USC's Application Requirements Update

Our office received the following letter from the admissions office at the University of South Carolina.  We want you to be up-to-date on admissions policies, and thought we would pass the information along.  

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Dear College Counselors, 

The University of South Carolina admissions office has changed its high school transcript policy. Our primary reason for this is to encourage students to take greater ownership of the application process. We also expect this change will increase transparency in the process while reducing the administrative burden imposed on college counselors throughout the college application season.

High school seniors who complete the freshman application for the University of South Carolina are now required to self-report their high school academic record for grades 9-12. Additionally, they must upload an electronic copy of their high school transcript in JPG, PDF or Word formats. This may drive an increase in requests from your students for their transcripts, particularly near deadlines (October 15, November 15 and December 1).

We no longer require an official high school transcript during the preliminary application evaluation phase. If we need an official transcript, we will instruct the student to contact you about forwarding an official copy. In the meantime, please provide an electronic copy to each of your students who request one so they can complete their online application. We will continue to request official, final high school transcripts from your office after May 1, once we know which students have confirmed their plans to attend USC.

To help you and your students better understand the USC application process, we’ve prepared a How to Apply guide. You may download a PDF version athttp://sc.edu/admissions/admissionspdfs/how_to_apply_guide.pdf. For questions about how students should self-report their transcripts online, watch this brief and informative video:http://youtu.be/kYji1WTs3i4 -- and please share these links with your students.

Thanks for your help and let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

University of South Carolina

Wendy's High School Heisman

Wendy's is looking for the next class of remarkable students who excel in academics, athletics, and community involvement.  The 2014 Wendy's High School Heisman award application process is underway.  Now through October 3, 2014, class of 2015  graduating seniors can apply at www.wendyshighschoolheisman.com.

To be eligible, a student must have maintained at least a 'B' grade point average, participated in one of the 27 sports officially sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations, and demonstrated active involvement in his or her community.

National Winners receive:

• Recognition during ESPN's national telecast of the college Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation in New York City
• A Wendy's High School Heisman trophy and Heisman Patch
• $10,000 for their high school
• $500 Wendy's gift card

The Wendy's High School Heisman program is truly a stepping stone toward high achievements, and with college admissions growing more selective, a national award of this caliber can help students stand out.  You may also 'like' Wendy's High School Heisman on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wendyshighschoolheisman for program updates and to connect with alumni!

DEADLINE:  October 3, 2014

**Added bonus: the first 25,000 completed applications will receive a $10 Wendy's gift card!

Scholarship Opportunity

Are you an actor, artist, dancer, filmmaker, designer, musician, photographer, singer, songwriter, or writer, age 15-18 or in grades 10-12?  YoungArts has changed the lives of more than 20,000 young artists like you.  How?

Cash awards up to $10,000 with $500,000 given annually - more than $150 million in college scholarships facilitated - Exclusive path to US Presidential Scholars in the Arts - Master classes with renowned artists  - Opportunity to appear in HBO YoungArts MasterClass - Lifetime of professional support and networking

For more information, visit: youngarts.org/apply2015
Deadline: October 17, 2014

Discover Duke University

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

Pratt School of Engineering Open House
Are you interested in robotics, energy conservation devices, signal processing, designing the next generation of skyscrapers or integrating biology and engineering to treat human disease?

Learn more about the unique engineering education we provide at Duke.  Events will include:

• discussions with faculty from our four engineering departments
• tours of campus and engineering facilities
• opportunities to interact with current students and learn about student research
• information on admissions and financial aid

Arts & Humanities Open House

Do you love thinking, creating, and writing?  Do subjects like English, history, foreign language and the arts capture your imagination?  Are you curious to know where a liberal arts degree can take you?

Visit Duke to learn more about our arts and humanities programs for majors and non-majors alike.  Events will include:

• discussions with faculty about arts and humanities programs and how they are integrated into our liberal arts curriculum
• tours of campus, with a special focus on East Campus and our arts and humanities classrooms, studios, and workshops
• opportunities to interact with current students
• information on admissions and financial aid

**For more information, please visit admissions.duke.edu.

Scholarship Opportunity

Danforth Scholars Program honors students who embrace high ideals and whose life choices are guided by personal integrity, selflessness, a commitment to community, and a dedication to leadership and academic excellence.  Danforth scholars may receive full or partial tuition scholarships, renewed each year provided they progress academically and uphold their high standards of character.  This program is open to prospective undergraduate and graduate students applying to Washington University.

