Staff: Diane Ahlberg and Jody HansenOctober 24th, 2017
(763) 569-7665 or (763) 569-7627
The CCRC newsletter is provided on a monthly or semi-monthly basis to provide information on activities and events that are helpful to Park Center students and their parents. This publication is also on Park Center’s website (under Academics or under Quick Links at right of home page).
IMPORTANT!!! Attention seniors: When you are asked to indicate your school counselor on college applications note Diane Ahlberg, , as your counselor. She is the counselor for senior students who need a recommendation letter, Secondary School Report or any other college reference.
Park Center will be hosting a MnACC College Fair on Wednesday, November 1st, during Advisory for our juniors and seniors. There will be scholarship opportunities available at the MnACC resource table. Students can register online today at andbring their barcode to the fair to register with the admissions representatives. (All registered attendees will be entered into a prize drawing!)
Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch are also entitled to other free things, such as participating in activities and sports or taking the ACT for free twice. Free & Reduced Lunch Applications are available in the Student Support Office, Attendance Office, Counseling Office, and in the Kitchen. Families may apply online as well at:
SENIORS,if you choose to take the ACT again you will need to know what your ACT ID number is...this information can be found on the top center of your April score report.
Test Date:Registration Deadline:(Late Fee Required):
December 9, 2017November 3, 2017November 4-17, 2017
February 10, 2018January 12, 2018January 13-19, 2018
April 14, 2018March 9, 2018March 10-23, 2018
June 9, 2018May 4, 2018May 5-18, 2018
July 14, 2018June 15, 2018June 16-22, 2018
TEST FEE PER TEST OPTION:
- ACT (No Writing)$46.00
- Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register).
- ACT Plus Writing$62.50
- Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register). The Writing Test fee is refundable, on written request.
- 5th & 6th college choice fee is $12 for each school.
- Late registration fee is $27.50.
- Standby testing is $51 in addition to the basic fee, if you missed registration.
- Test date change fee is $25 in addition to the basic fee.
- Test center change fee is $25 in addition to the basic fee.
- Test information release service is $20.
- International testing is $33.
Students need to register on-line at
Students receiving free/reduced lunch can have their test fees waived TWICE by bringing a copy of the letter they received from Food Service to the CCRC to receive a waiver. Fee waivers do not include late fees.
Students can register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests at Preparing for the SAT Test booklets that include a full length practice test, including the writing test, strategies to prepare for the test and what to expect on test day are available in the CCRC.
You can take free ACT or SAT practice tests online at: and at
Check out theLearning Express Library.There is atest prep resourcethat is a free resource for Park Center students available through ELM (Electronic Libraries for Minnesota). Here, you can access practice ACT, SAT, AP, TOEFLtests, as well as others.
Chegg offers ACT lessons, quizzes and practice tests.
Union Test Prep Free Practice Tests for the ACT: If passing the ACT is standing in the way of getting into the college of your dreams, there is help! Afree ACT practice testto help you identify in which areas you are strong and which areas could use a little more work is available at
Bemidji State UniversityTuesday, November 7th10:30AM
Winona State UniversityThursday, November 16th8:00AM
- “Scholarships, how do you find them, what are the best ones to apply for, and how do you up your chances to get them?” On Friday, November 3rd at 10:30AM we will address all of those questions in the CCRC. Sign up today!
2018 University of Minnesota Application Deadlines: Fall 2018 applicants can apply to the University of Minnesota using the U of M application, the Common Application, or the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success.Equal consideration is given to applicants across both application types (students should only submit one application).Fall 2018 will be the first cycle with the Coalition application. They are proud to be a Coalition member school, given their long history of a strong commitment to student access and success.
Deadlines: If you apply by November 1st you will get an earlier answer of acceptance or be put in the later deadline application pool.Around the time of their deadlines, they often experience a high volume of inquiries from students regarding the receipt of their supporting application materials. Based on feedback from the High School Advisory Committee, they are formalizing their practice of implementing a grace period for the receipt of supporting application materials of November 15th – accepting October ACT scores sent directly from ACT.
Second deadline: January 1st, with a supporting material deadline of January 16th. December ACT scores will be accepted from ACT.
The University of Minnesota - Duluth has begun processing fall semester 2018 applications. To ensure eligibility for scholarship consideration, it is important that students submit their application for admissions by theirPRIORITY DEADLINE of December 1st. They recommend that all students apply for admission early for best program availability, as well as housing and orientation priority. To view all details related to applying to UMD, visitd.umn.edu/apply.
UMD continues to partner with RaiseMe, a micro-scholarship programdesigned to increase student engagement and motivation to attend college. Students will earn scholarships from UMD for their academic and extracurricular achievements in 9th-12th grade. All information related to merit-based scholarships can be found at d.umn.edu/scholarships.
New this year – Aviation Exploring Post: Have you ever wondered…How an airplane flies?How they know where to go?Who takes care of the airplanes?How an airplane is made? The new Aviation Exploring Post is looking for high school students ages 14 and up who are interested in learning about career opportunities in Aviation and Aviation-related fields.This year they will be meeting every other Thursday evening, plus some Saturdays. Additionalmeetings/sites to be determined. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for an inside look into Aviation. For more information contact: Gregg Strathy, r Carla Beach, .
• Nov.4, (Saturday), Cirrus Aircraft Factory in Duluth
• Nov.16, (Thursday) Sun Country Maintenance Facility, Minneapolis
• Nov.30, (Thursday) Minnesota Air National Guard, Minneapolis
• Dec. 7, (Thursday) Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center, Farmington
Beginning with the class of 2018, class rank will no longer be reflected on the transcript; however, it will be added to the report card each trimester. Very few institutions require class rankrecorded on the transcriptfor admissions purposes. If the institutions for which you are applying requires class rank reported on the transcript, simply file a request with our office,and it will be added.Eachtrimesterreport cards will havethe student’sclass rank and GPA (weighted and unweighted)included, and official transcripts will continue toreflectthe student’sGPA (bothweighted and unweighted). Please contact the CCRC or your guidance counselor if you have any questions.
