College essay writing tips, free!

Dear Parents,

The College Essay, or Personal Statement, is the most challenging and perplexing aspect of the college application for high school students. What do I write about? What are the colleges looking for? But it is also that part of the application which is most in your control. A strong essay will make a difference.

Last year, we gave some attention to this subject and we will address it again soon. In the meanwhile, you can also learn more from the following free presentation, offered at Katonah Library:

College Application & Essay - Strategies for Success, Wednesday, October 6th, 7-8:30 p.m.

Join Dr. Gay Pepper, college counselor, & Mr. Bill Ford, Westchester teacher and tutor, in this workshop for college-bound students and their parents. Learn what strategies will work best for the common college application and the 8 steps to your own essay.


If at all possible, don't let these opportunities slip by!
Mr. Pilsner

PSAT

Dear Parents:

On Wednesday, October 13, we will be administering the PSAT exam here at Montfort. The exam will run from 9am – 12noon. Dismissal will be immediately following the conclusion of the exam. It is expected that all sophomores and juniors will sit for the test. The exam is optional for freshmen. Any freshmen wishing to take the exam must sign up with Mr. Pilsner by Friday, October 8. Students not scheduled to take the exam are off from school for the entire day.

More PSAT/scholarship info from Mr. Pilsner:

Dear Montfort Parents,

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)–a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

Each year, about 50,000 PSAT test-takers are invited to compete for National Merit Scholarships. The first step in qualifying for this competition is attaining a high combined score on the PSAT.

As you'll note in the Student Entry Requirements, the competition is open to third-year students in high school. This of course refers to juniors, but on occasion a sophomore may be in his or her third year, having repeated a previous grade level.

Your son or daughter will be able to enter this competition just by registering for the PSAT in October and by answering four simple qualifying questions on the answer sheet.

We therefore offer our juniors a special word of encouragement: Study up for the PSAT in the coming two weeks and go for broke!

Cheers,
John Pilsner
______________________________

Click the link for more information on The National Merit Scholarship competition.

PSAT information from Mr. Pilsner:

Dear Montfort Parents,

As you know, the standardized aptitude tests called the SAT and the ACT are among the most significant criteria for college acceptances and scholarships. Though judgments about academic performance based on these tests are necessarily limited, they still have value. An institution like The Montfort Academy does not have a tradition and reputation dating back 50 years and more, and it is important that others evaluating our students have an indication of their educational level and academic accomplishments.

The time is fast approaching for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, or PSAT. As a preparation for the SAT, it typically appeals to sophomores and juniors. But any student can take the PSAT. The test is low-stakes, taken for practice and for self-evaluation. The scores are stored in a secure data base (erased every few years), they do not go on your high school academic record, and a student's prospective colleges are not informed.

The PSAT measures: 1) Critical reading skills, 2) Math problem-solving skills, 3) 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 National Merit Scholarships (I will describe this in a subsequent email).

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.

You can read more about the PSAT on the web site for the College Board:
Click here

This year, the PSAT will be administered at Montfort on Wednesday, October 13th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

In the spring, I put out the call for sign-ups and received 27 responses from parents. Yet I also realize that some who turned it down may have changed their mind. Therefore, I ordered several extra exams.

As last year, a fee of $15 is collected for exam scoring and handling. Please send in a check payable to The Montfort Academy by Friday, October 8th. Any student who did not sign up in the spring will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

A PSAT Practice Test!
Because we want our students to do their very best, we would also like to offer them the opportunity to take a free practice test here at Montfort on Friday, October 8th, from approximately 2:30 PM to 5:20 PM. Practice tests will reduce test anxiety and help students perform better on the “official” PSAT as well as the SAT. Those who wish to take the practice exam will meet in Room 3 at 2:30 (after the Divine Mercy) and can arranged to be picked up between 5:20 and 5:30 PM.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to drop me a telephone message or email. Thank you!

Yours sincerely,

John Pilsner
College Placement and Guidance

Military Academy information from Congressman Scott Murphy:

Dear Friend,

It is my honor to nominate high school students from Upstate New York for admission to our nation’s service academies. These academies develop leaders as they prepare to serve our country as military officers.

I will be hosting a Military Academy informational session this Saturday, October 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m at the Shenendehowa High School East Cafeteria, 970 Route 146 in Clifton Park.

This informational session will be a good chance for high school sophomores and juniors, interested in attending the military academies, and their parents, to meet with representatives from each school – West Point, Annapolis, as well as the Air Force and Merchant Marine Academies. Each year, I nominate a select group of students to be eligible for admission to these four service academies. While final admission decisions are made by the individual institutions, I have the honor of nominating outstanding young students for consideration by each academy.

