College Planning Information for the Week of 3/15/10

Open Houses, College Fairs and Visits - The spring brings a new round of events designed to make it easy to learn about colleges. As I learn about these events, I'll post them on Family Connection for students to view. There are a number of them posted now so check it out!

College of the Week - Less than an hour away in Moraga, St. Mary's College of California is a place where a great education challenges everything you think you know. At the heart of the curriculum is Collegiate Seminar, a sequence of courses that will challenge you to confront the big ideas of Western civilization. You will read and discuss the world's greatest thinkers so that you can go out and be one. And when you are ready to take a break from Morrison and Machiavelli, you can help entrepreneurs in India or travel to Argentina to immerse yourself in the History of Tango. The 4-1-4 calendar schedule means that during the month of January you can dive headfirst into one intensive, highly specialized course of study. Some take place on campus, some involve service, and some have you travel the lengths of the earth to explore your passion. And did you know that Saint Mary's fields 14 Division 1 teams, eight clubs teams (including a nationally ranked Rugby program) and numerous recreation programs? So retire the 'dumb jock' theory. Apparently, a brainiac school can kick butt.

Is it SFS (Safe for Susan)?- As more and more colleges find their way to an applicant's Facebook and MySpace pages (read this article from the Los Angeles Times), stop and think about whether what you say and post is something you'd be comfortable with me seeing. Privacy settings make no difference once you friend an admissions office with a Facebook page. Ask yourself if it is "safe for Susan?". Think about your personal email address too. If it is anything other than your name it may convey information or an impression that you don't intend.

My Schedule this Week - I will be on campus Wednesday from 9-5, Thursday from 9-4 and have conferences scheduled with families on Friday. I check email regularly on days when I am not at school but do not check voice mail.

FOR JUNIORS

Still confused about how to start thinking about colleges? There seems like a lot to think about and if you are feeling confused and overwhelmed, stop for five minutes and read this short article from the Washington Post. It describes five strategies that can help clear your mind and give you a little more focus.

Virtual college fairs can be a useful tool. Colleges are looking for cheaper ways to spread the word about their campuses and are increasingly using the virtual college fair and Open House to connect with prospective students. College Week Live is the primary player and will be hosting a number of events in the coming months. This is an easy way to learn more about particular colleges. For more information on virtual college fairs, read this short piece from the Washington Post.

SAT and ACT Registration Dates - The next SAT will be given on 5/1 and the next ACT on 4/10 (the late registration deadline is 3/19). I recommend students take the SAT in May or June, the ACT in April or June and, if the student has over a 3.0 GPA, 2 subject tests in May or June.

FOR SENIORS

What's up with placement tests? - If you are planning to attend a UC or CSU campus in the fall, you will receive information about placement tests along with your acceptance letter. Universities require placement tests so that they can more accurately place you in appropriate freshman English and math classes. It is important to take the tests early because you will not be allowed to register until you have taken the tests. You don't have to go to the campus you are planning to attend to take the test - you can usually take the tests at a campus near you. Carefully read all the information sent you and let me know if you have any questions. See the following links for for more information.

• CSU placement tests
  
• UC Analytical Writing Test.

Susan
--
Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor

Chairman's Gala Online Auction!

The Chairman's Gala On-Line Auction is up and running and can be found at http://auctions.readysetauction.com/themarinschool/

You will find great items to bid on under these categories:

Beauty, Health & Fitness
Books
Celebrity Signatures
Clothing
Dining & Restaurants
Event Tickets
Food & Sweets
Home & Garden
Jewelry
Professional Services
Specialty Items
Sporting Goods
Teacher Wish Lists!
Things To Do
Toys & Hobbies
Travel & Lodging
Wine

Check back often because new items will be added daily. The on-line auction will run for approximately six weeks and will end on Friday, April 23rd at 6:00 p.m.

Remember, all proceeds directly benefit The Marin School, so don't hold back! As a small school, we have financial challenges unlike those of larger schools. Funds raised from the on-line, silent and live auctions help us provide The Marin School's unique educational program.

Also, please send the link to your friends, family and others you know who might like some of the great deals offered for a great cause.

