James Hubert Blake High School
College/Career Center Newsletter
Blake's College Board H.S. Code # 210959

REGISTER FOR THE OCTOBER 9 SAT TEST NOW ! September 10 is the deadline to register for the October 9, 2010 SAT test. The best way to do this is online: http://www.collegeboard.com/. Cost is $47.00, and you can charge this on your credit card. After Sept. 10 a LATE FEE applies--extra $24. If you prefer completing a mail-in registration, pick up an SAT Registration Bulletin from the College & Career Center . The SAT test is not administered at Blake but several nearby high schools serve as SAT test centers. When registering for the test, please include the H.S. Code for Blake: 210959.

REGISTER FOR THE ACT ASSESSMENT - September 17 is the deadline to register for the October 23, 2010 ACT test. The best way to register is online: http://www.actstudent.org/ A few mail-in registration packets are available in the College & Career Center . Students can choose between two test options- the ACT Assessment or the ACT Assessment Plus Writing, which includes a 30-minute Writing test (recommended). The cost is $33.00 + writing test is $15.00 more ($48 total), which can be charged on your credit card. Oct. 1 is the LATE registration DEADLINE – extra charge + $21. Be sure to include the H.S. Code when registering: 210959.

FEE WAIVERS FOR SAT & ACT AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS MEETING ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES - The College Board and The ACT both offer waivers for students for whom the payment of fees for the tests presents a serious barrier to college entrance. Eligibility is determined primarily by membership in a family whose annual income falls within predetermined guidelines or for those whose family receives public assistance / lives in subsidized housing. Students should see Mrs. Moore for the Fee Waiver Eligibility Form and registration instructions. Students using a fee waiver can register for the SAT or ACT online with the assigned fee waiver number.

SAT SCORE REPORTING POLICY -
Designed to relieve student stress and improve the test-day experience, this new SAT score-reporting feature provides students the opportunity to select which scores they send to colleges by test date for the SAT and by individual test for SAT Subject Tests(TM). Students can send any or all scores to a college on a single report. It will not cost more to send one, multiple or all test scores, and students can easily sign up through the Web. The new score-reporting feature will launch in Spring 2009 for all students. Starting with the class of 2010, this feature will help lessen the anxiety associated with testing, and allow students to put their best foot forward on test day. For more information on the new score-reporting policy, please go to: http://click.collegeboard.com:8080/17207208.1264.0.785

*SAT Special Needs Testing Locations**: 2010-11* - MCPS provides a central testing location in Bethesda for most students pre-approved for accommodations on the SAT. The student using the Walter Johnson H.S. special testing center will receive notification from the College Board that they are approved for "School Testing" and report to WJHS on the day of the test. Students requiring the use of a reader and/or writer will test at his/her home school and will receive approval for "Site Testing." For additional information contact Sue Hartung at the Walter Johnson High School site (301-803-7140).

Information on requesting accommodations on College Board tests may be found on the College Board website's Services for Students with Disabilities page.

SAT PREPARATION COURSE -

The Montgomery College Workforce Development and Continuing Education Office offers an SAT Prep course which is conducted in various MCPS schools during the school year and at Montgomery College during the summer. The course meets either after school, in the evening, or on Saturday mornings. The 30 hour course is designed to help students achieve a score that better reflects their knowledge and abilities by practicing with REAL SATs, teaching test format, teaching test taking strategies, reviewing content and raising test taking confidence.

For Montgomery county residents, the cost of the course is $285 plus the cost of the textbook. New this year, an 18 hour course will be offered to help students prepare for just the math portion of the SAT or the critical reading portion of the SAT. The cost of the 18 hour course is $199. Information on dates, locations and registration is available at www.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce/ce/satprep.html or a brochure can be obtained from an MCPS College and Career Center or the School Counseling Office. Registration assistance and information can also be obtained by contacting 240-567-5188. Flyers advertising courses for the fall SATs are mailed to the homes of rising juniors and seniors at the end of July. A second mailing advertising spring SATs will occur in early December. An SAT prep course at BLAKE HS will begin on September 20, 2010 to prepare students for the November 6th SAT test. Please register online if interested.

NOTE: Many MCPS high schools offer SAT Prep classes during the school day, for which a student receives an elective credit for the semester. The curriculum for the in-school semester course is much more in depth and gives a teacher the opportunity to work more closely with individual students to focus on content, polish math skills, and develop critical reading & writing skills.

Special Note: Registration for the SAT exam is a separate process. SAT Prep courses do not include registration for the official SAT test. Although registration forms are available at high school College-Career Centers students are “STRONGLY” encouraged to register for the SAT test online @ www.collegeboard.com. The registration fee must be charged to a credit card and the admission ticket is printed immediately. Students with limited family incomes should see their College/Career Information Coordinator regarding fee waiver eligibility.

