Author: Sherri Grelle

Senior Newsletter

October 2016

La Quinta High School Counselors: Sherri Grelle (a-hoa)
Denise Halstead, Principal ADRIANA Esquivel (HOB-NGUYEN,D)
(714) 663-6375 Patricia Tran (nguyen,E-Q)
Lucy Fitzrandolph (R –Z) Lucy Fitzrandolph (R –Z)
Lucy Fitzrandolph (r-z)

A Message from the Guidance Office
Class of 2017 … We hope that your senior year has started off to a great start. As some of you may have noticed your senior year is going to fly by, which is why it is so important to pay attention to the minor details and make sure you don’t miss out on anything! In addition to staying on top of your class work, it’s important that you be sure to meet all the necessary deadlines for SAT and/or ACT testing, college applications, scholarships, and financial aid.
Decisions Decisions Decisions
College is Affordable and Sometimes Free Many La Quinta seniors every year think that attending a four-year university is unaffordable and out of their reach because they believe their parents do not make enough money to pay for it. In reality not only students who qualify for free or reduced lunch will receive grants when they apply for financial aid. Grants like the Cal Grant and Pell Grant are monies provided to families to pay for college which they do not have to pay back. Last year between 70% of La Quinta seniors received Cal Grants for college which is enough to pay for the full California State University tuition. This means students who attend schools like CSU Fullerton will not be paying any tuition and fees and may have financial aid money to spare if they live at home. So it is possible for students to attend a four-year university and receive their four-year bachelor’s degree for no money out of their pocket!
How to Receive Financial Aid for College All seniors should apply for financial aid through www.FAFSA.Gov no matter how much money they think their families make. In addition to grants, FAFSA provides work study aid as well as loans. The window to apply is from October 1st 2016 through March 2nd 2017 and the application is free. La Quinta counselors will be holding workshops to help students complete the applications in October.
Attention Seniors, please remember to turn in your Cal Grant GPA release form to the counseling office. This gives your counselor permission to send your GPA to the Cal Grant office before you complete the FAFSA application. If you need a new form, please visit the counseling office.
Important Tips for Completing CSU Applications
Make sure you use your legal name, it should be the same name on your transcript. Also, make sure your social security number and your birthday are correct. This is extremely important especially when telling College Board to submit your SAT scores. Hundreds of scores don’t get sent because names, birthdays or social security numbers don’t match up.
Make sure to choose an alternate major that’s not impacted when completing your CSU application.
Have a counselor check your application before you submit for your fee waiver and final application.
UC and Cal State Application Workshop

Starting your College Applications
Filling out your college application may seem completely overwhelming, which is why it is so important for you to start early. Make this process less stressful and time consuming by having your transcript, test scores, and your parent’s income in order. This will help tremendously!
Applying to California State Universities - applications available online at CCGI (log-in information coming soon. Do not apply yet! Counselors need to help you! Deadline to apply is November 30th.
Applying to Universities of California - applications are available online at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply. Beginning October 1st you can access the application, but you cannot submit it until November 1st. The deadline to apply is November 30th.
Applying to private and out-of-state colleges and universities - these schools vary in their application procedures and deadlines. Please visit the college website for further information. Most private schools require letters of recommendation.
Applying to community colleges - community colleges begin accepting applications in March. Check out www.californiacolleges.edu. Counselors will help students with this process as well as signing them up for the SOAR test.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!!!
You still have time to sign up for the SAT and/or the ACT. See Mrs. Bhoot in Guidance for a fee waiver.
SAT November 5 Register by 10/7 to avoid late fee SAT: www. Collegeboard.com
SAT December 3 Register by 11/3 to avoid late fee
ACT December 10 Register by 11/4 to avoid late fee ACT: www.actstudent.org
When signing up for your SAT’s on Collegeboard.com, if you want to send your scores to more than 4 Cal States use code 3594 (CSU Mentor, Long Beach). This will send your SAT scores to all Cal States for FREE! If you want to send your scores to at least 1 UC, list a UC, and Collegeboard.com will send your scores to all UC’s for FREE.

Requesting Letters of Recommendation
Many of you may need to request a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, group advisor and/or coach. In order to get a well-written letter you must give them at least two weeks notice. Provide them with a “resume/informational handout” that lists your extracurricular activities, volunteer work within the community, and challenges or obstacles that you may have had to overcome that have influenced your education. Take a few minutes to meet and discuss some of the things that you include in your “resume/informational handout”.

