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Staff: Diane Ahlberg and Jody Hansen April 4th, 2017(763) 569-7665 or (763) 569-7627
The CCRC newsletter is provided on a monthly or semi-monthly basis to provide information on activities and events that are helpful to Park Center students and their parents. This publication is also on Park Center’s website (www.district279.org/sec/pcsh (under Academics or under Quick Links at right of home page).
IMPORTANT!!! Attention seniors: When you are asked to indicate your school counselor on college applications note Diane Ahlberg, [email protected], as your counselor. She is the counselor for senior students who need a recommendation letter, Secondary School Report or any other college reference.
FSA Application Tool Shut Off Due to Security Concerns, IRS SaysThe Internal Revenue Service purposefully shut off a key tool for helping students and parents apply for federal student aid, and the tool will continue to be unavailable for "several weeks," government officials confirmed in a statement yesterday. In a joint release, the IRS and the U.S. Department of Education cited security concerns as the reason for suspending the Data Retrieval Tool, which allows students and parents to import tax information directly into their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
You can earn up to $3,000 on Raise.me for taking an AP course and $2,000 in micro-scholarships for doing well on the exam from over 170
partner colleges. Sign up on Raise.Me using this link: https://www.raise.me/join/11524534328
Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)
April 8, 2017June 10, 2017
March 3, 2017May 5, 2017
March 4-17, 2017May 6-19, 2017
TEST FEE PER TEST OPTION:
ACT (No Writing) $42.50 Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are
provided when you register).
ACT Plus Writing $58.50 Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four college choices (if valid codes are
provided when you register). The Writing Test fee is refundable, on written request.
5th & 6th college choice fee is $12 for each school.
Late registration fee is $27.50.
Standby testing is $51 in addition to the basic fee, if you missed registration.
Test date change fee is $25 in addition to the basic fee.
Test center change fee is $25 in addition to the basic fee.
Test information release service is $20.
International testing is $33.
Students need to register on-line at www.actstudent.org
Students receiving free/reduced lunch can have their test fees waived TWICE by bringing a copy of the letter they received from Food Service to the CCRC to receive a waiver. Fee waivers do not include late fees.
Students can register for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests at www.collegeboard.org
Preparing for the ACT Test booklets that include a full length practice test, including the writing test, strategies to prepare for the test and what to expect on test day are available in the CCRC.
You can take free ACT or SAT practice tests online at: www.princetonreview.com/practicetest and at www.mncis.intocareers.org.
Check out the Learning Express Library. There is a test prep resource that is a free resource for Park Center students available through ELM (Electronic Libraries for Minnesota). Here, you can access practice ACT, SAT, AP, TOEFL tests, as well as others.http://www.learningexpresshub.com/productengine/LELIndex.html#/learningexpresslibrary/libraryhome
Chegg offers ACT lessons, quizzes and practice tests. https://test-prep.chegg.com/#/dashboard.
Union Test Prep Free Practice Tests for the ACT: If passing the ACT is standing in the way of getting into the college of your dreams, there is help! A free ACT practice test to help you identify in which areas you are strong and which areas could use a little more work is available at https://uniontestprep.com/act/practice-test. Study only the subjects you are weak in, or dive in and test your skills in all four subject areas - it’s up to you!
News from the NCAA Eligibility Center! FINAL AMATEURISM REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS:
Students enrolling full-time in college in the fall of 2017 may request their final amateurism certification starting April 1st, 2017. This is required for students competing at Division I and II schools.
Students should log in to their Certification Account at eligibilitycenter.org and:
o Review their added sports and answers to Sports questions. o Check their graduation and enrollment dates and update if needed.o Review any open tasks and complete necessary information.
Check out Career Finder. This website makes it easy for students to find popular career expectations for any given degree. Just enter a major to see a visual breakdown of the most popular, highest paying, and fastest growing jobs in a field, as well as the most relevant job listings from 12,000 companies. The results are based on government data from over 2 million respondents representing 360 careers and 148 majors. This free, easy-
to-use tool brings long-term employment data and the latest job postings together to help students find direction when picking a college major. Please take a look!
