Middle School
College Bridge
Handbook
Developing Critical Thinkers for a Critical Time
www.atlantadebate.org
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Table of Contents
What Should I Be Doing Now?……………………………………….………………………………………….3-4
Setting Goals………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………...5
Ideal Student Profile …………………………………...………………………………………………………….....6
Career Exploration…………………………………..…………………………………………………………….……7
Financial Aid Overview …………………………….……………………………………………………..…..…8-10
Study Habits ………………………………………………………………………………………….................11-12
Online Resources………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13
Summer Exploration………………………………………………………………………………………..…...14-16
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I’m only in middle school…what should I be
doing now?
Did you know…
Try different activities
This is the perfect time in your life to
discover new interests and talents. Seek out a club at school or look
to see what programs your local rec center offers. Also, read and
conduct internet research on interests you may not have readily
available. Many of these resources are at NO COST. Do not regret
missing out on these opportunities.
Volunteer Volunteering is a noble and feel good act of kindness for
your community. Not only are you helping others, but the process is
often reciprocal. You also benefit by meeting new friends and
individuals that can help you be successful in the future. Giving back
opens opportunities for you.
Network Networking is the linking together of individuals who,
through trust and relationship building, provide each other
connections to career, personal, and social opportunities.
Volunteering and joining clubs are a form of this. Networking is
present and often vital in every aspect of life. Therefore, get out
there, meet people, and be a positive impact in your community
because that is how you make opportunities happen!
Grades and Classes Good grades are only one criteria of a college
application; they do not necessarily reflect how smart you are. They
represent your EFFORT in school. Take classes that are not too easy
and not too hard. Research shows that students are happier and
more successful when they choose classes according to this guideline.
Colleges want to see that you are challenging yourself, but not
destroying yourself.
Start saving Students have many postsecondary choices:
two-year colleges, certificate programs, four-year colleges, the
military, and employment. Some institutions and programs are more
affordable than others. Scholarships are attainable as well. However,
it is best to prepare a way to pay your expenses.
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Aaron Ross -founder
of Mozilla Web
browser is the
youngest website
developer in the
world and created
his first website at
the age of 10.
Fred De Luca
borrowed just
$1,000 to start the
now-famous Subway
Sandwich
Restaurant. Fred
was only 17 years
old when he decided
to be an
entrepreneur.
Maddie Bradshaw,
M3 Girl -13 years
old
Designs and sells
thousands of Snap
Caps -- colorful
bottle caps that can
be worn as charms
on necklaces,
bracelets, and
hairpins. Manages
25 employees.
Take initiative…
Try blogging, Web
designs, jewelry
making, Production,
Baking, freelance
writing, etc.
Debate with Friends
Practice debates on relevant
issues that your friends will
surely have opinions on:
Are video games good for
you?
Do you consider privacy to be
a right or privilege?
Campus Visits Campus visits are one of the best ways to
see if a school is a good fit for you. A campus visit is your
opportunity to get a firsthand view of a college. It is your
chance to ask questions about the school to a college
representative, tour guide, or current student. Pick a time
when classes are in session. This will allow you to sit in on
a lecture or two. If you are interested in a particular
student organization, sport, or program, arrange to attend
a practice, rehearsal or meeting during your visit.
Is it alright to purchase any
items you want with your
allowance?
Is peer pressure beneficial or
helpful?
Should junk food be banned
from schools?
Should the school change the
hours from 12 pm to 6 pm?
And check out these Iphone
Debate Apps



debateME
ProCon.org
DebateMobile
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The College Process Begins With You- Set Goals
This template is designed to help you organize your priorities, establish your life goals, and
design a plan for your life. Your life plan considers all of the areas in your life that are important
to you. Straying from your plan on a whim becomes a risk that’s quantifiable, so having a plan in
place provides a means to calculate risk and manage impulsiveness.
Establish Your Goals
Think about where you want to be in that area of your life in the next one to two years, the
next five years, and ultimately, at the end of your life.
MY LIFE
AREAS
In 1-2 YEARS I want to be here:
In 5 YEARS I want to
be here:
Ultimately, I want to
be here:
Career
Family
Education
Develop Your Action Plan
What gets planned – gets done! Without specific steps and dates, all you have is a wish list - not
a plan. Writing in the details of the plan is essential to your success. This is where you set in
place the action steps and deadlines to get you where you want to be and help you accomplish
your goals. Consider using the SMART model: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and
within a specific Timeframe.