OTHER SAT PREP Courses:

University of Maryland College Park Pre-College LIFT Program offers SAT Prep course this fall for $275 on their campus. These are 6-week sessions and information can be found online at: http://www.precollege.umd.edu/liftsatprep.html. Test strategies are provided to small class sizes of 7 to 15 students on Saturdays, 9:00-12:30. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis and sessions could be cancelled if the minimum number of registered students is not met. In the case of cancellation, refunds will be granted. Check out the offerings below:

August 21 - October 2...............in preparation for October 9 SAT

October 16 - November 20........in preparation for December 4 SAT

January 29 - March 5................in preparation for the March 12 SAT

April 23 - May 28.......................in preparation for the June 4 SAT

ACT/SAT Prep for MCPS students – free online practice

Students should take advantage of the FREE SAT and ACT online prep offered by MCPS. To access this resource, visit the MCPS homepage, www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org, and click on the “for students” tab. The link for this test prep is in the top left hand corner. Directions for how to access the sites are clearly stated. Click on "James Hubert Blake H.S." and enter your six-digit student I.D. as both your username & password. Choose the test for which you wish to prepare. Students can pace themselves through the online course, but should set goals for themselves such as 1-2 hours per week for SAT/ACT Prep.

For the self-motivated student, here are some free SAT or ACT practice sites:
http://www.number2.com
http://www.collegeboard.com
http://www.actexampracticetests.com

SAT OPTIONAL SCHOOLS - There is a list of colleges that do not use SAT or ACT scores for admitting substantial numbers of students into their bachelor degree programs. Some schools exempt students who meet a certain grade point average, while others use SAT or ACT scores only for placement purposes. Please check with the college's admissions office to learn more about each individual college's requirements. The National Center for Fair & Open Testing publishes a list at: http://www.fairtest.org/.

COLLEGE REPS VISIT THE BLAKE CAREER CENTER - Throughout the fall college admissions representatives make appointments to visit & recruit Blake juniors & seniors. These meetings are held in the Career Center and students may attend if they bring their agenda book to Mrs. Moore at least one day in advance to obtain a pass. A list of colleges that have already made appointments can be accessed from Naviance: http://connection.naviance.com/blake. All seniors have been assigned usernames & passwords to enter Naviance, but if forgotten, please contact your counselor or Mrs. Moore and we'll reset it. The Guest password for Blake H.S. students is: 210959. Click on "college" tab and "college visits" to see a current list of colleges visiting Blake so far (subject to change).

COLLEGE INFORMATION SESSIONS (held locally) -

Washington & Lee University (VA) - will be visiting the Marriott Tysons Corner in Vienna, VA on Sunday, September 19 @ 7:00 pm and St. Paul's School for Girls on Falls Road in Maryland on Monday, September 27, 2010 @ 7:30 pm. All are welcome. 540-458-8710 or admissions@wlu.edu.

Washington University, St. Louis (MO) - Meet the admissions staff and learn more about Wash U - September 15, 2010, 7:30-8:30 pm, Bethesda Marriott, 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD. No reservation needed. 301-897-9400 OR October 5, 2010, 7:30-8:30 pm, Embassy Suites Hunt Valley, 213 International Circle, Hunt Valley, MD, 410-584-1400 OR October 19,. 2010, 7:30-8:30 pm, Courtyard Marriott Tysons Corner, 1960-A Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA, 703-790-0207.

College of Charleston & Wofford College (SC) - will host a college information night on Tuesday, September 21 from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Georgetown Preparatory School, 10900 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD, 301-493-5000

Spelman College (GA) - September 23 & October 13, 2010, 7:00-9:00 pm - first session at Greenbelt Marriott, 6400 Ivy Lane, Greenbelt, MD or Oct. 13 at Courtyard Marriott Arlington Crystal City/Reagan National Airport, 2899 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. RSVP online: www.spelman.edu/admrsvp. For more info: 1-800-982-2411.

MIT (MA) - will host informational meetings on Sunday, September 26, 2:00 pm at BCC High School in Bethesda, MD and on Saturday, September 25, 3:00 pm at Thomas Jefferson H.S. in Alexandria, VA. All are welcome. 617-253-3400

Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Rice & University of Chicago information session on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. For time and registering to attend, go to: http://exploringeducationalexcellence.org.

Dartmouth College (NH) information session on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 7:00 pm, Towson Library Meeting Room, 320 York Road, Towson, MD. RSVP online: http://www.dartmouth.edu/admissions/nearyou/. 603-646-2875.

University of Scranton (PA) - information session for Maryland students on Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:00 pm at Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center, 9751 Washingtonian Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. RSVP online: http://www.scranton.edu/receptionmd. 1-888-SCRANTON.

