Junior Newsletter Class of 2025
August/September 2023: Welcome to the Crosby Jr/Sr Program
Jr/Sr Program -
Class of 2025
Iredell County Crosby Scholars has combined the Junior & Senior Program. What does that mean for you? We have minimum requirements for Junior year, however, if you would like you can complete more than the minimum and we will credit your senior year. We have found that giving you the access to Senior Year programing early, enables students to be better prepared for College Application Season that begins August 1, 2023.
Junior year Crosby Requirements:
- Attend 1 Jr/Sr Program Orientation - Offered in August & September - 30 minute meeting to explain benefits, requirements and resources available to Class of 2025.
- Turn in 2 hours of Community Service - Due Date 1/31/24
- Attend 1 Academy by 1/31/24
Juniors have MORE flexibility in completing Senior Year Requirements early.
Senior Year Requirements:
- College/Visit Form - Research, explore and visit 4 colleges by Aug 31, 2024
- Complete 2 hours of Community Service
- Attend 2 Academies
- Meet with your Crosby Scholars Senior Advisor
New Staff Contacts:
- Jenniffer Jamison, Jr/Sr Program Manager jjamison@crosbyscholarsiredell.org
- Rachael Reynolds, Advising & Outreach Specialist rreynolds@crosbyscholarsiredell.org
- Mariah Roseboro, Near Peer Advisor mroseboro@crosbyscholarsiredell.org
More Academy Options
Juniors are now open to attend as many academies as they like. We have opened Senior Topics for Juniors as you need exposure to these topics prior to senior year.
- College 101 - Recommended for all Juniors
- College List Creation Workshop
- ACT/SAT Test Prep
- Resume Writing Workshop
- Essay Writing Workshop
- Scholarships
- Financial Aid
- FAFSA Workshops
- Career Exploration
- Common App Tour
- Info Sessions with Admissions Officers
- Questbridge - What is it and how can it help?
- Gap Year - Choosing a Different Path
- Community College Path - Transfer Options
Don't see a topic you want, send me an email and let's talk.
Crosby Scholars exists with you in mind. Your junior year is the beginning of some big decisions. Because a lot is going to happen this year, you'll find that deadlines are earlier than in previous years. This is so you can stay focused and on schedule.
What should I do First? -- Attend Orientation
Attend ONE - 6 Options - All Virtual
Check the Crosby Scholars Student Portal to sign up.
You must attend one Jr/Sr Orientation Meeting by the end of September.
Must attend one Academy during Junior Year!
Have you attended your Junior Academy yet? 63 out of the 355 Juniors in the program have already completed their Academy requirement. We offered options all summer. That is FABULOUS! You have until January 31, 2024, to complete at least 1 Academy. We are holding in person and zoom sessions. Register through your Crosby portal for the date you plan to attend.
We have loads of options and ALL will help you prepare for what comes next after high school. Remember you can attend as many as you would like. Any additional over the 1 minimum will fulfill your Senior Crosby Year Requirements.
CHECK THE CROSBY PORTAL FOR ACADEMY Options
2023-2024 COMMUNITY SERVICE DEADLINE FOR JUNIORS IS
January 31, 2024!
Why such an early deadline for community service, you may ask? Well, a lot is going to happen during the spring semester! By getting your community service hours done earlier in the year, you'll have time to focus on the things happening during the spring semester (like testing).
You only have to do 2 hours of community service. Get your form submitted before the deadline and breathe a sigh of relief. Remember if you turn in 5 or more hours during junior year we will put the extra hours towards your senior year requirements.
You have several ways you can submit your community service form:
Complete Google Form to turn in Service Hours
- Upload it in your portal under My Documents
what counts as community service
You're a high school junior now, and with that title comes the responsibility of selecting more meaningful community service projects. What you do for the next two years is going to be evaluated by college admission representatives. Take the time to research for opportunities that will allow you to explore possible careers, develop leadership skills, and make lasting, professional connections.
If you had to write an admission essay at this very minute and the topic was "Describe the lasting impact you have made on a community service activity and discuss the impact it has had on you", could you provide a response that would "WOW" them and make you stand out against the other applicants to that particular college?
Just because Crosby Scholars requires you to do only two hours doesn't mean that you should stop only at two hours. We want you to always strive for more! Don't just settle for doing the bare minimum. You need to always seek to go above and beyond.
Attend a College Fair or Tour 4 Colleges/Universities
Some of you have logged into your Crosby Scholars Portal and see a red message, saying you have not turned in your College Fair/Visit Form. Don't be alarmed. This requirement is not due for the class of 2025 until August 2024. Iredell County Crosby Scholars can complete 4 visits with colleges anytime during 10 or 11th grade. The form is located on our website and can be easily completed without signatures. Click on this Link To see the form
In Person Tours
- Sign up to take an official tour of the campus with admissions.
- Visit a school on a Self-Guided Tour
- Visit a campus and talk to admissions or department on campus with enrichment camp or summer camp activity.
Virtual Tours
- Participate in a Facebook/Instagram LIVE event on social media.