Are you an animal lover? Consider a career as a Veterinary Technician. Vet techs are the “animal nurses” of animal health care. Most work in small animal hospitals assisting vets, but they also work in biomedical, disaster preparedness or food safety research-related jobs, university hospitals or zoos. If you’re set on a hands-on career working with animals, you should know that Minnesota will experience nearly a 15 percent growth in veterinary technicians from 2014-2024. Strongest long-term projections are in the northeast and central regions of the state. Check out this video on CareerOneStop: Veterinary Technicians.
From Classroom to Real-World: Ultrasound Technician. If you're looking for a career in the health care field, an ultrasound technician is a personally and financially rewarding career choice. Physicians and surgeons rely on ultrasound technicians to provide vital information to help treat and care for patients. The strongest long-term projections are in the seven-county Metro Area. Take a look at this CareerOneStop video on Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. CareerOneStop – one of the 50+ best career websites by Career Sherpa, and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
HOW TO SEND YOUR TRANSCRIPT: For the second year, Osseo School District is offering FREE electronic transcripts for current students. Students needing a transcript should go to www.parchment.com, set up a personal profile using an e-mail address that is not their school apps e-mail address and then request their transcript to be sent electronically. Transcripts will be processed within two school days with the following exceptions – weekends, holidays, during processing of final transcript grades and two days before and three days after trimester end. Former students will be charged a $5.00 processing fee for this service. Note: When putting in your school, put in “Park Center” only and a drop down menu will come up and then choose “Park Center IB World”.
HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPLICANTS…. IMPORTANT TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION
When sending your transcript through Parchment to Hennepin Technical College you must use the following e-mail address as the recipient’s address: [email protected]
Drexel University – Philadelphia, PA Wednesday, April 26th9:30AM
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Thursday, April 27th 8:00AM
Community colleges require freshman students to take the ACCUPLACER if they scored lower than a 21 on the reading part of the ACT, scored lower than an 18 on the English part of the ACT, scored lower than a 22 on the Math part of the ACT, or did not take the ACT at all.
It is important to score high enough to be placed in college English and college math and not a developmental class to get you to college level in each of these. If you are assigned a developmental English or math class in college you have to pay the same as any other credit, but this credit does not go toward your diploma or degree.
There is a free web based practice app for the Accuplacer with sample questions in each subject. Students can use this tool to explore the format and content of the tests, and get immediate explanations for both correct and incorrect answers. Go to https://accuplacerpractice.collegeboard.org/login to download the app.
Attend the North Hennepin Community College Open House on Tuesday, April 18th from 4:00 – 7:00PM to learn more about summer classes or starting college this fall. The Open House is located in the Center for Business and Technology (CBT). Apply for FREE while at the Open House! RSVP today at www.nhcc.edu/OpenHouse.
Students who have applied to North Hennepin Community College will have an opportunity to take the mandatory Accuplacer Test at Park Center on Monday, April 10th. Taking this test at Park Center will allow you to have your application fee waived. Sign up in the CCRC to test on April 10th.
There will be a Law Enforcement Opportunities Career Fair on Wednesday, April 12th from 10:00AM - 3:00PM at the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center at Hennepin Technical College. 35 Agencies will be in attendance. There will be demonstrations from the Crime Lab, Weapons of Mass Destruction Unit, the K-9 Team, Emergency Services Unit and more! Stop by the CCRC for registration information.
Recruiting is now taking place for the next generation of local Law Enforcement Personnel - Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, and for FBI Related Careers. Attend a hands-on workshop on Wednesday, April 26th, from 9:00AM to 12:00PM and feel the thrill of police work. Activities available at this workshop include trying on and inspecting official gear, exploring command vehicles, participating in role play scenarios of a traffic stop, school altercation and more. See officers in action as they demonstrate special weapons and tactics, crisis negotiations, and K-9 skills. More information is available in the CCRC.
Normandale Community College will host a Campus Open House event on Tuesday, April 18th from 5:00 – 7:00PM. Discover why Normandale's combination of low cost, extensive academic offerings and outstanding reputation makes it the best educational value in the Upper Midwest!
