Warner Pacific College Admissions Luncheon

Warner Pacific College is coming to WMS on Wednesday, December 12^th during second lunch. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to school in the city? Have you considered how a liberal arts education, that values and integrates your faith, can prepare you for the working world? If you said yes to either of these questions, or you have more questions about them, come hear what Warner Pacific College can offer you. Brynn Otness, Assistant Director of Admissions at Warner Pacific College will be on campus and throwing a pizza luncheon and information session from 12-12:30. Sign up outside Darlene’s office before noon on December 11th to make sure that there are enough chairs and pizza for everyone!

Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship

Seniors who plan to continue musical studies at the college level for fall of 2013 are encouraged to apply for the Oregon Music Hall of Fame scholarship.  They offer (4) $1,000 scholarships each year.  The application deadline is February 11, 2012, and you can apply online at: www.omhof.org

Grand Canyon University Admissions Lunch

We have another Christian University coming to WMS next week: Grand Canyon University.  For those of you who aren't aware, GCU offers EXCELLENT scholarships for WMS graduates.  

Students who sign up by noon on Monday, December 3 will have pizza lunch provided.  The sign up sheet will be posted outside my office starting this Thursday afternoon (after the George Fox visit).  Here is the invitation that Whitney sent for me to forward out to everyone:

Grand Canyon University will be visiting Western Mennonite during lunch on Tuesday, December 4^th! Come meet your local representative and learn about everything that GCU has to offer! From affordable tuition and phenomenal scholarships to interactive class sizes and hands-on learning, great lifestyle amenities and an unforgettable community, GCU has it all. Hope to see you there!

                           - Whitney Clark, Regional Admissions Counselor, GCU

Also, GCU is sponsoring a Christmas Cookie Social after the High School Christmas Concert next month...all WMS students, parents, alumni, and friends are invited. 

Scholarships with November/December Deadlines

I have been receiving a lot of scholarship announcements, so I thought I'd put them all in one blog instead of doing them all separately this time.  Here are the ones with deadlines coming up soon:

Free Speech Essay Contest ($10,000) - Deadline is Nov. 25
High school JUNIORS and SENIORS can apply
www.thefire.org/contest

Boston University Trustee Scholarship (four year, full tuition scholarship) - Deadline is Dec. 1
SENIORS who plan to attend Boston University
www.bu.edu/admissions/trustee

Villanova University Presidential Scholarship (full tuition, room, board) - deadline is Dec. 1
For high school SENIORS with rigorous curriculum and high GPA/SAT
www.villanova.edu/scholarships

Burger King Scholars Foundation Scholarship - apply between Nov. 15 and Jan. 10
For high school SENIORS
www.bkmclamorefoundation.org/whatwedo/scholarsprogram

Nellie Thomson-Dorothy Patch Scholarship - deadline is Dec. 17
For SENIORS of color (including Native Americans) who live or go to school in Salem/Keizer area; there is no minimum GPA to apply.  (use scholarship application below to apply)

Colleges that specialize in Art...

If you are interested in going to a college that specializes in Art...or...if you're just interested in doing a summer session for fun, check out these art schools:

Ai (The Art Institute) has campuses all over the USA, but the closest one is in Portland, Oregon. For more about their programs, open houses, and scholarship competitions, go to: www.artinstitutes.edu

PCNA (Pacific Northwest College of Art) is located in Portland, Oregon.  For more information about admission, programs, or visits, to to:  www.pnca.edu

SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) is in Georgia and has summer workshops and seminars for high school students.  For more information, to to:  www.scad.edu/summer

MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) is in Maryland, but has summer programs in Tuscany (Italy) as well as in Maryland.  For more information, go to: www.mica.edu/precollege

What's new at Corban

Corban University visited WMS yesterday and shared information with 13 of our interested students during high school lunch.  If you missed this presentation, and you're interested in learning more about Corban, you can contact Callie Doremus, Admissions Counselor at cdoremus@corban.edu

Some interesting tidbits from this presentation include:

1.  It's not too late to register for Corban Experience which is happening this weekend.  The cost is $35 for overnight including food, activities, class visits, chapel, etc.  Juniors and Seniors who attend this event or another approved visit will receive a $500 scholarship to Corban (if they end up attending there).  For more information, and to register for Corban Experience, go to:  www.undergrad.corban.edu/visit

2.  Seniors who are interested in Corban can complete their application online for FREE if it's done prior to November 14th.  To apply to Corban, go to: www.undergrad.corban.edu/admissions

3.  Corban offers extensive internships, study abroad, and service options for their students to share the love of Jesus and broaden their perspectives.  For more details about this, go to: www.corban.edu/mytravels

Corban University coming to WMS

Corban University will be doing an admissions presentation for interested students/parents this next Tuesday, November 6th during 2nd lunch.  If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the sheet outside my office before the end of the day on Monday.  Lunch will be provided for those who pre-register.  For more information about Corban, go to:  www.corban.edu

College Night Oregon

ALL High School Students and Parents are invited to a FREE event on November 14th from 6-8 p.m. at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon.

