College & Career Center Newsletter
George Mason High School - October 16, 2020
TRANSLATION
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND SIGN UP
Virtual College Visits and Information Sessions, Monday, October 19 - Friday, October 23
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 19
- University of Delaware, 9:15 AM
- Kenyon College, 11:00 AM
- The New School, 11:45 AM
- McDaniel College, 12:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20
- College of Charleston, 10:00 AM
- Bridgewater College, 10:45 AM
- Ferrum College, 11:30 AM
- Providence College, 12:15 PM
Wednesday, October 21
- St. John's University, 11:30 AM
- Washington & Jefferson College, 12:15 PM
Thursday, October 22
- Louisiana State University, 10:00 AM
- Marietta College, 10:45 AM
- University of Oregon, 11:30 AM
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, 12:15 PM
Friday, October 23
- Wagner College, 11:00 AM
- Loyola University Maryland, 11:45 AM
- The University of Alabama, 12:30 PM
- U.S. Air Force Career Opportunities, 2:00 PM
NAVIANCE
Senior Worksheet & Parent Brag Sheet, due one month before the first college application deadline
The Senior Worksheet is completed in Naviance (About Me > My Surveys > Surveys Not Started). The Parent Worksheet is posted on the College and Career Center website; it should be completed and emailed to your student's counselor. These forms are not sent to colleges and universities. They are used to help your counselor write the school recommendation.
COLLEGE & RESOURCE FAIRS
Coalition for College Virtual Programs
October Virtual College Fair, Session 1, Wednesday, October 21, 7-10 pm ET
October Virtual College Fair, Session 2, Thursday, October 22, 7-10 pm ET
HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) College Fair, Saturday, October 17, 1 pm
Moving on To Life in the Community: A Virtual and Free Resource Fair for Students with Disabilities, Wednesday October 21, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
"Don’t miss this VIRTUAL and FREE Resource Fair for students with disabilities and their parents!
Learn about vocational, residential, leisure, recreational, independent living and advocacy options. This resource fair is for all individuals requiring ongoing employment and community support services after graduation.
Presenters include: Career and Transition Services, The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and the ARC of Northern Virginia.
- 6:30-7:15 Overview Presentation
- 7:15-7:30 Participants move to virtual breakout rooms
- 7:30-8:30 Virtual Q&A with Adult Service Providers"
Please register in advance.
National Portfolio Day, 100% Free, Online Portfolio Reviews hosted by the NPDA (National Portfolio Day Association)
Participate in our 16 National Portfolio Day events from September to December 2020. If you are applying to a NPDA member college, university, or art school, you may need or want to participate in one of the National Portfolio Day reviews as part of your admission process. Please consult individual institutions for specific application requirements.
Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Counselors (VACRAO), Freshman Virtual College Fairs, September 28-October 23
EXPLORE COLLEGES & THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Behind the Curtain: A Conversation with Four Admission Deans and Directors
"Bates College, Claremont McKenna College, Lehigh University, and the University of Chicago invite you to Behind the Curtain: An Intimate Conversation with Four Admission Deans & Directors. This group of institutions has come together as part of the American Talent Initiative (ATI), a growing alliance of top colleges and universities committed to increasing access and opportunity for students of all economic backgrounds. The program is open to all students and their parents and aims to demystify the college admissions and financial aid process. The panelists will also be available to answer specific questions about our individual institutions in breakout Zoom meetings at the end of the program."
Sunday, October 18, 2 pm-3:30 pm EDT
Monday, October 19, 8-9:30 pm EDT
Sunday, October 25, 4-5:30 pm EDT
Big Ten Academic Alliance Admissions Directors, Friday, October 23, 3:30 pm ET
"The Big Ten Academic Alliance will host a webinar series for High School Students to hear about Undergraduate Admissions updates, including Question and Answer Sessions with Admissions Staff for each member university. These events are limited in capacity." Learn about Purdue University, Indiana University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Northwestern University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, University of Maryland, Pennsylvania State University, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. You may also want to review the Big Ten Academic Alliance Guide to Undergraduate Admissions.
Big XII Virtual Experience, Tuesday, October 27, 6 pm CT
"Join member institutions of the Big XII Conference for an evening of virtual information sessions. Each institution will host breakout sessions that covers information on admissions, scholarships, campus life, and much more!" Learn about Baylor University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, The University of Kansas, The University of Oklahoma, The University of Texas at Austin, and West Virginia University.
