Junior Newsletter Fall 2016
6 Steps Toward A Successful School Year With Crosby Scholars
Congratulations on progressing to your Crosby Scholars Junior year. This is a very important year for you and we are here to support you along the way. The Junior Newsletter will keep you informed of upcoming events, programs, deadlines, and opportunities, however, it is your responsibility to stay informed. Checking the Crosby Scholars website and your Crosby Scholars student portal regularly will ensure that you stay on top of your game. If you have questions about your student portal you can send an email to info@crosbyscholarsrowan.org .
STEP 1: Attend One Crosby Scholars Junior Academy
Junior Crosby Scholar Academies offer scholars the opportunity to attend personal and academic enrichment workshops. Juniors are required to attend one Crosby Scholars Academy during the school year. This year juniors will learn about ACT/SAT Test Prep and Financial Literacy. Parents are invited to attend the optional CFNC/Admissions parent session. The remaining dates for juniors are listed below:
September 10th, 10am-12pm in the Harriet Tubman Little Theater at Livingstone College, 701 W. Monroe St., Salisbury
September 17th, 1-3pm in the Harriet Tubman Little Theater at Livingstone College, 701 W. Monroe St., Salisbury
Juniors are required to register for each academy through their student portal:
Step 2: Prepare for testing
The SAT
Effective March 5, 2016, the redesigned SAT was rolled out for the first time. Your graduating class (2018) will be the first to have no overlap with the old test. The SAT is one of two college entrance exams (with the other being the ACT) widely accepted at most colleges and universities. Here are a few things that the redesigned SAT features:
-A maximum of a three-part test as opposed to four,
-An optional essay,
-Scoring only for right answers as opposed to receiving deductions for incorrectly filled bubbles,
-50 minutes to write the essay as opposed to 25, and
-A much more narrowed focus on skills and knowledge, so as to test what students should know instead of a wide array of topics that may not necessarily apply.
A free online source for SAT Prep is found here:
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat
Payment information for the SAT is available when you register for the test. To qualify for a fee waiver, see your Guidance Counselor. Qualifying students can receive up to 2 SAT and ACT fee waivers. You may send your scores to four colleges of your choice.
SAT Registration:
The ACT
The ACT is the other widely accepted national college entrance exam. It is said that the ACT is accepted at every college and university in the United States of America. Every junior in the public school system in the state of North Carolina will have the opportunity to take the ACT in March, at no cost to the student. The ACT tests students in the subject areas of: English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading. Some key features regarding the ACT are:
-Scores are based on the correct number of answers, with no penalty for incorrect responses,
-Helps students to gauge their level of preparedness for both college and career pathways,
-In addition to English, Mathematics, and Reading, the ACT also measures what students have learned in school as it relates to Science,
-Offers an optional essay, and
-Aside from being a national college entrance exam, the ACT also offers a profile and planning section for education and career planning to help with planning life after high school.
Again, every junior will take the ACT in March for free. Take the time to study for it and take it seriously because colleges may see this score. Furthermore, without a fee waiver, each additional time that the test is taken will cost $56.50, including the writing component. As with the SAT, please check with your Guidance Counselor if you have questions.
Free ACT preparation can be found here:
STEP 3: Attend a College Fair or Tour 4 Colleges/Universities
If you choose to attend a College Fair, we ask that you meet with 4 college representatives and ask each rep to sign your form verifying your conversation. If you attend the Rowan County College Fair, you must submit this form at the Crosby Scholars table before leaving the fair.
- Rowan County College Fair: October 23rd, 3-5pm at Catawba College, West Innes Street, Salisbury
If you choose to visit colleges, we ask that you visit 4 college campuses. Upon attending the admission session, ask the admissions representative to sign your form verifying your attendance. After attending the fourth school and collecting all signatures, you must submit this form immediately to the Crosby Scholars office.
(A signed letter from each school on college letterhead detailing the date of your admissions visit will also suffice or a selfie with your Admissions Counselor will also be accepted.)
Email to info@crosbyscholarsrowan.org.
Step 4: Attend Grade Advisor Meetings
As a Crosby Scholar, you have the opportunity to attend Grade Advisor Meetings. These sessions are held at your school once a month in November, December, February, and March. Grade Advisor Meetings aim to provide insight into the college process. You will discuss important topics such as:
-how to become a competitive college applicant,
-how to select the best school for you,
-filling out the college application,
-writing essays,
-letters of recommendation,
-test-taking tips,
-campus visits, and so much more!
Grade Advisor Meetings are not mandatory, however, they are an excellent opportunity to gain information regarding the college admissions process. Please attend as many of these sessions as your schedule will allow. We are very fortunate to have Admissions Counselors from Catawba College serving as Grade Advisors for our juniors. Please take advantage of this fantastic opportunity!
You will also receive an email notification once the meeting dates are added!
STEP 5: Complete 2 Hours of Community Service by March 15, 2017
Crosby Scholars are REQUIRED to complete a minimum of 2 hours of community service each academic year. If you have already completed this requirement, submit your form now!
Step 6: Meet your Junior Crosby Scholar Officer
To see the 2016-2017 Crosby Scholars Student Officers, visit the Crosby Scholars website here:
http://www.crosbyscholarsrowan.org/featured-130
You can also view the Crosby Scholars bulletin board at your school.
Resources for Success
Need study material for testing? Tips for career exploration or information about applying and paying for college? The websites below can help!
- http://www.cfnc.org/
- http://public.careercruising.com/en/home/
- https://www.khanacademy.org/
- https://fafsa.ed.gov/
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
It is recommended that students visit each website often as they provide updated and useful information.
Contact Information
Website: www.crosbyscholarsrowan.org
Location: 225 North Main Street, Salisbury, NC, United States
Phone: 704 762-3513
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RowanCrosbyScholars
Twitter: @RoCo_Crosby