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**Welcome to the ** Think Town **College Counseling Program **

= =

Getting Started.
toc To get started, we will:
 * Set up your workspace, login, and contact information
 * Set up your personal calendar of testing events
 * Set up your college searches and tour schedule
 * Set up a documents folder to help you get organized for your applications

In order to coordinate all of application and planning steps, please come and visit this site frequently. You will have your own private project workspace. Using this workspace will help your guidance counselor work closely with you, your parents, and your targeted colleges and universities. Planning is critical to your application success. You must begin planning as early as possible. Communicating with your college counselor is also critical. //Your college counselor should know every event that is part of your planning activity//.

Major Milestones.
The following calendars mark major milestones in registering for your SAT & TOEFL exams:

SAT 1 & 2 Tests
[|Study Plan] ||  ||= Dec 30
 * = Test Dates ||  ||= Registration Dates ||   ||= Subject Tests Available ||   ||= Practice ||=   ||
 * = [[image:Jan_28.jpg]]

Registration Contact

||  || * [|U.S. History] __ [|Sample Practice Questions] __
 * [|Literature]
 * [|Chemistry]
 * [|Physics]
 * [|French]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Spanish]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Mathematics Level 2]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Mathematics Level 1]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Biology E/M]
 * See All Subject Test Dates ||  ||= ==== ====

__ [|Free Practice Test] __ ||=  || Study Plan ||  ||= <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">Apr <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">6
 * = [[image:May_5.jpg align="center"]]

Registration Contact ||  ||< * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|U.S. History] __ [|Sample Practice Questions] __
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Literature]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Chemistry]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Physics]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|French]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Spanish]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Mathematics Level 2]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Mathematics Level 1]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Biology E/M]
 * See All Subject Test Dates ||  ||= ==== ====

__ [|Free Practice Test] __ ||=  || Study Plan ||  ||= <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">May <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">8
 * = [[image:jun_2.jpg]]

Registration Contact ||  ||< * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|U.S. History] __ [|Sample Practice Questions] __
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|World History]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Literature]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Chemistry]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Physics]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Latin]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Modern Hebrew]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|French]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|German]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Spanish]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Mathematics Level 2]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Mathematics Level 1]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0099ff; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Biology E/M]
 * See All Subject Test Dates ||  ||= ==== ====

__ [|Free Practice Test] __ ||=  ||

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">TOEFL Tests
Click here to locate TOEFL test centers, test dates, and other information about the TOEFL exam in China.

===<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">NEW!! 2011 China SAT Annual Analysis Report ===

Want to know how you stack up? Download an annual analysis report of 2011 China SAT results here.

Resources for Students & Parents
Here are some resources that can help answer some of the questions you may have about the college application process:
 * **The Collegewise Guide to the Common**
 * Application - How to Make Your 2011-12**
 * Common Application a Lot Less Common**

This is an important guide for completing your Common Application form. Many students miss out on having their college applications seriously reviewed by university admissions staff because of simple errors or misunderstandings about the questions on the Common Application. Students who seriously want to get into the schools of their choice must make the effort to carefully and accurately complete the Common Application form. This guide will help you stand out from the rest. || ||
 * **10 Not-So-Easy College Search Questions** || [[file:10+Not-so-Easy+College+Search+Questions+for+Juniors.pdf]] ||
 * **5 College Planning Mistakes Parents Must Avoid** || [[file:5+College+Planning+Mistakes+Parents+Must+Avoid.pdf]] ||
 * **5 College Search Tips for Students and Parents** || [[file:5+College+Search+Tips+for+Juniors+and+Their+Parents.pdf]] ||
 * **50 Fantastic Summer Activities for High School Students**

Students can use this as a guide to stimulate their thinking about ways to increase their extra-curricular work. Some of these ideas do not require participating in an organized activity, and many students can add extra-curricular work while staying at home for the summer.

Add to this list many, many online courses that are offered by top universities and students have new ways to participate in extra-curricular academic and social service work that will improve their college admissions resume. || || Students should download these documents and use them as resources in their search for the right schools to apply to and for completing their application forms.
 * **College Application Advice for Students** || [[file:College+application+advice+for+seniors.pdf]] ||

Common Application Materials
Here are some important resources for students to download:

||
 * Instructions for completing the Common Application form.... || [[file:Common App instructions.pdf]] ||
 * The College Board's college application checklist.... || [[file:College Application Checklist - College Board version.pdf]] ||
 * A blank copy of the Common Application form.... || [[file:Common App blank for (2012).pdf]] ||
 * Two completed samples of the Common Application form.... || [[file:Sample Common App Form1.pdf]]
 * One college's guide to completing the Common Application form.... || [[file:Guide to completing the Common App Form.pdf]] ||
 * A schedule for submitting the Common Application for all colleges.... || [[file:Common App schedule (all colleges).pdf]] ||
 * Early Decision rules for the Common Application form.... || [[file:Common App Decision Action rules.pdf]] ||

All of these resources, and more, are available on the Common Application website.

Grade 2 Students' Action Plans.
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">To adequately prepare for applying to college and university, Grade 2 students must:

Start Your College Search

 * Start with you: Make lists of your abilities, preferences and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college.
 * Jump-start your college planning by [|reading about majors and careers].
 * Use [|College Search] to find colleges with the right characteristics.

Get Ready for the SAT

 * [|Prepare for the SAT] by taking a free full-length official practice test. Then get a score and skills report. Learn which [|skills you need to improve] . Be sure to sign up for [|The Official SAT Question of the Day™] for daily practice.

Schedule Your Spring Testing

 * You can take either the SAT® or up to three SAT Subject Tests™ on one test day. Plan your testing schedule carefully if you want to take both, and register for two separate test dates. See the [|SAT schedule of test dates] and [|register online for the SAT].

Explore Colleges

 * Start visiting local colleges: large, small, public and private. Get a feel for what works for you. Develop an initial list of 15-20 colleges that interest you. You can narrow it down later. [|Search for colleges and use My College List].

Plan Ahead for the Summer & Senior Year

 * Review your senior year class schedule with your counselor. Challenge yourself with honors and AP classes. Read about [|how to select your courses].
 * Consider foreign exchange program opportunities and travel abroad.
 * Plan summer activities early.

Keep Working Through the Summer

 * Visit colleges. Take campus tours and, at colleges you're serious about, schedule interviews with admission officers. Be sure to bring your [|campus visit checklist].
 * Request applications from the colleges you're planning to apply to. Check important dates; some colleges have early dates or rolling admission. Consult the [|College Application Calendar] and the [|Financial Aid Calendar] for a basic idea of the applications timeline.

= Internet Sites Focused on College Exploration: =


 * COLLEGE INFORMATION **


 * CSO College Center:** www.CSOCollegeCenter.org


 * The College Board:** www.collegeboard.com


 * KnowHow2Go:** www.knowhow2go.org


 * Hobson’s CollegeView:** www.collegeview.com


 * Peterson’s:** www.petersons.com


 * The Common Application Online:** www.commonapp.org


 * Colleges That Change Lives:** www.ctcl.org


 * FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION **


 * CSS/PROFILE:** https://profileonline.collegeboard.com


 * The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid:** www.finaid.org


 * FastWeb:** www.fastweb.com


 * FindTuition:** www.findtuition.com

Need help?
//Contact your guidance counselor://

eMail: stephen.wilmarth@gmail.com Tel: +86 153 2712 9709 Skype: swilmarth
 * Stephen Wilmarth**