Monday, December 14, 2015

Air Force Academy Updates and Summer Opportunities

 The Nomination Process
To be eligible to accept an offer of appointment to the Academy, applicants must be nominated by a legally authorized nominating entity. The process of securing a nomination is competitive and lengthy. It is recommended that students begin applying for a nomination at the same time that they are completing their Pre-Candidate Questionnaire.
Read more about Nominations to determine the categories for which your students are eligible, then they should contact their appropriate nominating authority to make their request. Students should request a nomination in all categories for which they are eligible, and do so as early as possible.
The deadlines of nominating sources vary and could be as soon as early September. Regardless of when they initiate their process, nomination's must be received by the Academy no later than January 31. As a reminder, the application processes and deadlines are separate for the nominations processes and deadlines.

During a Student's Junior Year
Junior year is when the application process to the Academy truly begins. Students will start by filling out the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire, which becomes available online March 1 every year and starts the application process.
Between March 1 of their junior year and December 31 of their senior year, they must submit a completed Pre-Candidate Questionnaire. When a student is ready to begin the application, they can visit the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire online.
Between March 1 of their junior year and December 31 of their senior year, they must also request nominations from their state’s congressional representative(s) or other designated nominators.
NOTE: As with any top university, competition for admission to the Academy is extremely high. In addition to applying to the Academy, their college application strategy should include a backup plan. To pursue an interest in the Air Force, they may also wish to request and submit an application for Air Force ROTC.
Who do Students Talk to?
On select dates throughout the year, representatives from the United States Air Force Academy participate in college fairs, visit high schools or speak at community centers across the nation. These events are great opportunities to learn more about what the Academy has to offer.
The majority of our events are held in the fall and spring, with fewer events in the summer months. To learn more about the Academy, check for an event that may be convenient to you.
The United States Air Force Academy strives to create a highly qualified and truly diverse cadet wing at the Academy each year. We are looking to expand our applicant pool across individual characteristics defined by our diversity definition, that include:
  • Personal life experiences, including having overcome adversity by personal efforts
  • Geographic background, such as region, rural, suburban, urban
  • Socioeconomic and educational background, such as academic excellence and/or whether an individual would be a first generation college student
  • Cultural knowledge and language abilities, with particular emphasis on cultures and languages of strategic importance to the Air Force
  • Work background, including prior enlisted service
  • Physical abilities, including athletic prowess
  • Age, though applicants must be within statutory parameters for academy attendance
If you come from a diverse background in terms of race, ethnicity, or gender, or if your background includes diverse experiences, knowledge or abilities, if they seek an education that is on par with highly selective colleges and universities, and have a desire to service, please consider the United States Air Force Academy and become familiar with our application process and admissions requirements. One of our admissions goals is to ensure that students are aware of the opportunities at your United States Air Force Academy.  USAFA Admissions hires newly graduated USAF officers responsible to admissions, outreach and mentoring activities. These admissions advisors are dedicated to spreading the word about their Academy experience, education and the opportunities afforded by the United States Air Force Academy.
Summer Programs

Summer Seminar: Summer Seminar offers a unique opportunity to experience the Air Force Academy first-hand. It is specially designed for high school juniors heading into their senior year to get a realistic perspective of cadet life. Students will live in the dormitories, eat at the Academy’s dining facility, explore the various academic/military programs and courses that the Academy has to offer, and participate in a variety of different physical fitness activities (to include a practice CFA). The application is open from 1 December 2015 to 15 January 2016, and it is free to apply. There are two sessions: 12-17 June 2016 and 19-24 June 2016. Student may apply here.

STEM Engineering and Construction Camp: This camp is designed to provide high school students with a world-class experience in STEM skills following a "Build the Design" model. This one week program is supervised and led by engineers and located at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The program runs from 7-13 July 2016. Learn more information or apply now.

Summer Sports Camps: We offer Summer Falcon Sports Camps for student 8 to 18 who want to participate in numerous sports and are led by our very own head coaches! Click here for additional information.
Campus Tours

If you have students who are interested in pursuing an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy and plan to visit the campus, they may wish to participate in an escorted tour and admissions briefing. Offered during the academic year to middle school, high school, and post-high school students, tours can help individuals gain a deeper understanding of the AF Academy environment. Escorted tours are conducted Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays during the academic year. Generally starting the first week of September through mid-May, we require reservations 14 days in advance. We also offer Game Day tours. After the tour participants will be allowed to purchase discounted tickets to cheer on our AF Falcons for football, hockey, and men’s and women’s basketball. For more on available dates for both tours, please go here or call 1-800-443-3864.