Duke University (NC) - admissions presentation held locally on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 7:00 pm at Rockville H.S., 2100 Baltimore Road, Rockville, MD 20851. Other locations for info sessions: Baltimore (MD) & Oakton (VA). Listing and registration: http://www.admissions.duke.edu.

Brown University (RI) - informational presentation on admissions - Wednesday, October 6, 2010, 7:00 pm at the Georgetown Day School, 4200 Davenport Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016. For information on other Brown events in your area, please refer to website: http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Admission/gettoknowus/brownnearyou.html.

Oberlin College & Conservatory (OH) - presentation and reception for prospective students & their parents - Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 8:00-9:30 pm at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA 22101. Please RSVP online at www.oberlin.edu/admissions/rsvp.

Tufts University (MA) - Prospective students and their parents are invited to an admissions information session at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008. RSVP: http://admissions.tufts.edu/RSVP.

Tulane University (LA) - "Tulane Comes to You" evening event - October 21, 2010, 7:00 pm, Hyatt Bethesda, One Bethesda Metro Center, 20914 OR October 20, 7:00 pm at Tyson's Corner Marriott, 8028 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182

University of Richmond (VA) - Information session - Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 6:30-8:30 pm, Eacho Lecture Hall, Holton-Arms School, Bethesda, MD. RSVP: http://www.admission.richmond.edu/richmond101.

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN - Saturday, October 30, 2010, 12:00 noon - admissions information session at Fairview Park Marriott, 3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, VA to learn about creative careers in art and design.

Harvard, Princeton, UVA - shared information session, Monday, November 8, 2010, 7:30 pm at Eleanor Roosevelt H.S., 7601 Hanover Parkway, Greenbelt, MD 20770. To register online: http://harvardprincetonuva.com.

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Join the Medical Explorers program at Holy Cross Hospital - Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 5:30 pm - The Medical Explorers program is for students in grades 9-12 who are interested in the health care field: medicine, dentistry, nursing, research & related fields. The program emphasizes career opportunities, leadership experience, life skills, citizenship & character education. The first meeting is held on Sept. 21, 5:30-7:30 pm at Holy Cross Hospital, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring 20910 in Auditoriums B & D on the first floor. The group meets twice per month throughout the school year. A $15 annual registration fee is required if you decide to join. For more information contact Carla Halik: 301-754-7174 or halikc@holycrosshospital.org.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY DIVERSITY OPEN HOUSE - will be held on September 25, 9:00 a.m. on campus at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place. RSVP online: admissions.nyu.edu/visit or call: 212-998-4524.

COLLEGE CAMPUS VISITS --> GO AMTRAK! - Buy one, Get one free! JUNIORS & SENIORS start making travel plans. Tickets must be booked 7 days in advance. You may access the AMTRAK website for details on how to access this discount: www.campusvisit.com/amtrak. Fill out a short form; hit Submit for special Amtrak promotion code; then book your ticket online or by phone with Amtrak using this special code. Pick up your tickets and travel in comfort to college campuses.

GAPBUSTER LEARNING CENTER SOUTHERN COLLEGE TOUR - October 13-17, 2010 - This college tour includes: Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, Emory, Georgia Tech, Hampton, Virginia Commonwealth, North Carolina A & T, NC State and South Carolina State Universities. Cost is $400 and includes bus transportation and meals. For more information, call 301-779-4252 or send an email to: gblc_office@yahoo.com. Partial scholarships available.

LOOKING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS? - Many local scholarship opportunities are posted on the Career Center webpage and links to the application form & eligibility criteria are included when offered: http:www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/, click on "Students" and then on "Career Center." Some scholarship forms are not available online, but can be found in the Career Center files. See Mrs. Moore for assistance.

MINORITY SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION - A list of scholarships that target minority students has been posted on the Blake H.S. webpage for your convenience. They are listed in chonological order along with contact information. To view the document online, go to: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/ and click on "Students," "Career Center." Look on the left side of the Career Center page for "Scholarships for Minority Students." http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/careercenter/minorityscholarships.shtm.

BLAKE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCEDURES - The "Life After High School -- Collegebound" packet that seniors are given when they meet with their counselor to discuss post-secondary plans is now online. It includes: How to Process College Applications & Transcript Requests, Sample Resume, Student Reflections Form, Parent Reflections Form, Request for Teacher Recommendation Letter and websites for Exploring College/Career Goals. Go to: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/ Click on "Students," and then on "Career Center." Choose: "College Admissions Process."

SENIOR ORIENTATION - September 20-22, 2010 - The School Counseling staff will be meeting with all senior English classes to discuss the college admissions process and other postsecondary options. The amphitheatre has been reserved for this Power-point presentation and valuable information will be given to students regarding college testing (SAT/ACT), how to request your H.S. transcript and recommendation letters, adhering to deadlines, etc.