Pizza and prizes

Join us before the presentation begins for pizza and soda, and register to win a $500 scholarship!

Presentations

Gain valuable insight from higher education professionals about:

• How going to college can change your life
  You have probably heard people tell you that going to college is important, but we will provide a brief set of facts to prove the point.
  
• Choosing the right college
  Learn what to consider when selecting a college. Whether you are interested in a traditional four-year college, a community college, or a trade and vocational college, hear about your options and how to decide which is right for you. We will also cover the steps involved in the college application process.
  
• Understanding the financial aid process
  Think you can't afford to attend college? Learn about financial aid programs and the importance of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  
• Scholarship searches and scams
  Learn how to develop a plan to search for scholarships, and find out how to spot the warning signs of scholarship scams.
  
• Scholarship drawing
  At the end of the evening, find out if you've won one of the four $500 scholarships that will be awarded by a random drawing at each College Night event.

For a map and location details, go to:

http://www.collegenights.org/locations/Chemeketa-Community-College.html

Full Scholarships to Study Abroad in Germany

If you are interested in studying abroad, but don't know how you can swing it financially, consider applying for the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange scholarship.  To qualify, you must be a U.S. Citizen between the ages of 15 and 18 and a current high school student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.  For more information, and to apply before the January 15, 2013 deadline, go to:

http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/apply-asse/

SENIOR College Application Help Sessions

Seniors - if you are in the process of completing your college applications (or would like to start), come to the library after school the next two Wednesdays and I will help you with any questions you may have.  I'll be in the computer lab from 3:00-4:30 to assist you in any way that I can :)

What's new at the Mennonite Colleges

For those of you who were unable to make it out last week to the Mennonite College Fair at WMS, I asked all five colleges to give me a brief version of "what's new".   If you want more details, you can click on the links.

Bethel http://www.bethelks.edu/
*Mennonite Heritage Scholarship (guaranteed $40,000 in institutional scholarships over four years for ANY WMS GRADUATE)
*New Department Scholarships that can be "stacked" on top of academic scholarships
*New majors: Graphic Design and Sports Management

Bluffton http://www.bluffton.edu/
*Will reimburse HALF of your airfare (up to $500) if you pre-arrange a visit to Bluffton
*Performing Scholars (music) and math, physics, chemistry, pre-med, and dietetics departments
*New majors: Graphic Design and Public Relations and Strength/Conditioning and Sports/Recreation

EMU http://www.emu.edu/
*Last year's Nobel Peace Price winner, Leyman Gbowee, graduated from EMU
*New majors: Kinesiology/Sports Studies and Pre-Engineering

Hesston http://www.hesston.edu/
*Transfer scholarship available for students going from Hesston to any four-year Mennonite college
*New majors: Air Traffic Control and 3 year Registered Nurse (RN) program

Goshen http://www.goshen.edu/
*New and improved academic scholarships to be announced in November (check website)
*Environmental Science sustainability semester in residence @ Mary Lee Environmental Center
*New majors: Kinesiology-Exercise Science, Sports Management, Health, Physical Education

Mennonite College Fair coming to WMS this Thursday

This Thursday is the annual Mennonite College Fair at WMS.  All 8th and 10th grade students will have a structured college fair activitiy this day so that they can get experience talking to college admissions representatives, learn about college majors, activities, and admissions requirements.  The college reps will also be speaking at chapel, sharing their personal testimonies.  All WMS students and parents are invited to stop by the Student Center and talk to the college reps.  There is a sign-up sheet posted outside of my office if you'd like to reserve an individual appointment time during 3rd, 6th, or 7th period or right after school.  The colleges that will be here include:

Bethel  http://www.bethelks.edu/
Bluffton  http://www.bluffton.edu/
EMU  http://www.emu.edu/
Hesston  http://www.hesston.edu/
Goshen  http://www.goshen.edu/

George Fox University (preview weekend and visit to WMS)

George Fox University will be presenting here at WMS during lunch on November 15th.  They will provide lunch and give admissions and program information for interested students and parents.  There will be a sign-up sheet posted outside my (Darlene's) office when time gets closer.   In the meantime, if you are a junior or senior, you might want to consider attending the Bruin Preview, aka Ultimate George Fox Experience on November 8 and 9.  This overnight experience allows you to experience dorm life, food, classes, sports, and activities first-hand so you can see if GFU is right for you.  For more information, and to register, go to:

http://www.georgefox.edu/college-admissions/visit/bruin-preview.html

How to pay "in state" tuition at an "out of state" university

The Western Undergraduate Exchange helps students who want to attend an out-of-state school get "in state" tuition rates.  If you are considering attending a university in one of our neighboring states:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

Not every university participates in this program, and you need to apply EARLY to get approved.  Check out more details at:

http://www.wiche.edu/wue

Interested in being a Healthcare Executive/Manager?

