Issuu

Class of 2027 For College Pathway Advising Meeting Outlines Jr+Sr RoadMap Advising Periods Click here to view in English! ¡Haga clic aquí para leer en Español!

Calendar 2026-27 Click here to view!

CN 1: January + February CN 2: March + April May + June + July (no notes due) CN 3: August + September CN 4: October + November December CN 5: January + February CN 6: March + April

Questions? Advising Team advising@crosbyscholars.org Liris Clemente-Marin Advisor Program Specialist lmarin@crosbyscholars.org Cindy Zimmerman Student-Selected Advisor Coordinator czimmerman@crosbyscholars.org

*Note: Digital version of this document provides the most current information.

CROSBY SCHOLARS CN #1 OUTLINE, CLASS OF 2027 DUE DATE: MARCH 6, 2026 ADVISOR INSTRUCTIONS Use this outline to guide your conversation in your next meeting with the scholar, and keep it for your records. During this meeting, review the Crosby Scholars Senior Roadmap + Advising Calendar provided by Crosby Scholars staff. Following the meeting, submit CN 1 via CrosbyConnect to verity that the scholar has fulfilled this requirement. The digital version of this outline is available via the team calendar and contains the most current information.

MEETING OUTLINE BY TOPIC

Confirm High School Enrollment and Graduation Date

GOAL To have accurate data. Advisor reports school enrollment and projected graduation date on the Conference Notes 1 Form. Review plans if the scholar is graduating early and confirm scholar is enrolled in the courses needed to fulfill graduation requirements.

Remind the scholar the Senior Program is email driven. Log in to CrosbyConnect.

To confirm that scholar and parent contact information is accurate. The scholar's email address displayed in CrosbyConnect and should be the email address the scholar checks most often. Place an emphasis on “Parent 1” as they will be copied on emails. Ask scholar if they need assistance navigating CrosbyConnect. (Remember - no password needed!)

Review Senior Year Course Selection

To confirm scholar is enrolled in the most challenging courses in which they can succeed. Stress the importance of continuing with challenging courses their senior year. Ensure they will fulfill graduation requirements, and encourage them to speak with their school counselor to discuss their senior year schedule.

Complete Think Like a Senior (TLS) Requirement

To confirm a plan to complete this Junior Program requirement. Juniors must attend one TLS session and they register through CrosbyConnect. During TLS, juniors will be introduced to building a college list and decision plans to prepare them to create a plan for applying that suits their goals and preferences. (Dates will be released soon.)

Review Senior Program requirements listed on the back of the Crosby Scholars Senior Program Roadmap

To develop a plan to fulfill Senior Program requirements. Help your scholar to know the difference between Program requirements and expectations. Assist scholar with completing CF/V and community service requirements as a junior. Juniors who complete 4 or more service hours will fulfill both their junior and senior year requirements.

Communicating with the Senior Program

To review the ways the Senior Program shares information with scholars and families. Communication methods include email and text messages, CrosbyConnect, the Crosby Scholars website, and monthly newsletters. Remind scholars they are encouraged to contact the Senior Program, Financial Aid, and Advising Team via email and phone calls.

Advisor's Role

To help the scholar engage with and realize the full benefits of meeting with a Crosby Scholars Advisor. Explain in detail the various ways the advisor can assist the scholar including developing a target list of colleges, completing college applications, reviewing essays, communicating with colleges, fulfilling program requirements, and securing funding to pay for college. Help the scholar identify ways the advisor can assist them with their individual needs. View the role and responsibilities here.

MEETING OUTLINE BY TOPIC

GOAL

Discuss the importance of visiting college campuses and complete the College Fair/Visit requirement. CF/V

To help scholars fully investigate schools before applying and especially before enrolling. Emphasize a college that seems ideal by reputation or online can make a much different impression in person. Remind them that ruling a college out is just as significant as confirming their interest. Assist the scholar with scheduling a campus visit. The list of spring college visits with the Program staff will display on the team calendar. Resources: BigFuture's Campus Visits: Know Before You Go; Meredith College’s 7 Tips for Making the Most of Your Campus Visit; NACAC's What you Need to Know for In-Person Fairs and What you Need to Know for Virtual Fairs

Begin Paying for College Discussion

To encourage scholars to explore the family's plan to pay for college and what financial assistance is available. It is important for scholars to talk to their parents/guardians now about paying for college as they develop their balanced college list. Contact the Crosby Financial Aid team as they can assist with this conversation. Share this article.

