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College Conversation with Ms. Mural, Thursday, October 8, 1-2 pm & Friday, October 9, 10-10:45 am

Please join me in Schoology, Counseling Class of 2021, for an informal question and answer session about colleges and the application process.

Virtual College Visits and Information Sessions, Monday, October 5 - Friday, October 9

Please sign up in Naviance at least one day in advance to attend visits. On the day of the visit, you need to login to Naviance, locate the visit, and click on the URL to join the meeting. The URL will be visible 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. If a visit conflicts with a class, you need to obtain permission from your teacher to attend.

Monday, October 5

• Roanoke College, 9:15 AM
• Arizona State University-Tempe, 12:30 PM
• University of British Columbia, 1:15 PM
• Villanova University, 2:00 PM
• Goucher College, 2:45 PM

Tuesday, October 6

• DePaul University, 10:00 AM

• Florida Institute of Technology, 10:45 AM
• Longwood University, 11:30 AM
• Dartmouth College, 12:15 PM

Wednesday, October 7

• Lafayette College, 11:30 AM
• Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, 12:15 PM

Thursday, October 8

• Smith College, 10:00 AM
• Marymount University, 10:45 AM
• Colby College, 11:30 AM
• Merrimack College, 12:15 PM

Friday, October 9

• Macalester College, 11:00 AM
• Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln, 11:45 AM
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus, 12:30 PM
• NOVA Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program Information Session, 1:15 PM (NOTE: You do not have to sign up ahead of time in Naviance to attend. The Zoom link to participate is on the calendar in Schoology, Counseling Class of 2021 and 2022. Students can download Zoom to their school computer using the Self Service app.)
• Bennington College, 2:00 PM
• Clark University, 2:45 PM

College Vine College Fair Recordings

"Watch Q&A panels with current college students representing 100+ universities."

European Universities Consortium (EUC) Virtual Fair, October 3

NACAC Virtual College Fair, Monday, October 12 and Sunday, October 18

State of the Art Inclusive College Fair , Wednesday, October 7, 6-8pm EST

"Join us for a virtual college fair and explore dozens of inclusive college programs from around the country offering options for students with intellectual disability."

Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Counselors (VACRAO), Freshman Virtual College Fairs, September 28-October 23

Academic Common Market, Southern Regional Education Board

"Study in a specialized field at an out-of-state college. Pay in-state tuition rates."

Discovering U: Joint Virtual Information Session, Thursday, October 15, 7 pm

"Join Columbia University, the University of Chicago, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan, and Yale University to discover the exceptional opportunities our schools have to offer! Admissions professionals from our five schools will host a zoom webinar featuring a variety of perspectives on the academic programs, philosophies, and traditions that make our colleges a home for our students."

Discovering U: Joint Student Panel, Thursday, October 8, 8 pm EDT

"Join Columbia University, the University of Chicago, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan, and Yale University for a live panel with current students to discuss their experiences at our respective institutions."

Exploring College Options

"Exploring College Options is a special informational program sponsored by the undergraduate admissions offices of five of the country's leading universities: Duke University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

This fall we are pleased to invite you and your family to join us for a 90-minute webinar to help you explore your college options and prepare a strong and reflective application in this time of change and new challenges. During the program, admission officers from our five universities will introduce their institutions, discuss the college application process, answer general questions, and provide individual school breakout sessions. You need to register ahead of time to attend."

Sunday, October 4, 4 pm EDT

Thursday, October 8, 7 pm EDT

Sunday, October 18, 4 pm EDT

Thursday, October 22, 7 pm EDT

Exploring Educational Excellence: Joint Virtual Information Session

"Join Brown University, the University of Chicago, Columbia University, Cornell University and Rice University for a virtual information session for prospective students and their families. Sessions include a brief overview of each institution, information on admissions and financial aid, and a chance to ask questions of admissions representatives."

Tuesday, October 6, 8 am ET

Wednesday, October 14, 8 pm ET

Tuesday, October 20, 6 pm ET

Fall Consortium, Tuesday, October 6, 8 pm EDT and Wednesday, October 21, 8 pm EDT

"We invite you to join representatives from Bates, Davidson, Oberlin, and Occidental to learn more about academic opportunities, financial aid, and the student experience at these top liberal arts colleges."

Harvard, Princeton, UVA, Wellesley, and Yale Virtual Information Session for DC, Maryland, & Virginia

"William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions at Harvard; Karen Richardson, Dean of Admissions at Princeton; Gregory Roberts, Dean of Admissions at UVA; Joy St. John, Dean of Admissions at Wellesley; and Jeremiah Quinlan, Dean of Admissions at Yale will discuss academic programs, campus life, selective college admissions and financial aid."

Thursday, October 8, 7 pm EDT

Sunday, October 11, 7 pm EDT

Tuesday, October 13, 7 pm EDT

Metropolitan University Tour, Wednesday, October 7, 7-8:30 pm CDT

"Come learn about SMU, The George Washington University, Tulane University, Northeastern University and University of Miami as we team up to introduce prospective students to the academic, interdisciplinary and social experiences possible at each of our five unique institutions."

myOptions: Discover Your Path to College & Career Success

"myOptions empowers students to explore colleges and careers with free technology, advice, planning tools, and encouragement from family and educators, as they discover more about themselves on their journey through high school."

Northeast Public Universities At a Glance

"Join us for a special virtual event, Northeast Public Universities Admissions Panel, with University of Delaware, Binghamton University, Stony Brook University, University of Maryland, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, University of Connecticut, and Rutgers University. Learn about each university’s academic programs, student life, and the application process. You’ll be able to provide questions to be answered in advance of the event and hear them answered live."

