YOUR SENIOR YEAR
Welcome to your senior year in school, you are starting an exciting time in your academic career! As usual, life offers a mixture of rights, duties, privileges, and responsibilities… Now, you need to plan for college, complete school work, study for tests, have fun, and participate in school activities: sports, yearbook, STUCO, NHS, prepare for the ICFES, register for the TOEFL and the SAT, etc.
When in need, ask for help! Your counselor is always willing to listen to your concerns, to serve as editor, and to aid you in the process of looking for answers to your questions.
Always, talk with your parents. It is decisive that you discuss with them your interests, your doubts, and explore the possible colleges you wish to apply to.
With the purpose of assisting you in converting this potential chaos into a manageable and enjoyable time, I have prepared a manual that addresses the basic tasks that need to be accomplished. Hope it helps!!
Best wishes for your 11th grade,
Margarita Carbonell de Cortissoz
Barranquilla, March 2010
When in need, ask for help! Your counselor is always willing to listen to your concerns, to serve as editor, and to aid you in the process of looking for answers to your questions.
Always, talk with your parents. It is decisive that you discuss with them your interests, your doubts, and explore the possible colleges you wish to apply to.
With the purpose of assisting you in converting this potential chaos into a manageable and enjoyable time, I have prepared a manual that addresses the basic tasks that need to be accomplished. Hope it helps!!
Best wishes for your 11th grade,
Margarita Carbonell de Cortissoz
Barranquilla, March 2010
Advice From Seniors to Seniors
College Selection
One piece of advice I have for prospective college students is never give up on your dreams. I thought I would never be able to attend the private university I dreamed of going to because of the high cost. My parents encouraged me to apply, in addition to applying to a public university. When we compared the financial aid packages between the two schools, the difference in cost was not nearly as much as I expected. I'll be attending the private university next fall and I couldn't be more excited!!
Amanda Scheurer
College Freshman
University of St. Thomas, MN
Essays
Scholarship essays are EXTREMELY important. Often, a well written piece can "give you the edge" over other competitors. The goal of the essay is to make yourself look good—to demonstrate that you have the ability to balance school, extra-curricular activities, and community service as well. A little humility can go a long way, though.
Rather than focusing primarily on how you are the most qualified individual, stress the lessons you've learned through being a balanced student. Let the scholarship committee know that, while being in athletics, student council, band, and having a 4.0 was difficult, the discipline, motivation, and prioritization lessons you've acquired are the most beneficial aspects of your hard work.
Finally, make yourself seem human. Quite often, a "Mr. or Mrs. Perfect" doesn't appeal to a grader. Demonstrating your ability to create solid interpersonal relationships is an excellent way to show this. In college, the successful student isn't the one who is too serious to laugh or relax a bit, but the one who will study diligently and find the time to cultivate personal relationships. It's just like everything else in life—the better-rounded you are; the more successful you're apt to be.
Philip Voss
College Freshman
Central Michigan University
High School Senior Year
I've definitely have some tips for you future upper-classmen. First, work on scholarships well before your senior year. The longer you put if off, the harder it will be to finish. Second, DO NOT SLACK OFF YOUR SENIOR YEAR! It is a very good idea to try really hard and take the classes that you know will be challenging. This will give you a good head start for college. Last, but not least, visit colleges and get a good idea of what you want to major in. College visits can be very fun and knowledgeable. Be smart when deciding where to go and make sure to get the most out of the college of your choice.
Naomi Sherm
One piece of advice I have for prospective college students is never give up on your dreams. I thought I would never be able to attend the private university I dreamed of going to because of the high cost. My parents encouraged me to apply, in addition to applying to a public university. When we compared the financial aid packages between the two schools, the difference in cost was not nearly as much as I expected. I'll be attending the private university next fall and I couldn't be more excited!!
Amanda Scheurer
College Freshman
University of St. Thomas, MN
Essays
Scholarship essays are EXTREMELY important. Often, a well written piece can "give you the edge" over other competitors. The goal of the essay is to make yourself look good—to demonstrate that you have the ability to balance school, extra-curricular activities, and community service as well. A little humility can go a long way, though.
Rather than focusing primarily on how you are the most qualified individual, stress the lessons you've learned through being a balanced student. Let the scholarship committee know that, while being in athletics, student council, band, and having a 4.0 was difficult, the discipline, motivation, and prioritization lessons you've acquired are the most beneficial aspects of your hard work.
Finally, make yourself seem human. Quite often, a "Mr. or Mrs. Perfect" doesn't appeal to a grader. Demonstrating your ability to create solid interpersonal relationships is an excellent way to show this. In college, the successful student isn't the one who is too serious to laugh or relax a bit, but the one who will study diligently and find the time to cultivate personal relationships. It's just like everything else in life—the better-rounded you are; the more successful you're apt to be.
Philip Voss
College Freshman
Central Michigan University
High School Senior Year
I've definitely have some tips for you future upper-classmen. First, work on scholarships well before your senior year. The longer you put if off, the harder it will be to finish. Second, DO NOT SLACK OFF YOUR SENIOR YEAR! It is a very good idea to try really hard and take the classes that you know will be challenging. This will give you a good head start for college. Last, but not least, visit colleges and get a good idea of what you want to major in. College visits can be very fun and knowledgeable. Be smart when deciding where to go and make sure to get the most out of the college of your choice.
Naomi Sherm
