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IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!
COLLEGE & CAREER EVENTS CALENDAR
This page provides details and registration links for all upcoming events. If you are looking for events specifically pertaining to financial aid, CLICK HERE.
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Check back regularly—this page will be updated as new events are scheduled.
SAT Strategy Session
Wednesday, February 4th | 6:30-7:30 p.m.
What’s the SAT® all about? This session will break down the test while discussing content and strategy, and share used in prep courses to tackle sample questions, giving you practical tips that can help you get the score you need on the SAT. Hosted by the Princeton Review.
Ask the Experts: Real Answers to Your Biggest College Admissions Questions
Thursday, February 5th | 12:00-12:45:00 p.m.
Bring your questions and get straightforward guidance from our experienced college counselors.
Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College
Thursday, February 5th | 6:00 p.m.
Learn the rules of the game when it comes to managing college costs. You can expect to learn how to fund your child’s education while protecting your retirement, college funding strategies for parents with students who DO and DO NOT qualify for financial aid, the 13 most popular college funding financial vehicles explained and debunked, updates on the most recent changes in Congress and what they actually mean to your family, proven strategies to make out-of-state or private colleges more affordable, ways to maximize and increase financial aid eligibility, and more. Hosted by Sherwood High School but open to all MCPS families.
Field Trip to Hood College
Monday, February 9th
Students in grades 10-12 are invited to participate in a field trip to Hood College. We will depart Magruder at 8:15 a.m. and return around 1:30 p.m. Students will tour the campus and have the opportunity to eat lunch in the dining hall. There is no cost for this field trip. Space is limited to 50 students.
How to Use Dialogues by Schoolhouse in College Applications
Wednesday, February 11th | 2:00 p.m.
Dialogues is a free, virtual program that connects high school students for one-on-one conversations about important topics like immigration, AI, climate change, and civic engagement. After participating in three dialogues, students receive a verified portfolio showcasing their communication skills and ability to engage in constructive disagreement. The portfolio is accepted as part of the admissions process by the University of Chicago, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, NYU, Colby College, and Washington University in St. Louis. This session is intended for school counselors, but you may join to learn more about the program.
Meet-a-Pro: Evelyn Smittenaar, Physical Therapist Assistant
Thursday, February 12th | 6:30 p.m.
Meet-a-Pro is a collaboration between the Montgomery County Career Advising Program and Magruder High School to host discussions with professionals in different fields, bringing information about career options to high school students.
Ms. Smittenaar work as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in an outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinic. This is a job that requires successful completion of an accredited associate degree program, followed by passing a nationally administered licensing exam.
This event is hosted by Magruder High School but is open to all MCPS families.
College Night for Parents
Thursday, February 12th | 6:30 p.m.
Get free practical, insightful, and stress-relieving insights for parents and students navigating the application process from experts at The College Coaches.
College Planning Case Study
Thursday, February 12th | 10:00 p.m.
Join for one of five live webinars designed to reframe the conversation around testing timelines, list-building strategies, application workloads, and student well-being. Topics include testing timelines, building a balanced college list, admissions outcomes, and the real workload. Reduce stress, plan early, and take control of your college journey.
MCPS 18th Annual HBCU Fair
Friday, February 13th | 6:00-8:30 p.m.
50 HBCU representatives will share information and answer questions from students and parents about admissions, financial aid, testing, majors and much more. The event will also feature a college prep workshop for middle school students and parents, a discussion on college life, FAFSA completion assistance, scholarship information and more. This event is co-sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Discover Maryland
Monday, February 16th | 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
High school sophomores and juniors are invited to the University of Maryland campus for Discover Maryland! This day-long, prospective student open house is designed to help you determine if UMD is a good fit for you to further your educational journey. Attendees will learn about the UMD admission process, engage with current UMD students, take a tour of the College Park campus, speak with representatives from each of our academic programs, and explore exciting opportunities in and beyond the classroom at UMD.
Bowdoin Basics for Students and Families
Monday, February 16th | 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Get the basics on applying to Bowdoin in this information session hosted by a Bowdoin admissions officer. After a brief presentation on admissions and the student aid process, there will be time for students and parents to ask questions on everything from academic and career opportunities, campus life, living in coastal Maine, and more.
The College Admissions Process for Parents and Family Members: What are you looking for?
Tuesday, February 17th | 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Location? Academic discipline? Food? Weather? Size? In this special information session for family members of high school juniors, a Bowdoin College admissions officer will lay out the factors you and your student should consider to start building your college list, as well as lay out some first steps for your family to consider in your search and how to start exploring colleges that fit your criteria.
Ask Me Anything: Open Zoom
Wednesday, February 18th | 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Parents and caregivers may join this open Zoom session to ask questions about any college- or career-related topic. Let me know how I can help you!
In-Person FAFSA/MDCAPS Completion Session
Wednesday, February 18th | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Do you need help completing your financial aid applications? Get one-on-one assistance with your FAFSA, MDCAPS or MSFAA applications and get questions answered in person at Magruder High School. Assistance will be available in English and Spanish.
