Welcome to the end of the school year. You deserve a great summer, yet we need to do so much to help our students get ready for college. Here are some tips–many of them are brand-new, including a new scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and College Greenlight. Let us know if you need help brainstorming summer bootcamps or other college readiness ideas or plans.

1. Make sure your school has submitted all necessary paperwork to colleges. For example, June 30 is the deadline for schools to submit their ELC list for the UCS. Each public university system sends out newsletters and holds conferences. To sign up for the UC listserv, send an email to listserv@listserv.ucop.edu with “Subscribe CAB-L” in the body of the email. You can do this for the Cal States and for other universities in your state.
2. Plan student and family college readiness workshops. In LAUSD, A-G graduation requirements go into effect for the class of 2017. Hold workshop for families so they understand new requirements.  Dr. Joseph developed a powerpoint you can use and/or adapt. She has other presentation as well on Slideshare. http://www.slideshare.net/getmetocollege.
3. Help your students finalize summer and fall plans to focus on leadership and initiative. Encourage them to be busy this summer. Colleges want active and engaged students. Students should spend-at least 20 to 30 hours per week taking classes, working, volunteering, doing internships, and more. They should also take leadership roles this fall in and out of school and really push the initiative factor. LAUSD just passed a rule that all new vendors must offer internship and other career readiness opportunities.
4. Encourage students to make a resume. It should focus on leadership and initiative. Categories: Education, Activities, Work, Service, and more. Tips–Always start with most recent and work your way to the past. Use power verbs to begin each entry.
5. Remind students to do all they can to prepare for fall standardized tests. There are three fall dates for both the SAT and ACT. Occasionally schools will accept January scores for seniors. Here are 2013-2014 SAT dates: http://sat.collegeboard.org/SAT/public/pdf/sat-sat-subject-tests-dates.pdf.  Here are 2013-2014 ACT dates. http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html#second. Please do not plan any mandatory events on these days for juniors or seniors. Also please Make sure your counselors have enough waivers ordered for the fall and that students can access them for September and October registration deadlines.
6. Help students develop a college list that matches their talents. They should have a range of schools that match their interests and abilities. College Greenlight is an amazing new program that counselors and teachers serving low-income students can access for free. You can track your students, and students can find schools around the country who are seeking students like themselves. http://www.collegegreenlight.com/
7. Help students see colleges in action. Help them book fall trips and arrange interviews either here or there. They can plan to meet with professors, students, and other campus representatives that interest you. See if they can stay in a dorm and eat in the cafeteria. Many colleges fly under-represented students for free. Application deadlines start now and run through mid-fall. Email Dr. Joseph for the current list. We are updating it now for the 2012-2013 year. Students can also visit colleges virtually via e-campus tours (http://www.ecampustours.com/) and YOUniversity (http://www.youniversitytv.com/). They can also email and contact diversity programs at colleges on their own.
8. Encourage seniors to start writing their major essays their college applications. Consider holding a summer bootcamp—private schools are all doing them. The Common Application and University of Texas essay topics have changed. Please help your students address the correct prompts. Dr. Joseph has just developed a free 4 to 10 day curriculum you can use to help students develop these essays. They connect with new Common Core standards for 11^th and 12^th grade English. I’ve attached it below. If you use it and have any feedback, please let me know. We also just posted a brand new powerpoint for helping under-represented students write powerful appication essays to slideshare. http://www.slideshare.net/getmetocollege
9. Help students begin completing applications now and during the summer. CSU mentor (http://www.csumentor.edu/Planning/) allows kids to enter their grades and courses at any time in high school and that transfers to their application this fall. They can start working on the Common Application (http://commonapp.org) on August 1 when it goes online (USC, University of Colorado-Boulder, Ohio State, and Purdue is now on it).
10. Help students develop organizational systems. Insist students save all application, standardized test, financial aid, and scholarships passwords on their computers and phones. Even be willing to store them for them as kids lose these and they need them for every part of the application, financial aid, and enrollment process.
11. Research major scholarships that are due. Posse nominations occur between the spring and early fall http://www.possefoundation.org/about-posse/program-components/recruitment/nomination-process. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has just released a new scholarship for top under-resourced students. The Phase 1 application will come out in August. http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/college-scholarship-program/. Questbridge and other major scholarships are due in the fall. Be willing to nominate students and to write powerful letters of recommendation early for these scholarships.
12. Encourage undocumented students. Remind them that the full Dream Act in California is in effect. They can also apply for their Deferred Action. They can qualify for Cal Grants and must submit a Dream Act financial aid application. School policies around the country are changing rapidly. UCLA is providing, for example, separate funding above and beyond Cal Grants, as is Chapman University. In the meantime, they can research other colleges that are friendly to undocumented students. Email Dr. Joseph for that list.

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SAT/ACT FUN FACTS

• Did you know there is Score Choice which means students can send out the scores they want to sent out?—So students take the tests as many times as possible and send out only scores they want.
• Did you know more and more schools are using composite SAT or ACT scores, which means they will look at highest test section scores from across diferent dates. If you’re not sure, check the college website.
• Did you know students can take the SAT twice? The ACT twice? SAT Subject Tests-3 per day-twice? Help them find free online prep programs. https://www.number2.com/. Encourage them to find free programs in their communities. They can buy an practice book for less than $20.

 

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All day today and yesterday, I have talked, emailed, and texted with teens and their parents about college decisions, many of which have cut the high school seniors to the core. Most have been admitted to several amazing colleges. Yet the pain of their rejections seems to prevail.

These are the parents and children that I have been speaking to all year about the unlikeness of their children getting into many of the schools on their lists. The college admissions process is more brutal than ever.

Selective colleges around the country experienced another dramatic increase in application numbers for the class of 2017, leaving even more room for rejections, the rejections of talented, spectacular students. Sadly, numbers don’t lie. New York University apps went up 17 percent, Tufts University apps increased 11 percent, and the University of Chicago apps skyrocketed 20 percent. Public universities also saw record numbers of applications as the escalating price of college has driven students to apply to several more colleges than usual. The Ivy League admitted fewer students than ever, making other colleges even more competitive.

These stats didn’t mean that their children shouldn’t apply. It just meant they should have applied with their eyes wide open.

However, many parents, their children’s rightful advocates, have held unrealistic expectations despite evidence — statistical and qualitative — that their children would most likely not get into some of the top colleges on their lists.

Yet, these high school seniors have outstanding choices. We need to help our high school seniors make some college acceptance lemonade.

One young lady I know got admitted to Wellesley College and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Another got into George Washington University and NYU-Poly, while another got accepted to Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts and the University of Oklahoma’s musical theatre program. These students have wonderful choices, and yet they are not as happy as they should be. They believe they should have had better options.

Those feelings are natural, temporarily. No one likes rejection. So it’s our job to help guide and focus these students. They were admitted to wonderful college with great professors, amazing study abroad opportunities, specialized internships, and other programs that will make other students jealous. No college is so unique that attending it will limit a student’s future, except maybe the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. And yet even clowns from different backgrounds make it into the Big Top.

These students have great options. The University of California Santa Cruz, for examples, allows students to conduct unique research projects with a team of professors on college retention rates. NYU-Poly offers students the ability to work in four cutting edge labs, while Point Park provides students with access to its Pittsburgh Playhouse with three student companies and 18 annual productions.

So go visit the colleges that want your children. Some will even fly your kids into visit for free, while others will offer merit scholarships. Help your seniors see how the colleges that admitted them will help them experience the joys of higher education in astonishing ways.

Yes, some students will go to community college — by default. Others will plan to transfer from their four-year college from day one. These are students for whom I feel sorry, as we are not encouraging them to discover, imagine, and taste the lemonade in the colleges that have accepted them.

Now let’s start our difficult, yet irreplaceable jobs as parents, mentors, and counselors. I make really tasty pink lemonade.

 

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April is college decision month for high school seniors who have until May 1 to decide which college to attend. The brutal process of applying to college and waiting for acceptances is over. Now, seniors get to decide which college’s offer of admissions to accept. While many adults and students often get attached to college names, they should both realize that colleges are so much more than their names.

Here are ten tips to guide undecided high school seniors and their families through these challenging, yet empowering weeks of decision-making.

