All students who took the PSAT in the fall  have free access to My College QuickStart. Among its many features are personalized college planning and SAT prep tools powered by their PSAT/NMSQT results. Students will  log in to www.collegeboard.org/quickstart with the Access code on their PSAT score report; access codes are also sent via email if a valid email address was provided.  The access code can be used throughout high school so QuickStart can be used throughout the testing and college admissions process.

Danberry at Inverness is a retirement community that is developing a volunteer program to help fulfill the interests and desires of its residents. Opportunities include assisting with community led outings, facilitating evening and weekend activities, assisting residents in exercise class, singing, playing music, one-on-one visits, and much more. For more information, please contact Mary Neuwirth, Director of Resident Services, at 443-9500.

The gifted education parent meetings at all of our high schools have concluded. Thanks to those who could join us. For anyone unable to attend, if you would like the hand-outs from those meetings, please visit the high school gifted education website, GRC Forms, Parent Hand-outs & Presentations at http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/studentresources/GRC/homepage.html. Let me know if you have any questions or how I can ever assist you in anyway with your high school student.

CollegeWeekLive is bigger and better than ever! This Fall there will be live text and video chat with college representatives from over 450 universities participating in more than 70 live online events. There will be an opportunity to interact with admissions and financial aid experts like Edward Fiske and experts from the US Department of Education to learn about financial aid options & scholarships. Visit www.collegeweeklive.com for a full calendar of events and registration (free!) and login information.

Seniors, it’s time to fasten your seatbelt for a wild ride through the college process. I’m available to meet with you (with or without your parents) at your schools to discuss all your options. Just contact me so we can find a time that works. The number one tip I can share is to stay organized and know what the deadlines are.

It’s definitely time to narrow down your college choices, visit and apply to colleges. For tips on making your college short list, a college to-do list, and how to make the most of your college visit click here http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/studentresources/GRC/homepage.html. 

Essays – Contact me if you would like me to review any  application or scholarship essays. You can even email them to me. I can make comments right on your writing and email them back. And especially let me know if you can’t even get started on them!

Interviews – If you are going to INTERVIEW as part of the college application process, a scholarship, or a spot in a particular program, PLEASE CONTACT ME SO WE CAN PRACTICE. There are many things we can talk about and questions we can think about together to help you be more prepared and, therefore, do your best.   We’ll arrange a convenient time for me to come to your school.

And if you have any questions or need to see me about any part of this process, email at kleaver@shelbyed.k12.al.us.

Experiencing new things truly enriches our lives.  I’ve compiled a list of places around town that might be fun for you and your family to visit. Enjoy all that our area has to offer! http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/studentresources/GRC/GEOAT.pdf

The list of member colleges accepting the Common App has risen to 460. To find out if the Common App is accepted at the colleges you are interested in, visit https://www.commonapp.org or the colleges’ admissions sites. Many of those colleges no longer even have their own app, but many will require a supplemental section unique to their school. It is a great time-saver to fill out one app and have it sent to multiple schools. You can even add schools to the initial list as long as it is before their deadlines. Seniors may begin applying on-line Aug. 1st. Make sure you find the spot to give your counselor’s and recommending teachers’ names and email addresses. They will receive emails with the link so they can complete their parts on-line, also. This year’s essay specifies a length of 250-500 words. You may preview the list of topics at the above website. Email me kleaver@shelbyed.k12.al.us if you have any questions about this great tool!

GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION:  Seniors, make sure you get your college applications in before scholarship deadlines! If you are not sure what they are, look on the college’s website. If you can’t find the deadline, email me. For other scholarship information and links and a list of some private scholarships, check out our scholarship website by using the newly revised “Listing of Private Scholarships” link under Blogrolls to the right or click here,  http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/studentresources/scholarship.html .

 DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS -Once your admission applications are in, investigate departmental scholarships if you have declared a major. These may or may not require separate applications, so pay attention what you need to do by when.

To help in your scholarship search, visit www.meritaid.com  which allows you to type in the name of a college and pull up their scholarship list. 

Exceptional students should investigate Honors Programs at the colleges to which they are applying. Some have minimum test scores and GPA’s, but others do not. For colleges in Alabama, you can use the “Honors Program Contacts” link listed in my BlogRolls (on the right side of this page), or check them out at the college websites. Pay careful attention to the deadlines and application procedures. Feel free when you visit a college campus to make an appointment to speak with someone from the Honors Program.

The mission of the Give Me Five! Community Service Program is to provide all students with the opportunity to learn about and participate in hands-on community service while stimulating the intellectual and soccial conscience of the student. Participation in the program will educate all students to become advocates for service, help them develop leadership and concern for others, provide opportunities for civic development, and strengthen relationships between students and the community. 

See blogroll list (on right) to access a huge list of approved non-profit organizations.