College & Career Center Newsletter
George Mason High School - February 5, 2021
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PLANNING FOR POST-HIGH SCHOOL & CAREERS
Captivating & Curious Careers in Anthropology webinar, Thursday, February 18, 11 am
Join us in celebrating Anthropology Day! You can register to attend this Zoom webinar as an individual. The webinar is estimated to last 30-40 minutes.
Leaders Like Me, the next event is on February 17, 4:30 pm
Join Urban Alliance for Leaders Like Me, a monthly series of youth-led virtual conversations with leaders of color. Urban Alliance kicked off our new youth-led speaker series with leaders of color with guest speaker Kaya Henderson, Founder and CEO of Reconstruction and Co-Host of Pod Save the People. Watch the video here. The series continues on Feb. 17 at 4:30pm ET/3:30pm CT with Kesha Cash, Founder and General Partner of Impact America Fund.
STEM Careers Virtual Workshops, offered by NOVA's STEM Outreach Program, NOVA SySTEMic
- The Career Engineer: Resume Workshop, Wednesday, February 24, 6-7:30 pm
- The Career Engineer: Interviewing Workshop, Wednesday, March 3, 6-7:30 pm
Learn about Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways at NOVA from college faculty and staff. Sessions will utilize the Zoom platform and is geared towards High School and current NOVA Students. Some sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the NOVA SySTEMic YouTube Channel with Subtitles. Please register if you would like to receive this information even if you are unable to attend the session in real time.
Winter 2021 Transition University, February 6-March 26
EXPLORE COLLEGES & THE APPLICATION PROCESS
19th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Virtual Festival, Saturday, February 20, 8 am - 4 pm
BigFuture Days, Virtual College Fairs
- BigFuture Days West + Southwest, Saturday, February 6
- BigFuture Days Southeast, Tuesday, February 23
- BigFuture Days Northeast, Sunday, March 7
- BigFuture Days Midwest, Thursday, March 11
"Join the Davidson admission team for a workshop series designed to help you kick off the college search and application process.
Sessions are for high school juniors, with session options for parents and mentors.
Each workshop has been designed by a team which may consist of Davidson admissions staff, Davidson students, partners from other institutions, and our high school counseling colleagues. Our goal is to provide information in a broad scope that will serve participants regardless of where they apply. We encourage participants with questions specific to a school's admission process to reach out directly to that institution."
- February 6 - Admission & Financial Aid Basics
- February 6 - Getting to Know Colleges Virtually & Crafting a College List
- February 10 - Parent & Mentor Panel: How to Support Your Student
- February 13 - Essay Writing Workshop
- February 13 - Student Panel: Student Experience Discussion
NACAC Virtual College Fair, Sunday, February 28, 1-7 pm EST
You need to register in advance to attend.
The Princeton Review Best Value Colleges
"Our best value colleges list is based on a combination of institutional and student survey data, including academic rigor, affordability, and career outcomes for graduates, among others."
The Princeton Review FREE virtual workshops
- SAT, ACT, or Both? Wednesday, February 10, 5:00 PM
- ACT Strategy Session Wednesday, February 24, 7:00 PM
- Dream Colleges Monday, March 8, 8:00 PM
- SAT, ACT and Admissions in the Time of COVID Wednesday, March 17, 7:00 PM
- SAT Strategy Session Monday, March 22, 8:00 PM
Virtual Mini Camp College, Saturday, February 6, 2-3 pm and Wednesday, February 10, 7-8 pm
This is a free, interactive, and informative college planning workshop that will cover topics: The College Search Process/Type of Colleges & How to Determine the “Right Fit.”
Virtual College Fair, Thursday, February 11, 5-7:45 pm
Students should register for each session that they want to attend. We recommend one session in each time slot. Once they register, they’ll receive a confirmation email with their unique link to join that Zoom webinar.
Study and Go Abroad Virtual Education Fair, Thursday, February 11, 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.