- Sign up for a Virtual Admissions conversation or tour via ZOOM.
- Tour the campus using Website Virtual Tours
- Sign up for a Virtual College Fair to talk to Multiple College Admissions officers. Check out the NACAC College Fair Website for details on coming events.
- If your high school invites college admissions counselors to visit your school, be sure to participate in activity offered - Q&A session, College Fair, etc.
- In October, colleges typically come to Iredell County. We will share more information as we have it.
We really encourage you to start exploring different schools during your junior year, so you are ready to start applying to college August of your Senior Year. Yes, it comes that quickly. It all starts with a College List.
If you have questions or want to know more about how to create your college list, sign up for one of our College List Creation Workshops. Check the student portal for available options.
College Fair/College Tour forms can be submitted in the same ways you can submit your community service forms.
This summer we took students to WSSU, UNC Charlotte, UNC Chapel Hill & Elon. You don't have to tour with us. (BTW - If you went on a college tour with an older sibling so you have seen the campus and heard from admissions...That COUNTS!)
Stay Connected!
Log into Crosby Scholars Student Portal Monthly
Check Email Frequently
Make sure your Cell Phone is on your Student Account
Crosby Student Portal, Emails & Texts
Student Portal
The best way to stay on top of what is available and what requirements you have received credit for, is the Crosby Scholars Student Portal.
- Go to www.crosbyscholarsiredell.org
- Click on the Blue Head at the top right.
- Use your school email address as your user name.
Your username is usually your school email address. You can reset your password if you don't remember.
Emails
Emails are usually addressed to the Class of 2025. We are speaking to the students. Any action items should be completed by the student. We will also copy Parent 1 in the Crosby Portal. If you are not listed as Parent 1 and want to be copied on communication, please change your account on your Crosby Parent Portal.
Text Messages
We use Mongoose to text students. Please log in to your student portal and make sure that the student's cell number is listed as the cell number. We try to limit texts but will use for last minute reminders and changes.
Prepare for Testing
Free Test Prep Workshops - In-Person
- September 30, 2023, 8:45am am - 12 noon - Statesville Campus Mitchell Community College
- November 4, 2023, 8:45am - 12 noon - Mooresville Campus Mitchell Community College
ACT Test Prep
- January 27, 2024 - 8:45 - 12 noon Mooresville Campus - Mitchell Community College
- February 24, 2024, 8:45 - 12 noon Statesville Campus - Mitchell Community College
The SAT/ College Board Scholarship
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
The College Board website is offering scholarships to students who complete different tasks in conjunction with their website.
- Build Your College List
- Practice for the SAT
- Improve Your Score
- Strengthen Your College List
- Complete the FAFSA
- Apply to Colleges
- Complete all six scholarship steps to be eligible for a $40,0000 scholarship.
Follow this link for details on eligibility requirements and how to apply.
A free online source for SAT Prep is found here:
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat
Payment information for the SAT is available when you register for the test. To qualify for a fee waiver, see your Guidance Counselor. Qualifying students can receive up to 2 SAT and ACT fee waivers. You may send your scores to four colleges of your choice.
SAT Registration:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register
YOU MUST OPT-IN TO BE SUBMITTED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP. JUST COMPLETING THE TASKS IS NOT ENOUGH. YOU MUST LOG IN TO YOUR COLLEGE BOARD TO SUBMIT.
The ACT
The ACT is the other widely accepted national college entrance exam. It is said that the ACT is accepted at every college and university in the United States of America. Every junior in the public school system in the state of North Carolina is required to take the ACT in February, at no cost to the student. The ACT tests students in the subject areas of: English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading. Some key features regarding the ACT are:
-Scores are based on the correct number of answers, with no penalty for incorrect responses,
-Helps students to gauge their level of preparedness for both college and career pathways,
-In addition to English, Mathematics, and Reading, the ACT also measures what students have learned in school as it relates to Science,
-Offers an optional essay. Even though the essay is optional, test prep experts strongly recommend that you complete the essay portion because there may be some colleges that require it. If you don't take it, but later learn you need it, you'll have to retake the entire ACT again and cannot elect just to take the essay portion.
-Aside from being a national college entrance exam, the ACT also offers a profile and planning section for education and career planning to help with planning life after high school.
Again, every junior will take the ACT in February for free. Take the time to study for it and take it seriously because colleges may see this score. As with the SAT, please check with your Guidance Counselor if you have questions.
Free ACT preparation can be found here:
CLUB Crosby at your High School
As a Crosby Scholar, you have the opportunity to attend Crosby Club Meetings. While there will NOT be a formal meeting just for Juniors. You are welcome to attend any of the other meetings and you are encouraged to participate with the Crosby Club at your school to work on service or gain leadership experience. More to come in the next newsletter.
The Iredell County Crosby Scholars Community Partnership
Email: jjamison@crosbyscholarsiredell.org
Website: www.crosbyscholarsiredell.org
Location: 124 4th Crescent Place, Statesville, NC, United States
Phone: 704-873-5005
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosbyscholarsiredell/
Twitter: @iredellcrosby