Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Class of 2012--College Choices

Congratulations to the Class of 2012! One hundred seniors will attend the following 63 colleges/universities:


Auburn UniversityRhodes College
Belmont UniversityRochester Institute of Technology
Bethune-Cookman UniversitySalisbury University
Boston CollegeShepherd University
Boston CollegeSt. Mary's College of Maryland
Boston UniversitySusquehanna University
Bucknell UniversitySyracuse University
Cornell UniversityThe Catholic University of America
Dartmouth CollegeTowson University
Dickinson CollegeTufts University
Drexel UniversityUniversity of Colorado at Boulder
Duke UniversityUniversity of Delaware
Eckerd CollegeUniversity of Florida
Elon UniversityUniversity of Kentucky
Flagler CollegeUniversity of Mary Washington
Franklin and Marshall CollegeUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County
Furman UniversityUniversity of Maryland, College Park
Georgia Southern UniversityUniversity of Miami
Gettysburg CollegeUniversity of Michigan
Harvard UniversityUniversity of Mississippi
High Point UniversityUniversity of Missouri Columbia
Kenyon CollegeUniversity of Pennsylvania
Kettering UniversityUniversity of South Carolina
Lehigh UniversityUniversity of St. Andrews (Scotland)
Messiah CollegeVanderbilt University
Morgan State UniversityVirginia Commonwealth University
New York UniversityWake Forest University
Oberlin CollegeWake Forest University
Old Dominion UniversityWashington and Lee University
Princeton UniversityWilliams College
Radford UniversityWorcester Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute


Fair Winds and Following Seas from An Admiral's Perspective!!


Monday, May 7, 2012

The Choice: May Checklist for Seniors

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/calendar-may-seniors/?ref=education

Counselor’s Calendar | May Checklist for Seniors

In March, The Choice introduced an occasional series called Counselor’s Calendar, which is intended to guide students as they go through the admissions process.
This installment focuses on college-bound seniors, who must finalize their college choices today. (Don’t worry, juniors. Your checklist is coming on Wednesday.) We’ve asked Steve Frappier, the director of college counseling at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Fla., for some timely advice on what seniors should be doing in May as they prepare for college. —Tanya Caldwell
Seniors, here is your college admissions checklist for May:

Finish Strong
You are almost there, and we are as excited as you are! Before the silly string flies and the confetti pops out of the can, focus on a strong finish. The reset button will be pressed on graduation day, and you must soon prove yourself with a whole new cast of faculty. How you finish now — in terms of positive academic momentum and in healthy decision-making — will be the best way to test your readiness for freshman year. How you end senior year is also how you will be remembered among your peers and among your faculty members. Be smart, in every sense of the word.

Say “No Thank You”
Follow up with the schools that have admitted you, by or as close to May 1 as you can, to say that you have decided to enroll elsewhere. A simple e-mail is sufficient, to the general admissions address or to your admissions representative. For some students, these follow-up notes feel awkward, but you have been “invited to the party,” so the least you can do is send a simple R.S.V.P. that you cannot attend. Declining the offer of admission is also a courtesy to the students on wait lists.

Say “Thank You”
You have been helped along the way in your college process. Find the time to express gratitude to your teachers, counselors, coaches, advisers, and relatives. Pick the means of communication that suits your style — whether it’s a face-to-face conversation, an e-mail, a phone call, or a card — and let them know how they have been a positive resource for you.

Assess Any Wait List Options
Previous articles have addressed how to navigate the wait list process with a sense of realism. It is alright if your interest level for a wait list school “cools off” after placing your deposit elsewhere on May 1. Look within and determine if you want to pursue any wait list offers. Write to any colleges to de-register from the waitlist, if your plans have finalized; continue to remain in touch with the school that you wish to pursue.

Read the Instructions
Your university’s Orientation and Residential Life offices will remain in touch throughout the summer. You will receive a lot of information — from detailed move-in day instructions to how to set up a bank account and more — and you actually have to read it! Keep a folder with all of this information, including a list of helpful campus phone numbers.

Look for More Scholarships
Many third-party scholarships are still available, and various Web sites and search engines can point you to these resources. Many of these scholarship providers might ask for essays that you have already written, and the end result could be money that could offset the cost of travel, books, or tuition. If you are receiving need-based financial aid, check with your university on its policy regarding third-party scholarships, because your award might be adjusted.

