
Weehawken School District
2022-2023 Webinar Series
All webinars start at 6PM EST and are followed by an open Q&A session with a Senior Mentor from Command Education
Use this ZOOM LINK to join all webinars
What Do Colleges Want?
- Well-rounded students vs students with a hook
- The building blocks: GPA and test scores
- Clearly defined career interest and academic passions
- Community impact
- Activities and leadership
- Rigorous courses and course selection
Selecting Meaningful Activities
- School clubs – joining, starting, and leadership positions
- Sports, arts, writing, entertainment-related activities
- Volunteering and picking a mission that matters to you
- Part time and seasonal jobs
- Internships and research opportunities
- Basic intro to passion projects
What’s a Passion Project Anyway?
- Selecting a passion project based on your interests
- Analyzing and addressing needs in the community
- How to get your passion project off the ground
- How to grow a passion project: social media and outreach
Standardized Tests (SAT and ACT)
- Explaining the role of standardized testing in college applications
- The difference between the SAT and the ACT
- How to choose between the two tests
- How to sign up for the SAT and ACT
- Study methods and resources
- Goal scores and how many times you should take these tests
The Common App
- What is the Common App and how do you access it?
- Personal Statement
- Activity List
- Honors/Awards
- Self reporting → test scores and grades
- Additional school supplemental applications
Writing Workshop - Personal Statement and Supplements
- Mini Application Booster Camp presentation
- Explaining how to pick a story- what does it add to your application?
- Essays that worked examples
- Common supplement questions and how to respond
Fee Waivers: The FAFSA the Furious OR Questbridge
- How to make college affordable
- Colleges scholarships and financial aid packages
- The Questbridge option
- Standardized test fees and application waivers
- Resources for finding outside scholarships: Fastweb, local organizations, finding scholarships for your passions, interests, and talents
How Far We’ve Come: Activities, Leadership, and Passion Project Check in
- [Mostly Q&A based session]
- Talking through student involvement in their various activities
- Checking in on any passion project progress
- Reiterating how to grow a passion project through social media and partnerships
Creating a College List and the Application Timeline
- How to pick between colleges
- College research and visits
- Starting with the summer before junior year, how to craft a general timeline for college applications
▪ Getting involved in meaningful activities
› Starting a passion project
▪ Completing your standardized testing
▪ Creating a college list
▪ Building relationships with teachers
› Letters of recommendation
▪ Personal Statement and Common App
▪ Supplements