GOALS
ACTION STEPS
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DEADLINES
The Ideal Student Profile
What do colleges want from you?
 A high school curriculum that has challenged you
Students should demonstrate a willingness to challenge themselves with a rigorous
program of studies. Academically successful students should have several honors, I.B.,
and/ or advanced placement classes if available at their high school.
 Grades that represent strong effort and upward trend
Grades should show an upward trend over the years. However, slightly lower grades in
a rigorous program are preferred to all A’s in less challenging coursework.
 Passionate involvement in a few activities and the demonstration of leadership skills
and initiative
Depth, not breath, of experience is most important. It is better to have a sustained
presence and leadership role in one organization than to have a spotty presence in six
organizations.
 Solid scores on standardized test (ACT, SAT)
These should be consistent with your high school performance. You should practice
taking theses exams early to ensure the best score possible.
 Special talents or experiences that contribute to a well-rounded student body
These are things that make a student unique and that adds to the diversity of the
campus. These can stem from your upbringing and other life experiences.
If you are worried that you don’t fit the ideal student profile, that’s okay! It’s never too late to
start. Meet with the school counselor, a teacher, or an AUDL staff member for guidance.
Everyone deserves to go to college.
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Career Exploration
Career Inter
Tests and Personalities
There are so many surveys and fun assessments to take to
learn more about your career interest. The findings might
surprise you! Visit this site to learn more:
Recession Proof Trends
About every ten years or so
there is a recession. If you
are one to be concerned with
job stability and security, you
might want to check out
some of these recession
proof fields and jobs.
Public Relations Specialist
Nursing
Medical Field
Information Systems MGMT
Engineering
Green Jobs
Software Engineering
Note: Government based
jobs are generally known for
their job security. However,
lack of tax income can often
negatively influence the
amount of positions
available.
https://secure.gacollege411.org/Career_Planning/Learn_Ab
out_Yourself/Learn_About_Yourself.aspx
Shadow
You don’t have to wait until college to discover if you even
like your future career. A great way to sample careers is to
“shadow.” This entails following alongside a worker in the
field you are exploring for a day. This way, you get to see if
you can actually see yourself in this position. For example, if
you are not sure you have the stomach to handle blood,
shadow at a hospital. If you are not sure about working
indoors every day, shadow somebody at an office.
Talk to your School Counselor
Guidance counselors are fabulous at connecting one’s
interests to a future career. By speaking to him or her, you
may get an idea of what classes you can take in high school
and what you can do now to get experience. They might
even have tips on where to get jobs related to what you
want to learn more of
Teacher
Police Officer
Social Worker
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Planning to
debate in
college?
Most universities
with debate
teams offer full
and partial
debate
scholarships,
covering anything
from part of the
tuition costs to all
university
expenses.
Check out the
following link to
learn more about
specific university
debate program
and scholarships.
www.wcdebate.c
om/7others/listof-policycolleges.htm
Financial Aid- Overview
What is financial aid? Financial aid is intended to make up the
difference between what your family can afford to pay on your
behalf and the cost of attending a particular university. Over half
of the students currently enrolled in college receive financial aid to
help pay college costs. Financial aid is money from federal, state
and private institutions that is used to pay educational costs. There
are several categories of financial aid, and specific types of aid
within each of those categories. These categories are:




The federal government
The state government
Colleges and universities
Community groups, including religious and civic
organizations, professional associations and corporations
People are usually familiar with the first three sources of aid. But
they sometimes overlook the money available from community
sources. Millions of dollars in outside scholarships go unclaimed
because students haven't applied for them.
Types of Financial Aid
Grants- also referred to as gift aid. Grants do not have to be
repaid. Grants come from federal and state governments and from
individual colleges. Sometimes they are awarded on the basis of
need and sometimes they are awarded on the basis of merit; it
depends on the specific grant.
Scholarships- Scholarships are usually awarded on the basis of
merit and do not have to be repaid. There are tons of different
scholarships. For example, you can find athletic, academic, debate, disability, and ethnic
scholarships. Use the attached list of college resources to find out more about scholarships.
