College advising office
Greetings Families!
The Ambrose School’s College Advising Office provides beneficial services to students as they prepare for college. The school administers the PSAT, hosts multiple college representative visits, and offers a College Bootcamp course for juniors. As the on-staff college advisor, I meet one-on-one with juniors and seniors to help them navigate the world of applications, deadlines, scholarships, and career choices. I invite students to discuss their future plans and to ask questions about the college admissions process.
Students are often encouraged to pursue a career and then choose a college that fits that career. We encourage our students to first seek God’s calling in the school that will prepare them for a life in service to Christ. This could involve a state school, an Ivy League school, military academy, Christian college, or any other alternative.
I encourage both students and parents to take an active role in the college preparation journey. God’s vision for each of us is unique and I want to walk alongside of you. Get involved early. Much of the early work as freshmen and sophomores will pay off later as students apply to colleges and for financial aid. Hard work and early involvement will pay dividends down the road.
Best,
Nicole Ingersoll
College Advising Office
Fill out the following form to have your Ambrose transcript sent to colleges:
College entrance exams are standardized aptitude tests used to evaluate students for college admissions purposes. In short, they measure what you need to succeed in college and your potential to perform in the future. The PSAT, SAT and ACT tests focus on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. The PSAT is a practice test given in grades 10 and 11; it offers a preview of the SAT. Colleges and universities accept either the SAT or ACT; there is no preference given to one over the other.
Students should take the SAT or ACT at least once by spring of their junior year. Become familiar with the format and timing on these tests by clicking on the tabs for each test.
Many colleges and universities ‘superscore’ these exams—they look at the highest subject area score among your tests and combine them for an overall ‘superscore.’ Therefore, it beneficial to take the test 2 or 3 times.
Your college advisor Mrs. Ingersoll is a great resource to check in with. Take charge of your education and learn as much as you can!
ACT
The ACT measures a high school student’s readiness for college and provides colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. The ACT contains multiple-choice tests in 4 areas: English, mathematics, reading and Science. The essay portion is optional and will not affect your composite score. 15% of schools require the essay, however, so be sure to check the admissions requirements before you take the test. ACT has an extensive database of preparation materials available here.
You should take the ACT by spring of your junior year. Many colleges and universities superscore the college entrance exams—they look at the highest subject area score among your tests and combine them for an overall superscore. Therefore, it is a benefit to take the test 2 or 3 times.
2019-2020 ACT Test | Registration Deadline | Score Release Date |
September 14, 2019 | August 16, 2019 | September 24 – November 8, 2019 |
October 26, 2019 | September 20, 2019 | November 5 – December 30, 2019 |
December 14, 2019 | November 8, 2019 | December 26, 2019 – February 7, 2020 |
February 8, 2020 | January 10, 2020 | February 25 – April 3, 2020 |
April 4, 2020 | February 28, 2020 | April 14 – May 29, 2020 |
June 13, 2020 | May 8, 2020 | June 23 – August 7, 2020 |
July 18, 2020* | June 19, 2020 | July 28 – August 31, 2020 |
SAT
The SAT is comprised of 3 sections: reading, writing/language and math. The essay is a required piece of the exam. Find out what kinds of questions you’ll see on the SAT and what they measure. You can also watch videos for an overview of each test:
Visit CollegeBoard here to access practice material through Khan Academy. You can also register for upcoming tests.
2019-20 SAT Test | Registration Deadline | Score Release Date |
Saturday, August 24, 2019 | July 26, 2019 | September 6, 2019 |
Saturday, October 5, 2019 | September 6, 2019 | October 18, 2019 |
Saturday, November 2, 2019 | October 3, 2019 | November 15, 2019 |
Saturday, December 7, 2019 | November 8, 2019 | December 20, 2019 |
Saturday, March 14, 2020 | February 14, 2020 | March 27, 2020 |
Saturday, May 2, 2020 | April 3, 2020 | May 15, 2020 |
Saturday, June 6, 2020 | May 8, 2020 | July 15, 2020 |
PSAT
For many families, the PSAT is the first formal step on the trek towards college because it offers a preview of the SAT. Students take it in grades 10 and 11. However, it is junior year scores that will count towards the National Merit Scholarship Program.
According to CollegeBoard, the PSAT is highly relevant to your future success because is focuses on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. It will measure what you learn in high school and what you need to succeed in college.
If you think the key to a high score is memorizing words and facts you’ll never use in the real world, think again. You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before.
The PSAT has 3 sections:
Visit CollegeBoard here to take a practice test or access Khan Academy.
Choosing a Career
Jobscape is a tool from the Idaho Department of Labor to help you identify your ideal career, plus the education and training necessary to realize your goals.
What Can I Do With This Major?
A career-exploration web page with specific information and links to many majors, by ecampustours.com.
Resources to Help You Research Colleges
The Christian Connector
Christian College Research Center (free)
My College QuickStart
Using your personal access code from your PSAT score report, login to use the CollegeBoard’s custom college search planning guide.
CollegeBoard
Similar to the National School Sort (above). Select your particular choices and the outcome is a list of possible college matches for you. Changing some of your criteria will usually give you a different list–try it several times!
