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Week 8: October 6, 2025

Colorado Free Application Day
- Submit your admission application (common app or direct to institution) during this three-day period to be eligible for the fee waiver. Each public four-year college and university will have a unique fee waiver process.
- Some will ask you to submit codes,
- Others will ask you to select an answer from a dropdown menu, and
- Some have no special instructions or have no fee year-round.
Please read instructions carefully as you prepare to submit applications on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, through midnight of Thursday, October 9, 2025
West Point Admissions Event
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, October 29th, 2025
- Time: 6:00 pm
- Location: Cherry Creek High School
9300 E Union Ave
Greenwood Village, CO 80111-1306 - RSVP: Registration Link
During the Admissions Brief, we will discuss:
- What West Point Offers: Learn why West Point stands as a premier institution for leadership development, academic excellence, and character growth.
- Life as a Cadet: Gain firsthand insights into the daily life of a West Point Cadet, including academics, athletics, and leadership training.
- The Application Process: Understand the steps to apply to West Point and gather valuable tips to enhance your application.
Please see above detailed information on the event. Space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot at the event and RSVP as soon as possible.
COLLEGE
COLLEGE FAIRS: Participating colleges set up booths where students can ask questions and pick up information about the school. This is an easy way to visit with college reps, learn more about the school and collect some swag.
- Out of State College Night at Monarch High School, Wednesday, October 8, 5:30-7:00pm
- Out of State College Night at Denver South High School, Thursday, October 9, 5:30-7:00pm
- Denver National College Fair at CU Boulder, Sunday, October 25, 1:00pm-4:00pm
- Denver Music College Fair at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, University of Denver, Friday, October , 6:00-9:00pm
- HRHS College Fair during Access, Thursday, March 13, 2025
Planning to visit some colleges over fall break? Here are some questions to ask on your tour:
- On average, how many classes do first-year students take? What support systems are in place to help them with the academic transition to college?
- When are academic advisors assigned to first-year students? Would they be in the department of my intended major? How often will I meet with them?
- Do professors teach first-year classes or TAs? Do they hold office hours every week?
- What words would you use to describe the campus culture?
- What kind of student thrives best on this campus?
- What is one piece of advice you would give an incoming first-year student at your college or university?
- What is your favorite tradition at this college/university? (It’s very telling if they can’t think of one!)
- What do you think students here find surprising or unexpected when they start their first year here?
- How easy or hard is getting the classes you want each semester?
- What resources do you have for students struggling with a class? Is there a tutoring center? Is it included in tuition, or are there extra fees to use it?
- Do you guarantee housing for first-year students? If not, do you help first-year students find housing off-campus?
- What would you say is the biggest challenge on your campus?
- How often do alumni come back and get involved in helping current students find internships and jobs?
College Visits at HRHS
- Call or e-mail Post Grad (contact info on the Post Grad home page) or Register with RepVisits
THIS WEEK:
- 6-Oct, 9:00am, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL
- 6-Oct, 9:30am, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
- 6-Oct, 10:00am, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
- 6-Oct, 11:30am, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- 6-Oct, 12:00pm, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
- 6-Oct, 12:30pm, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
- 6-Oct, 1:30pm, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA
- 6-Oct, 2:00pm, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
- 7-Oct, 8:30am, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, Cincinnati, OH
- 7-Oct, 10:00am, Davidson College, Davidson, NC
- 7-Oct, 10:30am, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Main Campus, University Park, PA
- 7-Oct, 11:00am, Baylor University, Waco, TX
- 7-Oct, 11:30am, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO
- 7-Oct, 12:00pm, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
- 7-Oct, 12:30pm, Lafayette College, Easton, PA
- 7-Oct, 1:00pm, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
- 7-Oct, 1:30pm, Chapman University, Orange, CA
- 7-Oct, 2:00pm, Stonehill College, Easton, MA
- 9-Oct, 8:30am, Eckerd College, Saint Petersburg, FL
- 9-Oct, 10:00am, Villanova University, Villanova, PA
- 9-Oct, 10:30am, Temple University Japan, Setagaya-ku,
- 9-Oct, 11:00am, Furman University, Greenville, SC
- 9-Oct, 11:30am, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
- 9-Oct, 12:30pm, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, MA
- 9-Oct, 1:00pm, Binghamton University, Vestal, NY
- 9-Oct, 1:30pm, University of St. Thomas (MN), Saint Paul, MN
- 9-Oct, 2:00pm, Whittier College, Whittier, CA
