Senior Bulletin, October 2, 2019

Hello Seniors –  This bulletin contains: dates, times, and places for visiting/exploring/discovering colleges and universities; information about the Standardized Tests, including dates and test optional schools; reminders about the process, including the FAFSA; scholarships with upcoming deadlines.  So get organized and get excited about your choices and options.

Your College Access Leader is Here to Help YOU!

CALs are selected to help you in the college application process. Tune in when the CALs in your advisory presents information. CALs are also very familiar with all Canvas advisory assignments created to help you organize the application process. Ask them for help!

College and Scholarship Essay Help

Ms. Block is available Mondays and Tuesdays during lunch bands to help you craft essays that highlight your strengths and story and that can be used for multiple applications.  Share Ms. Block on your Google Doc at eblock3@comcast.net.  The sign up sheet for appointments on Ms. Hirschfield’s door.

FAFSA Challenge Kickoff–October 3rd

The School District of Philadelphia will be hosting the 4th Annual FAFSA Challenge Kickoff, sponsored by the Philadelphia 76ers, on Thursday, October 3rd, 2019 from 4pm to 7pm at 440 N Broad Street, Philadelphia PA. The event includes scholarship sessions and assistance from financial aid experts on how to complete the FAFSA. Senior students and families are strongly encouraged to attend.

Senior Bulletin, September 5, 2019

 Welcome to senior year! The information in the Senior Blog will help you kickstart the college process with ease. While Mrs. Hirschfield, your advisors, College Access Leaders, and your family are all here to assist you, you have to be proactive and stay on top of the information you will receive in this blog and those that follow.  New bulletins will be published every other week. Good luck to the class of 2020!

College Office Walk-In Time: X and Y Bands

The College Office is open and available for quick questions, brief check-ins, and form drop off during X and Y bands and after school.  Students are seen in order of their arrival. If a student requires an extended conversation or advising from Mrs. Hirschfield, please make an appointment.

Don’t Miss Out On Getting Time-sensitive Alerts and Reminders!

If you haven’t signed up for text message alerts from the College Office go to room 218 and sign up.

Refer to College Prep Day Slides to Prep for College Application Process

You may need a refresher on how to complete recommendation surveys or how to request a recommender in Naviance. Slideshow here.

College Application Tracker

It is very important that you organize well for the application process.  You need to keep track of deadlines for scholarships and financial aid, as well as college applications.  Use this form (or adjust to your liking!) to help you organize.

Transcript Requests

ALL students must review their transcripts first to ensure accuracy. In the coming days, Advisors will distribute documents for you to sign off on to make sure your transcript is accurate and you’re on track to graduate. Transcripts can be requested beginning October 15th. 

Grants for 9th-12th Grade Girls

The Ellis Trust provides financial support to enhance the high school experience of Philadelphia girls.  Rising 9th-12th graders can receive funding for school supplies, summer courses, STEM training, arts lessons, and much more: learn more and apply  at THIS SITE.

 

Class of 2020: College Prep Day Forms

Below are the forms used in College Prep day.  Feel free to make copies of the templates.

Scholarship Organizer

Common App Registration Prep Sheet

 

Common App Help Guide and FAQs

 

THIS GUIDE will help you understand the layout of the Common App and acquaint you with the information you will need prior to creating a Common App account.

 

Sign Up to Get College Office Text Message Alerts!

When you sign up, you will be able to receive notifications and reminders from the college office. We want to help you stay on top of the college search process and deadlines!

Class of 2020: SIGN UP HERE

Grades 9-11 Official Transcript Request

Students are sometimes asked to provide an official transcript to an academic institution, summer program, or community agency. All SLA students in grades 9-11 can request official transcripts by completing a Transcript Request form HERE. (When students are asked for unofficial grades, a report card or grade printout from SchoolNet will be sufficient.) Bring all completed requests to the College Office, room 312.

Notes:

• Allow TWO WEEKS to process the request.
• If sending request via email, complete the Transcript Request form, scan, and email (preferably in .PDF) back to Mrs. Hirschfield at khirschfield@scienceleaderhsip.org.
• Seniors who need official transcripts must add it to the Transcript Request Log in the College Office.

Class of 2020 School Profile

Click HERE to view the Class of 2020 School Profile.

Diversity College Fly-In Programs

Would you like to visit colleges but it’s too far away and expensive? Fly-in programs offer students the opportunity to stay overnight on campus to get a feel of their college environment and see if it’s the right college for you.

Check out THIS LIST for colleges that offer fly-in programs with financial assistance for eligible students.

Remember to keep track of the upcoming application deadlines for the programs you are interested in.

Want to know how to convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale?

Use  THIS CHART to help you figure out your GPA on a 4.0 scale. As a general rule SLA GPAs are unweighted.