Merit-based scholarships- are awarded to students with a particular skill, achievement, talent
or characteristic. Most scholarships require separate applications, often with written essays and
referrals.
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Loans- Loans are a type of financial aid that must be repaid after the student finishes their
education. Loans will be deferred if the student chooses to pursue graduate studies. Most loans
are awarded based on financial need and are low-interest and sponsored by the federal
government. Some loans are even subsidized by the government so that no interest accrues
until the student begins repayment after graduation.
Off campus employment and work-study- Student employment and work-study aid helps
students pay for education costs such as books, supplies, meal plans, and personal expenses.
Work-study is a federal program that provides students with part-time employment to help
meet their financial needs and give them work experience while serving their campuses and
surrounding communities.
Types of Scholarships
A common misconception about scholarships is that they are only available for the smartest
students with the highest GPAs. However, this just isn’t even close to true. There are
scholarships out there for every type of student seeking a college education.
Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships are also often referred to as merit scholarships; though a merit scholarship can
mean anything that has some level of contest to it. These are for the students with the 4.0 GPAs, years
of several extracurricular activities and the well-rounded applications. They typically have the highest
payouts and are considered very prestigious as they are often national awards.
Average Academic Performance Scholarships
Even if your grades aren’t the best, there are plenty of scholarships meant for you as well. Average
student scholarships do take academics into consideration, but focus on other factors as well, such as
community service, leadership, the strength of your essay, etc.
Athletic Scholarships
For students with strong academics and physical skills, athletic scholarships are the way to go. There is
practically a scholarship for every single sport, from volleyball to football; gymnastics to cheerleading.
So, if you excel in anything physical, you should definitely pursue an athletic scholarship.
Scholarships for Minorities
There are also many scholarships for minorities available. Some of these are general and for all
minorities as a collective whole, while others are catered to individual ethnic groups. It is also a good
idea to apply for a minority scholarship if you are part or full of a certain ethnicity. You will get to
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represent your culture and possibly receive money.
Scholarships for Women
As with the scholarships for minorities above, there are also scholarships specifically for women. Since
colleges were dominated by men for many years, scholarships have been created for strong, careerminded women that need assistance paying for college expenses. If you are female, it is strongly
recommended you pursue a scholarship for women. Moreover, scholarships for women are typically
available in just about any field.
Creative Scholarships
For those artistic at heart, there are creative scholarships available to help you pursue your passion. Art
scholarships, music scholarships and even dance scholarships usually involve an audition of some sort
and can help you get through art school or an art program at a university. Regardless of your creative
field, you can rest assured that there is a scholarship out there just for you. However, it is your job to
find it and to apply!
Unusual Scholarships
Unusual scholarships are a lot of fun and a great way to be creative and get some cash while you’re at it.
They are typically sponsored by private companies and are meant to be fun. For instance, there is a
scholarship available for left-handed students. There is another one for who can create the best prom
dress out of duct tape. Even though there aren’t very many of these off-beat scholarships each year,
there are enough to attract significant attention from potential applicants, schools, and even the media.
Because of this, they may be a bit competitive. However, if you have a killer idea, go for it!
Community Service Scholarships
Community service scholarships are fantastic for those that love to give to others and give back to their
communities. If you already perform a lot of community service, then a scholarship in this vein may be
perfect for you. There is also the Federal Work Study program, which awards a percentage of their
funding to students performing community service activities. It may be a viable option for you if you
were planning on using work-study as a means of paying for college anyway.
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Study Habits Page
1. Write Down Every Assignment
It sounds obvious, doesn’t it? But we all are getting busier by the day and you will absolutely
need to be in the habit of writing down tasks, requests, deadlines no matter what career you
have. If a planner doesn’t work for you, try your cell phone or a to-do list.
2. Remember to Bring Your Homework to School
It sounds simple enough, but many F's come from students forgetting to bring a perfectly good
paper to school with them. To avoid forgetting your homework, you must establish a strong
homework routine with a special homework station where you work each night.
