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College & Career Update

August 24th, 2026

College &Career UpdateAugust 24th, 2026

Newsletter Introduction Newsletter Introduction

Welcome to the College and Career Update, Palmer's college and career newsletter! Stay informed about college and career opportunities and events, work-based learning opportunities to explore careers, scholarships, and more! This newsletter is sent to all 9th through 12th grade students, families, and staff so everyone is in the know! 🌞

In this update... In this update...

  • Future Center Events
  • Internship Opportunity with Colorado Media Group
  • Colleges Visiting Palmer
  • Match Direct College Admission
  • Scholarships

Future Center Events Future Center Events

This Week in the Future Center - August 24th - 28th

Monday, August 24th, 1:00pm - University of Alaska Fairbanks

Monday, August 24th, 2:00pm - Western States College of Construction

Tuesday, August 25th, 12:00pm - University of Advancing Technology Virtual Visit

Thursday, August 27th, 8:00am - Colorado College

Next Week in the Future Center - August 31st - September 4th

Wednesday, September 2nd, 10:00am - Scholarship Workshop

Interested in attending an event?

Sign up from your SchooLinks dashboard under the Events tab to receive a pass invite!

Internship Opportunity Internship Opportunity

Flyer promoting the Colorado Media Group Business Digest Next Gen Jr. Media Associate Paid Internship. The flyer highlights three available positions: Sales, Graphic Designer, and Editor. Applicants must be D11 juniors or seniors, have reliable transportation, and be interested in media-related work such as writing, editing, graphic design, production, sales, social media, and publication development. Desired skills include strong communication, problem-solving, professionalism, multitasking, organization, and attention to detail. The internship offers a $500 stipend for a 40-hour commitment over 6 to 8 weeks, with a start date of August 24. Students are instructed to apply by sending a resume with the subject line “D11 Student Intern” to Dhobbs@coloradomedia-group.com. The flyer features Colorado Media Group and Colorado Springs School District 11 Work-Based Learning logos, along with logos of several affiliated media publications. The design uses blue, gold, gray, and white colors with a professional layout.
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Colleges Visiting Palmer Colleges Visiting Palmer

Panoramic nighttime view of a snow-covered campus surrounded by evergreen trees. Brightly lit buildings and pathways contrast with the dark winter sky, while vivid green and turquoise ribbons of the northern lights (aurora borealis) stretch and swirl overhead. Snow-covered trees fill the middle ground, and warm yellow and orange lights from campus buildings and streets illuminate the landscape. The scene captures a winter evening at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, with the aurora creating a dramatic display above the campus.
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University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska

Monday, August 24th, 1:00pm

Logo for Western States College of Construction featuring a stylized mountain range in shades of dark green and gray. A cluster of evergreen trees appears in front of the central mountain peak. Below the graphic, the text “WESTERN STATES” is displayed in large uppercase letters, with a horizontal line underneath. The words “College of Construction” appear below in smaller gray text. The logo is set against a light gray background and uses a clean, professional design inspired by western mountain landscapes.
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Western States College of Construction

Locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction

Monday, August 24th, 2:00pm

Exterior view of a university campus building on a sunny day. The multi-story building features red brick walls, large vertical windows, and a curved entrance with wide steps and metal handrails. Several tall palm trees and landscaped greenery surround the building, with a manicured lawn and walkways leading to the entrance. Sunlight shines through the palm fronds, creating a bright, warm atmosphere. The image highlights a modern academic setting with southwestern-style landscaping.
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University of Advancing Technology (Virtual)

Tempe, Arizona

Tuesday, August 25th, 12:00pm

Tree-lined campus walkway leading to a large red sandstone academic building with arched entrances and broad steps. Black decorative lampposts line both sides of the path, surrounded by green lawns and mature trees with spring foliage. Two people walk along the central pathway toward the camera, while the historic-style building stands prominently in the background. Bright sunlight filters through the trees, creating a vibrant and welcoming campus atmosphere.
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Colorado College

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Thursday, August 27th, 8:00am

Match Direct College Admission Match Direct College Admission

Graphic featuring the logos of several Colorado public colleges and universities on a light gray background. The institutions shown include University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), Pikes Peak State College, University of Northern Colorado, Western Colorado University, Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo), Colorado Mesa University, Adams State University, and Fort Lewis College. Each logo is displayed in its official colors and branding, arranged in a grid-style layout representing Colorado four-year universities and community colleges available for in-state students.
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The Peak Ed Direct Admission Initiative allows ALL high school seniors across the Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs area to now be admitted to participating colleges and universities – no applications required. Through this direct admission approach, students are recognized for their hard work with no stress, no applications, and no rejections. It’s a simpler, more supportive way to start the college journey.

