College Virtual Visits - Special Events!

Merrimack College Prospective Student and Family night from 5:00PM - 6:45PM EDT

October 7 

It will cover the admission and financial aid process, and feature a panel of current Merrimack students answering questions live on Zoom. This event is perfect for students who are just starting their college admission process and need some basic guidance. 

Register Here

University of Connecticut "New England Night"

New England Night will allow you to meet the admissions officer for your recruitment area; chat with fellow New Englanders; and get answers to your most pressing application- and admission-specific questions.

New England Night Monday, October 5, 2020 7 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. EST

New England Night registration is now available.  Join the Nine Massachusetts State Colleges for a Virtual College Fair and Q & A College Panel October 7 (Fair) 7pm Register here October 8 (panel) 7pm Register for College Panel

A simpler, faster way to complete the FAFSA - by Sallie Mae/Embark

We’ve teamed up with Embark to offer a free, streamlined experience to help families navigate the FAFSA, and prevent students from missing out on financial aid. Please register for a free webinar to get more information about Embark by using the following links. This webinar will help you learn how to use this free tool when filing the FAFSA.

Register now for our free webinar "A simpler, faster way to complete the FAFSA" being held on: October 1, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET or Register here for our free webinar "A simpler, faster way to complete the FAFSA" for an alternative date and time option: October 8, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. ET Space is limited for our live, online webinars.

4 ways Embark is improving the FAFSA application process:

• Simplifies the flow and navigation while reducing the time it takes to complete the FAFSA   • Dispels common FAFSA myths that often lead families to abandon the application   • Generates reports for counselors to track their students’ progress   • Reminds students about deadlines and saves a draft for them to update and submit next year

Check out the Paying for College Resource for more ways to help students and families pay for college, including helpful guides, free tools, and a video series.

RPI STAR Program

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. 

This year, the STAR Program will be held the day after our first Virtual Fall Open House to allow for a deeper dive into our culturally vibrant institute. This event will begin at 4 p.m. EDT with a Welcome and Academic Overview from Ulysses deArmas, Associate Director of Admissions. Following the Welcome, students will meet a variety of staff and current students to learn about the full student experience at Rensselaer. Please share this information with your top students. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at STAR@rpi.edu. 

WiseGeek Women in STEM Scholarship

• Scholarship Name: WiseGeek Women in STEM Scholarship

• Eligibility: Female high school students who are planning to pursue a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math.

• Amount: $500

• Application Deadline: 12/31/20

• Link: https://www.wisegeek.com/wisegeek-women-in-stem-no-essay-scholarship.htm

We're hoping this scholarship can inspire more women to pursue a STEM education.

Discover Northeastern

Join us for a special virtual event to discover more about Northeastern and how it could be the right fit for you. During this event, students will have an opportunity to hear from current Northeastern students, young alumni, and Admissions representatives about our transformational academic community, unique co-op program, and experiential learning opportunities. 

New England Student & Young Alumni Panel Presentation
Saturday, October 3
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. EDT

Learn More and Register Now

College Guidance Network - Student Perspectives on Applying to College During a Pandemic, September 30, 2020

 

This week's episode takes a look at the college application process from the student perspective. Three seniors from Massachusetts high schools will be joined by the dean of admissions from Dartmouth and a Boston-area college counselor to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of the admissions process in the midst of a pandemic. Please share this information with your families.    “Student Perspectives on Applying to College During a Pandemic” September 30, 2020 at 7:00 PM ET    On this episode, parents and college-bound students will learn: How to assess campus fit and vibe via virtual engagement Early versus Regular Decision options Making the most of talents and interests as extracurricular activities are disrupted by remote school schedules Perspectives on standardized testing as  optional this year Advice on framing a personal narrative through the essay Moderator Lee Coffin, Dean of Admissions at Dartmouth College joined by Meredith Reynolds, Associate Director of College Guidance at The Roxbury Latin School in Boston, Massachusetts.  Bob Bardwell, Executive Director, Mass School Counseling Association will join Lee and Meredith to answer your questions during live Q&A.   To view a full list of upcoming episodes and view archived episodes, visit our programming page.

