ACT Tips and Tricks, Strategies and Math Formulas

College Testing Information 2020-21ACT/SAT Dates & Information for 2020-21

Free SAT Test Prep Help from Kaplan - registration required

 Local Test Prep classes, online resources

Cheap & Free Options for Test Prep

Converting ACT/SAT test scores, which is best score? 

Who should take the PSAT?

PSAT Score info for Juniors & Sophomores Oct DMHS Test 

 ACT score from the February test given to all DM juniors

ACT/SAT, Quiz to determine which is best for you (from Kaplan).

AP: Details and instructions for AP testing and deadlines

What is the difference between an Official and Unofficial Transcript?

Unofficial transcripts can be used for various things like:  dual Enrollment, car insurance verification, summer camp enrollment or to verify your course completion.  

Official Transcripts are required for the college admission process both at the time of application and during final enrollment.

 How can I receive a copy of my Unofficial Transcript?

You may request a copy of your unofficial transcript from the DMHS Guidance Department by following this link: https://forms.gle/XaofA7yxLBwgeKMs6 

Please allow 2 days for processing!

How can I send my Official Transcript to colleges and universities? 

To request a copy of your official transcript, visit: https://www.parchment.com/.  You must creat an account if you do not have one.  Select Desert Mountain as your school.  DO NOT USE YOUR GAPPS email address.  Once your college approves and processes your order, Parchment will send your transcript.  There is a fee associated with ordering an official transcript. 

COLLEGES and scholarship foundations want you to complete the FAFSA, and in some cases will NOT award ANY scholarship money, including merit, WITHOUT FAFSA on file. 

Why?  Because they want to make sure you don't qualify for GRANTS first, allowing them to make sure that their awards reach more students (it's an accounting thing!).

Net Price Calculator from US Department of Education: https://collegecost.ed.gov/net-priceCSS Profile
CSS Profile vs FAFSA
Ask Benji - text bot with FAFSA answers!
HEFAR - the not for profit college advisor on Financial Aid
FAFSA Checklist - Documents needed to complete FAFSA
Financial Aid Vocabulary
Appeal your Financial Aid Award 
SwiftStudent -  tool for college financial aid appeals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uop9NGRkkfc

REAL HELP FOR COLLEGE ACCESS for low income students:

QuestBridge (JUNIORS YEAR) Is a national organization that connects high-achieving, low-income students, many of whom are the first in their family to go to college, with the nation’s top colleges and universities.

Dorrance Scholarship Program – for low income, excelling Arizona students

USC Bovard Scholars – USC offers this program to help high achieving students with financial need gain access to the nation’s top universities.  Juniors, apply November for this Summer program.

Arizona Assurance Program – University of Arizona – financial aid & support services for 4 years includes transition program, mentoring, leadership and more. provides both financial aid and support services; both work together to retain and graduate students. This is achieved through first-year transition programming, mentoring, leadership building, career development, graduate/professional school preparation, and preparing for life after college.

Obama Scholars – ASU program for motivated, high-achieving students who lack opportunity and financial resources. Must be Pell grant eligible and MEET all DEADLINES. 

First Scholars Program – NAU helps first-generation college students succeed in school, graduate, and have a life complete with self-awareness, success and significance.A four-year commitment, First Scholars engages students from freshmen through senior year in academic and social programming while also supporting students financially with a $2,000 tuition scholarship.

Colleges that meet 100% of Financial Need Read to see the 75 US colleges that help low income students graduate without enormous debt.

College Fee Waiver HELP for DMHS students :
Students who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced lunch program may receive fee waivers for certain college related expenses.

