College & Career Center Newsletter
George Mason High School - January 15, 2021
TRANSLATION
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PLANNING FOR POST-HIGH SCHOOL
Winter 2021 Transition University, February 6-March 26, 2021
"Transition University will offer a 5-session self-paced online series to help parents/guardians navigate the transition process for their school age child and prepare for the adult world.
Life is full of transitions. For families of children with disabilities thinking about the future can bring mixed emotions. Some families are just trying to make it through day-to-day challenges and might not feel they have the energy to think about what happens after high school. Others may want to plan for that transition, but are confused by unfamiliar language, complex steps, and the many agencies that may be involved in adult services.
Join us for this FREE 5-week SELF-PACED online course that focuses on providing parent-friendly transition information to help make transition planning easier. This course is designed for parents/caregivers of elementary, middle or high school students that receive special education services, but is open to everyone. The goal is to share factual information on transition services and to help make the transition from school services to the adult services world less confusing."
EXPLORE COLLEGES & THE APPLICATION PROCESS
This program is hosted by Alfred Street Baptist Church and the ASBC Foundation. Registration is now open for high school seniors only. Registration for all others will open on January 25, 2021 at 12:00 noon (EST). There is a $5 fee to attend.
Festival Benefits:
* HBCU virtual Drumline competition!
* Over 70 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
* On-site Interviews and Admissions by some schools
* Band and Chorus auditions by some schools
* Application Fee Waiver by some schools
* Seminars for students, parents and guardians (sign up when you register)
- BigFuture Days West + Southwest, Saturday, February 6
- BigFuture Days Southeast, Tuesday, February 23
- BigFuture Days Northeast, Sunday, March 7
- BigFuture Days Midwest, Thursday, March 11
The Princeton Review, FREE virtual workshops
- SAT, ACT and Admissions in the Time of COVID Wednesday, January 20, 2021 5:00 PM
- PSAT Strategy Session Monday, January 25, 2021 8:00 PM
- Dream Colleges Wednesday, January 27, 2021 7:00 PM
- SAT Strategy Session Monday, February 01, 2021 8:00 PM
- College Application Essay Writing Workshop Wednesday, February 03, 2021 5:00 PM
- SAT, ACT and Admissions in the Time of COVID Monday, February 08, 2021 8:00 PM
- SAT, ACT, or Both? Wednesday, February 10, 2021 5:00 PM
- ACT Strategy Session Wednesday, February 17, 2021 7:00 PM
- Dream Colleges Monday, February 22, 2021 8:00 PM
- SAT Strategy Session Wednesday, February 24, 2021 5:00 PM
Virtual Christian College Fairs - several College Fairs and Live Webinars are scheduled this month
- Tuesday, January 19, 6:30-7 PM ET - Live Webinar: How to Choose Your Major: Resources to Consider
- Tuesday, January 19, 7-10 PM ET - Agriculture Majors
- Wednesday, January 20, 7-10 PM ET - Computer-Focused Majors
- Thursday, January 21, 7-10 PM ET - Aviation Majors
- Monday, January 25, 6:30-7 PM ET - Live Webinar: Making an Informed, Confident College Decision
- Monday, January 25, 7-10 PM ET, Security-Focused Majors
- Tuesday, January 26, 7-10 PM ET, Pre-Professional Programs
- Wednesday, January 27, 7-10 PM ET, Engineering Majors
- Thursday, January 28, 7-10 PM ET, Communication & Journalism
Virtual College Fairs, with support from NACAC and Common App
You need to register in advance to attend these virtual programs.
Signature Fair - Sunday, January 31, 1- 7 pm EST
Signature Fair - Sunday, February 28, 1-7 pm EST
Signature Fair - Sunday, March 21, 1-7 pm EDT
Signature Fair - Sunday, May 2, 1-7 pm EDT
ARTICLES
Barnard, B. (2021, January 13). Counseling For College Admission In 2021. Forbes.
Clark, R. (2021, January 12). Light in the Darkness. Georgia Tech Admission Blog.
Legatt, A. (2021, January 12). Five College Admissions Trends For 2021. Forbes.
Schiffman, J. (2021, January 12). How to Stay Admitted. Tulane University Admission Blog.
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 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 University of Delaware’s test prep institutes are offered in partnership with Educational Testing Consultants (ETC).
"If you are preparing for college, you probably have some questions about the admission tests. Our one-hour ACT/SAT Free Live-Online Strategy Session introduces students to the basics of both exams and highlights some of the key similarities and differences between them. Our experienced instructor will guide you through some sample questions and teach you a few strategies.
