College Counseling Updates – Kris Nilsen’s All Things College
Nilsen’s News
Class of 2022! September 20, 2021
“Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open.”
~ Thomas Dewar
Click Here for all things college!
College Hacks – Technology
“Use your own original gifs in presentations by adding “gif” before the word “youtube” in the URL. Doing this allows yu to create your own gif using the video.”
~From the book “College Hacks” by Keith Bradford
“All About The Class of 2022” Zoom Meeting
Thursday, September 30th
6:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/8816321018?pwd=aEg2dndEMmlyZ2YwQjFhRzhzbE1UUT09#successMeeting
ID: 881 632 1018
Password: College
Information on Senior Events and College applications will be discussed.
Parents and seniors HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to attend!
Event will also be recorded.
NACAC Virtual College Fair / Northeastern US
Join 336 Colleges
Tuesday, September 28th
1:00-5:00 pm
Click on the link below to register and see what colleges are attending according to your preferences:
Register Here
Virtual College Fair / September 30th
There are 48 different colleges from 19 states and 6 countries.
There are 6 sessions to choose from:
Session 1 – Healthcare
Session 2 – Science & Tech
Session 3 – Business and Arts
Session 4 – Arts, Math and Engineering, and Culinary
Session 5 – Liberal Arts
Session 6 – International and Agriculture
You must register for each session that you want to attend.
11:00 am-1:45 pm
Participant registration required
Register Here
Youscience Assessment
This past week seniors completed the Youscience assessment in SCOIR. We are examining the results together in Senior Capstone.
Click below for information on Youscience and what the results mean:
Guided Results Walkthrough Video
Frequently Asked Questions
SAT at SCVi
Most colleges are test-optional this year due to Covid 19 but If you would like to take the SAT, it is being offered on-site:
When: Thursday October 28, 2021
Where: The Village room in lower school
Time: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Proctor: Mrs. Nilsen
Cost: $60 (Cash or Check made out to SCVi)
Limited Seating / First Come First Serve
Email kris.nilsen@scvi-k12.org to reserve a spot
WHAT ARE LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES?
Liberal Arts colleges are not necessarily liberal and they don’t focus on the arts! Instead, they have 4 core areas of study:
Arts
Humanities
Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
These “Diamonds in the Ruff” colleges are usually small (5,ooo or less students) and focus not only on curriculum but on the education of each individual. They want students with open minds and a drive for life-long learning (sound familiar). One thing to remember, SMALL does not mean less opportunities!
Most 18 year olds have no idea what they want to do or study when thinking about college. The liberal arts colleges understand that and provide a well-rounded academic experience for students to explore their many interests.
Freshman will have a year and a half to choose a major or area of study. The college campuses are “Tight Knit Communities” with many different voices and opportunities to create change.
Professors are experts in their field, they are active mentors, and they consistently and happily cheer for each student’s success.
My favorite colleges are Colleges That Change Lives. Check out their college webinars this week. See link for registration at the beginning of the newsletter.
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO ACCESS APPLICATION WEBSITES
- App. Opens 10/1
- One application/different essays depending on college
- If application waivers are needed, request in Common App
University of California Apply
Submit 11/1-11/30
$70 per campus
One Application
Self-report all classes and grades
No recommendations needed
Can request Application Waiver in application
Required to answer 4 out of 8 short answer personal insight questions
Due November 30th
App. Opens 10/1
$70 per campus
One Application
Login to Student Portal to view transcript
Self-report all classes and grades
No recommendations needed
Can request application waiver in application
Due November 30th
Your One-Stop Shop For College Essays And More
Ethan Sawyer is an expert in the field of college essays. Click on his College Application Hub.
He also has amazing resources and courses that are always “Pay What You Can”. Seriously!
Appointment w/Nilsen
For availability, click HERE.Choose a time that works with your schedule. Fill out information and choose In-Person or Virtual
Appointment will be added to my google calendar. If in person, come to my office (by Etta James)
If virtual, at the time of the meeting click HERE!
Meeting ID-881-632-1018
Password: College
StudentSquare
StudentSquare is linked to ParentSquare. Learners need to do the following:
- Download the app
- Sign In (uses school email)
- Edit account and add cell phone number
Follow Me On Twitter & Instagram
@NilsenLovesCollege
Featured College of the Week
Each week, Mrs. Nilsen will provide insight into unique college options for learners & families:
- Fiske Guide to Colleges 2022 – an annual comprehensive catalog of diverse universities here in California and nationwide.
- Colleges That Change Lives – 44 liberal arts colleges that support the goal of every student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.