Know Your Testing Codes
Every summer, students will call because they have misplaced their Advanced Placement student codes from the past year or two years, and their class registration is stalled. Sorry, your college counselors are on vacation! Sooner than later, make a plan for how your university will receive your Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge University exam results. Division I and Division II athletes, don’t forget that the N.C.A.A. also needs your SAT or ACT scores.

Find a Summer Plan
Many students have carried the frame of mind of “I should do this for college” with regard to summer activities. Now that you are accepted, you should still consider doing something enriching, whether it’s traveling, summer classes, new and rediscovered hobbies, or work. If you are seeking a summer job, the early bird gets the worm, and if you wait for mid-June, a lot of summertime staffs are already set. So take that spiffy résumé and hit the street now!

Pass the Torch
Leave a positive legacy by showing your sponsors and peers that you care for the sustainability of your extracurricular activities. Jot down some helpful tips for the underclassmen around you. They will certainly appreciate the advice! Be a role model in showing that your activities are not just lines on a résumé, but a part of you.

Pat Yourself on the Back
You did it! Whether your college process was a dream or a roller coaster, take pride in your achievements as you look forward to the exciting adventure that awaits you, with new classes, new experiences, and new friendships. I think of the senior T-shirts that are so prevalent around campus: “You know you want to be 1 2!” We kind of do. Congratulations, class of 2012!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Class of 2012 College T-Shirt Day

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The Choice: Checklist for Juniors

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/calendar-april-junior/#more-43629

Counselor’s Calendar | April Checklist for Juniors

Counselor’s Calendar: April
Timely advice from experts for students who want to stay on track during the college admissions process.

In March, The Choice introduced Counselor’s Calendar, an occasional series intended to keep students on track throughout the college admissions process.
Our latest installment focuses on college-bound juniors, who are beginning to think seriously about how to make the most of their soon-to-come senior year. (In case you missed it, we posted an April checklist for seniors on Monday.)
We’ve asked Erin K. Johnston, the co-director of college guidance at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., for some timely advice on what juniors should be doing in April to prepare for college. —Tanya Caldwell


Juniors, here is your college admissions checklist for April:

Continue your college research.
Take note of school presentations in your area — some colleges even travel together, so you could learn about a few colleges in one evening. Even better, try to attend a college fair as a way to gather information about dozens of colleges at once.
Some colleges offer spring open houses for juniors, or special summer opportunities for prospective applicants. Spring is a busy time for many juniors, with year-end school and extracurricular commitments, exams and final papers, and standardized tests. It’s not great timing that this is when colleges are available to visit your hometown or invite you to theirs, so be sure to prioritize. Protect your G.P.A. and transcript — don’t spend more time researching colleges than doing your schoolwork.

Keep financial considerations in mind.
As was noted on the March checklist, any student whose family cannot comfortably foot the cost of a college education should investigate options for need- and merit-based aid. Net-price calculators are user-friendly with completed tax returns in hand.

Have a plan for taking standardized tests.
Most students should sit for the ACT or SAT at least once before the end of the year, and those interested in selective universities should take at least two SAT Subject Tests, as well. Register for the tests well in advance to make sure you get a testing location near where you live.
If you’ve already taken the SAT or ACT once, seriously consider waiting until the fall for a retake rather than rushing to retake it again this spring. For many students, the older they are, the better they fare on any test.
Think about the coming Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. How prepared are you to do well on those exams? Sometimes, students sit for more exams than they really need to take — it’s better to do well on three exams than to do poorly on five.
Finally, if you feel as if your standardized test results won’t accurately showcase your abilities (in other words, if you’re not a great test-taker) then add some test-optional or test-flexible colleges to your list of schools.

Think about potential recommendation writers.
Many colleges ask applicants to submit three letters of recommendation — one from a guidance counselor and two from teachers. Students generally ask teachers from junior year (and sometimes, from senior year) to provide a written endorsement, so now is an excellent time to consider whom you might ask for a letter of recommendation. Not sure whom to ask? Ask yourself: “Who sees the best version of me, as a student, in the classroom every day?” or “Who has seen me grow and change, in a good way, this year?” or “In which class do I act the way a successful college student acts?”

Check out the April PDF of the Common Application.
The Common Application, a universal method of applying to colleges accepted at more than 450 institutions, has promised to release a preview PDF of the 2012-13 form in mid-April. Students cannot begin to complete the online version until August 1.