Guide Student to Create a Working Personal Email, if needed

To ensure scholars have correct contact information in CrosbyConnect. Scholars have been encouraged to use a personal email in our system though many times these accounts are outdated which greatly hinders student progress. Email addresses should not be WS/FCS accounts if at all possible because they will expire. Email addresses should also be appropriate to use for teachers, colleges, scholarships and other pre-professional scenarios.

Explore Standardized Testing Plan + Discuss school-based ACT

To ensure the scholar knows how to check the most up-to-date information at each college regarding testing requirements and options. Help them decide about testing with their college list in mind. Inform them that there are exceptions to test-optional and test-flexible admission. Review fairtest.org with them. Encourage them to take advantage of FREE test prep through Crosby Scholars and/or by practicing online prior to the February 24th ACT statewide administration. View Crosby test prep dates here (coming soon).

CROSBY SCHOLARS TO-DO LIST

GENERAL TO-DO LIST

Read Monthly Newsletter & weekly emails

Confirm email is correct (& working) in CrosbyConnect

Research colleges and their testing policies

Submit Community Service Form* via CrosbyConnect

Discuss paying for college with parent/guardian

Attend one Think Like a Senior (TLS) Session*

Schedule campus visits during school holidays

Submit College Fair/Visit Form* via CrosbyConnect

Attend school and focus on performing well in class

*Requirement

If you have questions or need guidance, contact the Crosby Scholars Advising Program at advising@crosbyscholars.org or Student-Selected Advisor Coordinator, Cindy Zimmerman, at czimmerman@crosbyscholars.org.

The digital version of this outline is linked to the advising team calendar and provides the most current information.

CROSBY SCHOLARS CN #2 OUTLINE, CLASS OF 2027 DUE DATE: MAY 8, 2026 ADVISOR INSTRUCTIONS Use this outline to guide your conversation in your next meeting with the scholar, and keep it for your records. During this meeting, review the Crosby Scholars Senior Roadmap + Advising Calendar provided by Crosby Scholars staff. Following the meeting, submit CN 2 via CrosbyConnect to verity that the scholar has fulfilled this requirement. The digital version of this outline is available via the team calendar and contains the most current information.

CONFERENCE NOTE #1 TOPICS TO REVISIT:

GOAL

Review Spring entries displayed in the Crosby Scholars Senior Roadmap including junior year requirements

To confirm a plan to complete each junior spring entry. Help the scholar create and execute a plan to fully utilize the spring semester to prepare for the upcoming college application season. Scholar must submit a community service form AND attend one TLS session by April 1. Help scholar submit the CS form during your meeting.

Discuss the importance of visiting college campuses and demonstrate interest in schools

To scholars fully investigateeach schools before applying and tothe demonstrate To help confirm a plan to complete junior spring entry. Help scholar create interest in schools. Assist scholar with scheduling summer and fall campus visits. and execute a plan to fully utilize the spring semester to prepare for the upcoming Share Open House dates as they become available. If scholar has completed college application season. If scholar has volunteered for at least 4 hours,the have requirement, have submitservice the CF/V Form during your meeting. scholar submit thescholar community form during your meeting.

MEETING OUTLINE BY TOPIC

GOAL

Compare Scores & Create Standardized Testing Plan

Every scholar should have taken the ACT at school in February. Using that score as reference, each scholar needs to develop a plan. Review scholar's current scores and evaluate how they compare to first year profiles at target colleges. Review future ACT + SAT test dates and test-prep opportunities with their target colleges in mind. Visit fairtest.org. Scholars applying to test-optional schools have time to decide whether or not to submit test scores provided they didn't enter school names when they registered to take the tests. Resources: Retake or Reroute webinar (new!) and recording of Overview of the ACT on-demand recording.

Determine First-Generation Status

Review Mid-Year Academic Profile

Build a Balanced List of Colleges

Review College Decision Plans

(Early Decision, Early Action, Regular, etc.)

