College & Career Center Newsletter
George Mason High School - May 14, 2021
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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 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 and the link is posted on the calendar in Schoology.
COLLEGE FAIRS
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
New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC) College Fair, Sunday, May 16, 1-3 pm
College Representatives will be available LIVE.
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.
EXPLORE COLLEGES & THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Applerouth's College Week, May 17-20
- Part 1 (May 18): We Are Matchlighters: Successful Student Stories from the 2021 Cycle
- Part 2 (May 19): How to Develop a Balanced College List, with Edward Fiske
- (Author of Fiske Guide to Colleges)
- Part 3 (May 20): What College Admission Looks Like in 2021 (And What Rising Seniors Can Do About it)
Special Guests:
- 3 Matchlighters scholars from 2021 who successfully navigated the application process.
- Edward Fiske, author of the Fiske Guide to Colleges
- Deanna Dixon, Dean of Admission, Smith College
- Rick Clark, Director of Admission, Georgia Tech
- Gigi McGuire, Asst. Dir. of Partnerships & Initiatives, Cal-State Northridge
Note: This is a free educational webinar offered by College Essay Guy. Recordings will be emailed to everyone who registers!
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."
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."
8 of the Best Colleges, Sunday, May 16, 2-3:30 p.m. ET
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. 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 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
- 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, Thursday, May 20 at 8:00 PM EDT
Meet admissions directors from four top liberal arts colleges: Bates, Davidson, Oberlin, and Occidental.
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
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 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.
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.
- 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
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.
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
- 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."
Emory & Henry College Healthcare Careers Camp (for rising juniors and seniors)
GAP YEAR
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!
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.