Here's another scholarship opportunity for seniors that shouldn't be missed! It too may be a long shot, but it won't hurt to try.
It's free to enter, and eligibility is not based on GPA or financial need. There are fifteen chances to win with one winner chosen every two weeks from October to May. You can only enter once for each drawing, but you can register after each completed drawing for the next one. Certain state and school restrictions may apply, but check it out.
For complete details and to enter, visit :
https://www.suntrusteducation.com/ScholarshipSweepstakes/index.html
Good luck!!!
Monday, September 30, 2013
From don't be afraid to be smart to nothing is worth lying about, comedian and actress Tina Fey offers some good advice for teenagers on this Monday morning. Happy last day of September everyone!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Scholarships Anyone Can Win
Sure, it may be a long shot, but when there's no essay to write or resume to submit, why wouldn't you at least try. Check out USAToday's "4 Easy Scholarships Anyone Can Win." http://usat.ly/1fqE9vP
What will future careers look like?
While attending a conference in Toronto last week, I had the opportunity to hear The New York Times columnist Tom Friedman discuss the future of education. As part of his speech, he also discussed what the world of work might look like five or ten years from now, and he got me thinking: when we send girls out to shadow a lawyer, an engineer, or a insurance agent, will the job they see be the same job by the time they graduate from college? I think the answer is no, but some things may always be the same.
A recent Northeastern University study reported that six of ten business leaders survey said that soft skills like written and oral communication and problem-solving skills are still the most important for college graduates to have. The report also said that 84% of business leaders believed the ability to think creatively was just as important as the ability to think critically. So Mr. Friedman's comment makes sense: when companies are downsizing, the people who will be kept are the ones who can do old things in better ways or new things in better ways.
Fundamentals are also always going to be important, and whether or not you pursue a degree in engineering or English, if you have a solid foundation, you can move on to just about anything. (And by the way, there is evidence that you can earn a living with a liberal arts degree.) To quote from a recent blog by Michael Lindsay, President of Gordon College, "...a student's chosen major will not, in most cases, determine the financial viability of his or her long-term career. Students from any major can use their time at college to explore practical ways to turn their academic passion into a good investment." Being able to turn your interests into a career is what Tom Friedman meant when he said, in the future "you won't be able to find a job; you will have to invent a job."
The jobs of the future may look nothing like the ones of today, but no matter what career a student pursues, she will need the following: strong fundamentals, the ability to think both critically and creatively, the ability to collaborate with others, and a solid background in technology. In other words, all of the skills a GPS graduate will have.
A recent Northeastern University study reported that six of ten business leaders survey said that soft skills like written and oral communication and problem-solving skills are still the most important for college graduates to have. The report also said that 84% of business leaders believed the ability to think creatively was just as important as the ability to think critically. So Mr. Friedman's comment makes sense: when companies are downsizing, the people who will be kept are the ones who can do old things in better ways or new things in better ways.
Fundamentals are also always going to be important, and whether or not you pursue a degree in engineering or English, if you have a solid foundation, you can move on to just about anything. (And by the way, there is evidence that you can earn a living with a liberal arts degree.) To quote from a recent blog by Michael Lindsay, President of Gordon College, "...a student's chosen major will not, in most cases, determine the financial viability of his or her long-term career. Students from any major can use their time at college to explore practical ways to turn their academic passion into a good investment." Being able to turn your interests into a career is what Tom Friedman meant when he said, in the future "you won't be able to find a job; you will have to invent a job."
The jobs of the future may look nothing like the ones of today, but no matter what career a student pursues, she will need the following: strong fundamentals, the ability to think both critically and creatively, the ability to collaborate with others, and a solid background in technology. In other words, all of the skills a GPS graduate will have.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Engineering Scholarship
Time is short, but here's a new scholarship opportunity ($500) for those interested in engineering. Students will need to submit an essay on the topic that appears on the scholarship page of the AES website http://www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm. The deadline is October 4, 2013.
If you have any questions, please come see us.
If you have any questions, please come see us.
How much do you love us?
At times it seems that is the question some colleges are asking. Have you visited the campus? Have you talked to the admissions representative when they visited your school? Did you attend a college fair? Have you filled out the information card? Why are you applying to this school? It's called "demonstrated interest," and some colleges are really tracking it.
So how do you demonstrate your interest?
There are some obvious places to begin. You should, in fact, stop by to speak to the college rep when he or she is at GPS. They may be here during the day, or they may be visiting during one of our four evening GPS/McCallie programs. Yes, you have classes and homework and Candlelight and other activities, but taking fifteen minutes out of your day/evening to introduce yourself and ask a few questions is a first step. Many colleges will also be at the Coast to Coast College Fair in April, 2014. If you are a sophomore or a junior, you should be there too, and you should fill out and return the inquiry (information) cards. Touring the campus is a valuable part of the college search process, but if the college you're interested in is on the other side of the country, what else can you do?