To ensure that first generation status is correct in CrosbyConnect. Invite conversation about being a first gen student. Inform the scholar of Crosby Scholars scholarships for first-gen scholars and review the services available to guide first-gen students and families through the admission and financial aid processes. To ensure scholar knows their GPA and understands what colleges will see when they apply to college. Review the transcript record provided. The scholar should keep in mind their GPA, courses taken, and grades earned as they build a balanced target list of colleges. Stress the importance of junior year performance in the admissions process. Remind scholar it is the year when most students take more challenging classes, and it will be the most recent full-year performance before applying to college. Confirm the scholar is enrolled in the most challenging senior year courses in which they can succeed and alert scholar that colleges will review their senior year courses. To help scholar confirm what colleges they will to apply to. Scholars must know their current academic profile to evaluate match and consider their preferences to evaluate fit. Encourage the scholar to use these tools to research colleges: CollegeBoard College Search Tool, Big Future's Choosing the Right College for You, College Scorecard | U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator | College Search Tool to identify schools. Review the categories: likely + target + reach schools. It is important to only include schools the scholar would be happy to attend.

To confirm scholar understands each decision plan and how to apply. Confirm scholar understands the timeline of the admission cycle for each. Review the various college decision plans and help the scholar consider which decision plan is best for them.

MEETING OUTLINE BY TOPIC

GOAL

Review College Application Types

To ensure scholar is aware of the various college application types, and how to use them for greatest efficiency in applying. Encourage scholar to create an account in alliance with their target list of colleges. Introduce ways to apply to college for free, including but not limited to Direct Admissions (NC College Connect), College Application Week through CFNC and Common App fee waivers. Encourage the scholar to check the school's website for the most current information on application types accepted.

Discuss Potential Majors and Areas of Interest + Relate this to List of Colleges

To assist students in thinking about academic areas of interest that they might want to focus on in college as a major. Have a conversation with the scholar about their academic interests and to reassure students that it is perfectly normal NOT to have a specific major when they enter college. To educate students interested in majors such as nursing, business, etc. about a possible second (after admission) competitive process they will face in order to pursue those majors at certain schools. To remind the scholar to ensure colleges on their target list offer potential majors that interest them by looking up the list of majors on the individual college websites they are considering. To encourage the ASVAB as a no-cost investment in better understanding their strengths and interests, and remind scholar that they will not be contacted to enter the military if they take this test. Encourage scholars to visit the FREE ASVAB Career Exploration Program to align skills and interests with post-secondary options. College Board's The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Major

Begin Understanding College Costs + Scholarship Search

To help scholar begin to understand and consider college costs while creating a list of colleges. Understanding the Cost of Attendance (COA) of colleges is an important step in determining affordability and creating a plan to pay for college. Using a Net Price Calculator can help scholars understand how much a college may cost them after financial aid has been awarded. Understanding college costs will allow them to make a smarter financial choice about which schools to pursue. Explain how scholarships can help them and their family pay for college and become familiar with ways to search for scholarships.

Review Crosby Scholars Guide to Letters of Recommendation

To help scholar select people who know them well and advise them to choose people who can speak to their growth as a student, an athlete, or as a school leader. To emphasize that the student should submit only the number of recommendations that a college requests! It is important to ask permission to give their recommender's name and contact information and ask far enough in advance to allow time for a quality recommendation. Consider asking core subject teachers (in person) before they leave for summer break and explain why they asked that teacher. Remind scholars that recommendations can make a huge difference in their application so if they are optional at the colleges under consideration, the scholar should still submit them.

Review Senior Academy Pathways

To assist scholars in proactively deciding which Senior Academies will be the most helpful for them to attend. To explore with students which pathway best reflects their needs and to remind them that they are required to attend one academy and are encouraged to attend all academies they believe will benefit them. Often times it can be very helpful for a scholar to attend academies over the summer when they tend to have fewer commitments. Registration is in CrosbyConnect.

CROSBY SCHOLARS TO-DO LIST

GENERAL TO-DO LIST

create standardized testing plan (see new webinar!)

read the monthly newsletter + the weekly emails

draft a balanced college list

apply to join the Crosby Scholars Leadership Council

update or create a CFNC, CommonApp, etc. accounts

submit college fair/visit Form* via CrosbyConnect

continue paying for college discussion w/parent/guardian

submit community service form* via CrosbyConnect

schedule campus visits + research fall Open House dates

receive Class of 2027 t-shirt

ask teachers for letters of rec before summer break

*Requirement

If you have questions or need guidance, contact the Crosby Scholars Advising Program at advising@crosbyscholars.org or Student-Selected Advisor Specialist, Cindy Zimmerman, at czimmerman@crosbyscholars.org.