1. Accept and allow. We need to help seniors understand that while they may feel disappointed and even devastated by rejections, they need to be proud of the offers they receive. With competitive colleges accepting anywhere from 5.9 percent to 28 percent of students, huge numbers of students will be disappointed with rejection letters. But, we need to help them see how talented they are despite these rejections and understand that acceptances are powerful and can open the doors they need to be successful. So we need to help seniors focus on the colleges that accepted them — the amazing schools with programs and communities that will offer them the same, if not better, opportunities as the schools that rejected them.
2. Appeal and move through waitlists. If students are still determined to attend a college that rejected or waitlisted them (the often longer road to rejection), help them. Gather stats — how many kids are on the waitlist and what percentages typically get admitted? Does the college accept appeals? Students need to feel they have tried, but then they must move on, as they have to find happiness with a college that accepted them. Adults have to guide seniors through this process and help students focus on the future.
3.  Make sense of financial aid packages. High school seniors will get many complex financial aid packages. We need to help them understand their offers by creating comparative charts with columns for grant and scholarships, loans, and outright payments. Last week, I spoke to two students who didn’t understand that several of the colleges that admitted them had left them with large portions of uncovered college costs. Using their charts, students can call colleges and ask them to match other offers. Seniors need to make hard decisions that don’t leave them irrevocably in debt or at a college that doesn’t offer all that they want. Don’t forget to have kids budget in costs for computers, clothing, and other intangibles.
4.  Apply for additional scholarships. There are many scholarships out there for under-represented and other students. Many deadlines are coming up now — in April and May. Students need to continue applying for them. They can call colleges they are considering attending or accepted, and see if there are scholarships for incoming freshmen.
5.  Visit, visit, visit. In April, every college has programs for accepted students. Students can sit in on classes, stay overnight in the dorms, and talk with current students. Parents can also attend special sessions. Amtrak just introduced a companion fare for college visits. It is so important to show students what the colleges look like. Often colleges will cover travel expenses of under-represented students. It can’t hurt to ask for travel assistance.
6.  Talk with current and former students of accepted colleges. If students can’t visit in person, there are other options. Alumni organizations in students’ hometowns often have accepted student functions. There are also current students in your area that will meet or speak with your students.
7.  Compare and compare and compare. Students often have so many choices — that they need to narrow down their lists. Some colleges, despite their names, are not right for many seniors. Seniors need to look at access to classes and majors, special resources, alumni networks, and more. Students need to prioritize their key needs and make difficult decisions. Help them decide what is really best for them.
8.  Flip a coin. Ultimately, students may narrow down their choices to two colleges and get stuck. So I often recommend they flip a coin and decide to accept whichever college they assigned to that side. Their gut response to that decision may help guide them.
9.  Be supportive at all costs. High school seniors do not have fully developed frontal cortexes. They are making huge decisions about their futures, and they are going through this process for the first and hopefully only time. Please understand their confusion, and do whatever you can to help them make the right decisions for them.
10.  Speak with families and advocate for match colleges. Many families may not want their students to leave home, live in dorms, or go to match colleges. Please do what you can to help these students and their families make decisions that benefit their students — it is the student’s (not the parent’s) time to grow and achieve what’s truly possible.

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Spring is the time of year when many juniors start visiting prospective colleges. This is the ideal time of year to visit colleges as they are still in session and you can see authentic college life.  By doing an official visit, you also let the colleges know you are serious about the possibility of attending—this is so key for competitive colleges which now value demonstrated interest as a major component of the admissions process.

Here are some tips to help guide you on a college visit.

1. Visit colleges during your spring break. Most colleges are still in session and you can see authentic campus life. If you can’t visit now, try to visit during the fall. Many colleges offer under-represented students free tips. Check out our annual listing that comes out in the late summer.
2. Try to visit a variety of schools on your list. Even if timing or money is an issue, you can visit campuses locally to see different forms of campus life. Many kids are very visual and need to see a campus in real life. Visit a variety of campuses so you can see what it means to be at a large urban campus versus a small suburban one.  Please just don’t visit colleges that are unlikely or true stretch colleges. Try to build in visits to 50-50 or likely schools as well.
3. Develop a checklist to complete. As you visit, take notes about core factors that are key to you, such as availability of particular majors, percentage of students who move off campus after sophomore year, the availability of activities on weekends, support programs for different groups of students, etc.
4. Book at least a tour, information session, and interview (if offered). You complete reservations online at most schools through the admissions office. Visits ideally last a minimum of three to four hours. Class visits are also available at many campuses. Check for special spring programming. Many colleges host open houses, special information sessions, and extra campus tours during this very busy time of year. Visit the college’s admissions website to see what it offers.
5. Visit with anyone you know. If you know any adults on campus, try to meet with them, especially professors, coaches, and admissions officials. If your child or you know any current students, try to arrange informal overnight visits. Spending the night in a dorm and on campus can really show a junior what that campus is like.
6. Pay close attention to what campus students talk about. Get a sense of what their priorities are at each college. It’s always impressive to see students who are genuinely excited about certain classes, or professors, or an upcoming internship or semester abroad. Yes, college students all want to have fun, but you’ll be especially impressed by a college whose students clearly know the main reason they are there—getting an education!
7. Ask probing questions. Tours often highlight a college’s strengths. Make sure you probe students to also determine some of the college’s weaknesses. Every college has some and you want to make sure they’re ‘acceptable’ weaknesses for you. Do they have programs for your interests-athletic, social, extracurricular, academic, and cultural? What do students do on weekends? Do they have programs to support diverse students?
8. Make sure to go off on your own on for a bit. Your may want to go off with a friend or visit some parts of campus on your own. That is fine. Some joint and separate experiences on campus are just fine.
9. Make some brief notes about each visit, including things you liked and things you didn’t particularly like. Take business cards from any adult you meet and write a note on the back about something this adult said during your visit about the college. These notes will be helpful during application and acceptance time next year. Remember to write thank you emails or cards to anyone key you met on your trip within 72 hours of your return home.
10. Use these visits to refine and expand your college list. You may find a kind of college you like, and you will need to research additional schools. Fall visits are also great and a great chance to visit some top schools or even new schools. Remember, many campuses will allow you to stay overnight, eat in the cafeteria, and visit classes. Many even pay for you to visit.

 

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Happy holidays. December goes by so quickly, so please help kids with their college and scholarship applications. There is still so much we can do to help these amazing kids.

Here are ten college access tips to get you through the rest of 2012.

1. More applications. You have survived many public application deadlines, but there are numerous private college and scholarship deadlines coming up. Please encourage your students to apply for these. Private colleges are desperate for interested under-represented minority and first generation students. Students need the encouragement to find schools that are looking for students with their profiles. I recommend students apply to 4 to 8 other colleges. Students with low test scores should add some test optional colleges. Fair Test lists 850 colleges with test optional possibilities. http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional 

2. Essays. Kids need to keep writing powerful college and scholarship application essays. Remind them, they can use essays more than once. They need to push themselves to write specific, empowering essays for private college. They can keep on revising and adapting for other schools and write powerful supplemental essays targeted to specific colleges.

3. Recommendations. Please, please write as many great, specific letters as you can. Students needs these letters and often ask you rather late. But they need these to get into college and EOP and to receive scholarships. Short letters don’t work. Give specific examples from their assignments, so you may need students to give you their former graded work to remind you. If you don’t have something nice to say, then perhaps refer them to someone else. For schools with overwhelmed counselors, others can write counselor letters. Please help students with getting great counselor letters as well.

4. Free applications. Did you know that there are multiple ways for students to apply for free to private and many public colleges? Students who took the SAT or ACT get four free apps on the Common Application. They can apply for free to lots of out of state public colleges as well for free. NACAC provides fee waivers that most colleges accept. The forms require official stamps. Trio programs can provide these stamps. http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/feewaiver/Pages/default.aspx

5. Educational Opportunity Programs. Please assist and encourage students to complete their EOP applications and applications for other support programs at college. Each college, including CSU, has a separate deadline. Call colleges to see if deadlines have been extended. http://www.csumentor.edu/admissionapp/eop_apply.asp

6. Scholarships. Scholarships. Scholarships. There are multiple ways for first generation and under-represented students to pay for college. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is due December 15. http://www.hsf.net/Scholarship-Programs.aspx. Many colleges have specific scholarships. Encourage students to find national, state, local, and college specific scholarships. USC for example has the USC Norman Topping Fund that provides scholarships. It is due February 10. http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/ntsaf/ Undocumented students: Dated but still working links: http://www.maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/2010_Scholarship_List.pdf

7. Alumni. Remember, your alumni are back in town and eager to help. Ask them to wear their college sweatshirts and to be able to describe how they manage their workloads, social lives, and more. College sophomores are ideal as they have already navigated freshmen year and are not so embedded in upper level experiences yet.

8. Preparing for financial aid. Please get families and students ready to complete financial aid forms. Families need to complete taxes early in 2013, and students need to determine how they will declare income. Sometimes, students need to put an explanation in an additional information paragraph explaining their complex family, living, and financial situations.

9. Test scores. Students need to send their test scores. Make sure they send them as soon as they can. Students with free or reduced lunch get to send scores for free to eight colleges. If they can’t afford to do this, you can contact a college and see if you can fax the scores to the college for the students. Remember, the UCs and Cal States allow scores to be sent only once. Cal States: CSU Mentor for SATs and ACT Score Manager for the ACT.

• January SAT: The next SAT, which can be used for Cal States and many other colleges is January 26. Registration is December 28. http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/sat-reasoning/register/test-dates
• February ACT: Next ACT is February 9. Kids must register by January 11. http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html 

10. Enjoy your holidays. Please, please help students with any last minute college application questions. Perhaps hold an application party during the break. They shouldn’t wait to the last minute, but they do.

 

Again, you are the best at what you do. Your students are so lucky. Enjoy this time of year!!! Let me know if I can help in any way.

 

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Happy Thanksgiving. So many of our students are waiting to hear from early action, decision, or notification colleges, as are students who applied for Posse and Questbridge Scholarships. Sadly, all of them will not get admitted, and they need to have other applications ready to go. If they don’t, they will have a horrible holiday vacation, and drag you into it.  So please, share these tips to get students working on their other applications now!!!

I’m so proud of you for applying early action, decision, or notification to a college. In this brutally horrible waiting period before you hear your fate, please prepare other applications. Several public, rolling, and scholarship applications are due before you find out, and you must submit them. Other applications should be ready to go before you find out.

If you hear that are deferred or argh—rejected, there is nothing worse than spending your winter vacation completing last minute applications because you didn’t have them ready to go. That’s going to sabotage your family vacation plans and test fate.

So here are some tips to guide you from mid-November to mid-December.