Sesión presencial para completar la FAFSA/MDCAPS
Miércoles 18 de febrero | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
¿Necesita ayuda para completar sus solicitudes de ayuda financiera? Reciba asistencia personalizada con sus solicitudes FAFSA, MDCAPS o MSFAA y resuelva sus dudas en persona en la Escuela Secundaria Magruder. La asistencia estará disponible en inglés y español.
Free Student ASVAB Test
Thursday, February 19th | 7:45 a.m.
LOCATION: SPRINGBROOK HIGH SCHOOL
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a timed, multi-aptitude test, which is given at more than 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) nationwide. Although the ASVAB test was developed to help people determine the trajectory of a potential military career, there is no military obligation to take it, and the results can be used for your own future exploration.
CLICK HERE FOR THE PERMISSION SLIP
Return permission slip to tammy_r_patterson@mcpsmd.org
College Night for Parents
Thursday, February 19th | 6:30 p.m.
Get free practical, insightful, and stress-relieving insights for parents and students navigating the application process from experts at The College Coaches.
Financial Aid Award Letters–How to Appeal and Win More Aid
Thursday, February 19th | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
The financial aid award process is tricky. Make sure you're informed so you can advocate for yourself (or your student) if your award is less than you need.
Free Teens Night Out: Career Workshops
Friday, February 20th | 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Staff will showcase different careers for participants to learn about and guide them through the different routes they can take to pursue the careers they want.
College Night for Parents
Thursday, March 5th | 6:30 p.m.
Get free practical, insightful, and stress-relieving insights for parents and students navigating the application process from experts at The College Coaches.
Field Trip to Goucher College
Monday, March 9th
Students will have the opportunity to tour Goucher College in Towson, Maryland, hear about their programs and see the campus. Lunch in the dining hall is provided.
This is a reschedule of the trip that was originally planned for December 2nd; all students who already paid and turned in permission slips still have a space. However, EVERYONE must turn in the new permission slip by the new deadline as noted on the link below in order to keep their slot.
LAUNCH: Linking Access, Unity, Networking, Collaboration and Higher Education
Wednesday, March 11th | 7:00 p.m.
Cornell University, Emory University, Pomona College, Rice University and Washington University in St. Louis are proud to present LAUNCH (Linking Access, Unity, Networking, Collaboration and Higher Education). At LAUNCH, you'll virtually meet admission officers from all five partner institutions and learn more about what unites them.
Montgomery College Paying for College Series:
You've Applied for Aid...Now What?
Wednesday, March 11th | 6:00 p.m.
The Paying for College Series will break down the essentials of financial aid, scholarships, costs, billing, and more. Whether you’re a student, parent, or counselor, these sessions are designed to help you make informed decisions and feel confident about paying for college and career training.
Ask Me Anything: Open Zoom
Tuesday, March 17th | 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Parents and caregivers may join this open Zoom session to ask questions about any college- or career-related topic. Let me know how I can help you!
Highly Selective Colleges and Universities
Wednesday, March 18th | 6:30 p.m.
Learn how to approach the application process for highly selective colleges, what they are looking for, and what makes you a competitive candidate. Led by Jordan Kanarek from CollegeWise.
Scholarships Basics and Tips
Thursday, March 19th | 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Searching for scholarships can be a daunting process. Join uAspire to learn more about how you can search more efficiently and effectively.
How to Maximize Merit Aid
Thursday, March 19th | 7:00 p.m.
Topics for this event will include what merit aid is and why it's such a big deal, types of merit aid, how to maximize institutional aid, how to find schools that give merit aid, and private scholarship success tips.
Capitol Technology University: Aviation Visitor's Day
Saturday, March 21st | 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
LOCATION: TIPTON AIRPORT, 7515 GENERAL AVIATION DRIVE, HANGAR 80, FORT MEADE, MD 20755
Capitol Technology University invites prospective students and their parents to explore the world of possibilities that our Aviation Professional Pilot program has to offer. Are you interested in learning more about Capitol Tech's Aviation Professional Pilot program? Attend this program to learn more.
Towson University Health Professions Overview
Tuesday, March 24th, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
This virtual session will be led by Tab Uhrich, Associate Dean, College of Health Professions at Towson University. Ms. Uhrich taught 12 years in K-12, is a tenured professor in TU’s Department of Kinesiology, former Director of Assessment at TU, and a current Associate Dean. Ms. Uhrich will provide an overview of Towson University's academic programs in the College of Health Professions, including undergraduate and graduate levels, followed by a Q&A. She will discuss key information such as which undergraduate majors have a separate admissions process and which majors are good choices as pathways into our graduate programs. Lastly, she will include information about their Institute for Well-Being and student services.
