Senior Fall Checklist!

Senior Fall Post-Secondary Planning Checklist!

September

Identify 3-5 post-secondary education options (college, trade school, apprenticeship, etc)

Identify 3-5 scholarship opportunities that YOU are eligible to receive.

Create your FSAID if you are eligible. Have a parent create one too if they are eligible!

Register for an SAT retake if needed. Talk to your school counselor. 

Mark your calendar for FAFSA Night/Day at your school. Let your parents know in advance!

Gather documents needed to complete FAFSA and/or other financial aid forms.

Ask questions! Yess.emily@gmail.com (720) 446 9688

October

Start your college/post-secondary applications. Keep in mind Colorado FREE App day on October 15^th!

Share your Personal Statement and/or Common Application Essay response(s) as google docs with yess.emily@gmail.com

Attend FAFSA Night/Day. Be sure to bring ALL needed documents!

Request AT LEAST 2 Letters of Recommendation.

Submit at least 1 college application and 1 scholarship application.

Ask questions! Yess.emily@gmail.com (720) 446 9688

November and December

Complete your COF (Colorado Opportunity Fund) application. If you have a social security number, be sure to enter it on this application!

Identify Institutional Scholarships at the colleges you are interested in attending. Note deadlines! Start these applications as soon as you are able to do so.  

Continue completing and submitting college and scholarship applications.

Prepare for your Semester 1 Exams!

Ask questions! Yess.emily@gmail.com (720) 446 9688

Scholarship Essays!

You guys! If you haven't started (and maybe even finished) your scholarship application essays...

IT IS TIME! 

I know it can be hard to write about yourself and share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with total strangers. But it can be the MOST POWERFUL part of your application. Sure, grades and test scores matter but most colleges want to get to know YOU as a person with a story...not just the numbers and letters on your transcript! Your essay really is an opportunity for the people in admissions to learn more about WHY they should admit YOU to their college. 

Carve out some time over Winter Break to work on essays! 

TAKE A CHANCE! 

Be yourself! Make sure your essay 'sounds' like you. Just like you want people to be REAL with you, being REAL in your essay makes a difference! 

Start NOW! Select one of your essay topics. Set your timer for 30 minutes and just brainstorm. Write/type EVERYTHING that comes to mind...even if it's takis! I mean, try to stay focused on the topic and write any and everything that comes to mind. You may come across an idea or direction you weren't expecting BUT that will make an awesome essay! And remember, no one has to EVER see your brainstorming document. 

Check out the links below for some great tips on writing your BEST college essay! There are some video clips too. 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/8-tips-for-crafting-your-best-college-essay

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/tips-for-writing-an-effective-application-essay-college-admissions

Senior Fall Checklist!

Hey Seniors! I know you have A LOT going on...SAT prep and testing, homecoming, sports, clubs, enjoying the last year of high school, work, AP/Honors classes, concurrent enrollment, etc, etc.

Don't forget your Post-Secondary Planning! Check out the checklist below to help guide your planning, application and access process. As always, let me know if you have ANY questions!

FALL OF SENIOR YEAR! 

• Finalize your College/Post-Secondary Program Application List! Be sure to include some schools that may be harder to get in to as well as at least one school to which you will for sure be admitted. This list can include colleges, apprenticeships, military and/or technical schools. These are all GREAT post-secondary options. 

APPLY TO SCHOLARSHIPS! 

• Prepare for and complete the FAFSA. Use the search tool in the blog to find LOTS of information regarding what documents you need, creating a FSAID and other info about the process. The application opens October 1!

APPLY TO SCHOLARSHIPS! 

• Stay focused on your grades and extracurricular activities. These remain important parts of your resume. Finish strong! 

APPLY TO SCHOLARSHIPS! 

• Keep track of deadlines! Consider using calendar reminders on your phone to alert you well ahead of deadlines (so you take time to work on applications) as well as the day applications are due. 

APPLY TO SCHOLARSHIPS! 

• Meet with your School Counselor. They will need to know what schools/programs you are applying to so they can send Transcripts, Score Reports, and other application items. Be sure to give them access to the required forms WELL in advance. Be sure to THANK them for their help. 

APPLY TO SCHOLARSHIPS! 

• Continue researching scholarships, add them to your College Research Spreadsheet, and complete these applications! 

APPLY TO SCHOLARSHIPS! 

