The new SAT

If you haven't caught up on the upcoming changes to the SAT (beginning in March), here's an article that explains some of those changes.

Happy Halloween everyone!

How competitive is it?

There are still recommendations to write and essays to proof, but I started this morning by listening to "Getting In" from Slate.com.  This episode offers some advice on finding full-ride scholarships, and it discusses the competition among classmates for admission.  It's worth taking five to ten minutes to hear what they have to say.

Different perspectives

Here's something to think about on this Friday afternoon.  I ran across these articles recently and offer them for your review.  The question is this: are high students overworked and too stressed or aren't they?

The Myth of the Overs-Stressed American Teen or High Stress High-School

Cool and unusual scholarships

Although national or big name scholarships can be a shot in the dark, here are some that you might want to consider.  It's like the lottery: if you don't play, you'll never win.

For the creative type, consider the "Create A Greeting Card" Scholarship Contest.  Applicants must submit an original greeting card design for a chance to win $10,000.  For more details, visit http://www.gallerycollection.com/greeting-cards-scholarship.htm

If you're into social media, the Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge is offering several big prizes to the top three winners who submit a video public service announcement on teen driving safety.
http://www.teendrive365inschool.com/teens/video-challenge

For the worker bee: If you've been working part time during the school year (and not just at Burger King), Burger King might have a scholarship for you.  It might take a little digging, but start here: https://www.cappex.com/scholarship/listings/Burger-King-Scholars-Program/-s-d-2988

Can you create a prom dress out of duck tape? Then this one may be for you! stuckatprom.com

Here's a few more for your consideration:

The Girls Impact the World Scholarship: http://mnstr.me/1R2rHAY

The DietSpotlight Scholarship: http://bit.ly/1P3sUu8

Sun Trust Scholarship (there's no reason not to do this one...you just enter to win: http://bit.ly/17k2ugM

Added Friday afternoon:

For girls interested in STEM, check out the scholarship offered by Cards Against Humanity. To submit, students should "record and upload a public video to YouTube explaining a scientific topics you're passionate about." http://usat.ly/1VJPYNq

Things I've learned at NACAC so far...

Here's a snapshot of what I've learned so far at the annual National Association for College Admissions Counseling conference.

• Generation Z (or whatever you want to call it) is the largest segment of our population. Among other things, they tend to learn in 10 minute segments (thanks to YouTube), they are more interested in designing their own majors, and are looking for schools that can teach entrepreneurship or how to start their own business.
• 86% of current college students report feeling overwhelmed at school; 59% feel lonely, while 42% say they often feel hopeless.
• 40% of college student drink excessively; 16% meet the criteria for an alcohol disorder.
• (I hope I get this right) The amount of information we take in doubles every 18 months, but the amount of information coming at us doubles every 9 months.
• 93% of employers think the key skills (often called soft skills) are more important that a student's major. Those include things like critical thinking, intercultural skills, written and oral communication, the ability to solve complex problems.

Additionally, early action may not be all that it's cracked up to be (http://bit.ly/1j5hIAj) and the majority of school counselors that I've spoken with are not fans of the new application created by the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success (http://bit.ly/1O0wX8R).  Concerns range from the tremendous amount of stress this will put on already stressed out students, how will colleges be able to keep up with the demands on their time (critiquing portfolios), and privacy issues. And the main question is "Is this really about access?"  More comments to come, I'm sure.

Need Scholarship Money? Read on....

Students often indicate "the need for scholarships" as one of their most important criteria during the college process; however, it has been my experience that very few students will truly commit the time  necessary to complete scholarship applications.  I often tell families the "scholarship game", if played well, requires the work of a part-time job.  After all, why should corporations or non-profits simply give away their money without a considerable effort on the recipients part? If you are so inclined, check out the following scholarship opportunities.  And, yes, GPS students in the past have been awarded some of these scholarships!

Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants  are pleased to be able to continue with their scholarship program for the 9th consecutive year.  They will be awarding up to $1,000 to the winner(s) each year.  The deadline to apply is June 10, 2016.  Full details and the required essay prompt can be found at: http://www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm

SportsQuest Playing With Purpose Scholarship is a national program that honors and encourages high school student athletes who excel athletically, academically and have committed their life to following Christ.  Learn more and apply online at: Playing With Purpose

Scholarshipzone awards scholarship winners monthly.  The next drawing is October 15, 2015.

Keep checking back as we receive scholarship information on a regular basis!