Thursday Round Up

28 August

Photo by Pascal Debrunner on Unsplash
News from the Homefront: 

Back to School Night
Next Thursday is Back to School Night! Come join us to hear about the State of the School and meet your student's teachers this year. It will run from 6:30-8:30. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Are you interested in political dialogue? 
The Virginia Discovery Museum is hosting Democracy in Dialogue, a Smithsonian-sponsored youth exchange program that brings together students from across the country to explore the principles and practice of community through storytelling, collaboration, and civic engagement. This unique opportunity empowers high school students to share their perspectives, learn from one another, and create digital projects that reflect their understanding of values in their own communities. Through dialogue and creative expression, participants will build connections, deepen their civic awareness, and contribute to a national conversation about what community means today.  Apply by 5:00pm on 20 September

Interested in studying a language abroad?
The US Department of State sponsors The National Strategic Language Institute for Youth, a summer abroad program for high school students in languages like Russia, Arabic, Chinese, and Persian. Each summer students are given the opportunity to continue to study or begin studying a language in places like Morocco, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia or Turkey. The application process is selective and it begins in the fall. We have sent numerous students on this program and my own daughter did this when she was a rising senior, coming away with an entire year of growth in her Chinese. If you think you are interested in this program, please contact me and I will connect you with folks who have done it. September is the time to get the application going. There are also school year options and virtual options. Best part? It costs 0 dollars! My favorite price!

Club applications are open!
Got a great club idea? Are you the leader of an established club? Be sure to check the requirements before you fill our your application. Club applications are open and taking submissions! Be sure to get them in by TOMORROWt.

Common App Crash Course​
Each year I offer Friday morning Early Bird (8:00-8:50) workshops on how to put your college application together. There are multiple sessions and we start at the beginning and move through the whole thing. These will start TOMORROW Friday morning, 22 August in the library and the sessions are as follows:
  • 29 August – Activities/Honors Section of Common App
  • 5 September – Writing the College Essay
  • 12 September – Supplemental Essays
Can't make it early? Not a problem! Sessions will also run during WP starting today. "Early Bird" will have more time though so if you're trying to decide between times, I'll nudge you to Friday mornings.

A Note to Seniors:​
I know many of you are eager to see me to work on college essays and applications. I am here to help with that! Do yourself and me a favor and email me or visit me to set a specific time to meet. While it is true that most of the year, drop ins are fine, last year it became frustrating for folks to wait for others with appointments to finish first. Many of you have 1st period or last period release and those are popular times. I can see about 3-4 people per period. But I will give you a specific time (first 25 min, last 25 min, etc). I'll create a SmartPass for you so you know when to come. It gives both you and me anxiety if you're sitting there waiting. We have PLENTY of time before anything is due (even those 15 October dates!), and indeed some schools have not even finalized their essays yet. I promise we will have your work in tip top shape by the time it's due.

Do you want to be a student representative to the State Board of Education?
Virginia's Board of Education is looking for representatives who can provide a student's eye view of education in the Commonwealth. The Board works closely with VDOE to provide student perspectives and plays a vital role in the creation of policy concepts with Virginia Board of Education. Applications are due by September 15. The Board is comprised of one student from every Superintendent’s Region in the Commonwealth. Students are chosen based on demonstrated academic achievement and passion for educational policy issues. You must be a senior to apply.

National History Day:
Love history? Want to take on a cool project this year? National History Day is a historical inquiry centered around a theme. This year's theme is Revolution, Reaction, Reform. There are a variety of ways to show your ideas on this. Create an exhibit, documentary, website, paper, or performance. Last year's winners in the state competition for exhibit came from WAHS! They not only won the regional and state competitions, but they took home some scholarship money for a special award they won. If this sort of thing appeals to you, come see me!

College and Career Fair:
Charlottesville High School will be hosting the VACRAO fair on September 11 from 5 to 7 pm in A and B Commons. This is a great opportunity for students of all grade levels to connect with admission representatives from across the country. I am inviting multiple workforce, trade programs, and military representatives as well to have a variety of postsecondary options present. Please share this flyer with your students, families, and anyone else who may benefit from this information and we hope to see you on September 11!
Behind the wheel :
​College Visits:
Sign up in Schoolinks!​
  • 8 September – UC Berkeley
  • 9 September – Denison
  • 9 September – Randolph
  • 10 September – Hampden Sydney
  • 11 September – University of Richmond
  • 24 September – VCU
  • 1 October – Longwood
  • 1 October – Mary Washington
  • 2 October – UVA 
  • 8 October – Wofford
  • 15 October – Elon ​​
  • 22 October – Hobart William Smith
​
Tomorrow is a(n) A day 

