Class of 2019! Time to start post-secondary planning!

Now that you are ALMOST Seniors, it's time to make a college application prep plan! Remember our conversations with your current Senior classmates...They expressed wishing they'd done some prep work for Senior fall during the summer after their Junior Year. It really is a part-time job. Consider spending a few hours a week on your college research and preparation.

Here are some ideas of what to work on! 

1) Complete a Letter of Recommendation for yourself! Highlight skills and activities that truly reflect your abilities and interests. Your teachers/counselors will be SO impressed with your extra effort when you ask for Letters of Recommendation for college and scholarship applications. Share your Letter with them to help them out.  Here are some tips on how to ask for a Letter of Recommendation when the time comes!

2) Create or update your resume! Summer can be a great time to add some volunteer work in addition to your paid summer job. Just a few hours a week goes a long way! 

3) Put in a few hours a week looking for MORE scholarships to add to your College Research Spreadsheet! Add deadlines to your calendars with reminders in advance of these due dates!

4) Complete at least 2 essays for the Common Application Essay Prompts. Remember, even if you are NOT using the Common App, these essay questions will be applicable to other application questions for schools and scholarships. Be sure to save them in your google drive with clear file names. Share them with yess.emily@gmail.com if you want feedback!

5) If you are not happy with your SAT score, there are plenty of resources that will allow you to improve your skills. Don't forget to sign up for the SAT in the fall if you choose to retake it!


(Here's the link for the College Research Spreadsheet! Be sure to follow the directions for COPYING and saving as your own file.)

As always, let me know if you have any questions! 

Start your Scholarship Search Soon! (aka NOW!)

YESS Superstars! 

Now is the time to start your college scholarship search...even if you are a freshman! 

Check out the following search engines to begin. Remember, if you create a log in, keep your user name and password in a secure place! Make a note in your phone or in a google doc connected to your email address. I'd choose 1 or 2 of the following sites where you create a log in. Keep the other sites in mind for your searches though! 

1) Chegg- Scholarships and College Exploration

2) Fastweb - Create and complete a profile for personalized scholarship opportunities!

3) Cappex - Find scholarships, compare colleges and check out your chances for admission

4) Big Future - College Board - This is a great resource for SO MANY parts of your college search including scholarships.

5) YESS Scholarship Resources - Individual scholarships are listed as well as links to scholarship search engines. Bookmark this page and check out all of the additional resources too!

Start by finding scholarships that you are eligible for and be sure to paste the links in to your College Research spreadsheet: Scholarships I'm Eligible For! tab (either saved in your google drive or create one here). Be sure to note the application requirements and start outlines for any required essays. Remember: this process is like a part time job with the potential BIG PAY of your college tuition being covered by scholarships!

Hey, Juniors! Are you ready to STAND OUT as a college applicant?!

Now that you are ALMOST Seniors, it's time to make a college application prep plan for your SUMMER! Remember our conversations with your current Senior classmates...They expressed wishing they'd done some prep work for Senior fall during the summer after their Junior Year. It really is a part-time job. Consider spending a few hours a week on your college research and preparation.

Here are some ideas of what to work on! 

1) Complete a Letter of Recommendation for yourself! Highlight skills and activities that truly reflect your abilities and interests. Your teachers/counselors will be SO impressed with your extra effort when you ask for Letters of Recommendation for college and scholarship applications. Share your Letter with them to help them out.  Here are some tips on how to ask for a Letter of Recommendation when the time comes!

2) Create or update your resume! Summer can be a great time to add some volunteer work in addition to your paid summer job. Just a few hours a week goes a long way! 

3) Put in a few hours a week looking for MORE scholarships to add to your College Research Spreadsheet! Add deadlines to your calendars with reminders in advance of these due dates!

4) Complete at least 2 essays for the Common Application Essay Prompts. Remember, even if you are NOT using the Common App, these essay questions will be applicable to other application questions for schools and scholarships. Be sure to save them in your google drive with clear file names. Share them with yess.emily@gmail.com if you want feedback!

5) If you are not happy with your SAT score, there are plenty of resources that will allow you to improve your skills. Don't forget to sign up for the SAT in the fall if you choose to retake it!


(If you haven't started your College Research Spreadsheet, here's the link again! Be sure to follow the directions for COPYING and saving as your own file.)

As always, let me know if you have any questions! 

First in the Family!

Will you be the first in your family to attend college? 

#1. Congratulations! 

#2. There are A LOT of resources available to help you navigate this new journey. 

You will be assigned an Advisor at your college- kind of like your School Counselor. This person will help you decide what classes to take, talk to you about your Major and other parts of college. 

But here's the thing....They WON'T send you a pass to call you to their office....Guess who has to take the initiative to meet with the Advisor?

YOU! 

Some of you may have Colorado Challenge counselors depending on what school you attend. Your CC counselor can be a great support regarding life on campus, financial planning, connecting you with other resources and providing opportunities to meet other students. Meet with them ASAP! 

Colleges also have Counseling Centers available if need be. You can usually do a search on the college website to find this information. 

Here's a list of possible places to seek assistance. If you are having trouble with a roommate, you'd reach out to Residential Services....If you are wondering about a tuition bill and your scholarships, touch base with the Office of Financial Aid! 

Remember, it's not ALL academic. You'll be adjusting to a new social life as well. Here are some tips. Take advantage of opportunities on campus to meet new people. Talk to your new classmates! Connect with other YESS students on your new college campus! 

Check out this great blog with posts written by First Generation college students on a variety of topics. 

Here is the I'm First Guide to College! 

And don't forget, I can help you out too! Just ask. :)

$$ Scholarships $$

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.