North Point High School

College and Career Newsletter

Anna Grow – College & Career Advisor November 2016

NPHS Senior Portfolio Interviews

by Appointment

December 5, 6, 7, and 8

BE PREPARED! DRESS FOR SUCCESS!

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*Seniors please remember to bring in a copy of all your college acceptance letters and your notification of any scholarships, grants, and other awards for Mrs. Grow.*

Writing a College Essay

Do some self-exploration.

Your college essay is all about showcasing yourself. Think about which of your strengths and interests you would most like colleges to know about you. What are you passionate about? What’s most important to you? What are you best at?

If you need to pick the topic, be focused and specific.

Writing about a single experience is usually a good idea: Your essay should prove a single point or message. Try to avoid cliché topics like "winning a big game," "taking a trip" or even dealing with a death – these will not help your application stand out from the group.

Show your thoughtfulness.

Be thoughtful in both your topic choice and the tone of your writing. Colleges look for students who have dealt with adversity, have overcome challenges and continue to grow from their experience. Admitting shortcomings is a sign of maturity and intelligence, so there is no need to portray yourself as a superhero – they will see through it.

Get started early.

Self-exploration can be fun, but don’t procrastinate on the actual writing. You don’t want to rush or be up against a tight deadline; it will affect your work.

Create an essay outline.

Sometimes creating an outline for your essay can help you get started. It will also help you organize your thoughts and develop a framework.

Read the instructions and follow them.

Be conscious of any length limits, and – if the topic is provided for you – analyze the question carefully. You want to be aware of everything they ask and answer everything thoroughly.

Use your own voice.

Don’t use big words just for the sake of using big words. They can distract from the essay when misused. Remember, this essay is about you – so use words you would use.

Use quotations and examples to show personal detail.

Instead of just stating your point of view, you want to make your reader feel the experience. Adding detail will help convey your stance. But don’t use quotations simply to use them; make sure they make sense.

Try to be concise.

While adding personal detail is good, you don’t want to be wordy or long-winded; short sentences can be more powerful.

Don’t use slang words.

Generally speaking, slang words conjure the feeling of someone being unpolished, uncaring or not that serious. These are three things you don’t want your admissions reader thinking about you. Likewise, avoid clichés and overuse of contractions.

Be honest.

The point of this essay is to show who you are, not who you wish you were. Stick to what you know and your true personality will shine through.

Don’t be afraid to use humor if it’s part of who you are.

Admissions officers can have a sense of humor too, and, when used appropriately, humor can make you stand out. However, don’t make being funny one of your top goals in your college essay.

Step away from your essay and come back later.

Sometimes it helps to take a break from your work and come back in a few days. Review what you’ve written and make sure it still makes sense and conveys what you want it to.

Write multiple drafts.

Sometimes you need to write a couple of drafts to get your essay right where you want it.

Type your essay.

No matter how good your essay, if people can’t read your handwriting they won’t appreciate the work.

Proofread your essay.

You want to make sure you’ve used proper spelling, grammar and punctuation, so ask an expert to proofread your essay.

Get feedback from others.

Ask your friends and family to read your essay and tell you what they think. Be open to suggestions and ways to improve it, even if this means going back to the drawing board

Revise if necessary.

You want to edit your essay down to what is important. Make every word count.

College Representative Visits

Please sign up early! Also check in the Career Center for an updated list. College reps call frequently to schedule appointments. Sign up in the College & Career Center and have your agenda book signed by Mrs. Grow. This is your pass to attend. All visits take place in the College & Career Center.

George Mason University 11/3/16 10:00 3B

Frostburg State University 11/9/16 10:302A

Randolph College (On-site admissions) 11/10/16 10:002B

Navy Recruiter (main lobby) 11/10/1611:00NEST

Ferrum College 11/15/16 8:301A

Touring College Campuses and College Fairs

Ideally, touring the college campuses you are considering is the best way to find out if a college is for you. However, just because you want to attend school out of state doesn’t mean you have to spring for plane tickets to every University on your Top 10 list. To help whittle down the choices, take a virtual tour: or

11th Annual

GO TO HIGH SCHOOL, GO TO COLLEGE FAIR

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2016 10AM-12:30PM

Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex, 7007 Bock RoadFt. Washington, MD

SCHOLARSHIP info, ONSITE INTERVIEWS, FINANCIAL AID SEMINARS, IPAD GIVEAWAYS, INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Historically Black Colleges & Universities Tour

November 16-November 20Grades 9th-12th

Visit: North Carolina A & T University, North Carolina Central University, Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Florida A & M University, $485.00 per person or call Sabrina Crowder 301-505-2204

National Portfolio Day 2016

Sat, Nov 19: Washington, DC, Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at The George Washington University
500 17th Street, NWWashington, DC 20006Hosted by: Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at The George Washington UniversityTime: 10:00am - 2:00pm

Sun, Nov 20: Baltimore, Maryland, Maryland Institute, College of Art Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Researching and Compare Colleges

2017 College Visits Tours. Tours are led and supervised by trained staff and high school counselors. View a complete list of 2016 tours at . Tours are set up across the United States and Canada. Register online and call 843-853-8149 for details

Career Cruising: Interest and Skills Assessments - Career Profiles - Multimedia Interviews - College and Financial Aid Information - Electronic Career Portfolio - Resume Builder , Username: nphs, password: eagles, student’s account: Username: cc08-000 and student’s ID number, Password: student’s birthdate two digit month, two digit day and four digit year. Student should then create their password.