Colleges That May Interest You
Ambrose Graduates Have Attended and/or Graduated from These Colleges
Baylor University
Belhaven University
Biola University
Boise State University
Calvin University
Capernwray Bible School UK
College of Idaho
College of Western Idaho
Colorado Christian University
Corban College
George Fox University
Grand Canyon University
Hillsdale College
Kenyon College
New St. Andrews College
Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest University
Nyack College
Olivet College
Point Loma Nazarene University
Seattle Pacific University
Taylor University
Treasure Valley Community College
United States Military Academy Prep School
United States Military Academy at West Point
United States Merchant Marine Academy
University of Dallas
University of Idaho
University of Notre Dame
University of Oklahoma
University of Utah
Walla Walla University
Willamette University
Colleges and Universities Our Faculty Have Attended
Boise State University
Bowling Green State University
Butte College
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
California State University Chico
City University
College of Idaho
College of Southern Idaho
Colorado State University
Columbus State University
Dallas Theological Seminary
Denver Seminary
Dordt College
Duke University
Furman University
George Fox University
Gonzaga University
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Gutenberg College
Houston Community College
Idaho State University
Johns Hopkins University St. John’s College
Keble College, Oxford University
Knox Theological Seminary
Liberty University
Manhattan School of Music
Marshall University
Master’s College
New St. Andrews College
Northern Virginia Community College
Northwest Nazarene University
Oklahoma Baptist University
Princeton Theological Seminary
Oklahoma City University
Oregon State University
San Jose State University
Santa Clara University
St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University
Seattle Pacific University
Sierra College
Southern Evangelical Seminary
Stetson University
Trinity Theological Seminary
UC Davis
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Dallas
University of Idaho
University of Sheffield UK
University of Sussex UK
University of Texas
University of Utah
Vanderbilt University
Washington State University
West Virginia University
Western Oregon University
Whitworth University
Applications
Letters of Recommendation
College and scholarship applications will usually ask for at least one Letter of Recommendation as part of the application process. The agency requesting this is looking for something specific, some extra, rounded-out information about you from someone who knows you. Reviewers want to know how others perceived you when you were faced with a task, a difficult situation, or some challenge that impacted or impressed them as they worked with you. Reviewers want to see what others see when you’re around. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) your parents cannot give you a Letter of Recommendation for these applications; you will need to ask someone else who knows you almost as well. You will want to ask a teacher, youth group leader, mentor, coach, pastor, or an employer–someone who has observed you, your work, and your character. Usually college admissions committees look for recommendations from those who have worked with you in your junior and senior years.
Once you’ve thought about whom you might ask to write your recommendation, remember that you are making a request for this person to do you a favor. No recommender gets paid to do this, nor is it a part of anyone’s job description! It’s a pretty big deal to write about someone and their character, hoping that the letter is accurate, clear, and concise. Writing important character compositions takes a lot of concentrated time and effort, and your recommender needs at least two weeks to plan and write about you. Never assume anyone will write you a recommendation at the last minute—most people will decline your late request. Besides, what kind of character would you be exhibiting if you presume a favor?
Your recommender needs several things from you:
your resume
a copy of your transcript
a definite deadline
the specific application instructions for the Recommendation section
It is important that your recommender have all the tools he or she needs to write the best letter about you. Help them do this by providing all the information needed before you ask. Do not assume that he or she knows or remembers everything about you.
And because your character counts in every way, you don’t want to forget to thank your recommenders in a special way. Writing a thoughtful, appreciative note of thanks to each recommender is the best way to let them know they contributed to your future, and not wasted their precious family time. Honor them by sincerely thanking them.
Advice on putting together your application
Go to Yale University’s admissions website for the most comprehensive advice on essays, interviews, activities, and more.
PSAT scores are distributed in December.
Don’t forget to use your My College QuickStart program.
PSAT Scores are distributed in December.
Don’t forget to use your My College QuickStart program.
The Capital Scholars Program
The Capital Scholars Program recognizes Idaho’s outstanding high school Juniors who not only rank in the top ten percent of their class but also score within the top ten percent of a national standardized test. The cut-off scores to qualify in the top 10 percent of the college entrance exams are: 27 or higher on the ACT, 1220 or higher on the critical reading and math sections of the SAT or 122 or higher on the critical reading and math sections of the PSAT. Students must have completed one of the aforementioned exams by January of their Junior year to qualify.
Selected honorees are invited, along with their parents or guardians, to an on campus program to recognize their achievements. During the program each Capital Scholar receives a renewable $1000 scholarship to Boise State University for up to five years of undergraduate studies. Students must attend the program and enroll at Boise State University the semester immediately following their high school graduation to accept the scholarship.
Students will be notified in mid March if they have been selected as Capital Scholars.
Fall College Fairs
Visit the College Fairs in Boise! Mrs. West’s College Advising Newsletter keeps you up to date on all upcoming events.
Leadership Boise Academy
Leadership Boise Academy recruits up to 57 junior-level students from the Boise, Eagle and Meridian area high schools for a five-month community leadership experience. The sessions covered in LBA are Media, Business, Healthcare, and Legal/Social. The program begins with a Setting the Stage session on a Saturday in late January. LBA students join the adult Leadership Boise class for a Community Service project in April. LBA concludes with a graduation event in May.
See or email Mrs. West if you are interested in this one-of-a-kind experience.
SAT Exam
Take the SAT early in your Senior year so that you can report your scores on your college applications and be considered for Early Decision acceptance.
Register for the SAT now to take the next test.
Senior Resumes
If you need help getting started on your resume, please ask Mrs. West for help. This is a vital part of your college application and scholarship packets.
Applications
Using the Common Application.