Happy New Year from Ventures Scholars Program!
As we begin the new year, we continue our efforts at preparing
more Ventures Scholars for college. Seniors are busy with submitting
college applications, college essay revisions, and scheduling
interviews. Sophomores and juniors will be planning on visiting
college campuses and networking with admissions recruiters.
Ventures will provide you with member contact information, and
tips about college visits.
Going to college is an enriching experience, however, for some it may be a luxury.
Especially with our current economic situation parents are thinking twice about
expensive schools. If you have to take out loans for college, make sure you know the
rules about paying back these loans. We will provide you with information about
your responsibilites when taking out loans. On graduating from High School, Ventures
Scholars are encouraged to continue their membership at the undergraduate level as
an undergraduate Ventures Scholar.
A special thanks to the Ventures Scholars juniors and seniors who participated in the
VSP's first ever Information Chat Session Fair in November. We hope to provide
many services that will assist you in your educational endeavors.
Cordially,
VSP Staff
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or linked documents are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect the official position of the Ventures Scholars Program. Suggestions
and/or Comments about the Ventures Scholars Program can be sent to
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Articles of Interest |
Tracking Your Application
Once you have decided to apply to a particular school, it is good practice
to begin a folder for all the papers that will accumulate. The first
important document will be the school's application.
The following links will provide you with helpful articles
on knowing the important forms to save, as well as organizing deadlines:
$2 Million in
Sallie Mae Fund Scholarships Available for Low Income and Minority Students
When it comes to paying for college, the best place to start is with free money.
Billions of dollars in college scholarships are awarded each year, but you must take the first
step and apply. Searching for scholarships may take a little time and energy,
but remember — even if you spend five hours applying and receive only one $500
scholarship, that’s the same as earning $100 an hour. So, what are you waiting for?
The Sallie Mae Fund's scholarship programs for minority and under-served students include:
- American Dream Scholarship Program
- First in My Family Scholarship Program
- Unmet Need ScholarshipSM Program
- Community College Transfer Program
- Writers of Passage Scholarship Program
Check out the Scholarships on Dates & Deadlines Section
of this newsletter.
FAFSA
The Department of Education uses the information provided on your FAFSA
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine your eligibility for
aid from the federal student financial assistance programs. Many states and
schools also use the FAFSA data to award aid from their programs. Some states
and schools may require you to fill out additional forms. There is no charge to
complete and submit a FAFSA, whether you file electronically or on paper.
Understanding Grants and Loans
Filling Out the FAFSA
Differences Between High School and College
High school is a TEACHING ENVIRONMENT in which you acquire facts and skills.
College is a LEARNING ENVIRONMENT in which you take responsibility for thinking through
and applying what you have learned. Understanding some of the important differences between
high school and college may help you achieve a smoother transition.
Read more:
This handbook was created by the Lemelson-MIT Program to address the independent
inventor's and aspiring entrepreneur's most frequently asked questions regarding
United States patents. We hope that this handbook will provide some helpful information
on the patenting and commercialization processes.
Read more:
http://web.mit.edu/invent/h-main.html
A New Way to Boost Scores On College Admissions Tests
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| Career Exploration |
January To-Do List |
Planning Ahead: Careers in Math & Science
Thinking About Med School?
Yes, it starts as early as high school!
If you know, as a student in high school, that you want to become a medical doctor,
you can get a head start on your preparation for medical school. Take
Advanced Placement courses. They may enable you to take advanced science courses
once you get to college. And of course, get work experience in the medical
field, such as a summer job with your family physician or volunteering at a
local hospital. Not only will it help you decide if medicine is for you,
it could help you get into medical school.
For more information on planning for a medical career read
Peterson's Planning Ahead: Medical College.
As a Ventures Scholar you can ask for advice or send inquiry directly to the staff of the
American Association of Medical Colleges regarding planning for a medical career.
A Career in Engineering?
Have you ever wondered who created that spine-tingling ride you love so much
at the amusement park? Have you ever thought about why today’s cars are more
fuel efficient and cause less pollution? Or who came up with instant messaging?
The answer is engineers. If you want to change the world through innovations like
these, a career in engineering will help you do it. The sites below let you explore the
different engineering fields, learn how to get and pay for an engineering education,
and have fun with interactive engineering games and resources.
A Career in Geology?
Geoscientists are stewards or caretakers of the Earth's resources and environment.
They work to understand natural processes on Earth and other planets. Investigating
the Earth, its soils, oceans, and atmosphere; forecasting the weather; developing
land-use plans; exploring other planets and the solar system; determining environmental
impacts; and finding new sources of useful Earth materials are just a few of the ways
geoscientists contribute to our understanding of the Earth's processes and history.
Geoscientists provide essential information for solving problems and establishing
governmental policies for resource management; environmental protection; and public
health, safety, and welfare.
Finding An Internship & Job Shadowing
This is the perfect time to begin planning for the summer break.