Ask to be put on the school's mailing list if you're not already. If the college has a blog, read it. If there are on-line chats for prospective students, participate. If the school emails you, answer it. If you have questions, email your representative. If you met with a representative, went to an information session, took a tour, send a thank you note. A real hand-written thank you note. If there is a local reception, attend it. If you do have the opportunity to visit, make sure you register and let them know you're there.
Many schools will ask you "why this college?" They want to know you've done your homework, so be specific. Refer to something you saw while you were on campus, something you learned from the admission officer, something you read on the website. Make a connection between what you want to do - your goals - and what the college has to offer. If you can't explain "why," then do you really like and understand the school?
Everyone likes to be wanted, and I think colleges are no different. It will take work, and sometimes you will wonder why you're going to all the trouble. But, how you interact with a college can and will affect your college process.
So how do you demonstrate your interest?
There are some obvious places to begin. You should, in fact, stop by to speak to the college rep when he or she is at GPS. They may be here during the day, or they may be visiting during one of our four evening GPS/McCallie programs. Yes, you have classes and homework and Candlelight and other activities, but taking fifteen minutes out of your day/evening to introduce yourself and ask a few questions is a first step. Many colleges will also be at the Coast to Coast College Fair in April, 2014. If you are a sophomore or a junior, you should be there too, and you should fill out and return the inquiry (information) cards. Touring the campus is a valuable part of the college search process, but if the college you're interested in is on the other side of the country, what else can you do?
Ask to be put on the school's mailing list if you're not already. If the college has a blog, read it. If there are on-line chats for prospective students, participate. If the school emails you, answer it. If you have questions, email your representative. If you met with a representative, went to an information session, took a tour, send a thank you note. A real hand-written thank you note. If there is a local reception, attend it. If you do have the opportunity to visit, make sure you register and let them know you're there.
Many schools will ask you "why this college?" They want to know you've done your homework, so be specific. Refer to something you saw while you were on campus, something you learned from the admission officer, something you read on the website. Make a connection between what you want to do - your goals - and what the college has to offer. If you can't explain "why," then do you really like and understand the school?
Everyone likes to be wanted, and I think colleges are no different. It will take work, and sometimes you will wonder why you're going to all the trouble. But, how you interact with a college can and will affect your college process.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Random Friday Thoughts
I thought seniors might appreciate this Pennsylvania student's post on the things she wants to remember about her senior year. There are a few I like more than others - like sign out of facebook, twitter, etc. - but I wonder if there are other things my students would like to remember about this year? Let me know if you think of something.
And since seniors are in the midst of college applications right now, you might be interested in this advice from college students who have been where you are right now.
Finally, maybe it's the former English teacher in me, but I particularly enjoyed this list "Ten Books Every College Freshman Should Read." I'm going to have to think about it, but I might want to add some books to this list.
And since seniors are in the midst of college applications right now, you might be interested in this advice from college students who have been where you are right now.
Finally, maybe it's the former English teacher in me, but I particularly enjoyed this list "Ten Books Every College Freshman Should Read." I'm going to have to think about it, but I might want to add some books to this list.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Narrowing Down the College List
Megan recently wrote about the process she's going through as she whittles down her college list. You can, as she did, go through all the mail and sort into three categories - yes, maybe, and no. But looking at brochures will only get you so far. What other questions should you be asking yourself?
Zinch, a college/scholarship search web site, recently offered five good questions you should think about as you create your own college list.
Any time you visit a college campus, talk to a representative or even read The Fiske Guide, you should ask seriously ask yourself: "Can I see myself at this school? What academic and extracurricular opportunities would I take advantage of?"
Many times when Mrs. Goldbach and I visit colleges, we can almost immediately think of a student who would not only benefit from the college community, but would also add something to it. Now, not everyone is hit by a thunderbolt, but you should spend some time thinking about how you would fit into the college community. And of course, if you want some suggestions, your college counselor is always willing to assist you.
And just as an aside, I like Zinch's motto "I am more than a test score." That is absolutely true. You are.
Zinch, a college/scholarship search web site, recently offered five good questions you should think about as you create your own college list.
Any time you visit a college campus, talk to a representative or even read The Fiske Guide, you should ask seriously ask yourself: "Can I see myself at this school? What academic and extracurricular opportunities would I take advantage of?"