Where Zoom broadcast

When September 30 | 7:00 PM ET

AP Registration Information

 Important AP Students & Exam Registration Info:

Students are reminded that WA will only order exams for students who have both PAID in Total Registration and JOINED AP Classroom for each exam they are taking this year. If a student has not completed BOTH steps, exam(s) will not be ordered. The deadline to have both tasks complete is October 30, 2020. Please refer to the AP Exam ordering instructions posted on the WA Guidance website and WA Guidance Google Classrooms.

College Virtual Open Houses

Virginia Tech Virtual Open House

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Along with our live events, we will have a library of pre-recorded content for students to view, as well as some special information sessions on Sunday, October 11. The schedule for our Open House can be found here.

Register Here

University of Maine - Open House dates vary by school interest

https://go.umaine.edu/virtual-open-house/

Virtual Open House at the University of Denver

Mon., October 12 – Sat., October 17, 2020

Mon.-Thurs. Student Engagement Sessions
*All events occur from 6-7 p.m. MDT *

Mon: Instagram Live Campus Tour
Tues: Campus Trivia Night with DU students
Wed: Activities Fair with student organizations
Thurs: Regional Student Panels

Sat. Academic Divisions Presentations/Q&As
*All events listed in MDT*

9:00-10:00 a.m.: Daniels College of Business
10:30-11:30 a.m.: Korbel School of International Studies
12:00-1:00 p.m.: College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science
3:00-4:00 p.m.: College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Lamont School of Music

Register Here

Seton Hall Virtual Open Houses

September 27, October 18, November 1, November 22

Register at: Seton Hall Open Houses

University of Hartford FALL OPEN HOUSE SEPT. 26

At our virtual Open Houses, students will learn about the admission process, our 100+ academic programs, and support services dedicated to guiding them throughout their college career.
 

Open House sessions will be available either in the morning or in the afternoon. Additionally, throughout the week of Sept. 28–Oct. 2, high school students will be able to join us for department-specific sessions. 

 

Learn more about Fall Open House.

Scholarship Opportunity - VFW "Voice of Democracy"

 The VFW has a terrific essay/writing program that can potentially earn scholarship monies for high schoolers! The program is called “Voice of Democracy”. 

The application for the program are found at: https://vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Community/Youth-and-Education/Voice-of-Democracy-Entry-Form-Fillable.pdf?v=1&d=20200428T134713Z&la=en and the rules at https://vfworg-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/VFWSite/Files/Community/Youth-and-Education/Voice-of-Democracy-Rules-and-Eligibility.pdf?la=en&v=1&d=20190903T205316Z

The deadline for submission is October 31, 2020.

Live Online Event "College During COVID" - October 5, 2020

You are invited to join Westford Academy and Harlan Cohen for a live online event "College During COVID" on October 5, 2020 at 7pm. Get the latest facts, stats, and headlines along with practical tools and strategies to navigate everything college during COVID. Hosted by New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen. Live Q & A included. 

Register at  http://harlancohen.com/boston10520. Spots are limited!

College Guidance Network - Episode 2 "Tell Your Story: Crafting Great College Admissions Essays"

 

This and every episode has a Takeaway Toolkit to guide planning and conversations for students and their families. Please share the download link with your families and students. And let them know if they missed the live airing, they can view the recording later this week.   Download the Takeaway Toolkit | Watch last night's episode   Next week's episode is all about essay writing, one of the most important aspects of the college application process! Details to provide your families—   “Tell Your Story: Crafting Great College Admissions Essays” September 23, 2020 at 7:00 PM ET    On this episode, parents and college-bound students will learn: What NOT to do in researching or writing an essay Why essays are even more important now How to tell a story that stands out What five traits admission officers are looking for How to choose topics for compelling essays   College Guidance Network’s expert for this episode is Brad Schiller, Founder of Prompt, an online service that has facilitated coaching for students on tens of thousands of college essays this year. Brad will be interviewed by Frank Catalano, author and edtech analyst.

