Welcome to the fifth issue of the College & Career Newsletter! 

• Topic of the Month: The Importance of Summer Activities
• Individual College Meetings
• What We're Doing in Advisory
• Upcoming College Related Activites
• Internships
• College Research Resources
• Thank you

TOPIC OF THE MONTH: 

The importance of Summer Activities

Colleges care about how students spend their time outside of the classroom during the school year and over the summer months. They want students on their campuses who will be involved and contribute to life on campus. Additionally, studies show that students who are involved perform better in both high school and college courses.

Admissions officers want to see students developing their interests and passions. This is about quality and not necessarily quantity. It is apparent to an admissions committee when a student has joined a laundry list of activities to buffer their application and when a student has contributed to an organization that is meaningful to them.

The summer prior to senior year is the last substantial period of time to get engaged in an activity. Students should use this time to take part in something meaningful. This may feel more difficult due to the pandemic, therefore, we have provided a list of opportunities.

The expectation is that all Lab students will apply for at least three summer programs/activities to ensure a productive and meaningful summer. In addition to applying for programs, students should use their network of family and friends to pursue career-related volunteer or internship opportunities. For example, if you are interested in studying law, ask your friends and family if they know a lawyer who might be willing to let you volunteer over the summer. Lab students are exceptionally talented at thinking outside-the-box and should be using their creative skills to find new and exciting opportunities. Some options include:

1. Participating in programs. There are programs for almost everything you can think of, ranging from traveling to other countries, to researching in labs, to working on your creative writing.
2. Volunteering in your community. Colleges love to see a commitment to community service!
3. Taking a class at a college or university. Many have dorm options if farther from home, or have online options! While these can be expensive, many offer scholarships.
4. Finding an internship and/or job-shadowing opportunity. Start by asking family members and family friends if they have any connections.
5. Working at a job. 

HOW TO GET STARTED

1. Reflect on your academic and career interests. Consider different ways you can develop your skills and expertise in those areas, and find activities that match your goals. 
1. Do you want to be a doctor? Make sure you have experience working with a hospital or healthcare facility.
2. Interested in being an engineer? Consider taking a physics class at a university or find a program that will give you increased exposure to this field. 
3. Love working with kids? Look for opportunities as a counselor or counselor-in-training at day or sleep-away camps, which will also give you leadership skills.
4. Discuss your interests with family members, teachers, advisors, and peers. You never know where you will hear about a great opportunity!
2. Research opportunities. Review the upcoming events, search for programs online, and look for opportunities at colleges/universities locally or farther away, if you’re willing to travel.
3. If cost is a concern, inquire if a program offers scholarships. Many programs will subsidize the cost, in part or entirely, for students who meet certain requirements.
4. Submit applications (early!). Some may require transcripts (submit request to Ms. Clinch and Mr. Singh at least two days in advance) or letters of recommendations from teachers/advisors (submit request at least 2 weeks in advance). Submit your applications early, as some programs accept students on a rolling basis, and may fill up before the deadline.

Help your child brainstorm and make summer plans. Summer is a great time to learn new skills and explore current or new interests, and colleges look for students who participate in meaningful summer activities. These activities also help students connect with others who have similar interests, get hands-on experience, and potentially see what it’s like to live away from home.

Individual Student College Meetings

Ms. Capellan is wrapping up her meetings with all 10th graders. In these meetings  they have examined the student's current academic transcript, advised students on their personalized 4 year plan, specifically addressing course selection for 11th and 12th grade, learned more about specific college majors, summer plans and answered any questions or specific concerns the students may have had.

What We’re Doing In Advisory 

Recap (March, April & May):

Career Interest Profiler & Career Cluster Finder: Students were asked to complete their career interest profiler and career cluster finder assessments and favorite careers/career pathways that stand out to them based on their Holland Code career recommendations and personal interest, qualities and subjects.

Jobs Vs Careers: Students learned the difference between a job and careers. Students were asked to complete a “Job Vs Careers worksheet” to be able to identify and compare the difference between a job and career.

Summer Enrichment Plan & Tracker: Students learned more about some of their summer options, for example: college, summer enrichment programs, internships, jobs, community service.

