3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/common/shared/images/null_1x1.gif"

<= img border=3D0 width=3D171 height=3D50 src=3D"FreshmenNewsletter_files/imag= e003.gif" alt=3DCollegeBoard v:shapes=3D"Picture_x0020_2"><= /p>

3D"for <= /p>

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/common/shared/images/null_1x1.gif"

For Parents of Freshmen and Sophomores

November/December 2009=

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/common/shared/images/null_1x1.gif"

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/parent_news/200811/top.=

In This Issue:=

	Academic Reco= rds and the Admissions Decision
	Study Skills = for School and Beyond

	Get a Handle = on College Costs with EasyPlanner
	Should Your C= hild Get a Job?

Dear Parent,

In this issue, unravel the mysteries of college admissions and financial aid. Connect to resources that help students build study skills. And le= arn what high school counselors have to say about balancing work and school.

Academic Records and the Admissions Decision

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/parent_news/200811/=

Ever wonder what goes on behind the closed doors of the admissions office? The truth is that t= he process varies from campus to campus, depending in part on how select= ive the college is. And many colleges are becoming more selective as the number of applicants rises. The good news is that your child doesn't = have to be valedictorian or class president. Admissions officers look for students who are a good fit and who can succeed at their college. They seek committed, motivated students who can contribute to campus life.=

As they review application= s, admissions officers focus on the academic record, including courses taken, grades, and test scores. To form a complete picture of your ch= ild, they also examine essays, teacher recommendations, and extracurricula= r activities. These last factors are especially important at very selective college= s, where many applicants excel academically.

<= span style=3D'color:#009966;mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-und= erline: none'> 3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/student_news/arrow-gr= Selectivity and admissions factors
<= span style=3D'color:#009966;mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-und= erline: none'> Inside the admissions process
<= span style=3D'color:#009966;mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-und= erline: none'> 3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/student_news/arrow-gr= For parents of home-schooled students

Study Skills f= or School and Beyond

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/parent_news/200811/=

Reading comprehension and retention are among the most crucial skills for your child's future success—in school and beyond. As an involved parent, you probab= ly helped your child build basic skills by reading aloud and visiting the library regularly. Today, you can continue to encourage good habits by discussing the books and magazines your child is reading.<= /span>

SQ3R is a five-step process that encourages students to study actively by formulating and answeri= ng questions as they read. Using it, your child will improve comprehensi= on and retain content better. Your child can also use study time more efficiently with practical strategies such as numbering and dating notebook pages for easy reference.

Get a Handle on College Costs with EasyPlanner

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/parent_news/200811/=

Let's face it: financial a= id is confusing. To get a handle on college costs, you'll need to start = by looking at the big picture and asking yourself some basic questions: = How much is college going to cost? Are we saving enough? And how much are= we expected to contribute?

The College Board can help= you answer all of these questions. Financial Aid EasyPlanner reduces the stress of dealing with college finances by guiding you through the process step by step. Once you've used tools like the College Savings= Calculator to get a sense of where you stand, you can explore ways of getting the money you need. You can search for scholarships and learn how to apply for financial aid and loans. EasyPlanner can also help when the time comes to compare aid packages from different colleges.

<= span style=3D'color:#009966;mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-und= erline: none'> 3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/student_news/arrow-gr= Plan your college finances

Should Your Ch= ild Get a Job?

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/parent_news/200811/=

Many students want to work part time once they enter high school. Whether they wish to buy new clothes or help out with family bills, they look forward to the paych= eck. There are also less tangible benefits. Student workers learn more abo= ut responsibility, for example. In certain jobs, they also get a feel fo= r a career they might want to pursue—or avoid.

But will working get in the way of your child's education? If your child is organized and manages time effectively, the answer may well be no. However, all students wi= ll find that they have to make sacrifices and deal with the added pressu= res of the work world.

<= span style=3D'color:#009966;mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-und= erline: none'> 3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/student_news/arrow-gr= Working—consid= er all the factors

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/common/shared/images/null_1x1.gif"

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/student_news/dotted-line.=

Important Links

College Search

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator

The Official SAT Question of the Day™<= /span>

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/email/images/student_news/dotted-line.=

Your Child's November
Action Plan

Suggest that your child use College Search to look up the admissions requirements of specific colle= ges.

Freshman Action Plan
Sophomore Action Plan

Learn About the CC a Parent Email Service
Stay in the loop by getting copied on important emails sent to your child.
<= /p>	Learn more<= /a>

The Official SAT Question of the Day™ 2010 Calendar

3D"Question Help your child get ready for the SAT^{®
with a new question every day—free explanations and hints onlin=
e.}

Available for $11.95<= /span>
More College Board
publications

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/common/shared/images/null_1x1.gif"

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/common/shared/images/null_1x1.gif" <= /p>

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/common/shared/images/null_1x1.gif"

Why you're receiving this e-mail: Either you created a collegeboard.com account as a parent or your child gave us your e-mail address when registering for= the PSAT/NMSQT®.

To unsubscribe, click here. To change your subscri= ption options, go to Manage My College Board E-mail Subscriptions<= /span>.

Please do not respond to this e-mail as it is not a monitored e-mail address. If you have a question or comment, e-mail our Customer Service Department.

To ensure that collegeboard.com e-mail is not incorrectly identified = as spam, please add Collegeboard@reply.collegeboard.com to your address book.

© 2009 The College Board, 45 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10023-6992. All rights reserved. View a complete list of College Boar= d trademarks.

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/common/shared/images/null_1x1.gif" <= /p>

3D"http://www.collegeboard.com/common/shared/images/null_1x1.gif"

3D"http://click.collegeboard.com:8080/688932.17246.0.-3"