SENIOR BULLETIN #8
Scholarship and College Information
April, 2014
DECISION TIME
· Ugh! Rejection letters are such a bummer! We feel for you, we really do. So many of you have worked so hard and have done such a good job here, but please don’t take non-acceptance to a school too personally. Every time I talk to admission officers, they say their job is so difficult because the vast majority of applicants are bright, highly qualified students who would do a great job at their school, but unfortunately they have to say “No thanks” to almost all of them. As we said last month, don’t focus on the rejections. That’s negative energy that will just leave you frustrated. Focus on the acceptances and start getting pumped up about where you’ll go.
· The deadline to submit your SIR (Statement of Intent to Register) is rapidly approaching. For the UC’s, it’s May 1st, 2014. If you fail to submit your SIR on time, you have missed the boat and “your provisionary admission is cancelled.”
· The CSU expects you to take the EPT and ELM to determine your readiness for college level English and math. Some of you may be exempt because of your score on the math or English section of the SAT or ACT, or your score on the EAP section of last year’s CST exam. To find out how you did on the EAP section, look at the back of the CST results that were mailed home to you last summer. To determine if you’re exempt, go to https://www.calstate.edu/sas/ept-elm-exemptions.shtml. If you can’t find your EAP score or can’t prove that you’re exempt in some way, I would recommend signing up to take the ELM and EPT just to make sure you’re good to go when school starts because the “CSU requires you to take the EPT and ELM prior to enrollment in the CSU.” You do NOT have to take the exams on the actual campus you will attend. To find campuses still providing test dates, go to https://ept-elm.ets.org/CSU/.
· The UC Analytical Writing Placement Examination (AWPE) will be administered on Saturday, May 10th to all students who have been admitted to the UC and have not satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement by other means (e.g. 30 or better on the ACT Combined English/Writing test, 680 or better on the SAT writing section, 3 or above on the AP Language test). If you are not exempt as of April 1st, you should plan on taking the exam May 10th. For more information, go to www.ucop.edu/elwr.
· Waiting lists are exactly what they sound like – a list for people who have to wait. They are certainly NOT a promise that you’ll eventually get into that school. Do not make the mistake of failing to submit a SIR to a school that accepted you because you are falsely banking on the belief that you’ll be pulled off a waiting list for another school. The best plan is to submit a SIR to the school you would go to if you were not pulled off a waiting list. You’ll have to lose your deposit if you’re later pulled off the waiting list for a school you’d prefer, but hopefully your excitement at being called up will soften the financial blow.
· Make a decision that is right for you. Remember, you’re picking more than just a name on a sweatshirt – you’re choosing where you’ll be living and learning for the next four years or so. If you haven’t done so already, take a weekend to go and visit the schools you’re considering and try to get a final feel for the school that’s best for you. While there certainly isn’t only one right choice for you, you want to make this a well thought-out decision.
· Make a choice and embrace your new school! We often talk about finding the one perfect school for you, but in reality, there are many schools that might turn into a perfect fit for you. Once you commit and start attending a school, there’s a strong likelihood you’ll find all sorts of things that make that the perfect school for you. Here’s a quote from a Lewis & Clark University student blog on the same subject:
“I am so glad I chose to come here, out of all my other choices. It was a tough decision trying to narrow it down at the end of senior year, but ultimately, I’m more than satisfied. My words of wisdom to all you prospective students is as follows: You might not see sparks fly the first time you visit a school. And that’s okay. It’s okay if you visit all the schools on your list and don’t fall head over heels with a single one. I visited all of the schools I was thinking of going to (multiple times!) and I still had no idea where I should go. Yes, trying to find the best one is hard, but the guidebooks and websites and all the hype tells you that there’s a “dream school” out there that’s “perfect” and you’ll know it when you see it. That’s simply not true for everyone. There was never a moment where I was dead sure Lewis and Clark was going to be the right choice until I was actually here, attending classes and making friends and living life. You just have to make the decision and everything will turn out just fine.”
· Community college is still a fine, respectable, cost-saving route. If you have not been accepted to the school of your dreams, attending a community college is a valid option. A former student recently wrote to her GLC on this subject, and I think she puts it best:
“I remember feeling so bad about myself for getting 10 rejection letters from colleges. In the long run, those rejections were some of the best things that happened to me. I ended up going to community college and learned what it meant to study at a college level. I had time to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life and try different classes (without paying a lot of money to do so). I also was able to apply to all my big dream schools that I did not even bother applying to my senior year. I am now at USC studying Biomedical Engineering, Pre-med and have been on the Dean's list since I started here. I know I would not be as successful if I did not go to community college first.”