DIVERSITY ACHIEVERS PROGRAM @ LEHIGH UNIVERSITY (PA) - October 24-25, 2010 - This two-day one night program is for high school seniors of color in good academic standing. Interested students must apply by September 21, 2010 and will know if they are selected for the program on September 27. Required supporting documents: unofficial transcript, SAT/ACT test scores, personal essay describing how you plan to contribute to a diverse campus community, school counselor evaluation form, overnight agreement, along with the student response form. For more information: lacd208@lehigh.edu or call 610-758-3102.

COLLEGE NIGHT at BLAKE - The Blake Counseling Department will sponsor a COLLEGE NIGHT for seniors on Thursday, September 23 at 6:30 pm . Students and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend. The School Counseling Office has planned a PowerPoint presentation on the college application procedures at Blake. Guest speaker: Rebekah Porter, University of Maryland Baltimore County Admissions Officer, discuss what goes on behind the scenes in the admissions office once an applicant's file is complete. How are students selected for admission and for scholarships. What supports can parents provide to insure that their senior stays on task and adhere to deadlines. In addition, a student panel (Blake alums from our local colleges) will discuss the transition from HS to college and what they may have done differently. From 6:30-7:00 pm SAT Prep companies will exhibit just outside the amphitheatre for those students who made need assistance with improving their SAT scores. Be sure to mark your calendar now for this important informational meeting.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT ESSAY CONTEST - Here's an essay contest that awards eight $10,000 scholarships and one $20,000 award! The Junior Achievement Essay Competition is open to any student in grades 9-12 attending H.S. in the Greater Washington region. In addition, the school with the greatest number of eligible applications will receive $6,000, so let's try to get as many Blake students as possible to enter their 1500 word limit essays on "What can the Greater Washington Business Community Learn from Today's High School Students?" Specific rules are posted on www.myJA.org/students/essay/ so get started! All online entries must be received by September 30, 2010. Winners will be announced on November 30, 2010. Good luck!

QUESTBRIDGE NATIONAL COLLEGE MATCH PROGRAM - Deadline: September 30, 2010 - This is a program that helps outstanding low-income students to gain admission and full four-year scholarships to leading colleges. There are 29 partner colleges, many of the nation's top-ranked universities and liberal arts colleges. Just to name a few: Amherst, Bowdoin, Brown, CalTech, Columbia, Dartmouth, Emory, Haverford, MIT, Notre Dame, Oberlin, Parsons, UPenn, Pomona, Princeton, Rice, Stanford, Swarthmore, Vassar, UVA, Washington & Lee, Wellesley, Williams & Yale. Selected students are most often in the top 10% of their class, first generation to attend college, and family income under $60,000/year. For more information and to apply online, please visit: http://www.questbridge.org/students/program.html.

MOREHEAD-CAIN SCHOLARS PROGRAM, UNC CHAPEL HILL - nomination due October 1, 2010 - Are you interested in competing for the Morehead-Cain Scholars program at UNC Chapel Hill? Blake has been invited to nominate ONE senior for this prestigious full scholarship that covers tuition, room, board, books, laptop & supplies. It includes a full, four-year summer enrichment program made up of diverse, customized experiences that begin the summer before the freshman year with Outdoor Leadership, followed by Public Service, International Research, and Private Enterprise. Long considered the nation's premier undergraduate merit scholarship program, the Morehead-Cain offers dynamic young leaders a lifelong challenge to make a difference in the world. The selection criteria includes: leadership, academic excellence, moral face of character and physical vigor. Nominees do not have to be class valedictorian, but should be in the top 10% of the class. The middle 50% on SAT scores for out-of-state scholars is:
critical reading: 710-760
math: 690-780
writing: 700-770
Total: 2140-2260

For more information regarding selection criteria, visit: www.moreheadcain.org. Please let me know immediately if you would like to be considered for this, because the online application will take considerable time and effort. Depending on interest, we will pick the top Blake senior to be our nominee. The deadline for submission of all online nomination forms is October 1.

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSTS SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE EVENTS - Save these dates: Oct 11 & Nov 12, 2010, 9:30-3:00 - The GWU School of Engineering & Applied Science will host an Open House that includes engineering focused tours and the opportunity to meet faculty, students & alums. Lunch and an optional admissions interview is available. Also planned is a Multicultural Open House day on October 28 and 29, 2010. For more information and to register: http://gwuapplication.gwu.edu.

