Fall is here and Sampson County high school seniors are in the midst of their college applications.

It is an exciting and busy year. Some students may have all ready submitted an application to one or more colleges. UNC-CH had its first deadline for early action on Oct. 15. Those students interested in merit scholarships should get their applications in early. There is a wealth of information regarding the college process these days online. One great website is the New York Times blog called, “The Choice.” This website has information from college acceptance data to college planning calendars. A great yearlong series called “ The Envelope Please” is part of The Choice Blog. The series follows eight current high school seniors through their college searches. Last year, the series followed only United States seniors, but now there is also a student from India and one from South Africa. The current seniors also have included video diaries as well as the blog entries. One student blogger from Topeka, Kansas, is a participant in the school’s AVID program.

We currently have students in Union Middle and High schools in the AVID college preparatory program. From the AVID website it states, “AVID is Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a college readiness system for elementary through higher education that is designed to increase schoolwide learning and performance. The AVID College Readiness System accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change. Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle. The formula is simple — raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge. But it’s more than a program - it’s a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge.” The program was started over twenty years ago but has been in place in the Union District for just over two years and has had positive results.

Reading the two blog entries from the Kansas student, Leobardo Espinoza Jr., it is evident that the AVID program has made an impact on his growth. All the current seniors blogging on this New York Times series are worth reading and viewing. The reader truly experiences the thrilling and demanding time of being a high school senior.