Colleges that Change Lives (CTCL) Virtual Days, October 17-20
"During Virtual Days, each CTCL-member school will host a session so you can learn more about them. In addition, we will offer featured presentations that will cover a variety of aspects of the admissions process."
- Saturday, 10/17 – Colleges That Change Lives
- Saturday, 10/17 – Support for LGBTQIA + Students at CTCL Schools
- Saturday, 10/17 – Liberal Arts During a Pandemic
- Sunday, 10/18 – Colleges That Change Lives
- Sunday, 10/18 – Case Study of a College Application
- Monday, 10/19 – Colleges That Change Lives for College Counselors
- Monday, 10/19 – Music Admissions and How to Get Started
- Tuesday, 10/20 – CTCL for International Students
- Tuesday, 10/20 – Athletics and Admission
CollegeVine: How To Build Your Extracurricular Resume, Sunday, October 18, 3:30 pm EDT
"Learn what colleges are looking for in an extracurricular resume and how to improve your profile for admission to selective colleges."
"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!"
A Session with the Deans, Thursday, October 22, 7 pm CDT
Joint Virtual Information Session, Thursday, October 29, 7 pm CDT
"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 18, 4 pm EDT
Thursday, October 22, 7 pm EDT
Exploring Educational Excellence: Joint Virtual Information Session, Tuesday, October 20, 6 pm ET
"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."
Fall Consortium, 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."
Five College Consortium Virtual Open House for Prospective Students, Wed., Oct. 21, 7 pm ET
For more than 50 years the Five College Consortium has offered students, faculty and staff members benefits beyond those offered on their home campus. The Five College Consortium consists of Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Learn how you can enroll in one of our campuses and experience all five! Join the admissions staffs of our campuses to hear about:
Changes to our admissions processes that better support you
Details about each of our campuses
The many benefits our students enjoy through Five Colleges
Longwood University Virtual Northern VA Information Session, Monday, October 19, 6:30- 8 pm
Nicole Gilson, Admission Counselor for Northern Virginia, will lead a virtual information session just for Northern VA students. In the session, you will learn about Longwood, how to apply, scholarships and financial aid, and more. You’ll experience a virtual campus tour, and we'll wrap it up by hearing from current Longwood students from Northern Virginia about their experiences.
Macalister College Workshop Wednesdays, Writing a College Essay, Wed., Oct. 28, 6-7:30 pm CT
"Our most interactive workshop, we’ll lay out the do’s and don’ts of writing a college essay. Discover the ways to represent yourself in an authentic and genuine way to stand out among a sea of applicants. Plus, we’ll cover the basic proofreading steps that will avoid embarrassing errers (see what we did there?)."
Northern Virginia Community College, Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program Information Session for GMHS, Friday, November 6, 1:15 pm
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.
Jason Engler, our GMHS Pathway representative, will host an information session for our students. Students need to add Zoom to their school computers to participate (Launchpad > search for Self Service > search for Zoom and install the out of the building version). The URL to participate is posted on the calendar in Schoology.
Real Talk: Maryland Colleges Edition, Tuesday, October 20, 7 pm
"Real Talk is a virtual college exploration series designed to connect Black students with admissions representatives from universities across the country. Although this event will cater to students, we also encourage parents, educators, and community members to participate. This event is open to all—you don't need to be a resident of Maryland to attend.
Admissions representatives from eight colleges and universities in Maryland will share pertinent information about the admissions process and campus life. They'll answer questions in real time during the Q&A portion of the event. This will be a great way for you and your student(s) to engage with university representatives directly!"
Featured Institutions: Bowie State University, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University Maryland, Morgan State University, Towson University, University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and Washington College.
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."
"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 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."
ARTICLES AND BLOG POSTS:
Adams, S. (2020, September 30). Forbes' Guide To College Admissions During The Pandemic.
Mann, L. (2020, October 5). Just Write the Essay… or Don’t. Lydia Mann considers the new COVID-19 essay prompts. Inside Higher Ed.
Mitchell, T., & Moody, J. (2020, September 16). These Colleges Have the Lowest Out-of-State Tuition. U.S. News & World Report.
