Lots of great information in this one!

Jan 2016 Scholarship Gold newsletter!

News flash

Hi College Bound Friends-

A quick update with some very important updates that have come about since the January newsletter came out.

College Bound Essentials class on Feb 20th-

time moved to 3:00 pm because of rescheduled SAT

This foundational workshop of Scholarship Gold was scheduled for Feb 20th at 9 a.m. However, the snowstorm caused the SAT to be moved to that same morning. To allow for students to do both, we have moved College Bound Essentials from 3:00-6:00. If this new time works for you, feel free to reserve your spot! Click HERE to sign up. (All of the other upcoming workshops are listed at the end of this email.)

Common App prompts for next fall released!

For current juniors- The Common App essay prompts for next year were just released. They are not changing any of them from last year. This is good news because you can write your essay (up to 650 words) over the spring or summer and have it polished and ready to go when your application season starts in August.

Here they are!

2016-2017 Essay Prompts
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. (47% of students this year used this prompt.)

2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (17% of students this year used this prompt.)

3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? (4% of students this year used this prompt.)

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. (10% of students this year used this prompt.)

5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. (22% of students this year used this prompt.)

Elizabeth

Classes ramping back up- get your spot!

Over the holidays, I cut back on the classes that I offered so that I could attend to the needs of all of the seniors. However, Feb launches us back into a season of helpful workshops for students from grades 8 and up. These classes do fill up so if you want a spot, please claim it early.

**IMPORTANT** If you have already signed up for one of these classes but did NOT get a confirmation email, please email me at Hartleygold@yahoo.com and let me confirm your student is on the list. The event management company is having some issues with some of the registrations not going all the way through. They are working on it even as I type right now. Sorry about the aggravation!

Until tech support resolves this issue, if you don't get a confirmation message when you register, please email me immediately so I can confirm your spot is saved.

Workshops for Winter & Spring

College Bound Essentials- Lake Wylie

Feb 20th- 3:00 pm- 6:00- Click HERE March 12th- 9-noon- Click HERE

May 14th- 9-noon- Click HERE

This is absolutely one class that every 8th-11th grade college bound student and their parents should attend! Come learn how to navigate scholarships, financial aid, how to pick a college, test prep tips and much more! This event may totally change how you approach what lies ahead!

College Bound Essentials- Homeschool Edition- Lake Norman

February 27th- 9-noon- Click HERE

This class is exactly like the College Bound class listed above but will have an extra component that addresses some items relevant to homeschoolers. However, non-homeschoolers will still benefit. If this date and location suits you, please come even if you are not a homeschooler. Location: Lake Norman Christian School.

Interview Skills and Effective Communications- Lake Norman

Feb 27th- 12:30 till 3:30- Click HERE

This class is right after the College Bound Essentials class listed above. This is my favorite class of all to teach! This fun and interactive class will help students communicate clearly and effectively in any interview situation. They will practice answering the top interview questions for scholarships, internships, and admissions. We will cover key communication techniques to make them confident and effective speakers! Location: Lake Norman Christian School

Essay Writing for College Admissions and Scholarships- Lake Wylie

9:00-noon each time

April 23rd- Click HERE June 4th- Click HERE

There is a fine art to writing a compelling and insightful essay for college admissions and scholarship applications. This class will cover all of the elements of an effective essay and assist students as they create their own unique creative work.

Rising Senior Year Essentials

1:00-4:00 each time

April 23rd- Click HERE June 4th- Click HERE

This class intentionally follows the essay writing class (above) so that in one fell swoop we can cover all of the most critical issues for a rising senior. This Senior Year Essentials class will cover every step of the senior year in the pursuit of admissions, scholarships, financial aid, getting rec letters, taking final SAT or ACT tests and much more. A must for every current junior!

Rising Junior Year Essentials

1:00-4:00 each time

March 12th - Click HERE May 14th- Click HERE

The junior year is arguably the most important year of a student's high school career. This class will cover every item students need to cover during this critical year. We will cover when to take the SAT and ACT and the best ways to prep, the best ways to spend the summer, how to strategically choose their classes, how to evaluate a college and have a great tour, and much, much more. This is an essential class for every current sophomore!

Need a Private Appointment?

Since there is a group of students (concierge students) to whom I have already committed my after school appointments, I am happy to offer all other students set hours as well.

My hours are posted below. Please email me at HartleyGold@yahoo.com if you want to set up an appointment.

While my after school hours give priority to concierge students, Kay has appointments for those who need to meet after school. You can always call and book with her directly at 678-779-8873 to set up a private meeting to review applications or to help a younger student get on the right path.

Elizabeth's School Year Hours

Saturdays- teach workshops, no private sessions

Sunday- family time

Monday-Friday- 8:00 a.m.-4:00 pm, private students who are not concierge students. (Concierge students are students I'm contracted with to provide intense and ongoing support. My concierge groups are full through the class of 2019.) Sessions have to be wrapped up by 4:00 pm, meaning those meetings generally start at 1:00 or 2:00. It's not ideal, I know, that a student have to miss a bit of a school day in order to meet but you may decide that it is a worthwhile sacrifice for something this important.

Monday-Friday- 4:00 pm- 8:00 pm- private sessions for students who are concierge students (students who have hired me to provide intense coaching throughout high school)

Alternatively- for after school appointments for non-concierge students, my associate Kay Holleman is available.

Scholarship Gold Consulting | 704-608-1807 | Scholarshipgold.com

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