The Chairman’s Gala – An Evening in the South Pacific will be held May 1, 2010, at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon. The festivities will include complimentary Mai Tai's, dining, a continued silent auction with jewelry and wine, and a number of exciting live auction items, including a Behind the Scene Tour at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art with Leslie Katz, a Rodeo Beach Release Celebration with the Marin Mammal Center and a week in Tortola just to name a few! Invitations will be mailed next week and RSVP’s are due April 16th.

If you still have items you would like to donate to the event, please contact Nicole Cosand at 415-339-9336 X 131.

Thank you and happy bidding!

Ocie Taylor, Co-Chair
Chairman's Gala

Futsal season ends on a strong note!

Congratulations to the innaugural TMS Futsal team on a strong finish to the season. The Nighthawks defeated team 'Barcelona' 7-6 on Sunday. Great playing to the following futsalers: Ashley Vidal, Ricardo Romero, Rodrigo Marcia, and Nell Dosker.

Great work, Nighthawks!

French Cesar Award Winners Visited TMS

Two French filmmakers won the award for Best First Film at the Cesars (French Oscars) for The French Kissers. Kieran Ridge showed excerpts of the film at The Marin School last fall, when he hosted Riad Sattouf (the director) and Anne-Dominique Toussaint (the producer) the morning after the film's US premiere in San Francisco.

College Planning Information for the Week of 3/1/10

Colorado State University Information Session - Colorado State University Representatives will be on hand to provide information about admissions, academic programs, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, housing and student life. The session will be on March 6th from 2:00-3:30 at the Embassy Suites in Santa Clara.

The Spaulding Wooden Boat Center in Sausalito, inspired by the untapped potential of today’s youth, is excited to offer high school students a unique opportunity—a rewarding and challenging apprenticeship in the art and skills of traditional wooden boat construction, seamanship and environmental stewardship. For more information about the Youth Apprentice Program, visit their website.

College of the Week - This week we had the privilege of hearing Michael Thomas speak. He is a professor of Creative Writing at Hunter College in New York City. Hunter has about 20,000 undergraduate students and is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. If you are looking for an extremely diverse, urban campus, with many majors to choose from look no further!

My Schedule this Week - I will be on campus Monday 10-4, Wednesday 9-5 and Thursday 9-4. I check email regularly on days when I am not at school but do not check voice mail.

FOR JUNIORS

It's time to register for the SAT and/or ACT! The registration process can take an hour or more but I have short cuts and tips to cut that way, way down. I'll walk you through the process and there will, of course, be treats at the end of the process! Your last opportunity to do this with me is on Monday 3/1 at 10:50 during Workshop/Study. Email me now to reserve one of the last 3 spaces.

How can I research colleges? Visiting is always the best way to research a college but there are a number of other ways to gather the information you need to help you decide if a campus would be a good fit for you. I would like to meet again with each of you during March to not only check in but also and show you some ways to research your colleges. Please use the sheet on my door to sign up for time this week or next.

SAT Prep Class begins this week - The Eureka Review prep class begins prompt at 2:45 on Wednesday. Students will be notified of the class room location. The class is full with 8 students but if enough additional students are interested, there may be another class formed. Please contact me if you are interested in this possibility.

SAT and ACT Registration Dates - The next SAT will be given on 3/13 (late registration has past but students can test as a standby - see me for details) and the next ACT on 4/10 (the registration deadline is 3/5). I recommend students take the SAT in May or June, the ACT in April or June and, if the student has over a 3.0 GPA, 2 subject tests in May or June.

FOR SENIORS

Got news? March is the month when you will hear from your remaining colleges and as your news arrives, don't forget to let me know.

Susan

--
Susan Gotshall-Maxon
College Counselor

Futsal Win!

Congratulations to TMS Futsal players as they defeated The Master Dragons over the weekend 14-7!

TMS futsal players were: Nell Dosker, Ricardo Romero, Ashley Vidal, and Rodrigo Marcia.

TMS Sailing Program

On Saturday, February 20th, the Sausalito Yacht Club held its annual fundraiser to raise money for the sailing program it supports in local-area high schools.

For more information about The Marin School sailing team, please contact Jonah Weaver at 415-339-9336 ext. 110

Photo: TMS sailor Kai Peattie, far right, at the fundraiser, along with sailors from Tam High.