- 9-Oct, 9:00am, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN
- 9-Oct, 9:30am, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
- 10-Oct, 8:30am, Elon University, Elon, NC
- 10-Oct, 9:00am, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
- 10-Oct, 9:30am, Belmont University, Nashville, TN
- 10-Oct, 10:30am, Purdue University-Main Campus, West Lafayette, IN
- 10-Oct, 1:00pm, Seattle University, Seattle, WA
AFTER FALL BREAK:
- 20-Oct, 12:30pm, Clark University, Worcester, MA
- 21-Oct, 8:30am, Bentley University, Waltham, MA
- 22-Oct, 11:30am, Luther College, Decorah, IA
- 22-Oct, 12:00pm, Texas A&M University - College Station, College Station, TX
- 22-Oct, 12:30pm, University of Denver, Denver, CO
- 23-Oct, 10:00am, Trinity College, Hartford, CT
- 23-Oct, 11:00am, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- 23-Oct, 11:30am, University of Washington-Bothell Campus, Bothell, WA
- 23-Oct, 12:30pm, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
- 24-Oct, 11:30am, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN
- 24-Oct, 12:00pm, Western Colorado University, Gunnison, CO
University of Alabama Free App Week
Free App Week runs October 6–10, 2025. During Free App Week, students will have until 11:59 p.m. CDT on Friday, October 10 to complete their application to The University of Alabama via the UA Undergraduate app. Applications submitted via the Common App will continue to require a $40 application fee during this period. This is an opportunity for students to build on hard work and begin a legendary future at UA without the pressure of an application fee. FREE APP WEEK REMINDERS
Points of Pride
I've been able to attend the Colleges that Change Lives and Jesuit Educational Tour meet and greets in which schools gave a 5 minute presentation (a snapshot of their institution). I'll highlight some points of pride over the next few newsletters. Please see below for highlights on all 4 Loyola Schools.
Loyola Marymount is 5 minutes from the beach and classes are capped at 30 students. It is highlighted for its beautiful campus, academic excellence grounded in Jesuit and Marymount traditions, and strong ties to the city of Los Angeles.
Loyola Chicago provides a Jesuit education, a strong connection to the city of Chicago (you get a public transit pass to take advantage of Chicago offerings, and the memorable 2018 men's basketball Final Four run.
Loyola University New Orleans' Music Industry Studies program is frequently recognized by Billboard magazine as one of the top music business schools in the country. The school has a 3 year residency requirement and is test optional. Students get a week and a half off for Mardi Gras. Students receive $20k-29k merit scholarship.
Loyola University Maryland is known for its Jesuit, Catholic educational tradition, focusing on developing students for leadership and service through a rigorous liberal arts education. The university is recognized for strong business and accounting programs, commitment to values like justice and integrity, and academic excellence, with its campus also noted for beauty and sustainability.
Applications
Seniors, come to post grad on Wednesday 8:30-10:30am for help on common applications and submitting materials for free app day!
WUE Provides Students Greater Access to College with Reduced Tuition Rates at Participating Schools
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) was established in 1987 to make college more affordable and accessible to students in the West. Through WUE, students from the WICHE region* can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs across the West and pay no more than 150% of the institution’s resident tuition rate. Today, more than 170 public colleges and universities offer reduced tuition rates through WUE to qualifying students. Participating schools offer these discounted rates to help students avoid the full cost of pursuing higher education outside their home state and minimize the impact of student loan debt. Find your perfect match. Download the list of WUE schools and use the online WUE Tuition Savings Finder to see how much you can save.
CU Pre-Health Scholars (CUPS) Program 2026–2027 Cohort
The CUPS Program provides academic enrichment, community-building, and hands-on experiences designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare and beyond. It is a unique opportunity for motivated students to explore their interests, connect with peers and mentors, and build a strong foundation for their future. This year promises to be another impactful journey of growth, learning, and opportunity for future healthcare leaders.
Application Window: Open now through November 1, 2025
Apply Here: CUPS Application Link
Eligibility: Students may apply based on their current grade level (Fall 2025):
- 8th grade → apply for the 9th grade cohort
- 9th grade → apply for the 10th grade cohort
- and so on through high school progression
Program Details
All sessions are required for participation
Sessions will be held in person at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus
Learn more on our website: CUPS Program Information
SCHOLARSHIPS
Start planning which scholarships you may want to apply for:
- Check the Scholarship website on the HRHS website for scholarships and scholarship search engines to help you find scholarships that meet your qualifications.
- I update scholarships that are sent to HRHS seeking potential applicants weekly. It is sorted by application due date.
