College is definitely not the same as high school! You might’ve thought you got away with putting in half the effort in high school, but college will take 200% of the effort. These are some tips that will help in this transition from high school to college. Some of these I’m sure you’ve heard, and some you probably haven’t, but either way pay attention!

1. Attend a summer bridge program! These are programs during the summer before your freshman year that help under-represented students like us get ready for college. Just about every college has them. Once you get accepted, you may automatically be accepted into one. If not, contact the admissions office and ask about them. The lengths and activities of them vary and some colleges have more than one, but just go to one. Summer bridge programs help you familiarize yourself with your future college: some offer academic classes, college readiness and study skill workshops, and social activities. If THAT doesn’t convince you, at least go so you can get a head start on making new friends. THAT’S A BONUS. Oh, and don’t worry most colleges offer some type of financial aid for them.

I personally did not go to a summer bridge program, and I regretted it all through my first quarter and still do! The worst part was that many of the people I met already had a lot of friends since they had attended a summer bridge program. Also, some programs allow you to earn units so you can get a head start. If I had a second chance, I would definitely want to attend a summer bridge program.

2. Choose first quarter or semester classes wisely. Make sure that you’re careful when choosing your 1stquarter or semester classes. REMEMBER this is your transitioning quarter or semester, so don’t try to jump into college head first! Try to make sure your schedule is evenly rationed in reading, writing, math, etc. and don’t’ think you HAVE TO start your quarter off by taking all major requirement classes as those are usually intense.

I made the horrible decision of taking all intense classes my first quarter thinking I didn’t want to waste any time and this resulted in me having a horrible and stressful first quarter. All of my classes were intense and rigorous, and I was not yet ready for that much so my attitude towards the school and my grades reflected that.

3. Use campus tutoring programs. Make sure to make use of your campus’s tutoring programs! All colleges have them. All you have to do is ask around or google it! The tutoring sessions are usually free, and professors and teaching assistants offer free tutoring as well. Even if you’re confident in a subject, it never hurts to review!

I have been using the free tutoring program since day one at this school and it has been a huge help! The tutoring program even offers extra classes to go over lectures and more and many give final review sessions which definitely come in handy!

4. Make a schedule. Keep a schedule of all important dates regarding school including: pass times, last day to change grade options, fee deadlines, FAFSA, office hours, last day to drop classes, etc. Remember if you miss deadlines, and withdraw from a class, a W goes on your record forever

I do this by putting reminders on my calendar in my cell phone but planners and post- it notes work too just make sure it’s somewhere you will pay attention to. This is really helpful because most of the time you will be super busy and you might not remember deadlines or office hours because time flies so make sure to do this. You don’t want to regret forgetting a deadline to something important.

5. Choose class times wisely. If you were not a morning person in high school, don’t think you can’t be in college! Choose your class times very carefully. So maybe your mom got you to high school at 8 a.m. for 4 years but your mom will not be there to wake you up in the college dorms. Try not to take 8 a.m. classes if you know you have a hard time waking up unless it is completely necessary (some classes offer different hours a day).

I thought that even though I’ve never been a morning person, since I usually made it on time to school in high school I could do it in college. I mean why not right I’ve been doing it every day since elementary school. Well I enrolled in two 8 a.m. classes and I learned it was a very bad decision. Since no one was there to push me to wake me up I would over sleep, or be half asleep in class, or sometimes not make it at all. I have definitely learned my lesson.

6. Get involved. Remember, college is about academics but it is also about broadening your horizons by making new friends and networking. Join clubs, attend events, and visit the endless amount of centers (women’s center, health center, student resource, career services). This will make your first quarter or semester much more enjoyable and will help you meet some of the older students who can give you advice on classes, professors, assignments, etc.

I joined an organization a couple weeks into my first quarter, and at first I was shy but finally I decided to attend a meeting and I loved it! The girls were a great support system when I was having a hard time academically and socializing helped to have something to do to get my mind off stressful things. Sometimes you might not be as lucky and love an organization on your first meeting, but there are many diverse clubs at every campus. You’re bound to love at least one!

7. Set boundaries. Make sure to make your boundaries clear with your roommate or roommates within the first week. This means making sure they will know what they can and can’t borrow, how to handle visitors, study and bedtime expectations, etc.

My roommate and I had this discussion in the beginning of the year and even though we still have to have many discussions it is a lot easier to do after the first one.

8. Keep family ties. Make sure to stay in contact with your family. You may think you want to be independent from your parents but you will soon learn that you will miss their support and comfort so make sure to stay in contact. They can visit you. You can visit them. They are still there for you.

I talk to my parents everyday sometimes for a minute and sometimes for about half an hour depending on how my day I going. I love being able to have someone who I know loves me listen to me.

9. Use office hours. Visit your teacher’s assistant’s and/ or professor’s office hours! These are one of the least used resources. I already talked about this a little but this is very important because you can learn a lot at office hours and ask questions that you would not be able to ask in a lecture hall. Also, you can gain an advantage over other students because if you have a more familiar relationship with T.A.’s and professors they will usually offer you more help of give you more of any idea of what’s going to be on exams.

I don’t always follow this tip, but I know that when I have visited office hours I never regret it. Whenever I have visited office hours, I have never had to wait to see the professor of t.a. because there is usually no one there! Once a teacher’s assistant actually told me what I should focus my studying on for a midterm.