To qualify for ANY, you must present a current award letter from the SUSD Nutritional Services office to the DMHS College & Career Coordinator or you DMHS guidance counselor.    APPLY OR REQUEST DUPLICATE LETTER

Available for qualified DM students:

• Arizona In-state universities application fees (ASU/NAU/U of A)
• Parchment – qualifying seniors may send up to 4 official transcript free of charge
• NCAA fee waiver (scroll down after opening page)
• AP Exam fee reductions – see the DMHS AP Coordinator in the Guidance office by registration deadline
• Common App & Fee Waivers – make sure to talk with your guidance counselor about this first!
• ACT Fee Waiver info from ACT org
• SAT Fee Waiver info from College Board

By Amy Paturel, for Your Teen Magazine

Application Procrastination Article

General Info:

StudentScholarship.org - full list of scholarships - Deadlines Now through December!  Check these out!

Studentscholarship.org Scholarship List Fall 2020

Dorrance Scholarship - Attend info sessions 10/13, 10/15(Spanish), 10/29 to learn about critieria!Click Here to Apply and register for an info session.

College Board's Opportunity Scholarship Program

"Searching For Scholarship Dollars"  interactive 

Scholarships for students with Learning Disabilities

Texas offers instate tuition if you earn $1K in scholarships

WUE/Wiche Western Universities student Exchange Information

Specific:

DMPTO 2020 Scholarship  
Embry-Riddle's AZ Scholars Award-Prescott College Tuition Initiative for AZ DACA students
University of Arizona Sigma Phi Epsilon Balanced Man 
Rotary Scottsdale Scholarship Program 2020
     Instructions            Application
Dental Assistance School of Scottsdale Scholarships
Maricopa Community College Scholarship Information
High School Heisman Scholarship for Senior Scholar Athletes
AZ DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Scholarships
DAR Application Form
Jenkins Youth Award 

GFWC Desert Jade Women's Club Scholarship

Jade Womens Club LetterJade Womens Club Scholarship Application

National Charity League Betsey Van Benschoten Scholarship for local HS females 

National Charity League Information Sheet

National Charity League Application 

Arizona Board of Regents
Arizona Board of Regents has recently updated the qualifications for a student to be assured admission to Arizona’s three state schools. Students will now qualify if they meet the following criteria:

• Are an Arizona resident
• Attend an Arizona regionally accredited high school
• Have no course work deficiencies as prescribed by the Arizona Board of Regents
• Have at least a 3.0 unweighted core course GPA

State College Contacts
ASU: Olivia Dineen asuoliviadineen@asu.edu 480-956-0976
ASU Honors College (Barrett): Michelle Hollin- (480) 965-1520, michelle.hollin@asu.edu

NAU: Erin Murdock (928)523-7499 erin.murdock@nau.edu
NAU Honors College: (928) 523-3334, honors@nau.edu

UA: Ellen Cyrier- (602) 827-2577, ecyrier@email.arizona.edu 
UA Honors College: Jenni Keatseangsilp- (520) 626-8261, jmkeat2@email.arizona.edu 

GCU: Catie Cottrell:  catie.cottrell2@gcu.edu  480-578-7200

SCC: Carolina Pederson carolina.pedersen@scottsdalecc.edu  480-331-1102
SCC Honors Program: Dr. Larry Tualla- (480) 423-6525, honors@scottsdalecc.edu
SCC Film School

Seniors Admitted to Instate Colleges
ASU -Admitted students: Important links
Orientation:  http://students.asu.edu/orientation
Math placement test:  https://students.asu.edu/math
MMR/Immunization link: https://eoss.asu.edu/health/services/immunization

NAU –Admitted students: Important links
Orientation: https://nau.edu/admissions/after-you-apply/orientation/
Math placement test: https://nau.edu/cefns/natsci/math/student-resources/math-placement/
MMR/Immunization link: https://nau.edu/medical-services/immunizations/

SCC:  For Seniors - Enrollment Steps
HS Senior timeline: download here

UA - Admitted students: Important links
Orientation:  http://orientation.arizona.edu/
Math placement test:  https://www.math.arizona.edu/academics/placement/exams
MMR/Immunization link: https://www.health.arizona.edu/immunization-requirements
House/Roommates: housing and roommate info

