Financial Aid Season

Financial aid applications are available for completion as of January 1, 2011.  As you enjoy time off with friends and family during the holiday break take a few minutes to gather the documents you'll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile (an additional form required for institutional aid from some private colleges only).  The links at the bottom of this post include a list of documents we'll need to help you fill out these forms as accurately as possible.  Take a peek, have a conversation with your folks and come see GEAR UP as soon as you return from break to schedule an appointment.  If you and or your parent(s) cannot find your tax returns from last year make a call to the people that filed your taxes and request a copy.  Institutions with February deadlines know you will be estimating, better to make an educated guess than miss a deadline and thousands of dollars in aid.  Fear not, we are here to help you and your families through this process.  As long as you bring the documents we'll get you squared away.  If you have extenuating circumstances and are unsure of which adult is required to submit information stop by GEAR UP and we'll figure it out.  We'll be here to file appeals, help with verification, and interpret your award letters.  Enjoy your holidays everyone!

Additional Parent Information

Documents needed for financial aid forms

Final Push for Seniors

It's already mid-December!  If you are a senior and have not submitted your applications the time to act is now.  Gather your recommendations, essays, and anything else the schools you are applying to require.  Make an appointment with your guidance counselor and get the applications in the mail.  Over the holiday break you can dig out 2010 tax returns for you and your parents and save your last pay stubs from December.  We'll start helping students with their FAFSA and CSS Profiles after the break.  If you are anxious about the process stop in and see your GEAR UP counselor for a list of documents you may need.  If you are a foster student, have a legal guardian, or have a non-traditional living arrangement come up and have a chat with us so we can let you know which items you will or will not be required to produce.  Good luck everyone!

December’s Career of the Month is Biotechnology

Biotechnology refers to the use of living organisms or their products to modify human health and the human environment.

Biotechnology has been around since prehistoric times. The discovery that milk could be converted into cheese and yogurt and that humans could plant their own crops and breed their own animals are just a few examples of biotechnology in action. You might picture a scientist in a white lab coat developing drugs for depression or cancer when you think of this career. You would be right but there are SO many additional career opportunities in the field of biotechnology and here are a few more examples:

• Environmental biotechnology products make it possible to clean up hazardous waste more efficiently by harnessing pollution-eating microbes without the use of caustic chemicals.
• Industrial biotechnology applications have led to cleaner processes that produce less waste and use less energy and water in such industrial sectors as chemicals, pulp and paper, textiles, food, energy, and metals and minerals. For example, most laundry detergents produced in the United States contain biotechnology-based enzymes.
• DNA fingerprinting, a biotech process, has dramatically improved criminal investigation and forensic medicine, as well as afforded significant advances in anthropology and wildlife management.

Additionally, there are career opportunities that range from sales and marketing to research development to manufacturing and quality control. This is a field that is constantly growing; the number of employees in this field has increased by more than 90% over the last ten years!

Education and training requirements vary greatly depending on the type of position and the industry sector. This degree will require a substantial background interest in math and science. The education needed for specific positions varies from an Associate’s degree all the way to a Doctoral degree. While many positions require a 4 year (Bachelors degree,) a significant number of positions now require a two year degree or less.
Check out the Associate’s degree program in Biotechnology at Mount Wachusett Community College for an example of how to get started and which courses you will have to take in college. www.mwcc.edu

Worcester Afterschoool Program Guide 2010-2011

Thank you to Community Build and Worcester Public Schools for this great resource.  Posted with permission of Worcester Community Connection Coalition through Dawn Johnson 11/22/10.