1. Look at your college list, and make sure you have a range of colleges that you will be willing to attend, if your early college should opt not to accept you right away or at all.
2. Please, prepare applications for at least 50 to 100% of those colleges between now and mid-December.
3. Submit the applications that you must apply to before you find out from your early college. For example, the University of California and Penn State apps are due November 30. Other colleges have scholarship deadlines that you must meet before you find out as well. Don’t avoid these applications even if they require additional essays or recommendations.
4. Recycle and revitalize essays that you wrote for other applications. Just make sure not to put the wrong college’s name in the wrong place. Create new endings that relate to the particular prompts you are answering.
5. Prepare applications for several other colleges on your list that have regular deadlines. It’s bad karma not to. It’s going to ruin your family vacation, if you don’t and you get deferred or rejected, you will have a horrible vacation.
6. Look through your supplemental essay requirements and find out ways to write additional essays that push your core qualities. Don’t try to squeeze too much into one essay, so view each additional essay as an opportunity to share another one of y9our core qualities.
7. See if another college on your list has Early Decision 2. More and more colleges are adding this new option. You apply in January and find out in mid-February. You then must pull out your other applications if you are accepted. The plusses are your fall grades count and you can show your progression through your most challenging courses. Of course you only do this for a college that truly thrills you.
8. Keep your fall grades up. You never know if your early action or early decision college will ask to see your fall grades. If you get deferred, that college will want to see your fall grades. If you get rejected, you are back to the beginning and need to show your fall efforts to the other colleges on your list.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you will hear good news in less than a month. But if you don’t, I promise you will find other even better colleges that want you and where you’ll be incredibly happy!!!

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If you are the parent of a high school senior, you have my congratulations for making it this far and my sympathy for the chaos the college admissions process can bring.

Right now, I truly empathize with families weighing the pros and cons of applying early to colleges. Remember, Early Decision is binding, while Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, and Priority Deadlines are not.

I view this process as a dating process. Some people marry the first person they date. That is Early Decision. Others date a number of people and they marry the right person.  That is Early Action or Regular Action.

Applying to college is similar. We need to give students the chance to sample colleges before they narrow in. Of course, kids fall in love, with colleges, and colleges love that. Early Decision enables them to fill up anywhere from 30 to 50% of their classes with passionate students, most of whom can pay all costs.

While Early Decision does definitely increase your child’s chances of getting admitted, your child should only apply if he or she is in the zone for that college and is in love with it. There is no going back if your child gets admitted and then has second thoughts. Early Decision is legally binding, and the only way out is if the college does not meet your financial aid needs, and by then few options remain.

Many families make the wrong decision in having a child apply Early Decision. Often the school is so far out the child’s league that it is a wasted application. Often the child has made academic gains and needs to show fall grades. The child sometimes needs to take November and December tests because current test scores are not quite where they can be.

Please don’t force your child to apply to a school that is wrong for her or that is so far out of her reach that a denial is most likely.

Focusing on schools within your child’s reach is much healthier. Moreover, if your child is applying Early Decision, please make sure all of her other applications are ready to go by the decision date as there is nothing worse than getting deferred or rejected and having to do your other applications.

As you research a school for Early Decision, your child should visit the school this fall to make sure. Applying to an Early Decision school without visiting is a major mistake for your child and for the college. The college wants to know your child really wants to go. Your child needs to see herself on campus—going to classes, sleeping in the dorms, meeting with students and faculty.

There are several other great options for students not ready for Early Decision. Early Action is another great way to apply to colleges. They have early deadlines and let you know in December or January. Their decisions are not binding. That gives students some options early on. Again, seniors must meet the academic and testing requirements as fall grades and later test scores are not considered.

Now, many kids fall in love with schools, and Early Decision is the true path for them.  Last year, I worked with a young lady who passionately wanted to attend a university that her high school and even I worried would not admit her. But she was determined and did all she could and got admitted.

Another young man who wanted to go to the same school also applied Early Decision. He was denied, and thankfully so as he is now happily attending another college with his dream major.

Kids find their way. Please help them make wise decisions that do not lead to complete heartbreak in mid-December and ruined holiday vacations.

 

 

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We have updated the list with the majority of dates and deadlines. Please consider applying to one or two of these schools to visit a college. Seeing is believing.

Fall 2012 Diversity College Visits.

Many colleges are hosting diversity college visits this fall. Some deadlines have passed, but if you’re interested still APPLY.

• *(D)= The college has a diversity weekend that covers all costs. These programs are competitive and require applications.
• * The college can cover expenses for traditional weekend programs.
• (D) = diversity weekend with no transportation costs.

Gray highlighting is current for 2012-2013

Turquoise- no new info or anything verified

Diversity College Weekends

*(D) Amherst College

 Amherst, Massachusetts

Program: Diversity Open-house Weekends: September 22-24, October 20-22

Application deadlines: The application deadline for both DIVOH weekends is August 15, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. (EST).

• Only high school students who are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents and who will be seniors in the fall of 2012 are eligible to apply.
• To be considered, you must submit a completed online application which includes standardized test results, a high school transcript (through the end of junior year), and a short essay response.
• Students selected to visit Amherst for a DIVOH weekend will receive 100% of round-trip transportation costs (airline, bus, or train) for DIVOH attendance and will be hosted on campus by current students. Typically, seventy-five percent of the students who attend one of our DIVOH programs choose to apply to Amherst, although they are under no obligation to do so. A fee waiver of the $60 application fee is provided to all students invited to attend a DIVOH weekend. Some students who apply to the Open House will also receive a waiver for the Amherst College $60 application fee in order to encourage their applications to Amherst, regardless of whether they are invited to attend the Open House.
• To get application, go to https://www.amherst.edu/admission/diversity/divoh
• Amherst College

Office of Admission

220 South Pleasant Street

Amherst, MA 01002

(413) 542-2328 Phone

(413) 542-2040 Fax

www.amherst.edu/admission/diversity For more information, visit https://www.amherst.edu/admission/diversity/divoh

 

* (D) Barnard College

 

New York, New York

Program: Sunday, October 21, 2012 (BARNARD BOUND – by invitation only)

• Requirements: Student application, Advisor Nomination Form, and transcript
• Monday, October 22, 2012 (OPEN HOUSE – open to all interested students)

 

Application deadline: September 14, 2012.

For more info, visit- http://barnard.edu/node/6934

• Student Application is available. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGRMNzd1aXlZa1dneHNHNUhWcFRwNUE6MQ#gid=0
• Mandatory Advisor/mentor nomination form. https://barnard.edu/sites/default/files/inline/adviserform_0.pdf
• Transcript must also be sent. Can be unofficial.
  • Program Contacts: Jess Lee
    Associate Director of Admissions
    Barnard College
    3009 Broadway
    New York, NY 10027
    Phone 212-854-2014
    jlee@barnard.edu
  • For general inquiries, you may also email admissions@barnard.edu

 

 

*(D) Bates College

Lewiston, Maine

Program: Prologue to Bates: Prologue I: October 7-9 or Prologue II: November 11-

Application deadline: September 7, 2012 for October 7-9 Visit.

Application deadline: October 1, 2012 for November 11-13 Visit.

 

• You can find the application at: http://www.bates.edu/admission/prologue/
• Scholarships are offered to students who apply for a travel scholarship on the application. Parents can also apply to come.
• Bates Office of Admission

Phone: 1-855-BATES55 (1-855-228-3755)

admission@bates.edu

 

*(D) Beloit College

 

St. Beloit, Wisconsin

• Program: Summer Days: July 27, and August 17. Autumn Visit Days: September 22, October 8, and October 27, and Admitted Student Open House in the Spring that offers fly-ins

 

Deadlines: Summer application went online May 9. Online registration will be available six weeks in advance of each event. Make sure to register. http://www.beloit.edu/prospective/visit/visitdayprograms

• For more information, email Robin Hamilton: hamiltonr@beloit.edu

 

*(D ) Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME

 

Program: Explore Bowdoin; September 20-23, 2012 and November 1-4 2012 (Note: November 3 is SAT date)

Application Deadline: August 24 and September 28, respectively.

• http://www.bowdoin.edu/admissions/explore/index.shtml
• Application: https://bowdoincollege.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bEqKB9crs6bgGTa
• For any questions about the program call or email Claudia Marroquin at (207) 725-3066

 

*(D) Brandeis University

 Waltham, Massachusetts

Program: SEED-Students Exploring and Embracing Diversity, Nov 10, 2012

Application deadlines: TBD. Students notified on rolling basis

 

• There is an application to fill up but it will not be available until the 2^nd week of August. Visit www.brandeis.edu/seed to see if the site for SEED has been launched, along with the application.
• Fax: 781-736-3536
• Mail:

Brandeis University
Undergraduate Admissions
MS 003
415 South Street
Waltham, MA 02454

admissions@brandeis.edu

• Students go to special program on 11/10 and then spend the night and attend Fall Preview Day the next day.
• All expense paid trip to campus and back.

If you have any questions, please contact Jared Rivers at-

Email: jriv@brandeis.edu

 

*(D) Bryn Mawr

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Program: Bryn Mawr by Day, Oct 8 and Nov 12, 2012 (9:30am-2pm)

• Please register early at http://brynmawr.edu/admissions/by-day/index.html

Deadlines: Bryn Mawr by Night (overnight program), three dates with three different foci

• · IMAGINE (Humanities Focus)- Sept 27-28
  • Register by Sept 18^th at:

http://brynmawr.edu/admissions/by-night/arts/index.html

• · INVESTIGATE (Women in math and science)- Oct 23-24
  • Register by Oct 17^th at:

http://brynmawr.edu/admissions/by-night/science/index.html

• · ELECTION 2012 (Politics, History, and Public Service), Nov 6-7
  • Register by Oct 30^th at:

http://brynmawr.edu/admissions/by-night/election/index.html

 

For more information please visit http://brynmawr.edu/admissions/visit/index.html

Bryn Mawr College
101 North Merion Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-526-5151 – phone
610-526-7471 – fax

 

*(D) Carleton College

Northfield, Minnesota

Program: Taste of Carleton, Thursday, October 25-Saturday, October 27, 2012

Deadlines: For Out-of-State Applicants: September 14, 2012
For Minnesotan Applicants: October 1, 2012

• Nomination and invitation process necessary for attending
• Nominations can still be done regardless of the deadline listed online. Follow this link to nominate a student(s)-  www.go.carleton.edu/TOC
• Mail applications to:

Carleton College?Office of Admissions?100 South College Street?Northfield, MN 55057

• Questions?  Concerns?

