Find Your Spark! (6/21/24)

Upcoming Scholarships

Scholarships	About	Deadlines	Link
National Merit Scholarship Program	For high school juniors based on PSAT/NMSQT scores.	October 2024 (for high school juniors)	nationalmerit.org
Coco-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship	Open to high school seniors with leadership potential.	October 31, 2024 (for high school seniors)	coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
Jack Kent Cook Foundation College Scholarship Program	For high-achieving high school seniors with financial need.	November 2024 (for high school seniors)	jkcf.org
Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs	Scholarships for students who have faced and overcome adversity.	October 25, 2024 (for high school seniors)	horatioalger.org
Gates Scholarship	For outstanding minority students with financial need.	September 15, 2024 (for high school seniors)	thegatesscholarship.org
Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition	Scholarships for high school seniors based on leadership, academics, and financial need.	November 15, 2024 (for high school seniors)	elks.org
Scholarship America Dream Award	For students who have overcome significant obstacles.	October 15, 2024 (for current college students)	scholarshipamerica.org
Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund	For students involved in social and economic justice movements.	April 1, 2025 (for current college students)	davisputter.org
Ron Brown Scholar Program	Scholarships for African American high school seniors.	January 9, 2025 (for high school seniors)	ronbrown.org
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards	Scholarships for students involved in community service.	November 2024 (for middle and high school students)	spirit.prudential.com

Application Advice

Navigating the college application process can be daunting, but these quick tips can help you shine!

1. Start Early:

• Research colleges and plan campus visits during your junior year.
• Schedule your SAT/ACT tests early to allow for retakes if needed.

2. Craft Thoughtful Applications:

• Personalize your essays for each school. Highlight why you’re a good fit.
• Be authentic. Share your true interests and experiences.

3. Strengthen Your Profile:

• Showcase leadership roles and initiatives.
• Diversify your extracurricular activities to show different aspects of your personality.

4. Get Stellar Recommendations:

• Ask teachers or mentors who know you well for recommendation letters.

5. Final Steps:

• Proofread everything to avoid errors.
• Stay organized with a checklist of deadlines and requirements.

Start early, be genuine, and let your unique story shine through. Good luck! 

Source: Adapted from college application guidance.

Application Deadlines

Schools	Deadlines
Harvard University	– Restrictive Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
Stanford University	– Restrictive Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Action: January 1, 2025
UC Berkeley	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: November 30, 2024
UCLA	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: November 30, 2024
Yale University	– Single-Choice Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
University of Southern California	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: December 1, 2024
Princeton University	– Single-Choice Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
California Institute of Technology	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 3, 2025
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: February 1, 2025
University of Pennsylvania	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 5, 2025
Columbia University	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
New York University (NYU)	– Early Decision I: November 1, 2024 – Early Decision II: January 1, 2025 – Regular Decision: January 5, 2025
Cornell University	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
University of Chicago	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 4, 2025
University of Texis at Austin	– Priority Deadline: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: December 1, 2024
Duke University	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 4, 2025
Northwestern University	– Early Decision: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
University of Florida	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: November 1, 2024 (final deadline)
University of Washington	– Early Action: November 15, 2024 – Regular Decision: December 1, 2024 (final deadline)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	– Early Action: October 15, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 15, 2025
Boston University	– Early Decision I: November 1, 2024 – Early Decision II: January 2, 2025 – Regular Decision: January 2, 2025
University of Virginia	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)	– Early Action: October 15, 2024 – Regular Decision: January 1, 2025
University of San Diego (UCSD)	– Early Action: November 1, 2024 – Regular Decision: November 30, 2024

The exact dates and requirements for each university can be found on their official admissions page closer to the time when applications are due. Please note that these deadlines are subject to change.

TeenMedSpark Tips

What is Early Action (EA) and how does it differ from Early Decision (ED)?

• Early Action is a non-binding early application option where students submit their applications earlier than the regular deadline and receive an admissions decision earlier as well. It allows students to apply to multiple colleges and decide later which offer to accept. Early Decision, on the other hand, is a binding agreement where students apply early to one institution and agree to enroll if admitted.