Class of 2019 Newsletter
March 2018
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Please mark your calendar for the AIMS College Fair on Tuesday, April 17, from 6:00-8:30 at Stevenson University's Greenspring Campus. Over 200 colleges will be present to share information and answer questions. This is a great way to learn more about college of interest and to meet with college admission officers.
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March Checklist
Before the end of the month, please attend to the following:
- Place colleges on your current list into Naviance in the area labeled "Colleges I Am Thinking About" located within the "Colleges" tab
- Continue to research and plan visits to colleges
- Register for a spring SAT and/or ACT with writing
- Students, book your second meeting with your college counselor
- Parents, if you haven't done so yet, please schedule your first parent meeting with your son's college counselor
- For families considering applying for financial aid, make use of each college's Net Price Calculator
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Monthly Focus
Spring College Counselor Meeting
Following spring break, students should book a second meeting with their college counselor. During this meeting we will discuss teacher recommendations, standardized testing, and your college visiting plans. You can book those meetings using the links provided below. Parents, it is not necessary that you meet with your son's college counselor a second time in the spring, but we welcome another meeting if you would like one. We are also available by phone and via email to answer any questions that may arise.
AP Exams
Though we don't offer these AP courses, juniors have the opportunity to sit for AP exams in US History, English Language, and English Literature. Students should speak to their teacher(s) and/or college counselor if they have questions about whether they should register for any of these AP exams. There are sign up sheets in the CCO; the deadline to register for the above APs is March 8. Juniors who are enrolled in AP courses (e.g. AP Chemistry, AP Latin, or AP Spanish Language) will be automatically registered for those AP exams. AP exams take place beginning May 7; here is the full schedule of AP exams.
College Visiting
We know that some families are planning to visit colleges over spring break. If visiting colleges over spring break is not possible, know that juniors are allotted excused absences from school to visit colleges at other times during the school year. College visiting absentee forms can be found in Ms. Hammer's office. Tips for how to plan a successful campus visit can be found on the Gilman College Counseling website. Moreover, colleges offer tours and information sessions throughout the summer months, and many students will use the summer break to continue visiting schools. Please work closely with your college counselor to plan your visits.
Gilman Summer College Tour: Virginia and North Carolina
Only two spots remain for the college tour through Virginia and North Carolina hosted by Mr. Herman and Mr. Baker. The bus leaves on Wednesday, June 13, and returns on Saturday June 16. Reserve your spot on the bus and learn more about the tour here.
Summer Academic Opportunities
Beyond planning to visit college campuses, there is no "right" or "best" activity to do during your time off; we encourage students to be productive and engaged, whether that is having a job, taking a college course, participating in community service, or playing on a sports team. In Naviance, you will find a comprehensive database of summer programs. Once you've logged into your account, click on the "Colleges" tab, and then "Enrichment Programs" under the "College Research" heading. Many colleges that offer summer courses have applications that are due during the spring months. Be sure to check websites and speak with your college counselor if you are interested in applying for these summer programs.
Essay Writing Workshop
The Common Application released the essay prompts for the class of 2019. (Good news, they haven't changed from last year's application). You can find those prompts here. During two separate weeks in August, Gilman faculty offer a summer application essay workshop designed to help you complete a significant amount of application work within one week. Students will be guided through the Common App and its essays, at least one college supplement, and will produce at least three essay drafts by the conclusion of the program. Actual essays and writing examples will be used to help guide students through the process of crafting the most effective writing for their applications. You can register for the workshop here. The dates are August 13-17 or August 20-24.
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Standardized Testing Dates
ACT 4/14
SAT 5/5
SAT 6/2
ACT 6/9
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Counselor Spotlight
Mr. Baker had the opportunity to visit Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Did you know? Lehigh offers several interdisciplinary programs including the Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts and Science (IDEAS): a four-year honors program focused on interdisciplinary arts, science and engineering that allows students to get a bachelor's degree with heavy concentrations in both colleges.
Ms. Follensbee recently ventured down to Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Did you know? At just over 1,500 students, Wofford is one of the smallest schools in the country to compete at the Division I level in athletics. Wofford also offers 67 majors and minors.
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For Your Consideration
During college information sessions, you'll hear admission officers say that they want to enroll future leaders. But what does "leadership" look like? Are they all using the same definition of "leadership?" Op-Ed columnist Brennan Barnard observes, "While it may be easy to define a leader in principle, college applicants want to know how colleges view leadership." Read more about how "College Admissions Define 'Leadership.'"
Trapped in a car for hours while stuck in traffic heading to the next tour and information session far, far from home. Sounds exciting, right? Time magazine offers this fun College Tour Bingo you can play while you embark on your spring and summer college visits.
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Contact the CCO
