Magen Davis Yeshivah High School Office of College Guidance and Career Services College Bulletin December 2012

Debbie Solomon (dsolomon@mdyhs.net) Steven Harris (sharris@mdyhs.net) Daniel Zide (dzide@mdyhs.net) Natalie Greenberg (ngreenberg@mdyhs.net) DecemberhasbeenaveryactivemonthinCollegeGuidance
Dec.2arealACTtestforeleventhgraderstookplacetohelpdeterminewhichtest,theACTor theSATwasamoreuserfriendlytest.PrincetonReviewconductedthistrialballoonandsent scoreresultstostudentswithaguidefortestinterpretation. Dec.4thOurSeniorCareerBreakfasttookplace.Fourteenprofessionalsinavarietyofcareers offered their advice about job requirements and educational preparation. Many shared personal stories about meaningful moments on the job. Students were able to ask questions beforerotatingtoothercareertables. Dec.6thTenthgradeclasseswereintroducedtothecollegeadmissionsprocessinaninformal classroom setting. Ms. Solomon spoke about CUNY requirements, investing in summer programs to grow interest or talents, the importance of writing compelling essays. Students viewed the Baruch college essays to become familiar with the topics. Special thanks to Mrs. Mullerforinspiringtheseworkshops! Dec.17thScoresBackWorkshoptookplaceforeleventhgraders.Thiswasanopportunityfor parentsandstudentstolearnhowtointerpretthemostrecentPSATscores,tohearfromthe AdmissionsDepartmentofBrooklynCollegeabouttheimpactofSAT/ACTscoresonthecollege admission process. Students and parents learned about test preparation options within the community. Dec.18thMDYHSwillhostaCAJUE(CounselorAdvocacyfortheJewishUniversityExperience) meeting. This is a professional organization of college guidance counselors in the New York, LongIslandandNewJerseyarea. Dec.20thVisittoYeshivaUniversity/SternCollegeforWomen.OnDec.28thseniorslistenedto Mr.MichaelStrauss,theAssociateDeanoftheSymsSchoolofBusinessofYeshivaUniversity and Mrs. Geri Mansdorf, the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions of YU Stern School for Women. Students were inspired to take a tour of these schools and get better acquainted. Dec.25EleventhGradeCareerBreakfastwilltakeplace.

AllapplicantstoMacaulayHonorsCollegehavesubmittedtheirapplicationbyDecember14th. ThisapplicationisalsousedfortheapplicationprocesstoBaruchHonorsandBrooklynScholars programs. SeniorshavebeendirectedtoapplyRegularDecisiontoALLCUNYcollegesbyDecember31st. CUNY admissions representatives have encouraged this because more favorable outcomes resultfromearliersubmissions.

OntheQuestforStrongLettersofRecommendation!
For the last few months, our College Bulletin has focused on different aspects of the college application.Thiseditionwillfocusonsecuringthestrongestlettersofrecommendationyoucan get.Letsfirstaddressthequestionofwhotoask.Thisteacher,mentororcoordinatormustbe someonewho: Knowsyouwell Knowsyourwork Candescribeyoupositively familiarwithyourcareeroreducationalgoals Canfavorablycompareyouwithyourpeers Courses that require you to do a project or term paper can also spotlight how you integrate information. Choosing a teacher in the field you may want to pursue makes the letter more relevant. By example,ifyouarethinkingofacareerinmedicine,seekingaletterfromyourscienceteacher wouldbeagoodchoice. Asking for a letter of recommendation is a very personal request which should be done in person.Thiswillenableyoutogaugewhetheryourrecommenderisenthusiasticaboutwriting youaletter.Youshouldalwaysaskwhethertheyfeelcomfortableinwritingyouastrongletter ofrecommendation.Ifyousenseanyhesitation,oriftheyareinanywayambiguousintheir reply,thankthem,andprepareyourselfinfindanalternative. Recommendersalwaysappreciatewhenyouareconsiderateoftheirtime.Youshouldalways giveyourrecommendersampletime(2weeks)towritetheletter.Askearlysothatyouget thebestpossibleletter. Toassistyourrecommenderandimprovethestrengthanddetailoftheletter,givethemsome previouslygradedpapers,astatementwhyyoufoundtheirclassexceptionalandwhatwasso meaningfulabouttheirclass.

 ThefollowingaretheDosandDontsofthisprocess: Do: Requestaletterseveralweeksinadvance.Thiswillgivetheteacherthetimetowritea thoroughletter. Provide in writing, the reasons why you selected this teacher or class as most meaningfultoyou.Telltheteacherwhatunitsofstudystandoutforyouandwhy. Resubmit any graded papers where you excelled and which provide meaningful comments. Requestlettersfromspecialsummerprograms Expect these letters will not be shared with you. They are meant for college transmissiononly. Selectteacherswhosesubjectrelatestoyourcareerormajorinterestincollege. DoNot: Leavethisrequestforthelastminute!Teachershavearighttorefuseifyoudo! Requestaletterfromateacherifheisnotcomfortableinwritingastrongletter. Encouragealetterthatpresentsasummaryofyourextracurricularactivitiesthisisan academicletterandshouldfocusonthesubject.

CareerTopTens
The New York Times referenced careers that are most employable, highest paying jobs with mostgrowth,andjobsthataremostsatisfying.Seepage4fordetails.