Our nation’s men and women in uniform are the best in the world, and this session will be a chance for parents and high school students to talk with representatives from each of the service academies. If you would like to RSVP or receive more information about this event, you can call my office at (518) 581-8247. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Scott Murphy
Member of Congress

Click here to go to Scott Murphy's website for more information

SAT/PSAT offer:

Dear Parents,

Because Optimum has just partnered with a testing company called MS Varsity, they are offering a free SAT or PSAT course (a $99 value) for their subscribers. I hope some of you can benefit from this offer, which is suitable for a student at any grade level. But it expires in October, so act now! Click here to read more and register.

Thank you Mr. Magalona for bring this to our attention.

Best wishes for cooler times ahead,

John Pilsner

Ivy Insiders Test Prep

Dear Parents,

Greetings! I hope you're all standing up to this summer's heat wave and that no one has melted or boiled away. Things just have to get better from here!

The SAT preparation course is coming up soon. Only 3 weeks, 3 days per week, can make a big difference in a student's language and math skills, testing ability, SAT scores, and scholarship offers down the road. The course is highly recommended for those who will be seniors or juniors next year, but sophomores are also welcome to advance themselves. With this in mind, please read Caitlyn's message below.

Wishing you a few happy and leisurely weeks ahead,
John Pilsner

_________________________________


Hello Montfort Students and Parents,

I hope the summer is going well for you! I am writing to let you know that Montfort's SAT course is starting soon on July 19th, and there are still spots open in the class. You can see the full course schedule by clicking here. "Details" at the right of the Montfort course listing here: .

Ivy Insiders is a relatively new company founded in 2003, with the mission to return Ivy League students back to their hometowns each summer to help younger students achieve the same success in the college admissions process. Our instructors consistently produce average score improvements of 250 points on the SAT, and my own students last year were just as successful. This is my second year with the company, and I am looking forward to helping another group of students reach their goals on the SAT!

Preparing for the SAT during the summer is an opportunity for students to get an edge in the college admissions process without adding to their academic year workload. Higher scores enable students to apply to more selective colleges, and also gain them more substantial merit-based scholarships after they are accepted. Mr. Pilsner and I are very excited to offer the Ivy Insiders course at Montfort this summer, and I hope to include your sons and daughters in the class. A few rising juniors and seniors from John Jay have already registered and I would like to limit the class size to 10, so please contact me if you would like to register your son or daughter for class. You can reach me any time by email at caitlyn_sommers@ivyinsiders.com or by phone at (914) 552-8573. I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,
Caitlyn Sommers

The Fordham Institute of Reading Development

Fordham College of Liberal Studies has an Institute of Reading Development that may be of interest to many high school students. From their website: "Students in these programs double reading speed, improve comprehension, and learn a step-by-step approach to reading, studying, and taking notes in fiction and non-fiction. They also develop the ability to become fully absorbed in books, which makes reading enjoyable and supports the habit of reading for pleasure."

Find out more:

Click here if you are entering 9th, 10th or 11th grade


(Oh, and this year's book? Yep, the book pictured here, lucky students!)

Click if you are entering the 12th grade.

Some classes in some locations are already booked; a few spots remain open. Class are usually in the evenings, and meet once a week in a workshop type setting, for two and a half hours for five weeks, starting in late June. Cost is around $335, which includes materials and tax and is an excellent price for something that will help with PSAT/SAT/ACT skills.

Why PSAT?

Q: What do

John G. Roberts (Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court)

Manoj "M. Night" Shyamalan (Director, filmmaker, two-time Academy Award nominee, known for films such as The Sixth Sense and Signs)

and

Benjamin A. "B. Alvin" Drew (Colonel in the United States Air Force, Air Force pilot, NASA astronaut)

all have in common?

A: They are all National Merit Scholarship winners.

Dear Parents,

Each year, some 50,000 students chosen from a pool of 1.5 million PSAT test-takers are invited to compete for National Merit Scholarships. The first step in qualifying for this competition is attaining a high combined score on the PSAT.

As you'll note in the Student Entry Requirements below, the competition is open to third-year students in high school only. Of course this most often refers to students in their junior year, but other times, age alone does not necessarily determine a student's grade-level status. Incoming first-year students and second-year students can look forward to the competition in their third year. (Taking the PSAT as a freshman / sophomore and again as a junior does not constitute grounds for disqualification.)

Your son or daughter will be able to enter this competition by registering for the PSAT in October and by answering four qualifying questions on the answer sheet.

We therefore encourage our rising juniors to begin studying for the PSAT and SAT this summer and to keep reaching for the stars!