Programs covering the following topics will also be offered throughout the evening:
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) 5:15PM Start Here and Transfer Anywhere! - 5:15 and 6:15PM Business & Social Science Programs - 6:15PM Assistance with Filing your FAFSA - 5 - 6:30PM
Refreshments and campus tours will also be offered throughout the evening. Guests will have the opportunity to visit with faculty and staff representing many academic departments and learn about the programs, degrees, support services and the PSEO program. The $20 application fee will be waived for those who apply online at the Open House event.
Attention seniors interested in becoming a carpenter or working in the construction trades: The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC) is hosting a Contractor Hiring Fair Tuesday, April 11th, from 3:30-6:30PM at its training facility in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The NCSRCC Carpenters Union and Training Center is located at 740 Olive Street. The event will feature construction contractors looking to hire new construction workers as well as tours of the carpenter and floor covering training centers. This event will also be a great opportunity for community members to learn more about the Carpenters Union, including information about the various crafts (carpenter, millwright, pile driver, and floor coverer), their apprenticeship
program, wages and benefits, and how to become a member. For more information, visit http://www.northcountrycarpenter.org.
Hennepin Technical College is hosting a Preview Night on their Brooklyn Park campus on Tuesday, April 17th
at 6:30PM. Ignite your potential! Meet faculty and staff, tour the campus, learn about programs and majors and explore financial aid opportunities. Pre-registration is not required. 9000 College View Drive, Brooklyn Park.
The Saint Paul College admissions team would like to share with you the following admission events they have planned for the next coming months. Culinary Arts and Wine – Tuesday, April 25th, Business – Tuesday, May 2nd, Computer Science and Graphics – Tuesday, May 9th, Wellness and Service – Tuesday, June 6th. All sessions start at 6:00PM at Saint Paul College! Free parking will be available. Open house: Wednesday, April 12th, 5:00 – 7:30PM. Free parking will be available and light refreshments will be served. Go to: www.saintpaul.edu/openhouse to learn more.
Hibbing Community College is hosting an open house on Thursday, April 13th from 3:30 to 6:00PM. Faculty, staff and students representing academic programs, admissions, student services, disability services and financial aid will be available to talk about programs and career options. There will also be campus tours, prize drawings and a light dinner for prospective students and families. Visit www.hibbing.edu for more information and to schedule your visit.
Dunwoody College of Technology is hosting several open house events. All open houses are held from 3:00 – 7:00PM. Pick a date that fits your schedule: April 18th, May 9th, June 13th, July 11th and 25th. RSVP at www.Dunwoody.edu.
Interested in St. Kate's University? Spring Spotlight - April 22nd: Half day program for students in any grades. Students will get a campus tour, admission presentation, and hear from student and faculty members about St. Kate's. Schedule your visit at https://www.stkate.edu/admissions/visit/traditional-undergraduate-campus-visit.
Anoka Ramsey Community College will be hosting Latino Information Night on Wednesday, April 19th from 5:00 – 6:00PM. RSVP to Fabiola Diaz at 763-433-1303.
Anoka Ramsey Community College – “Find Your Future Open House” will take place on Wednesday, April 5th from 5:00 – 7:00PM. Learn about career programs, and programs that transfer into four-year degrees, saving you time and money. There are nearly 100 programs to explore! RSVP at www.anokaramsey.edu/visit.
Augustana University is hosting Junior Visit Day on April 7th and 28th. To register for a visit event or to schedule an individual visit go to www.augie.edu/visit.
Dakota County Technical 2017 Spring Open House is on April 5th from 3:00- 7:00PM. DCTC, the Blue Knights, are NJCAA Division II and offer athletic opportunities in men’s soccer, basketball and baseball and women's soccer, basketball and softball. Very popular programs at Dakota County Technical are: Auto Body Collision, Auto Technician, Biomedical Equipment, Brewery and Beer Steward (age 21+), Dental Assistant, Electrical Construction, Electrical Line Worker, HVAC & Refrigeration, Heavy Construction Equipment, Heavy Duty Truck, Medical Assistant, Welding. To review DCTC scholarships go to www.dctc.edu/scholarships.