Contact Carla Zelada or Stefani Tran at 800-995-2275 or emailtoc@carleton.edu.

• For more information and to check for the updated application, visit:https://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/visit/TOC/

 

*(D) Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Program: Celebration of Diversity Weekend- November 10-12, January 19-21

Deadlines: October 27, 2012. Registration will be available in Septemberl

• 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.
• For more information http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/admission/cod/

Program: Sleeping Bag Weekend-

• October 14-15
• October 28-19
• November 11-12
• January 20-21

Deadlines: Registration will be available in August

• For more info, visit http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/admission/sbw/

• 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

 

(*D) College of Charleston

Charleston, SC

Program: M.O.V.E., the Multicultural Overnight Visit Experience, Sept 21-22, Oct 19-20, Nov 2-3, Nov 16-17

Deadline: Not known, but ASAP since space is limited

• Visit http://admissions.cofc.edu/explorethecollege/events/moveovernight.phpfor more info and MOVE application.
  • Take part in a class visit.
  • Be hosted by an outstanding currently enrolled minority student.
  • Meet other currently enrolled students and interested students like yourself.
  • Stay overnight in one of our eight residence halls.
  • Learn about our pre-professional programs and proximity to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Charleston School of Law.
  • Experience our active college community.
  • Have the opportunity to ask lots of questions, including questions about being a minority student on campus.
  • Requires student application, parental application, and medical consent
  • Submit your completed application to Debbie Counts, Office of Admissions, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424 or FAX to 843.953.7461
  • For more information, contact Debbie Counts at countsd@cofc.edu or 843.953.4954.

 

Other Events:

• (D) AALANA – October 20, 2012
• You can register here http://admissions.cofc.edu/forms/form-aalanapreviewdayregistration.php
• This is a one-day event, but you can stay overnight if you register for MOVE, which takes place at the same time in Oct.
• Visit http://admissions.cofc.edu/explorethecollege/events/aalanapreviewday.php for more info, or contact Debbie Counts (same as for MOVE)

Fall Open House – November 3, 2012

Junior Preview (for high school juniors) – April 20, 2013

• For general info on events, visit http://admissions.cofc.edu/explorethecollege/events/index.php

 

*(D) Colgate University

Hamilton, New York

Program: Multicultural Open house, October 21-22, 2012

Deadlines: Application must be received no later than October 5, 2012

• You can find the application here: http://offices.colgate.edu/admission/Open%20House/Open%20House%20Application%202012.htm and you will be notified of your admission to the event 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 Office of Admission at (315) 228-7401.

*(D) College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University

 

St. Joseph and  Collegeville, Minnesota

 

Program: National Fly-in Weekend Program, November 10-12 and several spring weekends for accepted students.

 

Deadline: Two weeks before weekend.

 

The National Fly-in Weekend program is designed specifically for accepted students from outside of Minnesota.  In order to be eligible for this program a student needs to apply and be offered admission.  We arrange a customized campus experience for the students. While we will assist students visiting us anytime, we encourage students to take advantage of the fly-in weekends to see our campuses and get to know their future classmates from across the country!   At a minimum, CSB/SJU will pay for at least half of flight costs through our National Travel Assistance Program.  We will pay for full flight costs for students where there is significant financial need – contact admission staff members for additional details on paying for full flight costs.  The admission office will provide all transportation to/from the Minneapolis airport and cover all meals.   For more information, contact Jacqueline Corral (jcorral@csbsju.edu) or Matt Beirne (mbeirne@csbsju.edu).

 

Saturday, November 10, 2012 until Monday, November 12, 2012

Registration: https://admissions.csbsju.edu/register/NovemberNationalFly-In

 

Saturday, February 9, 2013 until Monday, February 11, 2013***

Registration: https://admissions.csbsju.edu/register/FebruaryNationalFly-In

 

Saturday, March 9, 2013 until Monday, March 11, 2013

Registration: https://admissions.csbsju.edu/register/MarchNationalFly-In

 

Saturday, April 6, 2013 until Monday, April 8, 2013

Registration: https://admissions.csbsju.edu/register/AprilNationalFly-In

 

Deadlines:

For best flight and cost options, a two-week advance notice is requested. Requests made within two weeks will be accommodated on a case-by-case basis, depending on flight cost and availability.
***In order to be eligible to visit the weekend of February 9-11, students must be a Trustees’ Scholarship candidate.  Trustees’ scholarship candidacy is determined based on the following.

v  Minimum GPA of 3.60

v  Minimum ACT composite score of 30* or minimum SAT combined score of 1980.

 

 

*(D) Colorado College

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Program: Multicultural Open House, November 10-12

Application opens August 1st, 2012. Deadline: October 10^th.

• For more info, visit: http://www.coloradocollege.edu/admission/introduceyourself/visit/multiculturalopenhouse/
• 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 questions, please contact Amy Lareau, Admission Counselor at: (719) 389-6062 or Amy.Lareau@ColoradoCollege.edu or Anna Jaquez, Associate Director of Admission & Financial Aid at: (719) 389-6944 or Anna.Jaquez@ColoradoCollege.edu or Blake Hammond, Admission Counselor at: (719) 389-6054 or Blake.Hammond@ColoradoCollege.edu.

 

*(D) Connecticut College

New London, Connecticut

Program:  Explorer Weekend- Oct. 6-8, 2012, and Nov. 3-5, 2012.

Deadlines: For priority consideration, please submit this online application and your high school transcript by September 14, 2012.

• You may fax your transcript to (860)439-4301 or mail it to Connecticut College, Office of Admission, 270 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT 06320.
• For more info and the application- http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/explore-weekend.htm
• You can request travel assistance on the application.
• For questions, please contact Will Tran, assistant director of admission
  Telephone: (860)439-2208
  Fax: (860)439-4301
  william.tran@conncoll.edu

 

Program: Fall Open House will take place on Monday, October 8, 2012

http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/fall-open-house.htm

 

*(D) Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Programs:     Fall Diversity Hosting Weekend (Fall DHW) and Women in Engineering Program:            (WIE Program)-both through the College of Engineering at Cornell- September 27-29, 2012

Application Deadline WIE: August 1, 2012 (closed)

• Women in Engineering Program:  www.engineering.cornell.edu/wieprogram

 

Application Deadline DHW: extended to August 15^th

• Fall Diversity Hosting Weekend: www.engineering.cornell.edu/falldhw

• Fall DHW is a co-ed program that focuses on students that identify with backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in engineering (African American/Black, Latino/a, and Native American), while the focus of the WIE Program is the experience of all women engineers at Cornell. Students selected for either program will have the opportunity to stay in a residence hall with a current student; learn details about the admission process; participate in interactive lab demonstrations; interact with faculty, staff, and students; and engage with members of several of our award-winning engineering student organizations. Participation in one of these programs is a great way for students to learn more about what Cornell has to offer aspiring engineers!
• Required application, high school transcript and high school profile.
• If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Engineering Admissions
  office via email at engr_admissions@cornell.edu<mailto:engr_admissions@cornell.edu>
  and include “Fall Hosting” in the subject heading or call their office at (607) 255-5008.

 

*(D) Dartmouth

Hanover, NH

Programs: Dartmouth Bound-Summer Program, July 29th – August 1st, 2012.

Native American Community, SAME

Program Deadlines: May 21, 2012. Check next May for next year’s program

• BOTH DEADLINES HAVE PASSED.
• There are daily activities such as tours, info sessions, and student forums. Visit http://www.dartmouth.edu/admissions/visit/plan/ to sign up for any.

 

* Davidson College

Davidson, NC

Program: Discover Davidson I, Sept 22 and Discover Davidson II, Oct 21

Deadlines:    Registration Now Open

• Please visit http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x7258.xml
• Other events can be found here http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x6436.xml

Program: Fall Overnight visits, September 13^th, September 27^th, October 4^th, November 1^st, November 8th

• Register 5 days in advance here: http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x6437.xml

*(D) Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA

Program: Collegiate Leadership Summit- Fall Session 1: Monday, October 22nd to Tuesday, October 23^rd; Fall Session 2: Monday, November 12th to Tuesday, November 13

Deadlines:    The nomination deadline for the Fall Session 1 program is Sunday, September 23, 2012.

The nomination deadline for the Fall Session 2 program is Sunday, October 14, 2012.

 

• The cost of travel and attendance is covered by the College, and each year (6) participants are offered full-tuition scholarships to attend F&M.
• Students must be nominated to apply and participate.

The nominees should meet the following requirements:

* A minimum GPA of 3.3 in rigorous classes
* Must be of a background underrepresented in higher education
* Must have demonstrated leadership in his or her school or community

* Must be seniors in the fall

• Counselors, teachers, or staff members of community organizations

To nominate a student, please visit http://forms.fandm.edu/mach/view.php?id=77

• For more information, visit http://www.fandm.edu/summit or contact Chiquita Geldorp at cls@fandm.edu or 717-291-4190

 

*(D)George Washington University

CALLED. NO INFO YET ON DATES. 8/3

Washington, DC

Program: Multicultural Open Houses: Fall and Spring (Dates not available yet)

April 14, 2012

Deadlines:    April 7, 2012 (Check next year in spring)

• 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. GW will provide a limited number of travel assistance scholarships.  You can access the Travel Grant Application here.