Yours in Christ,
John Pilsner
______________________________
National Merit Scholarship Program

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)–a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

Student Entry Requirements

To participate in the National Merit® Scholarship Program, a student must:

-take the PSAT/NMSQT® in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern;

-be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning to enroll full time in college no later than the fall following completion of high school; and

-be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law.

For more information on qualifications and the NMS competition, please see their web site.

Register now for the PSAT

Dear Parents,

First, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new Montfort parents and students. I look forward to meeting all of you and sharing with you the journey of secondary education, national testing, and college preparation!

Believe it or not, the deadline is fast approaching for ordering the Preliminary SAT (PSAT), to be administered Wednesday, October 13, 2010. This test mirrors the SAT in its format, but with content suited to a second-year high school student. All rising sophomores are asked to participate in this test, which is a crucial step toward preparing for the SAT. Not only is the PSAT an essential practice tool, helpful in understanding individual strengths and deficiencies, but handsome scholarships are also offered to sophomores who score exceptionally well (that is, a fraction of the top one percent).

We also invite rising juniors and incoming freshmen to take the PSAT. For juniors, it provides a structured environment in anticipation of their first SAT trial; for freshmen, it provides a preliminary glimpse into the world of aptitude test-taking and helps them to assess the skills needed to succeed. Since the scores are not sent to prospective colleges and are not recorded on the student transcript, it is truly a low-stakes test.

The cost is a modest $15, which covers both scoring the test and mailing. Payment will be collected in September.

At this point, we need a show of participation. Would you like your daughter or son to take the PSAT? Please send an email confirmation to me by Tuesday, June 1st so that we can order enough copies of the test.

Thank you for your reply. We wish all our students the blessings of memory, intellectual acuity, and inspiration as they study for final exams and regents!


Yours sincerely in Christ,

John Pilsner
Testing Coordinator
Academic Guidance Counselor
Director of College Admissions

Ivy Insiders Test Prep

Dear Parents of Juniors and Sophomores,

Caitlyn Sommers, Branch Manager for Ivy Insiders and a U. Penn junior, will be teaching a three-week preparation course for a select group of students (limited to about 10) here at Montfort, from July 19th to August 9th. Classes will take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 9am to 1pm on Mondays and from 9am to 12pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. It is best to start early, before the temperature climbs to the hottest part of the day. Attached you will find impressive promotional literature from Ivy Insiders and a class calendar for Montfort. Caitlyn will visit Montfort before the year's end, so that parents and students can meet the teacher. You can also view Caitlyn's profile here.

Preparation is a must for juniors, and sophomores have a golden opportunity to overcome SAT jitters and get on the straight and narrow path to higher scores. This year once again it is evident that students with good SAT scores are offered more substantial merit scholarships - as much as several thousand dollars more per year - and are able to gain entry to colleges and universities with reputations for a higher standard of education. Surely this is an investment with a quick return!

The cost for the course is $599 ($100 less than last year), payable on the web site or by check. Click here to enroll on Caitlyn's Instructor page.

Here is also a link to the course schedule offered at Montfort.

I would happy to discuss this course or any other options with you. Whatever you do, please form a clear and definitive plan.

Sincerely,
John Pilsner

College Money Matters

Dear Parents,

If you are looking for some practical strategies of this nature, please see the "free," practical advice published by Simple Tuition, a partner of the Princeton Review (it's only 5 pages). Most of the ideas seem to me smart and sensible.

Yours in Christ,
John Pilsner

Go to
Get The Complete Guide to a Better Financial Aid Offer and click on the green "download" button on the lower left.

SAT insider info:

Dear Parents of Juniors and Sophomores,

Congratulations on the juniors' first expedition into the world of official SAT testing! Now they know the test is not a push-over. It requires specific academic skills and lots of practice. These skills are not simply test-related but are useful for life, ordinary and professional.

At many college institutions, SATs are weighted equally (or nearly equally) with academic average in the scholarship formulas. Therefore a good score will improve a student's chances for merit-based scholarships significantly.

The juniors learned that they will have to work harder if they want to improve their scores. This means we must act in a determined and concerted way to do better. When it comes to college scholarships, SAT preparation is one of the wisest investments you can make.

And so I propose that each and every junior (and ambitious sophomores too!) enroll in the SAT preparation course which will be offered at Montfort this summer by Caitlyn Sommers, a current junior at the University of Pennsylvania and branch manager for "Ivy Insiders," a top-tier SAT/ACT preparation service staffed by Ivy League students. (See Caitlyn's profile here).