The American College of Healthcare Executives has an informative, user-friendly website that will give you more information about specific careers in Healthcare Management.  If you have an interest in management/administration and you would like to work in a healthcare environment, this might be an awesome career for you.  Check it out at:

http://www.healthmanagementcareers.org/whatis.cfm

SAT Testing reminder for Juniors and Seniors

Seniors - you should already have signed-up or taken the SAT this year in order to be on track for doing early applications.  If you haven't done it yet, you have until October 19 to sign up for the November 3 test day (late fee applies).  If you are not doing any early applications, you can sign up for the December 1 test day (registration deadline is November 1).

Juniors - please sign up NOW for the May 4 or June 1 SAT test day (the later the better).  If your SAT score this year is high enough, you will not need to take it next year :)

To register, log into your College Board account at:  www.sat.collegeboard.org

Canadian Mennonite University - affordable Christian education

Are you interested in studying abroad and going to a Christian university, but you think it's not financially possible?  Think again!  Canadian Mennonite University charges only $18,000 (Canadian dollars) per year for full-time students, and this includes the full meal plan, and full dorm fees.  Most students will pay significantly LESS than this, though, once financial aid and scholarships are factored into the mix.

There are four campus visit days coming up on October 19, November 23, February 1, and March 15.  These visits run all day and include the opportunity to:

* sit in on a class
* attend chapel
* meet students, staff, and faculty
* enjoy lunch in the dining room
* explore the campus

Also, if you apply to CMU by November 30, your $50 application fee is waived.  For more information, and to sign up for a campus visit day, go to:

www.cmu.ca/campusvisit.html

Montana State University Informational Meeting

If you are considering applying to Montana State University, sign up for a PIZZA PARTY information session for students and parents at Woodstock Pizza, 1045 NW Kings Boulevard in Corvallis this Thursday, October 18th at 6:30 p.m.  If you plan to attend, please RSVP by noon on Thursday to Heather Wofford's epmail:  heather.wofford@montana.edu

OHSU Dental Career Exploration Program

High school students interested in learning more about the field of Dentistry are encouraged to register for OHSU's Dental Exploring Program.  Monthly meetings are held at the dental school with emphasis on "hands-on" activities.  Application form and details can be found online at http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-dentistry/prospective-students/exploring-program.cfm

The first meeting will be November 7, 2012 from 7-9 p.m.

Young Entrepreneur Foundation Scholarship

Graduating high school seniors who operate their own small business are eligible to receive a 2013 NFIB award.  Seniors can apply online until December 17, 2012.  For more information, go to:

www.NFIB.com/YEA

George Fox University Theatre Scholarships

GFU Theatre features two different theatre scholarships:

Academic Theatre Scholarship application deadline is November 15, 2012
Artistic Achievement Theatre Scholarship application deadline is January 15, 2013

For more information and application, go to:  www.theatrescholarships.georgefox.edu

Parent Webinar Series

Take advantage of FREE webinars that offer practical information and advice for parents of high school students.  Webinars will be online Mondays at 4 p.m. and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m., however, you can visit the website to view archived webinars if you miss the "live" one.  Some upcoming topics include:

Finding Sources of Financial Aid - October 11
Making College more Affordable - November 12/15
Completing the FAFSA - January 14/17
Learning at the Collegiate Level - February 11/14

To learn more and register, go to:

www.cedarville.edu/parentprep

These webinars are sponsored by Cedarville University, a Christ-centered university in Ohio.

Willamette University coming to WMS

If you are interested in information about Admissions process to Willamette University, sign up to attend a lunch presentation this Thursday at the WMS Student Center.  The sign-up sheet is posted just outside my office door, and if you sign up before 12:30 tomorrow (Wednesday), they will provide your lunch :)

College Campus Visit Dates

Although you can visit colleges almost any time by contacting their admissions offices, sometimes it helps to do an "overnight" or "weekend" visit to get a real feel for what their campus life, dorm, food, professors, coaches, etc. are like.  Here are some upcoming visit days/weekends to consider:

Canadian Mennonite University (October 19, November 23, February 1, or March 15)
www.cmu.ca/campusvisit.html

Dordt College (October 12, November 2, November 16, November 30, December 7)
http://www.dordt.edu/admissions/visit

Calvin College (October 12, November 2, November 16, February 8)
www.calvin.edu/visit

Eastern Mennonite University (October 25, November 15, February 21, March 23)
www.emu.edu/campusvisit

East Coast University Information Sessions in Oregon

If you are considering attending an East Coast university and would like to get admissions and financial aid information without all the travel expenses, consider attending one of the following information sessions to be held in Oregon soon.  Click on the links provided to register for these events.