SCHOLARSHIPS
· Diamond Bar Black Women’s Association – Students can win a $500 scholarship. To be eligible, the applicant must be an African-American graduating from a local high school with at least a 2.5 GPA and plans to attend an institution of higher learning. Pick up an application in Mr. Desmond’s office. Application packages including letters of recommendation must be postmarked no later than April 21, 2014 to be received by April 25, 2014.
· Girls’ League of DBHS Scholarship – That’s right our very own scholarship from the Diamond Bar High School Girls’ League! The Girls’ League awards two $500 scholarships and five $100 scholarships. Since Girl’s League is a service-based organization, community involvement is a primary factor in deciding who receives awards. These scholarships will only go to Brahmas so apply! Pick up an application in Mr. Desmond’s office or in Ms. Pacheco’s room (577). Application packages must be submitted to Ms. Pacheco in Room 577 by Friday, May 2nd, 2014.
· Asian American Architects and Engineers Scholarship - The Asian American Architects and Engineers (AAa/e) Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities and scholarships for young professionals and students pursuing a career in architecture, engineering or construction (AEC). Last year, they awarded a grand total of $21,500! There are a few applications in Mr. Desmond’s office, or you can visit their website at www.aaaesc.com/foundation_student_scholarship for more information and an application. Application deadline is May 30th.
· Industry Manufacturer’s Council Scholarship – This is a unique $500 scholarship in that it is reserved for a deserving senior who will graduate but is “not planning on attending a comprehensive four-year college.” If this is you, pick up an application in Mr. Desmond’s office and turn in this application to Mr. Desmond by Thursday, April 10th, 2014.
· Walnut Valley Educators Association Scholarship – The WVEA will be offering four $500 scholarships for WVEA Members’ children, stepchildren, and grandchildren who are graduating in May and will be pursuing higher education, or who are currently enrolled in higher education and are not a previous recipient. Applications can be found at www.wvea.info and must be postmarked no later than April 18th, 2014, no exceptions.
· Seiji Isomoto Scholarship – This is for graduating seniors of Asian-American descent who have demonstrated excellence in academics and athletics throughout their high school career. $1000 will go to one male and one female recipient. Applicants must have at least one Asian parent, a minimum GPA of 3.0 in academic classes, and a varsity letter for a high school sport. Pick up an application in Mr. Desmond’s office. Application packages must be postmarked by Saturday, May 10th, 2014.
· Council of African American Parents (CAAP) Scholarship – “Successful candidates must be African American,… possess a minimum GPA of 2.0,… and exemplify CAAP’s educational, social, and cultural values through participation and/or achievement in related activities.” Pick-up an application in Mr. Desmond’s office. Completed applications must be postmarked by Friday, April 18th, 2014.
· Cuban-American Teachers Association Scholarship – CATA is offering a $500 scholarship to students of Cuban descent who are planning to continue their education at the college level. Applicants must “have at least a B average, be active in school and community affairs, speak acceptable Spanish and demonstrate an interest in their cultural heritage.” Pick-up an application in Mr. Desmond’s office. Completed applications must be returned no later than April 10th, 2014.
· Brahma Boosters Scholarship – This scholarship is open to any senior student of any booster who has fulfilled their booster commitment. Pick up an application in Mr. Desmond’s office. Your completed application along with a copy of your academic transcript must be given to Mr. Desmond no later than Thursday, April 24th, 2014, no exceptions.
· The Denis Paul Scholarship – This scholarship was established in 2010 in honor of DBHS’ principal from 1998-2010. The $1000 award is open to any senior who has been a student at DBHS for all four years and exemplifies the principles of community service and academic achievement. This is another one just for us – Brahmas only! Pick up an application in Mr. Desmond’s office. Completed applications along with a copy of your transcript must be submitted to Mr. Desmond no later than May 1st, 2014.
· The Search for Outstanding Filipino-American Students – The Alpha Phi Omega of Greater Los Angeles is searching for outstanding Filipino-American seniors and “awardees will receive monetary scholarship grants and various prizes.” If interested, see Mr. Desmond about the nomination process. Deadline for submission of nominations is May 16th, 2014.
· FIDM Designer of Tomorrow Scholarship – In addition to seven one-year scholarships to FIDM, there are also three opportunities within each category to win “Finalist” scholarships valued at $5000. They are looking for applicants “who are creative thinkers and have an eye for unconventional thinking.” For guidelines and more information, go to http://fidm.edu/en/about/FIDM+National+Scholarship+Competition. Deadline for submission is April 30th, 2014.