WB Counselor Connection
News & Info for the WB Community Sept. 29, 2020
In this issue:
Seniors - FAFSA Opens October 1st
FAFSA Workshops for seniors and their parents
FAFSA Tutorials
College Application Month
Application Fee Waivers
MSU - Updated Admissions Information
MSU - Virtual Visit Programs
Students Think STEAM Expo
Virtual College Tours - Colleges in Michigan
AP Testing Registration Information
HBCU Real Talk Sponsored by College Board
HBCU Links
Music Admissions Round Table
Karsh TEM Scholars Program - Howard University
1st Generation College Student Information
College Rep Virtual Visits
Fox Run is hiring
Scholarships
Prudential Spirit of Community Scholarships
Check Twitter Daily for Additional Scholarships @WBHSCounseling #WBHSScholarships2021
Seniors - FAFSA OPENS ON OCTOBER 1st & FAFSA WORKSHOPS
If you find that you need help and support filling out the FAFSA, the WB Counseling Department is sponsoring two FAFSA Workshops. Click on the link here to sign up to meet virtually with a Financial Aid Officer from Oakland University who can assist all families with the FAFSA regardless of where your child plans to attend college
FAFSA Workshop with Carrie Gilchrist
10/22/2020 (Thu.)
FAFSA Workshop with Carrie Gilchrist
11/16/2020 (Mon.)
Through the link you will be able to reserve your spot, access the FSA ID instructions and the FAFSA Checklist, as well as receive an email reminder to attend three days before the event. The registration deadline is 24 hours in advance of the workshop so they can send the Zoom links to participants the morning of their workshop.
Seniors - Application Fee Waivers for October
October is College Application Month! Please click on the link below to see a variety of college application fee waivers for colleges in Michigan.
Calvin, CMU, and EMU are waiving the fee during the month of October.
MSU is waiving the fee from October 1st -16th. Use code MSU1855
Also, we have a waiver code for Wayne State University that you can use - MCAW2021.
It pays to read this newsletter! We are always looking for ways to save you $!
Also, if you are on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, see your counselor for additional waivers that are available.
https://michigancollegeaccessnetwork.app.box.com/s/efafrnyj2twfa2k1tssbptdxjhycvzot
Seniors - Applying to MSU? Make sure you understand their new procedures
Please read important information from MSU about their "Test Optional" policy. This is new. Important to note that you need to decide if you want to send scores or not... you cannot change your mind after you hit send.
MESSAGE FROM MSU
Admissions process changes
Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus, Michigan State University has made some changes to the admissions process for the fall 2021 semester. The most notable change is that we are shifting to a test-optional format. This means that applicants will be able to indicate whether they would like to submit their applications with or without submitting an SAT or ACT score.
SAT/ACT Test-optional
While students are no longer required to submit SAT or ACT test scores, there will also not be any negative implications on a student's admission decision if they choose not to submit a test score. Michigan State will continue to take a holistic approach when evaluating student applications. Our admissions process will place an emphasis on the student's overall academic performance and trends, strength and quality of the curriculum, class rank, leadership experience, and essay.
Please note that once the application is submitted, the test-optional choice cannot be changed.
Self-reported SAT/ACT test scores
Michigan State will make application decisions and award scholarships based on test scores that are self-reported at the time of application or in an official transcript. These students will also need to submit their official scores before attending orientation.
Merit-based scholarships
Applicants who apply without an SAT or ACT score will still be eligible for merit-based scholarships and will have no disadvantage for admission compared to students who submit a test score. For more information, please refer to our website.
MSU Virtual Visit Information
Due to these circumstances, MSU will not be able to conduct traditional high school visits. However, in place of high school visits, we will be conducting a number of virtual prospect meetings via Zoom Webinar specifically for Oakland County Schools.
Students will have the opportunity to learn more about academics, student life, admissions criteria, and more at Michigan State University. We will also have several giveaways and provide a live Q/A session for students as well. Please forward to your juniors and seniors, and they can use the links below.
Western Oakland County
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 7:00 p.m.
https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3GcFq9f1ScevxzacqYqGbw
Free STEAM Career Fair
Virtual Tours of Colleges in Michigan
AP Testing Registration - IMPORTANT!!
