College Essay & Application Kick-off for Juniors

 

The College Essay Guy is offering a free, two-part webinar series for juniors at the end of the month, packed with tips on how to use the summer productively and begin crafting an outstanding personal statement and college application.

 Why get started this summer? Students typically underestimate how long it will take them to create great college essays & applications. 

Summer is the best time for students to start writing—they'll have time to dig deep, get creative, and save themselves a whole bunch of potential stress during fall of senior year.

College Essay & Application Kick-off for Juniors   Part 1: How to Write an Outstanding Personal Statement Tues May 27th, 4-5pm PT (7-8pm ET)   On this session, we'll cover: The Purpose of the Personal Statement (i.e., What Colleges Are Looking for) Two Fun Ways to Find Your Personal Statement Topic How (and Why) to Show Your Core Values Two Successful Personal Statement Examples to Get You Inspired Topics to Potentially Avoid A Practical Game Plan for Having a Productive College Application Summer A Quick Preview of My Summer Courses Prize Giveaways! Q&A (We'll Answer Pretty Much Any Question You Have)   Part 2: How to Create a Compelling College Application Thurs May 29th, 4-5pm PT (7-8pm ET)   On this session, we'll cover: What Colleges Are Looking For in 2025 The Other Essential Parts of Your College Application Writing Great Supplemental Essays Tips for Creating a Great Activities List How to Make Use of the Additional Info Section A Sample Successful College Application A Quick Preview of My Summer Courses Prize Giveaways! Q&A (Bring those questions!)   How to Register Your Students for This Webinar Since they'll likely want to know the details of what we're covering in the two sessions, the simplest way to have them register is to forward them this email so they can click below and get signed up. Takes literally 45 secs.

Register for Both Sessions Here

Summer Scholarship Options for Juniors

As the summer approaches, so too does a whole host of scholarship opportunities for rising high school seniors. There are only a few short months between now and the beginning of the next academic year. Juniors can start planning for their future before college application season starts to monopolize their time.

There are hundreds of scholarships available to students in the upcoming weeks, with countless more on the way this summer. Keep an eye on the scholarships local to your area as we come closer to the 2025-2026 academic year; those and other niche scholarships will be a great low-competition opportunity for your students in addition to the more competitive opportunities  available. Juniors can start planning for their future before college application season starts to monopolize their time.

Quest Bridge College Prep Scholars Program

 

The College Prep Scholars Program has always equipped high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to apply to top colleges. This year, we have added additional awards to ensure your students receive support that will strengthen their college application. Students selected as College Prep Scholars will be eligible to receive college guidance, college essay support, or standardized test preparation from our trusted affiliates.

Students should apply to the 2025 College Prep Scholars Program by Thursday, March 20, and complete the Awards form to be considered. Explore eligibility requirements. Students are encouraged to start a free application today. 

Questions? Watch our short video, Award Spotlight: Personalized College Preparation Awards.  

Momentum Scholarship For Juniors

The Momentum Scholarship for Juniors—an exclusive, no-essay $1,000 scholarship opportunity for high school juniors. The deadline for this opportunity is Monday, March 31st. This is a fantastic way for Juniors  to get engaged with financial aid early, and it’s only available to them through your referral!

 

About the Scholarship

The Momentum Scholarship is designed to encourage juniors to start applying for financial aid early. One lucky high school junior will win a $1,000 scholarship for proactively applying this winter.

Duke Neuroscience Experience

Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)

June 16 – August 8, 2025

 

Dive into the world of brain science this summer! Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE) is a full-time, 8-week, paid summer research internship program for Durham high school students. Participants perform hands-on experiments in neuroscience labs at Duke, engage in professional development and college prep activities, and receive a stipend and free lunch. We welcome students from diverse backgrounds to apply, including those without prior research experience! We are looking for students who are interested in exploring the mysteries of the brain, curious about a career in science or medicine, and eager to learn and grow.

 

Apply online from December 16, 2024 – February 9, 2025! You will need to fill out our application and request two (2) letters of recommendation from non-relatives.

