The Skillman Foundation

Ve este artículo en español.

This piece was co-authored by Ashley Johnson, DCAN’s executive director.

Help the high schools seniors in your network get answers to their questions.
Download shareable social media posts here!

Dear Class of 2020:

We know you’ve got a lot on your mind. Maybe you feel a strange mix of stress, anxiety, excitement, and boredom. You’re probably trying to figure out what to do and what happens next.

Maybe you know you wanted to go to college, join the military, or study for a skilled trade, but all that seems so far away now with COVID-19. Maybe you’re unsure about your plans after high school and are now even more confused. No matter your thoughts about graduation and beyond, it is okay to be confused about moving forward. 

We don’t have all the answers because your high schools and potential colleges are still figuring out details. But we can be a starting point in your thought process by answering some common questions we’ve been asked by seniors just like you (jump to the FAQ).

Most importantly, remember that there is a post-high school option that is right for you, whether its community college, skilled trade, the military, or a four-year college or university. These options are still available to you and you will be welcomed and supported in your future goals.

For right now, take it one step at a time (see the college preparation checklist), and lean on your counselors, families, mentors, community, and us at the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) and The Skillman Foundation for help and support during this time. We are here for you. Here are a couple of news stories to give you some hope and perspective:

• Opinion: Choosing a college amid the chaos
• Opinion: Incoming freshmen, don’t panic. Colleges will support you

Furthermore, if you want to share your questions, concerns, or ideas, you can participate in our #DetroitScholar campaign. Click here to learn how to get involved.

We at DCAN and The Skillman Foundation have so much love and hope for you. There are more people rooting for you than you will ever know! 🖤

With love,

Ashley Aidenbaum and Ashley Johnson

Reach out to them directly at aaidenbaum@skillman.org and ajohnson@detroitcan.org.

FAQs

Will I graduate?

Gov. Whitmer has stated that seniors who were on-track to graduate should graduate, but it is up to your district to define exactly what that means. Therefore, you should contact your high school or school district for more information. 

If you need additional help, DCAN is hosting weekly webinars on key topics for seniors. You can find a full schedule and links to the webinar here. If you’d like to speak one-on-one with a local college adviser, sign up here.

What should I do if my Saturday SAT date was canceled?

If your March testing site was closed, or if you registered for the canceled May date, you should call the College Board at 866-756-7346 or email sat@info.collegeboard.org to request a change to the June test. 

For the latest updates, visit the College Board’s COVID-19 resources page. There is likely to be new SAT prep support offered through DCAN before the June test. If you’re interested, email info@detroitcan.org. 

Can I still take AP Exams? 

Yes! All exams will be a 45-minute free-response online test you can take at home. There will be two testing dates (to be announced) for each subject. Click here for more information. 

How do I request transcripts from my high school if it’s closed?

You should reach out to your high school counselor or adviser. Many schools use digital transcript services, so you shouldn’t have problems sending your transcripts to colleges. It might take longer than normal, so don’t wait to request your transcripts. 

Has the FAFSA deadline been extended?  

No, this has not been extended. You should complete your FAFSA as soon as possible! To start or finish your FAFSA form, click here. DCAN is hosting upcoming webinars on FAFSA that can be found here.

Have college application deadlines been extended?

Yes, some colleges have shifted their application deadlines. For more updates and specific information about local colleges, you can visit DCAN’s admissions page, which is updated weekly.

I don’t have internet access or a laptop to complete my college applications. What do I do? 

You should reach out to your principal or school district and let them know exactly what you need. If your needs aren’t being met by your school, you can contact info@detroitcan.org, and DCAN will follow up with you. Lots of people in the community are working on this on your behalf, but it isn’t quite figured out yet.

I am a senior who registered to retake the SAT to try to raise my score to qualify for the Detroit Promise. What should I do? 

If you fill out this survey, the Detroit Promise will use this information to ask that the colleges you’ve been accepted to evaluate you for the scholarship with your current SAT score. They can’t guarantee that you will receive the Promise. However, they will share your application information with the colleges due to the cancellation of your SAT retake. 

What’s happening with Detroit Promise scholarship deadlines? 

If you registered for the Detroit Promise, you should have received an email and text message around April 1 about completing the Detroit Promise Commitment/Authorization Forms. Follow the steps to complete the form to make sure you have access to Promise. If you have questions, call 313-596-0324, email at info@detroitpromise.com, or DM at @Detroit Promise.

Do I still need to commit and pay my deposit to my college of choice by May 1? 

Some schools have delayed their commitment and deposit deadlines. Click here or the college’s website for more details and updates. 

If you’re not sure how to choose a college, meet with your high school counselor or adviser or set up an appointment with a local college adviser here.

Is my Summer Bridge program still happening? 

You should check your college’s COVID-19 updates page. DCAN has links to these on its admissions page. 

I still have questions. Who can I talk to? 

Reach out to your high school’s counselor or adviser; they want to hear from you! If you need additional help, DCAN is hosting weekly webinars on key topics for seniors, which you can learn more about here. If you’d like to speak one-on-one with a local college adviser, sign up here.

Additional Resources

• Senior FAQ Social Media Kit for Community Organizations
• COVID313 Resource Website (led by the City of Detroit, the Community Education Commission, and other partners)

About DCAN

The Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) is a collaborative network between local schools, organizations, and the community. Our mission is to increase postsecondary readiness, enrollment, and attainment so all students in Detroit can achieve their educational dreams.

Specifically, DCAN serves as the citywide coordinating body for the college access and enrollment strategies in Detroit. We are a network of organizations—bigger than any one program or initiative—using collective impact to align and connect existing programs, schools, businesses and community resources to improve college enrollment and graduation rates for all Detroit students.