SABRE SHOUTOUTS! Important Dates. College Planning Meeting. College Essay Boot Camp

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1 SOUTH MECKLENBURG HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT COLLEGE PLANNING NEWSLETTER FRIDAY, September 29, 2017 Counselors Ms. Kilgo Counselor A Cru j.kilgo@cms.k12.nc.us Ms. Naples Counselor Cu He toni.naples@cms.k12.nc.us Ms. Lewis Counselor Hi Moo brandib.lewis@cms.k12.nc.us Ms. Preacher Counselor Mor Sam kim.preacher@cms.k12.nc.us Ms. Jurusik Counselor San Z amy.jurusik@cms.k12.nc.us Ms. Strickland Counselor 9 th Grade Academy Counselor jd.strickland@cms.k12.nc.us Ms. Thompson Counselor 9 th Grade Academy Counselor tiffany1.thompson@cms.k12.nc.us Mr. Gordon Counselor Academic Enrichment john.gordon@cms.k12.nc.us ** THANK YOU Ms. Stroud, Interim 9 th Grade Academy Counselor for Ms. Thompson while she was out on maternity leave. We truly appreciate all that you have done to support our Sabre students. You will be dearly missed! ** Student Services Website: SABRE SHOUTOUTS! Congratulations to Sara Holmes, Stephen Perle, Moira Ritter, Olivia Sullivan and Hannah Tuckman!! South Meck s school nominees in the UNC-Chapel Hill Morehead-Cain Scholarship competition!! Congratulations to Betsabe Rojas and Paxton Williamson!! South Meck s school nominees in the NC State Park Scholarship competition!! Congratulations to Giselle Barcenes Recipient of a Presidential Scholarship to Wingate University!! Congratulations to Kelsie Schmitz Recipient of an Academic Merit Scholarship to Wingate University!! Congratulations to Abbi Vail Recipient of a Presidential Scholarship to Wingate University!! Important Dates October 3 rd : College Planning Meeting in the SM Auditorium at 6:00 pm (additional information below) October 10 th : Financial Aid Night (presenter from CFNC) in the SM Auditorium at 6:00 pm (additional information below) College Planning Meeting A College Planning Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the South Mecklenburg High School Auditorium. Ms. Claire Kirby, Director of Admissions at UNCC, will share information regarding how colleges make admissions decisions. Parents of all grade level students are invited to attend. College Essay Boot Camp Attention All Juniors and Seniors College is lurking around the corner. Your college essay is an integral component of your college application. Join our boot camp to get your college essay started! What: Our 4-week College Essay Boot Camp will toughen up your college essay and make it college-ready. When: Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. Pick one day each week that best fits your schedule.

2 Week 1 (September 25-29): Topic Selection/Common Application Prompts Week 2 (October 2-6): Writing Tips: What to Do, What to Avoid Week 3 (October 9-13): Bring Your Rough Draft Week 4 (October 16-20): Bring Your Final Draft Time and Locations All sessions are from 2:30 3:00 pm. Locations vary based on workshop day Mondays Mr. Bergeron, Room 1104; Tuesdays Mr. Folk, Room B-1; Thursdays Mrs. Ruckert, Room 1101 Questions? christopher.folk@cms.k12.nc.us. Financial Aid Night Financial Aid Information Night for Seniors and their Parents will be held Tuesday, October 10th at 6:00pm. A financial aid expert from College Foundation of North Carolina will be presenting information on the financial aid process including the FAFSA and how to apply for grants, loans, and scholarships. The meeting will be held in the SM Auditorium. FAFSA DAY Want help completing the FAFSA? College Foundation of North Carolina, the North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and State Employees' Credit Union are offering free programs to help you complete and submit this important form. Financial aid administrators will be available on FAFSA Day, Saturday, October 28 from 9-12 to walk you through the FAFSA process. This event will occur at a variety of campuses throughout the state. Follow this link for more information and to register - Communities in Schools Why CIS? CIS is made for student success! Coordinators are here to help students achieve their goals, whether they want to attend a 2 or 4-year university, a technical school, or start a career after graduation. Coordinators can provide resources and opportunities through their many connections - just ask! Open to students in 9 th 12 th grade, students must have a 2.5 GPA or better, have good attendance and behavior. Please see Mrs. Marta Falcon in E building to get an application or her at marta1.falcon@cms.k12.nc.us for more information. Naviance We are excited to offer our students the opportunity to use Naviance, an important tool that all students at South Meck will use for college and career planning and college applications. Naviance is a great research tool, with links to useful websites relating to colleges, financial aid, NCAA eligibility, and a resume-building tool. In addition, students will use Naviance to order official transcripts for colleges, prepare for requesting a letter of recommendation from your counselor and teachers, and enter your plans for after high school. If your student is a SENIOR and did not receive their username and/or password when we had our Junior Meetings in the Spring, please have them contact their assigned counselor to receive this information. We ve also added a Naviance page to our SM Student Services page. Please visit - for more information!! Attention Class of 2018! Senior meetings began on Tuesday, September 19 th and will run through October 13 th. The purpose of these meetings is to review your graduation checklists, discuss your post high school plans and answer general questions about how else we can support you in your final year of high school. Sign-up sheets have been posted on the bulletin board by the Registrar s desk in the A-building. PLEASE take a picture of your time slot to show your teacher. You are encouraged to choose a time that is most suited to your class

