College Guidance

The Lima Christian School guidance department is pleased to work with families as they navigate the world of LCS course offerings and college and career options. Our trained guidance counselor works with students grades 6-12 to determine the scope and sequence of their middle and high school courses. Starting in 10th grade, the guidance counselor meets with the class to discuss college entrance examinations, career exploration, and the college search process. Junior and Senior years begin with parent seminars, student workshops, and one-on-one meetings to prepare families for the college search and application process.

Colleges

Our students attend and have been accepted to a variety of colleges throughout the US and the world.

  • Albany College of Pharmacy
  • Alfred University
  • Baron Institute of Technology
  • Calvin College
  • Cazenovia  College
  • Columbia University
  • Daemen College
  • Duquesne University
  • Eastern College
  • Emmanual College (GA)
  • Finger Lakes Community College
  • Gardner Webb College
  • Genesee Community College
  • George Washington University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Gordon College
  • Grove City College
  • Hope College
  • Houghton College
  • Indiana Wesleyan University
  • Ithaca College
  • John Carroll University
  • Johnson and Wales University
  • Lafayette College
  • Liberty College
  • Messiah College
  • Monroe Community College
  • Nazareth College
  • Oral Roberts University
  • Regent University
  • Rhode Island School of Design
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Roberts Wesleyan College
  • St. John Fisher College
  • SUNY Binghamton
  • SUNY Brockport
  • SUNY Buffalo
  • SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
  • SUNY Geneseo
  • SUNY Maritime
  • SUNY Oneonta
  • SUNY Plattsburgh
  • SUNY Potsdam
  • United States Military Academy – West Point
  • University of Alaska
  • University of Buffalo
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Hawaii
  • University of Hong Kong
  • University of New Hampshire
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Rochester
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Vermont
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute
  • Westminster College
  • Wheaton College (IL)
  • Wooster College-bound
  • York College
College Resources

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Common Application

  • https://www.commonapp.org: Common Application web site (many colleges accept the “CommonApp” in lieu of a separate application)

Career Exploration

SAT / ACT Preparation Resources

Lima Christian Students take the PLAN examination in 10th grade and the PSAT in the fall of 11th grade.  All juniors should take either the ACT or SAT, possibly both, during the spring semester of  junior year. Most colleges, including community colleges, require this assessment.  Either or both tests may be taken again to improve the scores.

Sign up for either is most easily done on line:

Preparation 
  • Plan about 30 minutes to sign up.  Student must be present to answer some of the questions.  Sign up early to assure test site availability.
  • High school code for Lima Christian: 332814  (must be included for the scores to be reported to us to include on student transcript)
  • Download practice tests.  Spend about 10-20 min each day on these to become familiar with the way questions are worded.  Check your results.
  • SAT prep courses are available from Sylvan, Huntington, MCC, GCC, and various local high schools and libraries.  There is a cost associated with these courses.  Prep books also available from book stores.  The best preparation is consistent practice over time.

SAT/ACT/Regents Internet Sources

Checklist

Junior Year

  • Register for the ACT or SAT. You should be ready to take them by spring. If not, take them early in your senior year.
  • Prepare for the ACT or SAT by using your PLAN and PSAT results. Consider taking a prep course: see counselor for details
  • Visit with admissions counselors who come to your high school, attend a college fair, and begin researching colleges online
  •  Talk with your parents about colleges that interest you
  • Prepare a list of questions to ask on campus visits
  • Visit colleges and talk with college students
  • Investigate scholarship opportunities (internet searches and the local library are good places to start)
  • Volunteer for activities and clubs related to career interests
  • Get a part-time job, apprenticeship, or internship; or job shadow in a profession that interests you
  • Visit with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements

Senior Year

July/August

  • Sign up for the ACT and/or SAT (if you didn’t test as a junior, or if you aren’t satisfied with your scores)
  • Download college admission applications and begin working on essay questions
  • Make a list of references (teachers, coaches, employers, and pastors are all good choices) and send them a written request to write a recommendation letter for you
  • Sign up for a CommonApp username and password and begin working on that application
  • Schedule last college visits before applying

August – December

  • Keep working hard all year; senior year grades can affect scholarship eligibility
  • Follow up with references, making sure they have the addresses they need to send your recommendation letters to colleges
  •  Complete college applications
  • Give your counselor a list of colleges that need your transcript
  • Find out which scholarships you qualify for at your selected colleges
  • Start the financial aid application process

January – May

  • Complete the FAFSA
  • Compare admission offers and financial aid packages from different schools
  • Decide which college to attend, and notify the colleges of your decision
  • Keep track of and observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork
  • Continue to look for scholarship opportunities
  • Notify your college about any outside scholarships you receive