College & Career Weekly Update
RCHS Counseling Department Week of 01/11/2016
CURRICULUM INFORMATION NIGHT
6:00 to 7:30 pm. All families and students are strongly encouraged to attend to learn
more about the course offerings for the coming school year. School counselors will be available to answer questions about graduation requirements, the course registration process, post-secondary planning, and resources offered through the school counseling office.
DSLCC SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION PROGRAM!
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 Moomaw Center
Please call 540-862-2897 to set up an appointment during the aforementioned times. 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.
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
Army ROTC scholarship: Are you a Senior who would like to apply for the Army ROTC scholarship? Apply now! Why? Because the next selection board meets in January. Army ROTC scholarships are awarded by a national selection board at Ft. Knox, KY. Tentative dates for the next two series:
- January 25th: Second selection board meets to review applicants not selected in October, and new applicants
- February 12th: Results are released
- January 10th: last day to start the scholarship application
- February 29th: Deadline to complete application to be eligible for March board
- March 7th: Third selection board meets to review applicants not selected in January, and new applicants
- March 25th: results released
The DoDMERB physical exam is not required to apply for the scholarship. Physical exams will be scheduled after the award is made. Students may need your athletic director's assistance in administering the Scholarship Physical Fitness Assessment.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Army ROTC Scholarship expert, Mr. Greg Killeen at greg.killeen@ung.edu or 706-864-1884.
The BBB Student of Integrity Scholarship Awards: This is a $1000 scholarship for graduating seniors. The application consists of an essay, your transcript, a letter of recommendation and an activities sheet. Return completed applications to Ms. van Ravenswaay no later than January 27, 2016.
The Pamplin Leadership Award: This is a one year, merit-based, $5000 Virginia Tech tuition scholarship. The nominee from RCHS will have a cumulative GPA of a 3.8 and be ranked in the top ten percent of his or her class. Applicants do not need to know of their admission decision to Virginia Tech at the time of application. Students who wish to apply for the Pamplin Leadership Award are not required to also submit a University Honors application. However, a student must be willing to join University Honors should they be offered and accept this award. Please see your counselor if you would like to be nominated, and go to http://www.univhonors.vt.edu/html/scholarships.html for Pamplin Leadership Award and other scholarship opportunities. Deadline to submit the application is January 29th, 2016.
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 1st, 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.
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 4th 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 1st, 2016. DCCU would like to have at least three entries from RCHS.
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.
Recruiter Visits
United States Marine Corps: Tuesday, January 12th
United States Army: Wednesday, January 13th
United States Air Force:
Virginia National Guard: Thursday, February 4th
United States Air Force: Thursday, April 14th
SAT – Important Dates
March 5th SAT* at RCHS; Deadline to register: Feb 5th
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/
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