10. Make friends with your hall mates. As first years you’re bound to have some of the same classes so it will help you to have people in your residence halls to study with.

I made good friends with my hall mates and found it really helpful to study in groups and to bounce ideas off of each other when writing papers. Lastly, HAVE FUN! College is what you make of it. So go in with an open mind and ready to work hard and have fun.

1)   Teacher selection process

1. Many colleges ask you to submit one or two letters of recommendation from teachers. Prioritize your top and your second choices as you will have to rank them on the common application.
2. Colleges prefer teachers who have known you most recently-ideally an 11th grade teacher or a teacher who has had you more than once.
3. They want teachers from core area-English, Social Studies, Science, Math and Foreign Language. Special schools will want extra letters from arts teachers.
4. Choose teachers who know you the best in terms of academic work, intellectual potential, and class participation. Also choose teachers who are known to write great letters and submit all materials on time.
5. ASK TEACHERS AS SOON AS YOU CAN SENIOR YEAR!!! You can even ask the end of junior year and track any junior teachers who leave the school.

2)   College Counselor selection process

1. Many colleges want a high school counselor to write a letter.
2. Find out how your school assigns the counselor who writes this letter.
3. Once you determine this counselor, go speak with him or her as often as possible.

3)   Deadlines

1. Develop a list of your colleges, recommendation requirements, and deadlines.
2. Ask your school and teachers their requirements for recommendations.
3. Give teachers and counselors at least one month to write letters.
4. Remind them a week before and/or before the Christmas holidays.

4)   Brag Sheets and other materials to give teachers and counselors

1. Submit a cover letter with your list of colleges and deadlines thanking the teachers and counselors in advance for agreeing to write the recommendations.
2. Fill out any brag sheet teachers or counselors ask you to complete with great focus and many details as many counselors will not know you that well.
3. Use this opportunity to also mention any qualities, details, class remembrances or pertinent facts that need to be included in the letter or letters.
4. Provide everyone with a copy of your résumé. Mention in your letter that this copy is strictly for their usage and should not be mailed with the letter of recommendation.

5)   Submission Types

1. Some colleges want you to submit all your paperwork online and some still use paper versions. 
2. Some of your teachers and counselors may be stubborn about submitting online so you may have to find paper versions. But really encourage them to do them online. It is so much easier as you only need to enter their email addresses and teachers submit everything online.
3. Pros of online submissions-Teachers and counselors only write one letter.
4. Cons of online submissions-Teachers and counselors only write one letter which means that they do not tailor it for different colleges.

6)    Online Submission Process

1. All schools on the common application accept online teacher letters.
2. You need to enter your teachers’ and counselors email addresses so find out the ones that they will check regularly.
3. Make sure your teachers and counselors receive the email request from the common application.
4. If your school uses Naviance, sign the waiver to allow everyone to submit the forms. 
5. You can check on the common application and on many college websites when letters are submitted.

7)   Paper Submissions

1. Submit your list of colleges and all due dates.
2. Include your cover letters and supporting materials.
3. Provide the teacher with the necessary form and instructions attached to your letter. Be sure to fill-out all information listed on the form that the student is required to complete. If the school provides no form, mention to the teacher in the letter that no specific form is used and to please create his or her own recommendation.
4. Provide a stamped and addressed envelope for each college. Put the school’s address as your return address.
5. Provide a self-addressed, stamped postcard that you insert into the college envelope that you have provided for the teacher. The postcard says, “Dear (Your Name), (Name of College) has received your recommendation from (Name of Teacher).” The college will know to send you the postcard as soon as the recommendation arrives.

8)    Additional Letters

1. Select extra letters very carefully.  Do not overwhelm a school.
2. Select a person who knows your leadership and initiative and covers an area you feel your application does not cover fully. They should know you personally.
3. Some schools state they will take extra letters. Dartmouth takes a peer letter. Stanford takes one extra letter. Arts supplements take extra letters.

9)    Little Extras

1. Give your teachers and counselors a thank you note and perhaps a gift card to Starbucks, iTunes, or Amazon.

Tip 1. College essays are fourth in importance behind grades, test scores, and the rigor of completed coursework in many admissions office decisions (NACAC, 2009). Don’t waste this powerful opportunity to share your voice and express who you really are to colleges. Great life stories make you jump off the page and into your match colleges.

Tip 2. Develop an overall strategic essay writing plan. College essays should work together to help you communicate key qualities and stories not available anywhere else in your application.

Tip 3. Keep a chart of all essays required by each college, including short responses and optional essays. View each essay or short response as a chance to tell a new story and to share your core qualities.

Tip 4. Look for patterns between colleges essay requirements so that you can find ways to use essays more than once. This holds true for scholarship essays.

Tip 5. Plan to share positive messages and powerful outcomes. You can start with life or family challenges. You can describe obstacles you have overcome. You can reflect on your growth and development, including accomplishments and service. College admissions officers do not read minds, so tell them your powerful life stories.

Tip 6. Always write in the first person. Remember, these are autobiographical essays, even when you talk about other people. Remember the colleges are looking to accept you, not your relatives. So use the one third and two thirds rule. If you choose to write about someone or something else, you must show how it affected you for the majority of the essay. Your essays show colleges why you belong on college campuses and share how you will enrich diverse communities.

