VMHS College & Career Center
Weekly Update Vol. 14
Welcome!
We are excited about another great semester! Be on the lookout for future updates from the VMHS College & Career Center. It is our mission to serve our students and community to the best of our abilities. Please scroll all the way down to see all that the College & Career Centers have to offer and any upcoming events and deadlines.
Click HERE to see our calendar.
Planning on Getting a Job? Interviewing Tips
Looking for a Job?
The manager from Whataburger on Nacogdoches and 1604 said she is looking for evening and weekend help if you are currently looking for a part-time job.
Raising Canes on Pat Booker is hiring.
Whataburger on Pat Booker is hiring.
Know of another place that is hiring? Let us know...email Ms. Hodges at jhodges@judsonisd.org
College Information Sessions
Texas A&M University-Texarkana Meet & Greet!
Join Texas A&M University-Texarkana for our virtual Meet & Greet! There will be different sessions each night April 5th-9th, 6:30 P.M. Get your most burning questions answered about housing, financial aid, advising, & More!
Register today! There will be prizes and giveaways each night.
Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams University Sessions
We're hosting two events for juniors and their families to help answer questions about the college search process
- Junior Jumpstart - April 20 at 8 pm EDT or April 22 at 8 pm EDT
- Navigating and Belonging: A Special Session for First-Generation and Low-Income Students - May 24 at 8 pm EDT or May 26 at 8 pm EDT
Scholarship for Ages 14 - 19
We the Students Scholarship Essay Contest
Deadline: April 15, 2021
The essay prompt this year is: What is the relationship between equality and justice?
Eligibility
The Contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents who are students who are no older than 19 and no younger than 14 as of the end of the Contest Period who (1) attend school in the United States, one of its territories or districts, or an American Armed Forces School Abroad, and (2) who are in grades 8 -12 attending public, private, religious, or charter schools, or (3) are enrolled in a GED or correspondence school program, or (4) are attending a home school program.
Submission Guidelines
Each submission must adhere to the topics and should fully answer the question and all sub-parts. Each submission must adhere to the word limits for each question (between 500 and 800 words), and must be submitted by 11:59 pm PT on April 15, 2021. Only online submissions will be accepted for the contest. Only one essay per student will be accepted.
The sixteen student winners will receive a total of $20,000 in scholarship prizes. More details including rules and regulations can be found on the website.
Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship Program
The Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship Program is intended to assist and encourage high school seniors from the North Texas, Houston, and San Antonio areas to pursue a degree at U.S. post-secondary institutions. The Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship Program is sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund and administered by the LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC).
The Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship Program awards $2,000 scholarships to qualified high school seniors. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent and plan to enroll full-time in an accredited college or university. The Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship Program is available to qualifying students from select schools in North Texas and school districts in Houston and San Antonio
Scholarship Program
The local scholarship awards of $2,000 will be distributed to the scholarship recipients’ colleges or universities in August of 2020. Scholarships are non-renewable. Once admitted to a college or university, the recipient must submit proof of their admittance to the LNESC National Office to receive their scholarship disbursement. The disbursement process will not begin until admittance verification is received. If it is not received by the August deadline, the recipient risks the loss of their scholarship award. Scholarship awards will be sent directly to the recipient’s college or university and deposited in the recipient’s name. The funds will be allocated toward the payment of tuition and academic fees, and the purchase of required educational materials and books. The school is the custodian of the funds and will disburse the award consistent with the purpose of this program.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for a scholarship:
Must be a graduating high school senior in the spring of 2021.
Must be a student planning to pursue full-time studies leading to a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
Must have a cumulative high school grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent.
Application
https://www.lnesc.org/ford-driving-dreams (Links to an external site.)
The Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship program is currently open. Deadline to apply is April 6, 2021.
Apply here: https://lnesc.mainspringhost.com/ (Links to an external site.)
Seniors: Acceptance and Award Letters
Seniors,
It is time to start wrapping up your senior year! As you receive acceptance letters and financial aid award letters, please be sure to upload them into Schoolinks. Schoolinks is located in your JISD student portal. The video tutorial below will help guide you and give you directions for the uploads.
More Upcoming College Events
Texan Tour
Tarleton State University is hosting four campus preview days this spring semester. Students will be able to speak with faculty and staff from academic departments, admissions, housing, financial aid, and scholarships. They will also have the opportunity to take a campus tour, view housing showrooms, and explore our Honors College, Corps of Cadets, and ROTC programs. Space is limited so students are encouraged to register early! Visit their website for more Texan Tour info.
Texan Tour Dates:
· April 9, 2021
· April 10, 2021
Texas Tech Virtual Visits
VIRTUAL TECHSAN EXPERIENCE
Come join us for our Virtual Techsan Experience. This event will allow you to experience a live tour around campus, visiting some of Texas Tech's most famous spots! This tour will include visiting Jones AT&T Stadium, United Supermarkets Arena, Student Union Building, and much more! We will review how to apply to Texas Tech University and what you can do in preparation for your application to open.
Sunday, April 18, 2021
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST
All sessions are hosted virtually using Zoom
Register Here (Links to an external site.)