Pick the right classes for senior year.
Think carefully about a schedule that will provide you with an appropriate challenge. Having reached senior year, there might be very few classes you actually need to take to graduate. Given this flexibility, balance choosing specialized electives with foundational courses. In other words, that science elective in zoology might be a lot of fun, but if you haven’t taken any physics in secondary school, now is a good time to do so.
Many colleges prefer to see that students have taken the basics in high school, so that they can explore specialized fields in depth at the collegiate level. Maximize your choices to demonstrate your interest in a particular field. When in doubt, consider calling a few admissions offices to get their take.

Watch the seniors.
Your friends in the Class of 2012 have received most of their college news by this point. Consider the ways they experienced this process, and take note of actions, words and approaches you’d like to emulate — as well as mistakes, blunders and missteps you’d like to avoid.
Now is the time of year when admissions statistics are released by schools and many news stories are written about general admission trends. Think about how all of this data might have an impact on your search. Compare, for example, a college’s acceptance rate for early decision candidates with its acceptance rate for regular decision candidates. Pay attention to the types of notifications that aren’t just “admit” or “deny,” such as decisions of wait list, guaranteed transfer, spring admission or fall 2013 (a “forced” gap year) admission.
At school, resist the urge to offer judgment or unsolicited advice (“Can you believe HE got in and SHE did not?” or “Why would you just X College over Y College?”). There are a lot of factors that go into an
admissions decision — both the decisions made by colleges, as well as the ones made by seniors — so watch, listen and observe. This will be you in just one short year.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

AIMS College Fair Thursday, April 26, 2012

THE 26TH ANNUAL AIMS COLLEGE FAIR

FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND THEIR PARENTS


AT THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
2004 GREENSPRING DRIVE
TIMONIUM, MARYLAND 21093


FIRST SESSION: 5 - 6:30 P.M.
SECOND SESSION: 7:30 – 9 P.M.
(**College Reps will not be available from 6:30-7:30)
More than 200 colleges will be represented

Friday, March 30, 2012

Wait List Advice (from College Board)

What to Do if You're Wait-Listed

Boost Your Chances of Getting In

You’ve sent in your applications. Now you’re waiting for a letter from each college you applied to, either offering you admission or turning down your application. And there’s another possibility: a college may put you on a waiting list.
This can happen when you meet the admission requirements, but the college has already accepted the number of applicants it has room for. If a spot becomes available later on, you may be offered a place.
The college won’t make you this offer, though, until after the May 1 decision deadline has passed. If you’re on the waiting list, it’s hard to know what your chances of acceptance are.
If you get wait-listed by one of your top choices, let admission officers know why you're a great fit for their college.

Decide Whether to Stay on the List

Your next step is to respond and let the college know whether or not you want to stay on the waiting list. It makes sense to keep your spot on the list only if you’re really interested in going to the college.
Before you decide, find out whether there are any conditions attached to being wait-listed. For example, since you’re notified later than other applicants, you may have fewer housing and financial aid options.
Even if you decide to remain on the waiting list, prepare to attend another college. Choose the best fit from the colleges that accepted you, fill out the paperwork and send a deposit. You’ll forfeit this deposit if the college that wait-listed you offers you a place and you accept. Still, you need to be sure you have a place in an incoming freshman class next fall.

Take Control

If you decide to stay on the waiting list, be proactive. Here’s what you can do to boost your chances of being accepted.
Get a sense of your chances of admission. Contact the admission office to find out if the college ranks wait-listed students or if it has a priority list. Most are willing to let you know your status. The higher you rank on the list the better your chances of being accepted.
Write a letter to the admission office. The college has already decided that you have the academic credentials for admittance. Now’s the time to mention any additional nonacademic factors that might help your case — any new achievements or supplemental information. Emphasize your strong desire to attend the college and make a case for why you're a good fit. You can tell them that you'll enroll if they accept you, but only if you're absolutely certain you will.
Study hard. This is no time to slack off. If you're wait-listed, you may be reevaluated based on your third- and fourth-quarter grades.
Stay involved. Show admission officers you're committed to sports, clubs and other activities.
Request another (or a first) interview. An interview can give you a personal contact — someone who can check on the status of your application. You can also enlist the help of your high school counselor or someone you know who graduated from that college.
Realize that you've already achieved something. You were wait-listed, not turned away. Many students were not as successful.
Reconsider the colleges that accepted you.  If you would be just as happy at one of your other choices, send in a deposit and plan to attend that college. Then turn down the spot on the waiting list. You'll be surprised how much better you feel after your decision has been made.