Tip 7. Tell unique stories that only belong to you. Follow Dr. Joseph’s Into, Through, and Beyond approach. Lead the reader INTO your story with a powerful beginning—a story, an experience. Take them THROUGH your story with the context and keys parts of your story. Make sure the reader understands your initiative, leadership, development, and continuity. End with the BEYOND message about how this story has affected who you are now and who you want to be in college and potentially after college.  The beyond can be implied in many pieces that are so strong that moralizing at the end is not necessary.

• It is not just the story that counts.
• It’s the choice of qualities a student wants the college to know about herself

Tip 8. Use active writing: avoid passive sentences and incorporate power verbs. Show when possible; tell when summarizing.

Tip 9. Have trusted inside and impartial outside readers read your essays. Make sure you have no spelling or grammatical errors.

Tip 10. Most importantly, make yourself come alive throughout this process. Write about yourself as passionately and powerfully as possible. Be proud of your life and accomplishments. Sell yourself!!!

Fall 2010 Diversity College Visits.

Fall 2010 Diversity College Visits

This is a list of the many colleges that host diversity college visits for high school seniors this fall. Thanks to Johanna Villanueva, U Penn. Class of2015, a first generation college goer for researching this list as well as Latinos in College for some of the college names. The second is a list of open houses at diversity friendly colleges with no travel funds available.

*(D)= A diversity weekend that covers all costs for all students who are accepted. These programs are competitive and require applications.

(D) (TG) = A diversity weekend that can offer travel grants for some students.

(TG)= Traditional Weekends with some travel grants available.

You can go to getmetocollege.org/hs and see a expanded list that also includes open houses at schools friendly to diverse students but which do not offer funded or specialized weekends.

Amherst College-*(D)

Amherst, Massachusetts 

Program: Diversity Open-house Weekend

• Two Weekends Available. September 25-27, 2010 & October 23-25, 2010
• Application deadlines: Priority- August 2. Regular- August 20.
• To get application: email Dale Hendricks, Associate Dean of Admission/Director of Diversity Outreach
• dhendricks@amherst.edu; 413-542-2328
• For more information, visit https://www.amherst.edu/admission/diversity/divoh

Barnard College-(TG)

New York, New York, All Women’s College

Program: Barnard Bound, Oct 24-25

• Application deadline: September 28th
• Students must be nominated
•  For more info/To get application: contact Rebeca Palacio
•  rpalacio@barnard.edu/212 854 2014
•  Please call Rebeca for questions on travel aid.

Bates College-(TG)

Lewiston,Maine

Program: Prologue to Bates: Two Weekends available

• Application deadline: September 10 for October 10-12 Visit.
• Application deadline: October 8 for November 14-16 Visit.
• To get application: email Luis C.  Martinez, Assistant Dean of Admissions for application
• lmartinez@bates.edu; 207-786-6000
• Scholarships are offered to students who need travel assistance.

Bryn Mawr-(TG)

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, All Women’s College

Program: Fall Preview, Oct 23 and Nov 13

• Application Deadline: September 23 for both Fall Preview and Travel Scholarship
• Contact: Ms. Nate Hall; nhall02@brynmawr.edu
• For more info: http://www.brynmawr.edu/admissions/fpd_travel.shtml

Bucknell University-(TG)

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Program: Across Extremes/Issues of the 21st Century

• A free Conference for HS seniors, Oct 21-23
• For more info: http://www.bucknell.edu/x21409.xml
• To register: http://www.bucknell.edu/x21411.xml
• Travel aid may be offered upon request.

Carnegie Mellon University-(D) (TG)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Program: Celebration of Diversity Weekend (Nov 13-15)

• Requirements: have at least a 3.3 GPA on an unweighted 4.0 scale and at least a combined SAT score of 1700 or ACT score of 25.
• Registration Deadline is Oct 28.Registration will be available online mid Sept: http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/admission/cod/register.html
• Note: There is a fee of $50 when registering.  If you believe you qualify for a fee waiver, contact the admissions office and ask to speak to the event’s coordinator: (412) 268-2082
• Students with financial need: You may qualify for travel assistance, if you meet the requirements.  Please indicate your need for travel assistance when registering.
• Visit http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/admission/cod/travel.html for further conditions for receiving travel assistance.
• Contact the Admissions Office if you have any questions or visit http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/admission/cod/index.html

University of Chicago-(TG)

Chicago, Illinois

Program: Overnight Visits

• Available only to HS seniors. Thursday of Fridays in Oct, Nov, Jan, and Feb.
• Recommended: make reservations three weeks in advance and before you make travel arrangements: 773-702-8650.
•  For more info and to fill out an overnight waiver: http://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/visiting/campusvisits/overnights.shtml

Colgate University-(D) (TG)

Hamilton, New York

Program: Multicultural Open house (Oct 24-25)

• Application must be received no later than Oct 6
• You can find the application here: http://offices.colgate.edu/admission/Open%20House/Open%20House%20Application%202010.htm and you will be notified of your admission to the event by Oct 13 via email.
• Space is limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply ASAP.
• If you have any questions, visit http://www.colgate.edu/admission/diversityandadmission/openhouse or contact the Office of Admission at (315) 228-7401 or via e-mail at admission@colgate.edu.
• Travel assistance available for a limited number of students who demonstrate need. Indicate need on application. If you have any further questions regarding travel assistance, contact the ALANA Cultural Center at 315 228 7330

