• BrACE NEWS 8/16/2024

    Below is news that Brigitte Lynn, or BrACE Advisor, would like shared.

    ** Please call (754)321-5805 with any questions you may have regarding BRACE News. **    

     

    CURRENT ATTACHMENTS:

    10 Common Scholarship Essay Prompts

    BCPS Work Hours Form

    Big Future Flyer

    College Admissions Officer Reveals What Bugs them the Most

    Gates Scholarship

    Going Merry Scholarships

    Letter of Recommendation request

    McFatter 2024-2025 SAT ACT

    McFatter Transcript Requests via Direct Institution

    See Me Forward Eligibility

    See Me Forward flyer

    Six Great Scholarship Websites

    Student Volunteer Application

    Student Volunteer Log Sheet

    Transcript Cheat-sheet

    Xello Scholarship Guide

    Xello Transcript Quick Guide

    What is a High School Transcript

     

    NEW:    

    Welcome Back! I hope that you had a wonderful and relaxing summer. I am looking forward to another wonderful year celebrating our students’ achievements including college acceptances, scholarship awards, etc.

    The Class of 2024 had multiple reasons to be proud. They had a Harvard and a Yale admit! They had a National Merit School Finalist. They raised more than $3.4 million dollars in total scholarship awards. I challenge the Class of 2025 to bigger and better! Let's go 2025!

     

    Class of 2025 Post Secondary Conferences - Seniors, if you have not already had a meeting with me to help you plan for after high school, please do so as soon as possible. My appointment times are at 8:00 am or 2:00 pm on select days (very limited). You can schedule your appointment through my bookings link: https://bit.ly/4bvxIpx.  Make sure that you click on the post-secondary conference link. 

    Senior Photos - If you have not already done so, you need to schedule your senior photos with Munoz Studios (954)791-2440 (www.MunozStudioInc.com/OnlineBooking) 

    Class of 2025 & Common App - https://www.commonapp.org/

    Common App is a shared college application program that allows students to complete one application and share it with multiple schools. There are currently 1076 schools across the country that work with Common App. All of our Florida public universities use common app. When completing the Common App keep these things in mind:

    • Your school counselor is Mrs. Baez – Maritza.baez@browardschools.com
    • Feel free to list me as your Advisor – Brigitte.lynn@browardschools.com
    • Make sure that you check the “enable preview” box. This is needed for us to be able to view a pdf copy of your application.
    • If you are using a college application waiver, notify Ms. Baez, and make sure that you follow each school’s application waiver process.
    • Once you have submitted your application via Common App, you must then keep track of your student portal and all required documents at each of the schools to which you have applied. 

    Seniors - Hopefully, you have been thinking about your plans for after high school. If you are planning to attend a four-year university directly after high school here are some things that you need to do:  

    1.  Register and take the SAT and/or ACT (have scores sent to schools who need them)  
    2. College applications (my goal date is September 15th) 
    3. If you are using Common App to apply to colleges make sure that you list Mrs. Baez (Maritza.baez@browardschools.com) as your counselor and me (Brigitte.lynn@browardschools.com) as your advisor.  Make sure to check the enable preview box so that we can read your application. 
    4.  Request transcripts through Xello (see attached instructions)/ Complete SSAR (Self-Reported Student Academic Record) (or SPARK for UCF)  
    5.  Request recommendations (if necessary)  
    6.  Check student portal at each college/university for application check list, status, etc.
    7. Pay attention to deadlines! Most colleges and universities have their own application deadline along with individual program deadlines. Make sure that you submit your application in plenty of time prior to their deadline.

     I am here to help you with this process.

    General Advice for all students - While most of the information that I share is most pertinent to seniors (and juniors), I do try to share information for all grade levels. Over the years, the most common question that families ask me is: "What should my child be doing now to prepare for college?"  My answer is:  Your child should be doing whatever they can to make themselves marketable. That means:      

    1. Challenge themselves by taking their courses at the highest level of rigor that they can handle.
    2. Get the best grades that they can get.
    3. Get involved, both in school and out-of-school.
    4. Become a leader if possible.

    There is no magic formula for getting into college or into a specific college. Schools are looking at students holistically. They want diversity and students that "fit" what they are looking for. They are trying to build an interesting student body. You want to be true to who you are. Try to find a passion.

    • It's not about checking all of the boxes or having a laundry list of activities. Schools would prefer students do one or two activities that they are devoted to over 20 or 30 activities as a bystander. Be transparent and genuine and portray yourself well through your application and essays.

