College and Career Resource Center Newsletter

COLLEGE AND CAREER RESOURCE CENTER NEWSLETTER

Staff: Diane Ahlberg and Maggie CampbellFebruary 23, 2015

(763) 569-7665 or (763) 569-7627

The CCRC newsletter is provided on a monthly or semi-monthly basis to provide information on activities and events that are helpful to Park Center students and their parents. This publication is also on Park Center’s website ( (under Academics or under Quick Links at right of home page).

ACT TEST INFORMATION

Test Date / Registration Deadline / (Late Fee Required)
April 18, 2015 / March 13, 2015 / March 14–27, 2015
June 13, 2015 / May 8, 2015 / May 9–22, 2015

TEST FEE PER TEST OPTION:

• ACT (No Writing)$38.00
• Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register).
• ACT Plus Writing$54.50
• Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided when you register). The $15.50 Writing Test fee is refundable, on written request.

Students need to register on-line at

Students receiving free/reduced lunch can have their test fees waived TWICE by bringing a copy of the letter they received from Food Service to the CRC to receive a waiver. Fee waivers do not include late fees.

ACT PREP CLASSES

ACT Prep classes will familiarize the students with the appropriate testing materials and procedures used on a chosen test, provide guided practice on model tests, and provide students with specific instruction regarding problem types and testing strategies unique to each test. Cost of the ACT Prep class is $59.00 which includes ACT manual and group instruction. Register online at

Park Center Senior High School will be offering ACT Prep Classes on the following dates:

Session 3March 16, 17, 18Room 161

Session 4May 11, 12, 13Room 161

All Park Center juniors will be taking the ACT test on April 28th as part of a new initiative by the State of Minnesota to provide FREE ACT testing for all junior students---there is no need for students to sign up---the test will be administered here at school during the school day.

Since their score will become part of their school record and will (can) be used in the college application process, we feel it is VERY IMPORTANT for students to take this test seriously and to prepare by utilizing the “Preparing for the ACT” booklet which was provided to the Junior Advisory classes. Students should be encouraged to practice the sample test questions timed as learning the “timing” is an important part of being successful in testing. Students can also go on the Minnesota Career Information website ( --User Name --parkcenter and the Password pirates --to set up an account and practice the ACT test where they will be timed and scored. Practice AP, SAT, PSAT, ASVAB, GED and CLEP tests are available as well at this site.

Students can register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests at

COLLEGE REPS COMING TO THE CCRC

North Hennepin Community CollegeMarch 10 10:15

University of St. ThomasMarch 12 9:00

St. Paul CollegeMarch 1210:15

Bemidji State UniversityMarch 1212:00

University of Minnesota, RochesterMarch 2510:15

Minnesota State University-MankatoMarch 26 9:00

University of Winnipeg March 2610:45

University of Minnesota Twin Cities “Final Step” session for admitted students only will take place in the CCRC on Tuesday, March 3rd at 10:15.

Sign up in the CCRC for a pass.

NOTE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS: The CCRC publishes the Scholarship Bulletin and Newsletter approximately every two weeks. The Scholarship Bulletin lists all the scholarships that we have received information on, including scholarships that are offered by local organizations which are available to residents of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center or students who attend a District 279 school. Because these programs have restricted criteria, there is less competition and better “odds” for the student to be awarded scholarship monies. The CCRC Newsletter has information on events that are occurring in the area, testing information, and special programs that are being offered at Park Center PLUS helpful “Tidbits from the CCRC Staff”. These publications are distributed to the students’ advisory class and are published on Park Center’s web site. If students and/or parents would like to have a copy of the Scholarship Bulletin (12th grade) and/or the Newsletter (all grade levels) sent directly to their e-mail, we are asking that you send a request to Maggie Campbell at and we will add you to our distribution list.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR JUNIORS!!

The Juliet Evans Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship award for JUNIORS who have extensive volunteer experiences and plan to attend a college/university after high school. Deadline to apply is March 20th. Applications are available in the CCRC.