Thursday, October 8, 7-9 pm

Wednesday, October 14, 7-9 pm

Northeastern Mid-Atlantic Virtual Regional Event, Tuesday, October 6, 7:30–8:30 pm EDT

"You are invited to a Northeastern University information session that will discuss the application process, academic and experiential opportunities and student life on campus. The presentation will feature both admissions officers from your region and a panel of current Northeastern students."

Northern Virginia Community College, Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program Information Session for GMHS, application for admission due November 15

"Pathway to the Baccalaureate guides selected students on their journey from high school through NOVA to a four-year institution." Students need to apply for admission to both the Pathway program and NOVA.

Friday, October 9, 1:15 pm

Friday, November 6, 1:15 pm

Jason Engler, our GMHS Pathways representative, will join us for two information sessions this fall. Students need to download Zoom to their school computers to participate (Launchpad > search for Self Service > search for Zoom and download the out of the building version). The URL to participate in these programs are posted on the calendar in Schoology.

Real Talk: HBCU Edition, October 8, 7 pm ET

"Real Talk is a College Board initiative designed to connect Black students, parents, and educators with admissions representatives from colleges and universities across the country. Now, more than ever, we must stay connected and create a space for Real Talk."

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, STAR Program, Sunday, October 18, 4-8:30 pm

"Rensselaer Admissions, in coordination with members of Rensselaer's Black and Latinx communities, invites academically talented, underrepresented students to participate in the Science, Technology, and Arts at Rensselaer (STAR) Program."

SRT Webinar Series

"Enjoy receiving live advice on country specifics, admissions process, university degrees and student life from the comfort of your laptop or phone."

University of Rhode Island College Admission Workshops

"We know there's a lot of advice out there about how to submit the best application or write the most interesting essay or even which colleges to apply to. So much of this can feel overwhelming or contradictory, which is why we have designed two workshops to help you answer some of these questions. Join us on one of the following dates for a workshop that will be led by University of Rhode Island admission staff."

Tips for Creating your College List, October 5 , 6:30 pm and October 14, 3 pm

Tips for Writing the College Essay, October 21, 3 pm and October 26, 6:30 pm

UVA Fall Fest, Saturday, October 17, 10 am - 2 pm EDT

"Fall Fest—a virtual open house—will give students the chance to learn about the University of Virginia community and our admission and financial aid processes. The event will focus on Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx student experiences and will feature current UVA students, faculty, and staff."

Yale Virtual Session & Current Student Conversation for students in Delaware, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia

"The session will include an overview of Yale undergraduate programs from regional admissions officers and a live panel conversation with Yale students from the area." Please click on a date below to register.

Sunday, October 4, 4 pm EDT

Tuesday, October 6, 7 pm EDT

ARTICLES, BLOG POSTS, & PUBLICATIONS:

• Inside the Yale Admissions Office Podcast - "The podcast gives firsthand accounts of how officers read applications, make decisions within the Admissions Committee, and collaborate with other offices and resource centers."
  
• Korn, M. (2020, September 17). Which U.S. Colleges Are the Most Diverse? The Wall Street Journal

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

Seniors, and a parent/guardian if the student is under 18 years old, need to complete the FERPA Consent, Release & Waiver for Letters of Recommendation(s): College, Scholarship, Honor, Special Programs & Employment. If you are applying to colleges using the Common Application, the GMHS FERPA form is in addition to completing the FERPA section within the Common Application. To complete the GMHS FERPA form, students need to use their FCCPS email addresses.

Transcript Requests

ARTICLES

• Moody, J. (2020, June 17). ACT vs. SAT: How to Decide Which Test to Take. U.S. News & World Report.
• Tate, E. (2020, September 25). 1,600 Colleges Are Now Test-Optional. How Many Will Go Back? - EdSurge News.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open on October 1. Some schools also require the CSS Profile for financial aid consideration. Please consult individual colleges regarding financial aid forms that are required.

Filing FAFSA, Coalition Member Event, Thursday, October 8, 7-8 pm

"Join the Florida Southern College admissions team for a discussion designed to walk you through the process of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Bring any questions you may have about financial aid at Florida Southern College!"

Northern Virginia Community College Financial Aid 101 Program

The passcode to view the program is k05pw+Yr

ARTICLES & BLOG POST

• Carrns, A. (2020, September 25). Pandemic Increases Importance of Filing Early for Financial Aid. The New York Times.

• Hess, A. J. (2020, September 29). The FAFSA opens Oct 1-and it's more important than ever to complete it ASAP. CNBC Make It.

• Powell, F., & Kerr, E. (2019, October 1). Completing the FAFSA: Everything You Should Know. U.S. News & World Report.

• Powell, F., & Kerr, E. (2019, December 23). What You Need to Know About College Financial Aid. U.S. News & World Report.

• 5 Things to Know About Current Repayment Flexibilities and Your Federal Student Loans. (2020, September 02). HOMEROOM. The official Blog of the U.S. Department of Education.

DAR Good Citizens Award from the Falls Church Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution - contact Ms. Mural by October 15 if you are interested in being considered

"The DAR Good Citizens program and scholarship contest is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. The program is open to all senior class students enrolled in accredited public or private secondary schools that are in good standing with their state boards of education. United States citizenship is not required."

"The Florence Levine Berman Opportunity Scholarship provides funding to immigrants and first generation Americans to support their pursuit of higher education at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). This scholarship award may be used for tuition, fees, and books."

You will find a list of gap year programs on the College and Career Center Gap Year website page.

This information is provided for your convenience. Postings do not indicate endorsement or sponsorship by George Mason High School, FCCPS, nor any administrator or employee of either George Mason High School or FCCPS.