The College Experience

Presented by by Dorothy "Carlene" Hamlin The YaYa Ladies are a group of breast cancer survivors and supporters. They are all seasoned women that have experienced different types of breast cancer with different procedures, doctors, recurrences and treatments. We meet once a month and stay in touch with each other via phone, text and email. We are a group of thirteen strong ladies and have been in existence for appropriately eight years. After all of the involvement in breast cancer walks, cancer informational conferences, networking, advocating, and video creations, they felt they wanted a more personal touch sharing time with other survivors. We created the YaYa Ladies. However, we still make breast cancer issues relating to prevention survivorship our priority and always willing to do whatever needs to be done for support.

The Cancer Champions initiative launched in 2013 as part of an NCI-funded research study to better reach underserved and minority populations in Petersburg, VA. Shortly thereafter, Cancer Champions were trained across the catchment area in Richmond, Emporia, and Lawrenceville to help align and inform clinical, research and education efforts. Today more than 60 Cancer Champions across southern, eastern and central Virginia have been trained in the science of cancer, the importance of research and cancer prevention, and communication techniques. To better reach individuals across the catchment area where they live, work, play and worship, Cancer Champions include community members and Massey researchers who work together to identify pressing cancer issues and serve as a touchpoint in the community. To learn more, visit: masseycancercenter.org

When I realized that EAESSI had reached out to me and wanted me to contribute to their first newsletter of the year, I was honored, mainly because it was this compassionate and generous organization that helped me start my college career!

September 2020 For high school seniors, the college application season is universally stressful. However, the Fall 2020 College Application season may be even more so because of the realities of the global pandemic. Many students nationwide are sitting in front of computer screens ALL day for virtual school and have had their sports seasons & summer activities canceled since last March. Students were mostly unable to visit colleges this past spring, summer, and even now in the fall season. These periods are usually prime time for juniors & seniors to explore potential “best fit” colleges using on-campus tours & information sessions. Additionally, most spring & summer 2020 SATs and ACTs were canceled. For that reason, the vast majority of colleges are allowing test optional applications for this year’s high school seniors . This means an SAT or ACT are not required for admission to most colleges for this application year! Thus, high school seniors are in a season of major opportunity! Students with high GPAs especially, whose lower SATs and ACTs would have limited their college options, now have a much better chance of getting into their dream colleges —whether the Ivy Leagues, top public colleges like UC Berkeley and University of Michigan, or liberal arts colleges like Williams and Spelman. Note that a handful of colleges, including Howard University, have not yet gone test optional, though most colleges have . Some colleges are also requiring an SAT or ACT to be considered for certain merit scholarships, even if they are not requiring these tests for admission. Other outside scholarship programs, like the Detroit Promise Program, have not yet released for 2020-21 whether they are waiving their SAT requirement. Thus, some Fall 2020 in-person SAT & ACT tests have been taking place, as scheduled. So, look up the requirements for every college and program you are applying to, and plan ahead! Moreover, NOW is the time to start your application process if you have not already. Here are 10 TIPS TO COMPLETING YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS 1. Create a long list of POTENTIAL colleges (up to 25) and go on their websites. 2. Research their programs and extracurricular options . Do their online virtual tours. Also, sign up for one of their virtual information sessions. Many colleges are even doing virtual interviews now, so consider signing up for those. 3. Narrow your list down to around 10 “Best Fit” schools you want to apply to. 4. Go to commonapp.org and create your Common Application . You will apply for most colleges using this portal. Add all the colleges you plan to apply to under “College Search.” 5. Create a Google Document or Word Document with a list of all the required essay questions for each college on your list. A few colleges, including Florida A&M University, do not use the Common App. For those few, you will apply directly on their websites and you will find the required essay topics there. 6. Create a resume with every activity, volunteer experience, job experience, and award you have had since the start of high school 7. Use life experiences from your resume and otherwise to think of a MAIN common app essay of up to 650 words (there are seven potential prompts, including a topic of your choice). This essay should be interesting, memorable, and specific to YOU. You can write about overcoming tragedy, obstacles, use appropriate humor, or write about some unique activity you do. Remember that this essay is going to almost every college on your list. 8. Tackle ALL the required other college essay supplements one by one ( 1-5 essays per college usually) . Get help from qualified adults, teachers, and mentors in editing your essay(s). Keep track of all the deadlines. Write a little bit EVERY week , focusing on essays for colleges with the closest deadlines first. Most college applications are due either November 1st for Early Action (you will hear back by Christmas) or January 1st for Regular Decision (where you will hear back by the end of March). Remember that “Early Decision” applications are BINDING , meaning you commit to going to that college if they accept you. 9. Request your teacher recommendations and transcripts for EACH college as soon as possible. Give your teachers at least 3-4 weeks to write your recommendations. Give your counselors & teachers an electronic copy of your resume and some bullet points you would like them to highlight. Use Naviance, Scoir, or whatever system your high school uses to request these transcripts and recommendations. 10. Complete the FAFSA beginning as early as October 1st at studentaid.gov. The earlier the better, but it must usually be completed before March 1st for Michigan colleges . Also, submit any SATs taken to colleges directly from collegeboard.org & any ACTs directly from act.org.

You feel a lump in your breast. It’s time for your annual mammogram and the doctor finds something unusual.