Colorado College- (*D)                                                                            

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Program: Multicultural Open House, November 6-8

• Application Deadline: Oct 11
• Application can be found here, https://coloradocollege.edu.185r.net/survey/?c=&id=252
• If you are accepted to attend the event, Colorado College will pay your transportation expenses (airfare or mileage or gas) up to $500. If you travel with one or both of your parents, we offer an additional subsidy, of up to $500, for their transportation expenses and provide complimentary accommodations at a nearby hotel.
• If you have any questions, please contact Anna Jaquez, Assistant Director of Admission at: (719) 389-6944 or Carlos Jimenez, Assistant Director of Admission at: (719) 389-6054.
•  For more info, visit http://www.coloradocollege.edu/admission/visiting/MulticulturalOpenHouse.asp

Connecticut College-(TG)

New London, Connecticut

Program:  Explorer Weekend Nov 6-8

• You can find the application here: http://conncoll.edu/admission/adm_explore.htm on the Explore 2010 Brochure
• Deadline is Oct 8
• For more info, contact: Djiara Meehan, Associate Director of Admission and Coordinator of Multicultural Admissions
• Office of Admission  Tel: 888-553-8760; email: Djiara.Meehan@conncoll.edu
• Contact Dijara also regarding travel assistance. Aid is limited, so call ASAP.

George Washington University-(D) (TG)

Washington, DC

Program: Multicultural Open Houses (Oct 28 & 29)

• To register, visit: https://gwapplication.gwu.edu/login/login.cfm  and create an account, then RSVP to this event.
• If you require travel assistance, please indicate the need when registering. There is a limited number of travel assistance scholarships.
• For more information, visit: http://www.gwu.edu/apply/undergraduateadmissions/visitgw/openhousesevents/multiculturalopenhouses

Grinnell College-*(D)

Grinnell, Iowa 

Program: Diversity Preview Program, Oct 28-30

• Application Deadline: Sept 24
• For more info and for the application, visit http://www.grinnell.edu/admissionvisit/gdlp
• OR call the Office of Admission at 800-247-0113 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.(central).

Hamilton College-*(D)

Clinton, New York

Program: Diversity Overnight (Oct 10-11, Nov 7-8)

• Prospective seniors can apply in the beginning of their fall semester by completing the application, which will be available later this month.
• Contact AssociateDean of Students for Diversity and Accessibility; 315-859-4021
• diversity@hamilton.edu
• email Kyra Young regarding travel aid kyoung@hamilton.edu

Harvey Mudd College-(TG)

Claremont, California

 Program: Future Achievers of Science and Technology, Sept 10-11

• Deadline August 16
• For more information, visit:  http://www.hmc.edu/admission1/fastprogram/fast1/fallfast.html

Illinois Wesleyan University-(D) (TG)

Bloomington, Illinois

 Program: Fall Multicultural, Dates TBD (Thurs-Sat)

• Call Kahair early Sept after Labor day for registration and financial aid for travel: 309 556 1044
• Program: Faculty Open House days, Oct 11 & Nov 13
• Call admissions office to set up your campus visit at 1-800-332-2498 For more information and to register, visit http://iwu.edu/admissions/visit/openhouse.shtml

Kalamazoo College-*(D)

Kalamazoo, Michigan

 Program: Crash the Campus, Nov 14-15

• Application found online: http://kzoo.edu/admission/Crash2010Application.pdf
• Deadline to submit application is Oct25. Send application via email (Hillary.teague@kzoo.edu) or fax (269-337-7390).
• At least half of your travel costs will be subsidized. If you would like to be considered for a full travel subsidy, please have your counselor give you a copy of a college application fee waiver (from NACAC, ACT or similar source), which will then be applied to your Kalamazoo College application.
• For more info, visit http://kzoo.edu/admission/?p=crash

Kenyon College-(D) (TG)

Gambier, Ohio

 Program: Cultural Connections, Nov 13-15

• To register, call 800 848 2468 (ask for Kim Totman)
• Deadline is Nov 3. Register ASAP. Space is limited.
• Also, check out Kenyon’s Trustee Opportunity Travel grant for financial aid: http://www.kenyon.edu/x1697.xml
• Call Kim if you have any questions about this program as well.

Lafayette University (D)

Easton, Pennsylvania

 Program: Multicultural visit day, Nov 10- 8:30am-5pm

• No deadline
• For more information and to register, visit http://calendar.lafayette.edu/node/221

Lehigh University (*D)

• Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• Invitation only. Submit your info now.

 Program: Diversity Achievers Program (DAP), Oct 24 and 25

•  Application Deadline is Wed, Sept 22.
• Students must be invited to the event.
• If you are not on the university’s mailing list already, please join it by submitting your info here: http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/mail
• There is no guarantee that you will be invited. Invitations will be mailed soon with links to downloadable forms that must be completed.
• Required Items to submit:

1. DAP Application
2. (Unofficial) transcript
3. SAT/ACT results
4. Personal Essay (option to submit it in the online application): Describe how you plan to contribute to a diverse campus community
5. Counselor Evaluation
6. Overnight Agreement
7. Student Response Form

http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/visit/dap.aspx                               or call (610) 758-3102.