PSAT REGISTRATION - This year, the PSAT will be administered on Wednesday, October 13 at all Montgomery County High Schools. Students in grades 10 will take the PSAT at no cost through a partnership between MCPS and Montgomery College . For juniors and freshmen who take the official PSAT, the fee is $13. Freshmen will take either the official PSAT for a fee or a free practice test that morning. Please be aware that the PSAT is a practice test for the SAT Reasoning Test so all juniors should take the official PSAT! It is administered only once during the school year and consists of two 25-minute critical reading sections, one 30-minute math section, and one 30-minute writing skills section. We expect to adminster testing for all grade 9, 10 & 11 students beginning at 7:30 a.m. on 10/13/2010. Only students who take the PSAT/NMSQT in their JUNIOR year will be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Program, the National Achievement Scholarship Program or the National Hispanic Scholar Awards Program.

ACCUPLACER TEST PRACTICE FOR SENIORS ON PSAT DAY, 10/13/2010 -

NCAA INITIAL-ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE ONLINE REGISTRATION
Students who plan to participate in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II school are encouraged to register online. The NCAA website includes online registration for the Clearinghouse. Visit the website at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.org, pull down the Parent/Prospect page from the Custom Home Pages pull-down menu. From there, click on "Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete." New eligibility rules for playing sports in college were adopted in 2008, so seniors should deal with this now if they plan to play for competitive Division 1 or 2 schools.

KID'S COLLEGE YOUTH PROGRAMS @ MONTGOMERY COLLEGE - These enrichment courses are for students in grades 2-12 and Fall classes begin in October 2010. Courses are offered after school and on Saturdays and Sundays at the Rockville MC campus. For brochures & registration information:http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/youth or call 240-567-7264 or 240-567-7919.

UMBC MEYERHOFF SCHOLARS PROGRAM - Deadline for nominations: Oct. 15, 2010 - This outstanding scholarship opportunity is open to high achieving seniors who plan to pursue undergraduate studies in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics (STEM) and plan to pursue doctoral studies in a STEM field, as well. The Meyerhoff scholarships range from $5,000 to $22,000 per year and students should have an interest in the advancement of minorities in the sciences and related fields. Seniors must be nominated by their H.S. Eligibility criteria: cumulative unweighted GPA 3.0 or better, minimum of 600 on the Math portion of SAT, excellent grades in math, science, computer science or engineering in H.S., demonstrated commitment to community service, U.S. citizen or permanent resident. See Mrs. Moore if you wish to be considered.

UNC CHARLOTTE LEVINE SCHOLARS PROGRAM - Deadline for nominations: Oct. 15, 2010 - This four year scholarship for $140,000 over four years for an out-of-state student ($90,000 for in-state students) is available to high achieving seniors who demonstrate commitment to community service and ethical leadership. Average GPA is between 3.8-4.0 (unweighted) and SATs average 1800-2400 on all three sections or ACT 29-36. Nominees must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who apply as freshmen to UNC Charlotte for the fall after graduating from HS. Fifteen of these scholarships are awarded each year in addition to a laptop computer, an $8,000 service grant and four summer experiences. For more information: http://levinescholars.uncc.edu or email kelleyshealy@uncc.edu or call 704-687-7288.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY is forming an advisory council composed of current H.S. students in grades 10-11 that are Montgomery County residents. Student volunteers will commit to a year long term and attend four meetings and one board meeting throughout the year. This is a great way to build your resume' and earn community service hours at the same time. A written application, teacher recommendation and interview are required by October 15, 2010. The applications can be downloaded from the website from Sept. 30 - Oct. 15, 2010 - http://www.montgomeryhistory.org. Students will be notified if they were selected by December 15, 2010. For more information contact: Elizabeth Otey at 301-655-2229 or eotey@montgomeryhistory.org.

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON PROSPECTIVE STUDENT WEEKEND - October 15-17, 2010 - Jewish Student Union will host a special Hillel event for visiting high school juniors & seniors. Take advantage of student tours & speak with admissions counselors .For more information: 843-953-3917 or by email: altermanm@cofc.edu.

MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY STUDENT PAGE PROGRAM - Deadline for applications: October 20, 2010 - Seniors who are at least 16 yrs old who are legal residents of the State of Maryland are eligible to apply for the student page program at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, MD. Interest in state government and history, average or above average academic record, social security number, good conduct, competent, reliable, courteous, outgoing personality are all characteristics sought after by the selection committee. Stipend: $50 per day to cover expenses; plus $22 for lodging near the State House. Each selected student will have the opportunity to work two nonconsecutive weeks (M-F) at the State House in Annapolis for either the Senate or House of Delegates. Represent your school and your county between January 11 - April 11, 2011. For further information call: Karen Crawford, 301-670-1419 or email: karen_L_crawford@mcpsmd.org. Paper applications are found in the Career Center. Students who are selected for the page program will be notified by November 15, 2010.