If you are interested in doing an internship or job shadowing,
applications are made available and deadlines are fast. You
can see all the summer opportunities provided by consortium
members at
www.venturescholar.org/hs/enrichment.html and
www.venturescholar.org/resource/enrichment-hs.html
Finding and getting a killer internship has no downside: you'll learn a ton,
spice up your resume, meet new people, and hopefully get a few steps closer to knowing
what you'd like to do with your life after college. To score that perfect internship and
get out of it what you deserve, check out some well-tested advice from fellow students
who've navigated the internship waters.
National College Fairs
Since 1972, the
National College Fairs program has aided students in
fulfilling their educational aspirations. A free program to the public,
the college fairs allow students to interact with admission representatives
from a wide range of post-secondary institutions to discuss course offerings,
admission and financial aid requirements, college life in general,
and other information pertinent to the college selection process.
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Sophomores
Are you beginning to develop a career plan?
A sample career plan might include:
- a career goal
- short-term, specific goals to make your dream a reality
- current skills, interests, and experiences
- long-range, general abilities and requirements
- Continue researching
pre-college enrichment programs at member institutions. Contact the admissions
representative to obtain additional information.
Juniors
- Find out about college fairs offered at your school or in the area.
- Sit down with your parents/guardians to review monthly goals.
Seniors
It's the most wonderful time of the year, unless you're a high school senior.
High school these days is not a cakewalk at any grade level, with increased testing
standards, tougher curriculum and accountability measures at every turn.
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Rainham5.html
- Remember that grades count. Continue to take rigorous courses.
- Ask your guidance counselor to send the transcript of your first
semester grades to the Ventures Scholars Program member
colleges/universities to which you have applied.
- Complete and return the FAFSA (Free Federal Application for
Federal Student Aid) form to the Ventures Scholars Program member
colleges/universities to which you have applied. Return them as soon as possible
after January 1. Remember to make copies of the form.
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| Academic Excellence |
Dates & Deadlines |
Exam Preparation Tips
You have worked hard over the years, taking
tests, completing projects all in your efforts of preparing for college
admission. A major part of the college admissions process are your standardized
test scores. The pressure of attaining a high test score can hinder a student during examination.
It is good practice to prepare not only for the exam but for the exam process.
Academic Advancement Center Exam Preparation
Tips and Techniques for Before, During, and After
Are you Keeping Up?
Academic Advancement Center Study Tips
This form will allow students to evaluate how well they're doing at this point
in the quarter. Answer as honestly as you can, then click the
"Get Our Advice" button to investigate our comments and advice on each of your responses.
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Scholarships
- 1/01/2010
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Best Buy @15 Scholarship
For college-bound high school students with strong academic background and community service.
60 awards of $1,000 to $25,000 are available.
- 1/29/2010
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Sam Walton Community Scholarships
For senior high school students planning to attend an accredited US university or
college approved by the Wal-Mart Foundation. Selection is based on financial need,
academic merit, ACT/SAT scores, and extracurricular involvement. Several
scholarships of $1,000 to $25,000 are available.
- 02/3/2010
- Illinois Institute of Technology
IIT/International Baccalaureate Scholarship
- 02/15/2010
- Drew University
The Baldwin Honors Program
- 02/15/2010
- New College of Florida
Four Winds and Affinity Awards for Ventures Scholars
- 2/15/2010
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AFA Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness College Scholarship
For college-bound high school juniors and seniors. Applicants need to
write an essay on Alzheimers, and one winner gets the grand prize of $5,000.
- 02/20/2010
- Susquehanna University
Music Scholarships
- 2/10/2010
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The KFC Colonel's Scholars Program®
For high school seniors with entrepreneurial drive, strong perseverance,
demonstrated financial need, and who want to pursue a college education at an
accredited public institution in the state they reside.
- 3/1/2010
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Apple FCU Education Foundation North Virginia only
Award 20 scholarships of $2,000 each in May to deserving high school seniors
throughout the northern Virginia area.
- April 15, 2010
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14th Annual Signet Classics Student Scholarship
Five high school juniors or seniors can each win a $1,000 scholarship award to be
used toward their higher education plus a Signet Classics library for their school!
Students enter by writing an essay on one of five topics posed for this year's
competition book, "The War of the Worlds" by H. G. Wells.
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| Comments & Feedback |
Ventures Scholars are invited to ask questions and learn new information from other Ventures Scholars
and VSP Consortium members. Moreover, Ventures Scholars can contribute to the newsletter and have their
articles or journal entries featured in the next issue. Submissions can be based on educational topics,
admissions-related experiences, or topics that can provide helpful information to other Ventures Scholars.
Articles, questions and answers are posted in the newsletter and then placed on the Answers from the Experts
section of the website.
Newsletter contributions can be submitted using the
Article Submission Form. If you would like to ask a question to member institutions,
please email the question to webmaster@ventures.org.
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