The digital version of this outline is linked to the advising team calendar and provides the most current information.

CROSBY SCHOLARS RISING SENIOR SUMMER OUTLINE, CLASS OF 2027 ADVISOR INSTRUCTIONS Use this outline to guide your summer communication with the scholar, and keep it for your records. Review the Crosby Scholars Senior Roadmap + Advising Calendar provided by Crosby Scholars staff. Conference notes are not due during the summer, but advisors should continue their outreach + promote events.

CONFERENCE NOTE #1 TOPICS TO REVISIT:

GOAL

Review Senior Program requirements listed on the back of the Crosby Scholars Senior Roadmap

To establish a plan for fulfilling Senior Program requirements during the summer, when scholars typically have fewer commitments. Use the summer before the senior year to complete program requirements, such as submitting community service and college fair/visit forms, and attending at least one Senior Academy.

Discuss the importance of visiting college campuses and complete the college fair/college visit requirement

To help scholars thoroughly explore schools before applying and demonstrate their interest. Assist them with scheduling summer and fall campus visits. Share Open House dates as they become available. Emphasize that college visits can help scholars decide whether to apply and not to confirm what they believe they already know. It’s equally important to rule out colleges as it is to rule them in.

Review Standardized Testing Options + Finalize Testing Plan

To ensure scholars understand the testing requirements and options at target colleges. Discuss their current scores and compare them to first year profiles at target colleges to develop a testing plan. Review upcoming ACT + SAT test dates and test-prep opps. Remind the scholars that at test-optional schools, they have until they submit their applications to decide whether or not to include their scores.

CONFERENCE NOTE #2 TOPICS TO REVISIT:

Finalize a Balanced College List

GOAL

To assist scholars in finalizing their college application choices, encourage them to use the following tools: CollegeBoard College Search Tool, Big Future's Choosing the Right College for You, College Scorecard | U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator | College Search Tool Remind scholar to consider acceptance rates, first-year profiles, and compare the middle 50% stats to their own academic profiles. They should watch the ondemand recording of Build Your College List senior academy here.

Review College Decision Plans + College Application Types + Deadlines

To help scholars confirm their decision plan and application type, ensuring they understand the commitments involved and choose the most efficient approach. Encourage the scholars to enter the fall with a well-prepared plan to meet application deadlines.

Review Senior Academies Pathways

To register for Senior Academies that best reflects their needs. Remind them of the requirement to attend at least one academy. Encourage them to attend all academies they find beneficial. Often, it can be helpful for scholars to attend academies over the summer when they have fewer commitments. The full list of academy offerings will display in CrosbyConnect. Encourage scholars to earn academy credit this summer.

Review Summer entries listed in the Crosby Scholars Senior Program Roadmap

To ensure scholars have plans to complete each summer roadmap entry. Encourage them to fully utilize the summer before the senior year to help ease the stress and pressure of the fall application process.

MEETING OUTLINE BY TOPIC

GOAL To confirm that scholars are residents of North Carolina, they must complete RDS. RDS allows scholars to use a single residency determination for admissions applications to NC public 2- and 4-year colleges and universities and to demonstrate residency for state aid programs at all NC colleges and universities, both public and private. Scholars must first establish a CFNC account to complete RDS and must do so before filling out admission applications to NC public 2- & 4-year colleges. They should attend the Intro to RDS senior academy zoom webinar this summer on July 9th.

Complete Residency Determination (RDS)

Create Application Accounts

To prepare for the college application process. After identifying which applications they will use to apply to the schools on their target list, scholars can begin creating accounts this summer. Coalition Application, CFNC, Common Application, Common Black College Application, QuestBridge, Universal College Application, and others. These websites provide guidance on the application process and simplify applying to multiple colleges with a single application. They should attend the Common App 101 senior academy Zoom webinar. Scholars can create a Common App account but should avoid entering information in the My Colleges tab until August 1, as it will not rollover. Scholars may begin completing the My Colleges tab on August 1.