Field Trip to the U.S. Naval Academy
Friday, April 10th
Students will have the opportunity to tour the United States Naval Academy and learn what it's like to apply for an attend a military academy for college. Participation is limited to 50 students; priority will be given to students in the JROTC program.
Field Trip to Maryland CareerQuest
Thursday, April 16th
Maryland CareerQuest is at Live! Hotel and Convention Center in Hanover, MD. This is an amazing opportunity for students to obtain valuable information and inquire about various career opportunities and the training and education they require, without having to attend a traditional four-year institution. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to develop a broader understanding of how they can turn their passions and genuine interests into an actual career.
Smart Student Loans–How to Borrow Without Risking Your Future
Thursday, April 16th | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
This session will cover understanding the total cost of loans, federal direct loans and repayment, Parent PLUS loans and repayment, private loans and repayment, and student loans vs. HELOC. Presented by The College Funding Coach.
NACAC College Fair
Thursday, April 22nd
The NACAC College Fair is the biggest college fair on the east coast. Each year, all MCPS schools take 11th grade students to the fair, which is attended by reps from over 300 colleges and universities around the world. This is an extremely important opportunity for students to take advantage of.
PERMISSION SLIP COMING SOON
Ask Me Anything: Open Zoom
Thursday, April 23rd | 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Parents and caregivers may join this open Zoom session to ask questions about any college- or career-related topic. Let me know how I can help you!
Montgomery College Paying for College Series:
Understanding Your Costs and Bill
Monday, May 4th | 6:00 p.m.
The Paying for College Series will break down the essentials of financial aid, scholarships, costs, billing, and more. Whether you’re a student, parent, or counselor, these sessions are designed to help you make informed decisions and feel confident about paying for college and career training.
Hidden Gems – Colleges That Deliver Big Returns on Investment
Thursday, May 21st | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Discover the hidden gems that deliver outsized returns on your investment and set students up for long-term success. Not all great investments come with a flashy name, and when it comes to college, some of the best-kept secrets offer the strongest payoffs. Whether you’re focused on minimizing student debt, maximizing earning potential, or simply getting the best bang for your buck, this session will help you uncover underrated schools or programs with great relative returns.
Montgomery College Paying for College Series:
How to Avoid Having Your Courses Deleted
Wednesday, June 11th | 6:00 p.m.
The Paying for College Series will break down the essentials of financial aid, scholarships, costs, billing, and more. Whether you’re a student, parent, or counselor, these sessions are designed to help you make informed decisions and feel confident about paying for college and career training.
LAUNCH: Linking Access, Unity, Networking, Collaboration and Higher Education
Wednesday, June 10th | 8:00 p.m.
Cornell University, Emory University, Pomona College, Rice University and Washington University in St. Louis are proud to present LAUNCH (Linking Access, Unity, Networking, Collaboration and Higher Education). At LAUNCH, you'll virtually meet admission officers from all five partner institutions and learn more about what unites them.
Build Your College List With Cost in Mind–A Mid-Year Planning Guide
Thursday, June 18th | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Plan ahead as you start to think about your college list and learn the benefits of considering cost while building your list. Presented by The College Funding Coach.
The College Seesaw—Balancing Dreams with Financial Reality
Thursday, July 16th | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Choosing a college isn’t just about where your child wants to go. It’s about what your family can afford without disrupting the parent or child’s financial future. Learn how to set clear financial boundaries, identify schools that offer significant scholarship money, navigate the emotions of saying "no", what tools to use to do your research, and more.
In-State Tuition for Out-of-State Students—Legal Loopholes and Strategies
Thursday, August 20th | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Is your child dreaming of attending an out-of-state college, but the cost seems insane? The biggest issue in college planning is safeguarding your family’s financial future while supporting your child’s aspirations. This is incredibly challenging when your child is interested in attending an out-of-state school. This session will share essential knowledge and strategies for making out-of-state college more affordable.
FAFSA 2026–What You Need to Know Before Filing
Thursday, September 17th | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
This session will provide an overview of FAFSA changes and what you'll need to file on time.
Demystifying the CSS Profile–What High-Cost Schools Really Ask
Thursday, October 15th | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
This session will go over what the CSS Profile is, which schools require it, and what you need to submit it.
How to Find Scholarships That Your Child Can Actually Win
Thursday, November 15, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Searching for scholarships can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Get the resources you need to be efficient and proactive to make sure you have the money you need to afford your college journey!
Paying for College Without Sacrificing Retirement
Thursday, December 17, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Topics will include whether it's worthwhile to complete financial aid forms, cost reduction tactics and strategies, using tax-efficient money and versatile financial vehicles, and more.
PAST EVENT RECORDINGS
PAST EVENT RECORDINGS
Recordings to past events are made available whenever possible. Please browse the past events below.
Passcode: ?KT*qNb7
Passcode: XB+7PAcn
This session's panel includes an MCPS Career Advisor and college counselors from McDaniel College and UMD.
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This session's panel includes college counselors from McDaniel College and George Washington University.
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