La Quinta High School Fall 2016

Mark your calendars ….important upcoming events!!!!!
Library Computer Lab Open Lunch Time
Counselors will be available to help you fill out your Cal State or UC applications. You must submit your CSU and/or your UC application as soon as possible, no later than November 30th!
LQ COLLEGE INFORMATION DAYS in the Library!
(Sign up in Guidance Office with Ms.Davila)
Listen to announcements for more colleges and days!
October 11 USC Period 2 & 3
October 25 UC Riverside Period 1 & 2
October 26 CSU Monterey Bay Period 2 & 3
November 7 UC Merced Period 1
College and Career Fairs
What: District College Fair
When: Monday October 10 FROM 6:30 - 8:00pm
Where: Bolsa Grande H.S.
What: La Quinta College and Financial Aid Night
When: October 19, 2016 FROM 6pm to 8:00pm
Where: La Quinta High School Gymnasium

CAP AND GOWN!
Graduation will be here before you know it!
Seniors you need to order your Cap and Gown!
The Senior-Only Cap, Gown, and Ring Assembly is Monday October 17th at 11:55am!

COLLEGE PREVIEW /INFORMATION DAYS
Oct 8, 22, 29 CSU Monterey Bay Open House info at: CSUMB.edu/openhouse, or call 831-582-3738
Oct 8 UC Merced Preview Day
Oct 8 UCLA Open House
Oct 8 & Nov 9 UC San Diego Freshman Days
Oct 19 University of Minnesota
Oct 23 Washington University St. Louis Info Session: Hilton Irvine 7-8pm 949-833-9999
Oct 22 UC Irvine Fall Preview Day
Oct 29 or Nov 12 UC Santa Cruz Tours - reservations must be made in advance: https://
admissions.sa.ucsc.edu/see/tour_reservation_tool/visitor/welcome.cfm
Nov 19 UC Riverside Discover Day
Jan 20, 21, 22 Mt St Mary’s University Application Days - LA 1-5pm RSVP: www.msmu.edu/RSVP

College info and Scholarships
Personal Insight Questions / The personal insight questions are about getting to know you better—your life experience, interests, ambitions and inspirations. Think of it as your interview with the admissions office. Be open. Be reflective. Find your individual voice and express it. While this section of the application is just one part they consider when making their admission decision, it helps provide context for the rest of your application. It is an opportunity for you to become an individual by sharing your experiences and/or challenges, your personality, and lifelong goals. Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make. Use “I” statements. Talk about yourself so they can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses. / Scholarships are the ideal form of student aid, as they are basically gifts / that never have to be paid back! Ü
GRANTOR	REQUIREMENTS	DEADLINE
Horatio Alger / Association / Scholarship	$7,000 - $25,000 / Min GPA 2.0 & be a U.S. Citizen / Must pursue and complete a Bachelor’s degree at a university / Financial need, integrity & perseverance in overcoming adversity / Involvement co-curricular & community service activities / Apply: www.scholars.horatioalger.org	October 25, 2016
The Eugene / McDermott / Scholars Program	The University of Texas at Dallas is one of the nation’s most generous and selective undergraduate merit awards. / Valued more than $250,000 (out of state), the scholarship includes tuition, stipend, study abroad and professional development funding. / For more information visit: http://www.utdallas.edu/mcdermott/	October 25, 2016 (early) or January 4, 2017 (regular)
Disneyland / Dreamers and / Doers	2 Disneyland Park-Hopper tickets will go to LQ seniors! / Answer one of 4 questions (short essay): Strengthen Community, Think Creatively, Conserve Nature, or Live Healthier. / From nominated group of “Dreamers and Doers” 60 will be identified as “Shining Stars” & invited to a Celebration Lunch w/2 family members & a representative from their school / Each of the 60 students selected as “Shining Stars” will receive $1,000 grant for their school, & a Dreamers & Doers medal / Then 6 “Luminaries” will be selected to receive a Disneyland Resort weekend prize package to enjoy with their families / Must have at least a 3.0 GPA / Type your application online, print & give to Ms. Grelle / Go to: https://publicaffairs.disneyland.com/education/dreamers-and-doers/2016-17-application/	October 31, 2016