3 schedule however you will be responsible for any class time that you miss. The counselors look forward to working with each of you as we plan for this exciting year and beyond!! Transcripts All transcripts for Colleges and Universities must be requested in Naviance. Additionally, a Transcript Request Form, accompanied by a receipt of payment, must be returned to the main office prior to the counselor processing the request. College Transcript Fees: 1. TWO transcripts will be provided for FREE - SENIORS ONLY!! 2. Additional transcripts are $5.00 per college (exact cash only or pay online). 3. No charge for your midyear transcript or for your final transcript to be sent. 4. Attach your ONLINE SCHOOL PAYMENT receipt to the completed form if payment was made online and return to Ms. Percent in the main office. If paying cash, please see Ms. Percent in the main office with completed form. Payment is due upon request. 5. If you are requesting a fee waiver, please return the form to your assigned Counselor. Scholarship or Other Transcript Fees: 1. Transcripts are $5.00 each for ALL underclassmen (exact cash only). 2. No charge for first 2 transcripts for scholarships or other reason SENIORS ONLY Steps for Sending Transcripts via Naviance: 1. Add colleges/universities to your Naviance account. 2. Link Common Application (if necessary) to your Naviance account. 3. Request transcripts - complete transcript request form and return it to Ms. Percent in the main office. 4. If this symbol appears beside the school name in Naviance, the college/university does not accept transcripts electronically. If this is the case, you must complete the form and return back to Ms. Percent in the main office. A hard copy will be available in the main office within 1 2 school days for you to mail in. REMINDER ALL TRANSCRIPTS and COUNSELOR/TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COLLEGES MUST BE REQUESTED THROUGH NAVIANCE. Opportunities of Interest The Department of Computer Science at UNC Chapel Hill invites classes, groups, and individuals to attend our Middle School/High School Open House. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 30. High school juniors & seniors and parents will have the chance to participate in hands-on demonstrations, visit research labs to find out what computing is all about, and talk with current students about why they chose Computer Science at Carolina. Join us to experience the exciting world of computer science! Registration is required for the info sessions. Click here to register - NC State College of Textiles Open House Saturday, October 14, 2017 Open House is a great way to gather information about the wide variety of resources available to students in the College of Textiles. Come enjoy a full day of events and presentations designed to introduce you to the world of textiles and the many opportunities available to textiles students at NC State. Location College of Textiles Centennial Campus, 1020 Main Campus Dr Raleigh, NC Date and Time Date: Saturday, October 14, 2017, 9:00am 2:00pm. Registration is not required. For more information, please visit Academic Days at East Carolina University Are you interested in the health sciences or engineering and technology? ECU s College of Nursing Academic Days are geared towards seniors and include a general Undergraduate Admissions information session and campus tour, followed by a College of Nursing information

4 session and tour. Dates available are Friday, October 20 and Friday, November 10. ECU is also hosting a College of Nursing Junior Day, geared specifically to high school juniors, on Monday, October 9. ECU s College of Engineering and Technology Academic Days are great for students interested in engineering, technology systems, computer science, or construction management. The day includes a general Undergraduate Admissions information session and campus tour, followed by a College of Engineering and Technology information session and lab tour. Dates available are Friday, October 20 and Friday, November 17. For more information, please visit North Carolina School of Math and Science Residential applications opens Oct. 15th, Jan. 15th, Applicants must currently be in the 10th grade. It is the policy of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics to enroll only students who are legal residents of the State of North Carolina, as defined by G. S , or whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the armed services who is abiding in North Carolina incident to active military duty, provided the student shares the abode of that parent, by December 1 of the school year in which the student applies for admission (the 10th grade year) and who otherwise meet the admissions criteria of the School. All applicants must take the SAT as a sophomore as part of the application process. Applicants do not have to take the SAT before creating an application account. NCSSM does not require the Essay portion of the new SAT. See website for additional information: Scholarship Information All scholarships and applications will be available in Naviance. This includes local and national opportunities. Please visit the Student Services Webpage for additional scholarship information. October Deadlines: Wendy's High School Heisman Scholarship program for seniors involved in athletics throughout their high school years. Maximum award is up to $10, Student must apply by October 2 nd. Go to the website AES Engineers Scholarship - This scholarship will award $500 to the winner(s) each year. Please visit: to apply. Please note that they emphasize that this scholarship in not just for Engineering students. Deadline to enter is October 6 th. Belk Scholarship to Davidson College Davidson College offers the Belk Scholarship for students who possess outstanding intellectual ability and success, leadership experience, commitment to service and overall personal vigor. This highly competitive scholarship covers the comprehensive cost of attending Davidson. Each high school is allowed one nominee for the Belk Scholarship. If more than one student pursues the nomination, the scholarship committee will make the selection based on an application which will be provided. Please see Ms. Jurusik in A113 by October 13th if interested in the school nomination. For more information, please visit Jefferson Scholarship to UVA The University of Virginia offers the Jefferson Scholarship to high school students who possess exceptional ability in scholarship and leadership. This Scholarship is awarded solely based on academic merit. Each high school is allowed one nominee for the Jefferson Scholarship. If more than one student pursues the nomination, the scholarship committee will make the selection based on an application which will be provided. Please see Ms. Lewis in A115 by October 13th if interested in the school nomination. For more information, please visit The Cheatham-White Scholarship to North Carolina A&T and NC Central University The Cheatham- White Scholarship will be established for the Fall 2018 as a merit scholarship program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and North Carolina Central University to provide an outstanding educational experience for students who are exceptional scholars, versatile and well-rounded individuals. Cheatham-White Scholars will represent students with a broad range of interests, proficient in areas of both the arts and sciences, demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to service. Each recipient is a awarded a fully funded four-year scholarship that covers the cost of all of the following: full tuition, student fees,

