|
Programs for Schools
“Bragging Without Bragging”
An Essay Writing Workshop and Contest
High school juniors and seniors will learn to
write essays that will get them where they want to go in college and
in life. They will learn to “brag without bragging.” They will
describe the qualities they have which make them competitive for
even the most selective situations, but give credit to those who
helped them develop those qualities. In doing so, they will greatly
enhance their prospects for selection in the competitive world of
college admissions and scholarships.
They will learn the elements of a good essay
are the same as any good writing, i.e. a “hook” or catchy beginning,
a clear and concise presentation and a dynamic conclusion. This
workshop can be tailored to the school’s needs. It can be a 45
minute session or combined with sessions exploring the selectivity
process and tips for students to maximize their competitiveness in
the processes for admission and/or scholarships. In addition, the
various factors, steps and sources in the scholarship search process
can be added to the mix.
The Scholarship Competition
and Recognition Event
Students will also compete for scholarships up
to $500 (in addition to possible last dollar awards to those
qualified). Finalists will be invited to a recognition event held
this fall at an area college. Writers (and those who
helped them develop their winning qualities) will be recognized
before an audience that includes educators, state/community leaders,
sponsors and future sponsors, and most of all, their peers and
families. More importantly, every finalist will be recognized as a
“winner,” in taking a very important step toward their dream of a
college education. Savvy students will use this “credential” to
leverage even more dollars for their college fund.
“Testing 1-2-3”
Test Prep that makes a Difference
High school students will learn the
“ready-set-go” steps to attacking the ACT and SAT to succeed to the
highest level of their individual ability.
Step 1: Students will learn that, with
advanced preparation, they can control the test, instead of vice
versa, and that the real “secret” to avoiding test anxiety is not a
secret at all. Put simply, any question is easy if you know the
answer and difficult if you don’t. Studying (well before the test
date) the concepts found on every test is the “key” to success. The
ACT and SAT make no secret of the concepts.
Step 2: At a minimum, they will carefully
take the practice test in the weeks before the test and review
the questions they found difficult. They will also learn the
directions for each section before test day.
Step 3: Learning to “psych out” the test”
on test day (instead of the other way around). They
will learn how to prepare physically, emotionally and most
importantly mentally for test day. Tips will cover pacing, guessing
and reviewing during the test.
I CAN staff members will conduct 2 hour
workshops in schools/districts where requested, providing specific
tips for the various portions of the ACT and the differences with
the SAT.
“College 101”
An Overview of the Process
I CAN staff will tailor this program to your
school’s and students’ needs. It can cover motivating students to
consider college, detailing the range of post-high school options,
ways to explore them and criteria for selecting them. It will
provide advice on the various aspects of the application process
including the application, the resume, the essays, interviews and
the financial aid/scholarship forms.
The program can fit into various time frames
and audience sizes and can include both students and/or parents if
desired.
“Finding the Money”
Financial Aid Services
The I CAN network of financial aid
professionals can present three kinds of programs to your school:
1. General financial aid information
programs (60-90 minute) to help parents (and students)
understand the system in which they must operate when seeking aid.
2. FAFSA completion workshops (1-2 hour
sessions held in a computer lab) to help them get past what many see
as the most cumbersome step in the process. Parents who bring the
prescribed materials to the session will be able to complete and
submit their FAFSA at the session
3. Scholarship search programs to help
them find “free money,” based on any number of criteria. Such
sessions will include tips on factors, steps and sources for the
scholarship search process.
Establishing a Volunteer Network in your School
I CAN staff will work with you to
identify volunteers. We will train them as advisors, readers,
presenters or program assistants and will schedule, organize and
monitor their work to assure quality services.
|
