Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from your Upper School Office Staff!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Jon Jones on his acceptance to Spartanburg Methodist College!

Experience vs. Performance

Two weeks ago, SFCS sent High School and Middle School delegations to the 2013 Youth In Government (YIG) Conference in Columbia, SC.  Youth in Government is a YMCA-sponsored event that brings together middle and high school students from all over the United States in a three-day conference where students gain a glimpse into the inner workings of the state government process. During the conference, students propose, write, and defend bills, run for offices for the next year, and meet state legislators. 

This year was especially great for the SFCS delegation – seven SFCS bills were signed into YIG law; four middle school students and one high school student were named Outstanding Statesmen; two SFCS bills earned the Outstanding Bill Award; and both delegations were named Premier Delegations.   (For more details and pictures, visit http://shannonforest.com/headlines.html.)

So what could possibly make this experience just as important as the SAT – a nationally recognized method of evaluating college applicants?   

The SAT by nature is designed to provide a generalized snapshot of an individual.  It is one-dimensional and says very little about the person, in that it cannot distinguish between two students who have the same scores.  Without any other information, a college admissions representative could view both students as essentially equal. 

Youth In Government, in contrast, allows our students to show what they are able to accomplish in the real world.  YIG participants participate in a student-run government system that not only gives them a glimpse into the “grown-up world” of politics, but requires them to think critically, communicate clearly and rationally, and to take responsibility for their decisions and actions.  It is incredible what these young adults are able to accomplish through their own initiative when given the opportunity. 

Don’t mistake me, I am not saying that your 11^th grader shouldn’t take the SAT just because it is limited in its ability to truly distinguish between students.  However, I am suggesting the personal and educational value of experiences such as Youth In Government should not be ignored.  Shannon Forest Christian School has created several opportunities for students to gain experience with the real world which we encapsulate under the heading Shannon Experience.  These include the EXPLORE program for 10^th graders through which they investigate potential careers and participate in an internship program with businesses around Greenville; the PURSUE program during which 11^th graders visit college campuses, talk about potential majors, and discuss their goals and dreams for college; IMPACT and CONNECT which bring our Lower and Upper School students together through community service projects. 

Here at SFCS we want to provide your child with a well-rounded education – one in which they are well-versed in the fundamentals of math, history, English, and science, but also one that has allowed them to become confident, thoughtful, creative, empathetic individuals who can truly impact their communities for Christ. 

Keep 'em Coming!

Here is the most recent list of college acceptances for the Class of 2014:

Chris Verdin - Presbyterian College

Madison Allen - Clemson University
Elizabeth Ellis - Clemson University

**Please let us know when you or your student finds out about their college acceptances.  We would love to share their good news on the blog!

Your Online Self

Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, or any of the other multitude of social networking sites and how do you portray yourself?

Do you use Facebook or Instagram to post pictures of the wild party you had last weekend?  Do you live tweet about how boring class was or make inappropriate comments about your friends, family, fellow students, teachers, etc.?  Do you use language on these sites that you maybe wouldn't in front of adults like your parents and teachers?

It is important to think carefully about how you portray yourself on the internet.  I'm sure you've heard this all before ..."once it's online, it's never really gone;" "employers can see those pictures;" or "privacy settings are always changing" ... blah, blah, blah, right?  But social media can actually affect your lives now - even in the college application process.


The New York Times recently published an article called "They Loved Your G.P.A. Then They Saw Your Tweets."  This article states that many college admissions counselors (who are often young and tech-savvy) are using Facebook and Twitter and other websites to learn about their applicants' lives.  While colleges do not base their admissions decisions solely on social networking sites, there have been individuals who were denied acceptance due to the content of their personal websites.

So, be careful what you post on the internet.  This doesn't mean that we want to be someone you are not, or to present an untrue version of yourself just for the benefit of admissions counselors or potential employers; however, being wise about your internet use is always a good idea.  Do your best to avoid inappropriate photos, coarse or rude language, gossip, bullying ... basically, if in doubt, don't put it on the internet.

Congrats!

Congratulations to Mike Miller and Jesse Turner on your college acceptances!

Mike Miller - North Greenville University, Anderson University, Liberty University

Jesse Turner - North Greenville University

Are You A Student Leader?

The magazine Leadership for Student Activities NHS & NJHS edition contains a great article with tips for getting into college by maximizing your application process.  The author, Mark Sklarow, notes that colleges and universities are facing a growing list of increasingly competitive applicants and are choosing students whose "collective skills and interests will create an entering class that reflects the academic, social, and cultural mix they want to see on their campuses."  They are looking for student leaders who will bring new and creative ideas and leadership to cultural clubs, academic societies, sororities and fraternities, service organizations, etc.

