College & Career Center Newsletter
George Mason High School - May 21, 2021
TRANSLATION
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FOR SENIORS
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 list of 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.
EXPLORE COLLEGES & THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Coalition Week, May 23-27
Coalition for College member schools are united in their mission to make college a reality for all students through free college planning tools that help students learn about, prepare for, and apply to college.
- Sunday, May 23, 5 p.m. CDT: Self Care 101. A conversation on the importance of self-care throughout the college admissions process with Carleton College, Illinois State University, and Northwestern University.
- Monday, May 24, 6 p.m. CDT: Dean & Directors Panel. Join Deans and Directors from Bowdoin College, Johns Hopkins University, Knox College, the University of Michigan, and Wesleyan University to learn more about their work in equity and access in college admissions.
- Tuesday, May 25, 7 p.m.: Schoolhouse.world. Join Sal Khan from Schoolhouse.world and Dean Jim Nondorf from the University of Chicago as they introduce you to a new platform that connects students to volunteers around the world for free, small group tutoring sessions over Zoom.
- Wednesday, May 26, 6 p.m. CDT: Understanding Financial Aid. An overview of the financial aid process with the UChicago College Advising Corps, Loyola University, and North Central College. Simultaneous sessions (one in English, one in Spanish) will address popular terms/structures and offer tips for navigating the financial aid process.
- Thursday, May 27, 6 p.m. CDT: College Essays 101. Join Illinois College, Kenyon College, Pomona College, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to gain insight into how essays can add an important perspective to a student’s application and learn how different kinds of essays are considered in a holistic review process.
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."
College Essay Guy College Essay & Application Kick-off Live Webinars
- Part 1: How to Write an Outstanding Personal Statement, Tuesday, May 25, 7-8 pm ET
- Part 2: How to Create an Outstanding College Application, Thursday, May 27, 7-8 pm ET
Coursera free class - How to Apply to College
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 23, 6 PM EDT
- Tuesday, May 25, 7 PM EDT
- Wednesday May 26, 7 PM EDT
Potomac & Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling Virtual College Fairs,
- Presentation - Introduction to the College Search and Timeline, Sunday, May 23, 3-3:45 pm
- College Fairs - Sunday, May 23, 3-6:45 pm, and Monday, May 24, 5-7:45 pm
Princeton Review SAT, ACT, or Both?, Tuesday, May 25, 7 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.
Texas Tech Application Workshops, June 21-August 6
Virtual Student Program, Sunday, May 23, 4-5 pm EDT
Admission office staff from Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Notre Dame, and Washington University in St. Louis are hosting a virtual information session for students and their families. Each admission officer will share about their institution for a few minutes before responding to live and pre-submitted questions. RSVPs are required to receive the Zoom link.
NAVIANCE
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 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 (under the Important To-Dos and Tasks heading). 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 school counselor write the school recommendation.
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.
STANDARDIZED TESTS
The ACT will be offered on several national test dates in 2021 and 2022.
- Saturday, July 17, 2021 - register by June 18 (No test centers are scheduled for New York in July)
- Saturday, September 11, 2021 - register by August 6
- Saturday, October 23, 2021 - register by September 17
- Saturday, December 11, 2021 - register by November 5
- Saturday, February 12, 2022 - register by January 7
- Saturday, April 2, 2022 - register by February 25
- Saturday, June 11, 2022 - register by May 6
- Saturday, July 16, 2022 - register by June 17 (No test centers are scheduled for New York in July)
2021-22 SAT Administration Dates (Anticipated)
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Saturday, October 2, 2021
Saturday, November 6, 2021
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Saturday, June 4, 2022
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.
ARTICLE
- Lustig, M. (2021, March 31). How Much Can I Borrow for College? U.S. News & World Report.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
You will find scholarship resources on the College and Career Center Financial Aid and Scholarships website page and within Naviance.
Coalition for College Exploration Scholarships (for current 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.
Coalition for College Path to College Scholarship (for current 11th graders), complete the required steps by July 30
Class of 2022: Get a head start on your college application this summer for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship.
Equinix Digital Infrastructure Scholarship Program
SUMMER PROGRAMS
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."
GAP YEAR
You will find a list of gap year programs on the College and Career Center Gap Year website page.
Sheri Mural, College & Career Specialist
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.