Where Zoom Link to live episode Passcode: 134047

When September 23 | 7:00 PM ET

Class of 2021 - Upcoming Virtual Information Sessions

• Thursday, September 17, 7 p.m.: Discovering U: Joint Virtual Information Session. 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.
• Wednesday, September 23, 4 p.m.: Exploring Educational Excellence. 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.
• Thursday, September 24, 7 p.m.: Discovering U: Access & Financial Aid Session. Join Columbia University, the University of Chicago, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan, and Yale University for a conversation about access and financial aid.
• Sunday, September 27, 2 p.m.: UChicago and Big 10 Academic Alliance Webinar. The University of Chicago and the Big Ten Academic Alliance will host a webinar series for high school students to learn more about our institutions, including Q & A sessions with admissions staff from each member university.
• Thursday, October 1, 7 p.m.: Discovering U: Joint Virtual Information Session. 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.

Virtual Metropolitan University Tour - September 30

 

The Metropolitan University Tour

What do Dallas, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Boston, and Miami all have in common? All of these cities are synonymous with thriving business communities, hubs of cultural and educationally enriching experiences, dynamic landscapes, and welcoming urban environments. Each city also has an accompanying university that enables students to enjoy a great education at one of the best schools in America and while reaping the benefits of living in a world-renowned city.

The Metropolitan Tour will introduce you to five of the top research institutions in the country located in five of America’s best college cities. And we mean college cities—not just college towns. These locations have far more to offer than collegiate football and the attractions on Main Street. Internships, research opportunities, K-12 education, medical, graduate, and law schools, professional sports, festivals, and world-class cuisine all abound in these locations.

Come learn about SMU, The George Washington University, Tulane University, Northeastern University and University of Miami as we team up to introduce prospective students to the academic, interdisciplinary and social experiences possible at each of our five unique institutions. Join admission representatives from each school while we share the unique aspects of our schools and cities as well as tips for the application process.

Register Here

Test-Optional Advice from Hofstra University Admissions

I’d like to begin this email with a COVID-19 update. Due to the global pandemic maybe your student hasn't been able to test at all. Or maybe they’ve only been able to test once and aren’t ready to share their scores with colleges. In either situation, we encourage them to submit their application as a test optional student. As they make that choice on the application they’ll have the opportunity to tell the admission committee why they made that choice. If, later on in their senior year, they get test scores they’d like to share with us, they surely can! They can be emailed to applicationupdate@hofstra.edu or sent directly from the College Board or ACT. We will follow up with them when we receive the scores with any next step information.

Hofstra has been a test optional university for quite a while now. Why? Because a student's success in college has a stronger correlation to the three years of daily coursework shown on their transcript, than three hours of standardized testing shown in their SAT or ACT results. So, Hofstra University gave applicants the power to decide if they’d like to submit their test scores as part of their application.

As a counselor, you know some really smart students just aren't great test-takers. This decision will let students decide how to show us their strengths and abilities...not some standardized test. We want our admissions committee to have the ability to make a more personal decision on each individual and whether they're the right fit for Hofstra.

Now, sometimes submitting ACT or SAT scores is a good thing! We've just made it optional. Here are some examples that will hopefully help you advise students whether or not they should send us their scores:

"My test scores are above average, but I didn't do as well on the SAT/ACT as I personally would have liked." This student should submit their test scores.

"Standardized testing has always been a weakness of mine. My grades and curriculum are rigorous and competitive, but my SAT/ACT scores are below the school's mid-range." This student should not submit their test scores.

"I don't want to pay or can't afford to send my test scores." Scores can be sent using many free options. This student should submit their test scores.

"Sending my test scores is an obstacle and will take way too long." This student should submit their test scores.

"My best scores are way below Hofstra's published average and mid-range scores." (SAT scores is 1120 to 1320, with an average ACT equivalent of 25 to 32.) This student should not submit their test scores.

