FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I schedule a meeting with my counselor?
To schedule a meeting with your counselor, you may come to the counseling office and pick up an appointment request form. The form is self-explanatory. Fill out the form and give it to one of the secretaries. It is smart to meet with your counselor and introduce yourself. This way your counselor gets to know you and a relationship is established.
What do I do if my counselor is unavailable when I need to talk to him/her?
If your counselor is unavailable, you can do any of the following: Make an appointment using the appointment sheet explaining what you want to discuss. The counselor will get back to you.
If it is an emergency please let the secretary or another counselor know. There are other counselors available and they may be able to help you immediately. The secretary will help you find someone you can talk to.
Where can I find a list of activities that I can be involved in and how can I get information about dates and times?
There is a list of school sponsored activities in the DHHS Handbook. It includes everything from sports, to clubs, to theatre. Also check the Student Activities link of the DHHS website.. If you have a problem, contact the activity sponsor or ask your counselor for help.
What are the first steps I should take if I am having trouble with a particular subject?
Your first step should be to talk to your teacherabout extra help. Many students use peer tutors to help them through difficult chapters and/or problems. Be sure to see your counselor, if you are struggling in any academic area. Your school counselor can provide you with some tips on time management and study skills.
What are the criteria for attending summer school? How does this affect my transcript?
A student who has failed a course may be recommended for summer school by his/her teacher. Upon successful completion of the summer school course, the grade and credit is recorded on the transcript. However, the original grade remains and the summer school grade is not calculated into grade point average.
Is there a way students can select their teacher for a particular course? Teachers have different styles of teaching and students have different learning styles, so a student may have more success with one teacher than another.
Although it is true that students have different styles of learning and teachers have different styles of teaching, a large part of life’s survival skills is learning how to adapt and work with various personalities and teaching styles. Many students often find that the teacher they were not so fond of early in the trimester becomes one of their favorites by the end of the twelve weeks. Remember, if we were able to match you with your “favorite” teacher, what a rude awakening college and the world of work would be!! We also need to balance classes and teacher loads equitably.
How can I get information about colleges and careers?
Your school counselors will be meeting with you individually, in small group, and in large group setting to discuss your interests, values, and career choices. Our goal is to have an interest inventory and other assessments available to you, in order for you to be involved in career exploration activities at each grade level. Many opportunities will be posted to our website: www.danielhand.org
How should I choose my classes? Generally speaking what courses/ skills do colleges and/or future employers feel students should have upon graduation?
Students should consult with their parents, teachers, and counselors in making course selections and selections of levels of courses. While consistency is important, the types of classes you take and the grades you earn are extremely important. We encourage students to seek out new academic experiences and exposure to new ideas. However, please keep in mind that your teachers spend a great deal of time considering your course recommendations and our experience has been that students who follow the teacher recommendations are generally the most successful. Meeting with your counselor is essential in this process. We encourage you to read the Federal Government report: www.stolaf.edu/other/extend/Resources/scans.html, this will provide you with an excellent outline of what employers feel students should have upon graduation.
Should I take an Advanced Placement course?
You should take an AP course if you have a real interest in the subject, and have proven yourself capable of handling the workload. Students who take an Advanced Placement are encouraged to take the AP exam at the end of the school year. Student should not take an AP course merely to have the AP designation on their transcript.
What are the EarlyCollege Experience courses?
Early College Experience courses are those courses that were previously known as the UCONN Cooperative Program. The new name embodies the true meaning of what the program provides. The name stresses the importance of the program’s mission—to offer improved student access to, and preparation for, higher education. Please check the Daniel Hand High School Program of Studies for the current ECE courses.
When should students and parents begin the college/career admission process?
Students are ready to begin the process of post high school planning at various times based on their developmental readiness to consider their future goals. While the freshmen year is a transition period, students should work as hard as they can to prepare for the academic rigors of college and the world of work. In addition, they explore different activities in hopes of finding a passion or a focus. We also encourage students to participate in community volunteer opportunities.
What is the schools CEEB code?
Daniel Hand High School’s CEEB code is 070370.
What is the PSAT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test?
