USA Gap Year Fairs

Three different Gap Year Fairs in the Area:

Brookline High School
January 16, 2016
115 Greenough Street
Event time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Speaker: Holly Bull from 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Noble & Greenough School
January 23, 2016
10 Campus Drive Dedham, MA 02026
Event time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Speaker: Holly Bull from 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Phillips Academy Andover
January 24, 2016
7 Salem Street, Andover, MA 01810
Event time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Speaker: Holly Bull from 3:00 - 3:30

Find more information at www.internshipyear.org or www.usagapyearfairs.org

REACH Program at College of Charleston

Register to attend the Open House for the R.E.A.C.H. Program at College of Charleston
Friday April 1, 2016
Check-in 9:00-9:30
Program 9:30- 4:00
reach.cofc.edu

Interesting Article

The Truth about Applying to 'Reach' Colleges

Posted: 11/11/2015 6:25 pm EST Updated: 11/11/2015 6:59 pm EST

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Most early application deadlines have passed, and college-bound seniors are currently in the process of wrapping up their remaining applications - with most students applying to a couple of schools that might be more difficult to gain admission to than others. These institutions on a student's college list, referred to as 'reach' colleges, are an important component to the college application process.
Back in August I wrote a piece about applying to 'likely' colleges and how it's important to have a balanced list of colleges in order to maximize your chances of gaining admission to great-fit schools. While it's important to have realistic expectations about where you may or may not be able to gain admission, it's also okay to dream big and apply to those colleges that seem like a 'reach.'
A Reach College Shouldn't Be Completely Out of Reach
A reach college, by definition, is a school where the applicant's academic profile is not as strong as the middle 50 percent of students who are typically admitted. To some, a reach college is a school that's a long shot that they're applying to just to see if they're admitted. For a student with a 2.7 GPA and a 25 on the ACT, Yale isn't a reach college - it's an impossible college. Not only is that student's profile not as strong as the middle 50 percent, it's nowhere near the benchmark for even the 25th percentile of students admitted to Yale.
Students applying to reach colleges should consider their academic profile and the school's standards, and make sure they're close enough to that middle 50 percent to be considered. After college applications are submitted, computer programs often filter them based on those hard factors like grades and test scores to eliminate those applications that are well below the university's standards. Applying to a long-shot college with credentials that are significantly lower than the school's standards is just throwing money away since, unless you're granted an application fee waiver, you'll have to pay for that application - anywhere from $50-80 - and your application will likely be sent to the 'no' pile early on in the process.

'Reach' Doesn't Have to Mean 'Name Brand'
Just because a top-tier institution is a reach college for an applicant doesn't mean he or she should apply. A school's selectivity can make it seem more attractive than it otherwise would. After all, who wouldn't want to say they made it into a college that's hard to gain admission to?
Just like the other schools on your college list, the reach institutions you're applying to should be good-fit schools that meet your academic, financial, and social needs. Yale is not a good-fit college for everyone. Don't focus on the name of a school when selecting colleges to apply to. Do your research to find colleges that meet those needs and then determine where that school falls on your balanced college list.
How to Get Into A Reach College
If you do decide to go for that far-reach college, it's important that you know why you're a good fit for that institution and effectively demonstrate that in your application. All colleges have institutional needs, so it's important to not only highlight your specialty, but also understand what makes that institution a good fit for you. Colleges want to admit students who want to attend, and an application or supplemental essays that show your informed interest and the care that has gone into crafting that application can go a long way. It's also important to know when a special circumstance, like being a legacy applicant, can work in your favor.
When applying to reach colleges, target those reach schools that would show an interest in an applicant like you. For example, a selective liberal arts college might be recruiting more students interested in studying a science field like chemistry or physics. If you're really into physics, that school might be interested in recruiting you to apply and admitting you to fit that institutional need. This is why it's important to go to college fairs and campus visits to talk to college reps to find out what they're looking for and how you fit into the fabric of that campus.
Also, if your 'hard factors' aren't that strong, play up the 'soft factors' in your college application. Write compelling essays, get stellar recommendations from your counselor and teachers, take time to highlight your extracurricular activities and the impact you've made in your community, and more. Colleges are just as interested in who you are outside of the classroom, and want to admit students who will positively contribute to the campus community. Things like outstanding essays, recommendations, and activities can inspire an admissions officer to advocate on behalf of you when they're making tough admissions decisions. It's important to make yourself memorable.
Additional Tips for Applying to Reach Colleges