Many times when Mrs. Goldbach and I visit colleges, we can almost immediately think of a student who would not only benefit from the college community, but would also add something to it. Now, not everyone is hit by a thunderbolt, but you should spend some time thinking about how you would fit into the college community. And of course, if you want some suggestions, your college counselor is always willing to assist you.
And just as an aside, I like Zinch's motto "I am more than a test score." That is absolutely true. You are.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
29 Colleges...Where do I begin?
If you're coming to tonight's GPS/McCallie college program, you will have the opportunity to visit with twenty-nine different colleges and universities from all over the US. There will be large, state schools, along side smaller liberal arts colleges, each one with something to offer you.
So where do you begin? If you're a junior and just beginning this process, make sure to talk to a few schools that you know nothing about. Sometimes those are the ones that end up being most appealing. If time is limited, maybe you skip the college that is close by and you can visit easily. Concentrate on the ones that are a bit further away.
Always introduce yourself. And try not to just say "tell me about your college." Instead, tell the rep something about yourself, what you're interested in, what your strengths are, and then he or she will take it from there. Find out what their basic requirements are. Ask about what a typical freshman year might look like? If the rep also went to school there, find out why she chose the college? More than likely you can get a list of majors and things to look over later, so spend your time trying to figure out what kind of campus culture there is.
And have fun. Right now, you're just exploring. You don't have to make a decision yet.
Oh, and make plans to attend next week's fair on Sept. 17 at McCallie.
So where do you begin? If you're a junior and just beginning this process, make sure to talk to a few schools that you know nothing about. Sometimes those are the ones that end up being most appealing. If time is limited, maybe you skip the college that is close by and you can visit easily. Concentrate on the ones that are a bit further away.
Always introduce yourself. And try not to just say "tell me about your college." Instead, tell the rep something about yourself, what you're interested in, what your strengths are, and then he or she will take it from there. Find out what their basic requirements are. Ask about what a typical freshman year might look like? If the rep also went to school there, find out why she chose the college? More than likely you can get a list of majors and things to look over later, so spend your time trying to figure out what kind of campus culture there is.
And have fun. Right now, you're just exploring. You don't have to make a decision yet.
Oh, and make plans to attend next week's fair on Sept. 17 at McCallie.
Monday, September 9, 2013
The Process of Elimination
This is the first in a series of posts about the college process by current GPS seniors. Megan R. does indeed currently have quite a few colleges on her list.
I walked down the stairs this weekend with a heaping pile of mail from colleges around the country, determined to finally eliminate some of it. As I set it down on the table with a thud, Dad looked up at me in exasperation, saying, “We have to go through all of that? Well, we better get started.” “Dad,” I told him apologetically, “this is only about a third of the mail.”
His jaw dropped. It looked like we had a pretty monstrous task ahead of us. Thankfully, as we sat at the coffee table and sorted the mail into “Apply,” “Maybe,” and “Don’t Apply” piles, we picked up speed and actually threw away nearly a third of the letters. That’s the good news. The bad news is, the other two thirds is still sitting on my bedroom floor awaiting my decision.
It’s already September, and if I include the mail plus the schools on my Naviance page, that’s over 40 institutions in total. Even if I wanted to apply to that many places, there’s no way I physically have time to complete all of those supplements by December 1st. How am I supposed to narrow down that list? Some kids only apply to the Ivies and a safety school or two. Some kids only apply to a few schools because their parents are forcing them, or because one of them is the home of their favorite football team, or because there’s something extremely specific about one of those schools that the kid absolutely wants to be part of their education.
My problem is I’m only 17 years old – I don’t know what I want out of my life, much less my education. Sure, an Ivy League diploma would open a lot of doors for me, but can I get in? Are there some less competitive schools out there that would appreciate me more, maybe even offer me a merit scholarship? Do I want a core curriculum or an open one? How important are small classes, or being in the city, or what the dorms and food and students are like?
To me, this is the most daunting part of the application because I have to figure out what I want out of not just my education, but out of a place where I will be living and hopefully working for the next four years. These are some of the biggest questions I have ever been faced with, and I still don’t have the answers to many of them. All I know is that I want to go to a “good” school and get a “good” education so that I can find a “good” job and provide for my family. Isn’t that what everyone wants? That’s the American dream right? Work hard, be successful, happy ending. Apparently, it’s not that simple.
Unfortunately, the list of schools I’m applying to will probably end up being long, but hopefully that means I’ll have more options of where to take the first step on the journey of the rest of my life. My grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities are what they are already. All that’s left is to write a few million supplemental essays and see what happens. Hopefully the next pile of mail that lands on the coffee table with a thump will be a mound of acceptance letters from a bunch of “good” schools.