The University of Wisconsin - River Falls offers College Visit Days on April 7th and 28th. Schedule your visit at www.uwrf.edu/visit.
Minnesota State University - Moorhead invites you to their Preview Days on April 4th & 22nd. Campus Preview Days include a campus tour, student panel, visit with faculty, and a complimentary lunch. Register to attend at https://www.mnstate.edu/visit/#previewday.
Energy ExplorersGreat River Energy participates in the Northern Star Council’s “Exploring and Learning for Life” career program. The purpose of Great River Energy’s program is to provide high school students with information and experience in a variety of career fields possible in the energy industry.
Students will explore technical careers related to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of utility power systems. These include generation, transmission, telecommunications network, and information technology systems.
On Tuesday, April 18th: “Plant Operators & Engineers – Generating plant tour!” Tour a state-of-the-art power generating station and meet the engineers, operators and technicians that keep it running. The presentation runs from 6:30 – 8:00PM at the Great River Energy headquarters, 12300 Elm Creek Blvd in Maple Grove. The first 45 minutes consist of a professional, qualified man or woman talking about their career. The second 45 minutes will include a hands-on activity for students to experience that type of career.
For more information and to register go to http://greatriverenergy.com/company/careers/a-rewarding-career-choice/energy-explorers/.
Discover Interior Design - Dunwoody’s Discover Interior Design Camp is taught by professional designers from the design community and those who teach in our undergraduate program. Participants will study color, materials, architectural drawing, and digital media as well as visit design firms and beautiful spaces around the Twin Cities. June 19-22, 9:00AM – 3:00PM. The cost is $250. Register at http://www.dunwoody.edu/SUMMERCAMP/#two.
First Step Summer Institute at St. Catherine University - Preparing young women of color and/or Indigenous women for higher education, the First Step Summer Institute is a free and unique college immersion experience on the St. Paul campus. In this four day residential program, students gain a deeper sense of commitment to pursue higher education, a strong network of diverse, college-bound friends, a sense of support and encouragement from St. Kate’s staff, faculty and students, more perspective on college living, and ultimately, increased self-esteem about their capacity to apply to and thrive in college. Qualified alumnae of Frist Step who apply and are accepted to St. Kate’s will be considered for scholarships. First Step session dates: June 20th – 22nd, and June 26th – 29th. Apply online at http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/emf/firststep/app, or pick up an application in the CCRC. The application deadline is April 17th.MN Business Venture - Do you have the next great business idea? Do you want to meet people who will help you learn about careers? Are you in high school? Attend Minnesota Business Venture 2016! Learn how to create your own business at BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) program! MBV is a week-long, residential summer program that brings 9-12th grade students together to learn about leadership, business, financial literacy, and career options. Students spend a week on campus at St. Cloud State University – July 9 – 14, or St. John’s University – July 23 – 28, to experience college life firsthand. Resident business leaders, speakers, mock interviewers and other volunteers mentor and guide students through the week’s activities, including creating a business plan in a group, or “company.” Students pay $150 for the week which includes room and board ($200 after April 21, 2017). Applications are accepted on a "first come/first serve" basis. Financial aid is available. For more information on this program and to apply go to http://bestprep.org/programs/minnesota-business-venture/.
The Minnesota Literacy Council is excited to announce an opportunity to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA children’s literacy tutor/mentor this summer with their Summer Reads program.
Summer Reads is a transformative summer of service. It is a great opportunity to give of your time and talents while building your resume, exploring career opportunities in education or youth development, and gaining hands-on experience and professional development.
This could be a great opportunity for college students and high school seniors on summer break.
AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program dedicated to ending poverty. In exchange for full-time volunteer service, Summer VISTA members receive a modest living allowance (about $455 every two weeks pre-tax), a $1,230 Education Award (scholarship for eligible federal student loans or future postsecondary tuition), and training and hands-on experience.
No educational degree required. Participants must be at least 18 years old and a US Citizen, national or permanent legal resident. Language skills in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Karen, or others are a plus.
