College & Career Center Newsletter

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Affording College in 2021: Advice for Students with Disabilities, Tuesday, May 11, 7 pm ET
"This year, college choices are more complicated than ever given the COVID-19 pandemic. Families lost income, the college landscape shifted drastically, and students are faced with uncertainty while making choices regarding their education. NCLD and the Seldin/Haring-Smith Foundation are both committed to ensuring students with disabilities have the financial resources and knowledge to make it in college."

NACAC’s annual College Openings Update: Options for Qualified Students

Are you still thinking about your post-high school plans? NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) released the first list of the season with colleges that are continuing to receive applications for Fall 2022 admission. The College Openings Update is designed as a tool to assist students who have not yet completed the college admission process. The list of colleges is updated daily, so please check back periodically to see additional colleges still accepting applications.

NOVA Information Session, Wednesday, May 19, 10 am

This information session is for seniors who are interested in attending NOVA but have not completed the registration process yet. The session will take place via Zoom. Once the link is provided by NOVA it will be posted on the calendar in Schoology.

Naval ROTC information session, Tuesday, May 11, 10-10:45 am

Staff Sergeant Hoover, with the Marine Corps, will lead an information session about the Naval ROTC (NROTC) scholarship application process and address questions about careers in the Marine Corps. This program is intended for juniors who are exploring ROTC options for college. The information session will take place in Ms. Mural's Schoology conference room (link to join the session is on the calendar in Schoology).

Smith College Women of Distinction Program (Virtual for 2021)

"The Women of Distinction program for high school seniors highlights the opportunities that Smith College offers for African American, Asian American, Latina and Native American students. Participants in this three-day program will explore Smith College to determine whether it might be an appropriate college choice for them. Students will attend panels and workshops on student life and the college admission process, and connect with current Smith students.

Admission to Women of Distinction is a competitive process based on academic and personal qualities. Please note that only current high school juniors are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously visited Smith."

WEBSITE

• Allison, A. (2021, April 27). How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation for College: Step-by-Step Guide for Students. College Essay Guy Team.

You need to register in advance to attend these virtual college fairs.

Coalition for College May Virtual Fairs

• Coalition for College May Virtual College Fair Day 1, Wednesday, May 19, 6-10 pm
• Coalition for College May Virtual College Fair Day 2, Thursday, May 20, 6-10 pm

Study and Go Abroad Virtual Education Fair, Thursday, May 20, 3-9 pm EST

"Meet virtually with universities from Canada and around the world from the comfort of your home. Chat live with representatives from universities and professional schools during the fair. Learn about undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs at home and abroad. Ask about admission requirements, and available scholarships. Taking a gap year? Visit the student travel booths to find out more about gap year options, including work abroad."

Virtual Christian College Fairs

Explore the comprehensive, ongoing virtual college booths anytime May 3 – 21, 2021. Click here to register. Interact LIVE with representatives from each college:

• Tuesday, May 11, 11 am - 2 pm EDT
• Thursday, May 13, 7-10 pm EDT

College Essay Guy, 2021 Matchlighters Scholarship, application due July 15

"The Matchlighters Scholarship provides two hours of college list development and four hours of one-on-one essay help from experienced counselors — at no cost. It’s awarded to high-achieving, low-income students who have solid grades, but just need a little extra help navigating the college application process."

Coursera free class - How to Apply to College

"How to Apply to College will empower learners of all backgrounds to demystify and better understand the college search and selection process, combining the expertise of an Ivy League admissions office and a leading college access and success organization. Led by expert educators, including Eric J. Furda, Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Sean Vereen, President of Steppingstone Scholars, Inc., this free course will help students, family members, college counselors and any inquisitive learner to navigate each stage from the start of the college search process through the transition into a college environment."

Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Open House: New York Campus for High School Underclassmen, Thursday, May 13, 4-5 PM

Come along for this interactive Open House for high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors:

• Learn more about our New York campus—academic programs, application process, campus life, and scholarships
• Meet Associate Dean of Campus Life Dr. J.J. Manley—he’ll introduce you to college life with a culinary twist
• Get a sneak peek of the hands-on learning at CIA with a live demonstration by a CIA graduate
• Special application workshop for juniors, too

8 of the Best Colleges

The directors and deans of eight highly-selective liberal arts colleges join forces to provide college-bound students and their families information about some of the most celebrated colleges in the United States. You can learn about Claremont McKenna College, Colorado College, Connecticut College, Grinnell College, Haverford College, Kenyon College, Macalester College, and Sarah Lawrence College at one of their upcoming programs:

• Tuesday, May 11, 7-8:30 p.m. ET
• Sunday, May 16, 2-3:30 p.m. ET

This 90-minute program provides valuable insights on the distinctions of the individual colleges and the opportunity to speak with eight of the best national liberal arts colleges in the United States.

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.

• Sunday, May 16th 6 PM EDT
• Tuesday, May 18th 7 PM EDT
• Wednesday, May 19th, 7 PM EDT
• Sunday, May 23rd 6 PM EDT
• Tuesday, May 25th 7 PM EDT
• Wednesday May 26th, 7 PM EDT

Princeton Review

• Dream Colleges Tuesday, May 4, 2021 7:00 PM
• ACT Strategy Session Tuesday, May 11, 2021 7:00 PM
• College Application Essay Writing Workshop Tuesday, May 18, 2021 7:00 PM
• SAT, ACT, or Both? Tuesday, May 25, 2021 7:00 PM

Six Colleges, Navigating and Belonging: A Special Session for First-Generation and Low-Income Students

Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams are putting our own rivalries aside, and hosting a series of virtual events for students, families, and counselors.