5 housing, meals, textbooks, a laptop, supplies, travel, and personal expenses. Each scholarship also provides four summers of fully funded enrichment and networking opportunities that may include international travel and study. Please see Ms. Lewis in A115 by October 13th if interested in the school nomination. (Note you may also self-nominate for this scholarship.) For more information, including eligibility requirements, please visit The Horatio Alger Scholarship rewards students who possess the character to succeed in life. To qualify, you must be a high school senior planning to graduate in the upcoming Spring or Summer. You must plan to attend a US college no later than the Fall following graduation and be committed to pursuing and completing a bachelor s degree. You must demonstrate critical financial need, involvement in co-curricular and community activities, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity. You also must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and be a US citizen. Applications are due October 25 th. Please visit and apply yourself. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors each year. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, and their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. It could possibly pay for all of your college expenses! Visit for more information. Applications are due October 31 st. The Danforth Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis honors students who embrace high ideals and whose life choices are guided by personal integrity, selflessness, a commitment to community, and a dedication to leadership and academic excellence. Danforth Scholars may receive full- or partial-tuition scholarships. The scholarship is renewed each year for the duration of the degree program, provided the scholar progresses academically and upholds the high standards of character required of scholars. The Program is open to prospective graduate or undergraduate students applying to Washington University. Undergraduates must be nominated to receive consideration. Interested students, please see Ms. Lewis in A115 by October 31 st. November Deadlines: Ron Brown Scholar Program - The Ron Brown Scholar Program seeks to identify African-American high school seniors who will make significant contributions to society. Applicants must excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need. For more information, and to apply, visit Deadline for early applicants is November 1 st. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. Created in 1995 by Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the program honors middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state and national level. Thus far, it has recognized more than 120,000 young people who ve made a difference and inspired countless others to consider how they might contribute to their communities. The Spirit of Community Awards program also honors youth volunteers in countries outside the U.S. where Prudential has a significant presence: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, India, China, Brazil and Poland. To be eligible, you must: be in grades 5-12 as of November 7 be a legal resident of any U.S. state or Washington, D.C. have engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred during the 12 months prior to the date of the application submit a completed application to a school or the head of an official designated local organization by Nov 7 Student application due on Nov. 7th, See website for more details: December Deadlines: The Catawba College Teacher Education Department and The Ritchie Academy for Teaching offers the West Teaching Scholarship at the Catawba College Academy for Teaching. The scholarship is a yearly award of $2,500 in addition to any other academic scholarships for which the student is eligible. The Academy provides

6 a wealth of experiences including early field experiences, excursions and professional networking. The West Teaching Scholars application is located at the following link: The deadline for submitting applications is December 1, In order to be eligible for the West Scholarship, students must have applied to and have been accepted to Catawba College. South Meck College Visits Upcoming college visits will be posted and updated in Naviance. Please see Ms. Snipes in the Media Center for more information. College Day Request Form Info Students wishing to take a college day need to pick up the College Day Request Form in the Main Office. Juniors and seniors are allowed two of these visits per semester. The student will fill out the top three lines, get a parent signature and return the form to the office for Dr. Furr s signature. This form must be picked up prior to the college day visit. A portion of the form must be filled out during your college visit and the form must be returned to the office upon your return to school. SAT and ACT Information All SAT and ACT tests, with the exception of the ACT given in March of their junior year, are registered for individually by the student. Tests are given 6-7 times per year on Saturday mornings at various locations throughout Charlotte, including South Meck. Registration deadlines are about one month before test dates. For information on registering for and taking the SAT, please visit: For information on registering for and taking the ACT, please visit: If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you may be eligible for fee waivers to take these tests. Contact Elaine Miller at or elaine.miller@cms.k12.nc.us for more information.