What is Apply Now Alaska?
Apply Now Alaska is an Alaskan Chapter of the American College Application Campaign – a nationwide effort to increase the number of low-income and first-generation students applying to postsecondary institutions. The primary focus of this initiative is to help high school seniors navigate the complex application and admissions process, and to ensure that they apply to at least one college/university, trade/vocational/career training school, or a registered apprenticeship program. High schools do this by dedicating time and space during the school day where all graduating seniors have the opportunity to submit at least one application to the school/program of their choice. Counselors and trained volunteers provide support to students in this process.
How Did It Start?
The American College Application Campaign first started at a North Carolina high school in Siler City in November 2005. The next year it expanded to 15 high schools, then to 109 high schools in 2007. By 2010, at least 470 North Carolina high schools participated in the state’s College Application Week program annually. Additionally, by the same year, the program had spread to five southern states and Colorado. In November 2011, 3 new states piloted the effort. Since then, the program has grown annually to include more states, more high schools, and more students nationally. The program has now expanded to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Based on data reported by states to date, during the fall 2018 Campaign, more than 7,129 high schools hosted application events nationally, which resulted in around 586,253 seniors submitting over 865,535 applications to postsecondary institutions of their choice. The Campaign achieved its goal of reaching 7,000 high schools nationally during the 2018 Campaign. To date, over 2 million students have been served since the inception in 2005.
Why Postsecondary Education and Career Training Matter?
Postsecondary education and career training will determine the future of our nation. Often, income inequalities are driven by a lack of access to postsecondary pathways. Not only are graduates from postsecondary programs half as likely to be unemployed as those with only a high school diplomas, they are also more likely to vote and be leaders in their communities. The economic health and social viability of a democratic society is determined by the education of its citizens.
When is Apply Now Alaska?
Host sites hold 2019-2020 Apply Now Alaska events in November, December, January, and February depending on their specific needs.
What is Expected of Sites Hosting Apply Now Alaska Events?
- Register online as a host site for Apply Now Alaska event
- Designate a Site Coordinator as the primary point of contact for the event
- Reserve a computer lab for the event
- Promote the event to school population and local community
- Recruit and train volunteers to assist students
- Track the number of students attending the event, and the number of applications submitted
- Provide feedback to the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE)
What Else Can Host Sites Do?
- Organize a planning committee to support implementation and promotion of Apply Now Alaska event
- Seek support from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE)
- Make sure that students are prepared to complete their applications by distributing Apply Now Alaska Student Preparation resources
- Help students research postsecondary schools and gather supplemental materials, such as essays, letters of recommendation, etc.
- Host other postsecondary education activities during the week leading up to the event
- Follow up with students to ensure that their applications have been received
- Continue building a postsecondary education culture by registering as host sites for initiatives such as FAFSA Time Alaska and Decision Day Alaska