• For more information, visit: http://www.gwu.edu/apply/undergraduateadmissions/visitgw/openhousesevents/multiculturalopenhouses
• Please register by April 7, 2012  through the GW Admissions Activity Center.

 

(*D) Grinnell College

Grinnell, Iowa

Program: 2012 Diversity Preview Program, Oct 4-6, 2012

Deadline for application: September 5^th, 2012

• You can find the app online here: https://admission.grinnell.edu/register/GDPP or you can submit it via fax or mail.

• In addition to app, please submit the following by the above postmark deadline
  • A high school transcript
  • An official SAT or ACT score
  • An activities resume.

• Materials can be faxed: (641) 269-4800 or sent by US Mail to Grinnell College, Office of Admission – GDPP, 1103 Park St., Grinnell, IA 50112

• For more info, visit http://www.grinnell.edu/admission/visit/gdpp or contact Patty Amador-Lacson, Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment, at 800-247-0113 or by email amadorla@grinnell.edu.

*(D) Gustavus Adolpus

St. Peter, MN

Program: Fly-in Program- December 2-4 and March 17-19

Application Deadline:  Last year deadline was November 1 for December visit.

Please check for updates at http://admission.gustavus.edu/admissions/visit/flyin.asp BY THE END OF AUG INFO WILL BE UPDATED ONLINE.

• APPLICATION WILL BE DUE AT LATEST A MONTH IN ADVANCE. YOU MUST ALSO APPLY FOR ADMISSIONS BY THE GIVEN DEADLINE.
• What to expect:
• For those who live more than 400 miles from St. Peter, Minnesota, the fly-in program would include:
  • The cost of the flight
  • Transportation to and from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
  • Overnight accommodations with current Gustavus students
  • Meals in the Gustavus Market Place
  • Sitting in on classes
  • Meeting with professors, coaches or conductors.

 

Students interested in our fly-in program should:

• Be high school seniors,
• Complete an ApplicationforAdmission by the deadline listed next to the fly-in dates (TBD)
• Complete the fly-inprogramapplication and        be approved by the office for the program.

 

*(D) Hamilton College

Clinton, New York

Program: Diversity Overnight, September 30^th-October 1^st

Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12th.

• Prospective seniors can apply in the beginning of their fall semester by completing the application at: http://www.hamilton.edu/admission/diversityovernight
• Please fax a copy of your high school transcript with senior year courses and standardized test scores to the attention of Brianna McRae at 315-859-4457.
• Hamilton College offers travel reimbursement to a limited number of students who are unable to visit campus without financial assistance. Interested students should contact our office at admission@hamilton.edu

*(D) Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, CA

Program: Fall Future Achievers in Science and Technology Program (FAST): September 14-15 2012

Application Deadline: August 13^th

• For more information about the program and for the application, visit- http://www.hmc.edu/admission1/fastprogram/fast1/fallfast.html
• Travel accommodations (if applicable) are available.  Participants will also receive a Fee Waiver for an HMC Freshman application
• There is also a Junior Fast program in the spring http://www.hmc.edu/admission1/fastprogram/fast1/about.html

 

College of Holy Cross

Worcester, Massachusetts

Program: Fall Open House, Sunday, September 30th and Sunday, November 11th.?

Application Deadlines:     Online registration will be available beginning September 1st.

• Please call the main office (508-793-2443) with any questions. For more information, visit http://admissions.holycross.edu/visiting/fall-open-houses

(D) Program: Perspectives Overnight Program, November 10-12.

Application Deadline: More information and application forms will be available in September.

• Visit http://admissions.holycross.edu/visiting/additional-opportunities for Perspectives and any other visit opportunities such as full-day visits, overnight visits (spring 2013), and Saturday visits

 

*(D) Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Program: Summer Preview Days- Friday, August 3, 2012 and Friday, August 10, 2012

 

Application Deadlines: Please register for this event no later than one week prior to the event

• Application is available online http://www.iwu.edu/admissions/visit/summerpreview.html or call the Admissions Office at 1-800-332-2498

 

(D) Program: Multicultural Weekend,

2 EVERY YEAR. DATES NOT SET.  VERIFIED EVENT. UPDATED BY END OF AUGUST.

NOV AND FEB LAST YEAR.

TRAVEL AID OFFERED. CASE BY CASE.

WEBSITE MULTICULTURAL STUDENT AFFAIRS. EVENTS.

CHECK EVENTS CALENDAR AND MULTICULTURAL STUDENT AFFAIRS.

 

*(D) Johns Hopkins

Baltimore, MD

Program: H.O.M.E. (Hopkins Overnight Multicultural Experience), Thursday, October 18- Saturday, October 20, 2012.

Application deadline: September 21, 5 p.m. E.S.T.

Application: http://apply.jhu.edu/homewood/registration.html

Students spend weekend at JHU. Stay in dorm and go to all Open House events.

Students applying to attend the H.O.M.E. program must submit a transcript, SAT/ACT scores (if available) and a recommendation to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The recommendation form can be found here. Transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and recommendations can be faxed to the attention of: HOME Coordinator at  (410) 516-6025  or emailed to home.program@jhu.edu.

 Further details about the program can be found at: http://apply.jhu.edu/homewood/

 

 

*(D) Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Program: Crash the Campus, Nov 4-5 2012

Application Deadline to submit application is Oct 12

• You can find more info and the application here: http://kzoo.edu/admission/?p=crash
• Travel for this program 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, College Board or similar source), which will then be applied to your Kalamazoo College application
• For more information, contact the office of admission at phone 269-337-7166 or admission@kzoo.edu

 

*(D) Kenyon College

Gambier, Ohio

Programs:  

Fall Visit Days and Overnight Visit Program, September 1 and 30 and September 30-October 1, 2012

• Fall Visit Day 1 – Saturday, September 1, 2012
• Fall Visit Day 2 – Sunday, September 30, 2012
• Fall Overnight Visit Program – Sunday, September 30, 2012- Monday, October 1, 2012
• You can register online at https://goto.kenyon.edu/visit.phtml?visitday=FO1

Cultural Connections: Cultural Connections I: Overnight Visit Program – Sunday-Monday, October 7-8, 2012 and Cultural Connections II: Overnight Visit Program – Sunday-Monday, December 2-3, 2012

• Please contact Kim Totman at 740-427-5778 to make reservations.
• Please visit this page for more information on any of these events and registration to attend- http://www.kenyon.edu/visitdays.xml#x4148
• IMPORTANT: If you need help funding your travel to any event, complete the online Travel Grant application. Can cover up to 90% of the lowest advertised airfares or up to $50 to offset driving costs. Find more info on this grant here http://www.kenyon.edu/x1697.xml or call Kim Totman at 800-848-2468.

(*D) Lehigh University

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Program: Diversity Achievers Program, Sunday, October 21^st followed by and including Senior Open House Monday, October 22nd.

Application and all Materials Deadline: Tuesday, September 11.

Required items:

• Diversity Achievers Program Application
• (Unofficial) transcript
• SAT/ACT results
• Personal Essay (online application or Word document emailed to Adrienne Yurack at aky4@lehigh.edu)
• Résumé (please fax or email a Word document to Adrienne Yurack at aky4@lehigh.edu)
• Overnight Agreement

Required elements not available for online/electronic submission should be faxed to (610) 758-4361, Attn: Diversity Achievers Program.

For more info, visit www.lehigh.edu/dap or contact Majed Dergham at mad305@lehigh.edu or Maria Asayag at mga210@lehigh.edu.

Those unable or not selected to attend DAP are still encouraged to attend Senior Open House on Monday, October 22. For more info on open houses, visit http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/visit/openhouses.aspx for any updates.

 

V.I.E.W: Experience a Day at Lehigh, September, October, and November dates are still being finalized. Please check http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/visit/specialvisit.aspx#day for updates, which should be up sometime in August.

*(D) Lewis & Clark College

Portland, Oregon

Program: L.E.A.D. program, November 11-13, 2012

Application Deadline:   Wednesday, October 3, 2012

• Who: Students who are leaders in their schools and communities and those who have a demonstrated interest in learning more about Lewis & Clark College. Preference will be given to underrepresented students of color and first generation college students.
• What: Visit campus at the College’s expense, meet current students and faculty, participate in leadership development activities, sit in on classes, spend the night in a residence hall, taste the food, have an admissions interview, and experience life at Lewis & Clark College firsthand.

• https://college.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/multicultural_recruitment/lead/

Please e-mail Rasheid Light in the Admissions Office or call him at 800-444-4111.

Learn more about multiculturalism at Lewis & Clark, or read the College’s statement on the educational benefits of diversity.

To apply, mail or fax (503-768-7055) the following items by October 3, 2012:
(Note: no late or incomplete applications will be considered)

• L.E.A.D. Application Form (please print and fill out)
• Official High School Transcript, including grades 9 through 11
• Teacher Recommendation (or download at www.commonapp.org)
• Resume of Leadership Activities
• 250-500 Word Essay describing a time you demonstrated leadership

 

*(D) Miami University (Ohio)

Oxford, OH

Program: Bridges at Miami University, Oct 28-29, Nov 4-5, or 18-19, 2012

Deadline for Applications are due September 10

• Application criteria includes the following:
  • Students from underrepresented populations
  • High school students graduating in 2013
  • Minimum of 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale or top 25% of graduating class
  • College prep curriculum
  • Demonstrated leadership/co-curricular involvement

• You can find the application and further information here, http://www.miami.muohio.edu/admission/admission/high-school/bridges/
• All application materials must be submitted to Office of Admission by postal mail, email, or fax by the deadline.

