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Scholarship Office Newsletter
Also online at
www.freedomprep.net/counseling
Soaring to
New Heights
April 2015
In This Issue:
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College Admission Tests: ACT and SAT
Prepare NOW for College by Grade
Special Opportunities to Experience College This Summer
April Scholarship Deadlines
Community Service
Resumes
Personal Essay
Sample College Application Essay
Sample College Application Essay Critique
Office hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:00am – 1:00pm. No Appointment necessary. The
office is available during advisory, lunch, and before or after school. Please take advantage of the
free information and resources available to you! As a student, your job is to achieve academic
success, get accepted to the school of your choice, and receive as much higher education financial
aid as possible! The Scholarship Office is here to help in the process.
Diane Skousen, MSW
dskousen@freedomprep.net
COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTS – ACT & SAT
 Juniors – You should take the ACT or SAT spring/early summer 2015, if
you are planning to attend a four-year college/university and then plan to
retake the test(s) in the fall semester of senior year to attempt higher scores
that may help you acquire merit scholarships, etc.
 ACT/SAT fee waivers are available for students on free/reduced lunch
status. See Mr. Powers in the Counseling Office for the necessary forms.
 Freedom Preparatory Academy “School Code” is 450339
 Register online and watch test dates and registration deadlines carefully!
ACT Registration @ www.actstudent.org/start
SAT registration @ www.sat.collegeboard.org
Test dates remaining for 2014/2015 school year
SAT
ACT
Test Date
Registration
Deadline
May 2, 2015
June 6, 2015
April 6, 2015
May 8, 2015
Test Date
March 3, 2015
April 18, 2015
June 13, 2015
Registration
Deadline
March 13, 2015
May 8, 2015
Where to find practice tests for PSAT, SAT, and ACT?
 Check out PSAT, SAT and ACT material from the Counseling Office.
 “Practice Test” websites
http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-practice-test
www.princtonreview.com
www.actstudent.org/testprep/
www.Number2.com
www.kaptest.com
SAT
Basic Fee: $52.50, Basic Subject Tests $26.00+
Perfect Score = 2400
All scores reported ot colleges
Tests critical thinking and problem solving
Tests vocabulary/much more than ACT
Is not entirely multiple choice
Has a guessing penalty
Writing essay section Mandatory (25 Minutes)
Math = Arithmetic, Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry
ACT
Basic Fee: $38.00, plus writing $54.50
Perfect Score = 36
Students choose best score to report to colleges
Content based test
Four-section exam:
English/Math/Reading/Science Reasoning
Tests English Grammar
Has no guessing penalty
Writing essay section Optional (30 Minutes)
additional $16.00
Math = Pre/Int. Algebra, Coord./Plane Geometry,
Trigonometry
Prepare NOW For College
7th Grade:
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8th Grade:
Focus on academics
Practice writing essays
Save money
Get to know the
Counseling Office and
Scholarship Office
personnel
9th Grade:
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Consider the Utah Scholars Achieve to Succeed
program (www.utahscholars.org)
Focus on academics
Get involved outside of the classroom – sports, arts,
music, community service, Boy Scouts, etc.
Plan your 9th grade schedule to be the foundation for
high school. This is the beginning of your future!
Register for the most challenging classes you can
handle!
10th Grade:
Be concerned with GPA! These grades
count! This year sets the foundation for
what your higher education options are.
Get involved in school clubs, activities,
athletics and/or community service.
Keep a file of awards and recognitions –
school, community, religious, Boy Scouts of
America, Girl Scouts, etc.
Set up an appointment with the Counseling
Office to make sure you are meeting
graduation requirements and college
requirements.
Update your resume.
Start your list of college options – should
include 20+ choices! Dream Big, Work
Hard!
th
Plan your 10 grade schedule to take the
most challenging courses you can handle.
Interested in Sterling Scholar or Regency
Scholarship? Begin now on your portfolio.
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Take the most challenging courses you
can handle!
Stay involved in clubs, sports, or
community service. Try something new!
Considering an East Coast College?
