In the News…
Newsletter: December 1, 2021
December 1, 2021
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We will host our fourth meeting of the 2021-22 school year from 10:00 am to Noon on Saturday, December 11, 2021. Our guest speaker will be Stephanie Gonzalez, former Williams College Associate Director of Admissions and current Associate Director of College Counseling for Trinity School in New York. I first met Stephanie while accompanying cohort alumna Kimberly Hadaway to the Williams College First Generation Students Weekend in 2017. Stephanie has been an outspoken advocate for first generation and marginalized students successfully navigating selective college admissions. Steph will provide insight into competitive college admissions; how students of color and those from lower-income families can make themselves competitive applicants for selective colleges and universities; how applications are evaluated; and the impact of essays and recommendation letters.
Congratulations to the following students whose presentations were nominated for our College Cohort Presentation Award for November:
Newsletter: November 1, 2021
November 1, 2021
November 1, 2021
Mychal Wynn (Northeastern ’79)
We will miss you Dr. Bobby…
Khoi Hammonds, one of our students from Trinity, Alabama, lost her grandfather, Dr. Bobby Griffin on October 30, 2021. We met Khoi through her grandfather, who lived in Atlanta, Georgia and whom we fondly referred to as Dr. Bobby. Many of the families, who have become part of our cohort family, were introduced to us via a friend, relative, neighbor, or co-worker. Dr. Bobby was a co-worker of Ms. Kim Pope, a longtime friend and church member, whose son Darrin was one of the many students with whom we worked while serving as Education Ministry Leaders at Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia. Subsequently, Dr. Bobby introduced us to his extraordinarily talented granddaughter, Khoi. While we only recently met Khoi and her family, we feel a part of their family and share in their grief knowing there will be an empty seat at this year’s Thanksgiving gathering. However, we are comforted by our faith knowing that Dr. Bobby is looking down from Heaven and will be celebrating each college acceptance received by his granddaughter as we do our best to continue to assist her in the road ahead. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Griffin and Hammonds families.
November 1 Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) Deadlines
Many students will be applying to college today via Early Action or Early Decision. Despite our encouraging students to choose their admissions cycles and begin working on their college essays last June, many students will be under tremendous stress today as they rush to finalize their Common Application essay and writing prompts. We are here to support you and won’t even say, “We told you so!”
But what is the difference between applying to college via Early Action versus Early Decision?
- Early Action (EA): A college admissions cycle through which applications receive “Early” consideration. Many colleges require students to apply via Early Action to be considered for their full range of institutional scholarships like the Stamps Scholars Program. Other colleges require students to apply via Early Action for priority consideration for their Honors Program, like Florida State University, North Carolina A&T State University, University of South Carolina – Columbia, and the University of Maryland – Baltimore County. Some schools, like UMBC, require an Early Action application to be considered for their wide range of specialized programs and scholarships like the Cyber Scholars, Center for Women in Technology, Humanities Scholars, Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars, Linehan Artist Scholars, Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars, and the prestigious Meyerhoff Scholars.
- Early Decision (ED): A college admissions cycle, like Early Action, through which applications receive “Early” decisions. However, unlike Early Action, Early Decision is a binding contract in which you agree to enroll if you are offered admission. Early Decision should only be used by students who have a clear top college choice; have thoroughly researched the college’s financial aid policy; believe themselves to a good academic match for the college’s programs and majors; and who are committed to enrolling should they be offered admission. Many of our students applying to highly selective schools have chosen to apply via Early Decision. For even the most academically accomplished student, Early Decision can be their best opportunity for being offered admission to a highly selective school.
No matter which admissions cycle a student chooses, they will benefit greatly from a well written Common Application essay and writing responses that provide a context for their overall application and makes a strong case as to why they are a good fit for the school and deserving of being offered admission.
Thank you…
Thank you to University of Chicago student and college intern, Sydney Soskin, who has agreed to serve as the advisor to our youth leadership board and who served as the moderator for our Pinellas County Schools Title I Parent Presentation for rising middle school students. Thank you also to our youth leadership board members, Jocelyne L., Josiah W., and Anna N., who did an outstanding job on our student panel. Thank you to Ellen Truskowski, Pinellas County Schools Director of Student Demographics, Assignment, and School Capacity for her presentation regarding school choice. We are excited to expand the Pinellas County Schools – school choice conversation at our meeting in January when we hope to have a panel of middle school principals and a parent panel.
Thank you to Songhai Deveaux, who coordinated two wonderful college planning sessions for Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hopefully, their church members were inspired to begin a Friendship Missionary Baptist Church College Planning Cohort.
Thank you to all of the students who have demonstrated grit and worked through the September, October, and November activities. As a result of your efforts, our discussion groups have stabilized with groups of self-motivated students who are “Owning the Process” and submitting high quality work and engaging in thoughtful and deliberate monthly discussions.
Thank you to Allyson Terry, from the University of Georgia, who was the guest speaker at our October cohort meeting. Ms. Terry provided invaluable insight into selective college admissions in general, and into the admissions process at UGA in particular. Even as a public university, the University of Georgia admissions data provides a clear example of why students must enter high school “Owning the Process” and setting clear academic goals aligned with their college and career aspirations.
Saturday, November 13, 2021
November College Planning Cohort Meeting
We will host our third meeting of the 2021-22 school year at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 13, 2021. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Yen Duong, Mathematician, Writer, and Feminist. I first met Dr. Duong while serving as a moderator for the webinar, The Hidden Norms: Navigating the Obstructive Rules in the Mathematical Sciences. I was fascinated by Dr. Duong’s non-traditional career pathways in STEM.