​ www.academyadmissions.com

VCU Update

Update from Virginia Commonwealth University:

Application Time
It's that time of year again! As our admissions counselors return from the road, we are excited to start reviewing applications. VCU is a member of the Common Application and offers rolling admissions with a January 15 regular decision deadline. Students who wish to be reviewed and have a decision made on their application by April 1, must complete and have all materials submitted by the deadline. 

In addition to the Common Application, students must submit official high school transcripts; at least one letter of recommendation; the Common Application essay and the VCU writing supplements. Additional materials may be required for applicants to the VCU School of the Arts

As a reminder, applicants may request a score optional review if they have at least a 3.3 GPA. Exceptions include students who wish to be considered for merit-based scholarships, applicants to the School of Engineering, the VCU Honors College and home-schooled students. 
 
Campus Life
As students hit submit on their Common Application, the next questions they usually have are about campus life and what their day-to-day experiences will be like at VCU. After finding the school that will help achieve all their academic and career goals, they start to think about the school that will be the best fit.

VCU has a lot to offer students and our goal is to make sure that we engage them inside and outside the classroom. We guarantee housing for all new freshmen as long as they submit the housing application by the June 30 deadline. Also, with over 500 clubs and organizations, there's something for everyone on campus! New students can discover more about them at the annual SOVO (Student Organization and Volunteer Opportunities) fair.

We also have numerous service learning projects and encourage students to discover and foster their own voice though the Service Learning Advisory Council. Learn more about what VCU students are doing in their own words here.
 
Visit US
Now is a great time to visit campus for one of our regularly scheduled tours. Remind students that in addition to taking a tour of campus, they can also sign up for a departmental information session. Times and locations can be found on our website. Students can also plan on visiting campus on February 20 for our Open House. It is never too early for juniors, sophomores and motivated freshmen to take a look at the exciting opportunities we have to offer. It is also a great chance for seniors to visit if their fall schedule prevented them from doing so. We also will be hosting on- and off-campus events in the spring for admitted students. 

Do you have a group of students that you would like to bring to campus? We'd love to have your group schedule a visit to VCU. You can find our group visit request form online.

Remember to also send us your spring college fair invitations. With fall travel coming to a close, we have our eye on the spring schedule and are excited to be represented at your school! Invitations can be sent to ugrad@vcu.edu or by mail to P.O. Box 842526, Richmond, VA 23284.
 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Pratt Summer Program

Earn college credits and develop your portfolio with courses in Architecture, Art, Design, Fashion, Creative Writing and more!

Classes begin on July 5, 2016.

Register online at www.pratt.edu/precollege



Meredith College Leadership Conference for High School Women

 The Meredith College Office of Student Leadership and Service, in conjunction with the Office of Admissions, cordially invites you to participate in a free conference for high school juniors to develop and sharpen your leadership skills. Please be mindful that this event is limited to only 250 participants, so registration is required for this event. We look forward to having you on campus!

More info HERE.


CFNC Student Financial Aid for North Carolinians

The Student Financial Aid for North Carolinians booklet contains information about a wide range of financial aid opportunities available to the residents of NC. It is available online at CFNC.org/fabook.


UNC Update

Students who applied Early Action can look forward to receiving their decision by the end of January by visiting their Carolina Connect Student Center. In the meantime, students should check their account regularly for the status of their application, including any missing items. 

Students who have not yet applied have one more chance; January 15 is the final deadline to apply! (Students must visit the Common App website to apply.)

Students have until March 1 to apply for financial aid, but we encourage them to apply sooner. Students don't have to wait for admission in order to apply for aid.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Young Elites

We are closing in on the start of our registration session opening for the 2016 Young Elites Leadership Summit!! This year’s Summit will be hosted at Davidson Day School from June 13-17, 2016.