• Keep your list balanced. Don't only apply to reach colleges thinking at least one has to admit you. This s why having a balanced list of target, reach, and likely colleges is important - you don't want to be stuck with no where to go next fall after applying only to institutions you had a slim chance of getting into.
• Set realistic expectations. A reach college isn't going to be easy to get into, and it's almost impossible to predict what might happen after your application is submitted. Set realistic expectations about your chances of gaining admission to your reach colleges. If you apply only to reach colleges with an academic profile that is significantly lower than their median standards, know that your chances of admission are extremely slim. Stay positive but also keep a level head about what your application decision might be.
• Choose the best-fit college for you. So you got into one or two of your reach colleges? That's great! But just because you get into a college that's not easy to gain admission to doesn't mean you have to go, or that it's the best-fit school for you. Take time to weigh all your college options after acceptances come in and choose the college that meets all your needs. You can be surprised to find that your feelings toward a particular college can change after acceptances come in.

Poetry Contest for Sophomores and Juniors

Henry David Thoreau Scholarship

Boston Calling High School Ambassador Opportunity

OVERVIEW
Job Title: Boston Calling High School Ambassador
Reports to: Marketing Manager
Accepted applicants will need to complete a youth work permit.
Boston Calling Events is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability.

PURPOSE
Introduce interested high school students to the music and large-scale event industries. Ambassadors will receive an inside look at the planning and production of Boston Calling Music Festival, and will gain hands on experience in guerilla and digital marketing.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Canvas posters on four distinct occasions (late January, late February,
early April, early May)
− Required to hang 50 posters per canvas
− Write in unique promo code to track their direct impact
• Post minimum of 4 times (one monthly: February, March, April, May) on
all of their social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Snapchat)
• Give away their “Best Friends” discount codes
• Document execution of responsibilities and report to Marketing Manager

COMPENSATION
• $100
• (1) 3-Day Ticket to Boston Calling VII, May 2016
• (3) Half-off “Best Friends” discount codes
• Q&A with Crash Line Productions team about music event management
and execution
• (1) Limited edition Boston Calling High School Ambassador merchandise
• Ability to earn additional rewards based on performance and impact

See Ms. Bloch if you need more information.

FINANCIAL AID NIGHT - DECEMBER 3 at 6:30 PM

College Financing Seminar - Seniors and parents:
The Guidance Department will host a College Financing Seminar (presented by MEFA:  Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) on Thursday December 3rd at 6:30 PM in the Performing Arts Center.  Topics will include:  FAFSA, CSS Profile, Loans, Grants and other pertinent topics related to ‘paying for college’.  There will be a Q&A at the end of the presentation.

Bryant University Information Sessions/Open Houses

Bryant University Information Sessions/Open Houses
 
Bryant 101 – November 11, November 14
Hear a panel discussion about academics and student life, and take a campus tour. Register at www.bryant.edu

Day With Class – Call for available dates
Attend a class, eat in our dining hall, and experience Bryant’s vibrant campus. Call us to schedule at (800) 622-7001.
 
Transfer Information Session – November 21
Hear a panel presentation by transfer admission staff and current students who transferred to Bryant. Take a tour and learn more about the University and its transfer admission process.
 
