WB Counselor Connection
Information for WBHS & LOHS Sept. 10, 2021
In this issue:
College and Career Center in Canvas
Message to Juniors
Message to Seniors
Midnight Golf - Last day to apply is today!
FAFSA Opens October 1st - Seniors
FAFSA Workshops - October 25 and November 30th
Fancy Honor Society Invitations in the mail
College Rep Visits to WBHS
Manufacturing Opportunity
QuestBridge
Scholarships:
Elks Legacy Scholarship - Child/Grandchild of Elk Member -Seniors - February 7, 22
Jack Cooke Kent Scholarship - 3.5+ GPA, Financial Need Seniors- Due November 18th
Northeastern University Torch Scholars Program - Seniors - Due Jan. 1st
Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs - Juniors-
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship - Senior - Nov. 15, 21
Digital Responsibility - Don't Text and Drive Scholarship -9th-12th grade - Due Sept. 30th
Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest - Seniors - Due Sept 27th
Gates Scholarship Foundation - Seniors - Due Sept 15th
Cameron Impact Scholarship - Seniors - Due Sept. 10th
Environmental Awareness Scholarship - Due Sept 1 & Feb 1st
UNCF Scholarships - Various Opportunities for underrepresented students
A message from the WB Counseling Department:
If you know of someone who is not receiving this, it may mean they have to update their email address with us in PowerSchool. Please contact Mrs. Tunic, the counseling secretary, to update your email address. renee.tunic@wbsd.org.
Happy reading!
College and Career Center in Canvas for 11th and 12th Grade Students
Parents - You can view the information by being an "observer" of your student in Canvas.
Below are some helpful links for Canvas.
College Representative Visits - Juniors and Seniors!
Every fall WBHS hosts college representatives allowing students to learn more about a variety of colleges and establish relationships.
Below is a link to the visits currently set up. Please know that this list is updated daily! Please bookmark this page and check frequently for updates.
Out of respect for the representative's time, if you sign up, please make sure you attend. Remember that many times the rep hosting these meetings is also the rep reading your college application. This is a great opportunity to ask questions!
Message to juniors -
GRADES - As you know, the junior year is an important year for your college and career planning. As we've mentioned before, this is the last set of grades that a college will see as they make their admission decisions.
COLLEGE REP VISITS AT WBHS - Juniors have the opportunity to meet with college reps coming to WBHS. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about colleges that spark your interest. College Rep Visit Sign Up Sheet
ACT/SAT TESTING - Given our current situation, many colleges have gone test-optional for the Class of 2022. We do not know the decisions yet for the Class of 2023. It is always best to check the website of the college in which you plan to apply. If all goes well, we hope to administer the SAT to all juniors in the spring. If you would like to do some test prep, Khan Academy offers free test prep for students and can be extremely helpful. Mrs. Essig has test prep materials in the College and Career Center that you can check out for 2 weeks. Stop by!
COLLEGE PREP SEMINARS - Watch for a variety of College Prep Seminars that will be offered by Mrs. Essig.
YOU'VE GOT THIS - Navigating the college and career search process, can be overwhelming. But know that you are not in this alone and our Counseling Office and College and Career Center staff is here to help!
Be sure to follow Mrs. Essig on Twitter @WBHSCounseling and read every Counselor Connection newsletter.
MESSAGE to seniors
1. COLLEGE REP VISITS AT WBHS - Seniors have the opportunity to meet with college reps coming to WBHS. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about colleges that spark your interest. Many times the reps visiting our school are the first person reading your application. Mrs. Essig is adding colleges daily. Check this list often and click here to sign up: College Rep Visit Sign Up Sheet
2. CAMPUS VISITS: If you haven't already, the fall is a great time to go on an official college tour given by the admissions office. Tours will fill up quickly so register early. All college admissions offices have information about visits on their websites and many campuses are opening back up for tours.
3.SAT/ACT: While many colleges have gone "test-optional," not all have. Some colleges are using test scores for merit scholarship consideration so be sure to check the college website to see if your score is sufficient or needed. Every college is different so check their website for the most accurate information. If you need help deciding if you should send your scores (or not), please make an appointment with your counselor or Mrs. Essig.
4. ESSAYS: In our experience, the college essay is not something most students can whip up in one night. It takes time and careful thought. Please know that many colleges do NOT require an essay.... do your homework and check their website to see if it's required!