- Colleges that Create Futures – looks beyond the usual “best of” college lists to highlight 50 schools that empower students to discover practical, real-world applications for their talents and interests.
Loyola New Orleans
Click here for Admissions Info
Click here for Tuition & Financial Aid Info
Enrollment: 2,793
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Strong Programs: Mass Communication; Music IndustryStudies; Psychology; Criminal Justice; Digital Filmmaking; Popular and Commercial Music; Creative Writing; International Business.
DETAILS: Of the four Loyolas in the nation, this is the only one where you can go to Mardi Gras and then study the music you heard the next morning in class. New Orleans is an ideal setting for this roman Catholic university with strengths in business, communication, and the arts. New Orleans is the most free wheeling Deep South city, and Loyola’s politics are mainly liberal.
Loyola University New Orleans is a Jesuit liberal arts school that continues to enhance its rich tradition through extensive service-learning programs, increasing admissions standards, and a renewed commitment to diversifying the student body. As a Loyola student, “you will be challenged, motivated, and inspired to do more,” says one happy senior.
Incoming students take an interdisciplinary First-Year Seminar that introduces them to college-level work and the Jesuit tradition of “thinking critically, acting justly.” Other aspects of Loyola’s comprehensive first-year experience include a common reading program, a series of lectures and panel discussions, educational excursions, service-learning projects, and a peer mentoring program.
The University Honors Program, open to students of all majors, gives 300 high achieving students access to small seminars, collaborative research projects. 30% of undergraduates exercise their wings in study abroad programs and Loyola is a top producer of Peace Corps volunteers.
The student body at Loyola is an interesting mix of creative types, social justice warriors, career-minded pre-professionals, and “students who are a bit quirky, who see things differently,” says one student. Daily mass is voluntary, but many students attend and the political atmosphere is largely liberal, and students are particularly active in advocating for women’s rights and LGBTQ- and gender-related issues.
The transition to college at Loyola is eased by Themed Living Communities, which house classmates together in a common living space within one of the residence halls. “Loyola gives us lots of cool things to do on campus,” a philosophy major says, including musical performances and sporting events. Fraternities and sororities are rarities at Jesuit school, but they make themselves felt at Loyola. Major campus wide social events include the annual “Sneaux Day” that blankets Loyola’s front lawn with “snow,” the senior crawfish boil, family weekend featuring a New Orleans-style jazz brunch, and the musical event Christmas at Loyola, held on the first Sunday in December. Loyola even takes the week of Mardi Gras off as a holiday and allows students to register overnight visitors so they can attend the festivities.
Whether they’re working closely with caring professors or relaxing with friends amid the Big Easy’s boundless energy, students are satisfied with their choice. A sophomore says, “Loyola is an awesome small Jesuit college with a lot to offer as a community and academic institution.”
What Is Your Roadmap?
Wondering what to do with your life? Roadtrip Nation is here to help:
Like listening to Podcasts when you are on the go? Check out Roadtrip Nation’s Podcast for insights, stories, and why it is ok to get lost:
Pathways Student Portal / Login Regularly
The student portal is a great way to stay on track throughout the semester. Please login regularly.
REPORTING: There are 3 tabs.
“SCVi 4 year plan”: Click on each subject to see what grades you received and credits earned.
Transcripts: View and print unofficial transcript. Also make sure all classes and grades are up to date.
Class Attendance:
View attendance by month. When getting attendance emails, you can check here to see what class and facilitator issued the absence.
Class Schedule:
Make sure the classes listed here are the classes you are physically attending. If the class is not listed, you are not “in” the class.
Resources:
Helpful links and information. If you login to the portal first, you will be able to access all programs at SCVi (Brightspace, SCOIR, College, etc)
We Are In This Together!
iLEAD Student Support Counseling Website
California Help Line
We Are In This Together!
Click below for some awesome resources to help you through difficult times.
California has launched a “Peer-Run” mental health hot-line for kids to get help before a crisis occurs. The numbers and hours for Los Angeles County are below:
1-888-448-9777 (English and by text)
1-888-448-4055 (Spanish and by text)
The number will be staffed the following hours:
M-F: 5pm – 10pm
Sat: 11am-4pm
Sun: Closed
Help is just a phone call away!
Previous Newsletters
- September 7th – https://www.smore.com/jqr4t
- September 14th – https://www.smore.com/mcw3r
Mrs. Nilsen
Mrs. Nilsen
@NilsenLovesCollege
Academic/College/IB Counselor
28060 Hasley Canyon Road, Castaic, CA, USAkris.nilsen@scvi-k12.org661-704-4823scvi-k12.org
Connect with Kris Nilsen
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