Tell Them We Are Rising, full film available for viewing on the PBS website until February 18
"The rich history of America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) began before the end of slavery, flourished in the 20th century, and profoundly influenced the course of the nation for over 150 years - yet remains largely unknown. With Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities, the latest documentary from Stanley Nelson (Black Panthers, Freedom Riders) and Marco Williams, the powerful story of the rise, influence, and evolution of HBCUs comes to life."
Virginia Tech's Virtual Uplifting Black Men Pre-College Program and 6th Annual Conference
High school students who participate in two of the three pre-college program sessions and attend the 6th Annual Conference will receive Virginia Tech swag, an application fee waiver and an invitation to visit Virginia Tech in Blacksburg! The pre-college program is open to students in the Class of 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The pre-college program will consist of three sessions on February 23-25:
- Session 1: Kickoff!/Admissions & Financial Aid, Tuesday, February 23, 12:00-1:00 PM
- Session 2: Life @ Virginia Tech, Wednesday, February 24, 12:00-1:00 PM
- Session 3: Networking, Thursday, February 25, 5:00-6:00 PM
Virtual Christian College Fairs - several College Fairs and Live Webinars are scheduled this month
- Monday, February 8, 6:30-7 PM ET, Live Webinar: Beyond the Numbers – How to Compare Different Financial Aid Packages
- Monday, February 8, 7-10 PM ET, Education Majors
- Tuesday, February 16, 6:30-7 PM ET, Live Webinar: What We Wish Students Knew About College Admissions
- Tuesday, February 16, 7-10 PM ET, Health Sciences Majors
- Thursday, February 18, 7-10 PM ET, Undecided Majors
ARTICLES
Gordon, A. (2021, January 25). Discover the Top 20 Online Bachelor's Programs. U.S. News & World Report.
Tulkin, A. (2019, May 8). How students with disabilities, and their parents, need to prepare for college. Accessible College.
NAVIANCE
Student Access to Naviance
Please review this instruction sheet to learn how to login to Naviance using Clever.
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.
Transcript Requests
STANDARDIZED TESTS
ARTICLE
- Bello, A. (2021, January 29). Rice, Cornell and others are Extending TEST Optional admissions policies. Forbes.
Improve Your SAT or ACT Score From Home, Free Virtual Practice Tests Every Week from StudyPoints.com
They offer practice tests for the PSAT, ACT, and SAT. Anyone who participates will receive a free score analysis that breaks down how you did by section, question type, and content area so you can get a sense for where you might want to do some review prior to the real thing.
Take an SAT/ACT Practice Test with Tysons Pimmit Library
Virtual Test: Zoom login info will be emailed to registrants
- SAT Virtual Practice Test, Saturday, February 13, 1–5pm
- ACT Virtual Practice Test, Saturday, March 6, 1–5pm
The ACT will be offered on several national test dates in 2021.
- Saturday, April 17, 2021 - register by March 12
- 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)
Free, The Princeton Review ACT Practice Test Online
"Don’t procrastinate! Take action NOW to ensure you improve your ACT score. Try a full-length free practice ACT online today. After the practice test, you’ll receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses."
The SAT will be offered on several national test dates in 2021.
- Saturday, March 13 - register by February 12
- Saturday, May 8 - register by April 8
- Saturday, June 5 - register by May 6
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
FREE, The Princeton Review SAT Practice Test Online
"Don’t procrastinate! Take action NOW to ensure you improve your SAT score. Try a full-length free practice SAT today. After the test, you’ll receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses."
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.
Financial Aid 101 webinar hosted by 1-2-3 Go! and VASFAA (Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators), Thursday, February 18, 6-7 pm
12 Savvy Ways to Pay Less for College, The Princeton Review
ARTICLE
- King, D. (2021, February 02). FAFSA application changes are coming – what they mean for middle- and high-income families. Kiplinger.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
You will find scholarship resources on the College and Career Center Financial Aid and Scholarships website page and within Naviance.
