SOURCE: George Washington University’s Vietnamese Student Association
The George Washington University’s Vietnamese Student Association College Preparation Conference (CPC) aims to prepare and high school students in the VA/MD/DC region, with a particular interest in Vietnamese American students, for college. We will be holding workshops that will cover all aspects of college life (academic preparation, social adjustment, and financial aid) in order to help students have a smoother transition into college. Some workshops will also be open for parents so that they can be informed and supportive of their children’s decisions. We hope to give back to the community by educating, guiding, and being a resource for the younger generation so that they can grow up to be successful, future leaders.
This event is FREE for all attendees. There will be complimentary handouts and SAT study books as well as a chance to win a full SAT preparation course ($1,000+ value)!
about
OBJECTIVES
To inform the high school students all of the financial aid options available to them, including federal pell grants, local and national scholarships, as well as to explain to them the difference between types of loans (subsidized/unsubsidized)
To make standardized testing practice materials available to the high school students
To provide a forum for the students to talk openly about their life experiences thus far, in order to help inspire a topic of discussion for their college entrance essays.
To empower the youth to always believe in themselves and their endeavors even if they have no support at home or in school
To eventually decrease the number of Vietnamese Americans over the age of 25 with less than a high school education
To educate attendees about the GRACE values from the New Moon Foundation and how they can use them to become better selves in college
GRACE VALUES
Gratitude – By deeply appreciating life, both its gifts and lessons, we cultivate generosity and joy.
Respect – By recognizing the nobility of all life, we open our heart and mind for understanding and peace.
Accountability – By taking full responsibility for our actions, thoughts and emotions, we free ourselves to make wise choices.
Courage – By acting with authenticity, integrity and faith, we face the reality of a world filled with suffering while holding a vision of a better world .
Enagagement – By wholeheartedly contributing our gifts in a way that benefits our communities and natural environment, we express compassion as a natural outcome of a values-based life.
LOCATION
CPC will be held at the George Washington University’s Marvin Center, located in Washington, D.C.
800 21st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
The building is located within four blocks of the Foggy Bottom metro station (blue and orange line) and has pay parking in its basement or metered parking on the street.
schedule
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Check-in/Breakfast
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Opening Ceremony
10:35 AM – 11:30 AM Session I: Identity
11:35 AM – 12:30 PM Lunch
12:35 AM – 1:30 PM Session II: Getting There
1:35 PM – 3:00 PM Session III: Being Proactive (Admission Officers Panel included)
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Closing Ceremony
workshops
SESSION 1: IDENTITY
Choose one workshop out of below.
Workshop 1: Addressing inter-generational conflicts We will host a conflicts and compatibilities of culture forum where the goal will be to discuss what is still relevant to the students today as mostly second generation Vietnamese-Americans, and where the barriers are in regards to the culture differences from parent to child. We will work on building strategies that the students can use to relay their thoughts and opinions if they differ from those of their parents, and explain to them the reasoning behind why their parents may want them to pursue certain careers or do certain things. The intergenerational gap often poses as an obstacle that second and third generation Asian Americans find when trying to establish their own identity as an American born Asian. This workshop will serve to help students find a common ground and gratitude for their parents.
Workshop 2: The importance of managing your image In our “image” workshop we will teach students the importance of keeping up a good image by respecting oneself, one’s parents, and others. Part of being a good person is being respectful. We will discuss the short term and long term consequences of saying and doing inappropriate things at a young age, and therefore how it is imperative to always present oneself in a respectful and positive manner. We will also discuss self-respect, and how the students must learn to respect their bodies, especially so that in the future when they apply to jobs, drug screenings will not be an issue.There will be a brainstorming session associated with the workshop, that will allow the students to self-define their own image so that during college interviews, they will be able to easily explain who they are and what they have to bring and contribute to the college.
SESSION 2: GETTING THERE
Choose one workshop out of below.
Workshop 1: Financial aid – How to apply for college & Financial Aid In many situations, parents generally do not know enough information about applying for financial aid or scholarships to pass onto their children. Our financial aid and scholarship workshop will provide the students with the information and resources necessary in order to attend college. We will teach them to be accountable for themselves and their future by making sure that they take note of deadlines for applications, and the knowledge of what forms are needed to apply for financial aid, and how to fill out certain forms.
Workshop 2: The do’s and don’ts of college This workshop will serve more as a confidential forum for the students to open up about any issues that most affect them regarding applying to college or what their college experience will be like. The students will need to have the courage to dig deep and find out what they are most passionate about, and we hope to provide them with the courage necessary to apply for their dream schools. We hope to pass on the courage to take an initiative to lead their own lives by starting with college.
SESSION 3: BEING PROACTIVE
All attendees will attend the workshop and then head to the admissions panel.
Workshop I: Getting involved, taking action In our community service workshop, we will explain the importance for the students to be engaged in their local regions. Our goal is to show them the bigger picture; that no matter what personal situations or issues they may be facing at home, that they can still make a difference and change someone else’s life for the better. We will present them with community service opportunities, ideas for them to even start their own projects, and the steps that are needed to be taken to implement various projects.
Admissions Panel Admission officers from various schools in the DC, MD, and VA area will be attending to answer questions about their school’s application process firsthand.
scholarship
GWU VSA is proud to present a $100 scholarship opportunity for one attendee! Anyone interested must submit a 500 word or less answer to the following question: How do you embody gratitude, respect, accountability, courage, or engagement? Pick one value and explain in detail.
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a current high school student of the VA, DC, MD area in the 9th-11th grade, and you must also attend the conference.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP!
sponsors
We are very thankful for the support from the following sponsors.
contacts
Conference Chair – Frank Huynh
Programming Chair – Julianna Ngo
Sponsorship Chair – Emmeline Ha
Publicity Co-Chair (Design and Advertising) – Kim Cuc Ngo
Publicity Co-Chair (Community Outreach) – Emmeline Ha
Logistics Chair – Sheila Kwong
http://studentorgs.gwu.edu/vsa/cpc