Take the PSAT. This test will help you
begin to explore and plan your college
career options.
Meet with the Counseling Office to select
the best courses for you to take in 11th
grade. Are you meeting the College
entrance requirements?
Continue compiling your list of awards
and achievements.
Update your resume.
Apply for Scholarships.
Narrow your list of colleges to 15-18.
11th grade:
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Junior year is critical! Not only should you continue to take challenging courses, make good grades, and be
involved outside of the classroom, this is also the year to attend college fairs, schedule campus tours, and
continue your scholarship search.
Apply for Utah Girls State or Utah Boys State summer programs, sponsored by the American Legion
Take the ACT at least two times this year. Pay attention to registration deadlines.
Take the SAT if your college of choice requires this test.
Narrow your list to 6 – 10 colleges that interest you. Meet with the Scholarship Office to help in this selection.
Update your Resume.
Attend College Fairs and hand off your resume to recruiters.
Update your file of awards and achievements.
Prepare NOW For College
Special Opportunities:
WEST POINT SUMMER LEADERS SEMINAR… SLE gives high school juniors a week to
experience life as a cadet to inform their college selection decision. SLE is a fast-paced
program of academic classes, military training, physical fitness training and intramural athletics
conducted during the month of June each year. There are two sessions. Applicants apply
once to compete for both sessions and are given the opportunity to state a preference session:
Session 1 = May 30 – June 5 or Session 2 = June 6 to 12. Acceptance is competitive and
admission is on a rolling basis and acceptance letters go out as soon as early April, so don’t
delay applying. Apply @: http://westpoint.edu/admissions/SitePages/Summer.aspx. The cost
is $400 plus transportation to and from West Point. The application deadline is April 1.
US NAVAL ACADEMY SUMMER STEM CAMP...is designed to spark and cultivate interest in
the many academic disciplines which make up scicnec, technology, engineering, and
mathemateics. A hands-on, design-based program, Naval Academy Summer STEM will
challenge students to think scientifically, problem-solve creatively, and work cooperatively in
teams. Open to rising 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, Summer STEM is led by USNA faculty and
currently enrolled midshipmen and is a great fit for students looking to broaden their
understanding of STEM study and careers.
http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/STEM/STEMBrochure.pdf
DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2015
CORNELL UNIVERSITY SUMMER PROGRAMS… Experience college life at an Ivy League
university, and make friends form more than 40 countries around the world. There are 3- and
6-week programs including Architecture/Art, Business, Engineering, Law/Government,
Medicine Research and Science, Sustainability, Veterinary Medicine and more. Visit:
www.summercollege.cornell.edu.
DUKE UNIVERSITY SUMMER ACADEMY…is a three-week, non-credit-bearing program that
attracts students who represent the next generation of leaders from around the world.
Students immerse themselves in an environment to gain a global perspective on multiple areas
of interest for young leaders. For more information, visit: http://summersession.duke.edu/highschool-students/duk-summer-academy.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING/SUMMER ACADEMY…consists
of two types of programs. The Interdisciplinary Programs cut across all majors in the U. A.
college of Engineering to give students a glimipse of the infinite possibilities in engineering.
The Major Focused Progrmas are designed to give students the opportunity to explore a few
engineering majors at a deeper level. The programs offered are structured to represent
different themes in the engineering world: The Physical World, The Environment and
Bioengineering, Engineering New Technology, and Urban Engineering Systems. For dates,
costs, scholarships to cover fees, and application steps, visit:
http://dev.engr.arizona.edu/furture/sea. The deadline is May 8.