Write Drafts of College Essays

Update Activities Résumé

Rising Senior Summer

To confirm the application requirements at each school on list. Scholars should research whether essays are required. Assist scholars in selecting the essay prompts that best suit them. Encourage them to utilize the various Crosby Scholars essay review services that display in CrosbyConnect as each becomes available. For Summer Academies, they should watch for dates for Essay Writing 101 + then the Essay Writing 201 webinar (recordings will be available). Essay Coaching will launch late summer. To ensure scholars’ most recent activities and awards are accurately displayed on their résumé. Help scholars identify which activities best represents them. Prepare to transfer those entries onto the college application, keeping in mind, it is not likely there is enough room to include all resume entries on a college application. It is most important for the scholars to demonstrate the positive impact they have had on their community through their participation in activities. To encourage scholars to fully utilize the summer prior to their senior year. Suggest the following activities: visiting college campuses; choosing admission essay topics and writing drafts; creating accounts such as CFNC, Common App, etc.; fulfilling academy requirement; submitting RDS; submitting college fair/college visit forms; submitting community service forms; taking the ACT and/or SAT; and more! Remind scholars to stay in contact with their Crosby Scholars Advisor over the summer.

CROSBY SCHOLARS TO-DO LIST

GENERAL TO-DO LIST

attend or watch on-demand senior academy

read the weekly email

create a balanced target list of colleges

update activities résumé

establish application accounts CFNC, CommonApp, etc.

submit College Fair/College Visit Form* via CrosbyConnect

choose admission essay topics + write drafts

submit Community Service Form* via CrosbyConnect

schedule campus visits + research fall Open House dates

maintain regular contact with your Crosby Scholars Advisor

complete Residency Determination (RDS)

*Requirement

If you have questions or need guidance, contact the Crosby Scholars Advising Program at advising@crosbyscholars.org or Student Selected Advisor Coordinator, Cindy Zimmerman, at czimmerman@crosbyscholars.org.

The digital version of this outline is linked to the advising team calendar and provides the most current information.

CROSBY SCHOLARS CROSBY SCHOLARS CN CN #3 #3 OUTLINE, OUTLINE, CLASS CLASS OF OF 2027 2027 DUE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 ADVISOR INSTRUCTIONS Use this outline to guide your conversation in your next meeting with the scholar, and keep it for your records. During the meeting, review the Crosby Scholars Senior Roadmap and Advising Calendar shared by Crosby staff. Following the meeting, submit CN 3 via CrosbyConnect to verity that the scholar has fulfilled this requirement. The digital version of this outline is available via the team calendar and contains the most current information.

CN #2 + SUMMER TOPICS TO REVISIT:

GOAL

Discuss the importance of visiting college campuses + demonstrating interest in schools

To explore ways scholar can demonstrate interest in a college while also gaining deeper insight into whether it’s the right match + fit prior to applying. Many colleges consider demonstrated interest as part of their admissions process, operating on the belief that increased engagement suggests a higher likelihood of enrollment. Fortunately, showing interest is easy and it offers the added benefit of helping scholars learn more about the college along the way.

Review Senior Academy Pathways

To support scholar in proactively identifying which senior academies will be most beneficial for their goals. Help scholar determine the pathway that best aligns with their needs, and remind them that attending at least one academy prior to December 1 is required. Encourage scholar to attend all additional academies they find valuable. Many academies are conveniently available as on-demand options.

Complete North Carolina Residency Determination (RDS)

To validate the scholar is a NC resident. All NC students who apply to NC public, private, or community colleges are required to complete the RDS form. It also serves as verification of residency when applying for state aid at all (public + private) NC colleges. The process involves answering a few questions and is only required once. Scholars must use their CFNC account to find the RDS application.

MEETING OUTLINE BY TOPIC:

GOAL

Review Fall entries displayed in the Crosby Scholars Senior Program Roadmap

To assist scholar with creating a plan to complete all senior fall entries, including fulfilling Senior Program requirements. Help the scholar develop and execute a plan to fully utilize the fall semester to navigate the college application season successfully and to fulfill all Program requirements.

Review End-of-Junior Year Academic Profile

To ensure scholar knows their GPA and understand how their academic profile will appear to colleges during the application process. Review the transcript or transcript record report provided by the Program and guide the scholar in identifying key components--cumulative GPA, courses taken, class rank, and test scores (when applicable). Remind scholar that colleges will review their senior year courseload and may also consider mid-year grades as part of the evaluation.