What is Direct Admission and how does it help students?

Direct Admission through Match means students can receive real college admission offers based on academic grades – no application, essays, or recommendation letters needed. It’s free, fast, and stress-free. By creating a free profile, students can receive admission offers based on their achievements.

Infographic titled “How it works” showing a four-step college admissions process. Step 1, “Build your profile,” instructs students to create a Match profile in under 15 minutes. Step 2, “Transcripts uploaded,” explains that the student or school adds a transcript to the profile. Step 3, “Offers arrive,” states that colleges send real admission and potential scholarship offers. Step 4, highlighted in a dark blue box, reads “Click interested” and instructs students to accept the offers they want to move forward with, noting that this step is required. The graphic uses numbered circles and four side-by-side panels in teal, gray, orange, and dark blue.
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Infographic titled “Class of 2027 Student Timeline for Peak Ed Direct Admission Initiative.” The graphic outlines key milestones in the college direct admission process along a horizontal timeline. Students can create profiles at any time, with a priority submission deadline of Monday, September 21. Timeline milestones include: Profile Creation Launch beginning August 26 Profile Submission Deadline on September 21 Receive Offers beginning October 5 Check Response Deadlines ongoing, with students instructed to refer to individual offers for response deadlines The design features a dark blue header with white text, a gray background, colored timeline markers, and yellow date boxes highlighting August 26, September 21, and October 5.
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Complete Your Match Profile

Transcript Data Sharing - Opt Out FERPA Letter

Hello D11 parents and students,


We are excited to share that D11 is participating in Colorado’s new Direct Admission Initiative, powered by EAB’s Match platform. This program allows seniors to receive admissions offers to various 2 and 4 year colleges faster and easier than ever before! To read more about the initiative, read here: Match Direct Admissions Website.


To help participating colleges determine student eligibility, D11 will provide transcripts for seniors through the Match platform. To receive information and admissions offers from colleges, each student will still need to complete their Match Profile.


If you would prefer that your student’s transcript not be shared through the Direct Admission initiative, the attached letter provides information about your rights under FERPA and how to request that the transcript be withheld.

Direct Admissions Opt Out

Scholarships Scholarships

The Gates Scholarship The Gates Scholarship

Description: The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other financial aid and the Student Aid Index, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university.


*Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, books, housing and food, and may include additional personal costs.

Deadline: September 15th

Website/ Eligibility: The Gates Scholarship Website

Coca-Cola Scholarship Coca-Cola Scholarship

Description: Each year, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards 150 college scholarships worth $20,000 to high school students across the U.S. Students need a 3.0 GPA and to fill out an online application which requires no essay, no recommendations and no transcripts. This is an achievement-based scholarship that recognizes students for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

Deadline: September 30th - 5:00pm Eastern Time

Eligibility: Coca-Cola Scholarship Eligibility

Website: Coca-Cola Scholarship Website

QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship

Description: Dream big and apply for full four-year scholarships to over 50 top colleges through QuestBridge. Through the National College Match, high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds can apply for early admission and full four-year scholarships to the nation’s best colleges. Applications are reviewed holistically, and there are no absolute criteria or cut-offs for GPA, standardized test scores, income, or other factors. Take this chance to dream big.

Deadline: October 1st, 2026

Eligibility: QuestBridge Scholarship Eligibility

Website: QuestBridge Website

Maria Torres

College & Career Counselor

William J. Palmer High School

Email: maria.torres@d11.org

Phone: 719-328-5015

MARIA TORRES
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