WBHS Counselor Connection

In this issue:

Welcome back!

Message from the Counseling Department

College and Career Center in Canvas

College Rep Visits to WBHS

Message to Juniors

Message to Seniors

PSAT Registration for Juniors - Test is Oct. 15th- Space is limited

Mrs. Essig's Scholarship Club - NEW!

Midnight Golf - The deadline to apply is approaching!

Fee Waivers for College Applications and SAT/ACT Tests

FAFSA Opens October 1st - Seniors

Virtual FAFSA Workshop - November 28th

CMU and You Day

Southern California College Collab

Multicultural Visit to Oberlin College

West Point Informational Visits

Alexander Muss HS in Israel

Volunteer at the Detroit Zoo

Heisman HS Scholarship

Infinite Scholars Program

Fall Virtual College Fairs

Fancy Honor Society Invitations in the mail

HBCU Search Tool

QuestBridge Program

Gates Scholarship

Tips on the College Admissions process

Importance of a College Visit

College and Career Center Resources

Mrs. Essig's Top Picks - Articles of interest

Job Opportunity at as a Law Clerk

Scholarships:

Ayn Rand Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest - Seniors - Due Sept 26th

Cameron Impact Scholarship - Seniors - Due Sept. 9th, 2022
Digital Responsibility -Don't Text & Drive Scholarship -9th-12th grade - Due Sept. 30, 2022
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship - Senior - Due November 14, 2022
Gates Scholarship Foundation - Seniors - Due Sept 15th
Heisman High School Scholarship - Senior Athletes - Due Oct. 18, 22
Italian American Club of Livonia Charitable Found. Scholarship- Italian Ancestry, 3.0 GPA Due Oct 31, 2022
Jack Cooke Kent Scholarship - 3.5+ GPA, Financial Need Seniors- Opens Aug 25, 2022
The Edward A. Bajoka Legal Scholarship for Immigrants - Seniors - Due Dec 31, 2022
Timothy Iberger Scholarship for Future Tech Innovators - Senior - Technology or Business-Due November 15, 22

Message from the WBHS Counseling Department:

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are so glad you are with us. We have a lot to share with you and we know that this newsletter is filled with a ton of information. Please grab a cup of coffee, relax and take it all in.

Twice a month, Mrs. Noelle Essig publishes this Counselor Connection newsletter as a way to share important information from our WBHS Counseling Department. We highly encourage you to read through the newsletter each time so that you do not miss important opportunities. This is our primary means of communication with you.

If you know of someone who is not receiving communication from us, it may mean they need 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!

Double check your schedule

There may have been changes to your schedule since Jump Start. Please check your schedule in Power School as this reflects your accurate schedule. If you have any questions, please stop down to the Counseling Office.

College and Career Center in Canvas for 11th and 12th Grade Students

If you are in 11th and 12th grade, be sure to "accept" the invitation to join the Virtual College and Career Center! Mrs. Essig has created a fantastic resource for you! After you have reviewed the information, you are welcome to set up an appointment with her if you have questions. We kindly ask that juniors wait until after November 1st to make an appointment as seniors are our priority with November 1st college application deadlines. Check Canvas for more details and announcements.

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 in our building. We invite juniors and seniors to learn more about a variety of colleges and establish relationships with the college rep.

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!

WB College Rep Visit Sign-Up

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

PSAT/NMSQT TEST: See the information below to learn more about this upcoming test and how to register. Space is limited so register early. PSAT Registration Form

ACT/SAT TESTING - In the past two years many colleges have gone test optional. It is always best to check the website of the college in which you plan to apply. We plan 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.

JUNIOR YEAR CHECKLIST: Check out this checklist that Mrs. Essig created for you! Junior Year Checklist

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 counselor is here to help!

Be sure to follow Mrs. Essig on Twitter @WBHSCounseling and read every Counselor Connection newsletter.

Message to seniors

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

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.

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.

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!

COLLEGE APP BOOT CAMP: Prior to the start of school, we hosted 190 seniors in our College Application Boot Camp. Mrs. Essig will host one last "mini" College App Boot Camp on Wednesday, Sept. 21st at 2:30 p.m. in the College and Career Center. Students must pre-register here: https://forms.gle/EpTgVLxkmbHuHUxr5

APPOINTMENTS - After you've had a chance to view the information 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!

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST: Check out this great resource from Mrs. Essig to make sure you don't miss a step. College Application Checklist

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!

MRS. ESSIG'S SCHOLARSHIP CLUB: First meeting will be Tuesday, September 13th at 2:30 in the College and Career Center. Join Mrs. Essig as she educates you on the scholarship search process! For the first semester, we will meet weekly as there is a lot of information to share. Once we get resume's built and essay's written, our goal is to apply to at least one scholarship per week! We will meet in the College and Career Center. All seniors are welcome. Come join us! Register here: https://forms.gle/tim4QhLsmLEVquvG7

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!