Career and College Resources from CollegeBoard, easy-to-use, online, personalized college and career planning kit

-FREE ACT/ SAT TEST PREP

Touring College Campuses The best way to find out if a college is for you. However, just because you want to attend school out of state doesn’t mean you have to spring for plane tickets to every University on your Top 10 list. To help whittle down the choices, take a virtual tour at or to get started.

College Navigator from the US Dept. of Education, Find the right college for you:

College Week LiveVirtual College Info free and available online

CappexConnect Online at connect with colleges, faculty and admissions, watch live presentations from a variety of institutions on your computers and learn more about specific colleges — or college in general.

What can I do with this major? Go to or

Login: 2017 Password: Admit7 (case sensitive)

Free Information: All students at NPHS have access to information on college admissions, grade level planning calendars, checklists, SAT and ACT college testing, links to the Maryland college system websites, over 600 other web links. Info for student athlete Division I and II collegiate sports. Access this from the above icon.

Maryland Resources

MDgo4itis a valuable resource for juniors and seniors. It includes deadline dates for State financial assistance, tips on preparing for postsecondary education, college admission information, and resources on careers.

College 411 – A Student Guide to Higher Education & Financial Aid in Maryland –

Academic Common Market tuition savings program for college students who live in the 16 states that are members of the Southern Regional Education Board and want to pursue a degree not available in your home state yet pay in-state rates. click on Academic Common Market under the red column for parents and students.

ARTSYS Articulation system for transferring courses from one Maryland University or College to another,

Research Jobs & Careers

BrainTrack’s Career Guide This guide offers in-depth career profiles as well as degree and wage statistics for over 300 occupations that commonly require college or university education.

Career Coach:

Career Cruising: Interest Skills Assessments, Career Profiles, Multimedia Interviews, Electronic Portfolio - Resume

Careers in the Electrical IndustryStudents can see Mr. Gascon, NPHS Electrical Construction instructor for Apprenticeship opportunities for high school graduates with IBEW. First-year students earn approximately $51,000 while participating in the tuition-free program. Thegraduates of the program earn up to $84,800 per year plus benefits once they become journeyman electricians.

Career One Stop- sponsored by the US Dept. of Labor

DOD Website to Help Youth Explore Pathways for Their Future:

Employment Information: The Maryland Job Service: 175 Post Office Road in Waldorf, Maryland. Office hours for Job Service referrals are from 8:00 am-3:00 pm daily. Maryland Job Service: 301-645-8712 or

Marine Trades Association of Maryland Career in the boating industry,

Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program -Apprenticeships combine supervised, structured, paid on-the-job training and related technical instruction to teach apprentices the skills necessary to succeed in a specific occupation. The apprentice works full time and receives training from the sponsoring organization.

Security Professional Development Institute training and development of security practitioners for the security industry, training academy information:

Snagajob – America’s largest hourly employment network for job seekers and employers. Browse jobs that are available in a certain area and/or use their resources to learn some tips to help you when you are finding a job. Go to:

STEMjob.com - Discover your career, do what you love, go to click on “Find Your STEM Type, take quiz and get results, see which jobs match your type

November Grade Level Reminders

9th Grade:

  • Be sure you are doing your best to earn the highest grades...freshman year counts toward your college admissions! Join a club.
  • Please take advantage of the resources in the Career Center and online to make the most of your high school experience. Use Career Cruising, Study Island, and other resources for exploring your options.

10th Grade:

  • Focus on your academics. Do extra credit whenever it is offered. Use tutoring services for help, such as , , or tutor.com.
  • Use your Career Cruising program and other resources in the Career Center to investigate possible career paths and possible college majors. Explore!
  • Stay involved in clubs and community activities. Being involved helps you develop good time management skills.

11th Grade:

  • Take advantage of college fairs and information sessions to learn more about college options and scholarship information.
  • Get to know your teachers well as your academic teachers will need to give you letters of recommendation for college admissions and scholarship applications.
  • There are many books available containing sample college application essays and information about writing the college application essay. College Board also has information available on their website, go to: .
  • Keep grades up and use your resources such as Study Island, Career Cruising, College Board, and ACT to practice for college entrance exams.