Minnesota Association of Townships is offering several $1,000 scholarships to high school JUNIORS based on essay entitled “What are the different ways fire protection is provided by townships? How is the cost of fire protection funded and what challenges are faced by rural fire departments in providing fire protection?” Applicants must also provide a letter of recommendation. Complete details are available in the CCRC

including a manual for checkout on town government. Deadline is May 1st.

QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship program is a program for JUNIORS that will help the student gain admission and full scholarships to top-tier colleges. Students get free, online standardized test preparation, a personalized essay review, and priority consideration for all-expense-paid campus visits and fly-in programs to the nation’s best colleges. Full scholarships are available to college summer programs at Stanford, Yale, Emory, Penn, and other top colleges that cover tuition and room and board. Students will also receive an invitation to a QuestBridge National College Admissions Conference where they will learn how to be a successful applicant to top colleges and meet admissions officers from some of the nation’s best schools. To be eligible for this program, students must be a JUNIOR with a 3.5 GPA or above in their school’s most challenging classes and come from a family earning less than $60,000 annually (for a typical family of four) with limited assets. Interested students should apply online at

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The City of Brooklyn Park is currently recruiting applicants for full-time temporary/seasonal positions at the Utility Maintenance Division and the Water Treatment Plant in the City of Brooklyn Park. Complete details are available on the Job Board in the CCRC.

Interested in becoming a police officer? The City of Brooklyn Center is seeking qualified individuals who desire a career in law enforcement to apply for the Police Cadet program. The City expects to hire two Police Cadets from a competitive selection process where applicants show demonstrated suitability for police employment and the existence of exceptional diversity skills. Police Cadets receive a full scholarship to obtain college courses necessary to qualify for a peace officer position, including all books, fees, uniforms, and equipment. They also work 20 hours a week in a uniformed, paraprofessional job at the Brooklyn Center Police Department completing non-sworn duties and will receive immediate conditional promotion offers to become a police officer as soon as they become eligible for police licensure. Questions about this exciting opportunity can be directed to Monique Drier at 612-919-9969 of

UPCOMING EVENTS

Youth in City Government Day is an event that gives youth from Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park an inside look into how cities operate and a chance to actively participate in a City Council Meeting. This event will take place in both cities from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 23rd. Youth will attend a City Council meeting that night at 7:00 p.m. The cities of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, their departments and elected officials, along with the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth, see this event as an essential way to help youth gain knowledge about how the community operates and to build trust between youth and adults. Registration is open for youth in grades 9-12 at

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY is also offering Jackrabbit Previews for seniors and juniors on Fridays throughout the year. Go to www.sdstate.edu/preview to register.

SIMPSON COLLEGE is hosting Junior Visit Day on April 10th on their campus. Learn about academics, campus life and the ‘Simpson experience’. Register online at www.simpson.edu

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY is hosting campus previews on Friday, March 6th. An admissions representative will give an overview of academic programs and admissions requirements. Questions? Go online to www.bemidjistate.edu

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSTIY is offering MSU Friday’s on March 6 and March 27. These all day campus visits will offer prospective students and their families the opportunity to meet with faculty and students, explore academic facilities, tour the campus and residence halls and investigate the possibilities for financial aid and scholarships. Register online at

22% of students enrolled at Community and Technical Colleges currently have a four year degree!

TIDBITS FROM THE CCRC

Excerpt from eGFI Dream Up the Future, February, 2015

ENGINEERING MAJORS ARE HIGHEST-PAID GRADUATES

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, which surveys college and university career service offices nationwide, these are the highest paid disciplines:

Petroleum Engineering$86,220

Chemical Engineering$65,142

Mining & Mineral Engineering$64,552

Computer Science$61,205

Electrical/Electronics & Communications

Engineering$59,074

Mechanical Engineering$58,392

Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering$57,734

Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical

Engineering$57,231

Information Sciences & Systems$54,038

Here is a list of all the advice and strategies that you need to get into the engineering program of your choice:

1. Stay organized—research what you need to do your junior and senior years in high school, including test dates and application deadlines.
2. Take challenging classes—for engineering programs, it is crucial to take as much math and science as you can in high school. Most engineering schools require four years of math, including Pre-Calculus, although Calculus or AP Calculus is strongly encouraged. Engineering schools are also looking for at least three years of science, including Physics and Chemistry. Engineering is not just about math and science, though! Take your other subjects seriously, as well, especially English, because engineers need to be able to speak and write well. Effective communication is an important part of engineering Aspire to take AP, honors, or other advanced-level courses, including additional coursework at a local community college.
3. Engage in Extracurricular activities---college admissions officers will look at your extracurriculars to try to figure out who you are and what you are passionate about. It is more important to be highly involved in one or two extracurricular activities than it is sign up to be a member of every club or organization in your high school. - And, if you have the opportunity, take positions of responsibility and demonstrate leadership. Also, having an after-school or summer job shows maturity and demonstrates character. Use the summer months to work, volunteer, or participate in a summer program at a college or university.
4. Register for Tests---Most colleges accept both the SAT and the ACT, but how do you know which test is best for you? It may be practical to take both and find out, but there are some key differences that might help you determine which test is right for you: * The ACT has a science section, which the SAT does not, and tests more advanced math concepts. The SAT focuses more on vocabulary than the ACT. The essay portion of the ACT is optional, whereas a 25-minute essay is required on the SAT. The ACT tackles English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning, each in large chunks of time. The SAT, on the other hand, splits up the Math, Writing, and Critical Reading sections into ten smaller amounts of time. College admissions officers look at how you score on each section of the SAT, but will only look at the overall score of the ACT, which could be beneficial if you do poorly on one section.

1. Research and Visit Schools—There are important criteria to consider like location, size, tuition as well as including “foundation”, “match” and “reach” schools all of which should be on your list. Make the most out of college visits including visiting while the school is in session and talking with current students. When compiling the list of schools to which you want to apply, look at your transcript and make sure that you are including schools that are foundations, matches, and reaches. A foundation school is one for which you are realistically confident that you will be accepted. Your grades and test scores should exceed the school’s average for an incoming freshman. A match school is one for which you cannot be certain that you will be admitted, but your chances are reasonable. Your grades and test scores should match or be slightly higher than those of an average incoming freshman. A reach school is one for which you have an outside chance of being accepted. Your grades and test scores may be below the average of an incoming freshman at the school. We strongly encourage that you have a good mix of all three categories in the list of schools to which you apply. And it is important that you feel good about all the schools on your list, including your foundations, because you do not want to be disappointed if you are not accepted into your first choice school(s).
2. Ask for Recommendations—Recommendations allow admissions officers to see how you are perceived by your teachers. To get strong letters from your teachers, build strong relationships with them early and ask them in advance. Do not just pick a teacher who gave you a good grade. Sometimes a teacher who has seen you struggle but work hard can write a far more compelling letter. Give the teachers that you wish to write letters for you plenty of advance notice. Think about asking your teachers before the summer so that they have time to formulate a strong letter. Also, explain to them why you would like them to write a recommendation for you, and provide some information about yourself that they may not know, such as your activities or aspirations. Finally, make sure to write thank-you notes to the teachers who wrote your letters. You should be very appreciative of the time and effort they've taken to write about your abilities.
3. Write a Compelling Essay—The personal essay is a chance to set yourself apart from other applicants with similar achievements. College admissions officers read an extraordinary number of essays, and many fail to stand out. It is important to write about a subject you care about and not a subject that you think will impress others. The admissions officers want to get to know you — if you choose to talk about an influential person in your life or a book that significantly impacted you; make sure that the essay is still about YOU. - When it comes to choosing a topic, the sky’s the limit. You can write about whatever has importance to you as long as you describe who YOU are. Do not simply recount an event or experience, but illustrate how it affected you, what you learned, and how you have changed.