- Schiffman, J. Apps 101: Ten Tips for an Epic College Essay. Tulane University Admission Blog
Wichard-Edds, A. (2020, October 13). Experts offer four reasons why kids need to own their college essays - and one way parents can help. The Washington Post.
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
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
STANDARDIZED TESTS
The ACT does not have any national test administration dates in November. For the ACT on December 12, you need to register by November 6.
Registration to sit for the SAT/SAT Subject Tests on the national test dates is open. To sit for a test on December 5 you need to register by November 5.
Take an SAT® Practice Test with Tyson Pimmit Library, Saturday, October 17, 1-5 pm
ARTICLE
- Adams, S. (2020, October 02). The SAT Mess: Eight Months Into The Pandemic, Tests Are Still Being Canceled At The Last Minute. Forbes.
FINANCIAL AID
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened 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.
Emory & Henry FAFSA Workshop 101
"Emory & Henry College offered a virtual FAFSA (Free Application for Free Student Aid) workshop available to the public free of charge on Friday, October 2. Traci Harrison, associate director of admissions and Scarlett Blevins, director of financial aid at Emory & Henry College led this session." You can click on the link to view the recording.
Federal Student Aid (FSA) Financial Aid Bootcamp, October 20 and 21
Macalister College Workshop Wednesdays, Navigating Financial Aid, Wed., Oct. 21, 6-7:15 pm CT
"Affording college is one of the top reasons students stress about the search. Don’t let fear of the unknown slow you down. We’ll lay out all the tools and resources available, and explain how the financial aid office is really friend not foe. Along the way, we’ll decode the financial aid lingo."
ARTICLES
- Clark, C. (2020, October 06). Don't wait to apply for student loans for next year-some of the money could actually run out. MarketWatch.
Farrington, R. (2020, October 03). 7 Ways To Successfully Land College Scholarships. Forbes.
How to Fill Out the FAFSA® Form When You Have More Than One Child in College. (2020, October 08). HOMEROOM: The Official Blog of the U.S. Department of Education.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Free Speech Essay Contest, application due December 31
Open to juniors and seniors. Students must submit an essay between 700 and 900 words on the provided topic. One $10,000 first prize, one $5,000 second prize, three $1,000 third place prizes and four $500 prizes will be awarded.
Horatio Alger Scholarships, application due October 25
"As one of the nation’s largest college financial aid programs in the country, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. The scholarships are funded by Horatio Alger Members who, like the Scholars, have experienced challenges but ultimately overcame them to become successful business and civic leaders."
ARTICLE
- Murray, A. (2020, April 24). 7 Common Scholarship Application Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them. U.S. News & World Report.
CAREERS
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes
Programs are available in cosmetology, esthiology, and massage therapy. The have a location in Arlington, VA, along with institutes in other states. If you are interested in learning more about these career paths, please contact Aveda to learn about 1:1 tours and informational webinars.
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."
Paul Mitchell The School Tysons Corner
Start a beauty career and learn real-world haircutting, coloring, styling, and makeup. Financial Aid is available to pursue this program.
Virtual Career Exploration & Readiness Workshops, NOVA Systemic
Check out our upcoming FREE Virtual STEM Career Exploration & Readiness Workshops!
- October 21 / 11:00 a.m. – Business & Professional Communication Workshop
- October 27 / 3:00 p.m. – High School Focused Resume, Cover Letter & Interviewing Tips Workshop
Recordings of past NOVA Systemic career events are available to view on YouTube. The following may be of interest:
GAP YEAR
You will find a list of gap year programs on the College and Career Center Gap Year website page.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Inspirit AI, AI Scholars 2020
Inspirit AI is a pre-college enrichment program developed and taught by a team of Stanford Ph.D. students.
Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) program, application due October 25 for the online program starting in December 2020
"This FREE program awards high school juniors and seniors up to five transferable college credits through engagement in a NASA-developed course using an Environmental/Earth Science theme. The on-line course develops skills across a range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and is aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning. Scholars selected from the on-line course may be invited to participate in a FREE seven-day residential Summer Academy at NASA Langley Research Center."
Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS), application due October 25 for the course beginning in December 2020
Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) is a program for High School Sophomores focusing on the science, engineering, and technology integral to current missions at NASA Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.Sheri Mural, College & Career Specialist
Email: murals@fccps.org
Website: https://gm.fccps.org/o/gmhs/page/college-career-center--8
Location: 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043, USA
Phone: (703) 248-5531
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.