12th Grade:

  • Don’t miss deadlines! Save copies of your applications, and complete any college entrance exam testing your college is requesting.
  • Look for separate applications to apply for scholarships and grants. It will be beneficial to you to complete your college applications by Thanksgiving so you can focus on your course work to keep a strong GPA—senior year counts too!
  • Be sure to send your test scores directly from the testing agency to your colleges, scholarship programs, NCAA, or tech schools.
  • Practice your interview skills for your Senior Portfolio Interview that takes place in December.
  • Be sure to take advantage of resources in the Career Center to apply for scholarships and complete admissions essays. Keep working!

Military News

“Highlight on the U.S. Coast Guard”

The Unique Role of the U.S. Coast Guard

Military.com

Coast Guard Missions
The Coast Guard does not fall under the Department of Defense. Until recently, the Coast Guard was under the Department of Transportation. Recent legislation has moved the Coast Guard to the newly created Department of Homeland Defense. However, the Coast Guard is considered a military service, because, during times of war or conflict, the President of the United States can transfer any or all assets of the Coast Guard to the Department of the Navy. In fact, this has been done in almost every single conflict that the United States have ever been involved in. The Coast Guard is commanded by a 4-star admiral, known as the Coast Guard Commandant.

The Coast Guard is the nation's oldest continuous seagoing service with responsibilities including Search and Rescue (SAR), Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Aids to Navigation (ATON), Ice Breaking, Environmental Protection, Port Security and Military Readiness. In order to accomplish these missions the Coast Guard has 38,000 active-duty men and women, 8,000 Reservists, and 35,000 Auxiliary personnel who serve in a variety of job fields ranging from operation specialists and small-boat operators and maintenance specialists to electronic technicians and aviation mechanics. The Coast Guard, during an average day, will:

  • Conduct 109 search and rescue cases
  • Save 10 lives assist 192 people in distress
  • Protect $2,791,841 in property
  • Launch 396 small boat missions
  • Launch 164 aircraft missions, logging 324 hours
  • Board 144 vessels
  • Seize 169 pounds of marijuana and 306 pounds of cocaine worth $9,589,000
  • Intercept 14 illegal migrants
  • Board 100 large vessels for port safety checks
  • Respond to 20 oil or hazardous chemical spills totaling 2,800 gallons
  • Service 135 aids to navigation

Contact Information:

Baltimore - Coast Guard Recruiting Office, 6499 Baltimore National Pike, 40 West Plaza, Catonsville, MD (No Walk-ins) Call 410-747-3963 and visit website at:

Washington, DC - Coast Guard Recruiting Office, 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC – Call 202-543-8313 or visit website.

Military Websites

Army NAVY COAST GUARD

ARMY RESERVE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD NAVY RESERVE

AIR FORCE MARINE CORPS MARINE CORPS RESERVE

AIR FORCE RESERVE AIR NATIONAL GURAD COAST GUARD RESERVE

Registering with Selective Service-All 17 and 18 year old male students: If you are not registered with Selective Service, you must do so within 30 days of turning 18. You MUST register. This is not a school requirement, it’s the law. If you fail to register, it will affect your ability to receive Federal college loans, grants and student aid. In addition, it will affect your ability to receive job training or to gain citizenship. It will even curtail opportunities to get many good jobs in the future. Register online at Or fill out a registration card at any U.S. Post Office.

Opportunities

The ACT BootCamp /Get ConnectEd, LLC is offering a one day ACTbootcamp for individuals to help college-bound high school students improve their ACT scores. Saturday, November 12 at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Meeting Room 0105.The cost is$175. Registration

Charles County Children’s Aid Society Volunteer opportunity for students to give back to the community, volunteers are needed on a daily basis, contact the volunteer coordinator 301-645-1561

Common Application Over 600 schools accept this application: to learn more!

CSM Night of Engineering Leonardtown Campus, Bldg. A - Auditorium, November 3, 6:00 -7:30 pm, registration required

Loyola University Maryland Saturday at Loyola, an introduction to Loyola for students and families, reservations are required, please note there is limited capacity, Nov. 19, Dec. 3

EDU, Inc. -Common Black CollegeApplication: Apply to 35 member institutions with one $35.00 application fee- or call (770)716-0616

Harvard, Princeton, UVA, Yale Information Session November 2, 7:00 pm, Washington Marriott Wardman Park, register at:

SEAP Internship ProgramScience and Engineering Apprentice Program, 2017 summer programs offer select rising 10th graders through graduating 12th graders an opportunity to explore and pursue careers in science and technology, 8 weeks each summer. Stipend of $3300 ($3,800 returning students), 202-649-3833 for information and to apply online. Application deadline: 11/30/16

Continue to check the Career Center for many more Opportunities!

SCHOLARSHIPS

November Deadline:

Comcast Leaders & Achievers Scholarship Program Eligible: Senior Criteria: 2.8+GPA, demonstrate leadership abilities in school activities or through work experiences, strong commitment to community service involvement Awards: $1,000 Deadline: School Nomination required.Submit a resume to Mrs. Grow by November 11 to be considered for nomination.

DAR Good Citizen Award