 Middlebury College-*(D)

Middlebury, Vermont

Program: Discover Middlebury (Multicultural Weekend), Oct 24-26

• Application Deadline is Sept 17.
• Application can be found here: http://www.middlebury.edu/admissions/visit/programs/discomiddapp
• If you have any questions, please call 802-443-3000 or visit http://www.middlebury.edu/admissions/visit/programs

Mt. Holyoke College-*(D)

South Hadley, Massachusetts, All Women’s College 

Program: Focus on Diversity (Nov 7-8)

• Please register here: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/admission/diversity_registration.html
• You can also register for Transportation to the event at: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/admission/diversity_registration.html
• For more information, visit http://www.mtholyoke.edu/admission/diversity.html or contact the Admissions Office at 413 538 2023

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill- D (TG?)    

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Program: Hispanic/Latino Student Recruitment Day, Oct 15-17

• For more information, visit http://www.unc.edu/diversity/prospective/hispanicrecruitmentweekend.html in early Sept. No information is yet posted.
• Please contact the Multicultural Programs Coordinator Josmell Perez, B.A. Email: josmell@unc.edu; Phone: 919-843-5517

Oberlin College and Conservatory-*(D)

Oberlin, Ohio

• Program: Multicultural Visit Program, Oct 7-9 ( SAT date), Nov 11-13, & Dec 2-4 (SAT date)
• Must be a student of color, interested in a liberal arts Education
• Application is due

1. Sept 10 for Oct dates
2. Oct 15 for Nov dates
3. Nov 5 for Dec dates

• The application consists of multiple parts:
• The application form, which can be found here: https://hera.cc.oberlin.edu/coladm/mvp/app.html

1. Completed and signed Counselor Form
2. High School Transcript (unofficial copies are acceptable)
3. SAT / ACT / PSAT Scores
4. Statement of Financial Responsibility

• For more information, visit http://www.oberlin.edu/admissions/mvp/index.shtml  or contact 800-622-OBIE (6243)8:30am – 5pm EST

University of Puget Sound-(TG)

Tacoma, Washington

 Program: Fall Campus Day, Sept 25

• Visit this page for more on campus visits http://www.pugetsound.edu/admission/visit/ .

• To arrange your visit and to register, just look for the date you want to come on this page http://em.422x.com/PugetSound/Admission/
• Travel aid offered upon request. Please call admissions office. 253.879.3211 or 800.396.7191.

Pomona College-*(D)

Pomona, California

 Program: MSAP Weekend, Oct 1-4 and Nov 12-15

• Application Deadlines: for Oct. 1-4–Sept 8
• Application Deadlines for November 12-15–Oct 12
• To access application, email Aurora Ignacio at Aurora.Ignacio@pomona.edu

Reed College-*(D)

Portland, Oregon 

Program: Multicultural Scholars Preview Days (November11-13)

• Application Deadline: Oct 1
• You can find the application form at http://www.reed.edu/apply/mspd/how.html
• You must also turn in:
• Essay     Please write an essay on your desire to attend Reed College’s Multicultural Scholar Preview Days and attach it to your application (250  words minimum).
• High School Transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)
• SAT, ACT or PSAT Scores
• If you have any questions, call 1-800-547-4750

St. Ambrose University-(TG)

Davenport, Iowa

Program: Overnight Visits, Sept 26-27, Oct 24-25, Nov 14-15

• Registration has not opened online. You can register either via online of contacting admissions office in early Sept.
• Admissions office: 563-333-6000
• Program: Fall Open House (Oct 11, 23, 29, Nov 12, 19)
• Online registration available online starting in Sept.
• For more information about visiting the campus, contact Vicki Hruby, our campus visit coordinator, 800/383-2627 or 563/333-6300.
• Travel aid offered upon request. Please contact Vicki Hruby.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-(BUS TG)

Troy, NewYork

Program: Science, Technology, Arts at Rensselaer (STAR), Oct 28-30

•  Apply to this program here: https://apply.rpi.edu/register/?id=ba4b1d0f552f44ad95f0a14e75d6f308
•  For more info (travel, etc), visit http://admissions.rpi.edu/STAR/or call the Admissions Office at (518) 276-6216
•  NOFLY INS. Only bus transportation.

Scripps College-*(D)

Claremont, California, All Women’s College

Program: Multicultural Outreach: Discover Scripps, Sept 26-27

• Deadline to submit online application is September 1.
• Link to application: https://scrippscollege.edu.185r.net/survey/index.php?time=2009-09-21%2009:00:00&filter=&id=124&timeID=151
• Travel Grants are available for students who live more than 150 miles away and who need financial assistance getting to campus. Indicate need for travel assistance on application.
• For more info, visit
• http://www.scrippscollege.edu/admission/discover-scripps.php

Smith College-*(D)

Northampton, Massachusetts, All Women’s College

Program: Women of Distinction, Nov 12-14

• Application must be received by Sept24. Applicants will be notified in writing Oct 8.
• Application can be downloaded here: http://www.smith.edu/admission/wod/download.php
• For more information, visit http://www.smith.edu/admission/wod/

Swarthmore College-*(D)

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Program: Discover Swarthmore! Oct 2-4.