So how do you show off your skills as a student leader without bragging?  Here are some tips:

• Approach your adviser well in advance.  You can request a recommendation as early as junior year or earlier if either you or your teacher is leaving the school.  But remember that your adviser is busy, so give lots of lead time.
• Give your adviser a list of your activities and the projects you worked on, and share information about what you've discovered about yourself, your fellow students, and your school through  your involvement in school activities.
• Show colleges what you've done in high school, but remember that they are even more interested in how you will use your knowledge, training, and experience to make their colleges a better place.  Look for opportunities in your essay and interview to discuss where you hope to be involved on campus.
• Demonstrate a deep and passionate involvement in a few things.  Colleges are unimpressed by students who dabble in 15 activities.  Rather, they are thrilled with teens who discover what they love to do, get deeply involved, and accept more and more responsibility as the years go by.  Demonstrate how that genuine passion has shaped you as a person and a student leader, and you'll make admissions hearts flutter.
• Bear in mind that different types of schools view their candidates differently.  Small liberal arts colleges see it as their mission to view students holistically, and they spend serious time reviewing essays, letters of recommendation, and talking with students, as well as considering transcripts and scores.  Big state universities have less time and are often driven by data, but students with a genuine story can stand out and convince an overwhelmed admissions counselor to stop and take notice.

Letters of Recommendation are a key way to display this information to admissions committees.  Consider carefully who you would like to write you a recommendation.  Teachers, counselors, administrators, mentors, employers, etc. are all great people to ask -- you want someone who knows you well.  Make sure you chose someone who is able to write a letter that will highlight your accomplishments; convey information about your skills, abilities, and unique talents; provide specific examples of your leadership experiences and your greatest successes; and can write these things honestly. 

Source: Mark Sklarow, "Getting In: An insider shares tips on the college admissions process," Leadership  for Student Activities, vol. 42, no. 3, November 2013.

*Mark Sklarow is the CEO of the Independent Education Consultants Association, a national organization representing school and college advisers who work independently from school settings.

Application Essays - Thinking Outside the Box

Many college applications require that you submit a personal essay or two with the rest of your documentation.  These essays allow admissions counselors to get to know the applicants better.  Usually, the essay answers a specific question about your defining moments, influential people in your life, your greatest achievements, obstacles you have overcome, etc.  It is always a good idea to try and think outside the box when answering the essay question.   College admissions counselors often lose interest when every essay is about a mission trip, a state championship, or parental influences.  Below is a humorous, if a little extreme, example of creative writing.

The Question:

ARE THERE ANY SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD, OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU HAVE REALIZED, THAT HAVE HELPED TO DEFINE YOU AS A PERSON?

The Essay:

I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently.

Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row.

I woo women with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing, I can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook Thirty-Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru.

Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets, I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I’m bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances free of charge.

I am an abrstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy evening wear. I don’t perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail. I have been caller number nine and have won weekend passes. Last summer I toured New Jersey with a traveling centrifugal-force demonstration. I bat 400.

My deft floral arrangements have earned me fame in international botany circles. Children trust me.

I can hurl tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy. I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. I know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. I have performed several covert operations with the CIA. I sleep once a week: when I do sleep, I sleep in a chair. While on vacation in Canada, I successfully negotiated with a group of terrorists who had seized a small bakery. The laws of physics do not apply to me.

I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid. On weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami. Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. I have made extraordinary four course meals using only a mouli and a toaster oven.

I breed prizewinning clams. I have won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the Kremlin.

I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and I have spoken with Elvis.

But I have not yet gone to college.

(This is a real essay and the author was accepted to NYU.)

Source:laughbreak

Some tips for writing your college application essay:

http://www.c2educate.com/blog/top-5-college-application-essay-cliches/

http://www.wordhelper.com/blog/2012/09/2037/5-keys-to-a-successful-college-application-essay

Acceptance Letters Are Rolling In

Acceptance letters are rolling in for the Class of 2014.  This class has proven to be highly motivated to apply to an interesting variety of colleges and universities.  So far, these are the exciting acceptances:

Adam Long - The Citadel

Annabelle Staid - Louisiana State University

Colin Maier - The Citadel

Hanna Holliday - North Greenville University & Winthrop University

Joseph Bettano - Anderson University

Kyle Bradley - Gardner-Webb University

Tatiana Johnson - North Greenville University

Great work, seniors!  We are excited for you and can't wait to see what is in store for your futures!

To all the seniors: please let us know when you hear back from the schools so we can celebrate with you!

Scholarship Opportunities

Watson-Brown Foundation

The Watson-Brown Foundation has $3000 and $5000 annual scholarships ready for 200 students, just like you! Apply online at www.watson-brown.org/scholarship.  See Mrs. Thompson for more information.

DEADLINE- FEBRUARY 15, 2014

SunTrust Off to College Scholarship Sweepstakes

High school seniors can enter for a chance to win a $1000 scholarship for their education expenses at a college or university.  One winner will be chosen every two weeks from October 25, 2013 through May 9, 2014.  This scholarship is free to enter and eligibility not based on GPA or financial need.  For complete details and to enter, visit https://www.suntrusteducation.com/ScholarshipSweepstakes/index.html.