The PSAT/NMSQT has several purposes. It provides practice for the SAT; acts as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program competitions and the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Black Students; offers insight, through comprehensive reports, into students’ readiness for college; and helps identify students for Advanced Placement Program (AP) courses. When students take the PSAT/NMSQT they are asked if they would like certain information sent to colleges, universities, and scholarship programs that request it from the College Board. This is the function of Student Search Service. For more information go to www.collegeboard.com
When is the test given?
The PSAT/NMSQT is a school-based test and it is given once a year. Due to proctoring issues, DHHS administers the test on the third Saturday in October.
Should I take the PSAT in my sophomore year?
In recent years, the number of students taking the PSAT/NMSQT in tenth grade has increased significantly. An advantage for a sophomore to take the PSAT/NMSQT is that it allows extra practice for the SAT. In addition, the PSAT/NMSQT provides comprehensive information to help students identify skills that need improvement while there is still time to make a difference. On the other hand, sophomore students who have not completed Geometry will usually find their math score does not necessarily reflect their ability. If students do take the PSAT/NMSQT before junior year, they should still take it again in the junior year for consideration in scholarship and recognition program. (hand out available from collegeboard)
How many times should I take the SAT?
Both junior and senior SAT scores may be submitted. The majority of colleges and universities take the best verbal and best math scores. Your school counselors recommend that students take the SAT in the spring as a junior and October as a senior.
What exactly are the SAT Subject Tests?
Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge. Students take the Subject Tests to demonstrate to colleges their mastery of specific subjects like English, history mathematics, science and language. The tests are independent of any particular textbook or method of instruction. Not all colleges require the SAT Subject Tests. Make sure you check the college or university’s requirements when considering your application. For more information, log onto www.collegeboard.com
How should I prepare for the SAT?
The best preparation for the SAT is to continue with a strong course selection. Reviewing the PSAT results will also help guide your preparation. There are a variety of test prep materials now available to students. You may go to the SAT Preparation Center at www.collegeboard.com, where you will find practice questions on each section, including a full-length test. You can also log on to www.collegeboard.com and answer the Question of the Day. Every day there is a new question and answer, with an explanation, from one of the three sections of the SAT. Other excellent resources for the SAT if the free SAT Preparation Booklet, 10 Real SAT’s, all published by the College Board. DHHS also offers SAT Prep courses. Be sure to check with your counselor for further information.
Should I take the ACT?
The ACT Assessment is designed to measure high school students’ college readiness and is made up of multiple-choice tests that cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing Test, which was optional, in February 2005, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. Colleges and Universities use the scores in much the same way as they do the SAT. We suggest you take both the SAT and ACT practice tests and compare your performance.
What do the colleges look for?
First and foremost, the college admissions people will evaluate your academic record. They will consider the difficulty and variety of the courses you took. They will note the grades you earned in various subjects, your grade point average and your cumulative grade point average. Your academic record is almost always the most important factor in college admissions. It is never too late to improve it. Senior year grades are also very important. SAT, SAT SubjectTests, ACT are sometimes very important. Before taking the test, most students familiarize themselves with the kinds of questions they will face and practice their test-taking skills.
Counselor and teacher recommendations often are important factors. Some colleges do not ask for teacher recommendations, and a few do not require any recommendations. It is important that you follow the college instructions. DHHS has outlined a list of procedures for the junior year. Be sure to meet with your counselor in the spring trimesters to review the steps you need to take to complete the process.
The application form that you submit may help or hurt your chances substantially. A sloppy, ill-composed application may end your candidacy at a given college. Your essay(s) should be written by you in your best prose—no grammatical, spelling, punctuation, or stylist errors.
Your nonacademic activities and accomplishments, both in school and out, can also be a factor in college admissions. This tends to be the situation more often with selective colleges. Be sure to let the colleges know about your participation in clubs, sports, athletics, leadership roles, community service, notable achievements, and jobs—both volunteer and paid. Colleges look for well-rounded, motivated, energetic people. Intensive participation in a few activities or projects usually is more significant than lesser involvement in a larger number. Be specific and detailed about important activities.