DARTMOUTH - October 24 at 6:30 p.m. at EcoTrust, Portland, Oregon
http://www.dartmouth.edu/admissions/nearyou/sessions_list.html?OR

DUKE - October 28 at 7 p.m. at the Portland Mariott, Portland, Oregon
https://admiss.ugrad.duke.edu/discover-duke/?id=182cc84d-3983-4eca-955e-8564caf4a7af

Credit for Proficiency in World Languages

English Language Learners can earn up to 2 years of high school World Language credit by scoring well in the SAT Subject Test in their native language.   The languages that are available are:

Chinese
French
German
Japanese
Korean
Spanish

If one of these languages is your first language, and you want to receive high school credit, you need to register for the "Languages with Listening" SAT Subject Test sometime before October 19th as these exams are only given once a year.  You can register by logging in to your College Board account (the one you use for your PSAT and SAT).  Most of you already have an account, but if you don't, you can create one by going to: 

www.sat.collegeboard.org

Upcoming College Fairs

Welcome back to school!  I can't believe it's college fair time already!  The first one coming up is thix coming Monday/Tuesday, and it's the Christian College Fair.  The closest one to WMS is at Rolling Hills Community Church 3550 SW Borland Road in Tualatin on Monday, October 8th from 6-8 p.m.  Admission is FREE and there is also a financial aid workshop.  For more information and a map, click on the link below:

http://myblueprintstory.com/christian-college-fairs/portland-south-or


Also, all of the WMS Juniors will be attending the National College Fair at the Portland Convention Center all day on Friday, October 26th.  We provide the transportation for the students, but parents are encouraged to drive up and attend the awesome parent workshops and talk to college admissions reps alongside their student.  For more information about the colleges and workshops that will be at this event, click on the link below:

http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/FallNCF/Pages/Portland.aspx

Money Talks - The World is Listening (video contest)

If you like making videos...and...you want to earn money for college and also for your favorite charity, considering entering Everence's video contest. The theme this year focuses on the role of money in the world today

Young people and their chosen charities can win cash awards as part of an Everence-sponsored video contest, based on the theme “Money Talks: The World is Listening.”  The contest is open for young people ages 15 to 25. Entries will be accepted Oct. 1 to Nov. 15.   

The three top winners will receive awards, with a matching award that Everence will give to a charity that the winners select. The first-place winner will receive $1,000, plus Everence will make a $1,000 grant to the charity of the winner’s choice. The second place winner will receive $500 and $500 will go to the chosen charity, and $250 to third place with an additional $250 to a charity.

Rules and details are available at www.everence.com/moneytalks. Winners will be announced in early January 2013.

Making the Most of your Summer

I hope you are all enjoying your summer break so far.  As you spend extra time with your family and friends this summer, I would also encourage you to look for opportunities to:

•  Try something new...preferably something outside of your "comfort zone"
• Find something you can do to contribute to your local community...serving others
• Expand your leadership skills by "starting something" or "organizing something"
• Read, read, read...this is one of the BEST ways to improve your SAT scores
• Spend some time alone...with just you and God...ask God to guide you in your future plans
• Go over the college prep checklist and make sure you're on track
• Study for your SAT if you're going to be a Junior or Senior next year
• Get a job or do some regular volunteer work...practice good work ethics
• Travel or study another language/culture

See you in September! :)

FREE Wellesley campus visit (grant)

Wellesley provides fully funded travel grants to select seniors who wish to visit campus during Discover Wellesley Weekend, October 21-22, 2012.  Wellesley is an all-women's campus 12 miles from Boston.  To apply for your FREE trip to visit their campus, go to: www.wellesley.edu/Admission/falltravelgrant before the priority deadline of Friday, June 29, 2012.

Massage Therapy Professions - Info Sessions

The Oregon School of Massage is doing a Massage Basics class (non-certified, Swedish style massage) on Saturdays in August.  They also have massage profession career information sessions on July 18 and August 9 for those interested in learning more about becoming a LMT (licensed massage therapist).  For more information or details, go to their website at www.oregonschoolofmassage.com

Summer Job Opportunity - Student Tech Assistant at WMS

Ray Nussbaum is hiring a Student Tech Assistant.  The position would be semi-full time this summer and would then continue as a part time position during the school year.  If you are interested in applying, or if you would like more information, e-mail Ray at:

 RNussbaum@westernmennoniteschool.org

or stop by his office and talk to him in person.