GRANTOR	REQUIREMENTS	DEADLINE
Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship	$2,000 / Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question: "Imagine that your high school has been overrun with zombies. Your math professor, the cafeteria ladies and even your best friend have all joined the walking dead. Use your brain to flesh out a plan to avoid the zombies, including where you would hide and the top five things you would bring with you to stay alive." / Must enroll in college in Fall of 2017 / Apply: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/zombie-apocalypse-scholarship	October 31, 2016
California Special Districts / Association Video Contest	1st place: $2,000, 2nd place: $1,000, 3rd place: $500 / Submit a 60 second video highlighting a local special district and the difference it has made in your community. / Finalists will be chosen based on quality of content and adherence to the prompt. Up to five finalists will be selected / See Ms. Grelle for an application	October 31, 2016
National Association of Secondary School / Principals (NASSP) Herff Jones-Principal Leadership Award for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards	Local Honorees receive a Certificate of Achievement; Distinguished Finalists receive an Engraved Bronze Medallion; State Honorees receive $1,000, an Engraved Silver Medallion and an all-expense paid trip w/parent to Washington DC for national recognition of events; National Honorees receive an additional award of $5,000, an Engraved Gold Medallion, a Crystal Trophy for their school, & a $5,000 grant for a non-profit charitable organization of their choice. / Min 100 hrs. community service w/leadership, made outstanding difference in service organizations/clubs; some done after Sept 2015 / 3.5 GPA or higher / Apply: http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit, click on “Apply Now” link and follow instructions	November 8, 2016
Moose Youth / Awareness / Program	All-expense paid, round trip to the international Youth Awareness Congress in Kenosha, WI & one of five scholarships awarded: $2,000, $3,000, $5,000, $8,000 or $12,000 / You must first attend and receive a certificate as a Kids Talk Presenter, at the Association Youth Awareness Congress at the: Buena Park Moose Lodge #195. Free Breakfast, lunch, parents are welcome / Go to: http://www.mooseintl.org/members/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Youth-Awareness-Brochure.pdf / Application: http://www.mooseintl.org/portal/pdf/YouthAware/StudentApplication.pdf	November 10, 2016
AEDSuperstore Scholarship	$1,000 bi-annual college scholarship / Submit a 3 minute max video or 500 word max essay responding to a prompt about defibrillators and sudden cardiac arrest / Apply online: http://www.aedsuperstore.com/scholarship.html	November 30, 2016

GRANTOR	REQUIREMENTS	DEADLINE
Elks National / Foundation Most / Valuable Student / Scholarship	500 four-year scholarships / Must be citizens of the US / Based on Scholarship, Leadership, Financial Need / Must have taken either the SAT or ACT by November 5, 2016 / Apply: www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm / More info visit: www.elks.org/enf/scholars	November 30, 2016
Boston University Trustee Scholarship Competition	Trustee Scholars rank top of their classes & demonstrate exceptional leadership in their schools & communities. Scholarship recipients are selected by a faculty committee from a competitive pool of applicants. / Full undergraduate tuition plus orientation and mandatory undergraduate student fees for four years / Apply: bu.edu/admissions/trustee	December 1, 2016
NFIB Yef Young Entrepreneur Foundation	Between $2,000 - $15,000 scholarships so far, over 2.5 million! / Are you a young entrepreneur? Have a business, babysitting, lawn care, dog walking, tutoring, etc. / Must enter a 2 or 4-year university, or vocational school in Fall 2016. / Graduating high school seniors who operate your own small business are eligible to receive a 2016 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation / Submit typed 1,000 word essay describing your entrepreneurial experience & involvement w/small business. Financial need not a factor / Apply: www.nfib.com/YEA	December 18, 2016
2016 Profile and Courage Essay / Contest	$20,000 first place prize, cash award to top 25 essays! / Essay no more than 1,000 words but must be a minimum of 700. / Must describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. / Go to: www.jfklibrary.org/essaycontest	January 4, 2017
APIASF Asian & / Pacific Islander American / Scholarship Fund	$2,500 - $20,000 / Be Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by U.S. Census / Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the US. / Enroll in a college or university in the Fall of 2017. / Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7, qualify for federal financial aid / Apply: http://www.apiasf.org/scholarship_apiasf.html	January 11, 2017
Ronald / McDonald House Charities	Must be A-G eligible / Minimum 2.7 GPA / The RMHC scholarship program seeks to invest in students who are exemplary role models in their communities and have the initiative to fulfill their educational goals / Apply at: http://aim.applyists.net/RMHC	January 18, 2017

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