You're probably wondering how it could even be possible that your son or daughter is applying for college, when it seems like only yesterday you were dropping them off at preschool or kindergarten. The adage that time passes quickly hits you like a ton of bricks as you come to the realization that your child will soon be headed off to college to begin a new chapter in their life. Here is an article that might help you, and your child, through this process.

While we have talked about these details in classes, if you would like a review of how to write a personal essay or what colleges look for, check out this virtual opportunity this Saturday, November 5.

College Applications: Two quick reminders as you get ready to send your applications. First, recommendations - teacher and counselor - need to be made 2 weeks in advance of the deadline. Second, if you complete a transcript request through a college website, you must also make a request through Naviance. All transcript requests must be made in Naviance after applying to the college.

One of the first and most important steps that you’ll take when beginning the college application process is creating a college list. All the hard work, test prep, and essay writing in the world won’t do you any good if you’re applying to colleges that aren’t right for you. Here is an article to help you start your search.

Most high school students are advised to take the SAT in spring of their junior year. As a part of state testing, all juniors will have the opportunity to take the SAT during the school in April. Scores from this test day can be used for college admission. To ensure students finalize their college list based on official SAT results, students should plan to have prepared for and taken 2 back-to-back SATs, so they’ll have scores they’re proud of in hand before they have to fill out applications. This also reduces stress because it frees up time the summer before senior year so they can get a jump on their applications for colleges and scholarships. Here is an article to help plan your testing strategy.

One of the biggest mistakes in the junior year is not taking advantage of college meetings from college representatives when they visit TCA. A complete list of upcoming visits can be found in Naviance: Naviance home page> Scroll right side>”What’s New” box> Bottom of box> Click “Show More”>Click “More Info”>Click “Register” to sign up. Students can use these same steps to sign up for Career Chats.

Here is a link to the Sophomore Year Checklist to help stay aware of some of the monthly “milestones.”

If you have not yet completed the FAFSA, here are a few tips and videos to help with the process. Feel free to connect with me, Ms. Peters tcacollege@asd20.org or your senior advisor Skip Zickmund szickmund@asd20.org with any questions.

FAFSA Myth: It’s so hard to complete the FAFSA; there is no help available.

Where to create a FAFSA account. you will specify a role and be prompted to create an FSA ID

How to create an FSA ID. Parent/Guardian AND student must create their own FSA ID!

SAVE your FSA ID, username, and password somewhere secure. You’ll need It every year!

You will need to confirm via email and cellphone.

At the end of the process, you will see a confirmation success of account/FSA ID creation.

FAQ about the FAFSA

Read our weekly newsletter--sent every Friday to IC emails and student school emails. Take action.

• SAVE programs of interest to an EXPLORATION Spreadsheet. Specify if it is an option in your later years of high school, along with the link to the program.

• SAVE potential future scholarships to a SCHOLARSHIP spreadsheet. Include links, deadlines, and amount.

• Immediately sign up for events and programs of interest WHILE you read the newsletter! Add to calendar!

Consider Copying this iCal link to add the Connections Family calendar to your personal calendar

Connections, Room 1104

* Monday, 11/7 10:30, US Army recruiter, Outside Front Office
* Tuesday, 11/8 10:30, BINGO

In the Community

Pikes Peak WorkForce Center Job Fair, Thursday, November 17 from 11 am – 2 pm. Located at the Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs.

Interested in being a Digital Ambassador for Colorado Springs? For more information, click here.

Interested in running for office someday? Curious about what it takes to run for City Council? Click here for an upcoming panel discussion on Nov. 15.

Do you love to write poetry? Submit to the 17th Annual Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers, presented by the Kenyon Review. If you are the winner or one of the two runners-up, your poem will be published in their print magazine and on their website. In addition, the winner receives a full scholarship to the 2023 Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop next summer in Gambier, OH, on the Kenyon College campus. Accepting submissions November 1–30.

The El Pomar Scholarship at Colorado College is a full tuition, room, and board scholarship for Colorado students interested in pursuing careers in public service or non-profit work, or for students who have been significantly involved in community service during their four years of high school. Provide a resume, a 600-800 word essay, two short answer responses, and a letter of recommendation, submitted by January 15 to apply.

Florida State University (FSU) offers a study abroad programs called First Year Abroad (FYA). This program gives incoming first-year students the chance to study at FSU’s international study centers throughout their first year of college (fall, spring, and summer terms). Out-of-state students who successfully complete the FYA program will earn an in-state tuition waiver for the remainder of their first undergraduate degree at FSU. You can learn more about First Year Abroad and FSU’s international study centers on their website.

It’s a real major! Learn more about Music Theory and Composition at NYU. Check out the two-week Screen Scoring Workshop at NYU.

Is it possible to combine 3 interests into one major? Check out how language, health care, and service passions integrate into Communicative Sciences and Disorders at NYU. Completing the surveys in Naviance can help you articulate your preferences as well!

1001 Things Every Teen Should Know Before They Leave Home

by Harry H. Harrison Jr.

51. They should know they’ll feel a lot better about everything if they get a good night’s sleep. Exhaustion can make everything seem darker.

87. They should know spell-check can help them look smarter. Careers are derailed over poor writing and spelling.

101. They should know enough math skills to determine if they can pass up the next gas station.

264. They should remember the first job is just that.

Thank you!