West Salem Business Association Scholarship

I just received an e-mail from the President of the West Salem Business Association, and they are willing to extend the deadline from May 20 to May 25 so that Seniors have a bit more time to get their applications turned in.  They are offering two $500 scholarships to seniors who reside in the 97304 zip code area.  For more information and scholarship application, follow the following link:

http://www.wsba-westsalem.com/scholarship.html

Students from WMS have received this scholarship award in past years...let's make it a tradition!  :)

ACEC Engineering Scholarship

ACEC Oregon’s scholarship program promotes the consulting engineering profession to promising Oregon undergraduate engineering students, with the goal of attracting them to in-state consulting engineering firms. The award is $2500, payable to the student’s university, in the student’s name, and is renewable up to four years if career field and GPA criteria continue to be met.

Eligibility:

1.    Must be either graduating high school senior or have had no previous college education (first-time freshman).
2.    GPA: 3.30+.
3.    SAT score: 1800+ combined SAT scores or ACT composite of 28+.
4.    Major: Chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, or mechanical engineering.
5.    Career field (preference): Applicants interested in the consulting engineering profession.
6.    Colleges: Any Oregon four-year college that offers Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accredited programs in the major fields of study (currently OIT, OSU, PSU, George Fox, University of Portland; check with your college if unsure of its accreditation).
 
2012 Application Deadline: Friday, June 1, 2012

For more information and a link to the scholarship application, go to:  http://www.acecoregon.org/

Summer Theatre Camp at Corban University

Corban is hosting it's annual Theatre Camp this summer from July 16-28.  They have opportunities for grades 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.  For more information and downloadable registration form, visit:  www.corban.edu/theatre/camp

Scholarships specifically for Western Mennonite Graduates

Times are tough, and we understand that the thought of paying for a Christian college education may seem daunting, but we have GOOD NEWS for you!  There are two Christian colleges that now give a GUARANTEED scholarship to WMS graduates who are admitted.  These “guaranteed” scholarships do NOT require that students meet a “minimum SAT score” or show “financial need”, although there are ALSO scholarships and grants for those circumstances.   In short, if you go to one of these colleges, you will recoup most of the tuition you paid to WMS for your four years of high school.  Check it out!

BETHEL COLLEGE – North Newton, Kansas – Mennonite Heritage Scholarship

All students who graduate from Western Mennonite School (WMS) and are accepted into Bethel College receive a guaranteed $10,000 in scholarship money per year, for a grand total of $40,000 over four years of college.  Students who have received high ratings in a performance area (i.e. soccer, music, basketball etc) after an audition could potentially get more than $10,000, but, no student from a Mennonite High School (who has been admitted into Bethel) will receive less than $10,000 in scholarship money from Bethel College.  For more information about scholarships at Bethel, look at their website:  http://www.bethelks.edu/future_students/financial_aid/ff/academic.php

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY – Phoenix, Arizona – Canyon Christian Schools Consortium Scholarship

All students who graduate from Western Mennonite School (WMS) and are accepted into Grand Canyon University will be eligible for a housing scholarship  of $5,000 (on campus housing) or $2,500 (off-campus housing) at Grand Canyon University (GCU) for each year that they attended WMS (A complete listing of guidelines for the CCSC Scholarship can be found in the University Scholarship Policy Handbook). This could save students up to $20,000 if they attend WMS for all four years of high school and attend GCU for all four years of college!  Also, this housing scholarship is in addition to whatever academic or service scholarships a student is eligible for at GCU (up to $10,000/year).   For more information on academic and servant leader scholarships at GCU, look at their website:  http://www.gcu.edu/Prospective-Students/Tuition-and-Financing/Scholarships/Campus-Scholarships.php

Oregon New Lawyers Essay Contest

All high school students can compete in this essay contest, and entries must be e-mailed no later than 5:00 p.m. this Thursday, May 3rd to ONLD@osbar.org.  Write "ONLD-LRE Essay Contest" in the subject line.  The official rules and all the information needed to write this essay can be found by clicking on the link below:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CGUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.osbar.org%2F_docs%2Fonld%2Fessay%2F12%2F2012ONLDEssayContestMaterials.pdf&ei=4SGgT6HBOKqmiQKd-JHQAQ&usg=AFQjCNFNjYHUJ-CFnkrwv5CLg2SFyx3ztw

OSU Scholarship

If you are a senior, a boy, and plan to attend OSU next year, you are eligible to apply for the Sigma Phi Epsilon $1,000 Balanced Man Scholarship (you do NOT need to be a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity to be awarded this scholarship).  The deadline for applications is June 15, 2012, and you can apply on the website:  www.osu-spe.com

Ivy League College Information Session

If you're interested in learning about admissions requirements and financing for Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn, or Stanford, there is a parent-student information session in Portland on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Portland Hotel.  For more information, go to their website at www.exploringcollegeoptions.org .  I have been to one of these sessions in the past and found it to be extremely helpful :)

