FAFSA Help

I attended a financial aid workshop today and heard about this FASFA Help Website, and wanted to share it with MCA as soon as possible:

https://www.fafsahelpoh.org

Mrs. Mitchell

Class of 2022 Freshman

Freshman year is all about exploration - a time for students to develop strong study habits, try new things, and build a solid foundation for the future. Download the Freshman Year eBook and use it as a guide to help navigate ninth-grade and make the most out of your first year of high school.

http://pages.act.org/starting-your-high-school-journey.html#_ga=2.138994935.572809162.1538855385-867602955.1538855385

Class of 2021 Sophomores

Make Your Extracurricular Activities Count 

Extracurricular activities can help improve discipline, determination, commitment, communication, and social connection—which are all skills needed to succeed in high school and beyond. Our advice? Take advantage of these opportunities. According to ACT Research, involvement in high school activities is often associated with higher ACT Composite scores, regardless of a student’s GPA.   

These activities can help you: 

 Build leadership skills 

 Become a team player 

 Nurture your creativity 

 Expand your experiences 

 Enhance your abilities 

 Identify your strengths 

Subscribe to the Class of 2021 Newsletter for more tips like this.

Mrs. Mitchell

Class of 2020 Juniors

10 Questions to Consider when Choosing a Major

Choosing a major is one of the first things you should consider when preparing for college… yes, even before you choose the school you want to attend. Understanding your strengths and identifying your career goals should shape the path you take after graduation.

As you start to think about your plans for after high school, consider the following questions:

Does the major match my interests?

Does this major prepare me for the career I want to have?

What college courses would I typically take for the major?

What will I learn?

What degree types are available to me?

What are the typical jobs available with my planned level of education?

What specialties are within the major?

What high school courses can help me prepare for the major?

What type(s) of schools offer the major?

What are some related majors?

Download the Junior Year eBook for helpful advice and useful tips about planning for your future.

If you have further questions on this topic, please schedule a time to come see me. https://calendly.com/mrsmitchell
Mrs. Mitchell

Class of 2019 Seniors

6 Tips to Crafting a Stellar Application Essay

Application essays are an effective way for you to communicate unique strengths to admissions officials. Some colleges will have specific prompts they want you to answer. Others will ask for you to just describe your story. Whatever it is, be yourself, speak in your voice, and don’t try to fit in a bunch of fancy words from the thesaurus.

Consider these 6 tips as you write:

Start early. Make a list of the number of essays you need to write and their deadlines. Give yourself plenty of time to think through the topics and brainstorm writing points.

Create an outline. Break down the prompt of each essay. Use these anecdotes to help organize your thoughts around your thesis, in bullet-point format. Make sure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end. This is your outline.

Read some examples. See if the college you’re applying to publishes essay examples on their website. These examples may indicate what that college considers a strong application. Remember, NEVER plagiarize somebody else’s work.

Address what’s NOT on your transcript. Answer the question, “What else should they know about me?” How can you expand upon the information presented in the other parts of the application or highlight strengths you haven’t pointed out in other parts of the application?

The deeper you go, the better. For your anecdotes, focus on specific details and really flesh out the scene.

Have a few people review it. Once you’ve completed a draft, have someone you trust (a parent, counselor, or teacher) review your work. Remember to limit the number of people who review your essay to one or two—too many opinions can muddle your voice.

Subscribe to the Class of 2021 Newsletter for more tips like this.

Mrs. Mitchell

FAFSA FREE Resources

FAFSA Opened October 1

The application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened on October 1. The FAFSA form helps students qualify for federal loans, federal grants, and federal work-study. Remember, FAFSA is first-come, first-served, free to fill out, and open to all students. Review our financial aid resources and encourage your seniors and their parents to download the Financial Aid eBook, which features simple explanations, checklists, and a cost comparison worksheet.