I walked down the stairs this weekend with a heaping pile of mail from colleges around the country, determined to finally eliminate some of it. As I set it down on the table with a thud, Dad looked up at me in exasperation, saying, “We have to go through all of that? Well, we better get started.” “Dad,” I told him apologetically, “this is only about a third of the mail.”
His jaw dropped. It looked like we had a pretty monstrous task ahead of us. Thankfully, as we sat at the coffee table and sorted the mail into “Apply,” “Maybe,” and “Don’t Apply” piles, we picked up speed and actually threw away nearly a third of the letters. That’s the good news. The bad news is, the other two thirds is still sitting on my bedroom floor awaiting my decision.
It’s already September, and if I include the mail plus the schools on my Naviance page, that’s over 40 institutions in total. Even if I wanted to apply to that many places, there’s no way I physically have time to complete all of those supplements by December 1st. How am I supposed to narrow down that list? Some kids only apply to the Ivies and a safety school or two. Some kids only apply to a few schools because their parents are forcing them, or because one of them is the home of their favorite football team, or because there’s something extremely specific about one of those schools that the kid absolutely wants to be part of their education.
My problem is I’m only 17 years old – I don’t know what I want out of my life, much less my education. Sure, an Ivy League diploma would open a lot of doors for me, but can I get in? Are there some less competitive schools out there that would appreciate me more, maybe even offer me a merit scholarship? Do I want a core curriculum or an open one? How important are small classes, or being in the city, or what the dorms and food and students are like?
To me, this is the most daunting part of the application because I have to figure out what I want out of not just my education, but out of a place where I will be living and hopefully working for the next four years. These are some of the biggest questions I have ever been faced with, and I still don’t have the answers to many of them. All I know is that I want to go to a “good” school and get a “good” education so that I can find a “good” job and provide for my family. Isn’t that what everyone wants? That’s the American dream right? Work hard, be successful, happy ending. Apparently, it’s not that simple.
Unfortunately, the list of schools I’m applying to will probably end up being long, but hopefully that means I’ll have more options of where to take the first step on the journey of the rest of my life. My grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities are what they are already. All that’s left is to write a few million supplemental essays and see what happens. Hopefully the next pile of mail that lands on the coffee table with a thump will be a mound of acceptance letters from a bunch of “good” schools.
Friday, September 6, 2013
How to answer the "why this college" question
"Why do you want to attend this college?" That's an often asked question on many college applications or Common Application supplements. Sometimes it's an optional essay question, but either way, you should answer it. But what are you supposed to say?
Our friend at Tulane University, Jeff Schiffman, recently wrote a wonderful post on how to answer the "why this college" essay, and we think every senior should read it.
Our friend at Tulane University, Jeff Schiffman, recently wrote a wonderful post on how to answer the "why this college" essay, and we think every senior should read it.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
JACK KENT COOKE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation rewards excellence by supporting high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation's best four-year colleges and universities.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation rewards excellence by supporting high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation's best four-year colleges and universities.
PROGRAM
ELIGIBILITY
At a minimum, applicants must:
·
Plan to
graduate from a US high school in spring 2014
·
Intend to
enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2014
·
Earn a
cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
·
Receive
standardized test scores in the top 15%: SAT combined critical reading and math
score of 1200 or above (must test by October 5, 2013) and/or ACT composite
score of 26 or above (must test by September 21, 2013)
·
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
For More
information and to Apply :: http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/college-scholarship-program/
MARY ELLEN LOCHER FOUNDATION
MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarships are given to the children of breast cancer patients, either survivors or deceased. Beginning with the 2014-15 academic year, scholarships are limited to students residing within a 50-mile radius of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
ELIGIBILITY
- Students applying for scholarships from the MaryEllen Locher Foundation must meet the following criteria:
- Student must have lost a parent to breast cancer or complications relating from the disease or have a parent who has survived breast cancer.
- Student must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
NOTE :: Due to the high volume of applicants, we cannot notify each individual student of our decisions. Winners will be posted on our website (melfoundation.org) by mid-May of each year and notified by phone. Checks are paid directly to the college or university, not to the winners themselves.
