BCC ACCESS NEWSLETTER                          May 2018
BCC High School CollegeTracks Team
 

    
Ms. Aja Simpson Zulfiqar
Program Director


         
Seniors!
You've decided where you are going to college ... Now what?

Come to CollegeTracks and take a picture to show off your hard work and the college that you are attending this fall! Bring your friends!!! 
 

CREATE A CHECKLIST OF TO-DO ITEMS FOR YOUR COLLEGE! Here are some tips to help you prepare for going to college:
  • URGENT:   Submit all required financial aid and verification forms to your colleges!   
  • Communicate with your FINANCIAL AID office to ensure all requirements have been met.
  • Call your ADMISSIONS office and find out if you need to submit any health forms or other required forms.
  • Register for ORIENTATION PROGRAMS and be sure to attend! This will be an opportunity for you to register for fall classes and learn about social and academic programs at your college.
  • Use the summer to reach out to your roommate and agree how to best manage your space. 
  • Practice being an Adult! Try managing all aspects of life. Do your own laundry and learn how to cook your favorite meal!
OTHER TO-DO'S

  • Bring your college acceptance and financial aid award          letters to CollegeTracks.
  • Encourage your 11th grade friends to join CollegeTracks.
  • Apply for scholarships, including legislative scholarships.

    •  
             
    SENIOR GRADUATION CORDS

    Did you know that CollegeTracks seniors receive a green cord to wear during high school graduation? 

    You've earned it!

    Come to CollegeTracks as soon as possible to pick up your graduation cord!

             
    CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SCHOLARS!

    CollegeTracks celebrated graduating high school seniors in the Access Program and graduating college students in the Success Program on Wednesday, April 25th!













    We are proud of our scholars' hard work and dedication. Congratulations to you and your families! 


             
    SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
     
    Elvis D.

    Elvis has applied for several scholarships for 2018-2019 and been accepted at 2-year and 4-year colleges!

    1. What do you want to study in college?  How did you become passionate about it?
    My college goal is to study education and to learn more about how to treat other people, especially children.  I became passionate about it when I got to the US because I love how the teachers teach students and I feel that I would like to help others, too.

    2. What has been the most helpful part about being in the CollegeTracks family? 
    The most helpful part is when Ms. Aja and Mrs. O. help all students to apply to college and for scholarships.  Being part of the CollegeTracks family has been very fun.  It wasn't stressful or irritating because if we all want a better future, this work is nothing.

    3. What are you considering as you decide on which college you will attend in the fall?
    I plan to attend Montgomery College because it is close to home and I don't have to leave my family and live on campus.  It is most affordable and the classes are small.

    4. What activities do you want to be involved in during college? 
    I want to be involved in soccer and to work a part-time job while I attend college.

    5. Your advice for  CollegeTracks juniors?
    My advice is to never give up.  I know you can get all this work done. Working with Mrs. O. and Ms. Aja is the best time I've ever had.
             
    Seniors: You have until MAY 3rd 
    to join the Success Program!


    Did you know you can take CollegeTracks to college with you?

    A CollegeTracks Success Coach will help you with your academics, financial aid, career opportunities, and life as a college student!

    Come to CollegeTracks before May 3rd to sign up for an appointment! 
             
    Upcoming tasks for 
    Montgomery College Students:


    Log on to your MyMC account and finalize all your financial aid requirements!
    • Need to turn in financial paperwork? Come to CollegeTracks as soon as possible to complete your forms.
    • Sign up for the CollegeTracks Success Program so you can take CollegeTracks to college and get support while you are at MC.
    • Be sure you've taken the Accuplacer placement exam. If you haven't taken the Accuplacer, schedule your appointment at MC here.
    • Complete your eMAP online advising session. Click here to access eMAP!
    • Complete New Student Orientation by clicking here!
    • Think about your plans for transportation to campus in the fall.
    Come to CollegeTracks for help completing these steps!
             
    SPRING WORKSHOPS FOR JUNIORS!

    Junior Workshops are in progress.  
    Last workshops will be the week of May 15.  
    Still to come:  creating college lists and understanding financial aid.
     

    Workshops are held after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45-4:00pm!

     
    Come to CollegeTracks to sign up for a day!
         
    JUNIORS DO NOW! 
    • Register for the ACT or SAT (Come to  CollegeTracks if you are unsure which test to take or how to register).
    • Schedule your CollegeTracks interview.
    • Keep up with your schoolwork, every grade counts!
    • Attend Spring workshops.
    • Complete your resume using the CollegeTracks template.
    • Follow up on workshop tasks.
    • Follow CollegeTracks on social media - see below for accounts.
     REMEMBER TO CHECK YOUR EMAIL! 
     
    $CHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT

    CLICK HERE FOR THE MAY SCHOLARSHIP PACKET

     Let us know if you're applying for any of these scholarships! 

    NAME:  B Davis Scholarship
    DUE DATE:  May 22, 2018
    AMOUNT:  $2,000
    ELIGIBILITY: This is not an academic scholarship, but we would like to know where you are going to school now and what your future career plans are. To apply, you will need to write an essay of 1000 words on this topics: "Describe 3 characteristics of leadership you value most. Discuss why you believe these traits are so important and how you feel they are developed in an individual.
    MORE INFO:  Click here

    NAME:  Hispanic Achievement Scholarship
    DUE DATE: May 30, 2018
    AMOUNT:  $2,000
    ELIGIBILITY:  High school GPA of 2.5 or greater, must attend a Maryland college or university in the Spring. Significant contribution of voluntary community service in the last 12 months. Must be a U.S. citizen, resident, or dreamer (as defined by the Dream Act). Must have proof of financial need to continue higher education. 
    MORE INFO: Click here

    NAME: Fifth Month Scholarship
    DUE DATE:  March 31, 2018
    AMOUNT:  $1,500
    ELIGIBILITY: Must be a legal resident, be currently enrolled or enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution in the fall
    MORE INFO:

    Click here for scholarships that do not require U.S. citizenship!
      
    COLLEGE SPOTLIGHT! 

    WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
     
     
    DID YOU KNOW?

    West Virginia University is a 4-year public institution that was founded in 1867. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 28,776, its setting is rural, and the campus spans over 1,892 acres.


    West Virginia University is a part of the Academic Common Market for the state of Maryland. This means that if a student desires to pursue a degree program that is not offered in Maryland they may attend an out-of-state Academic Common Market school at the in-state tuition rate. Some of the eligible degree programs include: Agroecology, Bio-medical Engineering, and Design and Merchandising! 


     After amassing 3,419 Receiving Yards, 2,840 Return Yards and 75 total touchdowns, West Virginia star Tavon Austin was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Austin was selected with the eighth pick by the Los Angeles Rams.
    See CollegeTracks to learn more about WVU!
      
    SHOUT OUTS
    • Great job to juniors who are attending ACT/SAT prep and CollegeTracks workshops!
    • Shoutout to all of the Seniors for your continuous dedication to the college decision process!
    • Kudos to Seniors for persisting with finanicial aid verification.
    • Thank you to the CollegeTracks volunteers for their continued dedication to student success. 
      
    CONNECT WITH COLLEGETRACKS!
                              @BCCcollegetrcks    @CollegTracksBCC