Important Documents/Links:
Apply to ASU
ASU Information Sheet
ASU Important Dates
ASU Personal Statement Tips
ASU Barrett, The Honors College
Apply to NAU
NAU Information Sheet
NAU Important Dates
NAU Scholarship Criteria
NAU Personal Statement Tips
NAU Honors College
Apply to UA
UA Information Sheet
UA Programs for Freshmen
UA Personal Statement Tips
UA Honors College
UA SALT Center
Maricopa Community Colleges Enrollment Steps Video
Maricopa Community Colleges Enrollment Guide
AZ Transfer
Arizona Loan, Scholarship, and Grant Resource

ATHLETES:

• College Sports options
• NCAA - Read if you want to play sports in College
• NCAA Eligibility Center -  Create a Certification Account to make official visits to Divisions I & II schools or sign a National Letter of Intent
• NAIA Eligibility Center 
  is responsible for ensuring that prospective college athletes meet all academic requirements to be eligible to compete in college sports at one of its member schools. Register early so you know what documentation and clear all hurdles for fall enrollment. NAIA begins issuing eligibility determinations juniors once the academic year is complete.
   

College Board Big Future College Tools - online resources from same folks that do AP testing & SAT/MCAT...  An industry leader 

College Admissions Applying 101
College Admission: Process and Prep
College Planning Timeline 

College App Spreadsheet

Common Application Link
Common Application Assistance

Decision Help:  Accepted, Denied, Deferred

DMHS College Planning 4 yr Timeline

Internet Sites for the College Bound Student

Letter of Recommendation Form for DMHS students

Transcripts - Parchment Quick Start Guide

US NEWS & WORLD REPORT COLLEGE COMPARE TOOL

Visiting Colleges, 36 ?? to Ask

Join our Rep, Ellen Cryier for a 20 minute presentation on University of Arizona - available whenever you want!  

https://arizona.wistia.com/medias/bl52leer5x

CareerOneStop -  source for career exploration, training & jobs, sponsored by the US Department of Labor

Occupational Outlook Handbook - also from the US Department of Labor, this online tool is a great resourse to help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.

Naviance -  Naviance  offers a Career Interest Profiler which sophomores complete during their fall semester. Juniors & seniors wishing to retake, should ask their counselor to reset student's account.

Careers & Majors - College Board tool helps students explore careers/majors with this tool, What are you into?

Career Pathways -  "10 Best Career Quizes to Help You Find Your Dream Job"  from The Muse

Apprenticeships - College Depot @ Phoenix Library has a great resource on Crafting a Profession through training.

Engineering - so many options and women are especially needed
Women in STEM - exceptional job growth in IT & Computer Science 

Film School at Scottsdale Community College is amazing!

Nursing - a profession that has numerous degree pathways and is always in demand.  This site will give you the options.

Click Here to check out great options!

Americorps
Arizona Apprenticeship Programs
Construction Sciences Apprenticeship Fair
Army     Navy      Airforce     US Marines      Coast Guard
Cooperative College Programs - Learn & Earn
East Valley Institute of Technology Adult Education Program
Waterwaste Operator Careers

Naviance provides students with tools that personalize and simplify the college and career planning process. 

Naviance Student Sign on Instructions

NEED HELP LOGGING IN THIS SUMMER? 
Call 480-484-HELP

For an overview of Naviance, watch this VIDEO.
How to Sign Up in Naviance for a College Visit
Naviance Use for 9 - 12th Students
Naviance Checklist by grade level - tasks to be done by student
Naviance, What is it?

YOUR RESUME SHOULD:

Set you apart from others
Show you're responsible
Highlight your ambition
Help someone write a letter of rec 
Tailored to reader (job/volunteer/college...)
Use action verbs (assisted, helped, fostered...)
To the point  (scannable, limit pages to 2)
Easy to read  (consistent, bullet points)
PROOFREAD

Resume Builder site - free website to help build your resume.

Sample Resume w/ detail

Desert Mountain is not notified when jobs are filled.  Please contact the listing for more information. Click on job titles for further information.