• Note: Applications for this program will be accepted until Friday, Aug 20.
• Follow this link to the http://www.swarthmore.edu/admissions/discovery_app.phpand apply ASAP.
• For more information about this event, visit http://www.swarthmore.edu/x6252.xml.
• School will cover all expenses of students invited to the event.

Tufts University-(D) (TG)                                                                                      

Medford, Massachusetts

Program: Voices of Tufts: The Diversity Experience, Oct 28th -29th

• Registration will be available in early September.
• For more info and to register, visit: http://admissions.tufts.edu/?pid=168&c=180
• If you have any questions and for travel assistance info, please call 617 627 3170

Vanderbilt University                                                                              

 Nashville, Tennessee

Program:  Diverse VU, November 2010-(D) (Some TG)

• Registration for this event will be open in Fall of 2010.
• Please visit http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/diverse-admissions-program.php for more info and for registration
• The university has a Travel reimbursement program. There is only a $200 reimbursement. Please contact Brandi Smith for the form and any questions regarding this program. Email: brandi.smith@vanderbilt.edu

University of Vermont-(TG)

Burlington, Vermont

Program: Discovering UVM, October10–12, October 24–26, & November 7–9

Deadline for application:

• Sept 25 for Oct 10
• Oct 9 for Oct 24
• Oct 25 for Nov 7

Application consists of:

1. Parental Consent form
2. High school transcript signed by guidance counselor
3. Recommendation from guidance counselor or teacher
4. Travel Grant, if applying for one
5. Completed Application

• You can apply for a travel grant in the form for the application.
• If you have any questions, contact John Austin at 802-656-2915
• Or email: John.Austin@uvm.edu
• You can find the application here: http://www.uvm.edu/admissions/undergraduate/visiting/?Page=discover.html
• Application must be mailed to:

       University of Vermont, Office of Admissions

       194 South Prospect St Burlington, Vermont 05401

Washington & Lee University-(D) (Group TG)

Lexington, Virginia

• Email Erin Hutchinson for information on Multicultural events in the fall: ehutchinson@wlu.edu
• Fly-ins only available for groups of minority, low-income students, not individual. 

Wesleyan College-(TG)

Middletown, Connecticut

Program: Fall Open House Oct 11, Nov 11

• Visit http://wesleyan.edu/admission/visiting_campus/open_house.htmlfor more info.
• Make sure to look into the Transportation Assistance Program for travel aid (only for Open House) http://wesleyan.edu/admission/visiting_campus/travel_assistance.html
• If you have questions about the Transportation Assistance Program, please contacttap@wesleyan.edu
• Program: Overnight Stays
• Program operates mid-September through the beginning of December, Sun- Thurs.
• To arrange your visit, call Loreen Carta at (860) 685-2974 or Laura McQueeney at(860) 685-2972. For more info, go to http://wesleyan.edu/admission/visiting_campus/overnight_stays.html

Whitman College-*(D)

Walla Walla, Washington

Program: Scholarship Program, Oct 7-8 & Nov 11-12

• Application Deadline: for Oct 7-8–Sept17
• Application Deadline for November11-12–Oct 8
• The application is available here: http://www.whitman.edu/content/admission/visiting/vsp/vsp_app
• Limited event: approximately 85 students each date
• For more info, contact Alana Kaholokula- 877-462-9448 or kaholoas@whitman.edu

Williams College-*(D)

Williamstown, Massachusetts

Program: Windows on Williams

• Application deadline: August 20 for two possible weekends: September 30-October 2 and October 21-October 23
• To get application, email Sarah Varno, Office of Admission, for application: sarah.j.varno@williams.edu
• You must mail application with transcript-unofficial is okay. Or you can fax it.

Seniors, please apply for these amazing college visits. See my new posting.

The Common Application is the free online application that centralizes most private and many public college applications. Follow these ten tips to get you started.

Tip 1 Sign up today!!! It just came online August 1. https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx. Seniors and Transfers. Also teachers and counselors can make accounts to see what students must do. If you use Naviance, you can connect the two.

Tip 2 Account Set Up,

• Use an email address you check often.
• Set up an easy user name and password. Your user name and password are okay.
• Text yourself and save in a million places your user name and password.

Tip 3 Overall Application. You can keep changing info until the minute you submit the application. So don’t worry. You can go back and make changes. You must fill in items that have a yellow dot in front. You can leave non yellow dot items blank.

Tip 4 Left hand column. Learn that left hand column is the links to each core section of application.

Tip 5 Future Plans. Each colleges asks for different info so don’t freak out. You can

Tip 6 My Colleges. Click on it. Add all your college choices. You will see core information about each college. Application. Supplemental. Payments. School Forms. School Details.

Tip 7 Supplements. Click on this tab on left. You will see information about supplements for each college on your list. Start a master list of the supplemental short and long essays. Color code overlapping prompts.

Tip 8 Activities. Put in order of your most important activities and jobs. Make sure to express leadership and initiative in the one line. If you have more than the allotted number of activities, you can combine some common activities or put extras under additional information.

Tip 9 Writing. Start working on essays now. Use my into, through, and beyond approach for both long and short (activity) essays. Grab readers attention!!! You have 1000 characters for short. You upload the long essay but try to keep it to one page.