- I will also post some in this newsletter
Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship grants are typically awarded in amounts of $10,000 to $12,500 per year (disbursed evenly each term) and are renewable for up to four years, resulting in a total potential award of up to $40,000 to $50,000. Scholarships can be applied to any accredited institution where the student is enrolled full-time.
All students who fit the criteria below are encouraged to apply. Applications are available each year from January 1-March 15.
CRITERIA:
In order to apply for a Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship, applicants must fit the following, qualifying criteria:
- A Black high school student in their senior year
- A full-time Colorado resident for a minimum of three years. Residence due to military orders to Colorado may be accepted on a case-by-case basis
INSTRUCTIONS:
Applications will be available online through the link below between January 1st and March 15th of each year. As part of your application, you will be asked to submit the following, required materials:
- Your full high school transcript
- Two letters of recommendation from persons not related to you
- A one-page personal statement and an additional essay response (350-500 words)
- Your Student Aid Report (SAR). You can obtain your SAR by filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you haven’t already done so, at www.fafsa.gov
- Information from your household’s latest tax return
- An additional educational, artistic, or professional file personal to you (optional)
Please note: Completed applications, with all materials, must be received by the Sachs Foundation by March 15th of the year you are applying. Letters of Recommendation must be received by March 31st. Applications submitted past the deadline will not be considered. Any incomplete or incorrect statement will directly impact any consideration of your scholarship application.
Students who are identified as finalists for a scholarship will be notified in late April. Finalists will be required to attend a program in Colorado Springs in June. Final approval of an award will be made at that time.
White Rose Scholarship Foundation
A program of the Rocky Mountain Court System Inc., this foundation was created to award scholarships to ALL Colorado residents, enabling them to continue their college education. The money is donated directly to the schools with the stipulation that the scholarship award is to be used for tuition or to purchase textbooks. The eligibility criteria are that the applicant must reside in Colorado and attend an accredited higher learning institution. Application due January 14. See website for more details.
Transportation Field Scholarships
WTS fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging students and new professionals to undertake careers in the transportation field. One way it does this is by awarding scholarships to students pursuing studies in transportation related fields. Applications for the 2025-2026 scholarship cycle are currently being accepted and will remain open through Wednesday, October 15th.
- Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship for women pursuing graduate studies - $5,000
- Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship for women pursuing graduate studies - $5,000
- Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates - $4,000
- Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship - $4,000
- Junior College/Trade School Scholarship - $2,000
- Transportation YOU High School Scholarship for seniors - $2,000
- WTS Colorado Future Forward Scholarship for non-traditional students - $1,500
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- GPA of 3.0 or higher*
- Current enrollment in a transportation-related field
- Community college, undergraduate and graduate students – must be enrolled in a transportation related program at time of application submission
- Graduating high school seniors – demonstrate an interest in enrolling in a transportation- related program for the Fall 2025 semester
- Examples include: Engineering, Urban Planning, Aviation, Environmental Studies, Geography, Construction Management, Public Administration, Public Finance, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Public Health
- Plans to Pursue a Career in a Transportation-Related Field
- Applicants should be attending school in Colorado or Wyoming, and/or reside in Colorado or Wyoming.
*GPA of 2.5 or higher for non-traditional scholarship
WTS Colorado:
https://www.wtsinternational.org/chapters/colorado
For additional information and questions about the application process, please email the WTS Colorado Scholarship and Student Outreach Committee: WTSCoScholarships@gmail.com
ACF Visionary Scholarship Opportunity Award
The Visionary Scholarship is a bi-annual award. There are five (5) awards given with each bi-annual deadline - with a total of ten (10) college scholarships awarded for each school year. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,500 each. Click here for more award details on award availability for your students.
Next bi-annual award deadline: December 1, 2025
Eligible grades: 2026, 2027, 2028, & 2029
ACF Visionary Scholarship complete details.
The application is free and the student does NOT need to demonstrate financial need in order to qualify.
TESTING
Juniors will have the opportunity to take a Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test October 8 at HRHS. This is an excellent practice test for the SAT given in the Spring. This student guide provides a helpful overview of what to expect.
Digital SAT practice is free and available to all students through the Bluebook™ testing app. Students can take a full-length digital practice test, view their results, and get linked to additional instructional materials, resources, and lessons on Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy®.
To take an additional SAT test (besides the one offered by HRHS in April) or to take the ACT, follow link below:
TUTORING
SAT Prep Course at DU (or live online). There will be a high-quality SAT prep course this fall hosted at the University of Denver, taught by a Harvard grad. There is also a live online version of the course. You will choose between the in-person and virtual courses. Campus Prep has provided these popular courses at the University of Denver for the past 7 years and has been the official SAT provider for the Boulder Valley School District.