Startup Survival 2015 – November 21
This is an amazing opportunity for ambitious high school students to practice their entrepreneurial skill sets in an environment of competition and learning – and meet Bryant students, faculty, and staff. Register here: [ https://t.e2ma.net/click/9l24q/l7eeju/xsviqi ]
Explore Bryant’s courses of study at www.bryant.edu/coursesofstudy

Open Houses/Information Sessions For UMass Schools

UMass Boston 12th Annual Parent & Family Night
Admissions representatives will be discussing:
•    Distinctive academic opportunities including access programs and the Honors College
•    Admissions requirements and deadlines
•    University support services
•    Financing an education: financial aid, scholarships & grants
Monday, November 16th from 6:30-8:30pm
Refreshments will be served

UMass Dartmouth Business Information Sessions
Business faculty will advise attendees about majors, internships, career development support, and possible application fee waivers.
Wednesday and Thursday nights,
November 11 & 12, 18 & 19
6:30pm to 8:00pm
Charlton College of Business
UMass Dartmouth Campus

Pizza, coffee and soda available.

Directions: Campus address is 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747. Park in Lot 13 and walk up driveway toward center campus. The business building is the first one on your left. The front entrance faces the library across a small quadrangle. The info. session is on the 1st floor.

RSVP to Corey Rose at (508) 999-8423 or CRose@umassd.edu.

Summer Enrichment Programs

New coures for summer 2016 Get excited! We're pleased to announce the following new courses and programs: Business, Leadership, & Law Digital Marketing and Social Media Institute @ UCLA Anderson School of Management Law Institute @ UT Austin NYC Global Leadership and Social Change Institute @ Pace Global Leadership and Social Change Institute @ Michigan Engineering & Science Engineering and Robotics Institute @ UCSB Neuroscience Research Academy @ Penn Hacker Space and Physical Computing Academy @ CU-Boulder Aerospace Engineering Academy @ CU-Boulder Internships Discovery Internships @ Boulder Sports, Psychology, & Criminal Justice Sports Medicine Institute @ UT Austin Psychology Institute @ UT Austin Criminal Justice Institute @ UT Austin Don't wait! Apply today. Don't see what you're looking for? Check out our website for details about our 12 campuses and 300+ courses. Apply today & save up to $600 Reminder: Our summer 2016 application is now live. We are excited to offer our families a $300 Fall Enrollment Savings. Alumni? We want them back! As a thank you to our valued families, we are excited to offer past students and their siblings an additional Alumni Savings. $300 Fall Enrollment Savings + $300 Alumni Savings = $600 TOTAL SAVINGS Apply and enroll by November 17, 2015 for savings. *Day students are only eligible for $300 Alumni Savings. Savings do not apply to Johns Hopkins, the Research Mentorship Program at UC Santa Barbara, or Penn, with the exception of Penn Law. Got questions? Contact us.

Middlesex Community College Open House

Join Us for Our Fall Open House!
Saturday,  November 14th 9:30am, Bedford Campus 
591 Springs Road
Students and their families will have an opportunity to:
·       Meet with faculty & academic deans
·       Learn how to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program with MassTransfer
·       Take a campus tour
·       Find out about financing your education
Find out more about Academic and Career Counseling, College Programs, Dual Enrollment, Free Tutoring, Honors Opportunities, Disability Support, and much more!

 To register for this event visit our website at: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/admissions/openhouse/openhouse.aspx

Scholarship Opportunity

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities. Selected from a nationwide pool of applicants, up to 40 students will become Jack Kent Cooke Scholars and have access to funding for up to four years for undergraduate studies.
Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive.
This highly competitive scholarship includes:

• Up to $40,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school
• Ability to pursue any area of study
• Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid
• Multifaceted advising about how to transition to college and maximize the college student experience

Selection Criteria

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholars are selected based on exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, a desire to help others, and leadership..                                                                                           

Selection Process

A rigorous application review includes analysis of grades, standardized test scores, participation in available advanced courses, student essays, letters of recommendation, and family finances. Each year 30-40 students will be selected into the program.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

At a minimum, applicants must:

• Plan to graduate from a US high school in spring 2016
• Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2016
• Earn a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
• SAT combined critical reading and math score of 1200 or above and/or ACT composite score of 26 or above
• Demonstrate significant unmet financial need. We will consider applicants with family income up to $95,000. However, we anticipate that a majority of scholarship recipients will be eligible to receive a Pell grant

http://www.jkcf.org/scholarship-programs/college-scholarship/