Page 8A | The Scarsdale Inquirer | Friday, August 23, 2013 – Back to School
Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship
2014 Common App has changed Welcome to the new Common Application. The class of 2014 will be the first to use the new version called CA4. CAROL GILL For years students knew what to expect on the application, which is accepted by 488 colleges. Now the Common App is different, and students should understand the changes, which took place beginning Aug. 1. What’s new? n The Personal Statement may be up to 650 words. It is now cut and paste, not uploaded. That means essays may not exceed the word limit by even one character. n Prompts for the Personal Statement have changed. Students are no longer given the option of Topic of Your Choice (see below). n The Activity Essay is gone. Some colleges may, however, ask that question on their supplements. n The Common App officers assure us that the technical aspects of filling out the application will be easier. We’ll see. New essay prompts Answer one of the following: n Some students have a background
For 64 years, the Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship Fund for College has provided grants to graduating SHS seniors for their freshman year of college. The fund is a source of vital financial assistance for a dozen or more applicants each year. The loss of a job, a divorce or unexpected illness or death may have devastating effects on a family’s ability to pay for a son or daughter’s college education. In addition, the financial strains resulting from the ongoing U.S. economic malaise, coupled with increasing costs of college tuition and expenses as well as the decrease in available government loans and college assistance, could make attending college next fall an unattainable goal for some students. The scholarship fund provides grants for freshman year, ranging in amount from $1,000-$7,500, directly to institutions of higher education for those Scarsdale High School seniors who demonstrate need and who will receive a Scarsdale diploma and matriculate at a college or university in the fall. The fund is administered under strict rules of confidentiality. The Scarsdale High School deans make grant applications available to all Scarsdale seniors. Applications may also be downloaded online at www.scarsdaleschools. org/shspta. The deadline to apply for a grant is the first week of May 2014. The scholarships are funded solely by donations from the Scarsdale community. Each fall, an appeal is sent to every household, business and educator in Scarsdale.
or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. n Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? n Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? n Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? n Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. What’s not new? n College admissions are more competitive than ever. n You have to give colleges a reason to accept you and writing a great essay is the perfect way to do that. Unlike scores, grades and classes taken, essays are the single part of the application that you can control. Use it wisely.
Contact Carol Gill Associates/College Consultants at www.collegesplus. com or 693-8200. n
In addition to the communitywide mailing, funds are raised through the sale of Gift of Education cards in honor of graduating seniors, or in honor or memory of teachers, administrators or as a holiday gift to teachers. Every dollar raised goes directly toward funding the grants. Last year, the scholarship fund raised approximately $78,000 from contributions by more than 270 residents, businesses, organizations, graduating classes, alumni and educators, as well as generous donations from district PTAs. As a result, the scholarship fund was able to award 17 grants totaling $92,500 to students for their freshman year of college. Without these grants, many of those students might not have been able to attend college this fall. Scarsdale is a community that has consistently demonstrated its commitment to our youth and their education. By contributing to the Scholarship Fund for College, we can attempt to ensure that all students who wish to pursue higher education have the means to do so. The fund is managed by volunteers from all five Scarsdale neighborhoods. Donations, which are tax-deductible, are accepted throughout the year. They may be mailed to SHS PTA Scholarship Fund for College, P.O. Box 147H, or made online via PayPal at ww.scarsdaleschools.org/Page/2206. Questions may be directed to chairman Monica Rieckhoff at 713-0978 or mrieckhoff@gmail.com. n
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C P D entral
ark
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“Where every student is special”
Westchester's Highest Quality Programs for Over 30 Years Offering All Levels of Children & Adult Classes All Aspects of Dance and Fitness
Over 175 Weekly Classes! Register in full for Fall 2013 by September 9th and receive 15% off all dancewear, footwear and accessories at Miss Talia's Boutique on premises. Open late 7 days. 450 Central Park Ave, Scarsdale
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By CAROL GILL
Benefiting college-bound students
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