Dr. Duong graduated from the Troy High School IB Program in Fullerton, California, is a graduate of Yale, and has a PhD from the University of Illinois in Chicago. She will be providing insight into selective college admissions, nontraditional STEM pathways, and unique opportunities for women and students of color. Dr. Duong has been a guest speaker at the University of Chicago Women in Mathematics Symposium, UNC Chapel Hill Science Writing and Communications Club, and Davidson Math/Computer Science Coffee Series.
In addition to Dr. Duong, our November cohort meeting will provide students with the opportunity to share the results of their Myers-Briggs Personality Type assessment and Interest Profile. Through the personality type assessment, students are able to plan their involvement in high school clubs and activities in a manner through which they continue to pursue exceptionality through activities for which their personality is the best fit. The Interest Profile is a good instrument for exposing students to careers aligned with their interest. Together, the two assessments guide students through the process of assessing if previously affirmed career aspirations are consistent with their personality type and interest profile, or, if other types of careers which may not have previously been under consideration, are more suited to who they are and what they enjoy doing. This is why we believe Dr. Duong to be the perfect speaker, who has discovered pathways merging her personality with her interest in STEM.
College Cohort Presentation Award Goes To…
College Planning Cohort Presentation Award: Awarded to one student in our 9th – 10th grade cohort and one student in our 11th grade cohort each month based on the quality and content of their narratives, and the creativity presented in their monthly slide presentation. To qualify for consideration, students must have completed and submitted all monthly presentations. One student presentation will be voted on and selected in each discussion group.
Congratulations to the following students whose presentations were nominated for our College Cohort Presentation Award for October:
9th – 10th Grade Cohort:
- Bryce E. – ASA Guide Right Cohort
- Griffin S. – Pinellas County Schools Cohort
- Jocelyne L. – Pinellas County Schools Cohort
- Nishan W. – ASA Guide Right Cohort
Jocelyne L., a 9th grader from the St. Petersburg High School IB Program in St. Petersburg, Florida is the recipient of the October 9th – 10th Grade College Planning Cohort Presentation Award. Jocelyne notes in her response to the question, “What has become clearer to me?”
“Through this module, I became more aware of the complexity of my gifts and talents, which areas I need to work on, and the goals I need to set for the future—strengthening my gifts and overcoming my weaknesses. I understand where and how I can improve and progress as well as the steps I need to complete. By creating a detailed plan, I now have a clearer view of how to maximize the opportunities available at my high school and my overall high school experience.”
11th Grade Cohort:
- Jayla J. – Florence County School District 3 Cohort
- Wa’Dasja H. – Pinellas County Schools Cohort
Jayla J., an 11th grader from Lake City Early College High School in Lake City, South Carolina is the recipient of the October 11th Grade College Planning Cohort Presentation Award. Jayla notes in her response to the question, “What has become clearer to me?”
“My gifts and talents are something I am constantly working on to improve. While I know what my strengths are, there are still things that I can do to become even better. I chose to focus on the verbal/linguistic and musical/rhythmic intelligences because those are the intelligences I believe to best represent my passions and in which I am most gifted.
I will continue developing my gifts to create a strong body of work and further become a competitive college applicant.”
Each of these presentations has been inserted into the final unit for October. Please refer to them as an example to guide your efforts as you update your November presentations and develop your December presentations. While presentations are due by the final day of each month to qualify for being assigned to a discussion group, you have nearly two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to update your presentation.
Cohort Students – 11:59 pm Deadline
Narrative responses and monthly presentations are due by 11:59 pm on the final day of each month. This allows discussion group leaders and interns the opportunity to review and comment on each student’s presentation. Modules open on the day of our monthly meetings to allow students an entire month to prepare their presentations, i.e., students will have access to December’s Module on Saturday, November 13, 2021, the day of our November cohort meeting.
Florence School District 3
Florence School District 3 Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Laura Hickson, is ensuring that her students have every opportunity to develop a comprehensive college-bound plan. Her 2021-22 initiatives include supporting college readiness through the Writing Center and college planning through the Florence School District 3 College Planning Cohort. Click here to view the district’s College Planning Cohort video.
- Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: The all-virtual Writing Center for any FSD3 students in grades k – 12 is open. Any student, or parent, in the district can bring their homework, test preparation, or essays for review and support. High school seniors can receive guidance and editorial review of their college and scholarship essays and communication with college admissions and financial aid officers. Students should register with their counselor. Click here to attend…
- Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: The all-virtual College Planning Cohort sessions are offered to all FSD3 high school students in grades 9 – 12. Students receive hands-on instruction in completing the monthly units and engage in discussions about the activities in the curriculum and opportunities in their local community to pursue leadership and service aligned with their gifts, talents, and college/career aspirations. Interested students should contact Ms. Kendra Wilson in the Guidance Office. Click here to attend…
Mark Your Calendar
- Tuesday, November 30, 2021 (11:59 pm): December presentations due.
- Wednesday, December 1, 2021: Next round of Early Action and Early Decision College Application Deadlines.
- Saturday, December 11, 2021 (10:00 am – Noon): Our December Cohort Meeting. Stephanie Gonzalez, former Associate Director of Admissions for Diversity Recruitment at Williams College and the current Associate Director of College Counselors at the Trinity School will be our guest speaker. Ms. Gonzalez will provide a further context for pursuing exceptionality and the many ways in which students can position themselves as exceptional college applicants. The Meeting ID is: 884 7893 8939.
Reminder: Be sure to check your email as we regularly forward emails regarding summer programs, college fairs, and pre-college opportunities.
Click here to learn more about our cohorts and other programs…
Nationally Recognized | 2020 Magna Award First Place Winner | National School Boards Association.
Newsletter: October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021
Mychal Wynn (Northeastern ’79)
A Word About Test Scores…
Many high school seniors continue to experience anxiety over test scores despite nearly 2,000 colleges not requiring the submission of test scores! While students may have a cause for concern if their scores do not meet the qualifying criteria for being awarded state scholarships, or qualifying for merit-based institutional scholarships, high school seniors who continue relentlessly retesting in an attempt to raise scores, are failing to consider the inherent distraction of such a pursuit from focusing on their college admissions strategy, i.e., leadership, service, community impact, essays, and writing supplements.