Monday, March 26, 2012

College Visit Advice

College visits don’t have to be cookie-cutter

By , Washington Post Published: March 23 | Updated: Saturday, March 24, 1:15 PM

It was a gorgeous spring day at American University, the quad dotted with students playing Frisbee and studying on blankets, when I tagged along on a campus admissions tour led by an energetic student guide who peppered her listeners with school stats and personal stories.

As we passed three students camped out with their laptops, the guide called out to them: “Do you love AU?”  “Yes!” they all shouted in response, laughing. The guide turned back to us: “See, they love AU!”
A couple of parents laughed out loud, and a dad standing near me rolled his eyes dramatically at the exchange. But most of the prospective students barely reacted. They just stayed in the polite trance they’d maintained throughout the tour, the result, I had no doubt, of visiting too many campuses in too short a time.



It’s that time of year again, when thousands of parents pack their high-schoolers onto a plane or into the SUV and set off on road trips across the nation to a half-dozen colleges or more, hoping to find that one special school that’s the right fit for their student.
These visits are often the deciding factor for many juniors figuring out where to apply and for seniors picking where to enroll. And colleges know this. The admissions tours they offer are nothing more than a sales pitch — their last chance to nab you with a dazzling display of their offerings.

So universities go to great lengths (and lots of expense) to ensure that their campuses, their dorms and their students stand out from all the rest. Often that means locating the admissions center next to the most convenient parking, providing free coffee and casting the friendliest students as tour guides. Even the music you hear in admissions offices as you wait for your tour has probably been carefully selected — maybe even by students — to set the tone for your visit.

But as a higher education reporter for The Washington Post who has taken lots of campus tours with kids trying to make that big decision, I’ve learned that most of this is just window dressing. The only way to get a true feel for the culture of a university and its students is to simply hang out. My best advice? If you’re heading out on a college visit, give yourself enough time to pretend to be a college kid for a day: Lounge in a coffee shop near campus, read the student newspaper, attend a women’s softball game or an a capella concert, go jogging across the campus, have dinner at a bar with sticky floors, or simply ride the campus bus for a different kind of tour.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Food for thought

                    


Posted: 02/21/2012 5:27 pm
Dear Eighth Grader:
College interview season is drawing to a close. Hundreds of thousands of high school seniors would like to believe that they have secured admission to prestigious colleges by impressing alumni like me with their sterling credentials and conversational aptitude.

Our meeting will not take place for four years. I hope you don't think it too presumptuous of me to give you some things to think about now, at this early juncture -- to help you prepare.

I have three kids of my own, including an eighth grader like you. My house will still be pretty noisy in 2016 -- so, let's meet at Einstein's, the bagel place. I'll be the one doing the crossword puzzle.

I've been conducting Harvard interviews for many years. Even though I graduated from Harvard, I feel somewhat like a poser. I know to a moral certainty that, if I were to apply to the college today, the chances of my getting in would be less than zero. Admission standards have grown more rigorous over the last quarter century. Sometimes, it's good to be older.

I interview applicants because it's fun. I like hearing about what's going on in your youthful world, one that is now largely foreign to me. And, unlike my own kids, when I ask questions, applicants have to answer. I like that, too.

A friend recently asked me whether I interview because I like to wield power -- like Commodus in Gladiator, whose "thumbs up" gesture in the Coliseum meant life or death.

But my powers are hardly imperial. I am not a gatekeeper. A lot of kids about whom I write enthusiastic recommendations do not get in to Harvard. Some people say that the whole interview process is just an elaborate ruse intended to increase alumni donations. Still, my reports must count for something, because, when they are late, I receive testy emails admonishing me.

The first thing you should know is that great test scores and grade point averages do not, standing alone, excite me. If I had one candy-coated chocolate for every kid I've interviewed with an ACT score of 34, I could fill an industrial-size bag of M&Ms that Costco sells for $8.99. High grades? These days, in this era of hyper grade inflation, who doesn't get a four point gazillion GPA?

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

February Newsletters



Sophomores/Juniors: February Newsletter

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

As a Broader Group Seeks Early Admission, Rejections Rise in the East


Early admission to top colleges, once the almost exclusive preserve of the East Coast elite, is now being pursued by a much broader and more diverse group of students, including foreigners and minorities.
 
The democratization of the process — and the overall explosion in applicants — made the early-admissions game much tougher this year for the group that has long dominated it: students in prep schools in New York and beyond where the vast majority of seniors apply to their top choices in November in hopes of avoiding the springtime scrum.
“Their odds have definitely decreased,” said Christoph Guttentag, dean of admissions at Duke University. “You can sort of envision the appeal of early decision radiating outward, from the most affluent to the middle class, and westward from the East Coast and then across the Pacific.”
Duke, for example, received 400 early applications this year from California or overseas; in 2005, it was fewer than 100. Haverford College, outside Philadelphia, saw early applications from abroad double this year from last. And at the University of Chicago, there were double-digit rises in the percentage of early applications from black and Hispanic students.