Caitlyn, herself a high-achiever on the SAT, knows the ropes of the test and will be able to show our students how to get there step-by-step. We will make the course as affordable as possible for the students, well below the current rates for Kaplan and similar courses - and more effective at the same time.


ACTs

Juniors must also think seriously about taking the ACTs, a nationally recognized alternative to the SATs. Many students from our area have found that they can score better on the ACTs than the SATs. I myself have seen this work. When your ACT score reaches a higher national percentile than your SATs - bingo! - you make it into a better scholarship category, even though the college has both scores. (Admissions counselors do not "average" the two scores.)


SUBJECT TESTS

Next, we have to talk about SAT subject tests. There are several reasons to take them. First, they are required for applications to the better colleges. Second, they show your achievement in an areas not covered by the SAT general test. You should take two or more subject tests in the areas where you do best. Third, SAT subject tests demonstrate to a college that you are developing special interests, and they like that. It tells them more about you. It also gives you a chance to "show off." Even if your score is not off the charts, chances are your ability will shine through. Subjects tests are offered in: Literature, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, U.S. History, World History, Mathematics (level 1 and 2), Italian, and Latin.


REGISTRATION

I have already encouraged juniors to enroll in subject tests for May 1st. Another opportunity is coming soon after, June 5th. Although this is Montfort's graduation day, you should not miss a valuable opportunity to show what you have learned this year, especially in Literature and US History, two courses with AP-approved curricula. You can register on the College Board web site.

Juniors: Don't wait, act now! Sophomores: Get ready to spring into action!
It's your future...and God has big plans for you!!!

Sincerely,
John Pilsner

Well done, Montfort senior John Kret!

Below is Montfort senior John Kret's acceptance letter into the Merchant Marine Academy. Click on the letter for a larger view. Click here to read about the prestigious Merchant Marine Academy. And congrats to you, John!

SAT Prep Reminder:

Dear Parents,

Tomorrow, which is Tuesday, February 9th, Mr. Antonios will host our second SAT preparation session in mathematics. This class is especially critical for all juniors, whose first SAT general test is fast approaching (March 13th). Kudos to several sophomores who are benefiting as well, looking ahead to next year's challenges. In this class, please be prepared to:

*
Correct remaining problems from previous practice test and/or hand out solutions
*
Go over some important strategies and recommendations
*
Review a few basic Algebra concepts
*
Hand out a practice section as a homework

Those who attended the previous class in mathematics should bring the homework. Attendance will be taken.

From the class which I conducted last Tuesday in vocabulary and semantics ("Sentence Completion"), it is clear that a few basic strategies often yield immediate results. Therefore we can't afford to miss out on these opportunities to work together and achieve better results!

Yours sincerely in Christ,
John Pilsner

SAT Registration Deadline!

Dear Parents of Juniors,

I am sending this message separately to call your attention to the urgent deadline approaching. We are encouraging registration for the SAT on March 13th for very practical reasons. The only other testing date for the general SAT before the end of the school year is June 5th, which conflicts with Montfort's Graduation.

It is also critical that students have adequate time to study for the SAT II exams, to be taken on May 1st. Taking the SAT IIs in Literature and History at this time corresponds to the Advanced Placement curricula they have been following this year.

So please register within the next couple of days: here.

Both the SAT I and the SAT IIs should be taken again in the fall, after a summer of more intense preparation.

Thank you, and God bless!
John Pilsner

SAT Prep Reminder:

Dear Parents,

Many people don't realize that a good performance SAT is not only about saving college tuition down the road but it is also helpful in developing essential language and math skills. Studying for this test contributes to one's overall education, while learning the ropes early will help a student to understand the test better, to progress more quickly, and to score higher on the exam.

This is a rare opportunity which should not be missed. And yet some of those who need SAT preparation most urgently did not attend our first session in mathematics. Parents may feel free to contact me regarding the attendance of their son or daughter.

This Tuesday, February 2nd, we will begin preparatory sessions in Critical Reading from 3:00 - 4:00 PM. This part of the test concerns not just vocabulary but what words mean in context and how key terms are related. I encourage all who truly want to succeed to come with the College Board's Official SAT Study Guide. (If the student doesn't have the book yet, he or she can attend anyway.)

Once again, the Tuesday SAT schedule (3 - 4pm) is as follows:

January 26th
February 2nd
February 9th
(February 16th -Winter Recess, no school)
February 23rd
March 2nd
March 9th

This message will soon be posted on the Montfort College Blog, along with other previous messages which you may have missed in the past. Please refer to this link:

The Montfort Academy College Blog


Reminders:

1) register by February 4th for the SAT I test date of March 13th
2) register by March 25th for the SAT II test date of May 1st
SAT registration


Study Guide

We will use the official College Board Study Guide, which includes 10 full practice tests


Many resources are available, including practice questions and strategies, through the web site. Why not get started right away with a personalized study plan?


