It's College Application Week in high schools

KIMBERLY BELLAMY

North Carolina's online one-stop source for guidance on higher education has managed to get all the county's high schools involved in a week of college preparation.

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) and the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers are cosponsoring College Application Week through Friday.

During the week, high school seniors are encouraged to visit the CFNC Web site, register, and fill out an admissions application to continue their education after high school.

There was 100 percent participation from all four of Edgecombe County's high schools.

College Application week began about three years ago as a pilot program with a few schools across the state participating, but participation has grown since its inception.

"This year almost all high schools participated. I know there is at least one high school registered in every single one of the 100 counties," said Rose Mary Stelma of College Foundation Inc.

During the week of college awareness, students have incentives to apply for some of North Carolina's colleges and universities.

"Thirty of the 36 private colleges and universities in North Carolina waived their college application fee. For students interested in applying to college, that can really help," Stelma said.

The state's 58 community colleges don't have an application fee.

Tarboro High School kicked-off the week with a college fair on Tuesday, which allowed students to speak to representatives from 10 different schools.

Schools represented included the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Central University, East Carolina University, Barton College, Chowan College, Livingstone College, Mount Olive College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Edgecombe Community College and Pitt Community College.

"This year is fantastic. The location and timing is adequate. I'm pleased with the students today, and their interactions," said Jamie Massengill of Mount Olive College.

"This tells you about the open houses, knowing what days to go, and visiting the college to learn more about it," said Judith Radilla, Tarboro High senior.

While the component with CFNC focuses on the students that are graduating in the Spring, the college fair at Tarboro High opened up the week to underclassmen.

"We wanted to open it up to our entire student body so our sophomores, and freshmen would have early exposure," said Cindy Bell, Tarboro High's career development coordinator.

'We wanted our students to know that whether two-year or four-year, some type of college is for them, regardless of what they want to do."

North Edgecombe High School hosted the first event on Wednesday in conjunction with CFNC for College Application Week.

North Edgecombe counselor Lynette Land emphasized the convenience of hosting such an event.

"The students go on cfnc.org, and they can do everything online," Land said.

Tarboro High School is hosting their CFNC application day today, and SouthWest Edgecombe will host their event on Friday.

Edgecombe Early College High School registered for the event, but has a smaller student body than the other schools, and only has 15 seniors this year.

Early College counselor Pam Gould said she stressed completing applications early to the students, but some students did fill out additional applications this week.

"All of our applications are in by Nov. 1. A majority of ours have been completed," Gould said.

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