Newsletter and Resources



Our College Counseling Handbook is very helpful in outlining the college application process for juniors and seniors.  CLICK HERE to download the 2012-2013 College Counseling Handbook.  For quick facts, download our College Counseling Basics handout.


Additional resources may be found in the College Counseling Newsletter, emailed to parents every month with information about college application deadlines, scholarships, college admissions testing, summer programs, and other important information.  This year's newsletters are available below:

April 2013

March 2013


February 2013


December 2012/January 2013

November 2012


October 2012


September 2012


The most recent newsletter is available below:


College Counseling Newsletter

April, 2013

Important Reminders

·         Seniors, if you have not completed the FAFSA make sure you do so right away.  Most colleges want this to be done by March 1, 2013.

·         ALL juniors should register to take the SAT this spring.  See dates below.

College Events

·         U.Va. Engineering School Open House:  An open house for visitors to meet faculty and staff, interact with current students, take tours of facilities, and visit exhibits.  Held in U.Va.’s Thornton Hall on Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

·         Randolph College Open House:  Visit Randolph College April 1 or April 8 for their Spring Open House.  Register online.

·         Pensacola College Days: Visit Pensacola College.  Open to 10th-12th grade. Cost is $10 plus a meal plan. Dates are April 4-5, 2013.

·         Discover Regent Day:  Sit in on a class, meet faculty, hear from students and staff, explore campus, enjoy a complimentary lunch, and learn about financial aid.  Students who attend a Discover Regent Day will receive a $50 application fee waiver.  Held on Friday, April 5; Monday, July 22; or Friday, August 9.  RSVP online.

·         Liberty College for a Weekend: Visit Liberty University.  Open to 11th and 12th grade. Cost is $50; $25 for a friend. Next CFAW is April 11-14, 2013.

Upcoming Test Dates

SAT Test Dates

March 9, 2013

May 4, 2013

June 1, 2013

SAT Registration Dates

February 8, 2013

April 5, 2013

May 2, 2013

ACT Test Dates

April 13, 2013

June 8, 2013

ACT Registration Dates

March 8, 2013

May 3, 2013

 

 

Upcoming College Application Deadlines

This is not an exhaustive list.  Please check the official website of each college you are considering.

May 1, 2013:
Mississippi College (priority), Regent University

 

Colleges with Rolling Admissions

Colleges that offer “Rolling Admissions” accept applications at any time.  Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and policies do vary.  Please check the official website of each college you are considering.

Clearwater Christian, Coastal Carolina, Belmont, Liberty, Longwood, Covenant, Biola, Mary Baldwin, Oral Roberts, VCU, Virginia Wesleyan, Shenandoah, Clemson, Mississippi College, Samford, U. of Alabama, UNC Wilmington


SAT Prep Options

StoneBridge SAT Prep Course: Half-credit class, available to 10th and 11th grade students during Spring Semester.

CollegeBoard: Online course; cost is $69.95.

Kaplan: Online course; cost is $399.

PrepME: Online course; cost is $299-$499.

Kaplan: Two-month course in Newport News or Norfolk, VA; cost is $599.

Chris Trudeau: Six-week course in Suffolk or Norfolk, VA; cost is $425.  Two $100-off coupons available in Mrs. Atwood’s office.

ACT Prep: Online course; cost is $19.95.

24hundred: Search engine for local courses.

 

Scholarship Search Engines

Although specific opportunities are listed in this newsletter, students are also encouraged to research scholarships on their own.

Academic Invest

Adventures in Education

CollegeBoard

fastweb!

FinAid

Sallie Mae

Scholarships.com

Student Awards

Studentscholarships.org

 

Scholarship and Contest Opportunities

Gilbraitti Scholarship

Essay contest for seniors.  Award is $500.  Apply online by March 30, 2013.

Gray Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship awards ($500-$1,000) are based on a competitive process which considers academic achievement, extracurricular activities, statements of the applicant’s personal aspirations and goals, and financial need. Click the link to download an application. Deadline is March 31, 2013.

Kerry Bass Memorial Scholarship

Hosted by the Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia, this scholarship is for graduating seniors who plan to major in elementary education.  Minimum GPA of 3.0; short essay required.  See Mrs. Atwood for application.  Award is $1000.  Deadline is April 1, 2013.

Engineering Scholarship

Hosted by the American Helicopter Society, this contest is open to Hampton Roads students in 12th grade who will be studying engineering or a related field.  Application includes a 1-3 page essay on a given topic, and two letters of recommendation. Award is $2,000. See Mrs. Atwood for application. Deadline is April 1, 2013.