We are inviting all high school girls to apply! Registration will OPEN on January 4th at our website—youngelites.org

Applicants should fill out the online registration form, submit 1 letter of recommendation and sign the 2 waivers on the website. These instructions will be on the Summit registration page starting January 4th

Girls who are eligible to apply to the 2016 Summit: 
  • Class of 2020 (Rising 9th graders)
  • Class of 2019 (Rising 10th graders)
  • Class of 2018 (Rising 11th graders)
  • Class of 2017 (Rising 12th graders)
  • Class of 2016 

Many of our Summit participants are accepted in this early decision application session. We want to make sure you can get your completed application packet in to us as early as possible. This is a first come, first serve application process. All girls who are accepted to this year’s Summit will receive a full-scholarship to the 2016 Young Elites Leadership Summit. 


Common Application Mobile App

Click HERE to learn more.


The Experiment

Applications for The Experiment in International Living's fully funded Leadership Institute programs are due on January 20, 2016. Many students complete applications over the holidays, so now is a good time to get started!

Qualified high school students who are current juniors may apply for a full scholarship to The Experiment's Leadership Institute programs in India with a focus on Global Health, or South Africa with a focus on Peace, Politics, and Human Rights for students deeply interested in intercultural leadership, global issues, and civic engagement. 
Applicants must apply online and submit a complete application, essays, two (2) references from two different adult teachers, mentors, or coaches, and other relevant materials  by January 20 at 5:00 PM.  Applicants must:
  • Be rising seniors who are at least 16 years old but not more than 18 years old at the time of the program;
  • Have a high school graduation year of 2017;
  • Demonstrate strong academic performance and/or leadership experience;
  • Obtain a passport valid through at least February 2017
  • Because this is a leadership program, we especially seek applicants who can take initiative through the application process; we discourage parent involvement in the initial stages.
This summer 2016, The Experiment will again offer our second year of these fully-funded, six-week programs, including:
  • Four-day pre-program Leadership Seminar in Washington, DC;
  • Re-entry sessions in Brattleboro, Vermont at the SIT campus;
  • Post-program project implemented in the home community.
  • These programs are fully funded for accepted participants. (There is no program fee, and international and domestic travel costs, including flights, are covered for students living in the U.S.)
Also, we still offer need-based financial aid for our other summer 2016 programs and strive to find diverse, dynamic participants! Questions? Please contact us at 1 800 345-2929 or at experiment@worldlearning.org.

Monday, December 7, 2015

2016 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

This national program awards scholarships to high school seniors who embody the characteristics of President Ronald Reagan at school, in the community, in the workplace and at home.

LEADERSHIP

DRIVE

INTEGRITY

CITIZENSHIP

Recipients receive $10,000 renewable scholarships -- up to $40,000 per student.

Apply online HERE.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Open House Reminder

JCSU Open House

Johnson C. Smith University is hosting a free open house on Saturday December 5, 2015 for prospective students, parents, counselors and alumni. You and your family will have an opportunity to explore our historic campus, learn more about attending JCSU, and can even take advantage of the mild weather to enjoy the Southern Hospitality and thriving urban environment of downtown Charlotte. Don't miss this opportunity to begin your journey at JCSU!
Johnson C. Smith University is an independent urban university with a growing reputation for integrating the liberal arts with business, science and technology in innovative, socially conscious ways to empower tomorrow's global entrepreneurs, citizens, and leaders. Our open house welcomes future students to JCSU to meet our diverse international family of students, alumni, faculty, and staff, and to find out why our institution offers one of the best values in higher education.
Applicants are highly encouraged to bring the following:
  • Official High School Transcripts
  • Official SAT and/or ACT Scores
Admission Counselors will be available to make on-site admission decisions. Accepted students are encouraged to bring housing forms and housing and matriculation fees. (Housing $150.00/ Matriculation $100.00)
Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the program will end at 2:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. Today!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Duke Summer Applications - Open Today!

Apply TODAY for an Unforgettable Duke Summer!

We are accepting applications starting TODAY for your unforgettable summer at Duke University!  We invite you to the Duke Summer College for High School Students (grades 10 & 11) to earn academic credit, or Duke Summer Academy for High School Students  (grades 9-12) to enroll in personal enrichment classes with a global perspective. Make friends from all over the globe as you learn in a classroom environment that is intimate enough to gain the individual attention you need to thrive.

We encourage you to apply online or on paper today as spaces fill quickly!