Upcoming College - Related Events & Opportunities
Revolution Prep - Upcoming Free Webinars (anyone registered will receive the recording) - register here Becoming an Independent Learner: University Readiness, May 31st 7pm

Insider’s Guide to College Admissions Tests, June 2nd 8pm

How Executive Functioning Skills Improve Grades and Lower Stress, June 7th 9pm 

How to Succeed in a Test Optional World, June 21st 9pm

Supporting Your Child Through Covid 19 Learning Loss, June 22nd 7pm

Student Mental Challenges and the Academic Impact, July 14th 7pm

Why Your Child Should Apply to Liberal Arts & Sciences Colleges, July 27th 8pm

Opportunity for Students from Underserved Communities

Gen One, an organization focused on helping talented, first generation students to successfully navigate to and through college, is accepting high school students for their program! 

National Hispanic Institute Summer Leadership Program

The National Hispanic Institute (NHI) provides its youth with a continuum of leadership opportunities that begin at the ninth grade and continue through undergraduate college studies. This eight-year process begins with the Great Debate, continues with the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session, the Collegiate World Series, and, finally, the Collegiate Leadership Network. These programs are built on research and pilot projects which are field-tested before becoming part of the organization’s pedagogy. NHI provides in-person summer residential programs on college campuses and digital/virtual programs. Please review our leadership programs below. For more information click here. 

Scripps Howard Journalists Program at Elon University Summer Program

The Scripps Howard Emerging Journalists Program at Elon University offers the ideal opportunity for high school students to explore what it means to be a journalist, to report, and to produce news that informs communities. And it’s free. The first session was offered on Sept. 23, but it’s not too late to apply and participate in our five remaining monthly virtual interactive learning sessions that will help build foundational journalism skills. Register here.

Summer Immersion Program at Wake Forest University 

Current 9th – 12th grade students have the opportunity to explore a variety of career pathways and majors in 19 institutes. Those students selected for the program will enjoy access to world-class faculty, resources, industry professionals, and a one-of-a-kind view from inside a career field. On-campus and online options are available for Summer 2022! If you would like to be considered for this opportunity contact Ms. Capellan. For more information click here.

Step 1 – Discover the institute that’s right for you!

Step 2 – Apply! You’ll need to craft two essays and request a recommendation from a teacher, school counselor, or administrator for the 2022 application.

Step 3 – Experience your future. Join institutions for a life-changing week on-campus. 

Summer of Youth

The Costa Rica Youth Exchange offers 2 - four-week sessions in a village immersion experience. At their sites, students will have a bilingual Director, Itinerary support, airport transfers, full supervision, Spanish tutoring, family lodging and meals, outdoor local adventure, environmental community events, and youth civic leadership. Plus, high school sports, music, art, and dance. Register here.

University of Miami Precollege Summer Scholars Program

The University of Miami Summer Scholars Program is offering students an opportunity to explore their academic passion and consider their future career opportunities. High achieving high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors can gain an authentic college experience and earn six college credits in a variety of academic areas in the Summer Scholars Program. (Need and merit-based scholarships available.)

           Summer Scholars Program (Credit)

For high school sophomores and juniors 

Three weeks: July 3 – 22, 2022

UM Academies (Non-credit)

For high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors 

Two weeks: July 3 – 15, 2022

Remote program options (Credit and non-credit)

Select programs available. For more information click here. 

Pre-College Programs at NC State University

North Carolina State University offers Pre-College Programs in a variety of academic disciplines – each aimed at helping students prepare for college while experiencing life at NC State.

Pre-College Programs give students the opportunity to:

• Develop academic skills
• Conduct research
• Investigate careers
• Build a portfolio
• Experience college life
• Prepare for college enrollment

Disciplines include cultural education, design, engineering, leadership, math, science, technology, writing, and more. Programs are available both during the summer and throughout the school year. For more information click here.

Still not sure what summer program you want to do? Check out…

Use this link to find lists of summer internships, study abroad programs, a Summer Planning Guide, fine arts programs, volunteer opportunities, and pre-college programs to earn college credit! 