Oregon Association of Broadcasters Scholarship

Seniors who are Oregon residents and have been accepted to college with a major in Broadcast Journalism, Production, Management, or related area...and...have a 3.25 GPA or higher, consider applying for this $2,500 scholarship.  The application deadline is Friday, May 4th, 2012.  You can find more details and the application at www.theoab.org or go directly to the scholarship application by clicking below:

http://www.theoab.org/Foundation/Scholarships/tabid/424/Default.aspx

McMinnville Kiwanis Law Enforcement Career Camp

Juniors/Seniors and are considering a career in Criminal Justice - check out the Law Enforcement Career Camp at 5 Rock Ranch in Yamhill, Oregon from August 5-11, 2012.  You can download an application and view camp itinerary at www.kiwanislawcamp.org or come by my office to view the promotional DVD.  The application deadline is May 14th.

Instant Admission Fridays at Western Oregon University (WOU)

Seniors - if you are considering applying for admission to WOU, you can get an instant admissions decision if you attend one of their On-Site Admission Fridays (OSAF).  All you need to do is visit WOU between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on ANY Friday between now and the end of the school year, bring an official high school transcript, SAT scores, $50 application fee, and you're good to go.  As a reminder, Friday, April 20th we don't have any school, so that would be a perfect day for you to do this :)

College Campus Visits

All Juniors/Seniors who aren't in A Cappella Choir will be going on college campus tours this Friday, April 13th.  In addition to this, ALL high school students are encouraged to set up college tours on a regular basis so that they can compare/contrast different campus atmospheres/prices/etc.  These visits are usually free and easy to schedule, usually by going to the college's website and finding the "admissions" link to "visit campus".  Colleges have "big" visit days on several pre-determined dates throughout the year, but students/parents can also schedule an individualized visit date that meets their needs.  Some examples of upcoming visit days are:

www.warnerpacific.edu/campus-preview-day

www.bruinpreview.georgefox.edu

http://www.northwestu.edu/admissions/visit/friday

http://www.bluffton.edu/admission/visit/specialdays/

Interested in exploring a career in Massage Therapy?

If you are considering a career as a LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist), consider attending the Training Preview at the Oregon School of Massage on April 24, May 19, or June 12.  They will be presenting an overview of the massage profession and the requirements for licensure in Oregon.  For more information, go to their website:  www.oregonschoolofmassage.com .  They have BOTH a Portland and a Salem campus.

New and Emerging Careers

I was reading the Oregon Careers 2012 magazine the other day, and thought I would share a few new and emerging careers that I learned about.  If you want more details, you can read the entire article in the careers section of www.qualityinfo.org (click on the Oregon Careers 2012 under the "publications" section on the bottom right of your screen after you open up the careers tab).

Green Jobs - jobs that are "environmentally friendly" are on the rise.  Examples include environmental cleanup workers and natural resource specialists.

Applied Data Analysis - making information/data interesting to the average person.  Examples include marketing and news reporting.

Nano-Technology Engineering - using microscopic mechanical devices.  This could be to inject into people to destroy cancer cells or to use in the environment to clean up toxic waste sites.

Crowd-Sourcing and Cloud Computing - collecting and storing information on the Internet.  This could be as a computer programmer or software engineer.

Concordia University's JUNIOR Preview

Juniors - if you are interested in checking out Concordia University, they are having a preview day just for you on March 10th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This day will include a meeting with your admissions counselor, a campus tour, orientation to campus programs, scholarships, and LUNCH with faculty and current Concordia students.  To register, go to:  www.cu-portland.edu/jrpreview

Quest Bridge College Prep Scholarship for JUNIORS

If you are a Junior and your family makes less than $60,000 a year, check out this scholarship that can help you look for and PAY FOR a top college.  Some specific awards you can earn include:

Full scholarships to top college summer programs
College admissions conference invitations
Individualized college admissions counseling
All expense paid college visits
Telementoring with college students

The deadline for applications is March 27, 2012, and you will need to give references two week's notice, so start the application process SOON if you're interested.  You can get more information and access the scholarship application online at:

www.questbridge.org

Nursing Program at Hesston College (3 year program to become a Registered Nurse)

For those of you who missed Carson Stutzman when he was here on campus last week, you can look at the following links to get more details about Hesston's nursing program.  Most likely, students graduating from WMS would go into the 3 year program ("pre-nursing")...however...if you start planning EARLY (freshman or sophomore year) and do your pre-requisites while you're still in high school, you could complete the entire program in 2 years! 

http://www.hesston.edu/academics/departments/nursing-department/prenursing-program-tracks/
http://www.hesston.edu/academics/departments/nursing-department/admission-policy-for-prenursing-program/

If you have questions, contact:
 
Carson Stutzman
Admissions Counselor | Hesston College
325 S. College Dr., PO Box 3000 | Hesston, KS 67062
620.327.8211 (office) | 620.217.0621 (cell) | 620.327.8300 (fax)
carsons@hesston.edu | www.facebook.com/carsonshc

Spring Break College Visit

All High School Students are invited to attend Western Oregon University's Spring Break Visit:

March 29
9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.  