Questions? Email admin@campusprep.org or call (877) 805-2521.
- Both courses are open to Juniors and Seniors.
- 27-hour comprehensive course, including 3 proctored practice exams
- Starts in October and runs for 7 weeks
- Taught live by a 99th percentile expert instructor
- Costs $195
- Students who complete the course often increase their score by over 200 points.
- The courses fill up fast. Apply at https://www.campusprep.org/sat (it takes 60 seconds to apply)
- Visit https://www.campusprep.org/sat to see the schedules and to apply for the course.
HRHS NHS Tutoring
This is available for free in the Library every Access period, after school Mon-Thurs from 2:45-3:30, before school on silver days from 7:15-8:10!
Students sign up online for tutoring using this google form: Sign up for NHS Tutoring
What kind of help can you get from a tutoring session?
One-on-One tutoring session -- specific skill or assignment
A study buddy -- study and review for a test
A homework helper -- while you work on your homework
A writing coach -- organize your thoughts/edit your written work
A reading buddy -- help you with your assigned reading
VOLUNTEER
General Reminder: All seniors need to complete and turn in 20 hours of community service. Your completed hours are posted on your unofficial transcript. Need ideas?
Fall Festival at Acres Green on October 26
Please sign up to help with games and set up and earn some volunteer hours. The festival is from 12-3pm. Contact Luchay Mendoza with questions.
Douglas County Libraries
Need community service hours? Volunteer to be a Teen Reading Buddy at Douglas County Libraries. Click here for more information. Check out more volunteer opportunities at DCL here.
Step Up Speak Out Domestic Violence Awareness 5k
Join Bad Moms of Parker Nonprofit for our first Domestic Violence Awareness 5K right here in Parker, Colorado. Walk. Run. Stand for Survivors. Every step we take together sends a message: Domestic violence has no place in our community.
Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Tallman Meadow Park (12335 Canterberry Parkway) in Parker.
Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition (DCHYC) Youth Leadership Board
The Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition (DCHYC) is currently accepting applications for our Youth Leadership Board for the 2025–2026 school year.
The Youth Leadership Board brings together high school students from across the county to:
Strengthen leadership skills through real-world projects
Work alongside community leaders, schools, and parents to improve youth health and well-being
Lead peer-driven initiatives focused on prevention, connection, and advocacy.
Haunted Trail Fundraiser
Haunted Trail Fundraiser on October 25th from 4–9 PM in Castle Rock, with all proceeds benefiting the Robin’s Nest Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting mental health initiatives locally.
This event offers students the chance to earn 20 volunteer hours by participating as scare actors or behind-the-scenes crew. Snacks will be provided for all volunteers, and students are encouraged to bring their own costumes and props.
- RescueMinds Medical Learning- student-led nonprofit organization committed to increasing access to CPR and Narcan training in high school and college students. Apply to volunteer.
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science Guest Engagement Volunteer program. Students will have the opportunity to volunteer at the information desk, ticket scanning and greeting, while creating a friendlier and more convenient Museum space by serving as gallery guides and performing wayfinding assignments during special events and programs.
- The Aspen Effect offers leadership and volunteer services hours through Ranch Hand Jobs. Visit www.theaspeneffect.org to sign up (limited spaces).
MILITARY
Campus Visits in Commons
Army:
- October 1
Marines:
- October 8
- October 21
HONORING SERVICE MEMBERS
To honor the dedication and bravery of former HRHS students serving in the military, we have a recognition wall for service members at HRHS. If you know of a former student enlisted with the military, I would like to include them in our display case. It is an opportunity for our school community to express gratitude and support for these individuals. Please email me the contact info and I can reach out to them to include their name, branch of the military and a photo/write up if available.
CAREER
Looking for a Part Time Job? There is a community board across the hall from Post Grad where I post flyers from local business looking for high school students. I will also post new job listings here:
- Waterworks Aquatics Swim Schools is hiring for Swim Instructor positions starting at an average of $20.00 - $28.50. They are a local swim school, looking to train and hire PART-TIME (YEAR-ROUND) SWIM INSTRUCTORS! They are looking for energetic people that are open to learning and have the ability to make learning fun. If you know of anyone that has a strong passion for working with children and enjoys being in the water, then this is the job for them! Students can apply at the link: https://waterworks-aquatics.careerplug.com/jobs/1027610/apps/new
- Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) is currently hiring for year-round staff. Check out HRCAonline.org/Jobs for more details.
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