Internships & Programs

Preparing for 2022-23 School Internships

Lab encourages summer enrichment through the various avenues that we have been preparing for in advisory including: internships,  jobs, volunteering, summer camps, summer courses, etc.

When we return in the fall, internships will be posted and students will begin applying and interviewing for an experience they’re interested in. What can students do now to prepare?  

• Update their resume (or create one if they have done so already!)
• Complete their student profile on Naviance
• Ensure they have a professional outfit for formal interviews
• Invest time this summer to enrich a future career or college goal (to talk about in their interview!)
• Visit one of our many community partners for an event they’re hosting or to see their space. 

College Research Resources

Big Future— Search for good-fit colleges with the College Board’s search engine

CFNC - Helps you plan, apply and pay for college! IN ENGLISH & SPANISH. 

Youvisit - Virtual tours that convey culture and tell institutions unique stories without physically visitings

Fairtest – Test optional colleges-- colleges that don’t require standardized test scores

Federal Student Aid— Learn about types of aid and if you qualify

Financial Aid Resources-- Fact sheets, online tools, and more! IN ENGLISH & SPANISH.

Thank you Parents!

As the school year comes to an end I want to take a moment to say thanks. Thank you for supporting all of my efforts in providing you and your students with college and career information. Thank you for allowing me to guide and support your child this year. I also want to say thank you to all my students for trusting me and allowing me to grow in my role. This year we have grown together and I want to encourage you to always strive to be the BEST that you can be! It has been a wonderful and rewarding year. Have a great summer! - Ms. Capellan 

Welcome to the third issue of the College & Career Newsletter! 

Table of Contents

TOPIC OF THE MONTH:

November-December: College Entrance Exams

Family College Meetings  

Upcoming College - Related Events & Opportunities

Internships  

College Research Resources  

TOPIC OF THE MONTH: 

College Entrance Exams

Students in 9th and 10th grades will be given full length practice ACT & SAT tests during the school year. Each exam takes approximately 3.5 hours (with a few breaks) and will test your students' knowledge in a variety of subjects, particularly reading comprehension and math. There is no need to study or stress about these tests as each test should give students a better idea of how the official tests are formatted as well as their strengths and weaknesses in each subject area. The practice exam provides a baseline of data to inform which exam may be a better fit for the student. Once the results are received, students are encouraged to select a plan based on the exam that best fits and their schedule. 

Some colleges will require students to submit exam scores for admissions. However, many colleges are test optional and will not require scores. To learn more about test optional colleges, see fairtest.org/university/optional but be aware that some of these schools will require supplementary information instead. To keep Lab students' college options open, we recommend that all students select a test and take it twice, typically starting in March of junior year. As students have not yet entered their junior year, there is NO rush to take the official ACT and/or SAT before that time.

For more information about SAT and ACT: see collegeboard.com and/or act.org.

Upcoming Practice ACT Date: 12/15 

All 10th graders will be taking their PreACT on Wednesday, December 15th. Students will arrive on campus and we will have a bus to take them to UNCC Center City, where they will take their PreACT exams. Here is a PreACT practice test that students can use!

Family College Meetings

All parents of 10th grade students should meet with Ms. Capellan during Q2 (now through January 21st). If you have not done so already, please complete the parent/guardian questionnaire and schedule a time here to meet with Ms. Capellan to further discuss what the college process will look like here at Lab. Parents of 9th grade students can meet with Ms. Capellan by request. Note: Parent/Guardian questionnaires must be completed before scheduling a meeting. Please advise if you schedule a meeting without completing the questionnaire, your meeting may be rescheduled.

Our goal at the college & career office is to meet with 100% of our parents and students, so please help me meet this goal and get you started in your college & career journey.

Upcoming College - Related Events & Opportunities

LAWA’s FREE High School Series workshops (HHS) - Various dates available

LAWA's HHS provides sessions for students and caregivers on how to plan and prepare for post-secondary education. Register here 

SciFest All Access, A Free Virtual STEM EXPO - On demand through Nov.

The mission of the USA Science & Engineering Festival is to stimulate and sustain the interest of our nation's youth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math by presenting and producing the most compelling, exciting, and educational STEM festival in the world. Register here

Opportunity for Students from Underserved Communities