American Association of University Women (AAUW) Educational Equity Scholarship, application due Tuesday, March 23
Find the information and instructions regarding the AAUW Falls Church Area Branch Educational Equity Scholarships for senior women, and the on-line application form and form of recommendation at: https://fallschurcharea-va.aauw.net/scholarship
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
The program is currently open to the class of 2021 and 2022.
Esperanza Education Fund Scholarship, application due April 1
Hispanic Scholarship Fund, application due February 15
The Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter (NoVAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Higher Education Scholarships, application due Tuesday, March 23
They will be awarding scholarships to ambitious Northern Virginia High School students. Electronic application: https://forms.gle/AQLPy72MoedbDkZN9
2021 Virginia Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards, nominations accepted until April 23
"The Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards annually recognize the significant contributions of Virginia citizens to the life and welfare of the Commonwealth and its people. One award is presented in each of 10 categories." The categories are: senior, adult, young adult, youth, family, corporation, small business, faith-based organization, educational institution, and community organization.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
FREE MIT Online Science, Technology, and Engineering Community (MOSTEC) program, application deadline extended to Monday, February 8
"The six-month MIT Online Science, Technology, and Engineering Community (MOSTEC) program serves rising high school seniors from across the country – many of whom come from underrepresented or underserved communities. Students selected to participate in MOSTEC demonstrate in their applications a strong academic record and interest in science and engineering. The MOSTEC program begins the summer before students' senior year in high school and extends through students' first semester in 12th grade."
Terp Young Scholars is a three-week, pre-college summer program that offers students an exciting opportunity to preview UMD through a dynamic and challenging college experience.
University of Vermont Pre-college Program Summer Academy
"UVM Summer Academy is an immersive, academically challenging 4-week virtual program designed for high school students who have completed 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and are interested in earning college credits while exploring a relevant academic interest. Summer Academy courses are designed specific for and enroll only pre-college students."
- Webinar: Summer Academy: College Prep for Health and Medicine, Tuesday, February 16, 7 pm
GAP YEAR
You will find a list of gap year programs on the College and Career Center Gap Year website page.
From Nov 30, 2020 - March 31, 2021, USA Gap Year Fairs is hosting 40 virtual events to connect students, families, and counselors with the most up to date information about gap year options and summer opportunities in 2021.
- Feb 6: NATIONAL Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 9: Fairfax & DC Area Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 18: Pacific Northwest Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 24: Texas Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 27: Colorado Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Mar 3: Maine Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Mar 4: California Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Mar 13: NATIONAL Virtual Gap Year Fair
How to Take a Gap Year: the Ultimate Crash Course: In addition to the 12 regional and national virtual USA Gap Year Fairs, we're thrilled to offer this crash course for all things gap year! For the first time, USA Gap Year Fairs will bring together expert gap year counselors, gap year alumni, and college admissions representatives for this engaging series of panel-style events with live Q&A to tell you everything you need to know about planning the ultimate gap year.
Pre-register once to stay up to date on all things gap year and receive access to these 15 virtual events that will run from 7-8 PM EST:
- Feb 8: Gap Year to College Transition
- Feb 11: How to Choose a Gap Year Program (Session 1)
- Feb 22: Ask an Expert: Counselor Q&A
- Feb 25: Gap Year as Career Exploration
- Mar 8: How to Choose a Gap Year Program (Session 2)
- Mar 15: How to Win a $10,000 Gap Year Scholarship!
- Mar 22: Gap Year 101: Gapping in the COVID Era
- Mar 24: How to Plan Your Gap Year (Independent vs. Program)
- Mar 29: Gap Time as Career Exploration
- Mar 31: Gap Year in the Wild: Outdoor Experiences & Adventure Trips
- Apr 5: Gap Year in the Arts
- Apr 8: College Credit & Language Learning During Gap Time
- Apr 12: Gap Year Options in Conservation, Sustainability, & Social Justice
Why Gap Years Matter More Than Ever! Free webinar, several sessions in January & February 2021
Gap Year Solutions is partnering with libraries to share information about their programs. Registration is required.
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.