• Ask for Letters of Recommendation NOW! Be sure you are giving your teachers, counselors, etc enough time to write you an AWESOME letter. If you wrote one for yourself last year, you an share it with them along with your resume to help them out! 

APPLY TO SCHOLARSHIPS! 

• Complete your College/Post-Secondary Program applications as soon as possible. Even if a school has a deadline in the spring, aim to complete your application by Thanksgiving Break. Put yourself at the TOP of the pile! 

APPLY TO SCHOLARSHIPS! 

• ASK for help! If you have questions, ASK them! It's ok to not know everything about the post-secondary process. It's a whole new world. If something doesn't make sense, ASK! This is a good habit to get into as you'll have LOTS of questions once you get to college. ASKING for help is part of being an adult, trust me! 

Scholarships! Private and Institutional!

Hey Seniors! If you've been slacking on scholarship applications, now is the time to ramp up your search and completion of apps.

Remember to look for Private AND Institutional scholarships. Private scholarships will be the ones offered by different businesses (McDonald's) and organizations (like YESS!). Institutional scholarships are offered by the schools you've been accepted to and are ONLY valid if you attend the school that awards you the scholarship. So, you can't use a scholarship from Metro to attend CCD!

Take some time to identify your top 2-3 colleges of choice and begin scholarship applications for EACH of these schools. Perhaps your 2nd choice school will give you a ton of scholarship $$$ and that may impact your decision on where to attend. We don't want to close any doors too soon!

You can usually find institutional scholarships by logging into your portal/dashboard for each school. Let me know if you have any questions! Some schools have built in search engines so you can enter your GPA, for example, and the search will identify which scholarships you can submit. Other schools will require more search time from you. Please remember you can share your essays for review with yess.emily@gmail.com as google docs!

Most institutional scholarships are due March 1st. Be sure to confirm deadlines for each of your top choice schools! This HAS to be something you set aside time for like homework or a part time job. Remember, the rewards for winning scholarships will PAY OFF next year!

I've applied to college(s). Now what?!

Hi Fives, Seniors! 

You've submitted college applications and are opening doors for your future....It's important to have a few choices and there is still plenty of time to apply to other schools. But what else can you be working on?

1. Fill out the FAFSA! Most of you have done this but if you haven't THE TIME IS NOW! Let's set up an appointment to get this done! 

2. Keep your grades up. I know it's hard as you get further along in your Senior Year. Senioritis is REAL! But your grades STILL matter. Your colleges will get your Final Transcript and they can 'un-admit' you. 

3. Check your COLLEGE email! Make sure the admissions office has all of your application pieces. Your colleges will send you information about establishing an email account with them. YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS REGULARLY! If you don't, you could miss out on deadlines, $cholarship opportunities, and other important information. If you have trouble remembering user names and passwords, make sure to make a note in your phone so you can log in!

4. Apply for ALL of the $cholar$hips! Seriously, apply for as many as you can. Use the Scholarship List on the right side of this page and consider setting up a Fastweb.com search that will email you scholarships you are eligible to receive! 

College and Scholarship Essays!

You guys! If you haven't started (and maybe even finished) your college application essays...

IT IS TIME! 

I know it can be hard to write about yourself and share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with total strangers. But it can be the MOST POWERFUL part of your application. Sure, grades and test scores matter but most colleges want to get to know YOU as a person with a story...not just the numbers and letters on your transcript! Your essay really is an opportunity for the people in admissions to learn more about WHY they should admit YOU to their college. 

Carve out some time over Thanksgiving Break to work on essays! 

TAKE A CHANCE! 

Be yourself! Make sure your essay 'sounds' like you. Just like you want people to be REAL with you, being REAL in your essay makes a difference! 

Start NOW! Select one of your essay topics. Set your timer for 30 minutes and just brainstorm. Write/type EVERYTHING that comes to mind...even if it's takis! I mean, try to stay focused on the topic and write any and everything that comes to mind. You may come across an idea or direction you weren't expecting BUT that will make an awesome essay! And remember, no one has to EVER see your brainstorming document. 

Check out the links below for some great tips on writing your BEST college essay! There are some video clips too. 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/8-tips-for-crafting-your-best-college-essay

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/tips-for-writing-an-effective-application-essay-college-admissions

College and Scholarship Apps! It's your JOB!

