College & Career Center Newsletter
George Mason High School - April 23, 2021
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FOR SENIORS
GMHS ELEVATE DAY, Monday, May 3
As a spin-off on College Signing Day, Monday, May 3 will be Elevate Day at GMHS. We want to celebrate all paths our seniors will take next year. Seniors are encouraged to wear shirts that connect to the next step in their journey. Perhaps you have a shirt with a logo for a college, branch of the military, Gap Year program, future employer, etc. to wear to represent the new chapter you will begin after graduation.
Marine Corps Career Talk with Staff Sergeant Hoover, Tuesday, May 4, 10-10:45 am
Staff Sergeant Hoover will give a career talk to seniors who are interested in learning more about career opportunities with the Marine Corps. The program will take place in Ms. Mural's Schoology conference room (link to join the program is on the calendar in Schoology)
NOVA is offering select college courses free to Northern Virginia high school graduating seniors. Apply early!
Rutledge, B. (2021, April 22). Tips for choosing your college or university. NACAC Admitted Blog.
CAREERS
FAA Aviation Safety STEM Career Symposium, Thursday, April 29, 10 am - 4 pm
"The FAA Aviation Safety (AVS) STEM Career Symposium is designed to educate students about STEM/aviation-related career opportunities and encourage them to enter into these type of fields when considering their own career in the future.
The AVS STEM Career Symposium will include multiple guest speakers, interactive visual presentations, STEM engagement activities and opportunities for students to talk with Aviation Safety professionals. Participating students will learn about exciting AVS careers such as aviation safety inspectors, aerospace engineers, medical officers, pilots, and mathematicians."
COLLEGE FAIRS
You need to register in advance to attend these virtual college fairs.
NACAC Virtual College Fair, Sunday, May 2, 1-7 pm EDT
Virtual Christian College Fairs
Explore the comprehensive, ongoing virtual college booths anytime May 3 – 21, 2021. Click here to register. Interact LIVE with representatives from each college:
- Tuesday, May 4, 7-10 pm EDT
- Tuesday, May 11, 11 am - 2 pm EDT
- Thursday, May 13, 7-10 pm EDT
EXPLORE COLLEGES & THE APPLICATION 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."
The Princeton Review, FREE virtual workshop
- Dream Colleges, Tuesday, May 4, 7-8:30 pm
Meet admissions directors from four top liberal arts colleges: Bates, Davidson, Oberlin, and Occidental.
- Tuesday, May 4 at 8:00 PM EDT
- Wednesday, May 12 at 8:00 PM EDT
- Thursday, May 20 at 8:00 PM EDT
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 at one of their upcoming programs:
- Sunday, April 25, 2-3:30 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, April 27, 7-8:30 p.m. ET
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.
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 Princeton Review, FREE virtual workshop
- SAT Liveonline Strategy Session, Tuesday, April 27, 7-8:30 pm
SAT vs ACT: The differences, the timelines, and the expectations of colleges, Wednesday, April 28, 8-9 pm
"Join Applerouth Tutoring to learn about the SAT and ACT, as well as up-to-the-minute updates on the test administrations. Come learn about the main differences between the two tests, how to decide which one is better for your child, when to take them, how much to prepare for them, and more. Hear about how your child's strengths can favor one test or the other. Learn about what college admissions officers expect from students during the pandemic and what you need to plan for."
Test Drive the SAT and ACT with Applerouth, April 24-25
Applerouth is hosting FREE, live online proctored SAT and ACT practice tests the weekend of April 24 & 25.
The ACT will be offered on several national test dates in 2021.
- 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)
The SAT will be offered on several national test dates in 2021.
- Saturday, May 9 - April 27 is the late registration deadline
- 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
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.
Financing Your College Education, Thursday, May 6, 8-9 pm
This program is hosted by the Coalition for College. "Learn the basics about financial aid and strategies for graduation from college with low or no debt."
ARTICLES:
- Dickler, J. (2021, April 20). Here are the top public and private colleges with the most generous financial aid packages. CNBC.
Kantrowitz, M. (2021, April 19). How to negotiate a better college financial aid offer. Forbes.
Kantrowitz, M. (2021, April 20). How to understand financial aid award letters. Forbes.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
You will find scholarship resources on the College and Career Center Financial Aid and Scholarships website page and within Naviance.
GMHS Athletic Boosters Association Scholarships, application due Friday, May 7
"The GMHS Athletic Boosters Association is pleased to be awarding $11,500 in scholarships this year to eight graduating Seniors from the Class of 2021 and three Alumni. These scholarships are targeted at those students that participate in Mustang Athletics as an athlete OR as an active supporter (e.g., team manager, film coordinator, or student trainer).
- The deadline to apply is May 7, 2021.
- General information about each scholarship's unique requirements and the application form can be found at www.masonathletics.org (from the home page, click on "Athletic Boosters" then click on "Boosters' Scholarships").
- Applications can be submitted electronically to gm.athleticboosters@gmail.com OR can be printed and dropped off at the GMHS main office -- in the mailbox for the Athletic Boosters.
- Scholarship winners will be announced in June.
- For questions, please contact gm.athleticboosters@gmail.com."
GMHS Hoover Prize - application due Friday, April 30 at 3 pm
The Hoover Prize is a $500 scholarship for a graduating senior who has distinguished himself or herself through written commentary that inspires thought and discussion among his or her readers.
The Prize seeks to inspire a graduate of GMHS to continue developing his or her passion for and talent in writing and to spark that same inspiration in others through his or her own example.
Select GMHS/FCEF scholarships, deadline extended till Friday, April 30
- The Felgar-Da Silva Immigrant Community Citizen Award
- Cay Wiant Creative Summer Program Award
- Mary and Warren Pace Future Educators Scholarship
Coalition for College Exploration Scholarships (for 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.
Additional Scholarships
- Commonwealth Circle Scholarship, application is due to Ms. Mural by Tuesday, May 4 (application is available in Naviance)
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority- Chi Beta Omega Chapter “Salute to the Harlem Renaissance” Scholarship, application due Friday, May 14
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Conflict Resolution Youth Summit (CRYS), priority application deadline is May 15
George Mason University, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
"The Conflict Resolution Youth Summit explores some of today's toughest problems through the lens of peace and conflict resolution. It spans four evenings on the George Mason University Campus. Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students are invited to connect with other students from varied backgrounds with common interests and goals."
Deloitte Team Tech Challenge (for rising high school seniors)
"Deloitte is excited to host the Team Tech Challenge. This free* 4-day virtual challenge will take you into the world of professional services to help hone your technical skills, compete with teammates in a tech innovation challenge, and help prepare you for the next step ahead: college. We’ll talk artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, analytics, and more. Winning team members of the Team Tech Challenge will each win a prize valued at $200."
Global Leadership Adventures, Global Impact Virtual Internship, register by June 1
SUMMER JOB
Camp starts June 14!
GAP YEAR
You will find a list of gap year programs on the College and Career Center Gap Year website page.
Pathways to Service - AmeriCorps and Peace Corps, Thursday, April 29, 3-4 pm ET
"Join a panel discussion, Pathways to Service - AmeriCorps and Peace Corps, on service opportunities domestic and abroad. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and former and current AmeriCorps members will share their challenging, rewarding, and inspirational moments of service. Join us to discover the benefits of service, ask questions, and gain tips to guide you through the application process."
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.