5. COLLEGE APP BOOT CAMP: Prior to the start of school, we hosted over 140 seniors in our College Application Boot Camp. If you missed the event, we recorded every session and encourage you to take time to review the day's sessions to learn more about the college application process. Mrs. Essig posted these sessions in the College and Career Center Canvas page. Topics covered were:
* Common App
* Sending Transcripts in Parchment
* Inviting Counselors and Teacher recommenders in Common App
* Essay Writing Basics
* Career Search Tools
* College Search Tools
* Financial Aid Basics
* Scholarships 101
* HBCUs, Midnight Golf and UNCF Scholarship Opportunities
6. APPOINTMENTS - After you've had a chance to view the videos in Canvas, please know that your counselor and Mrs. Essig are available to meet with you. Mrs. Essig's appointments will fill up as we get closer to the November 1st early action deadline. Please sign up early!
7. SCHOLARSHIPS: Mrs. Essig posts scholarship opportunities on the College and Career Center Canvas page and in this newsletter. Do not miss out on opportunities and watch deadlines!
8. APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS - Many of the colleges in the state of Michigan will waive their application fees during the first week of October or for the full month. Mrs. Essig will post the fee waiver codes in the College and Career Center Canvas page.
Please read the announcements in Canvas and this newsletter. We pride ourselves at WB in assisting our students with the college and career process. We are here to help!
Midnight Golf Program - Accepting applications now!
www.midnightgolf.org/apply.
Class of 2022 - FAFSA will open Oct 1st - FAFSA Workshops
Seniors and their families will be able to start filling out the FAFSA after October 1st. We are thrilled to partner with the staff at Oakland University to offer FREE FAFSA Workshops. These workshops are open to all seniors and their families who feel they need assistance filling out the FAFSA. This Virtual FAFSA Workshop is for current seniors attending college in the fall of 2022.
Below you'll find the link to provide students and parents the opportunity to register for our FAFSA Workshop through Zoom. Through that link, you will be able to reserve your spot and receive the link to join, access the FSA ID instructions and the FAFSA Checklist, as well as receive an email reminder to attend before the event.
October 25th - https://oakland-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctf-quqjMpHtaEvYuRyRKw7z1NAJA5CpJ1
November 30th - https://oakland-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpcu-rrDgoHdQMiMA4gOFo9AYzedQmIq2M
Other important things to note:
Attendees can register up to the start of the workshop allowing for greater accessibility
There is no limit of families permitted per workshop session
If families are unable to join the workshop on the date/time you selected, they can always access OU sponsored workshops open to anyone regardless of college choice on the Financial Aid Events website
Fancy Invitations in the Mail!
Several of you have reached out to us inquiring about fancy invitations you have received in the mail inviting you to apply for what seems to be prestigious honor societies and also expensive leadership seminars relating to medicine, political science, etc. I'd like to share a few thoughts with you about these. My biggest advice is to always Google the company and see what reviews have been written before you write the check!
Honor Societies - There are many companies that will send you very fancy embossed invitations to what seem like prestigious opportunities. They charge you $50-150 dollars to publish your name in a book and invite you to apply for their scholarships. While they might provide you with some interesting college prep information, I do feel that at WBHS we provide you with great support and resources for free. Some students mistakenly feel that colleges will be impressed seeing these listed on the college application, but in reality, colleges understand that students have paid a fee to join. These "mail-in honor societies" are not to be confused with the National Honor Society at our high school. The WBHS NHS is a wonderful opportunity and we encourage students to apply to NHS if they quality at our high school.
Fancy Invitations to Summer Programs - Some of you have recently been invited to participate in special summer programs relating to medicine, political science, and so on. These also are beautiful invitations to events that take place in Washington, DC, Boston, Chicago, Salt Lake City, etc. We have had students participate in the past and many of them have really enjoyed the experience. However, these are equated to "Pay to Play" type experiences and don't necessarily give you an advantage in terms of the college application. Colleges know that these are extremely expensive programs and thus they don't typically award extra consideration in the admission process. Students interested in participating in these programs should do so because they want the experience but not because they think it will give them an advantage in the application process.
I'm including a few articles below that you might find helpful. If you have any questions, please let us know.
https://wehavekids.com/education/Is-the-National-Society-of-High-School-Scholars-Legit-or-is-it-a-Scam
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus-20160129-column.html
Manufacturing Opportunity!
Any current junior or senior enrolled in a construction related course and/or exhibits passion for the construction industry and an apprenticeship opportunity is able to apply to the Oakland Schools Pathways to Apprenticeship STW Summer Program sponsored by the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) in partnership with the Michigan Laborers Training Apprenticeship Institute (MLTAI) and Oakland Schools. Register now at www.tinyurl.com/OSCareers
Questbridge Applications Due September 28th
The 2021 National College Match application is now open! Apply by September 28 >>
The National College Match
Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feels that the nation’s best colleges are financially out of reach? The QuestBridge National College Match can be your pathway to a top college. Through this college and scholarship application process, you can apply for free to the nation’s best colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship from the college. Watch our video to learn more:
Why apply through QuestBridge? The National College Match application gives you extra space to tell your unique story as a student who has excelled academically despite financial hardship. Our college partners are actively seeking students like you. If admitted to a college partner through the Match or QuestBridge Regular Decision, you will join a supportive community of thousands of other QuestBridge Scholars currently attending our college partners.