CARNEGIE MELLON SUMMER PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS...applications are available to
students who will be Juniors or Seniors this summer. Programs include Advanced
Placement/Early Admission (AP/EA), Architecture, Art & Design, Drama, Music, and National
High School Game Academy. The programs will show what life at Carnegie Mellon is all aout
and attendees will meet people from all over the world, be inspired by world-renouwned
faculty, take part in the excitement of campus and have the opportunity to explore the city of
Pittsburgh. The on-line application deadline is May 1 and the website is:
https://admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/pre-college
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY/ST. LOUIS SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM…Explore
careers and majors in medicine, writing, engineering, leadership, and more. Get an early
experience of college life while takng two undergraduate courses. The on-line application
deadline is May 1 (session A), June 15 (Session B) and the website is:
http://summerexperiences.wustl.edu/hssp-app
EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY SUMMER PROGRAMS… The Prescott,
Arizona campus is offering camps in Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Discovery, Security
Intelligence, Flight Exploration Computer/Electrical/Software Engineering and more. Visit
www.prescott.erau.edu/summer.
BOSTON COLLEGE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM…The world needs more makers and more
doers, more thinkers and more learners. That's why we created the Boston College
Experience, a residential college program designed to immerse qualified rising high school
seniors in BC's richly diverse community during the summer. This six-week program offers
college credit in math, writing, or interdisciplinary courses. On-line applications are due April
15 and can be viewed at http://www.bc.edu/schools/summer/bce/
SCHOLARSHIPS
American College Foundation Visionary Scholarship: http://www.americancollegefoundation.org/
This foundation offers multiple awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. All applications must consist of
the scholarship application, most recent transcript, and a 500-word essay on: “Why College is Important
to Me.” Financial need is not considered; all income levels may apply.
Deadline: April 1, 2015
Zions Pays for A’s: https://www.zionsbank.com/in-our-community/pays-for-as.jsp
Bring your report card to any Zions Bank Financial Center. Must have a parent or guardian
with you. You will receive $1.00 for every “A” (A- does not count) into a Zions Bank student
saving account. You will receive .50 cents cash if you do not have an account. Your name will
be entered in for a $1000.00 scholarship drawing. Drawings are held three-times each school
year.
DEADLINE: ONGOING, Drawing deadline April 3
VSA Playwright Discovery Award: https://www.collegegreenlight.com/scholarship/listings/VSAPlaywright-Discovery-Award/-s-d-2420/?sortBy=d&reverse=false
Applicants are invited to take a closer look at the world around them, examine how disability
affects their lives and the lives of others, and express their views through the art of playwriting.
Applicants must submit a one-act play script on the subject of disability; entries may be the
work of an individual student or a collaboration by a group or class of students. Playwrights
can write from their own experience or about an experience in the life of another person or a
fictional character. Young playwrights with and without disabilities are encouraged to submit a
script. The five award recipients receive a $1,000 cash award and a trip to Washington, DC
over Labor Day weekend to participate in workshops and view a reading of their work on
stage.
Deadline: April 13
Signet Essay Contest: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/services-academic/essayhome.html
The 19th annual contest offers five $1,000 awards to students between the ages of 16 to 18. Winners
also receive a Signet Classics library for their school. Students enter by writing an essay on one of the
six topics chosen for this year’s competition book, Pygmalion and My Fair Lady. Four copies of
the essays must be mailed by an English teacher (each English teacher may submit only one junior
and one senior essay) on behalf of the students, along with a cover letter on school letterhead. For
more specific information for both students and English teachers, visit the website.
Deadline: April 14, 2015
Boys State – American Legion: See Mr. Powers in the Counseling Office for Information
Junior boys with leadership, good character, citizen of the United States. Judged on written
application and oral interview. One week conference in June at Weber State University.
Deadline: April 15, 2015
College JumpStart Scholarship: http://www.jumpstart-scholarship.net/
The main requirement is that you are committed to going to school and can express your goals
for getting a higher education.
Deadline: April 15
Women in Leadership Scholarship: https://utahwomeninleadership.wufoo.com/forms/womenin-leadership-scholarship-application/
DEADLINE: 17 APRIL 2015
The Jiffy Lube “Your Turn Behind the Wheel” Scholarship: http://yourturn2apply.com/utah.htm
Students between the ages of 15-17 currently attending high school and are currently enrolled in a driver’s
education program either in the private sector or in Utah’s public high schools for the 2014-2015 school year.
Simply write a 500-word typed essay about what drives you now – your goals, drive, ambition
– your future.
