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​VIRTUAL EVENTS

Check back often for additional dates!
We may not be able to meet in-person for a while, but that doesn't mean an end to information-sharing and networking! Over the next several months, we hope that our series of virtual events will serve as a resource for those who are seeking guidance about highly selective admissions and financial aid. All sessions are free of charge and open to female high school students and their families, counselors, educators, and CBO leaders. If you have an idea for a virtual event topic or structure, please submit it through our online form. 

JUNE

June 8-12 is College Readiness Week! We know that highly selective college admissions and financial aid processes can be daunting, but our expert presenters from CollegeLab, Columbia, the University of Chicago, Harvard, Wellesley, Yale, and Hamilton are here to help you navigate the steps and demystify common misconceptions. Think of it as a one hour daily investment that will save you many hours later in the year!
June 8: 5-6 pm ET
Making Your College List
​With thousands of colleges and universities in the United States alone, how does one possibly know where to start? This session will help students identify the components that matter most when making decisions about where to apply. Going beyond the traditional breakdown (reach, match, safety), presenter Alicia Lindgren from CollegeLab will help participants think about some of the relevant factors when selecting schools (urban vs. suburban, campus size, curriculum, requirements, sports team presence, etc) and how to distinguish those characteristics within institutions.
June 9: 5-6 pm ET
Common Application Walkthrough
Are you a rising high school senior about to begin the college application process? Are you a freshman, sophomore, or junior and feeling unsure of what awaits you? Never fear! During this session, Courtney Hobgood (Columbia University) and Liz Schutz (University of Chicago) will guide participants through an overview of the Common Application and how it is used in highly selective holistic admissions processes.
June 10: 4-5 pm ET
Letters of Recommendation, Test Scores, and Transcripts
The essay may seem like the biggest lift on your application, but it's only one of the many pieces that help admissions teams understand more about you! In this session, presenters Amanda Washington (Harvard University) and Jake Sisco (Wellesley College) will help participants understand what highly selective colleges and universities are looking for in letters of recommendation, test scores, and transcripts.
June 11: 5:30-6:30 pm ET
Financing Your Education
The $70,000+ annual price tags on many highly selective institutions can seem daunting, but the reality is that very few students are responsible for the full amount. Scott Wallace-Juedes, Director of Financial Aid at Yale University, will provide an overview of terminology, describe how to apply for aid, review what a typical award package includes, and expand upon how to supplement need-based aid with additional options.
June 12: 5-6 pm ET
Essay Writing Workshop
More than simply an essay tips and tricks workshop, Courtney Hobgood (Columbia University) and Tyler Boyle (Hamilton College) will help attendees understand how to present an authentic voice and showcase multiple facets of the applicant's profile (academic, athletic, volunteerism, etc.). The personal statement is an excellent chance to show admissions teams who you are and what is important to you, so make sure you're putting your best foot forward!
June 16: 4-5:15 pm ET
Introduction to QuestBridge
Did you know that there are ways that college can be FREE? One example is the QuestBridge program, which provides scholarships to high achieving, lower-income students from around the country. Join Corinne Smith (Yale University), Scott Wallace-Juedes (Yale University Director of Financial Aid), and Pedro Ramirez (Colorado College) as they chat about opportunities through QuestBridge and how to make sure your candidacy is considered.
June 22: 5-6 pm ET
Unique College Environments
This session aims to help familiarize students, families, counselors, and educators with colleges that offer unique environments for students, including women’s colleges, HBCUs, and institutions that have emphases on music and STEM. Join Gabrielle Boyd (Spelman College), Brittnei Sherrod (Oberlin College), and Jeremy Weprich (MIT) as they give an overview about each of their institutions and answer your questions. Our goal is to showcase the benefits of these different academic environments as students evaluate their vast set of options.

​More events coming soon!
Past events have included: 
  • The Urban Ivies
  • Presenting Your Best Self: Tips and Tricks for College Essays
  • Making the College Decision
  • The Impact of COVID-19 on Highly Selective College Admissions
  • The Financial Impact of COVID-19
  • All Things Testing
and more!