Welcome!

Welcome to the American Leadership Academy College and Career Pathways Blog!

Hi! I'm Jill Sandberg and this blog is intended to educate and inform students and parents regarding careers, college majors, scholarships, job shadow and volunteer opportunities, and answer concurrent enrollment and higher education questions as they relate to colleges in Utah.

I am also available to answer any questions that you may have regarding the above information. My email is jsandberg@americanleadership.net. I look forward to working with the students and parents at ALA.

Want more than a campus tour? These events are designed to give you a first-hand glimpse into the life of a Wolverine. Some of these events include dinner, a campus tour, visiting a class, and getting a bunch of swag.

LEADERSHIP DAY

Saturday, November 3, 2018

12:00pm - 4:00pm

The High School Leadership Preview Day is an opportunity for high school students interested in leadership to preview the many involvement opportunities at UVU. The cost of attendance covers some free swag, lunch and inside access to many leadership opportunities on campus.  The cost is $8.00.

Registration:  https://www.uvu.edu/admissions/preview/

1st Generation Day

Friday, November 9, 2018
8:00am to 1:30pm

The First Generation Day at Utah Valley University is for all high school students who are future first generation college students. With sessions designed specifically for you, come explore all the things you didn't realize you didn't know about college. Cost is Free.

Registration:  https://www.uvu.edu/admissions/preview/

ATTN: Seniors

The Honors College at the University of Utah is a place for motivated, engaged students to make a difference and impact the world. Here students get the most out of their college education with excellent professors who love to teach, small discussion based classes, and active learning.

Freshman students are encouraged to apply by the priority date of November 1st, 2017 for the Summer or Fall 2018 start. The final deadline is March 1st, 2018.

Applicants who submit final application, test scores, and transcripts to the University Admissions Office by this date are reviewed most favorably. (Applications open in August 2017 for Summer and Fall 2018 entrance)

Incoming first year and transfer students: may apply through the U of U general admissions application (only Summer or Fall entry submissions accepted). Upload essays via the U application. Applicants who submit completed applications, pay application fees, and submit transcripts and test scores to the University Office of Admissions will be reviewed by the Honors College. For freshman students to be considered for the Honors College priority date, students must submit a complete application (including transcripts and applicable test scores) to the University by the priority deadline.

More information can be found here:  https://honors.utah.edu/admissions/admission-process/

UVU Regional Open House

UTAH COUNTY
November 9, 2017

 

6:00pm to 8:00pm
Utah Valley University, Ballroom Commons
800 West University Parkway
Orem, Utah

Regional Open Houses are designed to get you through the tedious higher education red tape. UVU will bring the experts straight to you so you can get help with all of your admissions needs.

Staff will be on hand to help you: 

• Identify eligibility for scholarships
• Submit high school transcripts
• Navigate the admissions process
• Answer questions concerning your career/educational emphasis

RSVP to receive a free swag item at the event!

**Don't forget to bring your driver’s license, social security number and high school transcripts to be eligible for a possible application fee waiver.

Further information can be found here: https://www.uvu.edu/futurestudents/events/openhouses.html

 

U Outreach Events

Science Day at the U

The College of Science and the College of Mines and Earth Sciences at the University of Utah are pleased to announce the 29th Annual Science Day at the U being held on Saturday, November 4, 2017, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. High school students (grades 9-12) from around the intermountain west are invited to attend a day of science-related workshops. These interactive workshops give high school students a great look at laboratory research and career opportunities in science, math and engineering. It is a FREE event.

Workshop space is limited. Register early at https://science.utah.edu/events/science-day.php for best selection.

Registration opens October 3, 2017. Lunch is provided.

Engineering Day at the U

Saturday, November 18, 2017
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Engineering Day is a half-day event open to high school students, undecided majors, parents, transfer students, and anyone interested in engineering at the U. This event is FREE and is designed to introduce participants to a variety of engineering disciplines.

Participants will have the opportunity to tour our engineering facilities, find out what research is happening in the College, and attend exciting engineering presentations/demonstrations.

Participants are required to register for sessions online. Lab tour space is limited thus presentations and demonstrations will be going on concurrently.

Please Contact: Jamie Garza at jamie.garza@utah.edu with questions about the event, the registration process, or if a presentation you are interested in is full.

Due to capacity limitations: Registration for this event is open only to high school students, their parents, and prospective transfer students.

Register at https://www.coe.utah.edu/eng_day

Parents are welcome to attend but do not need to register. Special parent sessions are available.

What FAFSA Is And Why Everyone Should Apply!

https://fafsa.ed.gov/

The 2018-19 FAFSA (FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid – the one and only application you fill out to apply for federal financial aid like grants, work-study, and student loans) is now available for high school seniors and college students all over the country since  October 1st. American Leadership Academy and StepUp Utah are holding a FAFSA Completion Night on Thursday, October 19 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in Mr. Scheiss’ room. (310) 

https://americanleadershipacademy.org/fafsa-completion-open-house-for-ala-seniors/

But wait? What is the FAFSA?  It is completely understandable why many don’t know what it is.  So in the event you are unsure what it is and in case you think you might want to apply, here are some really good reasons why all high school seniors should.

• This application is actually important for every student that wants to attend college.  What the FAFSA determines is whether or not a student is eligible for federal aid in the form of Pell grants or student loans.  This is the ONLY way students will know whether they are eligible or not for Pell grants.  Well then, what is a Pell grant?

•  “A Pell Grant is a subsidy the U.S. federal government provides for students who need it to pay for college. Federal Pell Grants are limited to students with financial need, who have not earned their first bachelor’s degree, or who are enrolled in certain post-baccalaureate programs, through participating institutions.” Basically, a Pell grant is free money that the government gives to students that show financial need, and then students do not have to pay that money back.  There are certain requirements that a student must meet when accepting a Pell grant (such as committing to going to college at least part-time), but most students have no problem fulfilling that part-time requirement.

• If you do not qualify for a Pell grant, you may qualify for student loans.  The great thing about applying for this aid is that you DO NOT have to accept a student loan that might be offered to you through the FAFSA.  Even if you qualify for a student loan, there is no reason that you have to accept it other than if you NEED to.  If you have been able to secure funding through savings, scholarships, Pell grants, parent’s bank account, etc., there is no reason that you have to accept a student loan.  It is just good to know that in the event that funding doesn’t completely come through, you may have a last resort if you need it.  Student loans do have low interest and easy re-payment plans if this is the path you take as many students do.

• Students also should apply for the FAFSA if they are planning on applying for scholarships.  There are many scholarships that require you fill it out, especially those that are needs-based.

• Many colleges will also want you to apply for the FAFSA.  Once you do, the information is sent to the schools of your choice for their review.  Many times schools will award Merit scholarships based on what your FAFSA might say.  If you are just shy of qualifying for Pell grants, but almost qualify for a Merit scholarship, they may just award that student the Merit scholarship based on the information they received.

As you can see, there are many reasons why everyone should apply for the FAFSA.  ALL high school seniors of ALL levels of parent income should still apply. I would encourage all seniors to apply today.  You never know what benefits might come from taking a half an hour to fill it out.  I hope this information helps!

The FAFSA4caster is a free financial aid calculator offered by the Department of Education and Federal Student Aid that gives you an early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. This information helps families plan ahead for college costs before the senior year of high school when students and parents will complete and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

If you’re in 11th grade or below, you can find FAFSA4caster at fafsa.gov and click on the appropriate box under “Thinking About College?”with your family to find out how much federal financial aid you may qualify for and plan ahead for college costs.