North Point High School
College & Career Newsletter
Anna Grow – College & Career Advisor May & June 2017
Follow me on Twitter @NPHS_CCC 301-753-1759
ATTENTION SENIORS AND PARENTS
Mrs. Grow is visiting seniors in their English classes to do a Senior Year End Survey. The information received will be used to prepare the Awards Night and Graduation programs. Seniors must list what they plan to do after high school and any scholarships or grants that they have received. Documentation must be provided to verify all information on the survey. For example, if a student plans to attend a four-year college, he/she must provide Mrs. Grow in the Career Center a copy of the acceptance letter for that school; or a copy of the award letter for the scholarship or grant . All documentation must be received by Mrs. Grow no later than May 5th if the student wishes the information to appear in the graduation program.
SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT is May 31st, 6:00 pm
For seniors receiving a scholarship, grant, or any other award or recognition
Make Your Summer Work For You!
Out of school for the summer? It’s actually a great opportunity to start building that resume to help you impress the college of your choice. Your plans can be more than simply getting a summer job; there are a number of activities that can help you stay active and gain valuable experience over the summer months.
Work
Employment is one of the most practical ways to build your resume and impress colleges. Even if working during the school year is not an option, there are often seasonal establishments such as summer camps that look for help specifically during the summer months. Any job is good, but working in a leadership position or in an academic area would be ideal. The more a job challenges you, the more it builds the skills that colleges and future employers are interested in seeing in applicants.
Intern
Summer internships for high school students are designed to provide valuable on-the-job experience for young people who are just starting to explore career options. These programs can be a fun and exciting first step toward furthering your education and figuring out what direction you want to take in life.
Applying for, participating in, and completing a summer internship as a high school student will give you the confidence and skills you need to understand the world of the "job search." It will allow you to explore a wide variety of career options including marketing, design, nursing, accounting, or something else. It will propel you into the world of networking. And it will give you an impressive entry for your resume—the same resume that will potentially help you land your first big job after college.
Helpful links:
Travel
While this may not be a viable option for everyone, summer travel can be an exciting way to enrich your mind while enhancing your resume. Visiting and exploring foreign places will broaden your horizons, allowing you to expand your awareness of other peoples and cultures. It’s also a great chance to develop language skills. Even if you cannot visit foreign places, take time to explore local sites and museums.
Take a Class
Local community colleges offer credit-bearing summer courses for high school juniors and seniors on a variety of introductory-level topics. This will not only look great on your transcript, but it also provides an opportunity to get a jump start on general education requirements for college and allows you to explore possible career options.
Summer Enrichment Programs
Along with summer classes, enrichment programs can be another valuable and educational summer experience. Investigate the types of summer enrichment programs offered by local youth groups or area colleges and universities. Many of these organizations have residential or day camps for high school students focused on specific topics such as music, creative writing, science, engineering and a variety of other areas of interest. These programs are a good way to explore and gain experience in fields you may want to study in college.
Visit websites for colleges that interest you and look into their summer programs for high school students. Some colleges will have general programs, but others may have very specialized programs for subjects like engineering, computer science, music, and many other topics.
Helpful links:
Visit Colleges
It almost goes without saying that campus visits should be part of any college applicant’s summer plans. Of course, while these visits are a priority when considering which colleges to apply to, it is important to remember that they should be just one part of your summer equation. A few campus tours don’t constitute a summer’s worth of experience; they should be included in your plans, along with other resume-building activities and experiences, in order to set you apart from your fellow applicants. Visit college websites for more information about visits to your favorite campuses.
Prep for the SAT/ACT
Standardized tests are an important part of the admissions equation at most of the country's highly selective colleges. If you've taken the SAT or ACT and your scores aren't what you think you'll need to get into your top choice colleges, then the summer is a great time to work through an exam preparation book or take a test prep class.
Volunteer
Community service is another great way to gain some valuable work and leadership experience. Nonprofits such as soup kitchens and animal shelters are always looking for volunteers, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a volunteer organization near you that could use an extra pair of hands for a few hours a week during the summer.