One (1) overall winner of a $5,000 scholarship award One (1) runner-up winner of a $1,500 scholarship award
DEADLINE: APRIL 24
Ayn Rand Fountainhead Scholarship: https://www.aynrand.org/students/essaycontests#overview
Have you read one of Ayn Rand’s thought-provoking novels? Now’s the time! Enter an
Ayn Rand Institute essay contest for your chance to win thousands of dollars in cash
prizes. Deadline: April 26, 2015
All About Education Scholarship: https://www.scholarshipexperts.com/scholarships/ourscholarships/all-about-education-scholarship
It’s often been said that “education is the key to success.” What doors could your
educational “key” open? It’s not cheap to get a college degree, and many college-bound
students see a shut door for education. We’re here to help open it again.
Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the question:
“How will a $3,000 scholarship for education make a difference in your life?”
DEADLINE: 30 APRIL 2015
Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity:
http://www.rbffoundation.org/scholarship.html
This scholarship is not a traditional scholarship focused on rewarding academic achievement
and financial need. Its specific goal is to reward and encourage innovative and creative
problem solving. The scholarship aims to honor students who excel as creative problemsolvers and to help make their higher education goals more accessible.
Deadline: April 30
The Nordstrom Scholarship: https://nordstrom.scholarsapply.org/
Every year since 1994, Nordstrom has awarded college scholarships of $10,000 to hardworking high school
students with dreams of a higher education. Paid out to scholars in equal installments of $2,500 over four years
to attend the 4- year university/college of their choice, Nordstrom Scholarships give bright, deserving kids the
help they need to achieve their goals. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement,
awards/honors, leadership, school activities, community/volunteer activities, financial and employment history.
Awards are granted without regard to race, creed, color, religion, gender, or national origin
DEADLINE: MAY 1, 5:00PM CENTRAL TIME
Comeback Clothes: https://www.dosomething.org/campaigns/comebackclothes?source=campaigns
11.1 million tons of recyclable clothing, shoes, and other textiles end up in landfills every year.
That's the equivalent of 70 billion T-shirts! Sign up for facts on recycling and tips on keeping
clothes out of landfills. You'll also receive a digital action kit to run the best drive ever. Plus,
learn how you could win money for college or to start a green initiative at your school.
Deadline: May 31
COMMUNITY SERVICE—VOLUNTEERING
Attention all grade level students—Volunteer!! Many colleges and
scholarship donors require applicants to be involved in community service.
Start early so you are not trying to play “catch up” in your senior year when
you will also be focusing on scholarship and college applications.
 Wondering where to volunteer?
o Check your city web-site under volunteer opportunities
o Your local library
o Church offers many volunteer opportunities
o Scouting programs offer many volunteer opportunities
o Parks and Recreation programs
o Freedom Preparatory Academy has volunteer opportunities
RESUMES
Update your resume! Your resume is required for:
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Your personal profile
Letters of recommendation from administrators, teachers, and/or counselors (must be
attached to request form)
Many scholarships
Some job applications and/or interviews
College recruiters
PERSONAL STATEMENT/COLLEGE
ADMISSIONS ESSAY…Essays are an integral part of most scholarship
applications and are also required for admission to many colleges and universities. The Scholarship
Office is available to assist you with this process or check out these websites:
http://www.stepuputah.com/; https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays;
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/essays.phtml; http://www.fastweb.com/college-search/articles/4029-writing-theperfect-admissions-essay
Sample College Application Essay
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
You Be The Judge! Read the following application essay. See if you can figure
out this essay's strengths and weaknesses. Then keep reading to see the “Big
Future - College Board” critique.
From the time I was able to realize what a university was, all I heard from my mother's side of the
family was about the University of Michigan and the great heritage it has. Many a Saturday afternoon
my grandfather would devote to me, by sitting me down in front of the television and reminiscing
about the University of Michigan while halftime occurred during a Michigan Wolverines football game.
Later, as I grew older and universities took on greater meaning, my mother and uncle, both alumni of
the University of Michigan, took me to see their old stamping grounds. From first sight, the university
looked frightening because of its size, but with such a large school comes diversity of people and of
academic and non-academic events.