MORE INFO :: http://melfoundation.org/#/scholarships
How to Improve Your GPA
Let me start by saying that no matter what your GPA is, I know you have worked hard in high school. So unlike some of the students this article may be targeting, you already know how to study. However, college is different from high school, and these tips are worth reviewing whether you are a college freshman or a high school sophomore.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
YOU'RE INVITED :: LOCAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FAIR
Chattanooga Christian School is hosting a college fair for Christian Colleges in North America! If you are interested in attending a Christian College, this is a great opportunity for you. Not only does the fair include a financial workshop. There are free admission tickets for GPS Students in the College Guidance Office! See below for details:
DATE & TIME :: Thursday September 19, 6:30p-8:30p
For more information please
email Joan Vos at jvos@ccsk12.com
The Art of the Interview
For some students, college interviews are the scariest part of the application process. It doesn't have to be however, because most interviewers just want to know something about you, and who is more of an expert on you than you?
Here are a few basics. 1. Interviews are not always required, and in fact, I'd guess that more often than not, colleges don't do them. There's no way, for example, that UTK has time to interview every student who applies. 2. Your interviewer may be a student, an alumni representative, or an admission counselor, and it may be on-campus or off-campus (typically alumni interviews). Occasionally you may be interviewed as part of a panel or group. 3. Typically interviews fall into two categories: informational and evaluative. The informational interview is designed to get to know you - your interests, experiences, etc. Those things should be easy to discuss. Why do you love biology? Why do you love to dance? What do you see yourself doing in the next ten years? Why do you love The Great Gatsby so much, or why is American Idol your guilty pleasure? The interviewer is just trying to get to know you. ( Here's a helpful article on the most common mistakes made during an informational interview.)
The evaluative interview however, is more of an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. The interviewer is trying to decide if you are a good fit for the school, will you succeed there, in what way will you contribute to the university?
So what should you do to be prepared for an interview? Do your research. Know the school who is interviewing you. Have a few written questions or concerns. Ask these at every interview (or every college visit), so you can compare notes. Be prepared to talk about your high school experiences. Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in that particular college or university. Don't ask questions you can easily find the answer to on-line, like "Do you have a study abroad program?" or "Do you have a journalism major?" Perhaps better questions would be "How do students manage the work load?" or "How would you describe the social life on campus?" Better yet, ask them about the leadership roles women have on campus. If your interviewer also attended the school, ask her (or him) what her favorites classes were
The interviewer's time is important, so don't draw out the conversation just because you think you should. If you have all the information you need, it's okay to end the interview.
We're of the opinion - supported by the colleges we talk to - that you don't need to dress up for an interview. However, you do need to look presentable. You only have one chance to make a first impression, and you want it to be a good one. Shake their hand and introduce yourself when you walk in the room (GPS girls are SO good at this). Think about your body language (don't slouch) and make eye contact when you're talking.
Most important, take a deep breath and just be yourself. You don't want a school to think they're getting a student that you're really not, so be yourself.
Here are a few basics. 1. Interviews are not always required, and in fact, I'd guess that more often than not, colleges don't do them. There's no way, for example, that UTK has time to interview every student who applies. 2. Your interviewer may be a student, an alumni representative, or an admission counselor, and it may be on-campus or off-campus (typically alumni interviews). Occasionally you may be interviewed as part of a panel or group. 3. Typically interviews fall into two categories: informational and evaluative. The informational interview is designed to get to know you - your interests, experiences, etc. Those things should be easy to discuss. Why do you love biology? Why do you love to dance? What do you see yourself doing in the next ten years? Why do you love The Great Gatsby so much, or why is American Idol your guilty pleasure? The interviewer is just trying to get to know you. ( Here's a helpful article on the most common mistakes made during an informational interview.)
The evaluative interview however, is more of an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. The interviewer is trying to decide if you are a good fit for the school, will you succeed there, in what way will you contribute to the university?
So what should you do to be prepared for an interview? Do your research. Know the school who is interviewing you. Have a few written questions or concerns. Ask these at every interview (or every college visit), so you can compare notes. Be prepared to talk about your high school experiences. Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in that particular college or university. Don't ask questions you can easily find the answer to on-line, like "Do you have a study abroad program?" or "Do you have a journalism major?" Perhaps better questions would be "How do students manage the work load?" or "How would you describe the social life on campus?" Better yet, ask them about the leadership roles women have on campus. If your interviewer also attended the school, ask her (or him) what her favorites classes were
The interviewer's time is important, so don't draw out the conversation just because you think you should. If you have all the information you need, it's okay to end the interview.
We're of the opinion - supported by the colleges we talk to - that you don't need to dress up for an interview. However, you do need to look presentable. You only have one chance to make a first impression, and you want it to be a good one. Shake their hand and introduce yourself when you walk in the room (GPS girls are SO good at this). Think about your body language (don't slouch) and make eye contact when you're talking.
Most important, take a deep breath and just be yourself. You don't want a school to think they're getting a student that you're really not, so be yourself.
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