Holocaust Essay Contest

Hosted by The Armenian Education Center, this contest is open to 9th-12th grade VA students. Four-page essay addresses the Armenian Genocide. Award is $1,000. See Mrs. Atwood for details. Deadline is April 1, 2013.

Journalism Essay Contest

Open to VA seniors planning to major in journalism.  Essay contest regarding unbiased journalism.  Award is $5,000.  See website for details.  Deadline is April 5, 2013.

Signet Classics Scholarship Essay Contest

Select one of five topics relating to 1984, by George Orwell; must be in 11th or 12th grade and sponsored by Mrs. Brownfield. Award is $1,000. Deadline is April 15, 2013.

Youth Volunteer Scholarship

Open to high school students who have completed 50+ volunteer hours and maintained a 3.5 GPA over the past two years.  Online application includes required essay.  Award is $500.  Deadline is April 15, 2013.

Congressional Arts Competition

A winning student artist’s work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol, and will be invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony in June.  Details online; deadline is April 24, 2013.

Healthy Choices Scholarship

Essay-based scholarship for seniors only.  Award is $500.  Apply online by April 30, 2013.

National Student Poetry Contest

Open to grades 3-12.  Submit poems online or request an entry form from Mrs. Atwood.  Award is $500.  Deadline is April 30, 2013.

Scholarships by Design Award

Open to rising seniors.  Application requires students to submit their own design and plans for a brand new scholarship program.  Details online.  Award is $500.  Deadline is May 1, 2013.

Bill Jessee Memorial Scholarship

Open to 12th grade students residing in Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, or James City County, who plan to major in Engineering.  Award is $1,500. See Mrs. Atwood for details. Deadline is May 3, 2013.

Caretenders Scholarship Program

Essay-based scholarship for seniors only.  Award is $500.  Apply online by May 31, 2013.

LM Scholarship Program

Essay-based scholarship for seniors only.  Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.  Award is $1000.  Apply online by May 31, 2013.

Rogers Community Volunteer Scholarship

Open to seniors who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.  Must have volunteered at least 10 hours in the last year; short essay answers required.  Award is $500.  Apply online by June 1, 2013.

Sedary & Associates Scholarship

Essay-based scholarship open to seniors who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Award is $500.  Apply online by June 15, 2013.

Lift Parts Express Scholarship

Essay-based scholarship open to seniors who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Award is $1000.  Apply online by June 30, 2013.

Samsung American Legion Scholarship

Open to juniors who are delegates to either Boys or Girls State and who are descendants of American veterans.  Awards range from $1,000-$20,000.  Applications available online; submitted at Boys or Girls State.

Christian Worldview Essay Contest

Hosted by The Trinity Foundation, this contest is open to students between 17 and 23 years of age.  Applicants read two assigned books and write a response essay. Award is $1,000-$3,000. See Mrs. Atwood for application. Deadline is September 2, 2013.


Volunteer Opportunities

CHKD Junior Summer Program

Children’s hospital volunteer opportunity and career fair.  Open to students ages 14 and up.  Register online.

Physical Therapy Internship

Open to 11th and 12th grade; Mr. Hartline has invited you to volunteer and learn about physical therapy/sports medicine.  See Mrs. Atwood for an application.

 

Summer Opportunities

Academy Introduction Mission (US Coast Guard Academy)

Six-day summer program for rising seniors interested in serving their country as a cadet and exploring technical degree programs.  Application is available online; due April 1, 2013.

CHKD Junior Summer Program

Children’s hospital volunteer opportunity and career fair.  Open to students ages 14 and up.  Register online.

Patrick Henry College Summer Leadership Camps

Open to students ages 14-18.  One- or two-week summer camps on a range of topics.  Dates and costs vary.

Pensacola Summer Camps

Week-long camps during the summer of 2013. Cost is $235-$400.

Regent Summer Camps

Camps for students of various age groups during the summer of 2013. Dates and costs vary.

Science/Engineering Research Internship

No-cost, summer residential internship in TN, open to 12th grade only. See Mrs. Atwood for details.

Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps

Summer project crews open to students ages 14-17. Room, board, and $500 stipend provided. Click the link for details. Apply online.

William and Mary Pre-College Programs

Click the link above to learn about several summer programs available to high school students at the College of William and Mary.

William and Mary Summer School

High-achieving 11th and 12th grade students may apply to take college courses at the College of William and Mary each summer.  Students who receive permission beforehand may receive high school credit for these courses as well. Application deadline is May 15, 2013.