At Hofstra, we're proud of the steps we're taking to make the entire college experience more personal, starting with the application process. Reply to this email and let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Courtney Cyr
Senior Associate Dean of Admission

MEFA Financing Webinars

Daily College Financing Webinars for Families 

 

Beginning Monday, September 28th through Thursday, November 5th , we will host a live College Financing webinar daily every Monday through Thursday, with daytime and evening hours. All webinars will be recorded and available online for families who are unable to attend a live event. Our webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the full financial aid application process. Presenters will include MEFA staff members as well as guests from financial aid offices across the Commonwealth, providing families the opportunity to hear from many of the most knowledgeable financial aid leaders in the industry.

https://www.mefa.org/events/?utm_campaign=Guidance2020&utm_source=SchoolCounselorWave1&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CTA1

Rutgers University Newark Virtual Open House

 

Open House From Your House VIRTUAL EVENTS 2020

Join us from the safety and comfort of your own home. Hear from current students and faculty on what it's like to be a Scarlet Raider. ............................................................. CHOOSE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU: Monday, September 21st | 6 PM - 8 PM Saturday, October 17th | 10 AM - 12 PM Wednesday, November 18th | 6 PM - 8 PM    First-Year Admissions  Transfer Admissions  Financing Your Education  School of Arts & Sciences-Newark  School of Criminal Justice  School of Nursing  School of Public Affairs & Administration  Rutgers Business School  International Student Services  BA/MD Program  Honors College  Honors Living-Learning Community  Educational Opportunity Fund  Career Development  Housing & Dining  Campus Life  Athletics  Public Safety  Wellness

EduCanada Virtual Fair - for information about Canadian schools

Register now for our EduCanada Virtual Fair on October 6th. 

In this event, attendees will be able to meet and chat with Canadian colleges and university representatives about the benefits of studying in Canada.

We would truly appreciate your sharing the details of this event with your students and parents.

You can find more information and register for the event at www.educanadavirtual.com/usa/schools

AI & Computer Science Opportunity

On September 19, BitHacks will be joined by Prof. Paramveer Dhillon, a professor at The University of Michigan Ann-Arbor, whose research is focused on Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP). 

 
This session is the final installment of BitHacks Speaker Series I, where we’ve had professors from top computer science universities including Carnegie Mellon University and Brown University discuss their research and other topics of artificial intelligence.
 
Professor Dhillon’s presentation is titled “Modeling Dynamic User Interests: A Neural Matrix Factorization Approach” and he will discuss a research paper that he co-authored. It proposes a model that combines the simplicity of matrix factorization with the flexibility of neural networks to efficiently extract nonlinear patterns from massive text data collections. He will discuss the use of this model in understanding the dynamic news consumption interests of Boston Globe readers over a period of five years.

What: Session III of BitHacks Speaker Series I 
When: Saturday, September 19, 10-11 AM PDT
Where: Zoom
Registration Form: https://forms.gle/pRDkf91E7N2H7uFA6
Website: https://www.bithacks.io/
 
Please email us at contact@bithacks.io if you have any questions or concerns.

Webinar: Supplemental Essay Essentials: How to Answer Prompts Effectively

Northwestern University sponsors: Supplemental Essay Essentials: How to Answer Prompts Effectively

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7715995915330/WN_mWVo5nkMTHazxfZUayZ3Aw

Depending on how many schools you apply to, you could end up writing upwards of 20 college application essays. Each one of these essays is incredibly important, as they show admissions officers who you are and how you will contribute to their campus.

This webinar will not only cover the basics of supplemental essays, but it will also give you in-depth tips on how to answer a variety of different prompts.

This presentation will cover:

- A broad overview of the Common Application

- Tips for writing a "why major" essay

- How to write the "why school" essay

- Examples of real essay prompts and how to effectively answer them

- A Q&A with a writing and admissions expert

Join Shannon Beddingfield, a Yale Teaching Fellow and Ph.D. Candidate, for this free webinar on Tuesday, September 22nd at 5pm PDT/8pm EDT.

**The Guidance Department shares resources that we believe may be helpful to students and families. We do not support any one organization, college or university.

Article: So You Want to Talk About COVID-19 In Your Application: What to - and not to - do

by Eudora Okine (NYU)

September 2, 2020

So You're Applying To College During a Global Pandemic. 

As if the application process in itself wasn’t daunting enough! You, the Class of 2025, have the added task of doing so while navigating all the ways in which COVID-19 has impacted you. And you may be wondering should you talk about COVID-19 in your application?