After School Listing

November’s Career of the Month
Child Life Specialist
Would you like to work in a hospital setting without having to perform medical procedures? Do you love children and love to play? Then a career in Child Life Therapy just might be the career for you!
A Child Life Specialist works with children primarily in an in-patient pediatric setting to promote effective coping though play, education and self-expression activities. Child Life Specialists also provide emotional support for parents, siblings, and other family members. They act as a liaison between healthcare professionals and pediatric patients, playing a vital role in providing education and resources about the needs of children under stress.
Child Life Specialists work as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and other hospital personnel. Some examples of typical duties are:
• To ease a child’s fear and anxiety through therapeutic and recreational play activities
• To conduct pre-admission hospital tours for children and their families and answer questions about the child’s upcoming hospitalization
• To support families confronting grief and bereavement issues
• To engage and energize children in the hospital by providing special activities and events
Education required:
Minimum of a Bachelors degree in Psychology or a related field, that includes courses in child life and other relevant counseling and psychology classes.
Certified Child Life Specialists must complete a minimum of 480 hours of child life clinical experience under the direct supervision of a certified Child Life Specialist.
Salary:
The median salary of a Child Life Therapist is $43,000 but actual salaries will vary depending on the geographic location of the job.

GEAR UP Major of the Month: Emergency Management

Emergency Management is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. This field involves preparing for disaster before it occurs, disaster response (evacuation, quarantine and decontamination), and supporting and rebuilding societies after natural or human-made disasters occur.

One of the Massachusetts' State schools, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, currently offers a Bachelors Degree in Emergency Management. The Emergency Management program's educational coursework has been developed for each of three key concepts; hazard, risk, and disaster. The program component for hazard and risk (risk management) consists of a framework that explores four states in assessment and management including Risk Assessment, Control Analysis, Strategy Section and Implementation and Evaluation. In the case of disaster, the students will study the different temporal stages in a disaster cycle, including; Mitigation or Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. The program's depth and range of practical coursework and experience, provides an EM graduate, the skills for a smooth transition from college to a profession in the emergency management field.  

To learn more about Emergency Management at Massachusetts Maritime Academy click here http://www.maritime.edu/index.cfm

 

Salem State University Spotlight

Salem State University is not requiring letters of recommendation or an essay for admission this year. If students have an I.E.P. they can attach a copy in their application to waive any high school language requirements. Any student who meets the Massachusetts State Sliding Scale is admissible.
Sliding Scale for Freshman Applicants to a State University
Weighted High School GPACombined SAT-I V&M Must Equal or Exceed
(ACT Equivalent in Italics)
2.51-2.99 920 (19)
2.41-2.50 960 (20)
2.31-2.40 1000 (21)
2.21-2.30 1040 (22)
2.11-2.20 1080 (23)
2.00-2.10 1120 (24)
Click here to apply http://www.salemstate.edu/admissions/

UMass Dartmouth!

We just had an exciting visit from UMass Dartmouth and the news is wonderful for first generation and or low-income students. There are two alternative admissions programs students should be aware of. College Now and START are programs that operate outside of the Admissions department. If your grades are less than stellar or you just didn't think college was for you until very recently these programs could be an alternative route to a four year college degree. College Now applicants must either be of low-income status or be the first generation to attend college (which technically means your parents did not attend a four year institution, if you have siblings in college you are still considered first generation). START (Steps Toward Abstract Reasoning & Thinking) is for a similar population with a specific academic interest in engineering, mathematics, or physics majors. If you are interested in UMass Dartmouth and meet either of these requirements please visit http://www.umassd.edu/collegenow  or call 508.999.8703 for more information. To be clear, you do not apply through the UMass Dartmouth admissions office; this is a separate office and applicant pool.

Scam Alert!

Some WPS students have reported receiving phone calls from folks claiming to be working in affiliation with their high school and the SAT program. They are requesting credit card numbers. Do not give them any information. No one from WPS or the SAT program would ever call your house looking for this information. If you have received one of these calls please let someone at your high school know.

2010-2011 Worcester Public Schools Scholarship Booklet

The updated WPS scholarship booklet has just been made available. GEAR UP and the guidance office have a hard copy (43 pages!) for you to look through. If you would prefer an electronic copy please email GEAR UP at gearup3@cowc.org and we will send you a pdf. Everyone should be applying for scholarships in addition to doing their FAFSA                                                                

High Paying Careers

Check out this article from our friends at Yahoo

Link to article

MEFA Financial Aid Night

MEFA Financial Aid Seminar is

TONIGHT at 6pm in the North High Library 

Join us for this free seminar, ease your mind and have some cake!