For the 2021 AP Exams, students at West Bloomfield High School will be registering online using TWO SEPARATE WEBSITES. This registration will take a few minutes and can be completed from any computer with internet access.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE PAYMENT FOR AP EXAMS WILL BE DONE ONLINE THROUGH THE TOTAL REGISTRATION WEBSITE only!!!
In order to register, students should visit:
1)CollegeBoard/AP registration (it is best to use the same account
–log in, password, etc -- used for PSAT and SAT testing)
2)www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/23288 (it will make sense to go in this website order)
For both websites (AP and TR) you will need a JOIN CODE furnished by each individual AP teacher. Be careful not to mix up COURSE JOIN CODES.
***This year, each AP exam costs $120.00 each. There is a price structure – depending on when you pay. If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, please contact either Mrs. Brody (karen.brody@wbsd.org) or Ms. Wegrzynowicz (joanne.wegrzynowicz@wbsd.org) for possible financial assistance BEFORE the regular registration deadline of October 23, 2020.
***If you have been approved by the College Board (this is different from ACT) or have applied for accommodations with your counselor for extended time testing or other special accommodations, please contact Mrs. Brody BEFORE the registration deadline.
***We know that parents may desire to register their students for exams. We strongly recommend that parents and student are both present while registering to ensure the correct exams are ordered (for example, parents have accidentally registered students for AP English Literature instead of AP English Language or AP United States History instead of AP United State Government or AP World History).
Here are the important dates for the registration process:
- Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020– Friday, October 23 at 11:00 pm $120.00 per exam + payment fee to TR
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 – Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at 11:00 pm $125.00 per exam (late fee)+ fee
- Any exam that is canceled AFTER Nov. 13 automatically forfeits at least $45.00 in fees to AP.
- The later a test is canceled, even less of the fee is returned. (This does not apply to 2nd sem. courses such as Micro Economics which has separate deadlines)
- Registrations that have not been paid for by Nov. 13 will be canceled and exams will not be ordered. Please contact Mrs. Brody if you would like to register for an exam not listed.
*The school’s refund policy is listed on the Total Registration website. If a student is absent for an exam due to illness or other reasons, additional administrative costs will be incurred if an alternate exam is able to be administered. In several circumstances, an alternate exam may not be available.
Interested in an HBCU? Check this out!
Music Admissions Roundtable
FIND YOUR DREAM SCHOOL.
Join us for our inaugural virtual Performing Arts College Fairs:
Thursday, October 8: 9pm-12am Eastern Time
Sunday, October 25: 2-5pm Eastern Time
Thursday, November 12: 8-11pm Eastern Time
Monday, November 23: 7-10pm Eastern Time
Panel discussions will be available one hour prior to the scheduled fair time. Learn first-hand about the institution, about programs, admission processes, and more.
Karsh STEM Scholars Program at Howard University
Juniors and Seniors - The Virtual College and Career Center in Canvas is now LIVE!
Parents - You can view the information by being an "observer" of your student in Canvas.
Below are some helpful links for Canvas.
Interested in an HBCU?
https://hbculifestyle.com
Are you a first generation college student?
College Representative Virtual Visits - Juniors and Seniors!
Every fall WBHS hosts college representatives allowing students to learn more about a variety of colleges and establish relationships. All visits will be held virtually this year.
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!
NACAC College Fairs - Register now!
FALL SCHEDULE
Log in on these fair dates to meet with 600+ colleges and universities.
Monday, Oct. 12
1 - 9 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 18
12 - 8 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 8
2 - 10 p.m. ET
For more information, visit: https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/students/
Looking for a job?
Mrs. Essig's Top Picks
SCHOLARSHIPS - Where to look
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 #WBHSScholarships2020.
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 email. 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!
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
Important Contacts
WBHS Counseling Department
A-CU Kelly Casinelli
CV-HA Joanne Wegrzynowicz
HB-LO Karen Brody
LP-PO Felicia Neumann
PR-TE Lisa Thompkins
TF-Z John Hepper
College & Career Counselor Noelle Essig
Administrative Staff
Mr. Eric Pace, Principal
Ashleigh Larkin, Assistant Principal
Eric Pierce, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Jamie Glinz, Assistant Principal
Dr. Stephanie Griffin, Assistant Principal
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