News from the Counseling Department

Week of October 27, 2014

Topic of the week: Demonstrated Interest

As I sit in on college visits and attend college-related workshops, one phrase keeps popping up: "demonstrated interest." Many colleges and universities (especially the more selective ones) use "demonstrated interest" as a factor in determining admissions. When an admissions officer is looking at two similar applications and one applicant has demonstrated interest in that university over the past year or two by attending a high school visit and talking with an admissions representative at a college fair, and the other applicant has never demonstrated any interest in the university beyond the actual application, the student who demonstrated interest is going to be admitted over the student who didn't. You can demonstrate interest by attending college visits at the high school, attending college information sessions, going on the college website and filling out an interest card, going on a campus tour, etc. It is never too early to start to demonstrate interest and explore your college options!

Websites of the week:

• aztransfer.com
• At aztransfer.com students can find out how their AP, IB or CLEP scores will transfer to any of the Arizona universities or community colleges. Another nice feature of this website is the "course equivalency guide" where students can see how their Pima Community College (or any other Arizona community college) credits will transfer to any of the Arizona universities.
• Degreesearch.arizona.edu
• Designed by the University of Arizona, this site gives students the tools to identify a major that's their perfect match.
• Net Price Calculator
• This calculator is specific to the University of Arizona, however due to recent legislation, all colleges and universities are required to have a cost of attendance, or net price, calculator on their website.
• FAFSA 4caster
• This site, hosted by the federal government,will help you understand your options for paying for college. After providing some basic information, you will receive an estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid.

Another great opportunity....

CDO will be offering the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) for students on Thursday, November 13 at 8:30 am. The ASVAB is the best aptitude and interest inventory available! If your student isn't sure about what career field he/she would like to go in to, this test can help them explore what they would be good at doing, and what they would enjoy doing (and where those two things overlap!). Please have your student sign up in the counseling office.

December SAT and ACT Registration Deadline Approaching

Next Thursday and Friday, November 6 and 7 are the deadlines to register for the December SAT and ACT, respectively. If your student is a senior who plans on attending a four-year university immediately after graduation and he/she has not taken either one of these tests yet, he/she should sign up for one or both of them this week! Students can register for the SAT at sat.collegeboard.org and the ACT at www.actstudent.org.

Scholarship Spotlight:

The Stokes Educational Scholarship Program was created to facilitate the recruitment of individuals, particularly minority high school students, who have demonstrated skills critical to NSA. Stokes provides a tremendous opportunity to gain valuable experience in your field while attending college and getting a degree. Stokes is open to high school seniors planning on majoring in computer science or computer/electrical engineering.

As an NSA employee with the Stokes Program, you will attend college full-time, receive up to $30,000 per year for tuition and mandatory fees; and work during the summers at NSA for 12 weeks in areas that are related to your course of study. You'll acquire real-world experience and receive a year-round salary.

Qualifications for High School Students - You must major in computer science or computer/electrical engineering and meet the following requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be eligible to be granted a security clearance
• A high school senior at the time of application
• A minimum SAT/College Board score of 1600 (1100 Critical Reading and Math, 500 in Writing) or ACT of 25
• A GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale is preferred
• Demonstrated leadership abilities

Application Deadline = November 15th

Apply: https://www.nsa.gov/careers/opportunities_4_u/students/stokes.shtml 

Upcoming College Visits:

• Gonzaga University - Tuesday, October 28, 9:30 am
• Washington University in St. Louis - Thursday, October 30, 11:15 am
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Monday, November 3, 10:30 am
• Grand Canyon University - Tuesday, November 4, 9:00 am
• Pima Community College - Thursday, November 6, 9:00 am
• University of Arizona w/ UA Honors College - Thursday, November 13, 9:00 am

and 

The Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy  

invite you to the FREE launch party for 

 Smart Girls in the 21st Century: Understanding Talented Girls and Women

by 

October

• October 20, 10:15 am - University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
• October 21, 9:00 am - Arizona State University
• October 22, 12:30 pm - Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI)
• October 23, 8:30 am - Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA)
• October 23, 9:30 am - California Baptist University (Riverside, CA)
• October 23, 10:30 am - Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego, CA)
• October 23, 11:30 am - Biola University (La Mriada, CA)
• October 23, 6:00-8:00 pm - National Christian College Fair at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy
• October 24, 8:00 am - Westmont College (Santa Barbara, CA)
• October 24, 8:00 am - Barrett, The Honors College, at ASU (Dean Jacobs will be here)

• October 28, 9:30 am - Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA)
• October 30, 11:15 am - Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

CDO ANNOUNCEMENTS

DRESS CODE

• HEY DORADOS!  This is a reminder that the dress code is still in effect.  Ladies, your tops must have straps on the shoulders, no showing or exposed undergarments and your midriff, front and back, must be covered.  Open or exposed backs on shirts are not allowed, either. Gentlemen, same for you: no exposed undergarments, no tank tops where the armpit hole extends to the waist, no exposed midriff and no images or language on shirts that violate the dress code.  Dress code violators will be directed to Mrs. Henkel in Counseling where they will exchange their top for a CDO t-shirt.  Keep it classy CDO.

STUDENT IDs

• A GENTLE REMINDER ABOUT IDs:  IDs must be worn and displayed while on campus by all students. Around the neck or on the bag facing front is perfectly acceptable.  In the pocket or out of site is unacceptable - students must have it on and showing. If you don't have it on or showing in front you will most likely receive a lunch detention.  Thanks for your thoughtful cooperation.

Parents of seniors

Would you like to design a special page in the 50th anniversary yearbook for your graduate? Would you like to leave them an enduring memory of their years at CDO or a special note to be remembered?  The following link will take you to the Herff Jones site where you may design that note or purchase a yearbook.  

Place your order now as this link will only be active until December 19, 2014.

Yearbook Order Link

Webpages

Amphi Homepage

CDO Homepage

CDO Film

EZ pay for Cafeteria

Counseling 

Palantir Print Edition

Parent Portal

Project Grad

Tax Credit Info

CDO Silent Witness Hot Line

696-5564

Website 

Officer Beauchamp:

Officer Brown

Information

Regular Bell Schedule 

MaxPreps 

Parent Organization 

Amphi Project Grad 

Athletics 

Pom  

Project Grad  

Spirit Line 

Theatre 

 SAT Test Dates @ CDO