HOW TO SEND YOUR TRANSCRIPT: The Osseo School District is offering FREE electronic transcripts for current students. Students needing a transcript should go to set up a personal profile using an e-mail address that is nottheir school apps e-mail address and then request their transcript to be sent electronically. Transcripts will be processed within two school days with the following exceptions – weekends, holidays, during processing of final transcript grades and two days before and three days after trimester end. Former students will be charged a $5.00 processing fee for this service. Note: When putting in your school, put in “Park Center” only and a drop down menu will come up and then choose “Park Center IB World”.
HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPLICANTS…. IMPORTANT TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION
When sending your transcript through Parchment to Hennepin Technical College you must use the following e-mail address as the recipient’s address:
Augustana University has several “Visit” events scheduled: October 27th – Explore Science, November 10th - Explore Augustana, April 6th and 27th – Junior Visit Day. To register for a Visit event go to
Minnesota State University Moorhead invites you to attend one of their Preview Days on February 17th and March 24th. Meet with faculty and current students, tour the campus and residence halls, apply onsite and have your application waived. Sign up at
The University of Wisconsin – Superior is hosting Preview Days on January 20th, April 7th and July 21st. Register to attend at
Minneapolis Community and Technical College is hosting an open house on Tuesday, October 24th from 5:00 – 7:00PM. MCTC offers 120 degrees, diplomas and certificates, they have 50 campus organizations and clubs, and 70% of their students receive aid and scholarship support. Preregister at
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University are hosting “Saturday at CSB/SJU on November 11th. After the admissions presentation you can stay for a Johnnie’s football game! Additional fall admissions programs include Science Exploration Day on November 4th, Music Exploration Day on November 6th, and Theater Exploration Day on November 11th. RSVP at
Montana State University in Bozeman is hostingMSU FRIDAYS onJanuary 26th,March 9th, March 23rd,and June 15th. This is a chance for students to find out what MSU is all about.You will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and students, explore academic facilities,tour the campus and investigate possibilitiesfor financial aid and scholarships. For further information and to register visit If you have any questions email the admissions rep at .
Three Rivers Park District is now hiring for Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area. They are looking for lift attendants, ski and snowboard instructors, attendants, food service workers and shuttle bus drivers. You will receive a free season pass, flexible scheduling and competitive pay. Apply at
There are quite a few volunteer opportunities.
Palmer Lake – math helpers for 1stgraders
Weaver Lake- helpers for STEM Action Fair- Thursday, November 9
Zanewood – shelving books (any day)
Zanewood – Family Engineering night – Thursday, November 2
Edinbrook Bingo night – Friday, November 10
Woodland Bingo Night – Friday, November 10
Palmer Lake Bingo Night – Thursday, November 16
See Ms. Hennen in the front office in the Attendance Office to sign up.
Preparing for Your Campus Visit
Your time is valuable, so it’s important to get all you can from your time on campus. Prior to scheduling your visit, consider what you want to accomplish. The following are common requests, but remember it’s your visit, so it’s your choice.
- Tour the campus with an ambassador
- Meet with your admission counselor
- Visit with a professor (even if you’re still exploring majors)
- Talk to a coach, music director, theatre director,etc.
- Observe practice or rehearsal
- Experience campus dining
- Discuss scholarships and financial aid opportunities
- What are your admission requirements (GPA, ACT,or SAT scores; high school courses; etc.)?
- How and when do I apply for admission?
- How much does it cost to attend?
- What scholarships might be available and how do I apply?
- What is the average class size?
- Who teaches the classes?
- Can I graduate in four years?
- What kinds of internships, practicum, and research opportunities exist?
- Do you offer any tutoring or academic support services?
- What is your placement rate for employment and graduate school?
- How many students live on campus and what are the housing options?
- What do students do for fun? Do they stay for the weekend or do they go home?
- What clubs, organizations, and athletic programs may I participate in?
- Is the campus community safe?
- Are there part-time employment opportunities?
- What is there to do in the area and do I need a car?
Class of 2018! Important Information - Diane Ahlberg writes letters of recommendation and completes counselor forms for seniors.
If you need a college secondary report, recommendation, or scholarship recommendation please pick up a Senior Information Sheet for Recommendation in the CCRC, complete it and e-mail it as an attachment to or bring it to the CCRC. You should list Diane Ahlberg as your school counselor on your applications .
Effective for 2017-2018: Minnesota legislation now enables college students to be placed into college-level courses based on their high school Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) scores. For students who attended a Minnesota high school and entering Minnesota State colleges and universities in the 2017-2018 academic year and beyond, scores from the grade 10 MCA Reading assessment and grade 11 MCA Math assessment will be used in the course placement process. Students who meet the designated MCA scores benchmark in a subject area, within the validation window, are not required to take a developmental level course in that subject area.
Career Websites to Explore:
Minnesota Career Information System ( combines a wealth of career, education and labor market information into one comprehensive, easy-to-use exploration tool. Learn about over 520 occupations, develop a personal profile, research colleges, universities and career schools, find scholarships and financial aid, and improve job search skills and create a resume.
Try Engineering ( - great site for students to explore engineering careers. This site has information on how you can get involved with internships and competitions, as well as a college search feature.
Accounting Career Guide ( - useful information on how to become an accountant and it lists the top accounting schools and scholarship opportunities.
Is health care/nursing the right field for you?