 

Eligibility:

To apply for 2025, students must:

• Be a current high school sophomore or junior (grades 10-11 for the 2024-2025 school year), or a senior (grade 12) who does *not* plan to attend college in fall 2025;
• Attend a public or charter high school in Durham, NC (C.E. Jordan High School, City of Medicine Academy, Durham School of Technology, Durham School of the Arts, Excelsior Classical Academy, Hillside High School, Ignite! Online Academy, J.D. Clement Early College High School, Middle College High School, NC Cyber Academy, NC Virtual Academy, Northern High School, Research Triangle High School, Riverside High School, Southern School of Energy and Sustainability, or Voyager Academy High School);
• Have reliable transportation for daily commuting to Duke University;
• Be at least sixteen (16) years old by June 16, 2025; and
• Be a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, or legal resident.

 

What to Expect:

• Join a Lab: Get matched with a cutting-edge brain science lab at Duke University based on your research interests.
• Hands-on Research: Perform hands-on neuroscience experiments and gain technical research skills.
• Mentorship: Receive individualized mentorship from professional scientists who will guide you through your research project.
• Professional Development: Participate in a series of professional development workshops with local experts.

• Develop your neuroscience understanding
• Receive guidance for applying to college
• Develop scientific communication and presentation skills
• Explore career options in academia, industry, and medicine

• Networking: Develop a network of peers and mentors.
• Present Your Work: Present your research at an end-of-summer poster session for your peers, family, and Duke scientists.
• Stipend: Receive a stipend and daily lunch.
• Laptop: Borrow a laptop with specialized software for your lab work.

To hear from previous students who have participated in DUNE, please visit Scholar Stories and DUNE in the News.

 

Important Dates:

• December 16, 2024: Application opens
• February 9, 2025: Application and two (2) letters of recommendation from non-relatives due by 11:59pm EST
• March 2025: Admissions decisions announced
• June 16 – August 8, 2025: Program runs for 8 weeks (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)

 

Questions?

Please check the FAQs on our website. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please email duneprogram@duke.edu.

 

UNC Chapel Hill STAR Ventures Program

 The STAR Ventures Summer Program is designed to give rising high school juniors, seniors, and incoming college freshmen an immersive experience in the exploration of careers in a research institute - including finance, project management, operations, and communications - as well as many professional development opportunities such as resume building and networking. Over the course of three weeks, participants will learn about the world of data science and computer science research through engaging presentations and projects, exploring how various departments at RENCI contribute to cutting-edge research.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on program dates, please refer to the website. Should you have any questions or need further details, feel free to reach out to: 

Fion Lin

fion@renci.org

Research Operations Intern

Renaissance Computing Institute

UNCSA High School Visual Arts Applications Available for 2025-26 Academic Year

UNC School of the Arts (UNCSA) Visual Arts Program is a residential program designed for high school juniors and seniors who have an artistic interest, dedication and enthusiasm they wish to pursue in a structured course of study. Learn more about the program.

Tuition is provided free of charge for in-state high school students, and the majority of their other educational costs (e.g., textbooks, health and wellness services, room and meal plan, activities, etc.) are covered by the North Carolina High School Artists Grant. Learn more about tuition and financial aid.

Rising high school juniors or seniors are encouraged to apply here.

West Point - Summer Leaders Experience

 

What is SLE?

• SLE is a one-week program for current Juniors (High School Class of 2025) to visit West Point in June.
• Students in this program get to spend the week with our cadets, live in the barracks, and eat in the mess hall.
• Learn about West Point’s world class academics by trying 4 of our 17 academic workshops.
• Learn about military training and becoming a Leader of Character at West Point by completing two military days to include rappelling, Zodiac boats, combatives (like Jiu-Jitsu) training and more!
• Challenge themselves physically by attempting the Candidate Fitness Assessment, conducting physical training, and sports.
• Complete their admissions interview with a cadet.
• Spend the week making friends with other students from all over the US who are applying to West Point.

Students may sign up for this program directly at westpoint.edu. Applications will be accepted until April 15^th. SLE is competitive and not all who apply are offered to attend.

Learn more about SLE- https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program
Apply now- https://apply.westpoint.edu/portal/candidate

West Point - Summer Leaders Experience

West Point develops Leaders of Character, and are looking for high-achieving young people who are in great standing with their school and community, and who want to challenge themselves. 

What is SLE?

• SLE is a one-week program for current Juniors (High School Class of 2025) to visit West Point in June.
• Students in this program get to spend the week with our cadets, live in the barracks, and eat in the mess hall.
• Learn about West Point’s world class academics by trying 5 of our 17 academic workshops.
• Learn about military training and becoming a Leader of Character at West Point by completing two military days to include rappelling, Zodiac boats, combatives (like Jiu-Jitsu) training and more!
• Challenge themselves physically by attempting the Candidate Fitness Assessment, conducting physical training, and sports.
• Complete their admissions interview with a cadet.
• Spend the week making friends with other students from all over the US who are applying to West Point.

