ACCIS/Common Application Workshop in Dallas

On Saturday, November 3^rd  ACCIS members gathered at Southern Methodist University to host ACCIS’ very first Common Application Workshop. This year gatherings are scheduled in four cities: Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, and Washington DC with the goal of expanding outreach in 2014. Michele Davis from Woodward Academy (Atlanta, GA) worked closely with Scott Anderson, Director of Outreach at The Common Application to coordinate presentation materials along with the advertisement of each workshop.

Back in Dallas, student participants represented a range of Dallas area high schools – from both public and charter schools. Some used the workshop to begin their Common Application, while others turned their attention to supplements. Parents were also in the room, asking questions that ranged from completing applications to the process for sending test scores and college research. Questions were answered and myths were dispelled as the afternoon went on. As the students walked out the door at the end of the afternoon there was a feeling of accomplishment in the air. One senior admitted that he was apprehensive when he walked in the room, unsure of what to expect. As he left, he expressed his thanks for the time to simply work; completing both a supplement and an essay over the course of the workshop. But, greatest of all, was the sense of gratitude towards the students for spending a beautiful Saturday afternoon with us. As is the case with service to others, it was the volunteers, who experienced the greatest feeling of success. When given the opportunity to share the cultural capital that is the professional knowledge of college admissions, volunteers were humbled by the opportunity to share an afternoon with amazing young people;  many of whom scale innumerable obstacles to achieve their goal of being the first in their family to go to college.

If you are interested in hosting a Common Application workshop in your area, please contact Michele Davis (Michele.davis@woodward.edu), Matt Mettille (mmettille@gds.org) or Courtney Skerritt (cskerritt@mail.hockday.org). 

ACCIS/Common Application Workshop in Miami by Claudia Jolivert (Ransom-Everglades School)

I was lucky enough to spend the morning of Saturday, November 10th with a group of seniors attending our inaugural Miami Common Application Workshop. I was curious to see how many students would show up on a Saturday morning at 9am. Ten students attending ten different high schools in Miami-Dade County arrived for the two hour plus session. They were completely engaged and so was I. I was impressed by how far along they were on their application and how approachable and eager they were to learn more.  I worked one-on-one with each student, addressing their individual questions, and I was grateful to have had the opportunity to support their efforts.

I think we had a great turn out for our first workshop, and I believe that with proper planning we can expect greater success in the future. Thank you to Michele, Courtney, and Matt for inspiring and motivating me to get involved with this initiative. I am excited about the years to come and hope many more ACCIS members will join me in the next Miami CA Workshop.