For questions about this event, contact the Visitors Center at 806.742.1299 or visitors@ttu.edu.
UTSA ISD Saturdays
Join us for ISD Saturdays, a special series for San Antonio-area students to explore what UTSA has to offer. Students will meet their admissions counselors, learn about UTSA's academic programs and student life, and build a plan for their Bold Futures.
Each one-hour virtual session will focus on the following topics:
- May 1 – Navigating UTSA: Completing your Enrollment Checklist
We are also excited to announce some big giveaways! If students attend all three sessions, they will be entered for a chance to win a $1000.00 scholarship or a $200.00 HEB gift card.
Please share this with your students, and feel free to sign up for the event as well! We look forward to seeing prospective Roadrunners and our favorite high school counselors!
Visit: https://future.utsa.edu/satx/ to learn more and to register for the event! We also have some great virtual backgrounds for your ISD!
Checkout This SCHOLARSHIP:
Alamo Colleges Foundation Scholarships
There are scholarships available through the Alamo Colleges Foundation along with resources to help you develop a strong application and information to help with the submission process.
Also, connect with the Alamo Colleges Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to engage with other students who benefit from Alamo Colleges Scholarships.
Applying for Foundation Scholarships
2021-2022 Scholarship Application
Application Opens: Jan. 4, 2021 at 8 a.m.
Priority Application Deadline: April 5, 2021
Final Application Deadline: Sept. 5, 2021
Submit an Application (Links to an external site.)
Scholarship recipient selections begin after the Priority Application Deadline and continue throughout the academic year. Students selected to receive a scholarship are notified by email.
Scholarship Application
Only one application is considered per academic year. If you submitted a scholarship application, you must apply again to be considered for next academic year scholarships.
Once you submit your application, you will be given an application number. Make sure to write down your application number. This number confirms your application was submitted
Many scholarships require financial need. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov (Links to an external site.) as soon as possible, since it takes a few weeks before receipt by the Alamo Colleges District.
Bexar Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship
The Bexar Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving high school graduating female student applicant, as stipulated in the attached “Scholarship Criteria and Requirements 2020-2021 Information Sheet.” Through our scholarship program, BAAC strives to support the educational endeavors of students in its service area.
Please note that the “Information Sheet” outlines a brief history of our organization, along with criteria for submission of applications. To access the Scholarship Application, applicants need to logon to the organization’s website at www.bexarareadst.org (Links to an external site.). Applicants will be able to complete the application and submit necessary documents online. The deadline for receipt of these materials is Friday, April 2, 2021.
Please view the attachment for more information and scholarship requirements.
Need Transcripts? Click the Link Below
JUNIORS: Top 5 Things You Should Start Now
The Spring semester will pass by very quickly and there are some things you need to be prepared for. I've listed some of the tasks to help get you ready for your college application season. The University/College applications will open early again this year and it is always advisable to be prepared.
Maintain your grades!- Admissions is based on a 6th semester transcript. That means your 9th, 10th and 11th grade year will be used to evaluate your admissions application.
Study for your SAT- You will have the opportunity to take the SAT on March 3, 2021. It is true universities/colleges have waived the SAT for admissions. However, the major you are interested in may still require an SAT score. Make sure you check the requirements.
Schoolinks-Build Your College List- Schoolinks is the districts new college platform. It can be found in your JISD Student portal. You can research colleges, take interest/career quizzes, build a college list, and use the Common App to apply for colleges. Get familiar with this platform because you will use it often as a senior to submit your acceptance letters and scholarships.
Schoolinks-Create a Resume- You can create a Resume in Schoolinks by selecting your profile name. Resumes are helpful when you ask teachers, managers, and volunteer supervisors to write letters of recommendation for you. Some Universities/Colleges will require a resume as part of the application process.
Prepare your accounts- The Majority of Texas University applications will open on July 1, 2021. You want to be prepared and have some of the information ready to go. You can save time by creating your accounts and completing your profile. Make sure you keep your passwords in a safe place. Some accounts that require a profile are listed below:
- Apply Texas
https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX (Links to an external site.) - FSA ID (You and Your Parents will need to create an ID)
https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch (Links to an external site.) - Common Application
https://www.commonapp.org/ (Links to an external site.) - Coalition for College Application
https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ (Links to an external site.) - Common Black College Application
https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/
Applying for Colleges & Universities in Texas Using ApplyTexas
TSI Testing
What Is the TSI Assessment?
The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is part of the Texas Success Initiative program designed to help your college or university determine if you are ready for college-level course work in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. If you are an incoming college student in Texas, you are required to take the TSI Assessment - unless you are already exempt (read below) - to determine your readiness for college-level work. Based on how you perform, you may either be enrolled in a college-level course and/or be placed in the appropriate developmental course or intervention to improve your skills and prepare you for success in college-level courses.
Who Needs to Take TSI at VMHS?
- Students preparing to take a dual credit class in the 2021-2022 school year
- Students applying for an Alamo Academy dual credit program in the 2021-2022 school year
- Seniors planning to take college courses*
*TSI is required in the state of Texas. Students can be exempt through meeting benchmark scores on SAT or ACT.