Interested students may sign up for this program now by using the the link westpoint.edu. The priority application deadline for SLE is the following Friday on March 15^th . Applications will be accepted until April 15^th. SLE is competitive and not all who apply are offered to attend.

Learn more about SLE- https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program
Apply now- https://apply.westpoint.edu/portal/candidate

CFNC Next Step Program for Juniors and families is coming soon!

 

The Next Step 2024 program will be available February 19th through May 31st for NC high school juniors and parents!  Just click on the Junior Next Step Form button on this page and you can:

1. Share your plans and needs. Whether you are thinking about an apprenticeship, military, work, community college, or four-year college, now is a great time to take action.  We'll immediately provide you with tips and links to assist in your areas of interest.  We'll also share your plans and needs with the counseling team at your high school.
2. Connect with NC colleges.  You can choose to share your contact information with NC community colleges and four-year colleges so they can let you know more about their programs.
3. Join the online program to take steps toward your goals.  You'll have exclusive access to two sets of self-paced online activities.  If you are planning to continue your education, one set of six activities will help you take six steps toward a community college or a four-year college.  If you are planning to enter the workforce, another set of three activities will help you explore career and training options. You’ll be guided through the steps with interactive videos and action items, along with special content for parents.  Also, you'll have a team of NC graduate students to help you with questions along the way.

 https://www.cfnc.org/next-step-program/

The FY24 NROTC National Scholarship Application

The FY24 NROTC National Scholarship online application submission  is scheduled to open 1 April 2023.

The new Scholarship season is quickly approaching for the upcoming seniors (Class of 2024).

It is recommended that interested Juniors begin the application process early to increase their chances for selection. 

The purpose of the Navy ROTC Program is to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy's unrestricted line, the Navy Nurse Corps and the Marine Corps. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program plays an important role in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.

Selected applicants for the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program are awarded scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process, and receive full tuition, books stipend, educational fees and other financial benefits OR Room and Board at many of the country's leading colleges and universities. Upon graduation, midshipmen are commissioned as officers in the unrestricted line Naval Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve.

The Navy ROTC Scholarship Program is available to qualified students who graduate from high school before August 1 of the year they intend to start college.

Students selected for the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program make their own arrangements for college enrollment and room and board, and take the normal course load required by the college or university for degree completion. Additionally, scholarship midshipmen are required to follow specific academic guidelines.

Full information concerning the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program is available from any of the colleges and universities with Navy ROTC units or from Navy and Marine Corps recruiters. A list of colleges and universities is available on this website at the Colleges and Universities page.

Apply HERE

 

The 2023 College Prep Scholars Program

Applying to college can seem daunting, and the prospect of paying for it can seem even more overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. The College Prep Scholars Program equips high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to apply to top colleges.

Why apply as a junior? Being a College Prep Scholar is a notable distinction that shows our college partners that you are a competitive candidate for admission. In addition, your application will automatically carry over for the National College Match when you’re a senior, giving you a head start on applying for a full four-year scholarship to our college partners. College Prep Scholars are over five times more likely than other applicants to receive full four-year scholarships through the National College Match.

Awards for College Prep Scholars may include:

• A full scholarship to a college summer program hosted by Yale, Emory, UChicago, and more.
• Quest for Excellence Awards, such as $1,000 for a new laptop or other resources to help the student enhance their college application.
• Exclusive access to a QuestBridge National College Admissions Conference — an invite-only event featuring workshops and a college fair with our college partners.
• Personalized college essay feedback.
• Campus visits or other opportunities from QuestBridge college partners.
• Specialized guidance and resources for the college application process.
• Peer-to-peer support in an online community.

 Visit AskQB, our online help portal, to get your questions answered about the College Prep Scholars Program

Yale Bassett Award For Community Engagement

 

The Yale Center for the Study of Race Indigeneity and Transnational Migration (RITM) is part of the Bassett Award for Community Engagement for high school juniors. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2023. 

Recipients of the Yale Bassett Award for Community Engagement will demonstrate a record of creative leadership and public service, academic distinction, interdisciplinary problem solving, and experience addressing societal issues that might include, but need not be limited to, race and racism. Students with non-traditional leadership experiences or significant work experiences are also encouraged to apply.

