College & Career Center Newsletter
George Mason High School - October 7, 2020
TRANSLATION
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND SIGN UP
Virtual College Visits and Information Sessions, Tuesday, October 13 - Friday, October 16
Please sign up in Naviance at least one day in advance to attend visits. On the day of the visit, you need to login to Naviance, locate the visit, and click on the URL to join the meeting. The URL will be visible 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. If a visit conflicts with a class, you need to obtain permission from your teacher to attend.
Tuesday, October 13
- Virginia Commonwealth University, 10:00 AM
- George Mason University, 10:45 AM
- Miami University-Oxford, O, 11:30 AM
- LIFT Academy, 12:15 PM
Thursday, October 15
- The Catholic University of America, 10:00 AM
- Ohio University-Main Campus,10:45 AM
- University of Maryland-Baltimore County, 11:30 AM
- University of Louisville, 12:15 PM
Friday, October 16
- Furman University, 11:00 AM
- Case Western Reserve University, 11:45 AM
- Binghamton University, 12:30 PM
- Brandeis University, 1:15 PM
- Naval ROTC Scholarship Information Session with Staff Sergeant Hoover, United States Marine Corps Recruiter, 2 PM in Schoology
NAVIANCE
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 FAIRS
Coalition for College Virtual Programs
October Virtual College Fair, Session 1, Wednesday, October 21, 7-10 pm ET
October Virtual College Fair, Session 2, Thursday, October 22, 7-10 pm ET
HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) College Fair, Saturday, October 17, 1 pm
The National Catholic College Admission Association (CCAA) Virtual College Fair, Thursday, October 15, 7:30-9:30 pm EDT
"Learn More About 113 Catholic Colleges And Universities Throughout The U.S. This virtual college fair is limited only to students. Only one registration per student should be submitted. Registration is required to participate in the fair. Space is limited, so please register early to secure your spot."
Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Counselors (VACRAO), Freshman Virtual College Fairs, September 28-October 23
EXPLORE COLLEGES & THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Academic Common Market, Southern Regional Education Board
"Study in a specialized field at an out-of-state college. Pay in-state tuition rates."
Discovering U: Joint Virtual Information Session, Thursday, October 15, 7 pm
"Join Columbia University, the University of Chicago, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan, and Yale University to discover the exceptional opportunities our schools have to offer! Admissions professionals from our five schools will host a zoom webinar featuring a variety of perspectives on the academic programs, philosophies, and traditions that make our colleges a home for our students."
"Exploring College Options is a special informational program sponsored by the undergraduate admissions offices of five of the country's leading universities: Duke University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
This fall we are pleased to invite you and your family to join us for a 90-minute webinar to help you explore your college options and prepare a strong and reflective application in this time of change and new challenges. During the program, admission officers from our five universities will introduce their institutions, discuss the college application process, answer general questions, and provide individual school breakout sessions. You need to register ahead of time to attend."
Sunday, October 18, 4 pm EDT
Thursday, October 22, 7 pm EDT
Exploring Educational Excellence: Joint Virtual Information Session
"Join Brown University, the University of Chicago, Columbia University, Cornell University and Rice University for a virtual information session for prospective students and their families. Sessions include a brief overview of each institution, information on admissions and financial aid, and a chance to ask questions of admissions representatives."
Wednesday, October 14, 8 pm ET
Tuesday, October 20, 6 pm ET
Fall Consortium, Wednesday, October 21, 8 pm EDT
"We invite you to join representatives from Bates, Davidson, Oberlin, and Occidental to learn more about academic opportunities, financial aid, and the student experience at these top liberal arts colleges."
Five College Consortium Virtual Open House for Prospective Students
For more than 50 years the Five College Consortium has offered students, faculty and staff members benefits beyond those offered on their home campus. The Five College Consortium consists of Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Learn how you can enroll in one of our campuses and experience all five! Join the admissions staffs of our campuses to hear about:
Changes to our admissions processes that better support you
Details about each of our campuses
The many benefits our students enjoy through Five Colleges
Wednesday, October 14, 7 pm ET
Wednesday, October 21, 7 pm ET
Harvard, Princeton, UVA, Wellesley, and Yale Virtual Information Session for DC, Maryland, & Virginia
"William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions at Harvard; Karen Richardson, Dean of Admissions at Princeton; Gregory Roberts, Dean of Admissions at UVA; Joy St. John, Dean of Admissions at Wellesley; and Jeremiah Quinlan, Dean of Admissions at Yale will discuss academic programs, campus life, selective college admissions and financial aid."
Sunday, October 11, 7 pm EDT
Tuesday, October 13, 7 pm EDT
myOptions: Discover Your Path to College & Career Success
"myOptions empowers students to explore colleges and careers with free technology, advice, planning tools, and encouragement from family and educators, as they discover more about themselves on their journey through high school."
Northeast Public Universities At a Glance, Wednesday, October 14, 7-9 pm
"Join us for a special virtual event, Northeast Public Universities Admissions Panel, with University of Delaware, Binghamton University, Stony Brook University, University of Maryland, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, University of Connecticut, and Rutgers University. Learn about each university’s academic programs, student life, and the application process. You’ll be able to provide questions to be answered in advance of the event and hear them answered live."
