Seniors at Durant High School have the opportunity to get assistance with college applications thanks to the school’s second annual College Application Day.
Based on an initiative through the Florida College Access Network, the event, which is held Oct. 16, aims to help all students have the best chance at accurately and easily filling out the applications to the college of their dreams. Megan Perry, college and career counselor at Durant, said the program really gives all students a chance to be prepared and competitive for their futures.
“Almost all applications are online now and not all students have a computer at home to work on them,” Perry said. “It was really nice for them to have an extended period of time to sit down and go through the process. Many of our students have been going during their lunch break to work on it piece by piece for days until it’s done.”
Some of the questions on the applications can be confusing as well, Perry said, so the entire counseling department will be on hand to guide them through the process. Administrators will be popping in and out all day, the school’s migrant advocate will be on hand as will the reading specialists, social worker and school psychologist.
It’s a group effort, but Perry said helping the students better their chance at obtaining the future they desire makes the time and dedication all worth it.
To fill out the applications all the students will need are their summary sheets, which they will be printing out the day of to those who need it. It will have everything from the classes the students have completed down to their test scores and GPAs available on one easy layout.
FASFA takes too long and is to intricate to be able to tackle for the one-day event, however, the school staff will be helping students with their Bright Futures Scholarship applications. Hillsborough Technical College will also be at the event for part of the day with information about its programs. Its applications are still paper, so students who may have transportation issues that could make it difficult to get to the college to pick up an application have the opportunity to still apply.
“I thought we had a great turnout of seniors last year,” Perry said. “This is a great way for us to show the students we care and I really hope Durant continues not only with this event but also keeps searching for ways to help the students plan their future and pursue their goals.”
Last year, approximately 200 students participated in the event. This year, Durant has 559 seniors and Perry said she hopes everyone that has questions or needs time to apply will show up. They are taking signups in the guidance office and some teachers are bringing their entire class to the media lab to participate.
Any parents who wish to sign up their children can email Perry at megan.perry@sdhc.k12.fl.us or call her at the school at 813-757-9075.