Communicating with the Senior Program

To verify the scholar is confident in navigating the system effectively. Verify the accuracy of their contact information and school enrollment, and confirm that the email address displayed is the one they check most often. Provide the correct personal email address on CN 3. Encourage the scholar to opt in to receive text messages (if they haven’t previously agreed) as we find this is the most efficient way for them to remain connected with the Program. To confirm scholar understands the various ways to communicate with the Senior Program. Discuss the importance of staying connected by reading emails, checking text messages, and watching weekly videos sent via email. Emphasize that consistent communication is key to making the most of the support and resources offered by the Program.

MEETING OUTLINE BY TOPIC:

GOAL

Understand and Consider College Costs

To support the scholar in understanding and evaluating college costs while finalizing a college list. Emphasize the importance of having early conversations with parents/guardians about how to pay for college. Reviewing each college’s Cost of Attendance (COA) and using a Net Price Calculator are important steps in determining affordability and creating a plan to pay for college.

Confirm Balanced List of Colleges

To confirm the scholar has a balanced college list. Guide scholar to add their schools to the "My Colleges" on the Common App and carefully review all subsections required for each institution to complete apps. Scholar should checkin with counselors and teachers writing recommendations sharing updates about their summer experiences or changes to their college list.

Confirm College Application Types + Decision Plans

To reaffirm scholar is aware of the different college application types, and how to use each one for greatest efficiency in applying. Encourage scholar to create accounts aligned with their college list. Advise the scholar to check each college's website for the most current information on application types accepted. Confirm the decision plan that best suits the scholar’s goals + circumstances.

Review QuestBridge’s 2026 National College Match criteria

To explore if the scholar meets the criteria to pursue. QuestBridge is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has connected thousands of students to top colleges through the National College Match. Over 50 top college partners work with QB to make an education affordable + attainable for outstanding students from low-income backgrounds. The application opens in late summer.

Begin Applying to College

To empower scholar in being a well-informed and competitive applicant. Begin by reviewing match and fit. After confirming their preferred application types + decision plans, identify + record each app deadline on their calendar. Encourage scholar to participate in Crosby essay review + 1:1 essay coaching, write essay drafts, and start completing ED and EA applications as appropriate. Explore CFNC's college application week as an opportunity to submit college apps for FREE. Check out these resources: Common Data Set Reference for class profiles + NC College Connect + NCICU for direct admissions. Use College Admissions Information doc.

Review Scholarship Announcements at School + Scholarships360.org

To encourage scholar to learn how scholarship opportunities are shared within their school. Each high school designates a scholarship coordinator who regularly shares scholarship announcements. Sometimes, scholars must demonstrate their interest in a scholarship by speaking with their school counselor particularly if they wish to be considered for a school-nominated scholarship. At some schools, scholars can join the scholarship REMIND + messages are sent via REMIND.

CROSBY SCHOLARS TO-DO LIST

GENERAL TO-DO LIST

check-in with teachers writing recommendations

read emails & watch the weekly video

complete NC RDS online form

update activities résumé

create CommonApp + other accounts

submit College Fair/College Visit Form* in CrosbyConnect

submit Community Service Form* in CrosbyConnect

schedule campus visits + research fall Open House dates

begin completing Early Decision + Early Action apps

research how scholarships are announced at school

*Requirement

CROSBY SCHOLARS CROSBY SCHOLARS CN CN #4 #4 OUTLINE, OUTLINE, CLASS CLASS OF OF 2027 2027 DUE DATE: NOVEMBER 30, 2026 ADVISOR INSTRUCTIONS Use this outline to guide your conversation in your next meeting with the scholar, and keep it for your records. During the meeting, review the Crosby Scholars Senior Roadmap + Advising Calendar shared by Crosby Scholars staff. Following the meeting, submit CN 4 via CrosbyConnect to verify that the scholar has fulfilled this requirement. The digital version of this outline is available via the team calendar and contains the most current information.

MEETING OUTLINE BY TOPIC

GOAL

Request and then review your high school transcript

To confirm the high school transcript is accurate. By reviewing the high school transcript, the scholar will see the information that will be shared with admissions representatives. Some scholars will be required to report their grades and classes on their college applications or on the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) and using the transcript ensures the scholar will report this information accurately. STARS should be completed by application deadline.

Confirm Graduation Date

To confirm the graduation date. We first asked scholars this question on CN 1 last February. By October, seniors have met with their school counselor and we find that many scholars finalize their graduation date during this meeting. Therefore, we ask the scholars for the second and final time to confirm their graduation date.

