Crystal Green Memorial Scholarship

Sponsored by Blood Assurance, the Crystal Green Memorial Scholarship is designed to give students a chance to receive a $1,500 scholarship towards their college tuition for the 2016-2017 school year. Financial need is a major consideration, as one of the primary goals of this scholarship is to help students who might not otherwise be able to make it without this assistance. 

In an effort to provide as much opportunity as possible to your students, Blood Assurance is extending the application deadline this year.   All applications must now be postmarked or submitted online by Friday, April 15.

Please follow this link for the application and more information.

Purgatory aka the Waitlist

What is it about humans?  Why do we always want what we cannot have? Or in the case of the college wait list, why do we focus on the school that waitlisted us rather than on the colleges that accepted us?

My colleague and I have been discussing this very issue today.  We have a few students who have been admitted to some top-notch schools, yet they are singularly focused on the schools that have "offered" them a spot on their waiting lists, as if that is some sort of prize.  "Congratulations, Mary. We can't admit you, but we're not denying you either.  Just hang in there, and we will let you know something in late May or early June." In the meantime, Mary has to put down a deposit somewhere else and then lose that money should the school change its mind.

I understand why colleges have to have a waiting list, but for students, it's an uncomfortable place to be.  Personally I would rather my girls move forward with other plans.  There are colleges that wanted them enough to say YES the first time, so why waste their time on schools that couldn't quite make up their minds?

So here's my advice: instead of pining away for a school that has you in waitlist purgatory, take one of those other schools up on its offer.  Put your energy into making a home for yourself at that school and don't look back.

Sometimes Plan B is where you were meant to be all along.

For parents of seniors (and juniors and sophomores and everyone)

"...college acceptances have nothing, or little, to do with your parenting."

This is only one of many memorable quotes from the article "March Madness," and I highly recommend that all parents read it, especially parents of seniors who are waiting for the last of the decisions to arrive.

As we have said many times, the college process is not about us (i.e. parents, counselors, teachers, and schools).  It is about the young men and women who, as Madeline Levine describes, are "moving toward one of the greatest transitions in their lives." This road to college belongs to them, and the best response to their eventual college choice should be a hearty and heart-felt congratulations on a job well done.

I do not yet know where all our students will end up next fall, but I know that come May 2 (the common reply date), we will joyously celebrate with all of them, no matter the college they choose. They deserve nothing less from all of us.

Campus Pride hosts #LGBTQCollege411 National Online Fair

Thursday March 17, 2016 Chat with College Reps from: 3:00pm - 9:00pm EST Live Google+ Hangout 4:00pm EST

Campus Pride hosts #LGBTQCollege411 National Online College Fair on Thurs, March 17 highlighting LGBTQ-friendly colleges and scholarships

The fair is free to youth and families highlighting LGBTQ-friendly colleges, scholarships and college prep resources. Fair attendees may win up to $5000 in prizes. Register online atCampusPride.org/CollegeFair .    This year the online fair includes 50+ colleges including Columbia College Chicago, New York University, Ohio University, Drexel University, Gustavus Adolphus College Georgia Tech, University of Pennsylvania and more.  Throughout the year, Campus Pride also provides the Campus Pride Index free online resource at CampusPrideIndex.org. The index shares profiles and ratings of 200+ LGBTQ-friendly schools along with a searchable scholarship database.

Scholarship from the BBB

This scholarship was first posted in early February, but I don't want it to get lost in the shuffle.  The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gave away ten $1,000 awards last year, so this year you might be a winner!

The Better Business Bureau is offering a $1,000 scholarship based on leadership, community service, and academics.  A couple of GPS girls have won this in the past, but you won't win if you don't enter!

In addition to the application, you will need to provide:

• 500 word essay on “The Importance of Ethics in Business and our Community”
• Extra-Curricular Activities
• Current transcript
• College Plans and Proposed Major Information

 Please have your completed application to Mrs. Haley by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 6.  

Don't forget: stop by College Guidance for the application and more info!

And one more scholarship from AlphaCard

For this $1,000 scholarship, students are required to submit a 350-400 word essay on the following topic.

"What would you argue are the two most important measures schools or universities can implement to improve campus safety?"

The majority of school campuses in the U.S. have implemented security measures to ensure the safety of students and faculty. We want to hear from you on the subject — what measures would you institute to augment safety?

Deadline: July 1, 2016 by 5 pm Pacific Standard Time. See the AlphaCard website for more details.

The 2016 Aspiring Nurse Scholarship

Nursing Schools Almanac has just launched its second annual Aspiring Nurse Scholarship. Our website will award a $1,000 scholarship to an aspiring nurse who best demonstrates:

+ A track record of academic excellence, particularly in science and mathematics

+ A passion for the nursing profession and the overall field of healthcare

This scholarship is open to all high school seniors who plan to pursue college education in nursing, including LPN / LVN, ADN, and BSN programs. Scholarship applications will be accepted until midnight on June 30, 2016.

For more information and the application, click here.

Love History? Here's a scholarship for you!

The deadline is approaching quickly, but if you love to write, you might consider submitting an essay for the Facing History Together Student Essay Contest.  This contest invites students to reflect on the themes, characters, and settings from the classic American novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.

The top prize is $2,500, but there are several smaller awards as well.  Your 500 word essay is due March 16, so start writing!

ETSU local open house features President Brian Noland!

East Tennessee State University is hosting a local reception on Monday, March 14 from 5:30 - 7 pm at the Embassy Suites Hamilton Place during which current juniors will have an opportunity to hear firsthand, from President Noland, about the exciting changes that are taking place in Johnson City.  ETSU should be a on the radar of students interested in nursing, pharmacy and other health-care fields, business, and the arts.  The Honors College offers excellent scholarship opportunities, which combined with ETSU's in-state estimated COA (cost of attendance) of $16,000 presents a very affordable option.  Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 9.