Students in grades 9 – 11, now is the time to incorporate test preparation strategies into the context of your every day schooling, so that you have the opportunity to earn National Merit Scholarship qualifying scores on the 11th grade PSAT and score above the 90th percentile on SAT testing (1350) or ACT testing (29) by June of your junior year of high school.
Commit to Either the SAT or ACT
Since all colleges and scholarship providers will accept either SAT or ACT exam scores, there is no need to continuously take both exams. Take a full length practice test of each exam and review your wrong answers with your teachers. Determine which exam, based on your high school curriculum and the exam that your state supports, and choose a single exam to focus your test taking preparation and strategies throughout high school. After taking your first exam and receiving your score report (see below), meet with each of your subject-area teachers to discuss your wrong answers. Following are salient questions:
- When was the information taught, or when will it be taught?
- Once I understand the information, what can I do to ensure that I can successfully answer such questions in the future?
Beyond meeting with your teachers, incorporate or use the information, whenever possible, as part of your normal coursework. Maintain a subject-area composition notebook of major concepts and problem-solving strategies so that you can regularly review and solve problems throughout high school. By using the grammar, language, vocabulary, and problem-solving strategies as part of your day-to-day approach to schooling, you will be well prepared by your junior year of high school to do well on the PSAT and on your test of choice (i.e., SAT or ACT). An added benefit will be taking your composition notebooks with you as you enter college as reference sources for your college classes.
Saturday, October 2, 2021
FAFSA Completion Session
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by all colleges for students applying for financial aid. The FAFSA filing period opens today. On Saturday, October 2, 2021, we will host hourly FAFSA Completion Sessions from 9:00 am – Noon and again from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. To ensure that our students have the greatest opportunity to qualify for need-based financial aid and institutional scholarships, we have encouraged students to apply to all of their colleges via Early Action, if offered, and to complete the FAFSA as soon as the FAFSA filing period opens. Click here to register…
- Many colleges only consider students who apply through their Early Action admissions cycle for ALL available institutional scholarships
- Many colleges begin awarding their limited financial resources as soon as completed FAFSAs are processed
- Many colleges award FSEOG funding to lower income students on a first-come first-served basis until the funds are exhausted
Consequently, we have been supporting students since June of their junior year in finalizing their college admissions strategies, finalizing their Common Application essays, and finalizing their supplemental essays. As a result, ALL of our seniors should be prepared to meet their college admissions and scholarship deadlines—no excuses and don’t dare blame COVID! Click here to view the required documents…, which includes your 2020 Tax Records.
We will not cover the CSS Profile. However, those students applying to private institutions requiring the CSS Profile, may click here for a link to the CollegeBoard website.
Saturday, October 9, 2021
October College Planning Cohort Meeting
We will host our second meeting of the 2021-22 school year at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Our guest speaker will be Allyson Terry, Assistant Director for Community Engagement at the University of Georgia. She supports both the Offices of Undergraduate Admission and Institutional Diversity by working with community based organizations and their students’ dreams of attending college. Allyson is an Alabama native that graduated from Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and from the University of Georgia with a Master of Public Administration degree.
Ms. Terry will discuss the impact of a student’s gifts and talents on college admissions and will meet with senior parents and students in a breakout room to answer questions regarding UGA and the college admissions process. Click here to register for our October Cohort Session… (Note: Only cohort students and parents may register)
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church College Information Session: Part I
Friendship Mission Baptist Church will host Mychal Wynn, author, and college planning expert for part I of a virtual college information session focused on:
- How to position yourself for the biggest scholarships
- Why you are likely to have more full scholarship opportunities from out-of-state schools
- Why you need to focus on your area of exceptionality (i.e., music, athletics, academics, etc.)
For further information, email: children&youth@friendshipcharlotte.org
Saturday, October 23, 2021, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Full-day Writing Workshop for High School Seniors
On Saturday, October 23, 2021, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, we will offer an intensive one-day workshop for high school seniors seeking support in reviewing/editing college essays or writing responses. We will review and provide guidance for each participating student. Students will best benefit by sharing their essays, via Google Docs, to cpc@collegeplanningcohort.com by 6:00 pm on Monday, October 18, 2021. Students will be introduced to strategies for evaluating essays and responding to multi-prompt questions. Click here to register…
Saturday, October 23, 2021, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church College Information Session: Part II
Friendship Mission Baptist Church will host Mychal Wynn, author, and college planning expert for part II of a virtual college information session focused on:
- The importance of meaningful service and intentional leadership
- Why your grades and classes are more important than test scores
- Hear from college students on full scholarships
For further information, email: children&youth@friendshipcharlotte.org
Thursday, October 28, 2021, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pinellas County Schools College Planning Session for Rising 6th Graders and Parents
Pinellas County Schools Title I Office will host Mychal Wynn, author and college planning expert, who will provide comprehensive insight for parents and students on such topics as:
- Knowing your gifts and talents
- Understanding your personality and interests
- Pursuing the right middle school opportunities
- Challenging yourself academically
- Setting goals, and
- Considering future high school choices
Mr. Wynn will also host a panel of 9th grade cohort students who will share their insights into making their high school choice, setting goals, pursuing leadership, and engaging in community service within a college planning context.
For further information, email Dr. Lewis Brinson: BRINSONLE@pcsg.org
Cohort Students – 11:59 pm Deadline
Narrative responses and monthly presentations are due by 11:59 pm on the final day of each month. This allows discussion group leaders and interns the opportunity to review and comment on each student’s presentation. Modules open on the day of our monthly meetings to allow students an entire month to prepare their presentations, i.e., students will have access to November’s Module on Saturday, October 9, 2021, the day of our October cohort session.