​Upcoming Events:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • 1 September – Labor Day (no school for students)
  • 4 September – Back to School Night 6:30-8:30
  • 10-11 September – Underclass Picture Day
  • 11 September – Regional College Fair (CHS)
  • 18 September – Post High Planning Night 6:00-7:00
  • 26 September – Teacher Work Day (no school for students)
  • 2-3 October – Senior Picture Day Make Ups
  • 3-10 October – Spirit Week
  • 10 October – End of 1st Quarter
  • 11 October – ​HOCO!
  • 13-14 October – Teacher Work Day and Professional Development Day (no school for students)
  • 16 October – Family Conference Night 4:30-7:00
  • 18 October – Craft Vendor/WAHS Cheer Fundraiser
  • 21 October – PSAT (10th and 11th)
  • 22 October – Family Conference Night 4:30-7:00
  • 2-3 November – Teacher Work Day and Professional Development Day (no school for students)
  • 19 November – School Picture Make Up Day
  • 26-28 November – Thanksgiving Break
  • 7 December – Winter Band Concert
  • ​18 December – End of 1st Semester

Use Your Brain for Fun (&$)!

Humanities & Social Sciences

Polyphony wants your writing! The theme is "something left behind." Submit your work by 30 September.

Just Poetry is taking submissions until 30 September. If you are published you can win up to $500. Submit now!

Wax Poetry and Art is taking submissions until 14 September. Submit your work today.

Get in on Voices of Democracy! Submit your 150-300 word essay by 26 September. Winners will get $500. Open to students in 6-12.

Want to be a Senate Page in the General Assembly? Get your application in by 17 October. We've had folks get in this program before!

If you are a woman identifying person who wants to start your own business, consider applying for the Be the Change Scholarship. Apply by 15 September.

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium invites you to present your original research and work in these fields. The registration will open this fall.

STEM

Join the Presidential AI Challenge! Do you have a plan for how AI could solve a community issue? Then you have a project! 

NASA invites you to their Student Launch Challenge. This is a 9 month challenge for those interested in aerospace engineering!

Interested in a career in engineering? The Virginia Space Grant Consortium offers a number of free (my favorite price!) programs for students interested in STEM. There is programming for students in 6th-12th grades. The high school programs come with a week at NASA's Wallops Island for top performing students. Applications open tomorrow!

Programmers, get your plans in place for the Congressional App Challenge. WAHS has had a winner in the past so we can definitely do it again! Check the contest out!

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium invites you to present your original research and work in these fields. The registration will open this fall.
Picture
Photo by Ari He on Unsplash

Visual and Performing Arts

ConnectHer film festival is taking submissions from filmmakers ages 13-25. They ask you to submit films that illustrate the impact of women and girls. Submit by 1 October

Enter the What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? Art Contest. It is open to students in Pre-K-12 grades. Submit your vision by 3 October.

Wax Poetry and Art is taking submissions until 14 September. Submit your work today.​

The Congressional Art Competition invites you to submit your art. This is a prestigious contest for students in grades 7-12.

The Naval and Maritime Photography Contest invites amateur photographers to submit their work for consideration by 30 September. Prizes are up to $500

​Young Arts recognizes talented students in the visual, literary and performing arts. Submit your application by 8 October.
​
The Jack Kent Cook Scholarship awards artists up to $10,000 for college. It's open to people 8-18 so get your fall app in! It's due by 15 November
Self Care:
​Scholarships
Start Here: 
JLV College Counseling​​
Or
Schools with Full Ride Merit Scholarships

The Gates Scholarship is a scholarship for people of color who are Pell Grant eligible. It is a scholarship that makes sure that all of your expenses for higher education are covered (award amount will vary depending on school chosen). Apply by 15 September.
​
Questbridge is a program that connects outstanding students with financial need to colleges. It is a full tuition scholarship program. Apply by 30 September

Coca Cola offers a $20,000 scholarship to students with financial need. Apply by 30 September.

Dr. Pepper has a scholarship sweepstakes worth up to $10,000. 

Golden Doors is a scholarship program for students who are DACA eligible or undocumented. They partner with 21 different schools. There is career counseling, mentorship, and more. Apply by 1 October.

Young Arts recognizes talented students in the visual, literary and performing arts. Submit your application by 8 October.

The Jack Kent Cook Scholarship awards artists up to $10,000 for college. It's open to people 8-18 so get your fall app in! It's due by 15 November

Do Good Things for People

The American Renewal Foundation has a need for folks to help out with landscaping. 

Hooves and Paws Animal Sanctuary would like folks to volunteer to take care of animals

Gentiva Hospice is looking for volunteers to provide companionship.