George W. Jenkins Scholarship

For students interested in attending the University of Miami, the George W. Jenkins Scholarship is a four-year scholarship awarded to students based on academic merit, financial need, and an essay that demonstrates a history of overcoming significant adversity.  The award includes tuition and fees, on-campus room and board, and a $2,050 stipend per semester, totaling more than $55,000 a year.  For more information, see Mrs. Thompson.

DEADLINE- DECEMBER 1, 2013

National Honor Society Scholarship Program

The NHS Scholarship program will award more than $200,000 in scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $13,000 each.  Selection is based on outstanding performance in the four criteria for NHS membership: scholarship, leadership, character, and service.  More information can be found at www.nhs.us/nhsscholarship.

DEADLINE- JANUARY 27, 2014

Kittie Moss Fairey Educational Fund Scholarship

The Kittie M. Fairey Educational Fund offers scholarship aid to deserving students who meet certain academic and financial criteria.  Applicants must have the following criteria: a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; a combined SAT score of 1800 or a composite ACT score of 26; a household adjusted gross income not exceeding $40,000; plans to attend an accredited, four-year college or university in South Carolina.  For more information, see Mrs. Thompson.

DEADLINE- DECEMBER 2, 2013

South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation Scholarship

The South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation offers scholarship aid to deserving students who meet certain academic criteria including a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, plans to attend an accredited private or public, four-year college or university in South Carolina, and a competitive or recreational interest in golf.  Applications can be submitted online at www.scholarshipprograms.org.  See Mrs. Thompson for more information.

DEADLINE- DECEMBER 2, 2014

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship

The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program annually awards roughly 20 college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with $10,000 renewable scholarships – up to $40,000 total per recipient.  For more information, eligibility requirements, and an online application, visit www.reaganfoundation.org/scholarships. 

DEADLINE- JANUARY 9, 2014

2013-2014 SportQuest Playing with a Purpose Program

“A unique program that recognizes and rewards the nation’s outstanding Christian Student Athletes.”

Students must meet the following criteria:

-Currently a high school sophomore, junior or senior

-Maintains a minimum ‘C’ grade average or higher

-Currently a varsity level athlete in one or more sports

-A committed follower of Jesus Christ

To apply, visit- www.sportquest.org

DEADLINE- FEBRUARY 1, 2014

Elks National Foundation
The Elks Foundation awards scholarships to 500 high school seniors (range from $4,000 to $60,000)

Applications are available online- www.elks.org/enf/scholars but must be MAILED. See Mrs. Thompson for more information
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 3, 2013

Columbia College Momentum Scholarship
If you are applying to Columbia College, please let Mrs. Thompson know as soon as possible. You may qualify for this prestigious scholarship.

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Horatio Alger Association Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Association awards scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to students who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity.  Students must have at least a 2.0 GPA and require financial assistance to go to college.  Applications are available online at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships. See Mrs. Thompson for more information.

DEADLINE:  OCTOBER 25, 2013

2014 American Legion Oratorical Contest

If you are interested in competing in the National American Legion 76^th Annual High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, please let Mrs. Thompson know as soon as possible. The topic of this year’s competition is “A Constitutional Speech.” State and National winners qualify for scholarships between $400 and $18,000.

DEADLINE: JANUARY 14, 2014

College Planning...

LANDER UNIVERSITY

Open House - Saturday, November 9, 2013

The Office of Admissions hosts fall and spring Open House events, providing you with an opportunity to enjoy a walking tour of our beautiful campus and residence halls, eat lunch in our dining hall, and visit the Jeff May Sports Complex and Lander Equestrian Center.  You can also tour the academic department of your choice and speak with representatives from housing, financial aid, academic support, athletics, student life, admissions and other areas.

Bearcat for a Day - Wednesday, November 13, 2013

By visiting Lander University as a "Bearcat for a Day," you will get a real taste of what college life at Lander is really like.  Meet professors, sit in on a class, mingle with Lander students, tour the campus and residence halls, and eat lunch in our dining hall - it's all part of the experience.

Register online for a campus visit at http://www.lander.edu/admissions/Campus-Visit/Overview.aspx.

Don't Forget!

Due TOMORROW (November 1, 2013):  THREE college applications!

Congrats to Kyle and Emma!

A great big congratulations to seniors Kyle Bradley and Emma Knight, who are not only our school Wendy's Heisman winners, but are 2013-2014 state finalists!  The Wendy's Heisman award is given to senior athletes who excel in academics, athletics, and leadership.  SFCS is very excited to have two students qualify as state finalists!

Welcome

Welcome to the SFCS Guidance blog!  Here you will find information about the colleges and universities our students apply to and attend once they leave Shannon.  You will also receive information regarding college visits, open houses, and information sessions as well as scholarship opportunities.  We will remind you of important dates and deadlines and provide quick links to college admission websites and other informative webpages.  If you have questions about any of the posts, please include your questions in the comment section, and we will do our best to respond quickly.  Keep checking back so you don't miss anything!