The National Survey of Student Engagement recently released the 2004 annual survey results. The study identifies how engaged students are in the material they study and in the learning process itself at 437 four-year colleges. The study is an alternative to the rankings U.S. News & World Report. For example, the survey shows that freshman athletes are more likely to participate in "active and collaborative learning" than their classmates and that students at women's colleges are generally more engaged than are students at other institutions, according to the survey.
	Many colleges are making changes to their SAT I and II requirements based on the new SAT which will be introduced in March of 2005. Some will be reducing the number of SAT II’s required from three to two, now that the SAT I will include writing. Others will accept a mix of ACT, SAT’s and AP results. Keep these changes in mind and check with your specific colleges to get more details. Registration for the new SAT will be available mid-December.
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Juniors should start developing their college lists and planning for campus visits. An ideal time is spring break when most colleges will be in session for the most valuable assessment. This helps you avoid those summer visits when no one is on campus and takes the pressure off in the fall when you may be applying early and be deep into the application process.

As January approaches and you prepare to fill out your financial aid forms, there are many tools to help you estimate your family's situation. One tool allows you to estimate your expected family contribution for tuition, and another is a worksheet to help you prepare for completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) required by colleges.

Benchmark eNews, December 2004. Volume 1, Issue 6

We hope you enjoyed reading this issue of Benchmark eNews. Look for your next issue next month.

Benchmark eNews is a free, monthly email publication.

Event dates are subject to change. Visit your school counselor or call us for more information.

At Benchmark, our goal is to demystify the college application process and help you stay focused on a meaningful and effective plan. By filtering out the hype and implementing a program that is individualized and appropriate, you can relax and enjoy what should be an exciting and fulfilling time. We are committed to helping you find a college environment that will offer the greatest opportunities to experience personal and academic challenge, support and success.

It's not too early to start thinking about the variety of summer opportunities available to you. Take some time to plan your summer to include work, study, family time, travel, and/or community service, but be sure to add that important ingredient...time to relax. We have highlighted a few options here. Go to the What's New page to get a more complete description.

For an opportunity that combines travel, learning, and service, consider the Pacific Village Institute. With offices in Seattle, Pacific Village is a nonprofit educational organization that provides innovative cultural immersion and community service programs in Asia for students.

For those who want to stay in the Seattle area, start contacting companies locally regarding internship or job shadowing possibilities this summer. Many large and small companies offer these opportunities to students over the summer, but it pays to start early. Consider contacting large companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Costco, Seattle NPR affiliate KUOW, the UW Medical Center, and large law firms, among many other places.

If you want to volunteer locally, log onto VolunteerMatch and explore the variety of opportunities including food drives, tutoring, computer programming or animal care. Landmark Volunteers gives you a chance to volunteer in many parts of the country based on your particular interests. Worldwide opportunities abound with the leader in wilderness education, the National Outdoor Leadership School.

For those who are interested in government internships, one particularly exciting opportunity is The Washington Workshops, where students can attend seminars or are placed in internships based on their particular interests.

Are you interested in film or photography? The Maine Photographic Workshops in Rockport, Maine has provided serious photographers, filmmakers and visual artists with basic and advanced career training for 29 years and offers a special program for high school students in the summer. Summer is also a wonderful time to explore creative writing programs, including the Fir Acres Program at Lewis and Clark. Students interested in debate should consider the World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont, and those with an interest in international relations might consider the summer program for high school students at Georgetown University.

More details and programs...

Are you interested in learning more about the financial aid and scholarship process? The new Center for Student Success in Seattle has several free seminars beginning this month to help students weed through the process. Remember, never pay for scholarship or financial aid opportunities. If you have to pay, it's probably a scam.

Sunday January 9th is National Portfolio Day in Seattle. Meet with college representatives who can review your portfolio and offer advice.

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