You do NOT need to be a senior to attend this event.  Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are encouraged to participate :)  This visit is FREE and includes a group welcome, sessions on admissions, housing, financial aid, etc., campus and residence hall tours, and lunch (free).  SENIORS - if you attend this session and bring your application, official transcripts, and application fee...they will give you an admissions decision at the end of the morning! :)

For more information, and to register for this event, go to:

http://wou.edu/student/admissions/springbreak_visit/

Airline Careers Open House

On Wednesday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m., the International Air Academy is hosting an open house at:

2901 E. Mill Plain Boulevard
Vancouver, Washington

This is only about an hour drive from Salem.  Admissions staff will be available to answer questions, you will be able to meet instructors, and financial aid information will also be available.  If you would like more information about potential careers in the Airline Industry, go check it out!

You can register by calling 1-800-868-1816 or going to their website at www.aha.edu

Chemeketa Scholars 2012 - UPDATE

Seniors - if you have a 3.5 gpa or higher...and...you plan to attend Chemeketa full time next year, make sure you meet the deadline for this scholarship! (see below)

What's new for this year - for more info: www.chemeketa.edu

• The application packet must be personally hand-delivered by the applicant
• The application period is April 16 - 20, 2012

Chemeketa Scholars may receive a full tuition scholarship for up to two years in any field of study, including one of our career technical programs. The scholarship is awarded to applicants who meet the following eligibility requirements -

High School Students

• Attend high school in Chemeketa's District or reside within Chemeketa's district
• Earn a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or better (as of first semester/quarter grades of final year in high school)
• Earn minimum COMPASS placement test scores of 80 in Reading and 75 in Writing; a minimum math score is not required (although you must take the math placement test)*
• Be on track to earn a regular high school diploma
• Enroll full-time (12-18 credits) at Chemeketa the fall that immediately follows high school graduation

Brett Strohmeyer Memorial Scholarship

Brett Strohmeyer (son of Russ and Margie Strohmeyer) of Stayton, OR died at the age of 20 as a passenger in an auto accident.  He was very active in the automotive hobby and loved attending car shows and cruise-ins in his Hugger Orange '69 Chevelle.  His parents have established a scholarship fund in his memory to promote the automotive hobby and education. 

If you are a student or parent that would like to help raise money for this memorial scholarship, attend the 13th Annual Cruise-In this summer from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the A&W in Stayton, Oregon on June 6 and 20, July 18, August 1 and 15, or September 5 and 19.

If you are a high school senior or college student with a 2.5 or better GPA and an interest in cars, apply for this scholarship at:

http://www.stros.biz/

Early Bird Priority Deadline for 400 Scholarships is February 16th!

SENIORS - if you haven't already completed your scholarship application for the Oregon Student Assistance Commission, please get this done before February 16th if possible.  Remember, this is ONE application that you can use for up to 20 scholarships out of the 400 in their data base.  Turning it in early gives you an extra edge.  The final deadline is March 1.  You can apply at:  http://www.getcollegefunds.org/

All of these scholarships require that you have submitted your FAFSA, so if you haven't done that yet, get it done ASAP.  Remember, you can "estimate" your tax information for 2011 if you or your parents  haven't filed yet:  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Also, remember to contact the financial aid office of the colleges to which you are applying.  They can tell you if there are any additional scholarships offered by their college.  Many colleges have an internal scholarship search engine on their financial aid page on their website, so this is another good resource for you to use.  Deadlines are coming up quickly, so do it now!

West Valley Hospital Foundation Scholarship

Seniors who reside in Polk County or have a relative who works for West Valley Hospital are eligible to apply for this scholarship....IF...they have applied to a college in their field of healthcare study before applying for this scholarship.  The deadline to apply is March 31, 2012.  To receive a scholarship application, go to www.salemhealth.org/scholarships and click on the "West Valley Hospital Foundation Scholarship" link or contact Greta Mauze' at 503-831-3455.