• Volunteer at a company that might be a career interest for you or something like: Special Olympics
Global Volunteers Points of Light
Here are some from the College Board website, volunteer section: Network for Good www1.networkforgood.org/
Idealist.org VolunteerMatch Do Something
• Take a unique teen adventure trip with students from all over the world, such as:
Action Quest
Odyssey Expeditions Broadreach
Adventure Treks adventuretreks.com
360 Degree Student Travel
Global Routes
• At least get a paying job. There is usually a place for paid employment on applications.
Note: Be sure to research these thoroughly on your own, as they are not endorsed by or in any way affiliated with CCPS. They are simply ideas and there are many more out there.
Opportunities
There are a multitude of programs for high school students at colleges and universities across the country.Pre-college programs and workshops are hosted by the University of Maryland, Georgetown, and CSM, just to name a few in our area. Check each college website. Check the Summer Program notebook in the Career Center.
Banson NYC Fashion Summer Camp for teens grade 9-12, weeklong session to teach students fundamentals of the fashion industry, cost $1975 per student or $1785 per student if you register with a friend. Information or 917-328-1469
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
Charles County Government Summer Internship Program Provides educational opportunities for local students, paid internships that will last 8 weeks or 12 weeks in a variety of department areas, for Charles County residence only. Apply online
Charles County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center - volunteer opportunity for students. Contact Beverly Auth, or call 301-539-7314
CSI Camp 2017 Waynesburg University, June 18-23, students entering 11th, 12th grade or spring 2017 high school graduates are eligible, students will learn about fingerprints, trace evidence, expert testimony and more, register: or call 800-225-7393 deadline: 5/5, scholarships available, scholarship deadline: 4/7
Cyber Defense Training Camp For rising juniors and seniors, July 9-15, 7 day residential summer program, opportunity to expand knowledge of cybersecurity and gain practical skills through instruction by an experienced security professional, University of Maryland, information and online application:
Exploring Educational Excellence a travel consortium of Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Rice University and the University of Chicago will be in the area, RSVP: Gaithersburg, MD June 8, learn about the admission process, scholarships, financial aid, academic programs
FBI WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE – FUTURE AGENTS IN TRAINING PROGRAM:July 31-August 4,
Ages 14 – 18 (Grades 9 to 12) GPA 3.0+, 2 essays, hands-on training, to educate and inform students about the mission of the FBI’s divisions: criminal, counterterrorism, intelligence, counterintelligence, and administrative. Students learn from special agents, intelligence analysts, language specialists, and professional staff about investigative tactics that include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, capturing criminals, and solving cases. Deadline: May 26, 2017, Information and application:
Georgetown University Summer Programs for High School StudentsOpportunity to be a Summer Hoya — to live on campus, attend classes side-by-side with undergraduate students and learn from distinguished faculty and prominent Washington area guest speakers. Go to for more information. Application Deadline is April 15
Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Teen Leadership AcademyJune 26-29 for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders Hands-on, experiential program with workshops and visits to workplaces in Southern Maryland. Cost: $225 covers program tuition and supplies, daily lunch, and transportation. Apply at under “Programs” header. Application deadline with fee is May 26. Questions: call the Leadership Southern Maryland office 240-725-5469 or email
Loyola University of Maryland Reading Skills and Speed Reading Programs offered this summer in Waldorf and Upper Marlboro, preparation for ACT, SAT and college, 1-800-903-0162
The National Society of Black Engineers are offered to all pre-college, undergraduate student, graduate student and technical professional members in the areas of Academic Excellence, Technical Excellence, Professional Development, Leadership Development, Entrepreneurship, Community Service and Pre-college outreach.
National Sojourners, Inc. – Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference, July 6-9, a four-day residential program for high school students, who will be challenged to articulate their views and perceptions of citizenship,
Natural Resources Career Camp – Join field professionals from across the state for 7 days of intense instruction and fun at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County, Maryland, July 23 – 29,
Nursing and Healthcare career exploration opportunity: VolunTeens Program has replaced the traditional “candy striper” program at University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center for students wishing to learn how a hospital really operates and assist staff and patients. Students must be 14 to 17 years of age. Call Human Resources Department at 301-609-4446 to request the application. Students are called for an interview after the application is completed. Begins in June, Application opens March 1.