Northern Virginia Community College, Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program Information Session for GMHS, Friday, October 9 and Friday, November 6, 1:15 pm
Application for admission due November 15!
"Pathway to the Baccalaureate guides selected students on their journey from high school through NOVA to a four-year institution." Students need to apply for admission to both the Pathway program and NOVA.
Jason Engler, our GMHS Pathway representative, will host an information session for our students. Students need to add Zoom to their school computers to participate (Launchpad > search for Self Service > search for Zoom and install the out of the building version). The URL to participate is posted on the calendar in Schoology.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, STAR Program, Sunday, October 18, 4-8:30 pm
"Rensselaer Admissions, in coordination with members of Rensselaer's Black and Latinx communities, invites academically talented, underrepresented students to participate in the Science, Technology, and Arts at Rensselaer (STAR) Program."
"Enjoy receiving live advice on country specifics, admissions process, university degrees and student life from the comfort of your laptop or phone."
Study in Ireland Virtual Event hosted by Education in Ireland, Tuesday, October 13, 7 pm EDT
"Expert teams from Education in Ireland and the International Offices in 10 universities will attend to answer your questions. The first step is to register to attend."
The Princeton Review College Application Essay Writing FREE Workshop Live Online, Monday, October 12, 8-9:30 pm
University of Rhode Island College Admission Workshops
"We know there's a lot of advice out there about how to submit the best application or write the most interesting essay or even which colleges to apply to. So much of this can feel overwhelming or contradictory, which is why we have designed two workshops to help you answer some of these questions. Join us on one of the following dates for a workshop that will be led by University of Rhode Island admission staff."
Tips for Creating your College List, October 14, 3 pm
Tips for Writing the College Essay, October 21, 3 pm and October 26, 6:30 pm
UVA Fall Fest, Saturday, October 17, 10 am - 2 pm EDT
"Fall Fest—a virtual open house—will give students the chance to learn about the University of Virginia community and our admission and financial aid processes. The event will focus on Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx student experiences and will feature current UVA students, faculty, and staff."
ARTICLES:
- Hopkins, K., Powell, F., & Kerr, E. (2020, September 14). 16 Tuition-Free Colleges. U.S. News & World Report.
- Somers, D., & Moody, J. (2020, September 14). 10 College Majors With the Highest Starting Salaries. U.S. News & World Report.
STUDENT-ATHLETES
The Eligibility Center is hosting a webinar for college-bound student-athletes.
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.
Transcript Requests
STANDARDIZED TESTS
The ACT does not have any national test administration dates in November. For the ACT on December 12, you need to register by November 6.
Registration to sit for the SAT/SAT Subject Tests on the national test dates is open. To sit for a test on December 5 you need to register by November 5.
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.
Meet Wyatt℠, your personal FAFSA assistance chatbot
Wyatt can help you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Wyatt is currently available to the high school class of 2021 students participating in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships.
ARTICLES & BLOG POSTS
7 Things You Need Before You Fill Out the 2021–22 FAFSA® Form. (2020, September 28). HOMEROOM. The official Blog of the U.S. Department of Education.
8 Steps to Filling Out the FAFSA® Form. (2020, September 28). HOMEROOM. The official Blog of the U.S. Department of Education.
Kerr, E. (2020, October 1). How to Complete the CSS Profile. U.S. News & World Report.
Lustig, M. (2020, September 16). Understanding the Types of Federal Student Loans. U.S. News & World Report.
SCHOLARSHIPS
DAR Good Citizens Award from the Falls Church Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution - contact Ms. Mural by October 15 if you are interested in being considered
"The DAR Good Citizens program and scholarship contest is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. The program is open to all senior class students enrolled in accredited public or private secondary schools that are in good standing with their state boards of education. United States citizenship is not required."
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship Information Session, Friday, October 16, 2 pm
Staff Sergeant Hoover, United States Marine Corps Recruiter, will talk with us about the NROTC Scholarship program.
"The Florence Levine Berman Opportunity Scholarship provides funding to immigrants and first generation Americans to support their pursuit of higher education at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). This scholarship award may be used for tuition, fees, and books."
Virginia JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship, application due January 22, 2021
"The Virginia JCI Senate identifies two well qualified Virginia high school seniors and submits both to the U.S. JCI Senate Foundation national scholarship program for consideration, and may also award supplemental state scholarships.
Each year, the U.S. JCI Senate Foundation grants $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the United States who plan to continue their education at accredited post-secondary colleges, universities or vocational schools."
CAREER
Virtual Career Exploration & Readiness Workshops, NOVA Systemic
Check out our upcoming FREE Virtual STEM Career Exploration & Readiness Workshops!
- October 13 / 11:00 a.m. – Teamwork, Problem Solving & Communication Skills Interactive Workshop
- October 21 / 11:00 a.m. – Business & Professional Communication Workshop
- October 27 / 3:00 p.m. – High School Focused Resume, Cover Letter & Interviewing Tips Workshop
GAP YEAR
You will find a list of gap year programs on the College and Career Center Gap Year website page.
Sheri Mural, College & Career Specialist
Email: murals@fccps.org
Website: https://gm.fccps.org/o/gmhs/page/college-career-center--8
Location: 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043, USA
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.