College Planning Cohort Presentation Award
Earning honors and awards is a critically important part of a student’s overall high school performance. Your awards will be part of your college application and used to compare your high school performance to those of other students from your high school and in the pool of overall college applicants. Following are several awards that our foundation offers participating students:
- College Planning Cohort Presentation Award: Awarded to one student in our 9th – 10th grade cohort and one student in our 11th grade cohort each month based on the quality and content of their narratives, and the creativity presented in their monthly slide presentation. To qualify for consideration, students must have completed and submitted all monthly presentations. One student presentation will be voted on and selected in each discussion group. Submitted presentations will be judged and selected by majority vote by the College Planning Cohort Youth Leadership Board.
- College Planning Cohort Certificate of Achievement: Awarded to each student who completes the assigned work and submits each monthly presentation during the first and second semester.
- College Planning Cohort Award of Excellence: Awarded to a student in grades 9 – 10, and a student in grade 11, who presents the most comprehensive College-bound Plan for the 2021-22 school year.
- College Planning Cohort Service Award: Awarded to each member of the 2021-22 College Planning Cohort Youth Leadership Board and to each student who serves as an intern in our summer college planning boot camps.
- College Planning Cohort Youth Leadership Board Awards: Members of the College Planning Cohort Youth Leadership Board will have the opportunity to earn individual awards based on their completed projects.
The College Planning Cohort Presentation Awards for September were presented to Anna Nguyen, a 9th grader in the St. Petersburg High School IB Program in St. Petersburg, Florida and Jayla Jones, an 11th grader at Lake City Early College High School in Lake City, South Carolina.
College Interns/Mentors
We have an extraordinary group of former cohort students, now attending college, who are serving as interns and discussion group leaders: Ava Bingham (Clemson); Faith Kumi (University of Chicago – Odyssey Scholar); Jada Foote (North Carolina A&T Honors Program); Haley Hardway (Francis Marion Teaching Fellow); Kailer Brothers (Wesleyan University); Peyton Wilson (George Washington – Posse Scholar); Robert Penn (George Mason – Mason Scholar); Sydnee Brothers (North Carolina A&T Honors Program); Sydney Barron (North Carolina Central Honors Program); Sydney Starks (Bowdoin College); Sydney Soskin (University of Chicago – Odyssey Scholar); and Whitney Williams (Spelman College Honors Program).
Florence School District 3
Florence School District 3 Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Laura Hickson, is ensuring that her students have every opportunity to develop a comprehensive college-bound plan. Her 2021-22 initiatives include supporting college readiness through the Writing Center and college planning through the Florence School District 3 College Planning Cohort. Click here to view the district’s College Planning Cohort video.
- Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: The all-virtual Writing Center for any FSD3 students in grades k – 12 is open. Any student, or parent, in the district can bring their homework, test preparation, or essays for review and support. High school seniors can receive guidance and editorial review of their college and scholarship essays and communication with college admissions and financial aid officers. Students should register with their counselor. Click here to attend…
- Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: The all-virtual College Planning Cohort sessions are offered to all FSD3 high school students in grades 9 – 12. Students receive hands-on instruction in completing the monthly units and engage in discussions about the activities in the curriculum and opportunities in their local community to pursue leadership and service aligned with their gifts, talents, and college/career aspirations. Interested students should contact Ms. Kendra Wilson in the Guidance Office. Click here to attend…
Mark Your Calendar
Our November guest speaker will be Dr. Yen Duong, a mathematician, writer, and feminist who will be discussing nontraditional STEM pathways through undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs.
Click here to learn more about our cohorts and other programs…
Nationally Recognized | 2020 Magna Award First Place Winner | National School Boards Association.
Newsletter: September 1, 2021
September 1, 2021
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September 1, 2021: 2021/21 Online Classrooms open to all registered students in grades 8 – 12.Newsletter: August 1, 2021
August 1, 2021Mychal Wynn (Northeastern ’79)
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Newsletter: July 1, 2021
July 1, 2021Mychal Wynn (Northeastern ’79)
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July 1, 2021 College Planning NewsIn our June newsletter, we reported that 16 (42.1%) of our Class of 2021 were offered full scholarships. Well, we can now report that 17 (44.7%) of our Class of 2021 were offered full scholarships! Tyra Grant, from our Atlanta-area Cohort received an email from Georgia Tech congratulating her on being selected as a Clark Scholar (together with a full scholarship). Our program should not be compared to such programs as AVID, which is a college readiness program, or Naviance, which is a high school counselor management tool. Neither program is designed to provide college planning guidance in identifying the ‘right’ colleges, identifying the ‘right’ scholarships, or reducing student loan debt. Neither program can claim to guide students into full college scholarships, assist students in writing essays, preparing students for interviews, nominating students to Fly-in or Diversity Weekend Programs, or meeting one-on-one with students and parents to provide personalized guidance through the college admissions and financial aid processes. The reality is that our program has very little in common with these programs. Many of our students have participated in AVID and attend high schools that subscribe to Naviance. None of our students see any comparison whatsoever between our college planning program and those programs. Based on our data, we are not aware of any college planning program with comparable success in guiding students into full scholarships and avoiding student loan debt. Nationally, less than 2% of students from the 26,727 public, private, and charter high schools in the United States (Source: National Center for Education Statistics) are attending college on full scholarships with some sources suggesting the number is much lower at .2% (Source: Full Ride Scholarships). The estimate for full athletic scholarships is .3% (Source: NCSA). In 2021, 44.7% of seniors in our program will be attending college on full scholarships, and that number is even higher when the students who turned down full scholarships are accounted for. To fully appreciate the extraordinary outcomes of our students, read the Washington Post article, “Your child probably won’t get a full ride to college.” | ||||||||||||||||||||