Hey Seniors! The time is NOW for completing your college and scholarship applications! Think about the process as a part time job...that can pay off in $cholar$hip dollar$ as well as in higher earning$ over your lifetime once you graduate. Remember, this is true for certificates, associates degrees, AND bachelors degrees.

Commit to a few hours a week of work on your applications! Be sure to have a few trusted adults read your essays! Label your essays well as google docs. For example, "Emily Webster MSU Essay" so that your readers know it's your essay!

Remember to use your College App Info Sheet to help you complete your applications accurately. You should apply to at least 3 schools....one you're sure to get into, one you will likely get into and a REACH school...one that may be a bit harder to get into. But now is the time to try!


Click here to search for Scholarships!

Click here for Essay Writing Tips! 

Click here for some help deciding where to apply! 

College and Scholarship Application Essays!

You guys! If you haven't started your college application essays...

NOW IS THE TIME! 

I know it can be hard to write about yourself and share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with total strangers. But it can be the MOST POWERFUL part of your application. Sure, grades and test scores matter but most colleges want to get to know YOU as a person with a story...not just the numbers and letters on your transcript! Your essay really is an opportunity for the people in admissions to learn more about WHY they should admit YOU to their college. 

TAKE A CHANCE! 

Be yourself! Make sure your essay 'sounds' like you. Just like you want people to be REAL with you, being REAL in your essay makes a difference! 

Start NOW! Select one of your essay topics. Set your timer for 30 minutes and just brainstorm. Write/type EVERYTHING that comes to mind...even if it's hot cheetos! I mean, try to stay focused on the topic and write any and everything that comes to mind. You may come across an idea or direction you weren't expecting BUT that will make an awesome essay! And remember, no one has to EVER see your brainstorming document. 

Check out the links below for some great tips on writing your BEST college essay! There are some video clips too. 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/8-tips-for-crafting-your-best-college-essay

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/tips-for-writing-an-effective-application-essay-college-admissions

It's Essay Time!

Hey, Juniors! You've done an amazing job so far of working on your YESS College Research sheets. They are filling up with great info about post-secondary programs you are interested in and ALL of the scholarships you are eligible to receive. Well done! 

Now it's time to take the NEXT STEP! The majority of college and scholarship applications require an essay or two. We'll start on those NOW so that you go into your Senior Year with a solid groundwork! Sure, you'll have to edit and update these essays. But you'll have a step ahead when you walk in for your Senior Year in 5 short months! 

A great place to start is with the Common Application Essay Prompts. Review the questions below. We'll work on answers to each of these prompts. Trust me, these will ALL be valuable to you next year as you apply for various programs and scholarships!

Once you've read over the prompts below, please email me and let me know which one you will BEGIN working on this week! Check out this post for some tips!

2017-2018 Common Application Essay Prompts

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 

Your Junior Spring College Prep!

Hey Juniors, get college ready! Here are some things you should focus on between now and your Senior Year! 

1. Stay focused on your grades! Colleges will be looking at your Junior year grades when you submit your applications in the Fall. Finish the semester strong.
2. Start researching possible majors and colleges you'd like to attend. Don't forget to use your College Research spreadsheet to keep track on info. You can also keep track of job titles that sound interesting to you and discover related majors that way.  
3. Make a list of scholarships for which you'd be eligible. Make sure to add them to the Scholarships tab on your College Research spreadsheet! 
4. Get to know your counselor and Future Center Advisor at school. They'll be able to help you with mailing your transcripts, writing letters of recommendation, and possible fee waivers for your applications. 
5. Visit colleges if you can. Start with the Auraria campus! You can schedule tours online. Community College of Denver, Metro State University, UC Denver
6. Choose challenging classes for Senior Year. Remember, you have to show colleges that you are outstanding and up for challenges! 
7. Prepare for the SAT and/or ACT. Check out this great, FREE resource. While test scores are not the only thing colleges look at, they can separate you in a crowd. 
8. Keep your resume up to date. This is a great habit to get into for your future. You have to learn how to best express your strengths and accomplishments. Again, you are trying to STAND OUT in a crowd! 
9. Start working on a personal statement and other essay prompts. Trust me, the work you do on personal statements and other essay prompt now will help reduce your stress in the fall. You'll also have much better essays to submit since you worked to make them better and better over time. 
10. Plan your summer activities. Remember  your resume? Summer is a great time to add new, unique and challenging experiences to your personal history! Here are some pre-collegiate opportunities to consider. 

