NCAC Hosts National Decision Day

Advisers to Celebrate Students' Success

The National College Advising Corps will host a National Decision Day on May 1, 2009, to recognize high school seniors with post-secondary plans. In keeping with President Obama's goal for "every American to pursue some form of education beyond high school," the event aims to celebrate students' success and commitment to postsecondary education or training while encouraging awareness among younger students who may not consider going to college.

The event will take place on May 1, the day most young people must inform a college of their plans to enroll. Seniors from over 100 high schools, as well as a few select community colleges, will be invited to participate in the celebrations.  In order to be admitted to the event, seniors must bring evidence of their post graduation plans in the form of a college acceptance letter, military orders, or a similar offer letter.

The event is being organized by advisers in the National College Advising Corps. The Advising Corps aims to increase the number of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students entering and completing higher education. Advisers are recent college graduates who work full-time to help students plan their college searches, complete admissions and financial aid applications, and enroll at schools that will serve them well.

Advisers are planning both fun and educational activities to mark the day. Following are examples of some of the activities being planned:

• Advisers are encouraging seniors to wear t-shirts or sweatshirts from the college in which they plan to enroll, while faculty and staff are being encouraged to wear gear from their alma maters.
• At some high schools, advisers will post a map and ask students to "leave their mark" with a pin, indicating where they are planning to attend college and whether they will be playing a sport for that college or university.
• Advisers are soliciting donations for raffle drawings, giving seniors a chance to win bags, t-shirts, pens, and other college paraphernalia.
• At some schools, college representatives will be on hand to distribute information for lowerclassmen.

For more information, contact Connie Freeman, Assistant Director of the National College Advising Corps, at 919-962-5324 or cfreeman@unc.edu.