Attend a Top College for Free
The Match Scholarship
Match Scholarship Recipients are granted early admission to one of QuestBridge's college partners with a full four-year scholarship, worth over $200,000. Our college partners use a combination of their own funds as well as state and federal aid to fund the scholarship. Please view each college partner's Financial Aid section for further details and see a glossary of financial aid terms.
The Match Scholarship is offered as part of a generous financial aid package provided by the college that covers the cost of attendance, including:
- Tuition and fees
- Room and board
- Books and supplies
- Travel expenses
All Match Scholarship packages:
- Have NO parental contribution
- Have NO student loans
- May contain a student contribution in the form of Federal work-study, summer work, or student savings
Admission through the National College Match
Last year, over 1,400 Finalists were matched (admitted early with a Match Scholarship). Finalists who do not match can apply through QuestBridge Regular Decision to be considered for admission and generous financial aid. Approximately 2,000 Finalists were admitted through QuestBridge Regular Decision last year.
To date, over 30,000 Finalists have been admitted to a college partner through QuestBridge, including over 8,500 who were admitted with full four-year scholarships. Finalists who attend our college partners are supported in their college years and beyond through on-campus chapters and nationwide opportunities offered through the QuestBridge Scholars Network and QuestBridge Alumni Association.
Last reminder for Gates Scholarship
Last reminder that the deadline for the Gates Scholarship is quickly approaching! Sept. 15th
https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship (Links to an external site.)
BASIC ELIGIBILITY
To apply, students must be:
- A high school senior
- From at least one of the following ethnicities: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
- Pell-eligible
- A US citizen, national, or permanent resident
- In good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
Additionally, a student must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university.
*For American Indian/Alaska Native, proof of tribal enrollment will be required.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
An ideal candidate will have:
- An outstanding academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class)
- Demonstrated leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities)
- Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.)
Job Opportunities
Scholarships
Please note that Ms. Essig posts all scholarship information on our Twitter account. You do not have to have a Twitter account to read the posts. We post opportunities in the newsletter twice and then remove them. Please follow the Twitter page for the most up-to-date opportunities!
https://twitter.com/WBHSCounseling Look for #WBHSScholarships2021.
How do I find scholarships?
1. Apply for Financial Aid after October 1st. www.FAFSA.gov
2. Check with each college in which you are applying for merit-based scholarships and deadlines.
3. Check for memorial and alumni scholarship opportunities at each college in which you may qualify.
4. Check with student’s/parent’s employer, banks/credit union, religious & civic affiliations, etc. for scholarships.
5. Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/WBHSCounseling Click on the hashtag #WBHSScholarships2021.
6. Read the Counselor Connection
7. Conduct a search by using a national search engine, such as www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.myscholly.com, etc. Be sure to create an email address just for these searches as students will receive a lot of emails. There is no need to pay money for these services! Watch for scams!
8. Check Careeronestop: https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx
9. College Board Opportunity Scholarships. https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/
10. For more information: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships#how-find
11. Remember it takes work to receive most scholarships! You won't know if you don't try!
Elks Legacy Scholarship - Child/Grandchild of Elk Member -Seniors - February 7, 22
Jack Cooke Kent Scholarship - 3.5+ GPA, Financial Need Seniors- Due November 18th
Northeastern University Torch Scholars Program - Seniors - Due Jan. 1st
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship - Senior - Nov. 15, 21
Digital Responsibility - Don't Text and Drive Scholarship -9th-12th grade - Due Sept. 30th
Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest - Seniors - Due Sept 27th
UNCF Scholarships - Various Opportunities for underrepresented students
Important Contacts
WBHS Counseling Department
A-CU Kelly Casinelli
CV-HA Joanne Wegrzynowicz
HB-LO Karen Brody
LP-PO Kason Dickerson
PR-TE Lisa Thompkins
TF-Z John Hepper
College & Career Counselor Noelle Essig
Administrative Staff
Mr. Eric Pace, Principal
Susie Aisner, Assistant Principal
Jamie Glinz, Assistant Principal
Dr. Stephanie Griffin, Assistant Principal
Eric Pierce, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Email: noelle.essig@wbsd.org
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/west-bloomfield-high-school/counseling-office
Location: 4925 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248)865-6768
Twitter: @WBHSCounseling
OK2SAY
1-855-565-2729
Text - 652729
https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Text - HELLO to 741741