MORE SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY TIPS!

MORE SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY TIPS! 

Be sure to:

• Tell a story. While it can be hard to your personal history, it is how you 'speak' to the readers without meeting them. Try to connect your story to why you are applying for each scholarship.

• Make a list! When you first read the essay prompt, brainstorm and write down any words and phrases that come to mind that are relevant to your answer to the prompt. Each time you read the prompt, add to the list. These words and phrases can guide the focus of your essay and serve as main points and ideas to include. 

• Write with your voice! What does that mean?! Make sure when you are writing that you allow some of your personality to come out. Remember, a lot of people are writing essays. Yours HAS to stand out. Ideally, one of your proof readers (teacher, friend, me) will read your essays and know that YOU wrote it. 

• Start with a powerful first sentence. You need to catch the attention of the reader and encourage them to keep reading. Use your word to paint a vivid picture of the experience(s) you'll be writing about in your essay. 

• Write an outline! This will help you keep your thoughts organized and on track. 

• When you write your first draft, JUST WRITE. Really let the words flow. Write everything that comes to mind and keep writing. You will probably go over your word count and write some things that you'll just cut out of the essay. But you will get warmed up and maybe come across some great ideas to include that you hadn't yet considered. 

• Rewrite, Revise, Rewrite. Make sure you address and spellcheck issues as well as doing your own reading to check for spelling and grammar errors. 

• Have a few people read your essays. You don't have to make use of all of their suggestions but the more eyes that review your essays, the more errors can be corrected. 

• Be proud of your work!

• 
  

$$ Scholarships $$

Hey, Seniors! I know we talk A LOT about scholarships...but you won't get them by talking! 

 YOU HAVE TO PUT IN WORK!

What's your game plan? How are you tackling this MAJOR PROJECT? 

Here are some ideas for managing all of the details, planning your timeline and WINNING! 

• Set aside time every week to work on scholarships. Add it to your calendar and COMMIT to making it happen!
• Start by searching for scholarships. Use the resources here! As you find scholarships you are eligible for, make a list in a spreadsheet! Prioritize! NOTE DEADLINES and Total $$$ you can earn! 
• Once you have a list, get started on the applications. You'll be applying for many so set up a system for tracking which ones you are applying for, your log in info, what paper work you may need to send or upload (ie ACT Score Sheet, your Transcript). 
• REMEMBER THE DEADLINES! Set reminders in your phone WELL BEFORE the scholarships are due. DON'T PROCRASTINATE. 
• Ask for Letters of Recommendation ASAP!!! (See here for info on how to best do this!)
• Have people you know well read your essay(s) AND have people you don't know so well help you too! Different perspectives and feedback will only strengthen your work!
• SUBMIT! SUBMIT! SUBMIT! Remember, you can't be awarded scholarships if you don't apply! 

Find more helpful info on how to find and apply for scholarships here.

$$ Scholarships $$

Hey, Seniors! I know we talk A LOT about scholarships...but you won't get them by talking! 

 YOU HAVE TO PUT IN WORK!

What's your game plan? How are you tackling this MAJOR PROJECT? 

Here are some ideas for managing all of the details, planning your timeline and WINNING! 

• Set aside time every week to work on scholarships. Add it to your calendar and COMMIT to making it happen!
• Start by searching for scholarships. Use the resources here! As you find scholarships you are eligible for, make a list in a spreadsheet! Prioritize! NOTE DEADLINES and Total $$$ you can earn! 
• Once you have a list, get started on the applications. You'll be applying for many so set up a system for tracking which ones you are applying for, your log in info, what paper work you may need to send or upload (ie ACT Score Sheet, your Transcript). 
• REMEMBER THE DEADLINES! Set reminders in your phone WELL BEFORE the scholarships are due. DON'T PROCRASTINATE. 
• Ask for Letters of Recommendation ASAP!!! (See here for info on how to best do this!)
• Have people you know well read your essay(s) AND have people you don't know so well help you too! Different perspectives and feedback will only strengthen your work!
• SUBMIT! SUBMIT! SUBMIT! Remember, you can't be awarded scholarships if you don't apply! 

Find more helpful info on how to find and apply for scholarships here.