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY - CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY - Deadline: October 28, 2010 - This program is open to high school seniors interested in engineering, science, computer science, humanities & social sciences, information systems, business administration or the fine arts. Program dates: November 13-15, 2010. To register: www.cmu.edu/admission/cod or call 412-268-2082. It is expected that participants have at least an unweighted 3.3 GPA and at least a total SAT score of 1700 or ACT score of 25. Complete the common application online and the Carnegie Mellon supplement. Cost is $50 per student and students with financial need who meet the academic requirements above may qualify for assistance.

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP CONFERENCE - Saturday, October 30, 2010, 9:00-2:30 at the Universities at Shady Grove. Learn all about college scholarships at MC and regional universities. Online preregistration for the conference is required: www.montgomerycollege.edu/scholarshipconference and registration begins on September 15. Contact: scholarshipconference@montgomerycollege.edu.

JEFFERSON SCHOLARS PROGRAM, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA - nomination deadline: November 1, 2010 -

UPCOMING COLLEGE FAIRS are posted on the Career Center webpage under the "College/Career Fairs" link and below. Take a look at what's coming up this fall. Blake H.S. will provide field trip buses to the Hispanic College Fair on November 9, 2010. Permission forms will be available in the Career Center. Other college fairs are listed for parents and students to consider attending on their own.

Albert Einstein H.S. College Fair - October 11, 2010, 6-8 pm - All MCPS H.S. students & their parents are invited to attend. Ask questions about financial aid, majors, etc. Seniors may bring unofficial transcripts to share with admissions staff.

Greater Washington, DC National College Fair - October 12, 2010 @Washington Convention Center, Washington DC from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., & 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Congresswoman Donna Edwards College Fair - October 16, 2010, 8:30-1:00, Northwestern H. S., 7000 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Helping students and families understand & navigate the college preparation & application process.

Baltimore National College Fair - October 18-19, 2010 @ Baltimore Convention Center , Baltimore , MD. Oct 18 = 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., & 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Oct 19 = 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

National Christian College Fairs - October 21, 2010, 7:00-9:00 pm, @ Grace Brethren Christian School, 6501 Surratts Road, Clinton, DC 20735. .For more information: www.nccf.us or 301-868-1600 x327.

Washington DC Performing and Visual Arts College Fair - October 31, 2010 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington DC from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

AAMC Minority Student Medical Career Awareness Fair/Workshops @ Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC on Saturday, November 6, 2010. Please register for this event at www.aamc.org/medicalcareerfair before October 28, 2010. Website: careerfair@aamc.org.

Hispanic College Fair – November 9, 2010 @ Universities at Shady Grove Conference Center , Gaithersburg , (field trip) 9:30-12:30 for MCPS Latino juniors & seniors. Permission forms required by November 1. Free bus transportation.

BLACK COLLEGE EXPO - November 13, 2010, 9:00-5:00, University of Maryland College Park in the Reckord Armory.- Seniors should bring multiple copies of their H.S. transcript & SAT/ACT scores to get accepted on the spot! Find out about internships & career opportunities, free seminars, scholarship contests & entertainment. For more information: http://www.thecollegeexpo.org or call 877-427-4100..

Black College Career Day - TBA - February 2011 @ Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1630 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC - sponsored by the United Negro College Fund, 9:00-2:00, representatives from 75 Black colleges & universities are participating. Contact information: Henry Thompson, 301-899-5484 or lookuphmt@aol.com or Leah Durphy-Taylor, 301-625-9571 or ltaylor24@hotmail.com.

United Negro College Fund & MCPS COLLEGE FAIR @ Blair HS - February 16, 2011, 6-8 pm, (snow date-2/17/10) - All high school students (grades 9-12) are encouraged to attend along with parents. Eligible Seniors will be able to participate in on-the-spot admissions interviews if they bring completed college applications, transcripts, test scores & recommendations (if required). Fifty HBCUs are expected to exhibit and financial aid advice available. Sign up in the Blake Career Center if you plan to attend this event at Montgomery Blair H.S. Register online: hbcucf@mbhs.edu.

Jesuit College Night in Maryland - TBA - March 2011, 7-9 pm - Learn about the tradition, diversity and the distinction of 18 of the nation's Jesuit colleges: Boston College (MA), College of the Holy Cross (MA), Fairfield University (CT), Georgetown University (DC), Gonzaga University (WA), John Carroll University (OH), LeMoyne College (NY), Loyola College (MD)), Loyola University Chicago (IL), Loyola University New Orleans(LA), St. Joseph's University (PA), St. Louis University (MO), St. Peter's College(NJ), Spring Hill College (AL), University of San Francisco (CA), University of Scranton (PA), Wheeling Jesuit College (WV) and Xavier University (OH). Location: Georgetown Prep School, Hanley Athletic Center, 10900 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD. For more info: 410-617-5012

MONTGOMERY COUNTY NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR - April 13-14, 2011 - Gaithersburg Fairgrounds - Blake Juniors are invited to attend this annual event on April 14 from 10:30-1:00 at the Montgomery County fairgrounds. Permission forms will be made available in late March with a deadline date of April 7 for registration. MCPS will provide school buses to transport students for $5 each and students must bring a bag lunch to eat on the way back to school. Blake students will have the opportunity to speak with college representatives from hundreds of colleges and gather brochures. Evening hours are planned on April 14 for parents & students to attend workshops together. Stay tuned for further details!

