Support Will Continue with Countywide Event Nov. 11, Lower Shore Event Nov. 15
The Maryland College Application Campaign (MCAC) was created by the Maryland State Department of Education to support all seniors in applying to at least one college. Wicomico County high schools and the school system are excited to participate in this initiative to support students and their parents/guardians with college applications, financial aid form submission, college visits, games, college and career spirit days, military information, and more.
For seniors making plans for the next step after graduation, there’s no better time to get help with the college application process and other post-graduation plans than during this focus week of the Maryland College Application Campaign. Here is information about activities at each high school, as well as for the district-wide support day for seniors and parents on Nov. 11 and the Lower Shore College/Career Pathways to Success night at Wor-Wic Community College Nov. 15.
Seniors and parents/guardians, please take note!
At Wicomico High School, there will be a full week of activities Oct. 23-27 focused on the college application process.
Monday 5-7 p.m.: College Night PTA at WiHi, with Salisbury University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Wor-Wic Community College representatives there to answer questions. A FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) representative will be there to help with completing the FAFSA. Staff will have tables set up of their own paths to success. (Students earn a ticket for attending.)
Wednesday: College Casual Day for students and staff. All students are encouraged to wear their favorite college/military/technical school shirts. Seniors will earn a ticket if they show a counselor that they are wearing college gear.
Wednesday: Additional college application help from Guidance in ME-2 all day. Students may come in during Study Hall periods or with permission from their teacher. (Earn a ticket for attending.)
Friday: Seniors who have earned at least one ticket during Maryland College Application Week will be able to participate in College Bingo, with prizes and drawings. The first 90 students who attend College Bingo will get a free WiHi Maryland College Application Campaign T-shirt.
All week: College trivia throughout the week on the morning announcements for all students, with prizes given out at lunch time for correct answers,
Visits by six colleges during this week for juniors and seniors. Students register on Naviance. After the focus week, WiHi will be glad to have SU representatives return for the SU On-Site Admissions Day on which many students who have applied to SU will receive their acceptance letters.
Events will continue even after the college focus week is over: On Oct. 30, some Wicomico High students as well as GEAR UP students in the 10th Grade at James M. Bennett High and Parkside High will travel to Baltimore for a college fair, followed by a visit to either Morgan State University or Towson University. Wicomico High School will also have an SU On-Site Admission Day for its seniors who have applied to SU.
Mardela Middle and High has a number of events planned for the Maryland College Application Campaign next week, with the goal of supporting seniors and parents through the stressful, challenging but ultimately rewarding process of applying for college admission and scholarships. A student might think about applying to a variety of places – choosing from among dream schools, reach schools, safety schools, the military, community college and trade school – to have multiple options.
Wednesday, Oct. 25: College Application Day, all day in the media center. Come in and use the media center computers to submit college applications. Mardela Counselor April Shiles will be available to assist, along with representatives from Salisbury University and Wor-Wic Community College. Already finished with college applications? Seniors can spend time researching scholarship opportunities on Naviance and submitting scholarship applications. Refreshments and stickers!
Thursday, Oct. 26: FAFSA Completion Event for MMHS seniors and their parents/guardians. This event will take place in the media center from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Counselor April Shiles and financial aid representatives from Salisbury University and Wor-Wic Community College will be on hand for this FAFSA focus, which is sponsored by the school and College Goal Maryland. Come on the hour and take as much time as you need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Appplication for Federal Student Aid). Snacks will be provided. Creating an FSA ID in advance (one for the student, one for parent) will save time that day. Go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid. Filling out the FAFSA will take 20 to 25 minutes on FAFSA day. The FAFSA is filled out with information from 2016 tax returns, preferably by using the online IRS data retrieval tool, but it’s recommended that you bring with you your 2016 tax returns, savings and checking information, and Social Security numbers for student and parents/guardians. The FAFSA opened on Oct. 1 and must be submitted by March 1 for consideration for student financial aid, but it should be filled out as early in that timeframe as possible for access to the largest pool of financial aid. There’s financial aid out there for college, so make sure your senior applies. Note: Unaccompanied homeless and foster care youth will find there’s a lot of financial aid out there to support their college plans.
All week: College “did you know?” facts about the value of a college education, and tips about the college application and financial aid processes.
All week: Alumni Updates “Where are They Now?” Updates will be presented every day from the classes with College and Career pictures hung in the hallways.
All week: College, military and career visits to Mardela Middle and High
Monday: St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Tuesday: U.S. Army
Wednesday: One Stop Job Market Mobile Bus 10 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Thursday: Frostburg State University
Friday: Rutgers University
Friday, Nov. 3: Continuation of Maryland College Application Campaign Week with Salisbury University On-Site Admissions Day and Mardela Middle and High. Students who have applied to Salisbury University will have the chance to hear the good news that day that they’ve been admitted.
James M. Bennett High has a full week of activities planned Oct. 23-27 for the Maryland College Application Campaign, to help seniors and parents focus on the college application process. Visiting colleges and universities will talk with interested juniors and seniors. The entire school will take part in spirit events.