Tip 10 School Forms. These are the forms for your counselor and teachers. Most schools ask for you to do these forms online and control the number of teacher letters so select your best teacher as teacher one.

1. Register for fall testing! SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT. Take a test again or twice this fall. See below for additional testing notes.

2. Take the most challenging classes possible. Clear up deficiencies by the end of the school year at the latest.

3. Begin college application complete. Begin completing the Common Application which comes online August 1. The UC and CSU applications come online October 1. Other public colleges come online soon.

4. Visit or contact colleges. Contact admissions and diversity admissions representatives. Schedule fall visits. Visit classes. Take tours. Spend the night. Always take notes and send thank you emails or letters.

5. Begin writing college essays. See my essay tips. http://getmetocollege.org/hs/application-essay-tips/application-essay-writing-tips

6. Find scholarships. Begin researching scholarships at particular colleges and for particular groups. See my scholarship tips. http://getmetocollege.org/hs/financial-aid/scholarships

7. Develop a master chart. Put together a master chart of your colleges with info about deadlines, passwords, requirements, interviews, and local campus visits in your area. THE UCs and CSUS are due November 30, drop dead last date.

8. Continue with leadership and initiative in activities, jobs, and service.

9. Make a resume. Make a resume to bring with you to interviews. See my resume tips.

10. Contact teachers and counselors in August. Ask your teachers and counselors early to write you recommendations for applications, scholarships, and EOP.

Additional testing notes:

There are fee waivers for two test dates for each and every test!!! You’ll do better if you prepare.

You can take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests in October, November, and December. http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-dates

You can take the SAT or up to three SAT Subject Tests per test date. http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html

Even schools to which you apply rolling or the state schools will accept December scores.

You can send scores out free to four schools. Use CSU Mentor for all CSU campuses. If you run out of free schools, private colleges may let your counselor fax them scores. But make sure.

1. Four year colleges want your child!!!. There are so many colleges that desperately want your child. Don’t under-match your child’s potential. Latino parents in particular, please, please realize the value of a four year college education and the value of letting your children apply to colleges that will push them academically. College is the best gift you will ever give your child.

2. Push your children to find colleges that offer them opportunities to develop through academics, activities, culture, and community.

3. Be brave. Let your child look for colleges outside of where you live. You came here for the future so let the future shape your child. Children, especially girls who go away to four year colleges come back stronger and more committed to their families, communities, and society.

4. Visit colleges. Look at the dorms. Look at the resources. Let your child travel to colleges during their summers through special programs, such as Upward Bound, Gear Up, and special college specific programs. Many colleges will pay all expenses for first generation and under-represented students to come visit before, during, after the college admissions process.

5. Find Diversity. Find the diversity and multicultural outreach professionals at each college. They will talk to you and your child.

6. Go to college fairs, especially diversity oriented ones. Speak with officials about the programs they offer for your child. Try to learn as much about the different programs and scholarships they offer.

7. Apply for Free money. Find about about special scholarships (free money) for your child at the college and outside of the college. In fact, the less you make, the better in the college admissions process. Most colleges won’t ask you to pay that much in loans, and in fact, each dollar you borrow is worth so much more. The UCs introduced the Blue and Gold plan and other private colleges offer all kinds of financial aid packages.

8. Find great programs. Encourage your child to find colleges with the best majors and programs for them. If your child wants to be a nurse, then find a college with good nursing programs and support programs such as EOP. If your child wants to be a writer or doctor or lawyer, then let them go to great colleges. If your child doesn’t know that is okay, then look for other issues such as size, activities, course choices, diversity programs.

9. Meet role models. I know that students can pay for college and pay for it through full scholarships. Williams and Martin talked about it on college week live that presents great free advice. http://www.collegeweeklive.com/. If you’d like to speak with them, there are my facebook friend. Williams goes to Boston College and Martin to Villanova. They are both the first in their families to go to college, and they are soaring!!!

10. Create your and their future through college. View your child’s education as your education and your future. Find colleges that want them and can push them to new levels. Be a college matchmaker for your child. Ask for help in finding the right college as there are so many people out to help you and your child!!!

The more competitive the college, the more the college expects you to be a member of your community and to use your summer wisely and powerfully. The older you get the more they expect you to show leadership and initiative. They want to see continuity–that you really spend time with your activities and grow with them.

So find ways to continue with current interests, explore new ones, and begin to show your commitment, leadership, and initiative. Being active during the summer makes you a better person and helps you experience things that you can’t do during the regular school year.

Academics:

Summer School or Skills Centers:

• Colleges just don’t want you to just make up bad grades but if you have Ds and Fs make up these classes as soon as p
• You can fulfill high school graduation requirements such as Health.
• You can fulfill A-G requirements if you’re in a small learning community or academies that don’t offer them all.
• You can go ahead a year in math or get ready for AP science.
• You can do summer ENRICHMENT classes to push yourself further ahead.
• If you are in ESL, take as many summer English classes as you can.
• If your school isn’t offering summer school, Since consider taking classes at local skills centers to help you make up credits or do a GED program.
• Skills centers also offer ROP courses and other vocational opportunities.

