BY KENDYL COUNTS
As the countdown to graduation begins, plans for the future consume the thoughts of Cooper City High School students of all grades. Instead of browsing wikiHow for an inkling of advice, however, students were able to attend the College and Career Fair on February 13th, where they connected with representatives from over seventy schools and received expert guidance on everything from standardized testing to financial aid.
The night was divided into three thirty-five minute sessions, during which guests could listen to any of the five presentations that were occurring in conjunction with the fair itself. Answering some of the looming questions surrounding the college admissions process, these seminars were intended to reassure both parents and students that their college dreams are not too far out of reach.
Reaffirming the importance of receiving college insight from reputable sources, speakers were those with experience; Annie Shea, the senior assistant director of the University of Central Florida, was present to divulge the requirements for getting into a Florida public university, and Cheree Liebowitz of International College Counselors was offering advice on becoming a competitive applicant. For those who wanted to hear more about financial aid, Isabel Acevedo of the FL DOE Office of Student Financial Assistance explained the complexities of the FAFSA.
As these seminars occurred in the 3400 building, the cafeteria filled with students and their parents hoping to speak face-to-face with college representatives from around the country and beyond. Most prevalent were Florida schools like Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern, and Broward College, hoping to attract local students to their nearby campuses. Also from in state (but much further away) was admissions officer Melissa Brown from Florida State University, who was more than willing to share her advice on how to get into the popular Florida school.
“Take challenging courses, but don’t overdo it and overwhelm yourself,” Brown said. “Test as soon as possible, and apply by the first deadline.”
As for any recently accepted students, her guidance took a more sentimental route.
“Balance your time, get involved, and be a part of the community,” Brown said. “It’s important to remember why you’re there.”
Also there to offer words of encouragement to recently accepted students to the University of Florida was admissions officer Keaton Lampkin. A Miami native, Lampkin stressed the tight bond shared by the Gainesville community as one of the most enjoyable parts of the UF experience.
“The Gator family [is the best part],” Lampkin said. “Everybody really accepts each other as a family despite our differences.”
In spite of the overwhelming presence of Florida schools, out of state schools like the University of Maryland, Ohio State University, and the University of New Hampshire made appearances as well. Boasting the opportunity for students to start fresh in a new state, these schools dazzled students with their distant locations and northern foliage.
“Going out of state allows students to expose themselves to a different city,” representative of the University of Tennessee Knoxville Stephanie Hospodae said. “They can connect with people they might not have had the opportunity to connect with and study majors that they might not have had the opportunity to study. It’s all about personal growth.”
Much like out of state universities, few environments are more conducive to personal growth than those offered by representatives from the Broward Sheriffs Office, U.S. Army, Navy, Airforce, and Coast Guard. Equipped with samples of uniforms and other gear, representatives from these organizations informed students of the importance and benefits of helping to protect the country.
“West Point is a direct feeder program into the army that provides the leaders that it needs,” West Point Representative said. “A lot of those leaders end up getting out of the army and becoming civilian leaders as well.”
For students that were looking for extra help along their path to college, some tutoring services had booths to advertise the assistance they can provide on critical subjects covered on standardized tests. Broward tutorial, a standardized testing preparation center, and Mathnasium, a tutoring business specifically for mathematics, proposed the advantages of a receiving extra guidance on academic material.
“[Our program] develops a lot of foundational skills that students tend to struggle with through the years,” Mathnasium Center Director Darren Ferello said. “Typically students will focus on whatever’s right in front of them, but we shoot for long term mastery.”
With the application process wrapping up for seniors and fresh on the minds of CCHS students, the College and Career Fair comes at a time when plans for the future are of dire importance.
“I think it’s good to have a better understanding of what the future holds,” Sophomore Juseliz Lefebre said. “It’s important to make the right decisions early on to get where you want to go.”