    Juniors and Seniors – Pay attention to our on-campus college visits. An admissions representative from these various schools will speak about their school, the admissions process, specific programs, along with general college advice. I am constantly adding visits. Students must register to attend. Space is limited. First come, first served. Registration does not guarantee attendance. It is between the student and their teacher whether it is appropriate for the student to miss class. It is the student’s responsibility to make up any missed class work. Students must have a signed pass/ticket to attend.

     QuestBridge – QuestBridge is a wonderful organization. They have two main programs. The first is the College Prep Scholars Program for juniors. It is available towards the end of the junior year. This program is meant to equip students with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to connect with the nation's most sought-after colleges. The second program is their National College Match which is for seniors. QuestBridge’s goal is to match low-income, academically strong students with one of their 52 college partners, prestigious colleges, and universities across the country. The deadline for students to apply is Sept. 26th. For more information, go to: https://www.questbridge.org/.

    Free/Reduced Lunch Program -  

    There are many benefits to qualifying for free or reduced lunch, other than the meals themselves. Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch are eligible to receive SAT and ACT fee waivers for both their junior and senior years (per test, per year). Additionally, seniors who have taken a test using a fee waiver are able to receive college application fee waivers. If a student were to take advantage of all of the fee waiver offers, they could save over $500. It is well worth the time to complete an application to see if you qualify.

    College Entrance Exams -  

    There is always a great deal of anxiety regarding college entrance exams. The Florida State University System (SUS) has always and is still requiring SAT and/or ACT test scores for admissions purposes. Many schools (out-of-state and private) have gone “test optional.”  This means it is up to the student to decide if they want to share their test scores or not. If the scores positively impact and support the student’s application, they should send them. There is no penalty for not sharing test scores for these schools.

    There is another college entrance exam called the Classic Learning Test or CLT. At the start of last school year, the Florida public universities and Bright Futures started accepting CLT scores in addition to SAT and ACT. As the BCPS district does not have a contract with CLT, these tests are not administered on any of our schools. Students who wish to take the CLT must register on their own at: www.cltexam.com

    Traditionally students take the SAT and or ACT for the first time during the spring of their junior year and a second time during the fall of their senior year. Both of these tests are college entrance exams. Schools will accept these tests equally. It is recommended that students take both the SAT and ACT. This way they will be able to determine if they have a strength on one test over the other. Keep in mind that most schools look at the scores that are most favorable to the student. At the time of registration, students are able to send their scores to 4 schools for free. If students wait until after testing to send these scores, they will have to pay a minimum of $14.00 to have their scores sent. It is the student’s responsibility to have their scores sent to the various schools. Schools will only accept official score reports which are sent directly from these testing agencies. *Students must send their test scores to at least one of the Florida public universities in order for Bright Futures to receive the scores.

    SAT & ACT Test schedules - Please see attached flyer for the 2024-2025 SAT and ACT test dates. Pay attention to the registration deadlines. Fee waivers are available to students who qualify and have their name on the Meal Benefits Disclosure list.

    Military Contact - I would like to clarify a few things.

    • If you do not want your child to be contacted, you must check the appropriate box on the "No Child Left Behind" form of the Back-to-School Documents. This is very similar to the media release document.
    • If you do not check this box, the various branches can contact the district for a list of names.
    • It will take a while before all back-to-school forms are entered into our system. Therefore, if you or your child is contacted and you don't want to be bothered, all you need to do is ask to have your name taken off of their list. They are required to honor your wishes.
    • When on campus, the various recruiters will set up tables for students who are interested.
    • If you experience any negative interactions with the military, please let me know so that I can address it with our recruiters.
    • While the majority of our students go on to college, we do have a handful of students who choose to enlist in the military. McFatter is very proud and honored to have students choose this path.

    On Campus Events:  College visits are open to juniors and seniors. ~ All students must have a college visit pass to attend. ~ The student must sign up through Ticket Leap to get a college visit pass/ticket. ~ Space is limited ~ Students must have their teacher's signature/permission to attend. ~ It is between the teacher and the student whether it is appropriate for the student to miss class time to attend the college visit ~ College visits are constantly being added.

