What is the Orbit initiative?
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The Orbit program seeks to impact students through comprehensive college experiences and building support networks that enhance intellectual
and social engagement, ultimately increasing matriculation into personalized education pathways.
We aim to do this by focusing on 3 main pillars:
- Campus Connections
- Building Success Skills
- Alumni Support
Building out programming in these 3 pillars will strengthen the understanding of the college application and enrollment process while building the self-advocacy and success skills necessary for students to navigate to and through college.
Finding Your College Fit
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"Finding Your College Fit"
College isn't just about which schools you get into- it's about finding the one that is the right fit for you!
Use these resources to learn about academic and financial fit, campus culture, career support, what questions you can ask yourself to find what is best for YOU.
Recording: https://youtu.be/cBZsuijCmW4
What Does It Mean to be College Ready?
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What Does It Mean to be College Ready?
Being “college-ready” means being prepared for any postsecondary experience, including study at two- and four-year colleges. Learn all of the different ways you can be considered "college ready"
Recording: https://youtu.be/1h5OEcm9MZE
College Affordability
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Paying For College
Learn about what different factors go into the cost of college, and how to cover those costs. You will learn about:
- Direct and Indirect costs
- In-state vs. Out of State tuition
- Different types of financial aid
- Scholarship Resources
- Budgeting tips
Recording: https://youtu.be/q35rDRET60g
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Understand Your Financial Aid Award Letter
What is a financial aid award letter, and what does it mean? Are all of my college costs covered, or will I have to pay out of pocket? In this presentation, we cover the different pieces of an award letter and things to consider including:
- Total Cost of attendance
- Financial aid being offered: scholarships and grants vs. loans
- options if you still have out of pocket costs
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Scholarship Best Practices
Discover best practices for applying for scholarships, including:
- different types of scholarships available
- how to search for scholarships effectively
- how to make your application stand out
- hot scholarship list and additional resources
Orbit: Blast into Your Future
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Essay and Personal Statement Development
Your guide to creating an effective writing sample which can be used for college applications and scholarships!
Recording: https://youtu.be/d31-vJCA5jU
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Real Talk with College Students
Hear from a panel of current college students and recent graduates about their real-life experience: the struggle and doubts they may have had, tips for success, and insider perspective into college life! Stick around to hear from our Orbit advisors about different Student Support Services and how they can help you succeed on campus.
Session Recording: https://youtu.be/N0AHGo-ApME
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Exploring College Majors and Linking them to Careers
Are you interested in a specific career, but you aren’t sure how to get there? Ever wondered what the day to day really looks like for your dream job? Join us to hear about specific majors from our university colleagues, followed by a panel of professionals who work in related fields. Featured majors include: Criminal Justice, Law, Health Science, Engineering, and Technical/trade programming.
Session Recording:
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Reality Check: Living the Lifestyle You Want
When you imagine your future, what do you see? Do you own a house, or a fancy car? Do you have a family? Are you traveling the world? Let’s find out if your desired lifestyle can be supported by the career/salary you want. Speak with experts from Workforce Solutions to find out more!
Session Recording: https://youtu.be/U56GNMPGp8k
Transitioning to College
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Campus Living Options
Learn about the different housing options when it comes to living on (or off!) campus at college. We will go over things to consider when making your selection, typical options colleges provide, meal plan options, and more.
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Planning for Success
Learn best practices from the Orbit team on how to Plan for Success in college. We discuss the college application and matriculation timeline, understanding a degree plan, meeting with your academic advisor, and establishing a community of support.