To be considered for the Yale Bassett Award, interested students in the Class of 2024 should submit an application that will include an account of their relevant experiences and aspirations, academic record, extracurricular commitments and leadership positions. Students will also be asked to identify a teacher, mentor, coach, religious leader, community-based non-profit leader, or community member who can provide them a letter of recommendation. 

Interested Juniors may applying here: ritm.yale.edu/yale-bassett-award-community-engagement-application 

Yale faculty affiliated with the Center will select and notify winners later this spring.

About Ebenezer Bassett

The Yale Bassett Award honors the legacy of Ebenezer Bassett (1833-1908). Born into a Native American (Schaghticoke) and African American family nearly two hundred years ago, Ebenezer Bassett excelled at the Connecticut Normal School (now Central Connecticut State) and at Yale, where he pursued courses in mathematics and classics in the 1850s. Bassett subsequently became an influential educator, an abolitionist, and a public servant with a national and international vision. He was named consul general to Haiti and chargé d’affaires to the Dominican Republic; he gained a hemispheric understanding of racial politics; and he served as Haiti’s consul in New York City.

About the Yale Center for the Study of Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration

Yale’s Center for the Study of Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration is devoted to advancing intellectual work related to Ethnic Studies fields; to intersectional race, gender, and sexuality research; and to Native and diasporic communities both in the United States and other countries. The center houses Yale's Ethnicity, Race, and Migration Program, and reaches beyond Yale to connect with local, national, and international institutions, organizations, and individuals.

The Center sponsors the Yale Bassett Award independently from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Applying for the Yale Bassett Award will not affect your chances of being admitted to Yale College.

Questions about the Bassett Award should be directed to the RITM center at ritm@yale.edu.

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Pitti

Director, Yale Center for the Study of Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration

Professor of History, American Studies, and Ethnicity, Race, and Migration

COLLEGE PREP SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS

 The 2023 College Prep Scholars Program application opens in early February, and the deadline is March 22, 2023.

The 2023 College Prep Scholars Program application opens in early February. Sign up to be notified when the application opens >>

Applying to college can seem daunting, and the prospect of paying for it can seem even more overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. The College Prep Scholars Program equips high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds (Academically outstanding high school juniors from families earning less than $65,000/year for a family of four.) with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to apply to top colleges.

Why apply as a junior? Being a College Prep Scholar is a notable distinction that shows our college partners that you are a competitive candidate for admission. In addition, your application will automatically carry over for the National College Match when you’re a senior, giving you a head start on applying for a full four-year scholarship to our college partners. College Prep Scholars are over five times more likely than other applicants to receive full four-year scholarships through the National College Match.

College Covered Planning Resources

collegecovered.com was created by Discover Student Loans to provide students and parents with the know how to plan and pay for college. The website offers a variety of resources and tips for each step of the college planning process.  

With this year's college applications wrapping up, there’s still plenty of important tasks for seniors to complete in the new year. Check out these simple tips and resources to help  students stay focused and keep the momentum going.

• Last Chance for a $5,000 Scholarship: There’s still time for students and parents to enter the Discover^® Student Loans Scholarship to help cover college expenses. No lengthy application or essay required. Our current sweepstakes ends January 31, 2023¹.

• College Planning Calendar: Share this monthly checklist with students and parents to help them stay on top of upcoming deadlines and to-dos.

• How I Won Over $1 Million in Scholarships for College: It’s a great time to be applying for scholarships. Learn how a high school student won more than enough money to pay for college and how he helps other students do the same.

Meredith College Leadership Conference for High School Juniors

Meredith College is pleased to bring back their on-campus leadership conference for high school juniors who are interested in developing and sharpening their leadership skills. The Meredith College Office of Student Leadership and Service, in conjunction with the Office of Admissions, will host this free conference on Saturday, February 11, 2023.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

9:15 - 9:45 a.m. Check-in and Breakfast 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.  Opening Session; Welcome 10:40 – 11:30 a.m. Leadership Session, Topic 1 11:40 a.m. – 1:40 p.m. Lunch & Leadership 1:50 – 2:40 p.m. Leadership Session, Topic 2 2:50 – 3:15 p.m.         Closing Session 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. Campus Tour (optional)

Registration is now open. If you have students who may benefit from this event, please encourage registration by Sunday, February 5, 2023.  

Please call the Office of Admissions at 1-800-MEREDITH or e-mail us at admissions@meredith.edu with any questions.