November Guidance Newsletter

Guidance Office Newsletter

November 2019

October has come and gone and November is upon us. Exciting things are happening at CLS this month from the Junior Ring Ceremony to the Homecoming Dance to Thanksgiving holiday break. Please read this month’s newsletter for some important information and deadlines. 

Some reminders for the month of November:

• If you would like to take an AP exam and you have not done so, please submit an AP Exam Order form along with payment to me or the front office ASAP. 
• Dania Barazi, the founder of Seas the Day Foundation, will be here during the second week of November. She will present to every grade about suicide prevention. You can visit her website to learn more. Dania has spoken at many local Catholic schools and the feedback has been nothing but positive.  Seas the Day Foundation also works closely with Catholic Charities and has the enthusiastic support of the Diocese of Covington. If you would prefer your child not to participate in this presentation, please complete the Opt Out Notice and return to school as soon as possible.  

As always, please watch for any updates from the Guidance Department in Mr. Gressock’s Friday emails. 

Upcoming College Representative Visits to CLS:

Visits from college representatives is dwindling down as early action application deadlines are coming to a close. During the month of November, a couple of college reps will stop by to see students. The visits will take place outside of the forum or in senior guidance class. I encourage all students to stop by to say hello to the reps, but especially those who are thinking about attending that particular college - tell the rep your name, introduce yourself and let them know you are interested. 

11/4 Xavier University during senior guidance class

11/22 University of Alabama during senior guidance class

College Applications

Miami University-Oxford - Providing 10 free application waivers per school through the month of November. Please see me if you are interested in applying and would like a fee waiver. 

Northern Kentucky University - Now through December 1, you may apply to NKU without a fee! You must apply directly to NKU, not using the Common App. Apply here. 

Thomas More University - You can always apply to TMU for free through their website. Apply here. 

Senior Checklist for November

• Ask your parents to get their tax return information ready so you can submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. 
• Meet with college admissions representatives at college fairs or when they visit your school. 
• It’s time to finalize your college list. 
• Double-check that testing companies have sent your scores directly to the colleges to which you are applying.  
• If you’re going through the regular admissions process, it’s time to ask teachers to write recommendations and to polish your admissions essay if you have to write one. 
• Check with each school’s financial aid office to see what financial aid forms are required.
• Keep track of ALL deadlines!
• Prepare your application materials and when everything is in order, apply!
• Start thinking about financial aid and obtain applications from the colleges. The earlier you apply, the better.
• Stay on track with grades and extracurriculars. Watch out for senioritis! 
• Continue searching for scholarships!

Junior Checklist for November

• Work to stay on track in your classes and keep grades up.
• Meet with the school counselor to discuss college options, standardized testing, and any other concerns you may have. 
• Start to think about and evaluate your college options. 
• Create a college list.
• Research colleges.
• Create a standardized testing plan - what are the requirements of the schools in which you are interested.
• Explore your interests.
• Stay involved in extracurriculars.
• Explore volunteer opportunities with organizations that may interest you.
• Search for scholarship opportunities.

Scholarship Opportunities!

Start your scholarship search now. Look for scholarships that apply to your unique traits or interests! Many scholarships are open to freshmen through seniors. There are many websites to search for scholarships. Try scholarships.com, fastweb.com, studentscholarships.org, College Board, or goingmerry.com to name a few. You may also contact local organizations, companies, and religious organizations to ask if they offer scholarships. Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation is a great resource for local scholarships! Start accumulating your college money now!

Listed below are some scholarships of interest.

NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Essay Contest: What does the Second Amendment mean to you? The essay should be around 1,000 words. This scholarship is open to every grade. Essays will be judged in two categories - grades 9th to 12th and 8th and below. Deadline: December 31, 2019 First place receives $1,000

Fleet Reserve Association Americanism Essay Contest: Write a 350-word essay with the prompt “What my vote will mean to me.” This contest is open for 7th to 12th graders. Deadline: December 1, 2019 National Grand Prize: $5,000

Unigo $10,000 Scholarship: Students 13 or older can apply for a chance to win one grand prize of $10,000. Your application must include a 250-word response to the prompt: "Imagine a historical figure is brought back to life. Who is it? What's their favorite mobile app?"  Deadline: December 31, 2019

Lands’ End Starboard Scholarship:  Open to 6-12 grade. Student selection criteria: The program will use the following applicant selection criteria: academic performance and interest in and aptitude for leadership. Students must write two essays on the following: Essay 1: Describe an individual (past or present) who has impacted a STREAM path and inspired you. Select from one of the following STREAM paths – Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts or Math. Essay 2: Describe how winning this scholarship would impact your education. - One teacher reference/questionnaire  CLS School code for this scholarship: 900163577 Deadline: December 13 or 3,000 applicants, whichever is first Up to 7 $10,000 scholarships!  

Profile in Courage Essay Contest: Students in grades 9-12 can submit a 700- to 1,000-word essay about "an act of political courage by a US elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born." Essays must have at least five sources. Deadline: January 17, 2020, First place receives $10,000

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities. In addition to the monetary award, Cooke Scholars receive comprehensive educational advising, significant cohort-based programming, and graduate school funding, as well as access to a thriving network of more than 2,600 fellow Cooke Scholars and alumni. You must apply for this scholarship through the Common App. Deadline: November 13, 2019

Ramsey Debt-Free Degree Scholarship Giveaway is giving away $10,000 in college scholarships. Answer a few easy questions about going to college debt-free and be entered for a chance to win one of three scholarships. Open to freshmen through seniors. First place wins $5,000, second and third place wins $2,500 each. It really is as simple as answering a few True or False questions! You may apply here. 

ACT/PSAT

December 14, 2019, is the next ACT test date. You must register by November 8 to avoid late fees. This test will not be held at CLS. You may register on act.org. 

Other News:

FAFSA opened on October 1. The website http://www.understandingfafsa.org/  has guides to help both parents and students complete FAFSA. 

To file your FAFSA, please go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa

What to do after you apply to colleges:

Make sure your social media profiles are set to private, college interview tips, and much more at College Essay Guy! Please visit this site and click on “After you Apply” for more information.

If there is a topic you have questions about or would like covered in the guidance newsletter, please feel free to contact with suggestions at erin.stone@covingtonlatin.org!