Charting your Course college and scholarships

1. Chartingyour Coursecollege and scholarships Brooke Krim, Scholarship Advisor

2. Common Scenario • Students • Working hard in school • Juggling extra-curricular activities after school • Hoping everything “works out” to pay for college • Hoping mom and dad have an extra fund to pay for college • Parents • Encouraging students in school work • Juggling all the responsibilities for family • Hoping the child has a plan to pay for college • Guidance Counselor • Helping students navigate the high school arena: schedules, guidance issues, school programs

3. Add-In Scholarship Advisor • Brooke Krim—Scholarship Advisor • Everything and Anything related to scholarships and college planning • Helps Parents and Students Navigate the Specific Steps to College AND the “Big Ideas” to being a successful candidate for scholarships • Student and Parents • Uses Resources suggested and researched by Mrs. Krim • Follows up with “assignments” from presentation nights, one-on-one meetings • Use plan to be accepted at specific colleges • Use plan to PAY for college

4. Tonight: Charting YOUR Course • Which Way Should I Go? • Research College / Scholarship Options • Understand the Scholarship and Admissions Arena • Know about Resources AND Apply Them • Build Depth • Stacking up Scholarships

5. First Resolve: Know Your Course • Research which schools you would like to attend • I Wonder Which Way I Ought To Go... • How to Research Colleges and Their Scholarships • Website • Major / Department Website and Phone Visits • College Visits • Schedule Beforehand • Sit in on classes • Visit with Professors AND Students

6. First Resolve: Know Your Course • Make the right decision for you • Private University • Public University • Small Liberal Arts College • Large University • Understand the expectations for each school • Index Admissions / Scholarships Weber State Scholarship Index Scores Utah State University Index Scores • Holistic Admissions / Scholarships University of Utah Brigham Young University Admissions MIT Admissions

7. School Options • Safety School (at least one) • You will absolutely be accepted • Receiving Scholarships is Guaranteed • Likely School (at least one) • You fall into the range of accepted students • Receiving Scholarships is Probable • Reach School (at least one) • You fall into the range of accepted students with your Academic Record • You have done something extra that matches the values of the college / institution • Aiming for department and private scholarships

8. Understanding Scholarships • Scholarship = money that an individual, a company, or a school awards to a student • They want to award a student that has • similar VALUES and GOALS • Why are these the requirements? • The individual or company giving the scholarship wants a good investment • The past is the best predictor of the future (for investments) • In 10 years, the student will STILL be exhibiting similar traits

9. Are scholarships “easy” to get? • Some students ask Mrs. Krim about the “easy” scholarships • Essentially—these students are saying— “I want someone to give me money without having to work.” • All scholarships require some sort of record that says: • I’m a good investment • I will make sacrifices and good choices that will benefit this specific field • I exhibit similar values of the company / college promoting the scholarship

10. What do I have to do? • Strong Academic Record • Strong Academic Record • GPA • Baseline cumulative GPA of 3.0 for some scholarships • 3.5 for higher awards • ACT / SAT Scores • 25 is okay, 28 is good, 30 is great • Leadership • Leader in School, Community, or Church • Can be connected to “depth” focus • Volunteer / Service in the Community • January presentation will focus on Volunteer / Internships • Can be connected to “depth” focus • Be Different in a positive, original way that reaches beyond the scope of others

11. Understand Scholarship Arena • Some Scholarships are awarded EVERY year • Study what is required—and what past recipients have done • Learn from their ingenuity—and use your own • Example: MIT Wait-Listed Song • Make a Calendar of scholarships that match your individual goals / interests / strengths • Ultimate Scholarship Book 2014 Authors: Gen and Kelly Tanabe • Begin Application 1-2 months before deadline • Have someone outside the family edit the application • Submit Application 1-2 weeks before deadline

12. Use Resources Available • How to Be a High School Superstar Author: Cal Newport • Countdown to College Authors: Valerie Pierce with Cheryl Riley • These two books complement each other perfectly. Read both for ultimate success.

13. Depth = Exceptional Performance in 1 Area • Breadth is needed in all subjects to maintain a high GPA • Depth is a focus in 1-2 related fields • Understand: • Having this focus in 1-2 related fields is not a ticket to have mediocre scores in all other classes. Instead, it is a challenge to become EXCEPTIONAL in one area.

14. Example of Focusing Efforts…building depth • Interest in History / Political Science • Volunteer with a local political group • Study History / Political Science beyond school assignments and classes • Enter Scholarships focused on History / Political Science: • VFW Voice of Democracy • American Legion Oratorical Contest • National Peace Essay Contest • United States Senate Youth Program • Student Body Officer / Student Council • College Level…Department Scholarships

15. Essentials to Winning Scholarships • Apply! • You can’t win a scholarship if you don’t apply • Start Early…Submit Early • Learn from each process of applying • “Stack Scholarships” • Apply for large and small amount scholarships • Many students think a small amount ($400 or $200) is not worth applying for)…DON’T MAKE THAT MISTAKE • You can ADD up all the money – “stack the scholarships” –to get the amount you need

16. Example of Stacking Up Scholarships • If I were in High School… • Partial Academic Scholarship • Honors Program Weber Honors • Cost of Books • Housing Scholarship • Academic Scholarship • Work as an Ambassador / Resident Assistant • Regents Scholarship • Sterling Scholar • FAFSA: Financial Aid, Work Study • Department Scholarships • Writing Scholarships: Blogs, Essays, Research • Conferences

17. Charting YOUR Course • Use Resources to Begin YOUR Personal Course for College and Scholarships • Books / Websites / Ideas • This PPT • Monthly Newsletters • Individual meetings Oct. 10, 11 • Schedule through Front Office • Ask Questions…Get Answers • Apply!