Office of Admission
Attn: Bridges Program
Miami University
301 S. Campus Ave.
Oxford, OH 45056

Email: outreach@muohio.edu
Fax: 513-529-0680
Include a fax cover sheet with your full name and the subject line, “Bridges Program.”

·         Note: Bridges Scholarship

Students who successfully complete the program, apply and are accepted for Fall 2013 admission, and enroll at Miami University, Oxford campus, will receive a scholarship awarded only to Bridges students.

• If you have any questions, contact Raegan Butler (admission counselor)- 513-529-1507
  outreach@muohio.edu OR Diana Porter (assistant director)- 513-529-7576
  outreach@muohio.edu

 

*(D) Middlebury College

Middlebury, Vermont

Program: Discover Middlebury, Oct 21-23, 2012

Application Deadline is Sept 14^th by 5pm (est)

• The application can be found at http://www.middlebury.edu/admissions/visit/programs/discoverymiddlebury2012  and includes the following:

1. Personal Statement
2. Unofficial copy of standardized test scores
3. Unofficial copy of your HS transcript or grade report from 9^th-11^th grade

• This program targets under-represented groups such as- African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, and American Indian students; students (regardless of ethnicity) with demonstrated financial hardship; and students who are first in their families to pursue a four-year college education.
• Space is highly limited; approximately 75 spaces available. Transportation will be provided for students who will be financial aid applicants.

• If you have any questions, please e-mail Jean Lin (jlin@middlebury.edu)  or Shantá Lindo (slindo@middlebury.edu) in the Middlebury College Admissions Office or give us a call at 802.443.3000.

 

(D) Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO

Program: Open House

• Saturday, Oct 6
• Monday, Nov 12
• Monday, Feb 18
• Saturday, April 20

Visit http://futurestudents.mst.edu/visit/index.html to RSVP to any of these Open Houses.
For Diversity Events, specifically Si Se Puede! , visit http://sdp.mst.edu/pre-collegesummer/sisepuede/ for updates. There will be a fall event, but date is TBD.

Please call 573-341-4212 for more information.

 

SI SE PUEDE- OCT 18-21, APPà ONLINE NOW. WWW.MST.EDU SOCIETY OF HISPANICS OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS. LINK TO PRINT APP.  PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BETWEEN AUG 1-SEP 21.

TRAVEL AID- ONLY BUS. UNSURE ABOUT FLY-INS. NEVER PROVIDED. SHOULD ASK for it ON APP.

PCI- SPRING 2013, SET DATES ARE TBD. (Pre college initiative for African American High school students that may be considering a future career in math, science, computing or engineering). Visit http://sdp.mst.edu/pre-collegesummer/pci/ for updates.

 

(D) Mt. Holyoke College

South Hadley, Massachusetts, All Women’s College

Program: Focus on Diversity. Nov 11-12, 2012

Application Deadline-November 5

• To register: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/admission/visit/diversity/diversity_registration
• For more info, visit https://www.mtholyoke.edu/admission/visit/diversity
• Or contact the Office of Admission for questions or concerns

Phone: 413-538-2023
Email: admission@mtholyoke.edu

 

TRAVEL AID OFFERED BUT MUST APPLY FOR IT SEPARATE FROM EVENT. PLEASE CONTACT DIANA ALVAREZ AT

DALVAREZ@MTHOLYOKE.EDU

 

*(D) Oberlin College and Conservatory

Oberlin, Ohio

Program: Multicultural Visit Program: September 13, October 12, and November 9

Application Deadlines:

• Oct 11-13, app due Sept 13
•  Nov 8-10, app due Oct 12
• Dec 6-8, app due Nov 9

 

• Must be a student of color, interested in a liberal arts Education, US citizen or permanent resident

• To apply you must submit all of this by the noted deadline:

1. Application Form with short answer question. This section may be completed using the online application*, or you may mail or fax us the paper application. *There is a short answer required for the application. Be prepared to answer the following in 500 words or less: Since 1835 Oberlin has been a leader in diversity, becoming the first school in the nation to admit African Americans and adopting a policy to admit students regardless of race or gender. Knowing this, what do you feel you can contribute to Oberlin’s community and commitment to diversity
2. Completed and signed Counselor Form
3. High School Transcript (unofficial copies are acceptable)
4. SAT or ACT Scores
5. Statement of Financial Responsibility

• For more information and application, visit http://new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/admissions/mvp/index.dot

• If you have any questions, contact them via email or phone.

Email

multicultural.admissions@oberlin.edu

Telephone

800-622-OBIE (6243)
8:30am – 5pm EST

 

To fax or mail your application form:

Fax

440-775-6905

Street Address

Multicultural Visit Program
Office of Admissions
Oberlin College
101 N. Professor St.
Oberlin, OH 44074

 

(*D) Occidental College

Program:  Multicultural Visit Program:  October 21-23, 2012

Application Deadline: September 14, 2012

http://www.oxy.edu/admission-aid/connect-us/guidance-college-counselors/fall-mvp

• The program is competitive, with a maximum of 40 spots.
• Applying to MVP requires the student’s application and a nomination form from a college counselor at a high school or community-based organization.
• There is also a $60 program fee; however, we will then waive the application fee for Early or Regular Decision.
• For further details, view the Fall MVP Counselor Letter. http://www.oxy.edu/sites/default/files/assets/Admission_Aid/2012FallMVPCounselorLetter.pdf

 

*(D) Pitzer College

Claremont, CA

Program: Diversity Weekend. Thursday, Nov 1st – Saturday, Nov 3  andThursday, Nov 8th – Saturday, Nov 10

Application Deadlines: The application deadline for the Fall Diversity Programs is Wednesday, October 3, 2012. Applicants will be notified with a decision by Friday, October 12, 2012. Space is limited, so please submit your application by the deadline for full consideration. Application goes online September 1.

 

• Selected students will have the opportunity to meet with admission and financial aid staff, interview, speak with current students and faculty members, sit in on classes, learn more about athletics and student organizations, explore all 5 Claremont College campuses through a strategically designed Scavenger Hunt, and engage in a fun activity around the Metro LA area. Past activities have included attending SCAM Fest (the Southern California A Cappella Music Festival), enjoying Santa Monica Pier/Beach, having a bonfire at Huntington Beach, going to Universal Studios City Walk, and many other amusements unique to Southern California.

·         Apply

In order to be considered for the Fall Diversity Program, applicants must:

Be high school seniors by fall 2012

Be living in the US

Submit a Diversity Program Application (available here starting September 1)

Submit a copy of your high school transcript with grades through junior year

 

• Thank you for your interest in Pitzer College and the Diversity Program. For more information, please contact Jee Won Lee at jeewon_lee@pitzer.edu or  909-621-8129 .

*(D) Pomona College

Claremont, California

Program: Overnight stays, September 29^th, December 7

Fall Weekend at Pomona College, OCT 12-15 AND NOV 9-12

Application Deadline FOR  BOTH DATES WILL BE PRESENT ON THE INTEREST FORM THAT IS EMAILED TO THE INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED.

• Visit http://pomona.edu/admissions/visiting/overnight-stays.aspx for more info and to schedule your visit
• Fall dates: Sept 29^th- Dec 7^th
• Spring dates: Feb 4^th- March 14^th
• April dates are only available to admitted students

 

• WILL ASK FOR FAMILY INCOME ON APP TO DETERMINE IF STUDENT IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRAVEL AID.
• To get Interest Form: email Malisha Richardson, Assistant Dean of Admissions or Natalie Robinson, program coordinator
• malisha.richardson@pomona.edu or natalie.robinson@pomona.edu
• FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 909-607-3028
• If you need a travel grant, the interest form includes a form to request that funding.

 

*University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, Washington

Program: Fall Campus Day, Sept 29, 2012

Application Deadline: Registration OPENS MID AUG.

• To register for Fall Campus Day:-http://www.pugetsound.edu/admission/fall-campus-day/
• Visit this page for other campus visits http://www.pugetsound.edu/admission/visit/
• Travel aid MAY BE offered upon request. Please call admissions office. 253.879.3211 or 800.396.7191.

 

*(D) Reed College

Portland, Oregon

Program: Reed Overnight Multicultural Experience (ROME), November 4-6

Deadline: September 17, application will be available Aug 1^st.

• Eligibility requirements: Citizen or permanent resident, HS minority student, 2 short essays, SAT/ACT/PSAT scores, HS transcript.
• Supplemental info can be sent via:
  • Email us at applyrome@reed.edu
  • Fax supplemental information to: 503.777.7553, ATTN: ROME
  • Mail supplemental information postmarked by September 17 to:
    ROME
    Reed College Office of Admission
    3203 SE Woodstock Blvd.
    Portland, OR 97202
  • For more info, visit- http://www.reed.edu/apply/mrec/details.html or contact them at 1800-547-4750 or email them at applyrome@reed.edu

Other visits:

• Overnight visit (HS seniors & juniors, transfer), Individual Campus Visit
  • Visit https://admission-events.reed.edu/Event/ to schedule your visit
  • Discover Reed (INFORMATION ON EVENT, PENDING)

 

(*D) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, New York

Program: Summer Visiting Days  8/9 or 8/10, Rensselaer Medalist Open House 9/22, Fall open house 10/13,

• To RSVP or see the agendas for these events, visit http://admissions.rpi.edu/undergraduate/events/index.html
• If you have any questions, contact the admissions office by email

admissions@rpi.edu or call  (518) 276-6216.

STAR- The STAR (Science, Technology, and Arts) Program At Rensselaer (RPI)/S: OCT 11-13, 2012.