Undergraduate students must be nominated to participate in the scholarship selection process. If you are interested in attending Washington University in St. Louis and being considered for this scholarship, please contact Kathryn Taylor in the Student Services Office (ktaylor@shannonforest.com).

Deadline to be nominated: October 10, 2014

Personal Statements

By now, you may be starting your Personal Statements for your college applications.  It's probably everyone's least favorite part of the application process - you have to brag about yourself without sounding too arrogant, too humble, too cliche, or too boring.  And sometimes the essay questions just don't seem to apply to you or your life.  Despite these challenges, the personal statement is one of the most important components of your introduction into college and "real" life.  It is good to have an introspective look at yourself and your accomplishments before you jump into life after high school.  This is also a practical skill that you will use for years to come.  Job interviews will ask you to know your strengths and weaknesses, to give examples of overcoming challenges or conflicts, and how you would be a valuable asset to their company.  These are basically the same questions that a personal statement asks, and, unlike in a job interview, you can take all the time you need to revise, revise, revise.

The Admissions Blog for Vanderbilt University recently posted about the importance of the personal statement.  I have included the blog written by David Lazo below.
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#selfie, Old School Style

Even though the age of the #selfie encourages self-promotion, I believe it is still very difficult for most people to write about themselves. When I have the opportunity to share my observations about reading personal statements in Vanderbilt information sessions, I always make time to ask the audience how many of them keep a written log of their internal thoughts. Few do. Unfortunately, I find that many applicants to college wait until the last minute to compose an essay that can be important in a holistic process like ours.

If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, we should be able to write an essay as easily as we take a selfie. In fact, mastering the ability to advocate for oneself through the written form remains difficult, although it is a critical life skill. I believe that the personal statement serves as one of many ‘firsts’ as you enter the adult world. For example, when applying for jobs, I always slave over my cover letter. Word placement. Tone. Brevity. It all matters.

Certainly the stakes surrounding your personal statement may seem high now, but this exercise is just the beginning of many statements to come. It may start with describing your distinctive fit for a college community, but next you’ll find yourself writing a statement for an internship or your first job after college graduation. Or perhaps you’ll decide to pursue graduate school, and, speaking from personal experience, it is just as important for that process. Composing a distinctive personal statement may always be difficult, but with practice, you can get much better at it.

If you are a high school senior, you have many drafts ahead of you. Your summer months should be used to give yourself the time and flexibility to allow your personal statement to evolve. The first draft of your personal statement SHOULD NOT be the one we see. Much like a seedling, personal statements must sprout and grow. With ample watering (read: editing and revisions), your statement will be one that I remember. And if you happen to be in the midst of college searches but still have some time before you compose an official application for admission, just start writing. About anything. Ultimately, it is not just what you say that will impress any admissions officer, but also how you say it that will distinguish you.

A selfie is unique because it is a one-of-a-kind visual of who you are (or would like to be). However, before the selfie there was the good old-fashioned personal statement. You owe it to yourself to stand out in a competitive process like ours. Here is my challenge to you: Put down the camera phone and pick up a pen this summer – it’s time for a selfie, old-school style.

http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/vandybloggers/2014/07/selfie-old-school-style/

How To Attend an Out-of-State University for In-State Tuition

What is it?

The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a tuition-savings program for college students in the 15 SREB member states who want to pursue degrees that are not offered by their in-state institutions.  Students can enroll in out-of-state institutions that offer their degree program and pay the institution's in-state tuition rates.

What states participate in SREB's Academic Common Market?

Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia

Who qualifies?

To qualify, a student must be a resident of an SREB member state, select a participating program that is approved for the Academic Common Market for their state, be admitted unconditionally into that program, and be certified as a resident of his or her home state.

What colleges and universities participate in the Academic Common Market?

More than 100 colleges and universities from all 15 SREB states offer undergraduate and graduate opportunities.  Your home state has determined which institutions and specific programs are available through the ACM.

What programs are available through the Academic Common Market?

More than 1,900 programs are available to eligible students. For a complete list of programs available to residents in your state, visit http://home.sreb.org/acm/choosestate.aspx.


For more information about the Academic Common Market, visit http://www.sreb.org/page/1304/academic_common_market.html.