CLICK HERE to Register
SENIORS, Please Fill out the FAFSA Survey below if you have not already done so
Paying for Your College Education
Please Fill Out the FAFSA Survey Below:
Mexican American Bar Association 2021 College Scholarship Award
Deadline: April 2, 2021
Every year MABA-SA awards several thousand dollars to deserving San Antonio area high school seniors. The MABA-SA scholarship fund seeks to aid qualified students who are pursuing a post-high school education, college as well as trade school. This year MABA-SA will be selecting twenty (20) individuals to receive a $1,500 scholarship.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS - A successful applicant must:
1. Complete a MABA-SA Scholarship Application.
2. Submit an exceptional personal statement.
3. Provide a copy of transcript of grades through December 2020.
4. Provide a copy of their best SAT/ACT scores. If, and only if, the student was not able to take
the SAT or ACT in 2020, the student must submit a copy of their PSAT score taken during their
Junior Year in high school.
5. Provide a letter of recommendation from a high school official (teacher, coach, principal, counselor).
6. If any community service work has been performed, you may indicate such service by
attaching a resume.
7. If selected to receive scholarship, please make arrangements to attend the Scholarship
Awards Ceremony on May 13, 2021. Recipients will be notified within one week of the
ceremony and the location and details will provided at that time.
QUALIFICATIONS - A successful applicant must:
1. Have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
2. Be a high school senior currently enrolled in an accredited secondary school.
2021 Randall P. Palmer Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 12, 2021
The purpose of the Randall P. Palmer III Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarships to deserving high school graduating seniors intending to pursue a course of study at an educational institution of higher learning. The scholarship award is based on financial need, one's display of high scholastic achievement, participation in community/service-based activities, and a demonstrated ability toward leadership.
CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY
• Must be a graduating high school senior (2020-2021 school year)
• 3.0 Minimum GPA overall or progression towards un-weighted GPA of 4.00 over the course of four semesters (For the most recent completed cumulative GPA period in 2020
- 2021)
• Must show financial need
• Must demonstrate community involvement
APPLICATION PROCESS
• Completed Application (preferably typed)
• Official high school transcript. All transcripts must be submitted using the grading
policy/GPA scale currently used by their school; additionally, ACT/SAT scores
• Acceptance letter from college/university (copy must be enclosed with application)
• Two Letters of Recommendation (LOR) from a high school teacher, counselor, social
worker, religious official or school principal. The LORs must include your potential to be successful in college; and have two contact numbers, e-mail address, and full name.
• Personal Statement must be typed, Times New Roman style, font size 12, double spaced.
The statement should address the following:
o A brief biography about yourself
o A description of your scholastic and career ambitions
o A description of your involvement in current extra-curricular and community
service activities.
o (Optional) Please submit no more than 3 action photos and a graduation photo for inclusion into our Gala presentation and social media platform.
April Scholarship Due Dates
Use Schoolinks to Fill Out Your Common App Application
If you are applying to schools using the Common App, be sure to link your Common App to SchooLinks! The Common Application is integrated with our districts college platform called Schoolinks. I've included a video tutorial to help you manage your applications and submit your acceptance letters. Please watch the video or follow the directions listed to upload acceptance letters. If you need help doing this, let Ms. Rendon
jrendon885@judsonisd.org or Ms. Hodges
jhodges@judsonisd.org know.
Directions for submitting your acceptance letter:
1. Log into Schoolinks through your JISD student portal.
2. Select the "Colleges" icon on the left side.
3. Select "College Applications"
4. Select "#2 Application Results"
5. Under the tab "Accepted" add the schools you have been accepted to.
6. Upload a photo of the email or letter stating your acceptance.
6. Confirm the Acceptance
Senior Mid-Year Checklist
A COMPLETE APPLICATION -Make sure your applications are complete. The following documentation must be submitted before your application can be reviewed:
o Application Form -Apply Texas, Common App, University App, etc.
o Supplemental Application (if applicable)
o Application Fee or Fee Waiver
o Official Test Scores if you are not waiving the SAT/ACT – Must be sent from College Board or ACT
o Official Transcripts (sent by school) 9th – 11th grade
o Letters of Recommendation (if applicable)
o Optional Materials
o Optional letter of recommendation
MARCH/APRIL
o ASVAB Testing-If you are interested in Military Service, make sure you have completed an test and contacted Ms. Hodges.
o Review Financial Aid Packages with your parents – Packages will be mailed out or will be available in your student portal. Makes sure you review the information and log into your University student account to accept it.
MAY AND JUNE
o DECISION DAY! Submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by May 1st o Only submit your SIR to one college
o Place an order your final transcript for your University/College/Military B
Contact Ms. Rendon, College Counselor
Ms. Rendon is a proud graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University. She fosters and trains rescue dogs from various shelters and is currently in a doctoral program at University of North Texas.
Contact Ms. Hodges, Career Counselor
This is Ms. Hodges' fifth year in Judson ISD. She is a Baylor alumna and is currently in a doctoral program at the University of North Texas. Outside of school, Ms. Hodges collects vintage cookbooks, loves to bake, and take her dog, Emmi, to the park.