Yours Sincerely,

John Pilsner
College Admissions & Testing Coordinator

SAT Preparation: Charge!

Dear Parents,

Many students who take the SAT I for the first time do not prepare. Instead, they say to themselves "I guess I'll see how I do this time around and then prepare afterwards." This means that students use the official test as a diagnostic to determine how they will study prior to taking the exam the second time.

If scoring well on the SAT I is important to you (that is, if you want to advance your math and language skills and to save, potentially, thousands of dollars on college tuition), then why delay steady preparation? Delay means time and resources will pass you by. Delay means cramming during the summer, when you are distracted with other things. So why allow this to happen, when you can take control of the circumstances and exercise responsibility right now?

We at Montfort want to do our best to help our students. Therefore, beginning on Tuesday, January 26th, we will begin our SAT preparatory sessions from 3:00 - 4:00 PM. The schedule of dates are as follows:

January 26th
February 2nd
February 9th
(February 16th -Winter Recess, no school)
February 23rd
March 2nd
March 9th

There will be no extra fee for these sessions, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. But remember too that they will be limited in scope and can only familiarize students with the most basic parameters of the test. Therefore it is important that juniors attend regularly and that practice exercises be completed at home. Three sessions will be dedicated to math and one session each to vocabulary, critical reading, and writing.


Remember to register for the SAT I and SAT IIs

1) register by February 4th for the SAT I test date of March 13th
2) register by March 25th for the SAT II test date of May 1st
Click here to register.


Study Guide

We will use the official College Board Study Guide, which includes 10 full practice tests.


Many resources are available, including practice questions and strategies, through the web site. Why not get started right away with the College Board's personalized study plan?

Let's build some momentum and go for it!!!

Yours Sincerely,

John Pilsner
Testing Coordinator


(Some scheduling conflicts with extra-curricular activities are unfortunately inevitable.)

The first college news for our 2010 seniors!

Dear Parents,

Although it is early in the application process, three of our seniors have already been notified of several college acceptances and generous scholarship offers. (In alphabetical order)


Mark Edelson has been accepted to each of the following, with scholarships:

* Franciscan University (Steubenville, OH)
* Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)
* University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN)

and has also been accepted to:

* Ave Maria University (Naples, FL)


Ryan Fennell has been accepted to the following, with scholarship:

* Berkeley College (White Plains, NY)

and has also been accepted to:

* Central Pennsylvania College (Summerdale, PA)
* Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ)


John Kret has been offered a full, four-year scholarship to:
* Merchant Marine Academy (King's Point, NY)


We are proud of our students' achievements and we look forward to more good news in the coming months. Many applications are still making their way through the financial aid process, with scholarship offers pending, while others are not yet due.

Yours in Christ,

John Pilsner
Director of College Admissions

Columbus Citizens Foundation College Scholarships

Dear Parents of Seniors,

Happy new year and a blessed Feast of the Mother of God to all of you! May 2010 be a year of God's blessings and miraculous works.

The Columbus Citizens Foundation offers generous, four-year college scholarships. Below are the eligibility requirements. Click here to download an application, and a link to the web site is here. Applications are due on February first.

"Italian descent" is not defined, so it appears distant relations would be considered. There is also a category for Italian-American heritage derived through a "Guardian."

Peace on earth, good will to all!
John Pilsner


________________________

Columbus Citizens Foundation, Inc.
2010 College Scholarship Program

Eligibility:

Students who are of Italian descent and who are from households where the total gross income does not exceed $25,000 per capita are eligible. Only seniors in high school who will enter college as freshmen in Fall 2010 are eligible to apply.

Students must also submit transcripts of their academic records and have a minimum grade average of 85% or a 3.25 GPA. They must also demonstrate that they have performed community service activities.

Students must be a resident of one of the following states: NY, NJ, DE, DC, MD, PA, VT, RI, ME, MA, NH, CT

Process:

Families of students interested in receiving a college scholarship must submit an application that contains detailed and confidential personal information. It must be sent to the Private School Aid Service, an independent financial review company that will determine eligibility based on financial need.

The applications of families that qualify for financial aid are then sent to the Columbus Citizens Foundation. A committee reviews and evaluates the applications and asks applicants and their families to visit the Foundation for a mandatory interview.

Approximately a month after all interviews have been held, the committee decides which applicants will be awarded scholarships. Notification is made by mail.