PRIVATE SCHOOLS

• The Common Application – Over 500 private schools now use the Common Application.  Go to www.commonapp.org to see if the schools you’re applying to are Common Application members and to familiarize yourself with their application process.  Remember – all of the schools you apply to will have different deadlines and requirements – you need to look at each individual school’s requirements to make sure you don’t miss something.
• Letters of recommendation – If you’re applying to a private college or university, you probably need letters of recommendation from your GLC and two academic teachers.  The first step is to download the “School Profile” from www.dbhs.org (Guidance, then Class of 2014, then “SENIOR PROFILE”).  This form allows you to tell the people writing letters for you all about yourself and the accomplishments and experiences you’ve had both on and off campus – spend time working on this so your GLC and teachers can write the best possible letter for you.  The second step is to carefully read through the “Letter of Recommendation Request Instructions” and then “How to Package Your Letter of Recommendation Request” (located in the same part of www.dbhs.org).  After following all directions, deliver your Letter of Recommendation Request directly to your GLC and teachers (you must hand it to them directly).  You should list all schools you are applying to and the deadlines for those schools on the cover page, and you must include the Letter Request Pledge there as well.  The absolute deadline to turn in a letter of recommendation request is October 11^th, but you are strongly encouraged to deliver them sooner.  No letters are required for UC or CSU schools.
• Online application via www.commonapp.org – This year you and your GLC will be required to submit all Common Application papers online.  To notify your GLC that you would like him to complete his or her part (Secondary Report) online, you need to email him or her through the Common Application.  Once you complete your part of the application, including senior classes for both semesters, you are ready to send the email notification to your GLC.  You will need their correct email addresses:

[email protected] or [email protected]

SAT/ACT

• Time to take those tests.  You must have a score for either the SAT or the ACT with writing for all CSU’s, UC’s, and private schools.  If you haven’t taken either test, you only have a few more chances.  Go to www.collegeboard.org or www.act.org to sign up for either test.  If you take either test in December, you should rush your scores.
• SAT Subject Tests are no longer required by the UC, but the UC has said some majors at some campuses may still recommend particular tests and students are still encouraged to send in Subject Test scores to be considered during the comprehensive review process as this extra information can only help.  In addition, several private schools still require Subject Tests.  Look at each school’s admission requirements carefully to find this information.

COLLEGE FAIRS

·         17^th Annual Parent and Student Educational Symposium, presented by the Council of African American Parents, takes place Saturday, September 14^th from 11 am – 4 pm at the Cal State Fullerton Titan Center.  There will be a college/career fair, workshops for parents and students, and Dr. Calvin Mackie’s keynote address.  For more info and to RSVP, call 909-263-2354, or you can visit www.councilofafricanamericanparents.com.

·         So Cal College Fair takes place October 4^th and 5^th at the Fairplex.  Friday, 10/4, from 4-8 pm and Saturday, 10/5, from 10 am – 2 pm, you and your parents can attend this college fair featuring up to 70 college and career representatives at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center at 601 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768.  Admission is free.  For more information, go www.socalcollegefair.com.

·         College Expo & Student Athlete Symposium takes place Saturday, October 19^th from 11-4 at the University of Laverne.  This expo promises to provide a lot of information about the recruitment process and registering with the NCAA Clearinghouse.  For more info, go to www.thecollegeexpo.org.

SCHOLARSHIPS

·         Keep an eye out!  There will always be scholarships listed in the Senior Bulletin, but this should not be your only resource.  Ask your parents about scholarships through their jobs and keep an eye out for scholarships within the community.  You can also go to www.fastweb.com for free scholarship searches.  There are thousands of scholarships available out there, like this one that awards scholarships to brave souls who manufacture prom clothing out of duct tape - http://duckbrand.com/index.php/promotions/stuck-at-prom/rules

·         QuestBridge College Match Scholarships – QuestBridge is a national college match program which assists outstanding low-income students in gaining admission and full four-year scholarships to leading colleges such as MIT, Princeton, Stanford and Yale.  In 2012, over 1500 Questbridge applicants gained admission to their partner colleges, and 383 of these students received full scholarships.  For information go to www.questbridge.org. Scholarship varies depending on the school but can include the full cost of tuition and room and board. Deadline is September 27^th.

·         Coca Cola Scholars Foundation – The Coca Cola Company supports over 1400 students with $3.45 million dollars’ worth of scholarships each year. They are looking for students who “are most committed to positive leadership in serving others and to academic excellence.”  Applications

must be submitted online at www.coca-colascholars.org. Deadline is October 31^st.

·         FIRE Foundation for Individual Right in Education – This is the “Freedom in Academia” essay contest.  You are asked to view two videos on their website, then write an essay discussing why “free speech is important at our nation's colleges and universities.”  The essay should be 800-1000 words.  Three $1000 awards, one $5000 award, and one $10,000 award.  Go to www.thefire.org/contests.  Deadline is January 1^st, 2014.

·         Prudential Spirit of Community Awards - This award is to recognize students who have demonstrated exceptional citizenship through exemplary, self-initiated community service/ volunteer work.  Examples might be working with the disabled or with the elderly.  The activity must be either self initiated or the individual must demonstrate exceptional leadership in group activities. Go online to http://spirit.prudential.com to submit an application by November 5^th, 2013.  After you submit, you must tell Mr. Desmond you have entered your name - DBHS can only forward one representative for the state judging and a chance to earn $1000 and a trip to Washington DC.

·         Wendy’s High School Heisman Award – This awards student-athletes who excel in academics, athletics and student leadership. Must have a 3.0 GPA and be participating in at least one high school sport. Apply online at www.wendysheisman.com. You need to have your GLC review your application so notify him or her that you’re applying, and include your GLC’s email address on your application.  State Winners receive $1,000. Deadline is October 2^nd, 2013.

·         Horatio Alger Association Scholarship – This organization will be awarding several national scholarships of $20,000 and over 30 state scholarships of $5,000 each.  Applicants must have household earnings of less than $50,000, a 2.0 minimum GPA, and must be involved in extra-curricular and community activities.  Apply online at www.HoratioAlger.com – application deadline is October 25^th, 2013.

·         Washington University Danforth Scholarship – If you’re applying to Washington University in St. Louis, you should try for this one.  Danforth Scholars may receive full or partial tuition scholarships to Washington, but we can only nominate you if you tell us you’re applying.  Interested students should contact their GLC by September 30^th.