Thanks for visiting Westminster’s guidance page. Here you’ll find information relevant to high school students as they begin to prepare for college. I’ll use this page to keep students and parents informed about various opportunities or items of interest.

For your first visit, check out the items in the “Things to Know” box. There is information about college admission, the SAT and ACT, HOPE Scholarship, and much more. From this box, students can access and print forms to request a transcript or get approval for a college visit. Also, there are links to three important websites. At collegeboard.com and actstudent.org, students can prepare for and also register to take the SAT or the ACT. Finally, I highly recommend that you explore gacollege411.com. This is a fabulous “one-stop” website!

I’ll be updating periodically, so keep checking back.

Sheila James
Director of Academics

The Georgia Career Information Center (GCIC) is pleased to introduce GCIS Junior. This Sneak Peek of GCIS Junior lets you and your students discover and explore the website - create a portfolio, take the Career Interest Inventory, organize your career goals, learn about occupations, get a Reality Check, and much, much more. GCIS Junior helps answer the questions: Who am I? Where am I going? How do I get there? GCIS Junior Sneak Peek is available now.

To access the GCIS Junior Sneak Peek:

1. Visit the URL: www.gcic.peachnet.edu

2. Click on the GCIS Junior image

3. Enter the username: gcisjr (all lower case)

4. Enter the password: demo (all lower case)

5. Create your own “My Portfolio”

Creating your own “My Portfolio” gives you access to “My Career Plan,” My Course Plan,” My GCIS Favorites,” and “My Education and Work History.”

The Georgia Career Information System is an incredible tool that you or your student can use to consider possible career options. This is a new feature of this amazing web resource.

With GCIS Junior Sneak Peek, you can preview new features such as:

· Easier reading levels

· Larger, bolder fonts

· New career development worksheets and activities

· Basic level Interest Survey

· Mini Occupations

· Interviews

· Occupational Videos

· Expanded course planner

Fort Valley State University will host its annual Spring Preview Day on Saturday, April 5, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided for all attendees, and students are invited to stay and attend the Spring Football game in Wildcat Stadium at 2:00. Call 1-877-462-3878 to make a reservation for this event.

Georgia Southwestern State University will hold its inaugural GSW Day in Atlanta on Sunday, April 13, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at The Carter Center. The university’s president, academic deans, admissions staff, and financial aid staff will be available to meet interested students and answer questions. As an added bonus, all students in attendance will be entered in a drawing for a free semester of housing in their new freshman residence halls, a $1650 value. Sign up online at www.gsw.edu.

Athens Regional Medical Center is beginning interviews for their Teen Volunteer Program soon. Any boy or girl, ages 14-17, who is interested in this summer program should contact Mrs. James for information on how to apply. This is a very popular program that always has a waiting list, so act quickly if you are interested.

Walton EMC - Operation Round Up Scholarship - Walton EMC will award 10-20 scholarships to graduating high school seniors whose primary residence is served by Walton EMC. Each scholarship will be worth $2500 to students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of academics, community involvement, employment, and extracurricular activities. If interested, pick up an application from Mrs. James. Application deadline is March 21, 2008.

Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship Fund - The Community Bankers Association of Georgia sponsors this commemorative scholarship. At least 4 scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded to high school seniors who plan to attend college in the state of Georgia. To evaluate each application, a student must provide a transcript, test scores, letter of recommendation, and an essay on community banking. See Mrs. James to pick up an application. Application deadline is March 30, 2008.

The Oconee Campus of Gainesville State College will host an Open House on Saturday, March 15, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

For the past 43 years, Walton EMC has been sending students, all expenses paid, to Washington, D.C. to see the government in action.  All students who live in Walton EMC’s service area are eligible to apply for this opportunity.  Please see Mrs. James for a brochure and informational DVD about the Youth Tour.  Students may download applications at waltonemc.com/youth_tour.htm.

Experience Truett-McConnell College first hand on February 14 & 15. Students can attend class, spend the night in the dorm, go to a basketball game, and be a part of the homecoming bonfire. The cost is $15, which covers 2 meals, lodging, admission to games, and a t-shirt. Students must register by February 12. Visit www.truett.edu for more information.

The UGA SAT Test Prep course is taught by experienced instructors who understand test-taking strategies and academic content, as well as how to best approach answering questions. Here are the dates and fees:

Pre-test: Tuesday, February 19, 5:30-9:30 PM

Course: Tuesdays & Thursdays, February 26 - March 27 (no class March 11 & 13), 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Cost: $399

If you register by Wednesday, February 20, the fee is reduced to $349.

Register online at www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/ppd or call 706-542-3537.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha Foundation Scholarships - This foundation offers about 150 scholarships to U.S. students who meet the criteria for certain endowments. A list of the various endowments and application information is available at www.esaintl.com/esaf. Check out the list of scholarships for which Georgia residents are eligible. Students may apply for up to three scholarships, but the deadline is February 1, so act very quickly if you’re interested.

The scholarship and financial aid website, www.schoolsoup.com, has added a section for students on careers.  The website now provides a Career Aptitude Test and detailed information on hundreds of careers.  Check it out.