Portland St. Patrick Catholic School

COLLEGE COUNSELING
A college counselor is available to answer questions about procedures for enrollment in colleges. College applications for many of the area colleges are available from the college counselor.

College Representative Visits to the school: Students must sign up prior to the visit.

College Visits: Students must present written request from parents in order to attend a college

open house. Two visits may be scheduled during the junior year and two visits may be scheduled during the senior year. College visitation days are considered an excused absence. A form will be made available in the office to provide necessary information for attendance records.

COUNSELING APPOINTMENTS
Students are encouraged to seek personal and academic guidance from any member of the faculty/staff whom they believe will be able to help them.  To arrange an appointment for Guidance Counseling, students should see the Guidance Counselor.  Appointments may be made during study hall with prior approval from the Guidance Counselor and study hall teacher.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Most scholarship information comes directly from the college offering it. Academic scholarships are based on an outstanding GPA, high test scores, excellent recommendations, and involvement in extra-curricular and/or community activities.

Financial Aid forms are available from the school office. It is recommended that forms be filed after January 1st of the year the student plans to attend college. 

STANDARDIZED TESTS

October

• PSAT 10th and 11th grades
• Michigan Merit Exam 11th grade

March/April

• ACT Practice test 11th grade
  Actual test administered at a site designated by ACT.  See the school counselor for test dates and locations.

ABOUT THE ACT
Most four-year colleges require scores for the ACT. Students may take this test as many times as they want, colleges will use their highest score. Students usually begin taking the test in April of their junior year, but the test is also offered in June, October, December, and February
every year. Registration packets are available from the school counselor. The test is given on Saturday mornings and takes approximately 4 hours. Students receive their scores three to six weeks after the test date.

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN MERIT EXAM
The Juniors take the Michigan Merit Exam. This is the test that the State of Michigan uses to measure proficiency in the areas of math, science, reading, and writing according to the standards that have been set by the state. The Michigan Merit Award scholarship of $4,000.00 is awarded to students as Seniors who score a Level I or Level II in the four academic areas.

Dates to Remember