Want to begin a community service project? Look no further than the United Way!

"The Best School" and "The Best School for You" should be one and the same. You're not buying a pair of shoes. You're going to school for four years. Just because it's a good brand name, doesn't mean it fits you or that you're comfortable there. 

College Corner

Christopher Newport

Deadline Dilemma

​Most colleges and universities have several deadlines for applying. So how do you choose which one is for you? Let’s look at the options and take them in turn.

Early Action: What is it?
Early Action or EA is just that. It’s when you apply to a school early. This is not binding. What that means is that you are not committing to go to that school just by applying there. Most schools with EA will have a deadline of 1 November for applicants, but check carefully because some schools are 15 October (UNC, USC). EA decisions can come any time from schools between mid December and February. Since it’s not binding you can apply to as many schools as you like EA.

Who should apply EA?
If your grades are strong from 9-11 and showing you can hack a senior year of rigorous classes isn’t really necessary then you should definitely consider EA. Because it’s not binding, you don’t have to know in advance if you can afford to go there. By and large, applying early might give you more access to things like honors programs, special scholarships etc. 

Is there an advantage to EA?
There can be. First off it gives you peace of mind to know that you’re into a place before you have to submit other applications. Knowing you have options is always good. Applying early might give you more access to things like honors programs, special scholarships etc., but it may not have much of a statistical advantage the way ED does.

Early Decision: What is it?
Early Decision or ED is an option to apply to college early but it is binding. What this means is that you are applying for admittance and you know that this is the school you will definitely attend if you get accepted. You will sign a pledge saying that you understand the decision commits you to attending this school if you get in. Some schools will have an ED I. Usually applications are due 1 November, but the North and South Carolina schools are often 15 October so check carefully. Other schools will offer ED II as well (for when you find out you did not get into Stanford ED I).

Who should apply ED?
If you know that you can afford to attend this school (either because it's affordable or you know you will qualify for financial aid) and it’s the one you are completely in love with, then this might be the best option for you. Factors to consider include your historical grades, financial situation, and right fit. If your grades 9-11 were fantastic and you don’t need to prove yourself with your senior year schedule, then applying early, either ED or EA is a good choice. Finances are another factor in that you know either that you will definitely qualify for financial aid, or that you do not need financial aid then a binding situation might be just fine as well. 

Is there an advantage to ED?
The short answer is yes. Most places with ED will take a big chunk of their entering class from ED. Schools like Tulane and University of Miami take a majority of their students from the ED cycle. It makes sense right? Private schools want to be sure people can pay the full amount and so the folks who apply ED are signaling to the school that they are able to afford it without financial aid (or that they know that the financial aid they qualify for will be sufficient so they can attend). Highly selective schools like Vanderbilt that have something like a 5% acceptance rate overall, has a 15% acceptance rate for ED candidates. While that is still a very very low number, it’s also three times the overall acceptance rate. But beware, this year Tulane is projecting it will be about $94,000 next year. That's almost a half million by the time you graduate.

Regular Decision: What is it?
Regular Decision or RD is when applications are due to schools for everyone. Generally these are due between 1 January and 15 March although most are due by 15 February. RD is not binding. You can apply to as many schools as you like RD and even though deadlines are in January, you can submit your application any time before those deadlines if you like.

Who should apply RD?
If last year was a tough year for you, or if 9th or 10th were, and having your mid year grades go to colleges can make a difference, RD may be for you. An example of this is a former student of mine who had a very very hard junior year and ended the year with Bs, a C, and an A. Her senior year schedule was rigorous, and the rough patch she went through was behind her. She sent the schools she applied to RD her mid year grades: all As. She ended up getting in to her first choice school even though she waited for RD.

Is there an advantage to RD?
Maybe. Having more data to give to schools is sometimes a good plan. And because it’s not binding you can have a lot more options so you can make an informed decision. If you’re not sure about money, applying RD can also lift that burden of “will they or won’t they give me money?” Most families fit into that category and you do not want to be committed to a school you can’t pay for. BUT over the last years, more and more colleges are taking people from the early rounds, so if you don't really need to show some major improvement, I'll nudge you to EA instead.

Finally, there are schools with what’s called Rolling Admissions. Rolling Admissions encourages students to apply as soon as the window opens (usually 1 November) and receive an admissions decision usually within a month or two. It’s not binding, but it’s also not the same as EA, because the schools will continue to take applications until the class is complete. In some cases this is much later than for other schools. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will hear back. VCU, ODU and Emory and Henry a few schools in state that are rolling. Outside of VA, schools with rolling admissions include Penn State, Rutgers, and Purdue to name a few.

On the Town

Photo by Jared Sluyter on Unsplash
Events:​​​​