Application deadline: September 17

• · Application is available here: https://apply-undergrad.rpi.edu/register/?id=d374035a-c3b6-4856-86b9-b11a1a58f861
• · Applicants must submit transcript with application
• Rensselaer will provide transportation for students from the New York metro area on a chartered bus that will depart from the Jacob Javits Center on Thursday, October 11 at 1 p.m.
• If you are traveling to the Capital District and need transportation to the Rensselaer campus, we’ll be glad to pick you up at the train station, airport, or bus terminal. Please wait for a confirmation e-mail from Rensselaer before scheduling transportation to campus
• CONTACT ADMISSIONS OFFICE AT 518 276-6216 FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

 

*(D) Scripps College

Claremont, California, All Women’s College

Program: Multicultural Outreach: Discover Scripps September 23 and 24, 2012.

Application Deadline to submit online application is August 13, 2012.

• Travel grants are available on a case-by-case basis for students who live more than 150 miles from campus and who need financial assistance to get to campus
• Discover Scripps applicants must submit an unofficial high school transcript and some form of standardized testing (PSAT, SAT Reasoning, ACT, and/or SAT Subject Tests)
• For the application, more information, and FAQ’s, visit http://admission.scrippscollege.edu/discoverscripps

 

*(D) Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

Program: Women of Distinction, Nov 9-11, 2012

Application Deadline:   September 21, 2012

• Visit http://www.smith.edu/admission/wod/
• Application requires personal statement and letter of recommendation.
• Contact Deanna Dixon, Assistant Director of Admission and WOD program coordinator at ddixon@smith.edu or Krystal Cummings (who is in charge of the program) at kcumming@smith.edu with any further questions

 

SummerPreview -Aug. 10, 2012

FallPreview- Nov. 12, 2012

• Visit http://www.smith.edu/admission/visitcampus/ for more information.

 

*St. Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa

Program: Fall 2012 Open House-Saturday, Sept. 15 (8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.)

Application Deadline: Now. To register: http://www.sau.edu/Academic_Programs/Doctor_of_Physical_Therapy/Admissions_and_Application/Open_House.html

• TRAVEL VOUCHER FOR 200 DOLLARS. PLEASE CONTACT SEAN WHEATON AT 563 333 6002 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

 

*(D) Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Program: Discover Swarthmore! Saturday, September 29 through Monday October 1, 2012.

Applications Deadline: Applications will be accepted until Friday, August 17.

• For application, visit: http://www.swarthmore.edu/admissions/discovery_app.php
• For more information about this event, visit www.discover.swarthmore.edu
• School will cover all expenses of students invited to the event.

 

Texas A&M

College Station, TX

Program: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY: MEDALS 21ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE , November 2 – 3, 2012, Maximizing Educational Development through Academic and Leadership Skills

Application Deadline:  TBA

• The Department of Multicultural Services is offering a two-day program allows high school students from a multicultural background the unique experience of viewing college opportunities from a diverse perspective. Participation is open to 10th – 12th grade high school students and parents.

• If interested, go to: http://medals.tamu.edu and click on the registration tab.

 

*(D) Trinity College

Hartford, Connecticut

Program: Preview Weekend: November 11-12, 2012

Application Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2012

• http://www.trincoll.edu/StudentLife/Diversity/Pages/Preview.aspx
• Transportation assistance provided.
• Must submit transcript, essay, test scores, counselor recommendation.
• Download applications: http://www.trincoll.edu/StudentLife/Diversity/Documents/PREVIEW%20APP.PDF
• Call 860-297-2180 with questions.

 

*(D) Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

Program: Voices of Tufts: The Diversity Experience: October 25-26, 2012

(Rolling so apply earlier than deadline)

Application deadline is: October 15, 2012. 5 p.m. E.S.T.

• Students must register first on website, create an account, and click on Voices Program. https://webcenter.studentservices.tufts.edu/tac/register.aspx?INQ=R
• Some travel grants paid. All expenses on campus covered.
• Application requires essay and guidance counselor must provide recommendation.
• If you have questions about the program, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 617-627-3170 and ask to speak with the Voices program officer of the day or email Undergraduate.Admissions@tufts.edu

 

*(D) Union College

Schenectady, NY

Program:  GETTING TO KNOW U WEEKEND: October 6-8

Deadline: September 21

• http://www.union.edu/admissions/_prv/getting-to-know-u/

• When: October 6-8, 2012
• What to bring: Sleeping bag, blanket, pillow, spending money, toiletries and homework
• Transportation: Bus transportation will be provided from central locations in Manhattan, NY and Boston, MA. Air travel will be provided on a limited basis from other areas.
• Requirements: Must be a high school senior, complete an application and include an unofficial high school transcript.
• Deadline for application is September 21, 2012. See guidelines for further requirements.
• Applications can be Mailed or Faxed to Susan Cassella  (518) 388-6986 .

 

(D) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Program: Hispanic/Latino Student Recruitment Day, Oct 12-13, 2012

• For more information visit http://www.unc.edu/diversity/hispanicrecruit.htm. Updates are underway.

High School Honors Day, September 15, 2012

• For more information visit http://www.unc.edu/diversity/hshd.htm. Updates are underway.

No travel aid is offered; only in the Spring for admitted students.

For other diversity events, visit http://www.unc.edu/diversity/prospectivestudents.htm

• Please contact the Multicultural Programs Coordinator Josmell Perez, B.A. Email: josmell@unc.edu; Phone: 919-843-5517

 

*(D) University of Rochester

Rochester, NY

Program: Multicultural Visitation Program, November 11-13

Application: Apply by October 19

• https://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/mvp/mvp_form.shtm
• Admission to MVP is a competitive process that will consider your academic and personal qualities.
• Travel assistance is available; be sure to apply on time.
• Highlights include living and dining on campus, staying in a residence hall with a student host, participating in discussions with current students about the college experience and learning about the many opportunities available for undergraduates.

 

*(D)University of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

Program: Discovering UVM

October 21–23, 2012, application deadline- Oct 5^th

October 28–30, 2012, app deadline- Oct 12^th

November 4–6, 2012- app deadline- Oct 26^th

• The application can be found here- https://survey.uvm.edu/index.php?sid=11453&lang=en
• Applicants may apply for a travel grant in the application

• For more info, visit http://www.uvm.edu/admissions/undergraduate/visiting/?Page=discover.html
• Contact John Austin atJohn.Austin@uvm.edu, (802) 656-2915 or Deborah Gale at Deborah.Gale@uvm.edu, (802) 656-4646 for an application (if you cannot download above) or for further details.

 

(D) Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA

Program:  Primeros Pasos, September 29

Deadline: RSVP by September 21

• http://www.ugrad.vcu.edu/primerospasos/rsvp.aspx
• One day program for Latino high school students and their families with an overview of the college experience and opportunities in higher education.
• VCU students, parents, administrators, faculty and alumni will be available throughout the day to welcome students and share their experiences.
• The day’s activities will begin with welcoming remarks at 11 a.m. and include bilingual workshops for parents about financial aid, panel discussions with students from VCU’s Latino community, workshops on testing, conversations with representatives from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, a campus tour and lunch on campus, and admission to “Movimientos,” a cultural show in honor of Hispanic Heritage month.
• Please RSVP online by Sept. 21, 2012, or by contacting Elmer Campos at (804) 828-6017 or camposeo@vcu.edu. If special accommodations are needed due to a disability, please contact Shirley Dettmore at (804) 828-6124 at least two weeks before the event.

 

(D) Villanova- no travel aid

Program: College Day: October 5 (for seniors); February 8 (for juniors)

Application Deadline: September 28 for seniors and February 1^st for juniors

• Visit for groups ONLY.

Program: College Weekend: For Seniors: November 16-28 2012 and for Juniors: March 22-24, 2013

Application Deadline: November 2 for seniors and March 1 for juniors

• Applications are found here: http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/studentlife/multiculturalaffairs/outreach/collegeday.html
• For more information regarding the Weekend event, visit http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/studentlife/multiculturalaffairs/outreach/collegeweekend.html
• If you have any questions, email charisma.presley@villanova.edu

 

*(D) Washington & Lee University

Lexington, Virginia

Program: Overnight campus visits for multicultural students on an invitation-only basis.: October 7-9, November 11-13, and January 13-15.

Application Deadlines: Contact admissions office.

• In order to be considered for this, students must send, either via fax at 540-458-8062 or by email to ehutchinson@wlu.edu:

1)        Unofficial transcript that includes final junior grades

2)        Senior year class schedule

3)        Unofficial score report from SAT and/or ACT

• There are 3-day, 2-night all-expense-paid visits (including airfare and ground transportation, if applicable)

 

*Wesleyan University

Middletown, Connecticut

Program: Fall Open House Monday, October 8, 2012 and Friday, November 12, 2012 

Transportation Assistance program- limited, must apply by deadlines

Monday, October 8, 2012 (Columbus Day) -

TAP Form Deadline is September 21, 2012

Monday, November 12, 2012 (Veterans Day) -

TAP Form Deadline is October 18, 2012

• Application for the Transportation Assistance Program

Visit this site for more info about travel aid http://wesleyan.edu/admission/visiting_campus/transportation_assistance.html

• If you have questions about the Transportation Assistance Program, please contact tap@wesleyan.edu
  • Visit http://wesleyan.edu/admission/visiting_campus/open_house_info/index.html for more info.

 

Program: Overnight Stays

Deadline: Two weeks before visit.