You do not need a perfect score on the math SAT to know that if more people are applying — many top-tier colleges say the number has doubled or tripled over the last five years — competition is stiffer. So in certain precincts of Manhattan, parents of those who were deferred or rejected in December have been swapping stories ever since about the seemingly perfect senior at the Spence School who did not make the cut (“If not her, who?” lamented one parent) and the six Brearley School girls who were deferred from Yale (“I thought Yale loved Brearley,” cried another, pointing out that 20 Brearley graduates have gone to Yale in the last five years, more than any other university).

Monday, January 9, 2012

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)



(Link:) Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, ensures that all eligible individuals can benefit from federally funded financial assistance for education beyond high school. We consistently champion the promise of postsecondary education to all Americans —and its value to our society.
Federal Student Aid plays a central and essential role in supporting postsecondary education by providing money for college to eligible students and families. We partner with postsecondary schools, financial institutions and others to deliver services that help students and families who are paying for college.
Today, Federal Student Aid performs a range of critical functions that include, among others:
  • Educating students and families on the process of obtaining aid;
  • Processing millions of student financial aid applications each year;
  • Disbursing billions of dollars in aid funds to students through schools;
  • Enforcing financial aid rules and regulations;
  • Servicing millions of student loan accounts, and securing repayment from borrowers who have defaulted on their loans; and
  • Operating information technology systems and tools that manage billions in student aid dollars.
This is a complex, multifaceted mission that calls on a range of staff skills and demands coordination by all levels of management. Consequently, Federal Student Aid, a Performance-Based Organization (PBO), emphasizes tangible results and efficient performance, as well as the continuous improvement of the processes and systems that support our mission.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Scholarships for Scholars

Scholarships for Scholars, Inc., is a nonprofit organization formed to reward scholastic excellence.  The scholarships are awarded to graduating students who attend Anne Arundel County Public Schools, other Anne Arundel County educational institutions that are in compliance with all requirements of the Maryland State Department of Education, and home schooled students registered with the Anne Arundel County Board of Education.  The applicant must physically reside in Anne Arundel County.  The awards are to be used by students toward tuition, fees, and books at the institutions of higher education (community colleges, four-year colleges or universities, and private trade and technical institutions) of their choice. 

Since the specific qualifications differ for each of the available scholarships, it is important that you read the attached directions very carefully and provide all of the information requested in your application packet. (See Mrs Rudder in College Counseling for an application packet.) The application, checklist, and scholarship requirements are also available for downloading and printing online here

**You may submit separate applications for a total of two (2) scholarships offered in Sections I and II of this packet. Applications which are not complete or do not meet all the minimum criteria as outlined in the attached packet will not be accepted or reviewed. 

By law, the results of CEEB Advanced Placement exams can not appear on high school transcripts.  Therefore, if you wish the results of your exams to be considered, you will have to provide that information as part of your Scholarships for Scholars, Inc. application(s).

Your completed application packet(s) must be given to the appropriate school official by the close of the school day on February 3, 2012.  Applications may not be submitted online.

We look forward to your participation in this scholarship program.  Successful scholarship recipients will be our guests at the annual Scholarships for Scholars, Inc., Awards Presentation on April 30, 2012  We wish you the very best.  Please contact Debra Hardie at 410-626-7013 or scholarshipsforscholars@yahoo.com should you have any questions.

Monday, December 5, 2011

College Counseling December Newsletters



Topics include:
*Remaining Transcript Requests – due now!
*College Decision News – keep us posted!
*ED/EA Back-up Plan
*Early Notification Etiquette – be considerate of your classmates’ feelings.
*College missing documents? – come see us.


Topics include:
*Scheduling a College Counseling Family Meeting
*Family Connection
*College Admissions Testing
*College Night for Parents of Juniors, Part II
*Counselor Preference


Monday, November 21, 2011

College Spotlight: United States Naval Academy (visiting 11/30)

Link: USNA
 Mission
The Naval Academy has a unique clarity of purpose, expressed in our official mission:
"To develop midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government."
This puts everyone-faculty, staff and midshipmen-on the same wavelength. It also encourages a sense of spirit and pride found at few other schools.