Framingham State University 1019/10

Thanks to everyone that attended the Framingham State field trip!  The campus is a quick 30 minute ride from Worcester and it's only 30 minutes from Boston.  The campus is easy to find, recently updated (thank you stimulus money), and lunch was delicious!  The largest majors on campus are fashion merchandising, business, psychology, and education.  The admissions staff was kind enough to mention that because we had come out and taken a campus tour they would waive the application fee for any student that decides to apply, a nice $45 savings!  Also, if families get their FAFSAs submitted by 2/15 they guarantee award letters will be mailed by 3/15, fantastic!  If you are applying to FSU we encourage you to submit an essay even though it is optional, especially if your academic record is not as strong as you would like it to be.  You can learn more about FSU on their website: http://www.framingham.edu/admissions/ 

College Visits Week of October 18-22

Mon.  10/18  10am  Boston University
Tue.   10/19  12:30pm Boston College
Wed. 10/20  10am  Anna Maria College
Wed. 10/20  12pm  Western New England College

College Financing Seminar

The free MEFA presentation for students and parents about the college financial aid process will be held this Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 6:00pm in the North High School Library.

Topics include:

• Information about scholarships, grants and loans
  
• Applying for financial aid
  
• Completing the FAFSA
  
• Options for paying the college bill
  
• MEFA's free resources for families
  

The presentation starts at 6pm, so arrive a few minutes early to get a seat and grab a snack. Please see GEAR UP if you need a bus pass.

MCLA Bus Trip

Thursday, November 11th (Veteran's Day) MCLA will be sending a bus to Worcester to bring you to their fall open house in North Adams, MA.  If you are interested in seeing the MCLA campus (you should go especially if you plan to apply) please follow the link and fill out the registration card as soon as possible.  Your guidance counselor and parent or guardian must sign off on this.  There is no cost associated with the event. Spread the word!

MCLA Bus trip link

Pharmacy Programs in MA

Northeastern University
Jan 15 deadline Nov. 1 Early-Action deadline
Average GPA of admitted students is 3.6-4.1
Average SAT scores are 1880-2080 Average ACT scores are 28-31
Students are apply and are accepted directly into the 6 year Doctor of Pharmacy Program

Worcester State University
Rolling admissions but highly recommended deadline of Dec. 1 due to small program and competitive housing
Pre-pharmacy Program
Accepts 10 first time freshman only
Must select Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry or Natural Science as major
Minimum 3.0 GPA or higher Minimum SAT 1000 or higher
Accelerated program at WSU – first 3 years BA of Science
Transfer to MCPHS for 3 years and earn Doctorate in Pharmacy
To be eligible to transfer to MCPHS:
     3.5 minimum GPA, No grades below a C, No course repeats, all courses completed at WSU, full     
     time status in the 3 pre-pharmacy years at WSU

Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Nov 15 Early Action deadline is highly recommended. 2500 applicants per year for 300 seats.
Accepted directly into the PharmD program
No minimum GPA but highly competitive; 3.4 or higher GPA as well as 1670 or higher SAT or 24 or higher ACT is the average of students applying to this major
High school biology and chemistry as well as Algebra 1 and 2 are required
High school pre-calc or calculus are recommended but not required

College Visitation October 12-15

Tue.  10/12    12pm   MCLA (Mass. College of Liberal Arts)
Wed. 10/13    9am    Newbury College
Friday 10/15             Rivier College

GEAR UP Major of the Month

QCC Forensic Computer Program

Are you thinking about a job that puts your computer skills to the test? Do you like to help people? Then a career in computer forensics might be the job for you! Although relatively new, this is a growing career field with jobs for both consultants and employees through law enforcement agencies, military, government intelligence agencies and private security and consulting companies.

Computer forensics is a branch of forensic science (forensics for short). Forensics is the scientific analysis of people, places and things to collect evidence during crime investigations that helps to prove innocence or guilt in court.

A forensic investigation can be initiated for many reasons. The most high profile are usually with respect to a criminal investigation, but computer forensics can also be used for less complicated needs like re-tracking steps when data has been lost. Some common examples why a company or person would hire a computer forensic specialist would be to prove employee internet abuse, industrial espionage, damage assessment, or criminal fraud and deception cases.