Juniors - PSAT Registration is open -Space is limited.

JUNIORS REGISTER NOW FOR THE PSAT/NMSQT

TEST DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2022

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) will be offered in October by the Educational Testing Service. This 2-hour version of the SAT (4 hours with registration info) measures verbal, mathematical abilities and writing skills important in college work. WBHS students have had the opportunity in the spring to take the PSAT 10 and PSAT 9, which is an additional practice format. That opportunity will continue for sophomores and freshmen this coming spring. However, for juniors who wish to seek recognition and financial awards through the National Merit Program, this test is required. We can only accommodate 100 juniors, so please sign up as soon as possible before the spots are gone!

This PSAT functions as practice for the SAT, as a competition for scholarships, as a signal to colleges to send out recruitment information and has clear-cut feedback about skills needed for college success. Students will need to supply two sharpened #2 pencils (mechanical pencils are NOT recommended!) and a calculator. The following calculators are not permitted: cell phone calculator, pocket organizers, calculators with a QWERTY keypad, mini notebooks, calculators with paper tape, calculators that make noise or talk, calculators that require an external power source such as an electrical outlet.

The cost of the PSAT exam is $25.00. The registration form below - ALONG WITH FULL PAYMENT OF $25 – must be turned in from WEDNESDAY, SEPT 7 – WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5 IN THE COUNSELING OFFICE. You may bring a check or money order (payable to West Bloomfield Schools) OR you may bring CASH in the exact amount. All payments should be made prior to Test Day, 10/15.

WHEN YOU DROP OFF THE DEPOSIT AND REGISTRATION FORM in the counseling office, you should pick up a copy of the PSAT Student Bulletin and Fact Sheet. These booklets will be available by Sept. 27(so you may need to return to get it!!!)

The test will be given at WBHS on Saturday, October 15,2022 at 8:00 am and will last approximately 4 hours. This test is only given once a year, there is no possibility of makeup.

If you qualify for any special accommodations, please contact your counselor as soon as possible for registration information!!!

If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Brody or email her at karen.brody@wbsd.org.

Click here for the form to register: PSAT REGISTRATION FORM

Midnight Golf Program - Accepting applications now!

Last reminder......Midnight Golf is an incredible opportunity for students in the metro Detroit area. Watch the video below to learn more. https://midnightgolf.org/

Applications Close
September 26, 2022

Mandatory Open House
Monday, September 26

Interviews
Tuesday, September 27th, Wednesday, 28th, and Thursday, 29th – You will schedule your interview at the Mandatory Open House, 9/26.

Class of 2022-23 Announced
September 30, 2022

www.midnightgolf.org/apply.

https://youtu.be/cz23J8cdIHk

College Application and ACT/SAT Test Fee Waivers

Seniors - College application fee waivers are available for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Your family needs to apply each year for free and reduced lunch. Please fill out the free and reduced lunch form by clicking here: http://westbloomfield.familyportal.cloud

10th and 11th grade: If you qualify for free and reduced lunch, you can receive a code to waive your fees for the ACT and/or SAT. Please apply for free and reduced lunch first and confirm that you qualify then see your counselor

Class of 2023 - FAFSA opens Oct 1st - FAFSA Workshop

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 a FREE FAFSA Workshop. 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 2023.

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.

Virtual FAFSA Workshop will be held on Monday, November 28th at 7:00 p.m. This is for families needing help with their FAFSA.

https://oakland-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuCvpj0tGNFTy5NFJeJLsBDjIsjCJ5v1

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

Scholarship Club for seniors!

Are you in need of money to assist you with paying for college? Do you need scholarships but aren't sure where to start? Every year we get seniors coming to us in tears in April because they cannot afford the college they wish to attend. Don't let this be you! Apply for scholarships all throughout the school year!

Mrs. Noelle Essig, College and Career Counselor, regularly uses her expertise to provide a personalized college search experience for WBHS students. This fall, she is also using her expertise to help interested students find ways to help pay for their education. Join Mrs. Essig as she launches "Mrs. Essig's Scholarship Club,” providing time each week for students to research and work on scholarship applications. Mrs. Essig will also conduct mock interviews for students who get selected for scholarship interviews.

Our first meeting will take place on Tuesday, Sept 13th at 2:30 p.m. in the College and Career Center. Pre-register here: https://forms.gle/tim4QhLsmLEVquvG7

This is a great opportunity to help ensure you know how to navigate the scholarship search process. Mrs. Essig will help you simplify the process while filling out scholarship applications on a weekly basis. Join us!

