College & Career Weekly Update
RCHS Counseling Department Week of 01/25/2016
Summer School Dates Have Been Set
DSLCC SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION PROGRAM!
FAFSA Help Webinars Are Available!
Webinar #2
How to Complete the FAFSA Tutorial
Thursday, February 11 at 5:30PM
Register now at http://tinyurl.com/SFPWeb2
Free FAFSA Help
• Feb. 4th from 4:00 -7:30 pm at the Rockbridge Regional Center
• Feb. 11th from 4:00 – 7:30 pm on the DSLCC Campus in the Moomaw Center
Please call 540-862-2897 to set up an appointment during the times listed. Walk-ins will be accepted, but only on a first-come, first-served basis, so an appointment is strongly recommended. Families are asked to bring all relevant documents (W2s, tax forms, etc.) in order to receive help with filing the FAFSA.
2016 Youth Conservation Corps
YCC 2016 Session Dates
- Session One: June 26 – July 16
- Session Two: July 24 – Aug. 13
Applicants may choose a session preference but not a given park, so specific park requests can’t be accommodated. Some applicants’ session preference will not be granted. Also, participants are responsible for their transportation to and from the park. For more information, please go to: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/youth-conservation-corps
HOBY
PSAT SCORES ARE HERE!
New Career Coach
College Acceptance Letters
A Guide for using the Common Application
College Scorecard
Ms. Burkhardt just wrote a new blog post about the resource and all of the features it offers. Click here to read that post to learn more about how you can utilize the information in your college search!
Scholarships
Lee-Jackson Foundation - The Foundation honors General Robert E. Lee's and General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's shared belief in the importance of a well-educated populace by working to increase educational opportunities for Virginia’s youth. The Foundation has established a non-discriminatory scholarship program to encourage high school students to continue their education, and sponsors an annual essay competition. Scholarships are awarded for outstanding essays which demonstrate a carefully researched, well-reasoned examination of the historical legacy left by Generals Lee and Jackson. The Foundation awards one $10,000, eight $2,000, and nine $1,000 scholarships to public, private, and home school students throughout the state of Virginia. Public and private school students: must submit to the high school principal: a completed Lee-Jackson Educational Foundation Scholarship Application Form (available from Ms. van Ravenswaay guidance or from the Foundation’s web site at www.lee-jackson.org) and a completed essay. Essays and applications are due to Ms. van Ravenswaay or Mr. Hand NO LATER THAN Monday, February 1, 2016.
Law in Society Competition: The Law in Society competition is sponsored by the Virginia State Bar and its Litigation Section and Communications Committee, in cooperation with the Virginia State Department of Education, to increase awareness and appreciation of our legal system among high school students. The criterion for the competition is an essay in response to a hypothetical on a predetermined topic. Awards go to students whose essays best demonstrate a superior understanding of the role and value of our legal system in our everyday lives. A panel of volunteers from the Virginia State Bar will judge all entries. All winners will receive a current hardback copy of Strunk & White's Elements of Style. Awards will be presented in May/June 2016 at the winners’ schools.The first place winner’s essay will be published on the VSB website.
Prize Amounts: 1st Place $2,300; 2nd Place $1,850; 3rd Place $1,350; Honorable Mentions (5) $250. The entry deadline is Friday, February 12, 2016 at 4 p.m. Electronic submissions are requested. To apply, please go to: https://www.vsb.org/site/public/law-in-society
Foundation for Roanoke Valley Scholarships: This foundation oversees several scholarships for which RCHS seniors are eligible. The Alphin Family Scholarship; the Margaret Jones Irvin Scholarship; the Walter M. Otey Scholarship and the Dianne E.H. Wilcox Scholarship. There is one online application for all of them, but the requirements are very specific for each one. Please visit the Foundation's website for details: www.foundationforroanokevalley.org. If you need help with your application or any of the requirements, please see Ms. van Ravenswaay. The online application is due by February 26, 2016.
Virginia PTA Scholarship: This scholarship is offered to current seniors who are planning to enter teaching or other youth-serving professions. Students must maintain a 2.5 average, provide evidence of financial need and academic achievement. The applicant must submit three letters of recommendation, complete the application and return everything to Ms. van Ravenswaay. The deadline is March 1, 2016.
Mary Davidson Bryan Scholarship: The Community Foundation is pleased to announce 2016 Mary Davidson Bryan Scholarship for graduating Rockbridge County High School students. An eligible student must demonstrate outstanding academic work, financial need, strong participation in school activities and community service, and a strong desire to attend college and plan to enroll in an accredited 4-year college or university.
Personal Statement Topic: Post-secondary academic interests
Additional Letter of Recommendation: from a clergy, teacher, or business professional.
Scholarship amount: $1000, renewable for an additional three years. The application information can be accessed on the Foundation's website: http://www.tcfrichmond.org/receive/apply-for-a-scholarship/ and is due to them by March 3, 2016 at 5 pm.
The Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath and Allegheny: The Foundation manages several scholarships available to RCHS seniors. Applications are available on the Foundation’s website: www.cfrba.org or in the Counseling Office. Please have your application to Ms. van Ravenswaay no later than February 29th (if you want RCHS to mail your application). Otherwise, the application is due to the Foundation by March 4 at 5:00pm.