COLLEGES THAT CHANGE LIVES FAIR - TBA - May 2011 - These fairs are offered all over the U.S. They are coming to the DC area in May. Featured are the 40 colleges that Loren Pope wrote about in his exceptional resource book, Colleges That Change Lives. For a list of participating colleges, specific sites and pre-registration visit the website: www.ctcl.org.

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PREPARING FOR SUCCESS (FREE event for H.S. girls) - November 13, 2010, 10:00-4:30, Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD 20850 - This is a seminar for high school girls who plan on attending college or entering the workplace after graduation. Free breakfast & lunch are provided. Please register online: www.preparingforsuccess.org and obtain more information about the day's events. This program is sponsored by Women's Bar Foundation and Montgomery County Commission for Women.

ASVAB (ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY) is a career exploration test administered free to interested tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students. Blake H.S. will offer the ASVAB on November 16, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. The test helps identify the student’s interests and aptitude in the following areas: verbal, math, science & technical skills. When the individual scores are interpreted, students learn how their interests & skills relate to the demands of more than 400 occupations, helping them to identify suitable career options. The ASVAB is an excellent career exploration tool and we encourage students to take it to determine their strengths. Taking the ASVAB in no way involves a commitment to the military. MCPS policy: ASVAB results are released only to the student and not to the armed services. Should a student wish to use his/her ASVAB results as part of an enlistment conversation with a military recruiter, he/she can provide his/her scores to the recruiter. Participants will receive their scores on December 14, 2010 @ 8:30 am. If you would like to learn more about the ASVAB or prepare for the test, visit: www.asvabprogram.com and www.March2success.com.

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP at Blake The Financial Aid Workshop will be held on November 18, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Parents of seniors should plan to attend this event in the amphitheatre. Our speaker will be the Director of Financial Aid from Montgomery College, Melissa Gregory. She will discuss the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and answer all your questions about how to find money for college. FAFSA worksheets will be available for parents to take home and begin completing. The completed FAFSA should be submitted between January 1 and March 1, 2011.

GATES MILLENIUM SCHOLARS (GMS) PROGRAM - deadline for applications January 10, 2011 - If you are a minority in the senior class with significant financial need (Pell grant eligible) who will be a freshman in college next Fall, please consider applying for the Gates Millenium Scholars program online: http://www.gmsp.org. Here are the requirements:

- African, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander or Hispanic ethnicity

- U.S. citizen or permanent resident

- minimum cumulative H.S. unweighted GPA 3.3 or have earned a GED

- demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service & extracurricular activities

- meet Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria (determined by Fafsa4caster: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov)

This renewable, need-based scholarship provides financial support throughout the student’s undergraduate career and into graduate school for those who choose to study in one of these seven disciplines: computer science, education, engineering, library science, math, public health or science. GMS scholars are mentored throughout college to assure them every opportunity to attain their degree.

Nominator should be an educator (principal, teacher or counselor) writing about the student’s academic record. Recommender should be a person writing about the student’s community service and leadership activities.

GATES MILLENIUM SCHOLARS (GMS) PROGRAM - deadline for applications January 10, 2011 - If you are a minority in the senior class with significant financial need (Pell grant eligible) who will be a full-time freshman in college next Fall, please consider applying for the Gates Millenium Scholars program online: www.gmsp.org. Here are the requirements:

- African, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander or Hispanic ethnicity

- U.S. citizen or permanent resident

- minimum cumulative H.S. GPA 3.3 or have earned a GED

- demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service & extracurricular activities

- meet Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria (determined by Fafsa4caster: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov)

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES RECRUITING LOCALLY - Several HBCUs are sponsoring on-the-spot evening admission/scholarship events in Montgomery County. More information on eligibility criteria will be posted soon. The schedule is as follows:

Sept. 29, 2010 Hampton University @ Blair HS, 6-8 pm
Nov. 18, 2010 Morehouse College @ Gaithersburg HS, 6-8 pm
Dec. 2, 2010 Morgan State U @ Walter Johnson HS, 6-8 pm
Feb. 10, 2011 Coppin State U @ Rockville (2/24 snowdate), 6-8 pm
Feb. 16, 2011 HBCU College Fair @ Blair (2/17 snowdate), 6-8 pm for Grades 9-12!
March 17, 2011 Bowie State U @ Kennedy HS (3/24 snowdate), 6:30-8:30PM

Contact the Blake School Counselor or Career Center for more information (301-879-1324). The high school hosting the event will want to know who to expect from Blake H. S. Typically, these evening events begin at 6:00 pm with a presentation from the admissions rep, followed by individual interviews (first come/first served). Students must be prepared with a completed application, transcript and test scores in hand and ready to interview with the admissions representative.

HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY is currently accepting applications their 22-month program that devotes full time to the study of radiological science. Class starts in July 2011. Application deadline: February 1, 2011. Application fee: $30. A health occupations aptitude test is required this fall and class selection will take place in May. For more information: Stacie Maier, Program Director, 301-754-7889 or maiers@holycrosshealth.org. For additional information, please refer to website: www.holycrosshealth.org, click on "career opportunities" and then link to the Radiology School.

SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS -- be on the lookout! Have you received a telephone call or letter offering assistance in finding scholarship money? Often it involves a "free" meeting with a financial aid consultant. BEWARE! Many times these services cost between $500-$1,000 for scholarship searches that you can do on line yourself for free. Here are some traps to avoid: "You've been selected" by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship..." or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered. "The Scholarship will cost some money." "We'll do all the work." "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship." "You can't get this information anywhere else." "The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back." REMEMBER: no one can guarantee you a scholarship! Students must apply for scholarships themselves. No one else can enter competitions or write essays for you. Never give out your credit card or bank account information unless you have initiated the contact. For more info. or to report a scam, contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP or http://www.ftc.gov/.

BLACK COLLEGE COMMON APPLICATION - Students can apply to 34 Black Colleges with one application and one $35.00 application fee. Once the application has been submitted, students are required to send their transcripts, test scores, recommendations and essay to all of the colleges they are interested in attending. Applications and information are available online at www.eduinconline.com. Member colleges include Norfolk State, Tuskegee, Clark Atlanta, Coppin State, Fisk, Morgan State, Virginia Union, Virginia State and many more.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FIT - Many magazine and newspaper articles broadcast the increasing selectivity of college admissions and this leads students to believe that "most selective" means "best." There is no such thing as a "one size fits all" college -- what is right for one student may not be right for another student with similar characteristics. A student's success in life is not determined by the college they attended. Do not select a school based on reputation, but instead on how well it fits your requirements. Studies have shown that students who have been accepted at one of the most prestigious institutions but choose to attend a lesser known school attain the same financial success as those who chose the more selective college. It is the student's attributes like drive, intelligence, work ethic and leadership qualities that will lead to a successful career. That being said, be aware of the college characteristics most important to you. Try looking beyond the reputation and amenities (beautiful campus and buildings) and focus on the students, professors, opportunities and course offerings. Choose colleges that support the way you learn best and where the institutional philosophy is in line with goals for your own education.

WHY CONSIDER LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES? Liberal arts colleges are small and focus on the undergraduate. They provide students with a broad based knowledge in science, the humanities and art. Students are actively engaged in the learning process and critical & analytical thinking and writing skills are stressed. Classes in liberal arts colleges are taught by faculty (not graduate assistants) and professors interact with students in and out of the classroom. The experience of students at a liberal arts college differs from that of students at large public institutions. There is an emphasis on individualized instruction in a primarily residential environment. A 1998 study found that although only 3% of all American college graduates were educated at residential liberal arts colleges, they accounted for 19% of the U.S. presidents, 23% of Pulitzer Prize winners in drama, and 8% of Forbes magazine's listing of the wealthiest CEO's in America. Graduates from liberal arts colleges are twice as likely to earn a doctorate degree in science and are disproportionately represented among leaders in education, public service and business.

STUDENT JOBS - School work comes FIRST, but some students feel the need to have a part-time job. Here are websites to check out: www.mycoolcareer.com, www.snagajob.com, http://www.gazette.net/ or www.studentjobs.gov. Occasionally, employers notify the Blake Career Center of vacancies. In that case, a folder of job opportunities is available in the Career Center for students to look over. Students should be aware of federal rules that apply to working teenagers. For example, a 14 or 15 year old can only work up to three hours on a school day or 18 hours during a school week between the hours of 7:00 am - 7:00 pm . There are 17 jobs that have been declared hazardous by the secretary of labor that are prohibited for teens under the age of 18. Visit http://www.youthrules.dol.gov.

GOVERNMENT SUMMER JOBS - Apply Early! Applying for summer positions within the government is now done online. Visit http://www.studentjobs.gov/ & http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ to see job listings and apply. A "resume builder" is built into the program to store your resume for application purposes. Some clerical positions/internships with the Dept. of Health & Human Services are listed on : www.hhs.gov/jobs/. These positions are competitive so start completing the paperwork early. Some student employment/intern programs exist within NIH (paid/unpaid): http://www.nih.gov/.