Sports BroadcastingJune 12-16,Visit to register
Why Princeton? An information session for prospective students and their families to learn more about Princeton University,
Saturday, May 13, 2-4:00 pm, Washington Marriott at Metro Center, RSVP
Young Terp Scholars July 9-24, 2017, for rising high school seniors, juniors, and sophomores, Experience college life at the University of Maryland and earn three college credits, learn more at or e-mail
Testing Information
Juniors - If you are planning to apply to 4-year colleges, you should be registered to take either the ACT or the SAT. If you miss the June test registration then the next test will be in August for the SAT and September for the ACT.
New SAT Date – August 26, 2017, Registration deadline is July28, 2017, register at sat/org/register
If you are planning to go to a 2-year college, trade or technical school you do not need to take the ACT or SAT. Look for more information in the September Newsletter this Fall!
Juniors – If you are planning to take AP and Honors Classes in the Fall remember to check for summer reading assignments! These assignments are part of your 1st quarter grade in the Fall. No slacking!
Seniors – Make sure you are not missing important information from your college! Know when and where to take your college placement exam!
FairTest:This list includes institutions that are “test optional”, “test flexible” or otherwise de-emphasize the use of standardized tests by making admissions decisions about substantial numbers of applicants who recently graduated from U.S. high schools without using the SAT or ACT.
Khan Academy
A personalized learning resource for all ages
Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more. Our math missions guide learners from kindergarten to calculus using state-of-the-art, adaptive technology that identifies strengths and learning gaps. We've also partnered with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art, The California Academy of Sciences, and MIT to offer specialized content. For more information go to:
SAT PREP from Khan Academy
For the first time ever, the creators of the SAT have given Khan Academy exclusive access and advice to build a personalized practice program for any students anywhere to practice for the SAT. These tools are FREE and available now for every student to take ownership of their learning and their future!!!
SAT Prep for CURRENT SAT – Go to:
SAT Prep for REDESIGNED SAT – Go to:
SAT/ACT NAVIGATION CLASS Extreme Academic Performance, 301-535-0444, email:
Studio 531 Tutoring SAT, ACT, & ASVAB TEST PREP, 301-632-5437
Financial Aid Information
Seniors should be continuing to apply for scholarship. Once you start at your college you should check with both your major’s department and the financial aid office at the college.
Juniors – Should be on the hunt for scholarships! is a good starting point. Some scholarships will have deadlines as early as October. For instance the Coca Cola Scholars Foundation application opens in August and the Deadline is October 31st.
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 – go to
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.
ARTSYSArticulation system for transferring courses from one Maryland University or College to another,
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
Victoria Pasini, Enrollment Advisor Phone: 301-934-2251 x 7043 E-Mail:
Application and Testing Process:
1. Apply online at , there is no fee. Upon successful completion of your application an acceptance letter containing your student ID number via the email address that is provided on your application. Typically, you will receive this email within 1-2 business days for completing your application.
2. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). CSM’s school code is 002064. If your application is not completed, your financial aid cannot be processed.
3. Once you have successfully applied to the college take the CSM placement test. La Plata Campus, 301-934-7657, Walk-ins welcome. No appointment necessary.
4. Orientation and Registration. Complete the Online Orientation session by logging into your [my.csmd.edu] my CSMD account. Once you have logged into your myCSMD account, click on New Student Orientation on the right side of the page.
College Placement Testing
The English, reading, and mathematics placement tests at CSM assess students' academic skills and provide options to strengthen them. Students have a better chance for success in college if their basic skills are strong enough to meet the rigors of college-level classes. Doing your best on these tests can save you up to $2500 in tuition for preparatory courses. This will also affect the time it takes to complete your degree. Information to help you prepare is on our placement testing website:
Have questions about financial aid at CSM?Check out CSM Financial Aid TV!