Review deadlines for upcoming Senior Program Requirements

To complete Senior Program requirements. Scholars complete + submit forms via CrosbyConnect. Scholars can access the on-demand senior academies here. The deadline to fulfill the Senior Academy requirement is December 1. The deadline to submit the college fair/visit form is December 1. The deadline to submit a community service form is January 31.

Review College Application Week (CAW)

To confirm a plan to apply to these colleges (view the list) during CFNC's college application week and have the application fee waived. To participate in CAW, scholars must access the CFNC application hub through their CFNC account.

Oct 19th at 7:30am - Oct 25th at 5pm

Determine Plan for Applying platform + timeline

To help scholars determine their best course for completing applications to their schools. Determine which application site(s) student will use (Common App's application guide, CFNC, CBCA, Coalition) and discuss timeline based on school deadlines. Be sure to encourage students to allow buffer time to ensure deadlines are not missed. (Review this HBCU Resources as needed.)

Discuss Direct Admissions

To help scholars understand the Direct Admission offer they may receive. Scholars may receive direct admissions offers from NC College Connect, Common App, Niche or others stating that they are already “admitted” without submitting an application. The goal is to reduce barriers though often students still need to submit additional info or other required steps. Some of these offers will waive application fees, though not all. NC College Connect went live on Sept.15. Students can log into their CFNC account to see their offers there now.

Apply to College

To help scholars be the most informed and competitive applicant they can be. After confirming application type and decision plans that is best for the scholar, identify application deadlines and finalize essays via the essay review service provided by the Senior Program. Complete and submit rolling, EDI, EDII and/or EA applications. Begin regular decision app preparation. College Tracker Form Click here to view the narrated walk-thru.

MEETING OUTLINE BY TOPIC

GOAL

Review Potential Admission Decisions

To make sure that the scholar understand each decision option and the next step actions required by each decision. Students may begin asking about these potential outcomes. Become familiar with the terminology. Final decisions include accepted and denied. Being deferred or waitlisted are not final, meaning a scholar will receive a decision later unless they decline a spot on the waitlist.

Continue Understanding and Considering College Costs

To help scholar continue to understand and consider college costs while applying to college. Reviewing the Cost of Attendance (COA) of colleges and using a Net Price Calculator are important steps in determining affordability and creating a plan to pay for college.

Create StudentAid.gov account

To begin the process of applying for financial aid. Scholars who plan to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after October 1 must first create a StudentAid.gov account, (StudentAid.gov) which is a username and password used to complete the FAFSA and provide access to other Federal Student Aid functions. A parent and scholar need separate StudentAid.gov accounts.

Submit the CSS Profile

The CSS Profile is an application used by colleges and universities to award nonfederal institutional aid. Scholars may complete the application in their senior year starting on October 1. Schools may have different deadlines - be sure to check with each school you are applying to. A list of participating school is available online. Some schools may also require divorced or separated parents to complete separate applications. Visit cssprofile.collegeboard.org

(if required)

To secure funding to pay for college. Starting on November 2, review the Crosby Scholars Scholarship Handbook to identify scholarships for which the scholar meets the criteria and to set a timeline to apply for each scholarship. Scholars apply for these scholarships through the Crosby Scholars Scholarship Handbook, which will be released on November 2, and is linked in CrosbyConnect.

Apply for Crosby Scholarships starting on November 2

Research other Scholarship Opportunities

To encourage the scholar to discover other scholarship opportunities in addition to Crosby Scholars Program opportunities. Review Crosby Scholars Financial Aid + Scholarships Resources Webpage for external scholarship starting points. Encourage the scholar to seek scholarship opportunities announced at their high school by the school’s scholarship coordinator. Sometimes scholars must demonstrate their interest in a scholarship by speaking with their school counselor especially if they wish to be the school's scholarship nominee.

CROSBY SCHOLARS TO-DO LIST

GENERAL TO-DO LIST

fulfill Senior Academy requirement**

connect counselors/teachers to recommendations

read the weekly email + the monthly newsletter

create StudentAid.gov account (formerly the FSA ID)

continue to engage with colleges (demonstrate interest!)

request official transcript be sent to each college

submit college fair/visit form** via CrosbyConnect

decide whether to submit ACT + SAT scores & create plan

submit community service form** via CrosbyConnect

schedule and attend remaining campus visits

continue completing Early Decision + Early Action apps

discuss college costs with parents + guardians

**Requirement