A brand new computer forensic specialist with little experience can earn a salary in the area of $50-60 thousand dollars a year. Senior managers and partners at consulting firms typically earn between $100-200 thousand dollars a year, although geographical locations like big cities matter when discussing salary.

Courses for this major are offered online, in the classroom, or both. You can earn a certificate program in technology in as little as one year, an Associate in Science in two years, or a Bachelors degree in Science in four years in this major. Generally speaking, the higher your level of education, the higher your starting salary will be.

We recommend checking out the Computer Systems Engineering Technology – Computer Forensics Option at Quinsigamond Community College for an example of coursework required to get started in this field.

UMass Amherst

We had a great trip to UMass Amherst this week despite the rain.  Our tour guide was wonderful, the students were engaged, and the campus was lovely.  As always the highlight of the tour was lunch at the Berkshire dining commons.  There's nothing a group of 17 year old kids love more than all you can eat!  We also tried out the PollyAnywhere.com technology and some responses are attached to this post as well.  Thank you to everyone that attended (pictured below) and to our hosts at the University.  Best of luck to all our applicants! 

Replace audience response hardware with Poll Everywhere

UMass Amherst Trip Tomorrow!

It is going to rain and it's chilly.  PLEASE bring an umbrella, wear a jacket and comfy shoes.  The outdoor walking tour lasts about an hour!  We are not leaving until 8:30am.  Think about some good questions!

College Visitation Schedule

Quick reminder to our NHS students, the following colleges are visiting this week:

Tuesday        9/28  Pine Manor at 10am
Wednesday   9/29  Assumption College at 12pm
Thursday       9/30  College of St. Joseph at 9am (Rutland, VT)
Thursday       9/30  Worcester State University at 12pm
Friday        10/01   Fisher College at 10am

Get a pass during homeroom and come meet the admissions representative that will be reading your application!

UMass Amherst Field Trip

Our trip is full and we have 15 people on the waiting list.  Thanks everyone!

Nursing Programs in New England

Mrs. Baffuto has been hard at work compiling a list of colleges and universities that offer nursing programs throughout New England.  We enccourage our students to apply to as many schools as they can in hopes of gaining entrance into these highly competitive programs.  We heard that one school already had a full programs last year before their application deadline hit so apply early - by Halloween!  Nurses are in high demand but college training programs are small because their student/teacher ratios must be low and there are a limited amount of placements available at hospitals.  Just to give you an idea, last year UMass Amherst enrolled 4,500 students of which only 60 were nursing majors (average 3.8 GPA).  Worcester State University had 80 spots in their nursing program and had over 800 applicants! 

Massachusetts:

American International College, Anna Maria College, Boston College, Becker College, Curry College, Elms College, Endicott College, Fitchburg State University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (MCPHS), Northeastern University, Regis College, Salem State University, Simmons College, Westfield State University, Worcester State University, UMass (entire system), Community Colleges (all - though many have waiting lists)

Connecticut:

Central Connecticut State University, Fairfield University, Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Joseph College, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut

Maine:

Husson University, Saint Joseph's College of Maine, University of Maine, University of New England, University of Southern Maine

New Hampshire:

Colby Sawyer College, Rivier College, Saint Anselm College, University of New Hampshire

Rhode Island:

Rhode Island College, Salve Regina, University of Rhode Island

Vermont:

Castleton State College, Southern Vermont College, University of Vermont

College Visitatation Schedule 2010-11

College Admissions Representatives come to North High during the fall semester to meet with interested seniors.  This list is updated frequently.  Subscribe to the blog or check back frequently to see if your school is coming.  If you are interested in meeting with the person who will read your application please get a pass from guidance either the day before or during homeroom the day of the visit.

