WMHS ACCESS NEWSLETTER              OCTOBER 2018
Watkins Mill High School CollegeTracks Team



Ms. Rula Zaru
Program Director
240.244.6640

Mrs. Estefani Rondon
Program Coordinator 
301.541.8239


IT'S FAFSA SEASON!
 
Scholars and Families: 
 
Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the first steps in securing financial aid to attend college. We can help you and your family complete your FAFSA accurately and on time. 

You can start filling out the FAFSA on October 1st! You and your family can start by gathering the documents you will need to complete the FAFSA. 

To make an appointment & get started on the process today:

CLICK HERE  to book your appointment online!

 

         
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
 
Yahayra M.

What do you like most about being a part of CollegeTracks ?
What I like most about CollegeTracks is all the help and resources the staff gives us. They always do their best to find a way to help me.

What major do you want to study?
I want to major in Biology and get admitted to a Pre-Vet program. I see myself involved in both the medical field and animal care.

What advice do you have for juniors who are beginning their college application journeys?
It's okay to not know what college you want to go to. Just remember to do your research on colleges, and go to the one that fits you best. Don't let the tuition scare you, there are manys scholarships that you can apply to that can help pay for college.

         
EARLY ACTION VS. 
EARLY DECISION?
  
As you research your college application deadlines, you will see terms like "Early Action" and "Early Decision."  Although the names sound similar, they are very different. Use the chart below to distinguish the differences and apply by the appropriate deadline! If you have any questions about the difference, stop by CollegeTracks!

             EARLY ACTION
           EARLY DECISION
                Non-binding
                      Binding
If accepted, student is 
not r equired to attend the college. Student receives early notification of acceptance and is free to apply to other colleges.
If accepted, student is  promising to attend   the college. Student has not received a financial aid package at this time.

     
SENIORS DO NOW!

  • Attend after school workshops
  • Complete your Brag Sheet
  • Complete your resume
  • Submit the  Transcript Request/Release form to Mrs. Brown
  • Complete and submit the Letter of Recommendation Request forms to TWO of your teachers 
  • Add colleges to the "Colleges I'm Thinking About" tab in Naviance
  • Send your college essay draft to watkinsmill@collegetracksusa.org for review and feedback  
  • Register and attend ACT Prep sessions if you are taking the October or December ACT (Contact Mrs. E)
  • Continue working on your Common Application and link your account to Naviance
  • Continue working on your Coalition Application if you are applying to University of Maryland- College Park
  • Create an FSA ID for yourself and one parent
  • Schedule your FAFSA appointment
  • Identify 4 scholarships that you can apply for
Schedule an appointment with 
CollegeTracks TODAY!
    
UPCOMING DEADLINES!
University of Maryland, College Park's priority application deadline is on Thursday, November 1st.
 
You will need to apply using the Coalition Application!

University of Maryland, Baltimore County's
early action deadline is Thursday, November 1st.
 
You will need to apply using the Common App!

TALK TO US NOW   IF YOU ARE APPLYING!
       
COLLEGE VISITS
 
The following colleges will be visiting Watkins Mill next week. To schedule a visit, you will need to log on to your Naviance account and follow the instructions below:
  1. Log in to Naviance
  2. Click on the "Colleges" tab, then click "Colleges Home" 
  3. Scroll down to "College Visits" and click "Show more"
  4. Click "Register Now" 
  5. Print your confirmation, it will serve as your pass!
College
Date
Time
Stevenson University
Tuesday, October 2
1:00 PM
Elon University
Thursday, October 4
9:00 AM
Juniata College
Thursday, October 4
9:30 AM
Arcadia University
Thursday, October 4
10:00 AM
University of Louisville
Thursday, October 4
11:15 AM
Westminster College
Thursday, October 4
2:00 PM
Towson University
Monday, October 8
9:30 AM
The Catholic University of America Tuesday, October 9
9:00 AM
American University
Tuesday, October 9
10:00 AM
Washington College
Friday, October 12
11:15 AM
 
Come see us in A006 or contact Mrs. Heald to learn more about these colleges!
       
ESSAY COVER SHEET
 
You all are working hard on your college and scholarship essays...keep up the great work! 
 
 

CollegeTracks is happy to review and edit your essays. It helps us a lot when we know some info about your essay.  


 


Email your college or scholarship essay: 
watkinsmill@collegetracksusa.org

When you email us your essay, please answer these questions and attach your essay to the email:
  • What is the essay question?
  • Which draft is this? (1, 2, 3, Too many to count)
  • What is the word count?
  • When is the essay due?
  • What is the essay for? (college, scholarship, something else)
Here's how it works:
  • Copy and paste the questions above and answer the questions in the body of your email.
  • Attach your essay or google share (from your personal email account) with watkinsmill@collegetracksusa.org
  • We'll review your essay and put feedback on the Essay Cover Sheet
  • When we're done, we'll let you know when you can pick up your edited essay.
We're looking forward to reading your incredible essays!

 
$CHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FALL SCHOLARSHIP PACKET

 Let Ms. Rula or Mrs. E know if you're applying for any of these scholarships! 

NAME:  AES Engineering Scholarship
DUE DATE:  October 6, 2018
AMOUNT: $500 
ELIGIBILITY: Must submit a 500-1,000 word essay. Open to high school seniors. 
M ORE INFO:  Click here

NAME:  Coca-Cola Scholars 
DUE DATE:  October 31, 2018
AMOUNT:  $20,000
ELIGIBILITY: 
Grade 12. A minimum 3.0 GPA at the end of junior year. Must be  U.S. Citizens; U.S. Nationals; U.S. Permanent Residents; Temporary Residents (in a legalization program); Refugees; Asylees; Cuban-Haitian Entrants; or Humanitarian Parolees.
MORE INFO: Click here

NAME:  Zombie Apocalypse 
DUE DATE:  October 31, 2018
AMOUNT:  $2,000
ELIGIBILITY: Must be in grades 9-12. Be a resident of the (50) U.S. States or the District of Columbia.
MORE INFO:  Click here

CLICK HERE  FOR SCHOLARSHIPS 
T HAT DO NOT REQUIRE U.S. CITIZENSHIP!
  
COLLEGE SPOTLIGHT! 


DID YOU KNOW? 

Stevenson University is the third-largest independent university in Maryland, with more than 4,100 students pursuing bachelor's, master's, and adult undergraduate degrees.





Ninety-three percent of Stevenson graduates found a job or continued their education within six months of graduating.








Stevenson has two campuses - one in Stevenson, MD (Greenspring campus) and one in Owings Mills, MD (Owings Mills campus).





Stevenson has nearly 50 student clubs and organizations that range from academic interest to social activities and 27 Division III athletic teams.

  
SHOUT OUTS
  • Watkins Mill High school administrators and staff, we appreciate all you do to support and encourage students. We look forward to our continued partnership with you all! 
  • Shout out to all of the Seniors who are attending Fall Workshops and ACT Prep!
  • Thank you to the CollegeTracks volunteers for their continued dedication to student success! 
  
WHERE TO FIND US?
Room A006
Mondays, Tuesdays, 
Thursdays, & Fridays 
9:00am-5:00pm
CONNECT WITH COLLEGETRACKS!
    @WMHSCollegeTracks         @WMHSCollegTrks           @WMHSCollegTrks   @CollegeTracksWatkinsMillHS