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!