Mon. 9/27   10am   Framingham State University
Tue.   9/28   10am   Pine Manor College
Wed. 9/29   12pm   Assumption College
Thu.   9/30     9am   College of St. Joseph, Rutland, VT.
Thu.   9/30   12pm   Worcester State University
Fri.    10/01  10am   Fisher College
Tue.  10/12  12pm   MCLA (Mass. College of Liberal Arts)
Wed. 10/13  9am    Newbury College
Mon. 10/18  8am    New England Institute of Technology
Mon.  10/18  10am  Boston University
Tue.   10/19  12:30pm Boston College
Wed. 10/20  10am  Anna Maria College
Wed. 10/20  12pm  Western New England College
Mon. 10/25    8am   St. Anselm College
Tue.  10/26  10am    Nichols College
Tue.  10/26  12pm   Fitchburg State University
Wed. 10/27  8am    UMass Amherst
Wed. 10/27  12pm  University of Southern Maine
Tue.  11/02   12pm  Suffolk University
Wed. 11/03   8am   Wheelock College
Wed. 11/03   9am   College of the Holy Cross
Fri.    11/05 10am   Baystate College
Tue.  11/09    9am   Southern New Hampshire University
Fri.    11/12  10am   Wheaton College
Mon. 11/15   9am    Becker College
Tue.  11/16   12pm  Mitchell College

Week of 9/13/20

GEAR UP Staff will be at a financial aid training hosted by MEFA on Tuesday 9/14/10.  On Wednesday 9/15/10 we will be volunteering at the United Way Day of caring. 

Don't fret though, the SAT waivers are good until the end of September for the October test.  See us on Thursday if you qualify for a waiver and/or you need assistance with registration.  Take care all,

GEAR UP.

College Spotlight - Rhode Island College (RIC)

Rhode Island College (RIC) - http://www.ric.edu/admissions/


Recently a professor from RIC mentioned that Worcester now falls into the Metropolitan Region making this college an affordable option for our students. The Metropolitan Tuition Policy (MTP) as defined on their website: (http://www.ric.edu/bursar/tuition_metro.php ) “Effective Summer 2009, students whose permanent address is one of the following Massachusetts/Connecticut cities/towns (http://www.ric.edu/bursar/tuition_MTP.php ) are eligible for a special tuition discount at Rhode Island College of the in-state tuition rate plus 50%.”

The 2010-2011 tuition and fees (http://www.ric.edu/bursar/tuition.php ) under MTP is $4,990.  Keep in mind the total does not include room and board, which for 2010-11 would be an approximately another $8,000 (see their website for exact pricing: http://www.ric.edu/bursar/tuition_room2010-11.php). This price puts RIC in direct competition with the Massachusetts in-state pricing structure.

Take a few minutes and familiarize yourself with the academic offerings of RIC. Here’s a small preview from their admissions website (http://www.ric.edu/academics/ ):

Rhode Island College offers more than 90 undergraduate and 30 graduate academic programs including a wide range of programs in management, education, nursing, and social work, as well as in the performing and fine arts.

TOEFL Fee Reduction Vouchers

Students that do not speak English as a first language will most likely need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  It has been my experience in Massachusetts that any student with ESL on their transcript or any student that indicates they do not speak English at home needs to submit TOEFL scores.  Some schools may waive this test if students have high SAT/ ACT scores, but not always.  Students need to check with each institution.  Seniors tend to be overwhelmed at the application process and skip over terms they are not familiar with.  This can lead to applications not being reviewed by colleges because until applications are complete (test scores received) they are not read. 

This is an expensive test, $170 in the US.  Unfortunately ETS only uses a fee reduction voucher as opposed to a fee waiver.  This means that ETS will reduce the cost of the test to $85 (which in my opinion is still a hardship for families that qualify for free and reduced lunch).  This is not a simple process and it takes quite a long time for students to receive their vouchers, another barrier to kids in a rush to get completed applications to colleges before the holidays.  This process should be done during the first week of school.  Vouchers are only available to students during their senior year.  In order to get the voucher students and counselors must work together and follow the steps listed below. 