• Monday, May 24, 8 pm EDT
• Wednesday, May 26, 8 pm EDT

Learn how our six colleges ensure that first-generation and low-income students have the resources they need to succeed—from financial aid to academic support to building a community.

Spring 2021 Consortium

Meet admissions directors from four top liberal arts colleges: Bates, Davidson, Oberlin, and Occidental.

• Wednesday, May 12 at 8:00 PM EDT
• Thursday, May 20 at 8:00 PM EDT

University of Rhode Island Admission Workshops

These workshops are led by University of Rhode Island admission staff.

• Tips for Creating Your College List ️, Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET
• Start to Finish: Common Application Workshop, Wednesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET
• Tips for Writing the College Essay, Thursday, May 20 at 3:00 p.m. ET

NCAA Eligibility Center Spring Webinar for College-Bound Student-Athletes, Thursday, May 13, 6:30 pm

Do you want to compete in college sports? Join the NCAA Eligibility Center for their spring webinar for college-bound student-athletes and your families. This webinar will teach you about the initial-eligibility requirements you must meet in order to study and play sports at an NCAA Division I or II school. Click here to register.

Student Access to Naviance

Please review this instruction sheet to learn how to login to Naviance using Clever.

Parent Access to Naviance

All GMHS parents have access to Naviance. If you update your email address in PowerSchool, you will need to update your email address in Naviance too. If you need assistance accessing your Naviance account, please reach out to Ms. Mural.

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.

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.

The ACT will be offered on several national test dates in 2021.

• Saturday, June 12, 2021 - register by May 7
• Saturday, July 17, 2021 - register by June 18 (No test centers are scheduled for New York in July)

2021-22 SAT Administration Dates (Anticipated)

• August 28, 2021

• October 2, 2021

• November 6, 2021

• December 4, 2021

• March 12, 2022

• May 7, 2022

• June 4, 2022

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.

You will find scholarship resources on the College and Career Center Financial Aid and Scholarships website page and within Naviance.

GMHS Athletic Boosters Association Scholarships, deadline EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, MAY 14

"The GMHS Athletic Boosters Association is pleased to be awarding $11,500 in scholarships this year to eight graduating Seniors from the Class of 2021 and three Alumni. These scholarships are targeted at those students that participate in Mustang Athletics as an athlete OR as an active supporter (e.g., team manager, film coordinator, or student trainer).

• General information about each scholarship's unique requirements and the application form can be found at www.masonathletics.org (from the home page, click on "Athletic Boosters" then click on "Boosters' Scholarships").
• Applications can be submitted electronically to gm.athleticboosters@gmail.com OR can be printed and dropped off at the GMHS main office -- in the mailbox for the Athletic Boosters.
• Scholarship winners will be announced in June.
• For questions, please contact gm.athleticboosters@gmail.com."

Coalition for College Exploration Scholarships (for 9th and 10th graders), due June 1

9th & 10th graders: use MyCoalition tools for a chance to win a $500 scholarship toward the cost of your college exploration and preparation activities – from campus visits, to summer programs, to tutoring.

Zakat Foundation of America (ZFA) Volunteer Service Scholarships, application due May 10

Additional Scholarships

• Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship for High School Seniors, application due Monday, May 30
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority- Chi Beta Omega Chapter “Salute to the Harlem Renaissance” Scholarship, application due Friday, May 14

• Conflict Resolution Youth Summit (CRYS), George Mason University, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, riority application deadline is May 15
• Deloitte Team Tech Challenge (for rising high school seniors)
  
• Global Leadership Adventures, Global Impact Virtual Internship, register by June 1
• Sorensen Institute's High School Leaders Program (HSLP), application deadline is May 17

FREE Computer Science Bridge Program (for current 11th and 12th grade students)

NOVA SySTEMic, Northern Virginia Community College's STEM Outreach Program, will host a 2-week Computer Science Bridge Program for those students who are interested in this field and want to explore this career path. It will be fully virtual (3 hours, 4 days/week - June 14-24), and completely free. Students will earn 1-credit for the SDV 101 course (College Skills) through the Dual Enrollment Program. Applications will be accepted until mid-to-late May.

FREE Colorado State University Virtual Black Issues Forum, apply by Friday, May 21

"The purpose of the Black Issues Forum is to provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their written and oral communication skills and to enhance their leadership potential. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with university faculty, staff, and current students as they discuss and evaluate the important issues of today that affect the African American community at the local, state, national, and/or global level."

FREE Colorado State University Virtual Native Education Forum, apply by May 28 for full consideration

"The Native Education Forum is a six-day summer program for rising high school seniors. Students will gain university classroom experience, research issues critical to Native American/Indigenous communities, and get valuable assistance from professionals in the university application process.

During the program, students will have the chance to interact with university faculty, staff, and current students as they discuss and evaluate important issues that affect Indigenous communities."

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

Dynamy Internship Year Remote Open House, Wednesday, May 19, 7 pm EST

Dynamy Internship Year's approach helps students build the confidence and skills critical for success in college, a career, or whatever else their future may hold!

Email: murals@fccps.org
Website: https://gm.fccps.org/o/gmhs/page/college-career-center
Location: 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church
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.