Showing posts with label class of 2018. Show all posts
Showing posts with label class of 2018. Show all posts

Friday, April 6, 2018

YESS Senior Checklist!

Hey YESS Class of 2018!

Be sure to read through this list and make sure you are completing ALL of these items as soon as you can! The more you get done now, the easier your transition will be in the Fall. 

Congrats on everything you've accomplished thus far and JUST KEEP SWIMMING! 

SENIOR CHECKLIST 


____ Log into your college student portal regularly (for example, CCDConnect – every school is a little different). Look for red flags/ yellow caution signs that will tell you if you are missing any information or need to sign off on any documents, for example, financial aid documents.
____ Check your college email DAILY. You will get important information through that email account. You can change the settings in your student portal for your school email to be forwarded to your personal email. 
____ Carefully read any emails from FAFSA. You may be asked to provide tax verification and will need to request tax transcripts from the IRS. Let me know if you need more info!
____ Stay in contact with the financial aid office to make sure that your aid has been applied to your    account. You may also be able to check your college student portal for this information. If aid is not applied and you have not set up a payment plan, you may be dropped from your classes.
____ Take any required placement tests (for example, the Accuplacer).
____ If you are living on campus, be sure you’ve signed up for the residence halls and submitted a deposit.
____ Provide any information to health services, for example, immunization records. Many campuses will put a hold on your record if you have not submitted this information.
____ Sign up for campus health insurance or provide proof that you have health insurance to waive your health insurance fee.
____ Sign up for and attend orientation.
____ Get a college ID card
____ Meet with an academic advisor on campus.
____ Register for your classes.
____ Accept or follow up regarding Loans and Work-study.
____ Send school Official Final High School Transcript if requested by school.
____ Check in with external scholarship requirements (DSF, Institutional scholarships, etc..).
____ Authorize COF on your student portal.
____ Plan to buy/rent/borrow books (campus book store, Amazon, library).
____ Review On-Campus Support Services. Examples: Academic Services (Tutoring/Writing Center), Extracurricular Activities, Disability Center, Career Services, Transportation and Parking, TRIO, etc.

If you have questions/concerns please reach out ASAP to your YESS College Navigator, Emily at

Friday, October 6, 2017

Scholarship Essays!

Hey Team 2018! 
It's CERTAINLY time for you to be working on your scholarship essays! Here are some tips! 

1. Grab your reader's ATTENTION! 

Out of the First Lines below, which one would you be more likely to read??? 

  • Example #1: Strong leadership skills are important for many reasons.
  • Example #2: November 12, 2004, was the day I lost everything.
Think of how you can stand out from the pack and use YOUR unique voice! 

2. Edit and reuse your Essay (don't make MORE work!).

With a few edits, you can adjust your essay to be used for more than one application. Be sure that you are answering the specific question for each essay but keep in mind, there is usually overlap of topics! 

3. Keep your readers INTERESTED!

Be creative. Think outside the box. While your mom or dad may be your biggest role model, a lot of students will likely say that...Can you come up with a different answer? Or a unique approach? 

4. Follow the Essay Instructions.

The guidelines are there for a reason. Don’t write under the limit. Don’t write over the limit. Submit the application early...you will not get an extension. Be sure to answer the question(s). If they ask for the file as a .pdf, take the time to send it as a .pdf. 

5. Stay Focused on the TOPIC.

Be sure everything you write is connected to the topic. Do not go on a tangent just to add words to meet a word count. Readers are reviewing A LOT of essays and just need one reason to stop reading. 

6. Have a Point!

THESIS THESIS THESIS
You can look at your thesis as your one-sentence answer to the essay question. The rest of your essay should fully support your thesis statement and paint an intriguing picture for your readers. 

7. Check Your Essay for Spelling Errors.

In fact, have a friend and a teacher/counselor check your essays too. 

8. Use Correct Grammar and Punctuation.

Take your time to write, read, re-read and re-write as needed. Do your best and then seek help from someone you know is a good writer (see #7). 

9. Care About What You’re Writing.

When choosing your topic or thesis, be sure it is something that you personally care about sharing. You'll stand out as passionate! Bonus- It is easier to write about topics that you care about! 

10. Avoid Repetative Conclusions.

Don't just rewrite your thesis. Find a new way to restate it when wrapping up your essay. End with a STRONG, INTERESTING conclusion. Take your time when crafting this! 
.