Senior Advisor Scoop
August 2020
Here we go!
We are off and running for the Senior Year with the Class of 2021. We have 188 Seniors and 49 Senior Advisors. For those who are new to Crosby Scholars, welcome to the team! Keep reading for links to resources and a look at the challenging year ahead.
Click HERE for the link to Summer Notes!
Please have all Summer Notes complete by September 15th.
The state of North Carolina has a treasure trove of colleges and universities. Check out these maps. (Click on the map title to go straight to websites.)
The Common Application
We have a recorded Academy about the Common App if you would like to learn more about it. Check out www.commonapplication.org or view some of their short YouTube tutorials. Over 900 schools now accept Common App and some popular schools with our students were just added this year.
SAT
The College Board administers the SAT. This is the site for all updates regarding test dates and registration. https://www.collegeboard.org/ Students may be eligible for test fee waivers. They need to contact their Guidance counselor at school.
ACT
The ACT has been adding new tests dates (including some Sunday dates) so this is the best site for up to date information on dates and registration windows. http://www.act.org/ If students need fee waivers, they need to contact their Guidance counselor at school.
Black Common App
This is another shared application site that students may choose to use. The CBCA (or Black Common App) allows students to apply to multiple HBCUs in one online form. https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/
CFNC
CFNC is a great resource for planning but it is also a shared application site. Students can also search scholarships, request transcripts and complete Residency Determination here. (More on that later!) http://www.cfnc.org
Coalition App
Here is yet another shared application which has fewer member schools (about 150 colleges accept this app) though it is a great resource and a solid option for students.Some schools who do not accept Common App may be a member here (ex: Clemson). https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
Join in on the upcoming Essay Writing Senior Academy on August 4th!
This is a completely optional opportunity for you, but YOU ARE WELCOME to attend. My goal with this academy is to introduce students to types of essays they may need to write for application season, ways to prepare and approach essays and learn about some great resources for their writing. Zoom webinar link below.
Event Information
Essay Writing
Please find the Zoom link and password below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JmYPZeDJRNasHY9yYXcbWQ
Password: 595643
When?
Tuesday, Aug 4, 2020, 02:00 PM
Where?
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Confused by the ABCs of College Admissions?
Here is a list of common acronyms compiled by CFNC.
What does it mean to be a First Generation Student?
Defining who qualifies as a "first generation" college student can be tricky. Definitions vary among organizations but Crosby Scholars recognizes a "first gen" student as one whose parents have not completed a college degree. Being a first gen student may qualify the student for certain scholarship opportunities or special visits or programs on campus. We primarily ask the students if they are first gen for data reporting purposes. We encourage all Seniors - first gen or otherwise - to avail themselves of all the resources Crosby Scholars offers; however we gauge our Senior Academies to be sure to cover the unique needs of a first gen student.
Click HERE to see the Senior Newsletter.
This is the monthly newsletter that students receive from the Crosby Scholars High School Team.
Looking Ahead
The Class of 2021 is going to be profoundly impacted by the ongoing pandemic in their quest toward college. The admissions process is changing rapidly to adjust to the needs of students, the safety of campuses and a commitment to equitable access. Here are just some of the changes taking place:
- campus visits have gone to almost exclusively virtual over the summer and only some campuses are now reopening to in-person self-guided or small group visits
- ACT and SAT test dates have been cancelled over the Spring and Summer, and are now being rescheduled but the demand is overwhelming
- many schools have chosen to become test-optional for the Class of 2021 and the conversation is ongoing
- Spring 2020 grades were atypical as students were given the chance to convert courses to a Pass/Fail model which will impact the way admissions assess high school transcripts
- community service and travel opportunities have been severely limited for most of 2020 for students which may have been a big part of their experience-building
- personal and family finances have been drastically affected by the pandemic and this may play a large role in where or if a student will attend college
- Seniors who are student-athletes are faced with many unknowns regarding their Senior seasons and how that may impact recruitment and potential scholarships
- students will need to be more proactive and do more independent research about colleges including web searches, emailing their Admission rep at each school with questions, following official school social media accounts to stay up-to-date, virtual tours, webinars and virtual interviews
Having a Senior Advisor has never been more important. Please know that you are playing a key role in a very trying time. Thank you for your gift of time and all that you do for Crosby Scholars and the students in Rowan County!
Mary Allen Conforti
Senior Advising Consultant
Crosby Scholars
Email: seniors@crosbyscholarsrowan.org
Website: crosbyscholarsrowan.org
Location: 225 North Main Street, Salisbury, NC, USA
Phone: 704-762-3512