Monday: College Casual Day for staff, with students and staff encouraged to wear their favorite college/military/technical school T-shirts.
All week: Visits by colleges and universities, for seniors and juniors (sign up on Naviance, or check with counselor):
Monday: St. Mary’s College at 10 a.m., Notre Dame of Maryland 11 a.m.
Tuesday: McDaniel College 12 p.m., James Madison University 1 p.m.
Wednesday: St. John’s College 10 a.m.
Friday: Christopher Newport University 9 a.m.
Wednesday: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Information and Completion Event. A Wor-Wic Community College financial aid representative will do a presentation on Oct. 25 at 8 a.m. Counselors will be available directly after presentation and until 2 p.m. to assist in completing the FAFSA. Students may also complete FAFSA in the library October 24 and 26 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Counselors will be available to assist.
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: JMB College Application Days in the media center for all seniors and their parents. Come in anytime from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on those days to work on college applications, scholarship applications, etc.
Thursday: Salisbury University On-Site Admission Day. Students who have applied to Salisbury University by Wednesday, Oct. 25 will be considered for on-site admission by Salisbury University representatives on Thursday.
Watch the announcements and check the TV monitors/website for more updates. Remind 101 will also send updates.
Parkside High will join the Maryland College Application Campaign Oct. 24-27, and the whole school can participate in the spirit days.
Tuesday-Thursday: Seniors will apply to colleges during English classes Tuesday to Thursday. Seniors not scheduled for English classes at Parkside may apply on Friday.
Tuesday: “Kick Off! College/Career/Military T-shirt Day.” Students in all grade levels are encouraged to wear college/career/military T-shirts/sweatshirts that represent the college they would like to attend, the career they wish to pursue, or the military branch they plan to enlist in. All staff members are invited wear a college T-shirt that represents their alma mater.
Wednesday: “Dress for Success Day.” Students and staff are encouraged to dress professionally. Dress to impress, and show us what you’ll bring to the wonderful world of work.
Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.: Senior Parent Meeting and Financial Aid Presentation, media center. Seniors and parents will receive valuable information from Senior Class advisors. Immediately following the meeting, students and parents will have the opportunity to complete their FAFSA with the assistance of a financial aid expert from Wor-Wic Community College. Students may participate even if they are not planning to attend Wor-Wic.
During MCAC Week: At least for colleges and universities are scheduled to visit during this college focus week. Students should register on Naviance or in the counseling offices to meet with one or more college representatives to find out more about the institution. Representatives of the Coast Guard, Navy, Army and Marines will also be at the school during this focus week.
Treat Cards: Seniors who submit a college application before or during this focus week will earn a dessert card from McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A. Students will also be able to participate in drawings each class period to win prizes donated by several colleges and military branches. Prizes include T-shirts, cups, hats, lanyards, frisbees, water bottles, drawstring bags, etc., as well as other fun surprises.
Daily Staff Stories. Each day a staff member will share his or her story of the path from high school to success.
On Saturday, Nov. 11, Wicomico County Public Schools will present a day of College Admissions Support for Seniors, at James M. Bennett High School. WCPS Seniors and parents/guardians should register for the information and workshops that interest them, at http://tinyurl.com/ydycowef. Scholarship information will be shared from 10-11 a.m., and financial aid information from 11 a.m.-noon. Students will have the opportunity to work on college applications with the support of guidance counselors, and they have the chance to get feedback on college essays from a teacher at their school. (Essays must be turned in by Wednesday, Nov. 1 to the student’s senior English teacher, or to the guidance office for students who are not enrolled in senior English at a high school. Register for a Nov. 11 time slot with the English teacher from your school, or two time slots if you have two essays for feedback.) Counselors will be available to answer questions and provide support for Naviance, college applications, scholarships and financial aid. Arrive when you like and take as much time as you need.
The 6th Annual tri-county College/Career Pathways to Success night will be held at Wor-Wic Community College during American Education Week, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15. It will be held in Fulton-Owen Hall. This event for high school students from the Lower Shore, and their families, provides the opportunity to meet with local employers, colleges, armed forces, fire and police departments and non-profit agencies. Guidance staff from all three public school systems will be available to answer questions about financial aid and college applications. There will be breakout sessions on dual enrollment, financial aid, scholarship information, Naviance, and How to Land a Job. Door prizes will be awarded. No registration is required. For more information, please contact Barbara Bell for Wicomico County at 410-677-4430. For Somerset County, contact Justin Gillette 410-651-2285. For Worcester County, contact Matt Elburn at 410-632-5557. For Wor-Wic Community College, contact Jill Heathfield at 410-334-2815.
Media Contacts:
Tracy Sahler, Public Information Officer, tsahler@wcboe.org or 410-430-4796
Paul Butler, Director of Communications & Community Outreach, pbutler@wcboe.org or 410-603-2617