West Point Informational Tours - ATTN Juniors

ATTENTION PROSPECTIVE WEST POINT CADET CANDIDATES Fall Tours are NOW OPEN. Tours run Mon - Fri Sept 6 - Nov 18, 2022 [no tours on holidays] and you can participate in one of 3 tour offerings 1) Prospective Candidate Tour 2) Daily Tour 3) Overnight Tour https://westpoint.edu/admissions/visit-west-point?utm_source=Instagram&utm_medium=Bio&utm_campaign=Tours

Fancy Invitations in the Mail!

Parents and students -

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

The importance of a college visit

You would never purchase a house, without seeing it first. Make time to fit in a few on campus tours to help you determine the factors that are important to you. Many campus tours fill up quickly so be sure to map out your plan early. You can find tour schedules and sign-ups on each college’s website. You’ll often find this info on the admissions site under the heading of “Visit.” To get there most directly, you could search for “Name of College + Visit.”

Top Reasons to Visit Colleges

You won’t really know how you feel about a place until you’ve been there. A college catalog, view book, or website can only show you so much.
The college information sessions and the campus tours will give you a much better idea of what the college is like and if you would be happy there.
A small investment in time now can save significant time, money, and hassles during the college application period.
You’ll get a sense of the college’s vibrancy, character, and facilities. Visits will provide you with a more complete picture.
College tours allow students to ask questions, meet other prospective students and understand the college on a deeper level.
How you feel about schools once you visit in person may affect the direction your college search and application process takes. College visits help you to refine your search.
Applying to college is a complex process and visits to campuses will serve you best if you use them as a research tool, rather than a final decision-making aid.
Time, energy and money are finite resources and you want to use them wisely throughout the application process. First-hand knowledge will help you to clarify your vision and narrow your list.
Most colleges love students who are sincerely interested and visiting colleges is one way to show this.
You want to be able to relax and make a fully informed choice once you have been accepted. If you’ve already visited those schools at least once, that’s just what you will be able to do.

(List from the CS College Tours Website)

HBCU Search Tool

Interested in an HBCU but not sure where to look? Check out this search tool that allows you to search by major. http://thehundred-seven.org/matchme.php

Questbridge Applications Due September 28th

https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match

QuestBridge is a nationally recognized nonprofit that helps outstanding students from low-income backgrounds dream big and realize that a top college is possible. Start your path to college with QuestBridge!

📢 The 2022 National College Match application for high school seniors is now open! The deadline to apply is September 27, 2022.

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/

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 Opportunity at a Law Firm

Our small law firm looking for a student that would like the opportunity to work part-time as a copy/file clerk. Please email Sabrina A. Quail, Paralegal at Ronald B. Rich & Associates at saq@letuscollect.com.

30665 Northwestern Highway, Suite 280, Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Telephone: (248) 851-4411 ext. 222

Students - Please read your email!

It is crucial that students get in the habit of checking their student and personal email on a daily basis. Many opportunities are missed because students do not read their email.

Be sure to create a personal email account that is used just for college applications and/or the Common App.

If you are using a scholarship search engine, use a "junk" email address that you don't mind getting a lot of spam-type email.

Scholarships

Please note that Ms. Essig posts all scholarship information in the College and Career Center Canvas page. Please follow the Canvas page for the most up-to-date opportunities!

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. Check the College and Career Center Canvas pages frequently.

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!

It is important to do your research and created a balanced list of colleges. If you are applying to several reach schools, it is critical that your list includes likely and target schools. Please also keep in mind that your safety school might be your friend's reach school. Please be cautious of your words. Stay open-minded and chase merit scholarships at schools where your GPA is above their average.

Every college provides data via the Common Data Set about their previous year's admitted students. This is a great way to understand your chances of admission along with helping you determine whether to send your SAT/ACT scores to a college that is test optional. Simply Google the name of the college + Common Data Set to find this information. Look in Section C. This data quickly helps students understand their chances of admission.

Important Contacts

WBHS Counseling Department

Class of 2024, 2025, 2026- 9th thru 11th Grade

Kyle Landon (sub for Kelly Casinelli on Maternity Leave) Students with last names A-Ch
Joanne Wegrzynowicz - Students with last names Ci-Gra
Karen Brody - Students with last names Grb-Kl
Kason Dickerson - Students with last names Km-M
Lisa Thompkins - Students with last names N-Sh
John Hepper - Students with last names Si-Z

Class of 2023 - 12th Grade

Kyle Landon (sub for Kelly Casinelli on Maternity Leave) Students with last names A-Cu
Joanne Wegrzynowicz - Students with last names Cv-Ha
Karen Brody - Students with last names Hb-Lo
Kason Dickerson - Students with last names Lp-Po
Lisa Thompkins - Students with last names Pr-Te
John Hepper - Students with last names Tf-Z