This free session is open to high school students and their parents. Whether students are just beginning to think about college, are preparing to take one of the college admission tests or have already taken one of the tests, they should gain valuable strategies and information from the workshop."
The ACT will be offered on several national test dates in 2021.
- Saturday, February 6, 2021 - register by January 15, no late fee
- Saturday, April 17, 2021 - register by March 12
- Saturday, June 12, 2021 - register by May 7
- Saturday, July 17, 2021 - register by June 18 (No test centers are scheduled for New York in July)
Free, The Princeton Review ACT Practice Test Online
"Don’t procrastinate! Take action NOW to ensure you improve your ACT score. Try a full-length free practice ACT online today. After the practice test, you’ll receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses."
The SAT/SAT Subject Tests will be offered on several national test dates in 2021.
- Saturday, March 13 (no subject tests) - register by February 12
- Saturday, May 8 - register by April 8
- Saturday, June 5 - register by May 6
FREE, The Princeton Review SAT Practice Test Online
"Don’t procrastinate! Take action NOW to ensure you improve your SAT score. Try a full-length free practice SAT today. After the test, you’ll receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses."
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.
Financial Aid 101 webinar hosted by 1-2-3 Go! and VASFAA (Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators), Thursday, January 21 and Thursday, February 18, 6-7 pm
The College Funding Coach Specialty Webinars
- Save for Retirement or Pay for Your Kids' College?, Thursday, January 21, 7-7:30 pm
- Rewards of Planning with 529 College Savings Plans, Thursday, January 28, 7-8 pm
The HEFAR Group - January 2021 Newsletter
Five things you must do right now to get every penny you deserve!
- Kantrowitz, M. (2021, January 11). FAFSA Simplification Changes Which Parent Must File The FAFSA. Forbes.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
You will find scholarship resources on the College and Career Center Financial Aid and Scholarships website page and within Naviance.
AFCEA DC STEM Scholarships - application due February 25, 2021
"Each year, to promote higher education in the STEM fields of computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry and management information systems through financial scholarship awards, AFCEA Washington, DC sponsors STEM scholarships for graduating high school seniors."
Amazon Future Engineers Scholarship Program - application due February 18, 2021
This scholarship program provides students with a $40,000 scholarship, plus a paid summer internship programming at Amazon. On January 13 at 6 pm ET you can attend a webinar where the Amazon team will share with you:
- An overview of the program
- Eligibility requirements
- The application process and timeline
- Advice for students on making their applications stand out
You’ll also hear from a recent AFE intern about his experience in the program! If you can’t attend, please register anyway and they will email you a recording of the session.
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
The program is currently open to the class of 2021 and 2022.
Coolidge Scholarship for current juniors - application is due January 20, 2021
This is a full-ride college scholarship (tuition, room, board and expenses for four years of undergraduate study).
Davidson Fellows Scholarship - Scholarships for Gifted Students - application is due March 10
"The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to gifted and high-achieving students, 18 years old or under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, and Outside the Box."
Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship - application is due January 25
"Applicants to the Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program must:
- Be historically underserved students who self-identify as Black/African American; Hispanic or Latino; America Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
- High school seniors or graduates or current college undergraduates residing in one of the following states:
- CT, OH, WV, VA, MD, NC, SC, ID, WY, UT
- Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)."
Dream Project Scholarship - application is due February 1, 2021
The Dream Project Scholarship is an annually renewable scholarship awarded to immigrant students demonstrating academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund - application is due February 15, 2021
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Must be of Hispanic heritage
U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA
Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students
Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the US, for the 2021-2022 academic year
Submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms (if applicable)
IE University Junior Advisory Board - application is due February 28
"We're looking for well-rounded students with a wide variety of interests, talents and opinions. Fifteen exceptional candidates, who stand out from the crowd showing their inquisitive minds and innovative spirit, are selected! We welcome them to participate in a one week event and grant them an 80% scholarship to study at IE University."
The virtual program will be held April 12-16. IE University has campuses in Madrid and Segovia.
The Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Scholarship Programs - applications accepted January 1 to February 15, 2021
The National Press Club Scholarship for Journalism Diversity - application is due March 1, 2021
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations - Applications accepted from January 1 - March 1, 2021
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations (PPRR) recognizes and rewards high school students who, through their volunteer activities, have undertaken significant efforts to advance racial equality and understanding in their schools or communities. Any student in the United States currently enrolled in grades 9-12 can apply.
The Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia History Essay Contest for College Scholarship - entries must be postmarked by Friday, March 12, 2021
"The Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia announces an essay contest for any Virginia high school senior who will attend any four-year college or university in the Commonwealth of Virginia beginning in the fall of 2021."
Study.com Guide to College Scholarships & Financial Aid for Black Students
Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship - application due January 30, 2021
This scholarship is open to high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. You need to complete the application form and include a 140-character message about technology addiction. The top 10 applications will be selected as finalists. The finalists will be asked to write a full length 500- to 1,000-word essay about technology addiction. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
TheDream.US National Scholarship Program - application closes February 25, 2021
U.S. Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Foundation Scholarship - application due January 22, 2021
SUMMER PROGRAMS
University of Delaware Edge Summer College Program, apply by Thursday, April 1
"The UD Edge summer college program prepares high school students moving into their junior or senior year for a future as a successful college student."
Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation
Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation offers a collection of specialized pre-college programs for high-achieving math and science students. This summer, we will offer two online courses, Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI) and Biomedical Engineering Innovation (BMEI). Our typical student is a rising junior (~35%) or senior (~65%) in high school. Talented 9th graders (rising sophomores) may be considered, however, priority will be given to older students. Graduated seniors are also eligible to participate during the summer before they begin their college career. BMEI courses start as early as May 24, 2021 and EEI will be offered starting July 6, 2021.
FREE MIT Online Science, Technology, and Engineering Community (MOSTEC) program, application is due February 1, 2021
"The six-month MIT Online Science, Technology, and Engineering Community (MOSTEC) program serves rising high school seniors from across the country – many of whom come from underrepresented or underserved communities. Students selected to participate in MOSTEC demonstrate in their applications a strong academic record and interest in science and engineering. The MOSTEC program begins the summer before students' senior year in high school and extends through students' first semester in 12th grade."
Princeton Summer Journalism Program, application is due Monday, February 22, 2021
"The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is one of the only programs of its kind offering a free, innovative residential journalism and college prep institute for high achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds."
Ringling College of Art and Design Pre-College Program - online and on-campus courses
"All Summer Session 2021 courses will be conducted remotely online."
MILITARY
ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps)
Application deadlines are coming up to be considered for ROTC scholarships to have funding for the first semester of your freshman year in college.
- U.S. Army ROTC - Thursday, February 4
- NROTC (Navy, Nurse, and Marine Corps) - Sunday, January 31
United States Coast Guard Career Q&A via Google Meet, Thursday, January 28, 4-5 pm
Note: you will not be able to join the Google Meet using your school email.
"We will briefly cover the many humanitarian missions the USCG executes on a daily basis for the first 15 minutes, and the remaining 45 minutes will be available for Q&A.
The Coast Guard is one of our nation’s five military services. Our core values—honor, respect, and devotion to duty, are the guiding principles used to defend and preserve the United States of America. We protect the personal safety and security of our people; the marine transportation system and infrastructure; our natural and economic resources; and the territorial integrity of our nation–from both internal and external threats, natural and man-made. We protect these interests in U.S. ports, inland waterways, along the coasts, and on international waters.
There is no one set career trajectory in the Coast Guard. That’s because we offer a host of diverse and challenging opportunities that span a broad scope of interests, backgrounds, and skillsets - ranging from law enforcement officers all the way to executive chefs.
Members of the Coast Guard receive a comprehensive benefits package. In addition to their salary, members earn free health, dental, and vision insurance; tuition assistance; housing and meals; 30 days of paid vacation; and much more."
You can explore some of the many enlisted Coast Guard career opportunities.
GAP YEAR
You will find a list of gap year programs on the College and Career Center Gap Year website page.
From Nov 30, 2020 - March 31, 2021, USA Gap Year Fairs is hosting 40 virtual events to connect students, families, and counselors with the most up to date information about gap year options and summer opportunities in 2021.
- Jan 23: NATIONAL Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 4: Chicago Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 6: NATIONAL Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 9: Fairfax & DC Area Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 18: Pacific Northwest Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 24: Texas Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Feb 27: Colorado Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Mar 3: Maine Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Mar 4: California Virtual Gap Year Fair
- Mar 13: NATIONAL Virtual Gap Year Fair
Why Gap Years Matter More Than Ever! Free webinar, several sessions in January & February 2021
Gap Year Solutions is partnering with libraries to share information about their programs. Registration is required.
Sheri Mural, College & Career Specialist
Email: murals@fccps.org
Website: https://gm.fccps.org/o/gmhs/page/college-career-center
Location: 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church
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.