College or Community Classes or Summer Enrichment Classes:

• Local two and four colleges offer summer courses.
• Get their online schedules and see what they offer.
• Most community colleges are full summer of 2010. But fall classes may be possible.
• Get to know your professors!!! Go to office hours!!!
• There are summer academic enrichment programs at your school or in your community.
• They give scholarships to minorities and low-income students.
• Attend local arts, sports, and enrichment classes in your community.
• Here is a great listing of those programs.  http://www.blackexcel.org/summer-progs.htm

Sports and Activities:

1. Continue with club, travel, or varsity sports.
2. Participate in activities such as acting, singing, playing an instrument, and more.
3. Continue with religious activities, cultural activities, and everything you like to do.
4. Follow a passion such as photography, drawing, and robotics.
5. Keep working on a school activity such as newspaper, Model UN, drama, and sports.
6. Continue going to camp and work your way up to CIT and Counselor.

Volunteer Work/Community Service/Internships:

1. Do community service for non-profits, camps, schools, hospitals, and more. Internships are difficult to get if you’re not in college.
2. But you can contact groups that work at your school, they may have volunteer opportunities
3. Contact lawyers, doctors, research centers, government agencies, politicians, and any place that may interest you such as a community center.
4. Contact the Special Olympics, your local parks, community center, and non-profits.
5. If you volunteer during school, see if they will allow you to work more hours during the summer.
6. If you’re interested in starting a club, spend your summer doing research.
7. Find something that means something to you. If you want to help the homeless, work at a shelter or a food kitchen or a camp for homeless kids. If you like health care, volunteer at a hospital, a clinic, or a doctor’s office. If you’re interested in politics or government, contact your local councilman, community center, or agency that helps different people. If you’re interested in communications, contact public relations and advertising companies, newspapers, and magazines. Look online.
8. In this economy, volunteer work is your best bet.

Jobs:

1. Jobs are hard to find but colleges like students who work.
2. Contact your friends, family members, and anyone you know. It’s okay to ask for help finding a job.
3. See if you can work at a restaurant, coffee store, clothing store, camp.
4. See if your elementary or middle school has openings.
5. Babysitting and working for your family count as jobs!!!
6. Job and Career Resources for Teens IS A GREAT SITE FOR FIRST TIME WORKERS.

Travel:

1. If you travel to see family, that is a great summer activity. Can you volunteer in the community or work for your relatives? Can you strengthen your bilingual abilities?
2. If you travel with family or for programs, see what you can do to make a lasting change.

College Readiness:

1. 1. Start preparing for the SAT or ACT or SAT Subject Tests.
2. 2. There are free online test prep programs.
3. 3. You can find a class at your school or in your community.
4. 4. Visit Colleges.
   1. a. You can go online and find colleges through the College Board or CaliforniaColleges.edu.  You can look for programs that interest you and being contacting colleges. They will send you information and you can look at their online resources, such as blogs and face book
   2. b. You can visit local colleges. They have free tours and information sessions. Just go to their admissions offices.
   3. You can participate in special on-campus programs at different colleges.

Whatever you do, keep a record of your hours and the tasks you complete. You will need to develop a resume and colleges often ask about your summers.

Martin and Williams spoke about how they are paying for college 100% through scholarships.

Watch them on their March 2010 webcast on College Week Live!!! They were the first students to speak on this amazing show.

http://collegeweeklivewebcast.stream57.com/integration/auth.aspx?EnrollmentKey=APK61f4d0a22bc24f299ff2b2a63ace4d06%20%0d

Martin Garcia, Student – Villanova University

“How I Paid For College All By Myself”

Martin received a full-ride with tuition, general fee, room, board, and the cost of textbooks paid for four years with a scholarship to Villanova University for his academic achievement and active participation in his school, La Puente High School, and the broader civic community. Only four people in the class of 2013 received this prestigious Presidential Scholarship estimated to be worth over $220,000 dollars. In High School Martin played five varsity sports, helped create three clubs, maintained above a 4.0 gpa, and was a leader as the school’s Vice-President and an Animo Ambassador for Latino youth. At Villanova he is in the rigorous Honors Program, 20th ranked Villanova School of Business, and the Service Learning Community. After earning his degree he plans to start his own non-profit organization that helps students in low-income communities achieve things through education they could only dream of. “I want to bring hope by setting an example and prove it doesn’t matter where you come from, it’s about choosing who you want to be. I want to inspire the youth to make the right choices in their life and know a good education is always possible if you are persistent. My goal is to change lives and impact futures!” –Martin Garcia

Williams Jaurez, Student – Boston College

“How I Paid For College All By Myself”

Williams Juarez graduated from La Puente High School with a full ride to Boston College by receiving the Opportunities Through Education Scholarship (2009-2013). He is the first in his family to go to college. He is also the recipient of the USA Funds Scholarship, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, GEAR UP Scholarship, and the City of La Puente Scholarship. Throughout high school he was actively involved in Taekwondo, a third-degree black belt and an instructor, held leadership positions in student government, school clubs, and sports, while maintaining a grade point average well above a 4.0. He was admitted to eleven out of fourteen colleges that he applied to, which included UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, and Occidental College. At Boston College he currently holds a leadership position in a cultural club, is preparing to work on research with a fellow professor, and is trying to get a Taekwondo club started. He recently was awarded Sr. Thea Bowman Scholar for receiving 3.8 GPA in his first semester at Boston College.