• Counselor must print and fill out the TOEFL Fee Reduction Service Voucher: http://www.ets.org/s/toefl/pdf/toefl_fee_reduction_voucher_request_form.pdf 
• Student must fill out the TOEFL iBT Voucher Request form and return it to the counselor (or mail it directly to ETS) along with the $85 check or money order.
• The link for the country and region codes need for registration can be found at: http://www.nocheating.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/07_08_toefl_ibt_country_region_codes.pdf
• The link for the native language codes needed for registration can be found at: http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/2009-10/iBT_NativeLanguageCodeList.pdf
• Once the student submits their form and payment it may take up to three weeks for students to receive an email containing their ETS identification and voucher numbers. 
• Once they have their ID and Voucher numbers they (or counselor) must call ETS at 1-800-468-6335 and tell the operator that you need to register for the TOEFL with a voucher.  Request the first available testing date.  Student should have a list of their top four schools they would like to send the results to at this time as well.
• If students are applying to more than four schools have them find out which schools require the TOEFL, some institutions may not.
• Finally, if you need some support I was fortunate enough to find an email address last year that was incredibly helpful: TOEFLFeeReduction@ets.org

GEAR UP ACCUPLACER GRANT! by Robert Dais, GEAR UP Massachusetts Director

We are pleased to announce that GEAR UP Massachusetts is the recipient of a competitive grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Education and Research Triangle Institute (RTI), to test and evaluate new learning strategies to help at-risk students who want to attend college after graduation.


As a recipient of the grant, our program is receiving additional funding for a Mathematics intervention for 12th graders in the 2010-’11 school year. This new program, Math Plus will work with 12th graders who have an interest in college but whose scores on Mathematics assessments would place them in remedial education rather than college-level courses upon entry into a college or university.

We believe this initiative is a tremendous opportunity for students at North High School. If successful, more students will start college without the costly remediation that is often a financial barrier to success. The grant will fully fund a mathematics elective course at the high school for GEAR UP students who fit the project criteria and who may require, under new state rules, an individualized plan for success.

Math Plus is based on a successful program at Worcester State University designed to help students move quickly from remedial status in mathematics to eligibility for college credit-bearing coursework. It is designed for students whose scores on the Elementary Algebra Accuplacer would place them in a remedial course in their first year of college. Accuplacer was developed by the College Board and is an assessment given by Massachusetts public institutions to determine whether students can enroll in college-level instruction.

Many students are interested in college, yet a surprising number—even some who pass MCAS— still place into remedial courses in higher education, and studies show that a large share of students in remediation often fail to attain a degree or certificate.

We look forward to partnering with you and welcome your support for this timely initiative.

Schedule your placement test at QCC Today!

Going to Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) this fall?  You won't be alone!  The student enrollment numbers are through the roof.  You must take the Accuplacer (computer placement test, CPT) before you can register for classes.  Follow these easy steps and register ASAP!

How to Schedule an Accuplacer Test at QCC

• Go to http://www.qcc.edu/

• Click “Register for a class” (at bottom of middle part of page).
• Click “English and Math placement test” (in blue lettering).
              o Appointment calendar opens

• Click “setup appointment” in box of date you want.

• Click the time you would like to take test. (Tests are offered Monday through Thursday at 9:00, 1:00 and 4:00. On Friday they are offered only at 9:00 and 1:00. Not all times will be available on all days.)

• Follow instructions on page to fill out registration form.

• Click “Submit Appointment”.

On the day of the test you will go to the Administration Building, room B61. Arrive 15 min. before your scheduled time, bring a picture ID, and know your social security number. Expect to spend 2-3 hours testing.

To prepare for the test go to:

www.aims.edu/student/assessment/studyguides/index.html

To schedule an appointment with an academic advisor use the same web site, but click on Schedule Appointment with Academic Advisor instead of “English and Math Placement test” and proceed as before.

Thank you to my colleague Mrs. D'Angelo for compiling this information for our students!

Welcome!

Welcome to our new blog.  We hope this site will keep students and families up to date with the GEAR UP programs at WEMS and NHS.  This is a new tool we are learning to use.  Please let us know if there are specific things you would like to see here and we will do our best to get the content up.

Enjoy the remainder of your summer vacation.  Remember that colleges are open in the summer and tours are available.  Get out there and fall in love with a campus.  Get on mailing lists, request applications, develop a list of colleges and universities that you would like to apply this fall.

Take care and stay safe everyone!