To apply, visit http://www.mnliteracy.org/americorps-vista, where you'll find more information and links to the MyAmeriCorps applications for each Summer Reads location. Applications are reviewed and positions offered on a rolling basis until filled. Apply now! Final Deadline: April 28 Contact National Service Program Assistant, Bao Vue ([email protected], 651-251-9087) or National Service Coordinator Courtney Zaato ([email protected], 651-251-9151) for more information.
Three Rivers Park District is looking for youth, ages 12 – 18, to volunteer for their Outdoor Rec Youth Crew. It is a fun, hands-on way to gain leadership skills, experience personal growth and develop outdoor recreation skills. Program participants will serve as assistants at our summer camps, guiding young campers in a wide variety of activities. Visit ThreeRiversParks.org for more information.
Are you interested in a summer internship with Three Rivers Park District?
The Pathways Summer Internship program at Three Rivers Park District is looking for students for their internships. Three Rivers Park District is growing its Pathways Summer Internship program. They have 12+ paid internship opportunities available this summer for high school (or early college) students to explore a career in the outdoor/environmental field. Positions occur throughout the park district and pay $9.50-$10.50/hour. They are especially hoping to reach students who might face barriers to employment and/or who might otherwise not consider a career in the outdoors. Applications are available in the CCRC.
Brooklyn Center Summer Employment - Soccer Coaches & Recreation Leaders Needed
Soccer Coach: In need of quality soccer instructors for Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:45 – 8:3PM (working with 3-5 year olds) and Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5:45 – 8:45PM (working with 6-14 year olds). Staff can work two nights a week or all four (ideal).
Summer Recreation Leader: Quality, high energy and creative individuals to work with a variety of camps for youth 6 – 12 years old.
Puppet Playhouse Assistant: Seeking one creative staff member who enjoys acting and would help write weekly scripts.
Centerbrook Golf Course: In need of high school graduates to work customer service in the clubhouse and turf technicians on the greens.
Those interested can apply online at www.cityofbrooklyncenter.org then click on City Jobs at the bottom of the home page
College Admission Glossary: Learn the Lingo Excerpt from BigFuture.collegeboard.org
What’s a transcript? What's the difference between early action and early decision? When applying to college, you are bound to come across unfamiliar terms. This glossary can help you make sense of all the information you’re sorting through.
ACT: A standardized college admission test. It features four main sections: English, math, reading and science — and an optional essay section.
Admission Tests: Also known as college entrance exams, these are tests designed to measure students’ skills and help colleges evaluate how ready students are for college-level work. The ACT and the College Board’s SAT are two standardized admission tests used in the United States. The word "standardized" means that the test measures the same thing in the same way for everyone who takes it. Read more about admission tests.
Articulation Agreement: An agreement between two-year and four-year colleges that makes it easier to transfer credits between them. It spells out which courses count for degree credit and the grades you need to earn to get credit.
Candidates Reply Date Agreement (CRDA): An agreement many colleges follow that gives applicants until May 1 to accept or decline offers of admission. This agreement gives students time to get responses from most of the colleges they have applied to before deciding on one.
Class Rank: A measurement of how your academic achievement compares with that of other students in your grade. This number is usually determined by using a weighted GPA that takes into account both your grades and the difficulty of the courses you’ve taken.
Coalition Application: A standard application form accepted by members of the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. You can use this application to apply to any of the more than 90 colleges and universities that are members of the Coalition.
College Application Essay: An essay that a college requires students to write and submit as part of their application. Some colleges offer applicants specific questions to answer, while others simply ask applicants to write about themselves. Colleges may refer to this as a “personal statement.” Learn more about college application essays.
College Credit: What you get when you successfully complete a college-level course. You need a certain number of credits to graduate with a degree. Colleges may also grant credit for scores on exams, such as those offered by the College Board’s AP Program® and CLEP. Learn more about AP and CLEP.
Common Application: A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are members of the Common Application association. You can fill out this application once and submit it to any one — or several — of the nearly 700 colleges that accept it. Go to the Common Application.
Deferred Admission: Permission from a college that has accepted you to postpone enrolling in the college. The postponement is usually for up to one year.