Program
The moral, mental and physical elements of our program are equally important, all contributing to the qualities of an outstanding naval officer.

Academics
Every midshipman's academic program begins with a core curriculum that includes courses in engineering, science, mathematics, humanities and social science. This is designed to give you a broad-based education that will qualify you for practically any career field in the Navy or Marine Corps. At the same time, our majors program gives you the opportunity to develop a particular area of academic interest. For especially capable and highly motivated students, we offer challenging honors programs and opportunities to start work on postgraduate degrees while still at the Academy.

Professional and leadership training
We don't just tell you about life in the Navy and Marine Corps. After four years at the Naval Academy, the life and customs of the naval service become second nature. First, you learn to take orders from practically everyone, but before long, you acquire the responsibility for making decisions that can affect hundreds of other midshipmen. Your professional classroom studies are backed by many hours of practical experience in leadership and naval operations, including assignments with Navy and Marine Corps units during summer months.

Moral education
Moral and ethical development is a fundamental element of all aspects of the Naval Academy experience. As future officers in the Navy or Marine Corps, midshipmen will someday be responsible for the priceless lives of many men and women and multi-million dollar equipment. From Plebe Summer through graduation, the Naval Academy's Character Development Program is a four-year integrated continuum that focuses on the attributes of integrity, honor, and mutual respect. One of the goals of this program is to develop midshipmen who possess a clearer sense of their own moral beliefs and the ability to articulate them. Honor is emphasized through the Honor Concept of the Brigade of Midshipmen-a system which was originally formulated in 1951 and states "Midshipmen are persons of integrity, they stand for that which is right." These Naval Academy "words to live by" are based on the moral values of respect for human dignity, respect for honesty and respect for the property of others. Brigade Honor Committees composed of elected upperclass midshipmen are responsible for education and training in the Honor Concept. Midshipmen found in violation of the Honor Concept by their peers may be separated from the Naval Academy.

Physical training
Physical TrainingWe teach the importance of being physically fit and prepared for stress because the duties of Navy and Marine Corps officers often require long, strenuous hours in difficult situations. The physical requirements of Plebe Summer training, four years of physical education and year-round athletics also develop pride, teamwork and leadership.

The United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar is a fast-paced, six-day experience for high achievers who have completed their junior year in high school. Summer Seminar teaches you about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's leaders.  If you think that you may be interested in pursuing an appointment to one of the nation's service academies and serving your country as an officer, you should seriously consider attending the Naval Academy's Summer Seminar. Mark your calendar! The 2012 Summer Seminar Application will open February 1st.

**Severn Students (sophomores & juniors) interested in a service academy should express that interest to the Severn College Counseling office as early as possible.

Friday, November 18, 2011

College Spotlight: United States Air Force Academy

(Cadet Craig Phelan, Severn '09, visiting 11/28)

Link: USAFA Admissions

In our rapidly changing world, the high-tech United States Air Force rules the skies. In order to continue protecting our country and its interests, we need highly motivated, top-notch people. If you've got what it takes to be a leader in the Air Force of the 21st Century, we offer you an outstanding opportunity — and education at the Air Force Academy.
As an Air Force Academy cadet, you'll spend four years at one of the best schools in the country with all your tuition, fees, and room and board paid for. You'll be continually challenged academically and personally. Upon graduation, you'll receive a bachelor of science degree and a commission as an Air Force second lieutenant.
By knowing the requirements and recommendations to receive a potential appointment to the Academy, you can help prepare your students during high school.

Requirements

The applicant must be:
  • A United States citizen (United States citizenship must be finalized prior to entering the Academy.)
  • Unmarried with no dependents (Note: Dependents include being married, mother/father by having a birth child, step child, or adopted child prior to graduation, regardless of whether or not you provide financial support for said dependent. Further, if such marriage or paternity/maternity were to occur but not be known to Air Force authorities until after graduation, you may be subject to disciplinary or administrative action as an officer.)
  • Of good moral character
  • At least 17, but not past your 23rd birthday by July 1 of the year entering (The age requirement is public law and cannot be waived.)

Recommendations

The following high school courses will help make the applicant more competitive:
  • Four years of English
  • Four years of college-prep math
  • Four years of lab science
  • Three years of social studies
  • Two years of a foreign language
  • One year of computer study
For questions or to find out more about the Air Force Academy's admissions process, please call 1-800-443-9266. 

**Students (sophomore or junior) interested in a service academy should express that interest to the College Counseling office as early as possible.