3. Communicate With Your Teacher
Every successful relationship is built upon clear communication. Miscommunication is another
one of those factors that can cause bad grades, despite good efforts on your part. Imagine
getting a bad grade on a 5-page paper because you didn't understand the difference between
an expository essay and a personal essay. Also, communicating with your teacher will show him
or her that you respect their class and give your best effort. Sometimes that is the difference
between an A and an A+.
4. Establish a Study Zone at Home
Students are different. Some need a completely quiet room free from interruptions when they
study, but others actually study better listening to quiet music in the background or taking
several breaks. Find a place to study that fits your specific personality and learning style. Then
stock your study space with school supplies that will help you avoid last-minute emergencies.
5. Know Your Dominant Learning Style
Many students will struggle in a subject without understanding why. Sometimes this is because
students don't understand how to study in a way that matches their brain style.
Auditory learners are those who learn best through hearing things.
Visual learners retain more information when they use visual aids.
Tactile learners benefit by doing hands-on projects.
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6. Conquer Procrastination
When you put things off a lot, you end up putting
things off until it's too late. So how can you battle
the urge to put things off?
Time yourself, do a little work for a project
every day, go to the library, ask your family
to be supportive and not enabling, and reward
yourself after you conquer your task.
7. Take Care of Yourself
Some of your personal habits might be affecting
your grades. Are you feeling tired, achy, or bored
when it comes to homework time? You can change
your grades by practicing a few healthy homework habits. Change the way you feel by taking
better care of your mind and your body. For example, text messaging, Sony PlayStations, Xbox,
Internet surfing, and computer writing require students to use their hand muscles in all new
ways, and they're growing increasingly susceptible to the hazards of repetitive stress injury.
Find out how to avoid pain in your hands and neck by changing the way you sit at your
computer.
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Online Resources
Georgia College 411 (www.gacollege411.org) —Visit this comprehensive web site for college
advice, college admission applications, information about paying for college, financial aid,
scholarships, career fields and much more.
Know How 2 GO (www.knowhow2go.org)—This website provides students with tips and tools
for preparing for college. Be sure to visit this website for information about choosing schools
and using your time in high school and middle school to build the perfect student profile.
College Navigator (www.collegenavigator.gov/) — The U.S. Department of Education's college
search website.
Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/user/FederalStudentAid)— You can
watch real students talk about their experiences planning and preparing for college on this
Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel.
College.gov Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/college.gov) —Federal Student Aid will
continue to post informational tips and announcements on planning and preparing for college
on the College.gov Facebook Page.
College Board (www.collegeboard.org)—This resource provides students with all the
information they need to be prepared for college and professional employment. Visit this site
to register for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT.
College Policy Debate Programs (www.wcdebate.com/7others/list-of-policy-colleges.htm)
Visit this site for information about specific universities and their debate squad and debate
scholarship opportunities. This site is a great resource for students wanting to continue their
debate careers.
Degreed Up (http://degreedup.com) Any student that attends a university, community college
or technical college may apply. A student must be accepted or attending the college in order to
apply for the scholarship.
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Summer Exploration
Below is a list of summer debate workshops, camps, and programs. Attending these is a great
way to meet students and educators from all around the world, learn more about your
potential in debate, and use this as a learning experience you can reference when applying to
college.
Emory National Debate Institute (ENDI)
This 2, 4, and 6 week program enables students, nationally
and internationally, to enhance their debate skills and
experience in this intensive camp. With a strong focus on
research, analysis, and practice rounds, students compete in
a conclusive end of summer tournament which is a
wonderful time to celebrate the tremendous academic and
personal growth made over the summer.
Atlanta Urban Debate Institute (AUDI)
t
t
Students from all over metro Atlanta come together for this
week long program, held at Georgia State University. With
Emory, GSU, and other debate instructors from all over the
country, debate students were trained in debate theory,
research techniques, topic specific instruction, and practice
debates. Students were also treated to lectures and college
bridge activities. The Atlanta Urban Debate League
facilitates and aims to cultivate strength in debate as well as
future academic endeavors.
ENDI Middle School Debate Camp
This 2-week workshop caters to middle school debaters
throughout metro Atlanta. Successful and experienced
debaters from around metro-Atlanta make this program a
memorable experience for everyone, including first- time
debaters! This program concludes with a great one-day
tournament; including awards and acknowledgement
granted to the more than 40 participants of the camp.
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