Early Action (EA): An option to submit your applications before the regular deadlines. When you apply early action, you get admission decisions from colleges earlier than usual. Early action plans are not binding, which means that you do not have to enroll in a college if you are accepted early action. Some colleges have an early action option called EA II, which has a later application deadline than their regular EA plan. Learn more about applying early.
Early Decision (ED): An option to submit an application to your first-choice college before the regular deadline. When you apply early decision, you get an admission decision earlier than usual. Early decision plans are binding. You agree to enroll in the college immediately if admitted and offered a financial aid package that meets your needs. Some colleges have an early decision option called ED II, which has a later application deadline than their regular ED plan. Learn more about applying early.
Financial Aid: Money given or loaned to you to help pay for college. Financial aid can come from federal and state governments, colleges, and private organizations. Learn more about financial aid.
Grade Point Average (GPA): A number that shows overall academic performance. It’s computed by assigning a point value to each grade you earn. See also Weighted Grade Point Average.
Legacy Applicant: A college applicant with a relative (usually a parent or grandparent) who graduated from that college. Some colleges give preference to legacy applicants (also called “legacies”).
Need-Blind Admission: A policy of making admission decisions without considering the financial circumstances of applicants. Colleges that use this policy may not offer enough financial aid to meet a student’s full need.
Open Admission: A policy of accepting any high school graduate, no matter what his or her grades are, until all spaces in the incoming class are filled. Almost all two-year community colleges have an open-admission policy. However, a college with a general open-admission policy may have admission requirements for certain programs.
Placement Tests: Tests, like the Accuplacer, that measure the academic skills needed for college-level work. They cover reading, writing, math and sometimes other subjects. Placement test results help determine what courses you are ready for and whether you would benefit from remedial classes. Read more about placement tests.
Priority Date or Deadline: The date by which your application — whether it’s for college admission, student housing or financial aid — must be received to be given the strongest consideration.
Registrar: The college official who registers students. The registrar may also be responsible for keeping permanent records and maintaining your student file.
Rolling Admission: An admission policy of considering each application as soon as all required information (such as high school records and test scores) has been received, rather than setting an application deadline and reviewing applications in a batch. Colleges that use a rolling admission policy usually notify applicants of admission decisions quickly.
Sophomore Standing: The status of a second-year student. A college may grant sophomore standing to an incoming freshman if he or she has earned college credits through courses, exams or other programs.
Transcript: The official record of your course work at a school or college. Your high school transcript is usually required for college admission and for some financial aid packages.
Transfer Student: A student who enrolls in a college after having attended another college.
Undergraduate: A college student who is working toward an associate (two-year) or a bachelor's (four-year) degree.
Universal College Application: A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are Universal College Application members. You can fill out this application once and submit it to any one — or several — of the more than 3,044 colleges that accept it. Go to the Universal College Application.
Waiting List: The list of applicants who may be admitted to a college if space becomes available. Colleges wait to hear if all the students they accepted decide to attend. If students don’t enroll and there are empty spots, a college may fill them with students who are on the waiting list. Learn more about waiting lists.
Weighted Grade Point Average (GPA): A grade point average that is calculated using a system that assigns a higher point value to grades in more-difficult classes. For example, some high schools assign the value of 5.0 (instead of the standard 4.0) for an A earned in an AP class.
NOTE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS: The CCRC publishes the Scholarship Bulletin and Newsletter approximately every two weeks. The Scholarship Bulletin lists all the scholarships that we have received information on, including scholarships that are offered by local organizations which are available to residents of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center or students who attend a District 279 school. Because these programs have restricted criteria, there is less competition and better “odds” for the student to be awarded scholarship monies. The CCRC Newsletter has information on events that are occurring in the area, testing information, and special programs that are being offered at Park Center PLUS helpful “Tidbits from the CCRC Staff”. These publications are distributed to the students’ advisory classes and are published on Park Center’s web site. If students and/or parents would like to have a copy of the Scholarship Bulletin (12th grade) and/or the Newsletter (all grade levels) sent directly to their e-mail, we are asking that you send a request to Jody Hansen at [email protected] and we will add you to our distribution list.