In Springfield High School, non-academic clubs such as the Future Physicians and the Pylon, both of
which I have belonged to for two years, give me an opportunity to see both the business world and
the medical world. These two clubs have given me a greater sense of what these careers may be
like. In Future Physicians, I participated in field trips to children's hospitals and also participated in two
blood banks.
Currently I hold a job at Maas Brothers. This lets me interact with people outside my own immediate
environment. I meet different kinds of people, in diffrent moods, with different attitudes, and with
different values. This job teaches me to be patient with people, to have responsibility, and to
appreciate people for what they are.
In the community I am active in my church Youth Group. As a high school sophomore, I was our
church's representative to the Diocesan Youth Fellowship. I helped organize youth group events, the
largest being "The Bishop's Ball," a state-wide event for 300 young people. I also played high school
junior varsity soccer for two years. As a senior I will be playing varsity soccer, but in the off-season.
As a junior I coached a girls' soccer team for the town. This gave me a great deal of responsibility
because the care of twenty-four girls was put into my custody. It felt very satisfying to pass on the
knowledge of soccer to another generation. The girls played teams from other parts of Florida.
Though their record was 3-8, the girls enjoyed their season. This is what I taught them was the
greatest joy of soccer.
The past three years of my life have given me greater visions of my future. I see the University of
Michigan as holding a large book with many unread chapters and myself as an eager child who has
just learned to read. I intend to read and probe into all the chapters. The University of Michigan offers
me more than the great reputation of this fine school, but a large student body with diverse likes and
dislikes, and many activities, both academic and non-academic, to participate in. With the help of the
University of Michigan, I will be successful after college and be able to make a name and place for
myself in our society.
The Critique …Admission officials consider how you write your essay, not just what you write about.
Try to critique your own essays in the same way this sample essay is critiqued in the following
sample.
Sample College Application Essay (critique)
The Introduction
The introduction seems to have a lack of focus: Where's the writer going with this paragraph?
Where's the writer going with this essay? Also, the writer needs to tighten the phrasing (e.g., "while
halftime occurred" to "at halftime" or "From first sight" to "Immediately").
The Body
There is a very abrupt transition from the first paragraph to the second: How did we get from
Michigan's diversity to the writer's clubs? The second paragraph also includes general statements
with little evidence: How did these activities reveal career paths?
Can the writer be more specific? What does "participated in two blood banks" mean? Did he drive
volunteers from across town, sign people in all day on three Saturdays every month except August or
spend 15 minutes one Thursday afternoon in the nurse's office giving blood?
In the third paragraph, we have to ask: What does the writer do at Maas Brothers? "Interact" needs
definition. What here shows that the writer has thought about the time spent at Maas Brothers? Also
in this paragraph, there is a misspelling of different ("different"): The writer did not proofread
thoroughly.
The information in the fourth paragraph (as well as the previous two paragraphs) appears elsewhere
in the application. Essays that simply run down your accomplishments don't add to your application.
And does the reader need to know that "the girls played teams from other parts of Florida"?
The writer would be better off focusing on one of the things discussed in this essay, such as working
with the girls' soccer team. What he did to make Jennifer and Gretchen and Courtney enjoy soccer
even though they won only three of their games would be more vivid and focused than a lot of talk
about passing things on to future generations.
The Conclusion
The conclusion returns to the earlier idea of diversity at Michigan, but this idea was not developed in
the body of the essay. It's not necessary to mention "the great reputation of this fine school." Instead,
the writer should give specific, programmatic reasons Michigan offers the kind of education he needs.
Overall
This essay seems full of information and demonstrates basic essay organization, but it lacks focus
and proof. The reader gets a laundry list of activities rather than a clear sense of who the writer is and
what he cares and thinks about.
The writer also repeats some phrases. He mentions the “University of Michigan” six times and
repeats “academic and non-academic” twice.
Adapted from The College Application Essay by Sarah Myers McGinty.
Visit the website for more essay writing tips @
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/