PGX Golf Clubs
Americorps- & Habitat for Humanity  contact
  Construction for H4H/Americorps
  Deconstruction for H4H/Americorps
  Family Outreach for H4H/Americorps
  General Info flyer
  Tristar Sports Officials Firehouse Subs - 2 locations

Enrichment / Summer Programs - dowload list by Interest

Other opportunities by month
Some require a DMHS Nominations/Applications

Ongoing  TGEN Academic Year Internships
January   USC Bovard Scholars for Juniors 
January   YMCA Youth & Government Model Congress
January    Mayo Clinic Cares
Jan/Feb   Fountain Hills Mayors Youth Council
Jan/Feb   GIRLS STATE :
                 information  application requirements
February 

Rotary Youth Salute for Outstanding Junior Leaders 2020:
            Rotary Youth Application and information 
Feb/March   UofA BCAP Accounting Summer Program 
                      2 option flyer

Feb/March HonorHealth Teen Summer Program
          Information Flyer        Application/Rec due March

March  Boys State  information, application reqs, brochure
March   Phoenix Zoo
March   University of Advancing Technology
             UAT Experience
March    Midwestern University's Health Careers Summer Institute for HS Juniors & Seniors.  Apply by 5/15 for July 9-17 camp.

April    Arizona Govenor Youth Commision 2020 flyer here   app due June 30, 2020 
April  Habitat for Humanity & AmeriCorps
for graduating seniors considering a GAP year.

September   Barrow Neurological HS Scientific Research
Barrow program is not offered every year, watch announcements or check with the college & career center or your science teacher.
Oct/November   ASVAB test at DMHS sign up in counseling
November  
HOBY - Sophomore State Leadership Seminar Program
November   AFS Cultural Exchange Program Info Mtgs 
November  CIEE Congres-Bundestage Youth Exchange Germany
December  Health Careers Summer Institute for Jrs/Srs: apply now
December TGEN Bioscience Leadership Academy

Volunteering is a great way to get involved. It can help you discover your passions and talents as well as help you gain valuable experience for the future, whether college, scholarships or employment. 

Here are some hints and contacts to get started.

You can go to www.volunteerphoenix.org to find volunteer organizations by category such as Animals/Wildlife, Environment, Community Services, Cultural/Entertainment, Disability, etc. The CIty of Scottsdale Youth Corp  helps students get involved with variety of organization that can help you pick the best fit for your passions and talents when volunteering.

Another good site is Volunteer Match where you can search by city, zip code and keyword at www.volunteermatch.org.

Lastly, Community Information and Referral is a non-profit organization with an online directory at www.cir.org Depending on a student's interest area, there is probably an organization that could match up and could use some help. A student will benefit most from community service when they have a passion or interest in that area. 

CHECK OUT:

• Scottsdale Ranch Park Events
• Horsense Youth Equine Program
• Desert Botanical Garden Volunteer Ops
• United School for Autism
• Phoenix Zoo's ZooTeens Program
• Phoenix Zoo Teen Summer Internships
• City of Scottsdale Youth Corp
• Cardboard City Youth Planning Council Scholarship – Family Promise of Greater Phoenix
• Salvation Army Holiday Volunteer Registration
• Feed My Starving Children
• Miracle League of Scottsdale
• Hospice of the Valley
• Teen Lifeline (for students interested in counseling or psychology),
• AmeriCorps (serve for 12 months at a local shelter, school or community organization),
• Cancer Support Community

• Barrows Neurological Institute & Honor Health

• HonorsHealth Summer Teen Volunteer Program

• Mayo Clinic Young Volunteers Program - Summer opportunity but MUST ATTEND INFO SESSION held in JANUARY

• Run the Runway and Playworks.org

• Phoenix Children's Hospital - year long and summer opportunities
• Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital - Summer
• City of Scottsdale STOMP program (city's revitalization effort including general yard work, cleanup, painting, etc.).
• The City of Scottsdale has a long list of volunteer opportunities.  Look at https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/volunteer 

Join a Club! There is something for everyone! LIST