- Lexington High School Alumni Scholarship: This scholarship's typical grant is $500 for graduating RCHS seniors who demonstrate high moral values, a concern for others and involvement in school and community. Letters of recommendation and an essay are required. See the application for more details.
- Charles L. Lauck, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Typical grant $1000. Fund provides higher education scholarship assistance to graduating RCHS students who are involved in the community as well as the high school; financial need and work ethic are considered. Letters of recommendation and an essay are required.
- Jacqueline Corbin Pleasants Scholarship: This scholarship is typically between $500 and $1000, for a graduating RCHS senior; leadership, good citizenship and financial need are considered. Letters of recommendation are required.
- George C. Marshall Chapter of MOAA Scholarship: Typical grant $350-$500. This scholarship is intended for graduating seniors who are children of active duty, reserve, National Guard and retired members of the United States military. You must be going full time to a 4-year college or university and demonstrate good citizenship and leadership in school and the community. Letters of recommendation are required.
DuPont Community Credit Union 2016 Scholarship Contest: Each year the DuPont Community Credit Union offers $1000 scholarships to students continuing their education. Scholarships are awarded to one graduating senior from each high school in their service area. Applications, criteria and instructions are available at: www.mydccu.com The deadline to apply is March 1, 2016. DCCU would like to have at least three entries from RCHS.
The Virginia School Plant Managers Association Annual Scholarships - provides financial assistance to individuals attending an accredited technical school, college or university where the student/applicant's learning is focused on building applications and studies in the area of building design, building construction, building engineering and facility maintenance. If you would like Ms. van Ravenswaay to mail your application, the deadline to turn in the application to her is March 11th, 2016. Otherwise, the application is due to the VSPMA by March 15th.
Society of the Cincinnati History Essay for Scholarship – This $3000 scholarship is available to a graduating senior who will attend any four year college or university in Virginia for the fall of 2016. The essay topic is: The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. Contest rules, applications and award criteria are available in the Counseling Office. The essay is due to Ms. van Ravenswaay NO LATER THAN March 16, 2016.
Southern States Scholarship Program - Applicants must be accepted at Virginia Tech or Virginia State University, and must be the son or daughter of a producer of agricultural products. FFA and/or 4-H experience is preferred but not required. If you are interested, see Ms. van Ravenswaay for a Southern States interest form to mail to your college.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Recruiter Visits
United States Marine Corps:
United States Army:
United States Air Force:
Virginia National Guard: Thursday, February 4th
United States Air Force: Thursday, April 14th
SAT – Important Dates
May 7th SAT* at RCHS; Deadline to register: April 8th
June 4th SAT* NOT at RCHS; Deadline to register: May 5th
*Redesigned SAT
Accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Please see your counselor.
ACT – Important Dates:
February 6th ACT NOT at RCHS
April 9th ACT at RCHS; Deadline to register: March 4th
June 11th ACT at RCHS; Deadline to register: May 6th
Accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Please see your counselor.
*FREE* SAT Prep: Khan Academy's Partnership with College Board
College Board and the Khan Academy have entered into a partnership to provide free SAT preparation for students. You will have access to four official full-length practice tests, plus study and test-taking tips, interactive practice, thousands of practice questions, video lessons, and hints. There are also short quizzes and instant feedback. To learn more, please go to: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
Parchment: How to Send Your Transcript
Parchment is our new transcript service. It is free to our students. We will be using Parchment to send all transcripts. Anyone asking for a transcript to be sent (including the Common Application) must have a Parchment account and a completed “Blue Sheet” on file with Ms. van Ravenswaay. Please create an account at www.parchment.com and set up your preferences.
Register For Your Free Account:
1. Visit Parchment.com
2. Click ‘Sign Up Now’
Request Your Transcript:
1. In your account, go to ‘Transcripts’
2. Click ‘Send Transcripts’
3. Select a destination
4. Request is confirmed
Track Your Transcript:
1. Log into your Parchment.com account
2. In the top navigation bar, click ‘Transcripts’
3. Click ‘Order History’ to see the status
IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO A COMMON APP SCHOOL, YOU MUST SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR "COMMON APP" AND INCLUDE YOUR COMMON APP ID NUMBER. See Ms. van Ravenswaay with any questions.
Or see our new video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Anwie08OJo&feature=youtu.be&hd=1
Become a Delegate to Boys and Girls State!
http://vagirlsstate.org/
www.vaboysstate.org/
Service Academy Day 2016 - Saturday, April 23rd, 2016
Camp Rising Sun
Eligibility Criteria:
Individuality: A wide range of personal abilities and interests; creativity; divergent thinking. Intellect: A capacity for academic achievement and the ability to think critically; curiosity about the world. Learning from Experience: The ability and willingness to learn from mistakes; using feedback to improve and grow; gaining insight from new experiences. Cultural Representation: The ability to represent one’s local or regional culture. Candidates should have lived at least 5 years in the region or country from which they are chosen. The application and additional information are available online at: http://www.lajf.org