Program UpdatesAt the end of each year, we evaluate our results, identify student and family needs, assess changes in college admissions and financial aid, and adjust our programming accordingly. Based on this review, we have expanded our programming to offer:
Students interested in serving as a College Planning Cohort Intern for one or more of our summer college planning boot camps should email: cpc@collegeplanningcohort.com | ||||||||||||||||||||
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College Planning Boot CampsWe hosted 2 great college planning boot camps for rising 9th graders in San Antonio, Texas, and will host 2 4-day college planning boot camps in July (for middle school and high school students). Each boot camp will provide grade-level appropriate guidance in developing a comprehensive college-bound plan. Click onto the boot camp for the registration link. July 12 – 15 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for High School Students in Grades 9 – 12. Click here to register… Any high school student may register. The registration fee for students in Florence School District 3 and Pinellas County Schools is waived. July 19 – 22 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for Middle School Students in Grades 7 – 8. Click here to register… Any middle school student may register. The registration fee for students in Florence School District 3 and Pinellas County Schools is waived. 2021-22 High School Senior ClassroomOur 2021-22 High School Senior Classroom opened on June 1. While we will not host our first monthly cohort meeting until the second Saturday in September, we will be reviewing student work, communicating via email, and meeting with students and parents, via virtual sessions, as needed. New students: click here to register…; Returning students: click here to register… (Note: Registration fees for Pinellas County Schools and Florence School District 3 students are paid for by the school district.) Essay Writing Workshop SeriesWith the huge increase in applications to selective colleges, now, more than ever, a student’s essays can be the difference between being offered admission and receiving a rejection letter! We are excited to introduce a 4-part Essay Writing Workshop series, developed and presented by Mychal-David Wynn, a certified college counselor and graduate of Amherst College (BA English). The sessions are not part of our normal program and require a separate registration and are opened to all students. (Note: Registration fees for Pinellas County Schools and Florence School District 3 students are paid for by the school district.) The 4-part series will be presented from 9:00 am – Noon, during each Saturday in July (10, 17, 24, and 31). The goal is for participating students to emerge from the sessions with a fully edited Common Application Essay, supplemental essay, or scholarship essay. Topics will cover:
Students will have their essays fully reviewed and edited. Click here to purchase your registration or Email cpc@collegeplanningcohort.com to reserve your space. Space is Limited. Join a CohortASA Guide Right Kappa League Mentoring Program: Contact Doug Lucas: dlucasjr@aol.com. Atlanta-area and National Cohort: Contact Mychal-David Wynn: mdwynn@accessandequity.org Pinellas County Schools: Contact Dr. Lewis Brinson, Minority Achievement Officer: brinsonle@pcsb.org Florence County School District 3: Contact Ms. Kendra Wilson, Guidance Counselor: kwilson@fsd3.org Click here to learn more about our cohorts and other programs… | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Newsletter: June 1, 2021
June 1, 2021Mychal Wynn (Northeastern ’79)
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June 1, 2021 College Planning NewsThe data is in and the decisions have been made for our Class of 2021. Pictured above are the final college choices for our high school seniors, for whom we had a great send off at our final cohort session of the 2020-21 school year. As we celebrate our students’ journey into the next phase of their lives, and congratulate them on their amazing achievements during enormous challenges and disruptions in learning and school related activities, in a year that was unlike any other. Our 38 graduating seniors were offered:
Click here to download a copy of the Class of 2021 Senior Recognition Program. Click here to download the Senior Recognition PowerPoint Presentation. |
Summer Intern OpportunitySydney Soskin, a member of our 2020 Pinellas County Schools Cohort, Discussion Group Leader, and University of Chicago student, will serve as our 2021 College and High School Intern Program Coordinator. Students interested in serving as a College Planning Cohort Intern for one or more of our summer college planning boot camps should email: cpc@collegeplanningcohort.com |
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College Planning Boot CampsWe will host 5 summer college planning boot camps for middle school and high school students. Each boot camp will provide grade-level appropriate guidance in developing a comprehensive college-bound plan. Click onto the boot camp for the registration link. June 7 – 10 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for High School Seniors. Click here to register… Recommended for any rising high school senior who did not participate in our junior-year program. June 14 – 18 (8:30 am – 2:30 pm): 5-day in-person boot camp for McKinney-Vento rising 9th graders in Judson ISD (TX). Contact Sylvia Greenwood (sgreenwood@judsonisd.org). Limited to 40 students. This boot camp is only opened to Judson ISD students. June 21 – 25 (8:30 am – 2:30 pm): 5-day in-person boot camp for Military Connected rising 9th graders in Judson ISD (TX). Contact Sylvia Greenwood (sgreenwood@judsonisd.org). Limited to 40 students. This boot camp is only opened to Judson ISD students. July 12 – 15 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for High School Students in Grades 9 – 12. Click here to register… Any high school student may register. The registration fee for students in Florence School District 3 and Pinellas County Schools is waived. July 19 – 22 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for Middle School Students in Grades 7 – 8. Click here to register… Any middle school student may register. The registration fee for students in Florence School District 3 and Pinellas County Schools is waived. 2021-22 High School Senior ClassroomOur 2021-22 High School Senior Classroom opens today. While we will not host our first monthly cohort meeting until the second Saturday in September, however, we will be reviewing student work, communicating via email, and meeting with students and parents, via virtual sessions, as needed. Registered students will have the option of attending our June 7 – 10 high school senior boot camp where they can finalize their college application and scholarship plans and will have complimentary access to our June/July Essay Writing Workshops. New students: click here to register…; Returning students: click here to register… (Note: Registration fees for Pinellas County Schools and Florence School District 3 students are paid for by the school district.) Essay Writing Workshop SeriesWith the huge increase in applications to selective colleges, now, more than ever, a student’s essays can be the difference between being offered admission and receiving a rejection letter! We are excited to introduce a 4-part Essay Writing Workshop series, developed and presented by Mychal-David Wynn, a certified college counselor and graduate of Amherst College (BA English). The sessions are not part of our normal program and require a separate registration and are opened to all students. (Note: Registration fees for Pinellas County Schools and Florence School District 3 students are paid for by the school district.) The 4-part series will be presented from 9:00 am – Noon, during each Saturday in June (5, 12, 19, and 26). The 4-part series will be repeated in July (10, 17, 24, and 31). The goal is for participating students to emerge from the sessions with a fully edited Common Application Essay, supplemental essay, or scholarship essay. Topics will cover:
Students will have their essays fully reviewed and edited. Click here to purchase your registration or Email cpc@collegeplanningcohort.com to reserve your space. Space is Limited. Join a CohortASA Guide Kappa League Mentoring Program: Contact Doug Lucas: dlucasjr@aol.com. Note: ASA Guide Right rising seniors, must confirm their intentions to continue in our program with Mr. Lucas and attend the boot camp for high school seniors prior to being enrolled into the 2021-22 High School Senior Classroom. Atlanta-area and National Cohort: Contact Mychal-David Wynn: mdwynn@accessandequity.org Pinellas County Schools: Contact Dr. Lewis Brinson, Minority Achievement Officer: brinsonle@pcsb.org Florence County School District 3: Contact Ms. Kendra Wilson, Guidance Counselor: kwilson@fsd3.org Click here to learn more about our cohorts and other programs… |
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Newsletter: May 1, 2021
May 1, 2021Mychal Wynn (Northeastern ’79)
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May 1, 2021 College Planning Cohort NewsToday is College Signing Day for over a million high school seniors. While many of our cohort seniors may be participating in signing day ceremonies at their high school, we will announce the colleges and universities that our seniors will be attending at our final cohort meeting of the 2020-21 school year on Saturday, May 8, 2021. What a year! Despite the many challenges presented by the global pandemic and the huge personal challenges experienced by many of our students and families, our students demonstrated great resilience. As illustrated above, our Class of 2021 will be attending a broad range of colleges and universities and receiving over $5 million in scholarships. During our Saturday, May 8, final cohort session of the 2020-21 school year, we will be hosting a special presentation announcing the final college choices of our Class of 2021 and offering a special thank you to our College Interns and Discussion Group Leaders who have volunteered their time to provide support, guidance, and encouragement to our middle school and high school students throughout the 2020-21 school year. Whitney Williams — Market Madness WinnerCongratulations to Whitney Williams, a member of our church who serves as one of our college interns, is a student in the Honors Program at Spelman College. Whitney and her 5-member Spelman College team won the $1 million first place prize in the Goldman Sachs Market Madness: HBCU Possibilities Program. Teams from 8 HBCUs (Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University and Prairie View A&M University) competed in a case-study competition. In addition to the $1 million donation to Spelman College, each student received a $10,000 education stipend. Faith Kumi – 2021 Ron Brown ScholarCongratulations to Atlanta-area cohort and Marietta High School IB Program senior, Faith Kumi, who has been selected as a 2021 Ron Brown Scholar. Faith is only 1 of 45 students nationally selected from over 4,000 applicants to be awarded the $40,000 scholarship. Faith, who has been in our college planning cohort program since her sophomore year of high school is our first Ron Brown Scholar and will be attending the University of Chicago in the fall. Joanne Lioe – 2021 QuestBridge College Prep ScholarCongratulations to Pinellas County Schools cohort junior, Joanne Lioe, who has been selected as a 2021 QuestBridge College Prep Scholar. Joanne, who attends the IB Program at St. Petersburg High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, has volunteered to serve as a discussion group leader and intern for our summer college planning boot camps. | |||||||||||||
Summer Intern OpportunityWe are elated that Sydney Soskin, a member of our 2020 Pinellas County Schools Cohort, current Discussion Group Leader, and University of Chicago student, will serve as our 2021 College and High School Intern Program Coordinator. Students interested in serving as a College Planning Cohort Intern for one or more of our summer college planning boot camps should email: cpc@collegeplanningcohort.com | |||||||||||||
Boot Camp ScheduleRegistration is now opened for our middle school and high school summer college planning boot camps: June 7 – 10 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for high school seniors. Click here to register… June 14 – 18 (8:30 am – 2:30 pm): 5-day in-person boot camp for McKinney-Vento Students in Judson ISD (TX). Contact Sylvia Greenwood (sgreenwood@judsonisd.org). Limited to 40 students. June 21 – 25 (8:30 am – 2:30 pm): 5-day in-person boot camp for Military Connected Students in Judson ISD (TX). Contact Sylvia Greenwood (sgreenwood@judsonisd.org). Limited to 40 students. July 12 – 15 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for high school students in grades 9 – 11. Click here to register… July 19 – 22 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for middle school students in grades 7 – 8. Click here to register… Senior Registration is Now OpenHigh school seniors may now register for our 2021-22 High School Senior Classroom. Registered students will have the option of attending our June 7 – 10 high school senior boot camp where they can finalize their college application and scholarship plans. Students will continue into our June, July, and August monthly sessions where they will be guided in finalizing college application strategies, essays, and selecting their college admission cycles. New students: click here to register…; Returning students: click here to register… (Note: Registration fees for Pinellas County Schools and Florence School District 3 students are paid for by the school district. ) Essay Writing Workshop SeriesWith the huge increase in applications to selective colleges where many of our students were offered admission, now, more than ever, a student’s essays can be the difference between being offered admission and receiving a rejection letter! We are excited to introduce a 4-part Essay Writing Workshop series, developed and presented by Mychal-David Wynn, a certified college counselor and graduate of Amherst College (BA English). The sessions are not part of our normal program and require a separate registration and are opened to all students. The 4-part series will be presented from 9:00 am – Noon, during each Saturday in June (5, 12, 19, and 26). The 4-part series will be repeated in July (10, 17, 24, and 31). The goal is for participating students to emerge from the sessions with a Common Application Essay, supplemental essay, or scholarship essay. Topics will cover:
Students will have their essays fully reviewed and edited. Click here to purchase your registration or Email cpc@collegeplanningcohort.com to reserve your space. Space is Limited. May Meeting Schedule | |||||||||||||
Monthly Meeting Schedule: The second Saturday of each month. | |||||||||||||
Florence School District 3 May Sessions (5:00 pm – 6:30 pm): (Click here to register; Meeting ID 894 9627 2665). Tuesday/Thursday; May 4 – 27. May 8, 2021 (9:00 am – 11:00 am): 9th and 10th Grades (Click here to register; Meeting ID: 838 2462 4377). Students will present their April final presentations in their Discussion Group. May 8, 2021 (10:00 am – 12:30 pm): 11th and 12th Grades (Click here to register; Meeting ID: 843 9332 9122). Juniors will meet briefly in their discussion groups to present their April presentations. At 11:30 am, we will share a presentation acknowledging our graduating seniors and appreciation for our discussion group leaders. Join a CohortASA Guide Kappa League Mentoring Program: Contact Doug Lucas: dlucasjr@aol.com Atlanta-area and National Cohort: Contact Mychal-David Wynn: mdwynn@accessandequity.org Pinellas County Schools: Contact Dr. Lewis Brinson, Minority Achievement Officer: brinsonle@pcsb.org Florence County School District 3: Contact Ms. Kendra Wilson, Guidance Counselor: kwilson@fsd3.org Click here to learn more about our cohorts and other programs… | |||||||||||||
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Newsletter: April 1, 2021
April 1, 2021Mychal Wynn (Northeastern ’79)
Thank you Panelists
We hosted 3 panels for our 11th and 12th grade students. Appearing on our panel to provide insight into the liberal arts college experience were Kimberly Hadaway (Williams College), Sydney Starks (Bowdoin College), and Whitney Williams (Spelman College). Appearing on our panel to provide insight into the research university experience were Damian Lee (Northeastern University), Peyton Wilson (George Washington University), Robert Penn (George Mason University), and Sydney Soskin (University of Chicago). Appearing on our panel to provide insight into the HBCU experience were Justin Matthews (Dillard University), Sydney Barron (North Carolina Central University), and Whitney Williams (Spelman College). The rich and profound insight provided by our panelists was well received by our high school juniors and seniors, and their parents. As our high school juniors finalize their college lists and high school seniors finalize their May 1 enrollment decisions, our panelists were great ambassadors for their respective institutions. They provided insight into how they made their college decision and how they have maximized opportunities at their respective institutions, including co-ops, internships, engaging in research, publishing papers, being awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships, and avoiding thousands of dollars in room and board costs by becoming Resident Assistants. If you did not attend the session, you missed a great opportunity. Grades 9 – 10The April Module provides guidance in researching such programs as QuestBridge, which partners with some of the country’s most selective colleges and universities in their College Match Program and the Gates Scholarship (formerly the Gates Millennium Scholarship), which provides a “last dollar” scholarship to close the financial aid gap for 300 students each year at any accredited U.S. college or university. The module provides guidance in researching institutional and private scholarship programs with the goal of sensitizing students to the “body of work” they must develop to become competitive candidates for such programs. The units profile cohort students who were selected for many of the programs profiled. High School JuniorsThe March Module guided students through the many actions they must take over the coming months to maximize scholarship opportunities and minimize student loan debt. The April Module will guide students in developing their college application and scholarship plans. The importance of taking these next steps in developing a college and scholarship strategy was clearly articulated by our college students, and our high school senior who reflected on the results of their college and scholarship action plans. Our May newsletter will share enrollment decisions and scholarship awards, which include such colleges and scholarship programs as:
High School SeniorsHistorically, May 1 has marked the enrollment decision deadline for most colleges and universities. However, with the many disruptions to normalcy as a result of the pandemic, many colleges are allowing students more time to finalize their decision. Consequently, students must not only carefully review financial aid awards, but must review each college’s published plans for the fall. Will colleges be offering in-person learning? Will freshmen be coming to campus and checking into dormitories? Will students be required to have a COVID-19 vaccination? To assist students in more deeply understanding the array of college options and scholarship opportunities currently being researched, cohort alumni, currently attending college, will share their experiences in this month’s senior discussion groups. Boot Camp ScheduleRegistration is now opened for our college planning boot camps for middle school (grades 7 – 8), high school (grades 9 – 11), and rising high school seniors. June 7 – 10 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for high school seniors. Click here to register… June 14 – 18 (8:30 am – 2:30 pm): 5-day in-person boot camp for McKinney-Vento Students in Judson ISD (TX). Contact Sylvia Greenwood (sgreenwood@judsonisd.org). Limited to 40 students. June 21 – 25 (8:30 am – 2:30 pm): 5-day in-person boot camp for Military Connected Students in Judson ISD (TX). Contact Sylvia Greenwood (sgreenwood@judsonisd.org). Limited to 40 students. July 12 – 15 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for high school students in grades 9 – 11. Click here to register… July 19 – 22 (9:00 am – 1:00 pm): 4-day all-virtual boot camp for middle school students in grades 7 – 8. Click here to register… Senior Registration is Now OpenHigh school seniors may now register for our 2021-22 High School Senior Classroom. Registered students will continue into our June 7 – 10 high school senior boot camp where they will finalize college application and scholarship plans and continue in our June, July, and August monthly sessions to finalize college application strategies, essays, and select their college admission cycles. New students: click here to register…; Returning students: click here to register… (Note: Registration fees for Pinellas County Schools and Florence School District 3 students are paid for by the school district. ) We are introducing a 4-part Essay Writing Workshop series, developed and presented by Mychal-David Wynn, a certified college counselor and graduate of Amherst College (BA English). The sessions are not part of our normal program and require a separate registration. The 4-part series will be presented from 9:00 am – Noon, during each Saturday in June (5, 12, 19, and 26). The 4-part series will be repeated in July (10, 17, 24, and 31). The goal is for participating students to emerge from the sessions with a Common Application Essay, supplemental essay, or scholarship essay. Topics will cover:
Participating students will have their essays fully reviewed and edited. Registration will open on May 1. Space is limited. Email cpc@collegeplanningcohort.com to reserve your space. April Meeting Schedule |
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Newsletter: March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021Mychal Wynn (Northeastern ’79)
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Thank you Pinellas County Schools Panelists
We are appreciative of the efforts of Dr. Lewis Brinson, Pinellas County Schools Minority Achievement Officer, who sponsored the session and those students and parents who volunteered to serve on our panels. The panels, together with comments from Dr. Lois McKee, Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School Counselor, and our guest speaker, cohort alumna Sydney Soskin, a 2020 graduate of the St. Petersburg High School IB Program and current University of Chicago student, were both informative and inspiring. Researching Colleges and ProgramsResearching colleges and programs occurs on multiple levels. 8th – 10th graders are researching colleges and programs to assist in guiding the selection of high schools, programs, clubs, activities, and coursework. 11th graders are narrowing college lists based on selectivity and affordability while high school seniors are using their research to identify the right fit of colleges and programs as they compare financial aid award letters. To assist students in more deeply understanding the array of college options and scholarship opportunities currently being researched, cohort alumni, currently attending college, will share their experiences during this month’s cohort sessions. |
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Grades 9 – 10College Panel: Cohort alumni representing HBCUs, Liberal Arts Colleges, Research Universities, Test Optional Schools, Cooperative Education Programs, Dual Degree Programs, and Honors Colleges will share their experiences, including how they selected their programs, the type of grades, clubs, and activities during high school that made them competitive candidates for being offered admission to their programs, the type of institutional and private scholarships they received, and engage in a candid discussion of the impact of choices made as a high school 9th and 10th graders on their college and scholarship trajectories. Our panelists includes a MC Lyte Hip Hop Sisters Scholar, Posse Scholar, Torch Scholar, and Cheatham-White Scholar. After a Q&A with our panelists, students will move into their normal breakout rooms to discuss their monthly presentations. Parents are encouraged to attend. |
Grades 11 – 12College Panel: Our current college interns will be joined by cohort alumni to share their experiences at HBCUs, Liberal Arts Colleges, Research Universities, Cooperative Education Programs, and Honors Colleges. Students will share some of the critically important decisions made as second semester high school juniors and the importance of the timeline regarding testing, finalizing college lists, researching scholarships, taking advantage of Fly-in/Diversity Weekend opportunities, and the amount of time devoted to creating well written essays. We encourage students to prepare their questions in advance. Following the panel discussions, we will host our normal 11th grade discussion groups. Our 12th grade discussion groups with Mr. and Mrs. Williams will be joined by college students to continue the Q&A from the panel discussion. Parents are encouraged to attend. |
AnnouncementsDeveloping a Cohort Video: Tenth grader, Kierra H., from our Florence School District 3 cohort is demonstrating leadership, service, and great creativity. Kierra has solicited the support of cohort students in South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia to develop a video through which students share their cohort experiences and encourage other students to “Own the Process.” Kierra has the support of her guidance counselors and Florence School District 3 Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Laura Hickson. Other cohort students are developing podcasts and video editing, as they use their talents to showcase an array of leadership skills and engage in meaningful community service in response to the question, “What is your cause?” Congratulations: Congratulations to cohort students who are finalists for the North Carolina A&T Dowdy and Cheatham-White Scholarships; and for the Ron Brown Scholarship. Mid-year Assessments: At the heart of our program is the partnership between our advisors and families. We have had great meetings during which we have responded to parent/student questions, provided feedback as to student progress, and provided recommendations as to actions that students may take to further increase their competitiveness as a college/scholarship applicant. After completing the January Module: Mid-year Assessment, students or parents should email us with preferred meeting days/times. Meetings are currently being scheduled for March 6, 20, and 27; and April 3, 17, and 24 between the hours of 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. ACT/SAT Testing: In part, due to COVID-19 related cancellations of SAT and ACT testing dates, many colleges will continue to be test optional or test blind in 2021 and 2022. However, many merit-based scholarships will continue to require submission of SAT or ACT scores. High school juniors who plan to submit test scores, should develop a plan to achieve their target ACT scores by the June 12th testing date. Juniors focusing on the SAT should plan to achieve their highest scores by the June 5th testing date. High school sophomores should consider taking the June exam to get their baseline score to guide their junior-year course taking and exam preparation. Report Cards and Transcripts: Please submit your first semester report cards and transcripts. FREE College Fair: Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 5:00 pm (EST): Over 250 colleges will be represented. Arizona State College Watch Party: March 4, 2021, 6:00 pm (MT).
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Join a CohortCollege admissions is more competitive than ever. NYU received an unprecedented 100,000 applications. Now is the time, particularly for high school juniors, to join our program as the second semester is a critical time to finalize the body of work (i.e., grades, test scores, leadership, and service) that will be represented in your college applications. ASA Guide Kappa League Mentoring Program: Contact Doug Lucas: dlucasjr@aol.com Atlanta-area and National Cohort: Contact Mychal-David Wynn: mdwynn@accessandequity.org Pinellas County Schools: Contact Dr. Lewis Brinson, Minority Achievement Officer: brinsonle@pcsb.org Florence County School District 3: Contact Ms. Kendra Wilson, Guidance Counselor: kwilson@fsd3.org Click here to learn more about our cohorts and other programs… |
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