• Program operates mid-September through the end of November; Sun- Thurs. Overnights are also available to transfer students during the month of February. Please notify the Office of Admission at least 2 weeks in advance of your interest in an overnight visit.
• 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

 

*(D) WELLESLEY COLLEGE

Program: Discover Wellesley, October 21-22, 2012

Application Deadline: August 31, 2012

• Wellesley provides fully funded travel grants to select high school seniors (who wish to visit campus during this weekend.
• Applicants from underrepresented cultural backgrounds such as African American, Latina American, Native American, Asian American, and low-income students
• http://new.wellesley.edu/admission/discoverwellesley

 

*(D) Whitman College

Walla Walla, Washington

Program: Visit Scholarship Program, Fall Visitors’ Day II, November 10-12

Application Submission Period- August 1-September 30.

• To be considered for the Priority I deadline all parts of the application must be in by early September.  Students may submit application materials up until the Priority II deadline, September 30, 2012. Priority II applicants will be considered after Priority I application decisions have been made..
• The application is available here: www.whitman.edu/admission/vsp/apply
• Limited event: approximately 85 students
• Other dates are available if those dates don’t work out. There are spring dates available for juniors- TBD
• Follow this link for any updates -http://www.whitman.edu/content/admission/visiting/visitorsday
• For more info, contact Esther Weathers @weatheec@whitman.edu

 

*(D) Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts

Program:  Windows on Williams (WOW)-two dates. Upon acceptance you will be able to choose which date you can attend

Application Deadline: Will accept applications throughout the fall, but for priority consideration, be sure to submit your application by July 1. To ensure full consideration, submit your application by August 19.

• If you have any questions, email Ahmmad Brown (aab2@williams.edu), Diversity Recruitment Director or visit http://admission.williams.edu/files/2010/01/WOW-APP-20121.pdf
• You can apply online at http://tinyurl.com/WOWApp2012 or fax a completed application to Sarah Willette’s attention at (413) 597-4052.

_______________________________________________________

No response yet.

*(D) Trinity College- awaiting email reply, NO ANSWER ON 8/3

Hartford, Connecticut

Program: Preview Weekend: November 6-7, 2011

• Application Deadline: Monday, October 17, 2011
• Download applications: http://www.trincoll.edu/StudentLife/Diversity/Documents/PreviewApplication.pdf
• Program Contact: Anthony Berry, Senior Associate Director of Admission/Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment  (Anthony.berry@trincoll.edu) 860-297-2177
• For more information please visit: http://www.trincoll.edu/StudentLife/Diversity/Pages/Preview.aspx

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1. Make sure your school has submitted all necessary paperwork to colleges. For example, June is the deadline for schools to submit their ELC list for the UCS. Each public university system sends out newsletters and holds conferences. To sign up for the UC listserv, send an email to listserv@listserv.ucop.edu with “Subscribe CAB-L” in the body of the email. You can do this for the Cal States and for other universities in your state.
2. Help your students finalize summer and fall plans to focus on leadership and initiative. Encourage them to be busy this summer. Colleges want active and engaged students. Students should spend-at least 20 to 30 hours per week taking classes, working, volunteering, doing internships, and more. They should also take leadership roles this fall in and out of school and really push the initiative factor.
3. Encourage students to make a resume. It should focus on leadership and initiative. Categories: Education, Activities, Work, Service, and more. Tips–Always start with most recent and work your way to the past. Use power verbs to begin each entry.
4. Remind students to do all they can to prepare for fall standardized tests. There are three ACT and three SAT dates you can take this fall. Did you know there is Score Choice—so students take the tests as many times as possible and send out only scores they want? Did you know students can take the SAT twice? The ACT twice? SAT Subject Tests-3 per day-twice? Help them find free online prep programs. https://www.number2.com/. Encourage them to find free programs in their communities. They can buy an practice book for less than $20. NOTE: Make sure your counselors have enough waivers ordered for the fall and that students can access them for September and October registration deadlines.
5. Help students develop a college list that matches their talents. They should have a range of schools that match their interests and abilities. Naviance is a great online system to help students. The Fiske Guide is great as is Unigo.com to help students learn about colleges. The College Access and Opportunity Guide is great for first generation and under-represented students. http://www.csopportunity.org/whatwedo/guidebook.aspx. Reminder: Students can apply to four Cal States (not undocumented kids), four UCs, and unlimited private colleges for free if they qualify for free or reduced lunch.
6. Help students see colleges in action. Help them book fall trips and arrange interviews either here or there. They can plan to meet with professors, students, and other campus representatives that interest you. See if they can stay in a dorm and eat in the cafeteria. Many colleges fly under-represented students for free. Application deadlines start now and run through mid-fall. Email Dr. Joseph for the current list. We are updating it now for the 2012-2013 year. Students can also visit colleges virtually via e-campus tours (http://www.ecampustours.com/) and YOUniversity (http://www.youniversitytv.com/).
7. Encourage your students to start writing their major essays their college applications. Tufts (http://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/essay-questions/past-essays/). Connecticut College (http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/essays-that-worked.htm), and Johns Hopkins  (http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/essays.html) share essays that real admitted students wrote. Students should only write stories that are unique and interesting to read. They should plan to use essays more than once. Their essays should always be as specific and powerful as possible.
8. Help them begin completing applications now and during the summer. CSU mentor (http://www.csumentor.edu/Planning/) allows kids to enter their grades and courses at any time in high school and that transfers to their application this fall. They can start working on the Common Application (http://commonapp.org) on August 1 when it goes online (USC is now on it).
9. Insist students save all application, standardized test, financial aid, and scholarships passwords on their computers and phones. Even be willing to store them for them as kids lose these and they need them for every part of the application, financial aid, and enrollment process.
10. Research major scholarships that are due. Posse is due in late June.  Questbridge and other are due in the fall. Be willing to write powerful letters of recommendation early for these scholarships.
11. Encourage undocumented students. Remind them that the full Dream Act goes into effect for CA students graduating in 2013. They can qualify for Cal Grants and must submit a Dream Act financial aid application next spring. But in the meantime, they can research other colleges that are friendly to undocumented students. Email Dr. Joseph for that list.

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Dear Teachers and Lay College Advocates:

Happy holidays. December goes by so quickly, so please help kids with their college and scholarship applications. There is still so much we can do to help these amazing kids.

Note: I spoke at LA Cash for College December 7 and 8. You can access presentations from dozens of presenters at http://www.lacashforcollege.org/home.html

Find similar events in your cities or regions.

Here are ten college access tips to get you through the rest of 2011.

1. More applications. You have survived many public application deadlines, but there are numerous private college and scholarship deadlines coming up. Please encourage your students to apply for these. Private colleges are desperate for interested under-represented minority and first generation students. Center for Student Opportunity has a great guide of colleges friendly to these students and has an Opportunity Scholarship for them. http://www.csopportunity.org/

2.  Free applications. Did you know that there are multiple ways for students to apply for free to private and many public colleges?

• Free or reduced lunch gets kids four free apps on the Common Application. They can apply for free to lots of out of state public colleges.
• NACAC provides fee waivers that most colleges accept. The forms require official stamps. Trio programs can provide these stamps. http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/feewaiver/Pages/default.aspx

3. Educational Opportunity Program. Please assist and encourage students to complete their EOP applications and applications for other support programs at college. Each college, including CSU, has a separate deadline. http://www.csumentor.edu/admissionapp/eop_apply.asp

4.  Scholarships. Scholarships. Scholarships. There are multiple ways for first generation and under-represented students to pay for college. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is due December 15. Many colleges have specific scholarships. Encourage students to find national, state, local, and college specific scholarships. USC for example has the USC Norman Topping Fund that provides scholarships. It is due February 10. http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/ntsaf/prosp_overview.shtml. Undocumented students: Dated but still working links: http://www.maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/2010_Scholarship_List.pdf

5.  Test scores. Students need to send their test scores. Make sure they send them as soon as they can. Students with free or reduced lunch get to send scores for free to eight colleges. If they can’t afford to do this, you can contact a college and see if you can fax the scores to the college for the students. Remember, the UCs and Cal States allow scores to be sent only once. Cal States: CSU Mentor for SATs and ACT Score Manager for ACT. UCs: Just send to one campus and the scores will be distributed.

• January SAT: The next SAT, which can be used for Cal States and UCs, is January 28. Registration is December 30.
• February ACT: Next ACT is February 11. Kids must register by January 13.

6.  Essays. Kids need to keep write powerful college and scholarship application essays. Remind them, they can use essays more than once. They need to push themselves to write specific, empowering essays.

7.  Recommendations. Please, please write as many great, specific letters as you can. Students needs these letters and often ask you rather late. But they need these to get into college and EOP and to receive scholarships. Short letters don’t work. Give specific examples from their assignments, so you may need students to give you their former graded work to remind you. If you don’t have something nice to say, then perhaps refer them to someone else.

8.  Alumni. Remember, your alumni are back in town and eager to help. Ask them to wear their college sweatshirts and to be able to describe how they manage their workloads, social lives, and more. Sophomores are ideal as they have already navigated freshmen year and are not so embedded in upper level experiences yet.

9.  Application Crunch Game. With your younger students, begin to do college access work with your younger grades. USC just released a game. It’s relatively cheap. Perhaps someone can get you this game for a holiday present. http://interactive.usc.edu/2011/09/07/application-crunch-reviewed-on-play-this-thing/

10.  Enjoy your holidays. Please, please help students with any last minute college application questions. Perhaps hold an application party during the break. They shouldn’t wait to the last minute, but they do.

Again, you are the best at what you do. Your students are so lucky. Enjoy this time of year!!! Let me know if I can help in any way.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Rebecca Joseph

www.getmetocollege.org

rjoseph@calstatela.edu

FB: getmetocollege freeadvice

Twitter: getmetocollege

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