Happy November! How are those college applications going? Want help with future planning? Feeling stuck? Let us know!
College Checklist for Seniors: November
Double-check the deadlines! Early action deadlines are usually November 1st or 15th, depending on the school. Regular decision deadlines are often January 1st. Make sure you know how long you have to complete your applications.
Last chance to take the SAT/ACT for regular decision deadlines
(click here for dates & registration links). Register by Nov. 8!
Work on those applications: Many schools will have you use the Common App or Coalition App while other schools may have a unique application accessible through their website.
Write your essays. If you’re struggling with this or don’t know where to start, check out our webinar on how to write impressive, exciting college essays.
Complete the FAFSA. This is necessary not only for applications but for financial aid. For a walkthrough on everything you need to know, click here.
Other items to keep in mind: review your transcript with your counselor or advisory teacher, be sure you’ve met the Essential Skills requirements, check that your social media accounts are free of controversy, and talk to your parents about college financing.
Paying for College
We know how expensive college can be. Get some help paying for it by using these resources —
FAFSA: Whether grants (free money) or loans (money you have to pay back), you can get federal student aid through the FAFSA. Some private schools require you to complete the CSS Profile as well. The sooner you complete this, the more money you could get!
Oregon Promise: This grant helps cover tuition costs at any Oregon community college for recent high school graduates.
OSAC:
Now open! Select from a catalog of over 600 scholarships with a single application!
Oregon Gear Up:
This list provides a variety of excellent scholarship opportunities, broken down by due date.
Scholarship Spotlight: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship. Deadline to apply: 11/13/19. The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities. To be eligible to apply to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program you must:
Graduate from a U.S. high school in spring 2020
Intend to enroll full time in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2020
Earn a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
Receive standardized test scores of either an SAT Total Score of 1200 and above OR an ACT Composite Score of 26 or above
Demonstrate unmet financial need. We will consider applicants with family income up to $95,000. Last year’s cohort of new college scholarship recipients had a median family income of approximately $35,000.
Trade/Career Spotlight —Not college-bound? If a four-year college isn’t on your horizon, consider one of the many lucrative career fields available with little post-high school education and/or on-the-job training. This month’s spotlight is Health Information Technology. Find more areas to explore when you visit this list of Oregon Trade Schools.
Health Information Technology (HIT) Careers
Medical records and health information technicians organize and manage health information data. They ensure that the information maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper files and electronic systems. They code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories.
Education Required: One year Certificate or two year Associate Degree program at a Community College
Median Salary in Oregon: $22.74/hr, $47,294 annual salary
Working Conditions: Medical records and health information technicians typically work in offices and may spend many hours in front of computer monitors. Some technicians may work from home.
Job Outlook, 2016-2026: 13% growth, faster than average
Community College Health Information Technology Programs in Oregon: Central Oregon Community College, Chemeketa CC, Clackamas CC, Clatsop CC, Lane CC, Mt Hood CC, Portland CC, Rogue CC, Tillamook Bay CC, Treasure Valley CC, Umpqua CC
BWA Students, meet with your counselor — We want to help! Here are just some of the things we can do together:
Find colleges, internships, or jobs
Complete applications for schools and scholarships
Brainstorm and edit admissions essays
Explore possible careers and majors
Create your resume
FAFSA and Oregon Promise support
BWA Counselors by Region
Portland- Amy Kennedy
Salem- Shelley Penny
Eugene- Monica Wheeler
Southern OR- Sarah Hall
Eastern OR- Sarah Hall
Central OR- Danielle Coughlin
Transition from BWA to Web+1 or BWC- Jen Vesbit
College Career- Jennifer Tracewell
You can also schedule an appointment with your College/Career Support (Jennifer Tracewell) in addition to your regional counselor for any other questions or support.
BEC Students, meet with your advisor —
Click here to schedule a meeting with Allison Styffe (Central, Eastern, & Southern students) or Jennifer Tracewell (Eugene, Salem, & Portland students)
Your BEC/BWC Advisor is also a great resource:
BEC Advisors:
Suzanne Moore, Central Oregon (COCC)
Rob Williams, Central Oregon (COCC)
Kate Saldaña, Portland Metro (PCC, CCC, MHCC, CGCC)
Shelley Penny, Portland Metro (PCC)
Corrinne Brantner, Eugene (LCC)
Richelle Colenso, Salem (LBCC, CHCC)
Jaymie Leach, Southern Oregon (RCC, UCC)
Stephani Rasmussen, Eastern Oregon (EOC, BMCC)
High School & Beyond Plan If you haven’t done so already, please take 10 minutes to fill out this questionnaire about what your plans are during high school and after graduation. This will help us advise you well to get you where you want to go!