I want to start off by reassuring you that as institutions of higher education, we not only understand, but we care. What we have collectively experienced this year has impacted us all in many diverse ways. No one has been left un-impacted by the pandemic. We understand that applying to university this year is going to be different. We are working around the clock to create new and innovative ways to support you on this journey.

At NYU, we have created a series of virtual opportunities for students and parents to learn about our three degree-granting campuses. We have also amended our already flexible testing policy.  No student who is unable to submit standardized testing this year will be disadvantaged in the application process. We are also working closely with your counselors to understand what changes and unique challenges you might be facing this year.

But what can YOU do?

This is a question that’s probably on your mind a lot. How do you address the impact of COVID-19 in your application?

I’d like to start off by assuring you that you absolutely do not have to. We by no means expect you to. You will not be penalized in your application if you never use the words ‘global pandemic’ or ‘corona’ or ‘COVID-19’ even once.

It’s important to understand that the complexity of the world we live in means that both good and bad can coexist. It is possible to hold space for everything. For grief and joy. Happiness and sadness. Pain and peace. You can totally choose to focus your essays on absolutely anything else other than the global pandemic. After all, we are not the sum total of the things that have happened to us. And the point of the essays is for you to tell us about who you are, and how you will fit into our community. It’s very important that the essence of you doesn’t get lost in your application.

That being said, you may still want to address the global pandemic somewhere in your application. We understand that your application may be grossly incomplete without the context of your experience. And there are a myriad of ways for you to go about doing that.

1. The New Optional Common App Covid-19 Question

This might be the most natural way to talk about COVID-19 in your application. The College Board has responded to the unique crisis students are facing this year by adding a new question to the Common App:

Community disruptions such as COVID-19 and natural disasters can have deep and long-lasting impacts. If you need it, this space is yours to describe those impacts. Colleges care about the effects on your health and well-being, safety, family circumstances, future plans, and education, including access to reliable technology and quiet study spaces.

• Do you wish to share anything on this topic? Y/N

• Please use this space to describe how these events have impacted you.

You’ll have 250 words to express exactly how the global pandemic has impacted you and your education specifically. My advice for using this question would be to be succinct and to the point. You don’t have to craft an essay or make it flow. Just simply outline what you think we should know about your unique situation that is relevant to your application process.

2. In the Additional Information Section of the Common App

This section allows 650 words and has always been one I’ve advocated using to explain any inconsistencies in your application. Maybe 250 words are not enough to fully tackle the challenges you’ve had to face/overcome this year, or explain inconsistencies. Feel free to use the additional information section to outline anything. Low grades and test scores. Financial challenges. Physical or mental health problems. Loss. If you think it’s impacted your application in any way, or it’s relevant to understanding who you are, we want to know about it.

3. In the Personal Statement

So ignore everything I said about not addressing the pandemic in your essay for a second, because you still can. The key is to make sure who you are and what you want us to know about you doesn’t get lost in the narrative.

Tragedy, pain, loss, sickness, anxiety, fear – they often have this strange way of sparking innovation and rediscovery. Maybe during this time you learned more about yourself. Maybe you found a deeper appreciation for family because you had to spend all day in proximity to them. Your career interests may have evolved. You may have volunteered, or developed a unique program to help others during the pandemic. While you were you before this pandemic began, you and your perspectives may have evolved with it. Remember: no situation is all bad. Good can come from hard things. So that’s something worth writing about if you feel like you fall into that category.

4. In the Counselor Recommendation

Whether or not you choose to address how the current pandemic has impacted you individually in your application is up to you. However, we would definitely like to know how the pandemic has impacted your education. You’re welcome to free up space in your application by allowing your counselor to address this. This could range from testing changes, to changes in grading policies and course offerings. Perhaps part of your coursework was taken remotely online and the other in person. We understand that environment has the ability to impact academic outcomes, so these are all relevant pieces of information for us to have.

I have also seen counselors address personal issues of their students in their letters as well. Maybe there are sensitive issues you don’t feel comfortable writing about yourself. There really is no ‘eloquent way’ to write about hardship or loss. But if it’s easier for you, your counselor can address it for you in their letter so you don’t have to.