    Sept. 3rd – Keiser University, Flagship Campus @ 11:00 am https://tinyurl.com/5n6d3kxr 

    Sept. 6th – University of Florida @ 1:15 pm https://tinyurl.com/3t6rxcsc 

    Sept. 12th – Nova Southeastern University @ 9:30 am https://tinyurl.com/3za9fsn5

    Sept. 18th – Pacific Northwest College of Art @ 9:30 am https://tinyurl.com/9yc2denp

    Sept. 24th – Florida Atlantic University @ 11:00 am https://tinyurl.com/bdfak5sr

    Sept. 27th - University of Chicago @ 9:30 am https://tinyurl.com/3v8dbfe7

    Sept. 27th – Florida Polytechnic University @ 1:15 pm https://tinyurl.com/45va99kd

    Oct. 2nd – Bowdoin College @ 9:30 am https://tinyurl.com/3cvwnr6v

    Oct. 2nd – University of Connecticut @ 11:00 am www.https://tinyurl.com/4yzv2jmc 

    Oct. 7th – Carnegie Mellon University @ 11:00 am https://tinyurl.com/yckd7ss6

    Oct. 9th – Lynn University @ 1:15 pm www.https://tinyurl.com/yb2uprty

    Oct. 15th – University of Massachusetts – Amherst @ 1:15 pm https://tinyurl.com/5ywerprn

    Oct. 18th – Boston University @ 11:00 am  https://tinyurl.com/tsf9hf8h

    Oct. 24th – Rensselaer Polytechnic University @ 1:15 pm https://tinyurl.com/3hryt5p3

     

    Off Campus Events:

    Sept. 14th – Military Academy Day – Details Forthcoming

    Sept. 30th – Broward County Public Schools College Fair – Details Forthcoming

      

    SCHOLARSHIPS:

    Scholarships:  One of the best resources available to our students is Naviance. In addition to great college and career resources, there is a wonderful scholarship section. It is located on the student's college page listed under the Colleges tab.

    Check out these social media scholarship links.

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scholarshipmoneyforstudents/  

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scholarshipmoneyforstudents/?hl=en  

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNeevUe8tLB8PdF0JwWK2ag  Twitter:   https://twitter.com/scholarshipsusa  

    Scholarships!!!! - All students, especially seniors, should be very familiar with the scholarship page on Xello. It is listed under the college planning tab. Students should build a profile so that potential scholarships can be matched to them. Each scholarship has its own deadline. I would make a scholarship search part of your weekly routine.

    RaiseMe - Students (all grade levels) and parents, are you aware of Raise.me? It is a way for students to earn micro-scholarships for things that they are already doing (i.e. - completing a FAFSA, taking AP courses, earning an A). Raise/me has partnerships with many schools across the country. I highly recommend that all students create and update a Raise.me account. https://www.raise.me/  

    Going Merry - Going Merry was new to me last year.  https://www.goingmerry.com/  Going Merry is a scholarship database. It is also a scholarship application. Many of the scholarships listed on Going Merry allow students to use the one going merry application to apply to multiple scholarships.

    Big Futures Scholarship for 2025, and 2026 – The College Board Big Future scholarship is available to students between the junior and senior years. Students who sign up for the program will complete various tasks, which include researching careers, practice for the SAT, explore scholarships, strengthen your college list, complete the FAFSA, and applying to colleges. After a student completes the task, their name is entered in a random lottery drawing. Every month 2 students will win a $40,000 scholarship, in addition to multiple $500 scholarships. If you are a senior and you have not already done so, I encourage you to sign up for this program! These are all steps that you will complete as part of your post-secondary planning.

    The Gates Scholarship – Deadline: Sept. 15th – Award: Last dollar scholarship (full cost of attendance)

    High School Senior. Low-income household. Minority. Academically strong. Application and details can be found at: https://thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship

    Southern Scholarship Foundation, Inc. - Deadline: November 1st (for the Spring Semester) and April 1st (for the Fall Semester) - Award: Low-cost housing  

    Rent free housing for students admitted to FSU, UF, FAMU, or FGCU.~ Motivation demonstrated through awards and activities.~ Financial need.~ Minimum 3.0 GPA.~ Information and application available at: http://www.southernscholarship.org  

     

    INTERESTING WEBSITES:

    March2Success~ - www.march2success.com
    Website includes test prep for the ASVAB, SAT and ACT.~ They also offer help with high school math and verbal skills.~ There is a high school science hub to help with Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science.~~~ Additionally they offer a college readiness online course.~ There is a Spanish option for this website.~ 

    [ http://www.maldef.org ]www.maldef.org -     MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) Scholarship List.~ This list is an informative resource for students, parents, and educators.~ MALDEF is not a direct provider of the scholarships on the list, with exception of the MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program. (This can be a good resource for students who have residency issues.)