 8:30PM
To register or learn more, visit PrincetonReview.com/GettingIn or call us at 800-2Review (800-273-8439).
–The Princeton Review Team
P.S. Attend either event and receive special savings on our SAT/ACT courses!
An introductory letter from Mr. Pilsner:
Dear Students & Parents,It is my pleasure to serve The Montfort Academy as this year’s Director of College Guidance and Admissions. Having advised college students for several years and having sat on a variety of academic committees, I understand applications and decision-making at the college level, and I will assist students and parents in every way I can to discern suitable choices, to take advantage of opportunities offered, and to make the best informed decisions. As a Catholic, I also have a special interest in the role our faith plays in higher education and I am especially aware of Catholic resources and communities on or near secular college campuses.
In recent weeks, I have been developing a plan for your application process, which will include study groups, a calendar of standardized tests and deadlines, a library of college promotional materials, workshops on writing your college essay, and an exploration of your personal experience. We will have periodic visits from college admissions counselors, and we will discuss how to analyze their presentations. I will provide individual counseling as well as application review for you, and I will visit homeroom on most Tuesdays and Thursdays to convey important information and to make you aware of approaching deadlines. Other vital information will be communicated on the website and the Montfort college blog.
But now let’s start at the beginning and outline a few of our goals. Before compiling your lists of potential colleges and filling out an application, students (with a little help from their parents) need to engage in some soul-searching, such as
* Discerning the total range of your talents, your abilities and your passions for particular subjects and activities
* Considering your how various experiences and choices have shaped you, providing insights into your own character, dispositions, and skills
* Imagining yourself engaged in a variety of professional occupations and activities
A thoughtful and reflective process into will bear a fruit of its own: students can learn more about themselves, while parents and students can learn more about each other. As Catholics we are also blessed to see self-exploration in a way which is spiritual rather than self-indulgent. God is calling us at every moment in our lives, inviting us to serve Him and others in accord with the talents and abilities given to us. But is our plan also God’s plan for us? Prayerful discernment is needed to answer this question as best we can.
Now for the application. I think you all realize that the college application is a bare-bones sketch of who you are and what you aspire to. Think of it as a long résumé, a profile, or a curriculum vitae (that is, a summary of your life’s main experiences and accomplishments). With this limited amount of information, a group of professionals will sit around a table, form individual impressions, and rank students according to their own criteria. As we all know, admissions committees are looking for students who have obtained good grades consistently and who have scored well on standardized tests; and that is the reason why it is so vitally important for students to study industriously for the SATs (or SAT1), subject SATs (or SAT2s), and ACTs, to be proactive in soliciting recommendations, to learn as much as possible about colleges of interest, and to pay careful attention to every aspect of the application.
But that is far from all! Statistical studies have taught admissions counselors that students are most happy and successful when the strengths and abilities of a particular student are suited to their chosen fields of interest, and when students are passionate about their work, well-adjusted to the campus, and hopeful about their future. Thus, in recent years, admissions committees have spoken less often about “getting the best students” (that is, the high-grade achievers) and more often about “finding the right match” between the student and the college. This “match” requires a more complete profile of a student’s individual characteristics and abilities, so that the admissions counselors might better assess whether a student will grow and flourish in their college’s learning environment. Therefore personal experiences, special skills, and character attributes (such as commitment, passion, creativity, insight, and individuality) are now gaining the attention of admissions readers.
Putting our philosophical critiques about “happiness” and “success” aside for the moment, I think we can still appreciate the recent developments in admissions policies. For us it means that we will be working n several fronts to insure that the application provides a more complete portrait of who you are, with your strengths, your passions, your aspirations, and your experiences.
That said, I also want to encourage you to apply to full range of colleges, including three or more from each category
1. dream colleges (“reach”): those which are highly competitive and selective but there is an “outside chance” of acceptance
2. promising colleges (“match”): those which you hope will accept you
3. sure-shot colleges (“safety”): those which will very likely accept you
We will begin working on your lists of prospective colleges right away. But allow me to make one important point here - please don’t be afraid of applying to competitive colleges! Most often, colleges with high ratings really do have a high-quality education, from top-notch professors, to competitive classrooms, excellent facilities, and numerous opportunities for internships, job experience, and study abroad. Moreover, you never know what aspect of your profile might attract an admissions committee. I know several ways to help you stand out in a crowd. That’s what I’m here for. And please don’t rule a college out just because you think it costs too much. A reputable college won’t accept you without providing a financial strategy to make it possible.
Be assured that I am committed to helping you find colleges which best nurture our students’ abilities, strengths, and passions. Grace, after all, builds on nature. Within the next couple of weeks, students and parents should begin to check our Montfort College Blog for important dates, information, and articles relating to colleges and college applications. I look forward to working with students in and out of the classroom and to communicating with parents by phone, by email, and at Montfort in person. Ad majorem Dei gloriam.
John Pilsner
FREE for college-bound students (this means you!):
The Katonah library is a wonderful resource for every Montfort student. Located just a few blocks from school, it offers a wealth of informative programs, many designed to help high schools students navigate that tricky road to college.Coming up in the next few weeks:
September 30, Wedneday, 7-8:30 p.m. - SAT Writing with Eddi Zampf.
October 5, Monday, 7-8:30 p.m. The College Common Application & Essay - Successful Strategies with Dr. Gay Pepper, college counselor.
October 7, Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m. - SAT Math with Eric Frankf
There is no charge for these programs, but registration is required.
(And there's even a "name-the-teen-area" contest; see their website to enter.)
Friday, September 11, 2009
College reps to visit Montfort
Mr. John Pilsner, Director of college admissions, has scheduled the following representatives to come to Montfort to talk to our seniors. They will provide information about their respective colleges, admissions policies, recommendations for applying and will be able to answer any questions you may have:On Tuesday, 9/15, Ms. Caitlin Read, from Manhattan College, will be visiting our seniors.
On Thursday, 9/17, Sacred Heart University's Kevin O'Sullivan will be visitng.
On Monday, 10/26, Montfort will be visited by Katelyn O'Connor of University of Scranton.
On Thursday, 10/22, we be visited by Kaitlin Gentile, from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
On Thursday, 10/29, Mount St. Vincent's representative, Katherine Christensen, will be visiting Montfort.
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