Ayn Rand Essay Contest (grades 8-12)

The Ayn Rand Institute offers over $100,000 total in prize money each year to students who write spectacular essays in response to reading an Ayn Rand novel.  Novels vary for each grade level, and the deadlines are March 20 (grades 8-10), April 26 (grades 11-12), and May 5 (grades 10-12).  to read contest rules and submit your essay, go to:  http://aynrandeducation.org/essay-contests.html

Buick Achievers Scholarship Program

High School Seniors who plan to enroll full time at a four-year college or university in 2012 in the field of engineering, technology, design, or business...with an interest in the automotive industry are encouraged to apply for up to $100,000 ($25,000/year) in scholarships.  The deadline to apply is February 29, 2012.  For more information, go to:  www.buickachievers.com

WOU's 26th Annual Criminal Justice and Government Services Careers Day

If you are considering a career in the field of Criminal Justice or Government Services, consider attending the Career Day at Western Oregon University (Monmouth, Oregon) on Wednesday, March 7th from 10:30-2:15.  For detailed program information and individual student registration, go to:

www.wou.edu/student/admissions/visit_campus.php  and click on the appropriate link :)

(or go directly to the Career day page by clicking on the link below)

2011-2012 Campus Visitation Programs

Saturday, October 15:	Fall Preview Day I
Friday, November 4:	Making College Happen I
Saturday, November 12:	Fall Preview Day II
Saturday, January 21:	Winter Preview Day I
Friday, January 27:	Making College Happen II
Saturday, February 11:	Winter Preview Day II
Wednesday, March 7:	Criminal Justice Careers Day
Thursday, March 29:	Spring Break Visit
Saturday, April 28:	Spring Preview Day

Marion-Polk County Medical Society Scholarship

If you are a SENIOR and you are majoring in pre-med or nursing, check out the scholarship offered by the Marion-Polk County Medical Society.  The deadline for applications is February 24, 2012.

www.mpmedsociety.org

If you are a JUNIOR or SOPHOMORE, keep in mind that this scholarship is offered every year, so you'll have an opportunity to apply when you are a senior :)

West Salem Rotary Scholarship

High School Seniors who reside in West Salem are encouraged to apply for this local scholarship. The deadline for applications is March 16, 2012, but it's best to apply early.  Although the application is brief (see below), you have a better chance of winning this scholarship if you put extra time and detail into your application.  To apply, cut/paste the application below into a MS Word or other word processing software, complete the application, and mail it to the address specified.  See me if you have any questions.

WEST SALEM ROTARY CLUB

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

NAME_________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS______________________________________________________________

                  _______________________________________________________________

Phone         ______________________________________________________________

BIRTHDAY _________________    YEAR__________                 G.P.A.____________

NAME OF PARENTS____________________________________________________

ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________

                    ______________________________________________________________

OTHER SIBLINGS (Names & Ages)________________________________________

                    ______________________________________________________________

PARENT OCCUPATION/S_________________________________________________

                       

                    ______________________________________________________________

PARENT INCOME – Under $50K______$50-75_____$75-100_____OVER $100_____

STUDENT SCHOOL FINANCING – From Savings______________%

                                             

                           From Parents ______________%

                           From Others _______________%

HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED_____________________________________________

           

             

UNIVERSITY OR TRADE SCHOOL NEXT YEAR

                        1. __________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________

WHAT IS YOUR INTENDED MAJOR_____________________________________

-2-

How would you describe yourself ____________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Would you prefer to be liked or respected by your friends and fellow students?  Why?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

What are you most proud of in your life________________________________________?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Please prepare a one-page document covering your community activities, future plans and goals, which should be attached to this application.

            Parents or Guardian’s Signature – I certify this to be true.

                                                ________________________________________________

Please return to:  West Salem Rotary Club

                             C/o Gene Schlabach

                             1130 Wallace Road NW   

                              Salem, OR 97304

Best Buy Scholarship Program - for students in grades 9-12

Students in grades 9-12 living in the U.S. are eligible to apply.  Students need solid grades, plus community service or work experience.  Apply before February 15, 2012 at www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com

FAFSA help sessions on January 14th

Seniors and Parents of Seniors - If you haven't done your FAFSA yet, please do it ASAP by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov .  Remember, some of the grants (free money) are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis based upon the date you "file" your FAFSA, so the sooner the better!

If you would like help completing your FAFSA, you can attend one of the many FREE help sessions.  The next ones are coming up on January 14th from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Chemeketa (Salem and McMinnville campuses).  For more details, go to www.collegegoaloregon.org .  Bring (for both you and your parents) either 2010 or 2011 tax returns, current value of assets, social security numbers, driver's license, etc. with you and you can get it all done in one session :)

Northwest Christian University (Washington and Salem campuses) are coming to WMS

If you are interested in more information about Northwest Christian University www.northwestu.edu (either Washington or Salem campuses), they will be doing an admissions presentation together in the WMS Student Center during 2nd lunch this Friday, January 6th.   Students who sign up before noon on Thursday will have lunch provided for them. 

JUNIORS - now is the time to start "exploring your options", so sign up and check this one out! :)