(PHOENIX, Ariz., Oct. 10, 2003) - The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Beta Omega Chapter of Phoenix and the Phoenix College Black Student Union will co-sponsor "College…Can You Work It?," the annual Historically Black College and University Fair at Phoenix College on Wednesday, Oct. 29 beginning at 8 a.m. in the Bulpitt Auditorium.

"College…Can You Work It?" is for high school and community college students throughout Arizona. The first session will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the after work showcase session for parents and students is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This free educational event will consist of a general session with Mr. Byron V. Garret of the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families, as keynote speaker; interactive workshops; community scholarship providers and college and university recruiters. Workshops will focus on college requirements, developing a personal statement, choosing a college, financial planning and overall college survival.

"College…Can You Work It?" is an excellent way to get a head start on the college selection process.

"The college fair is always a wonderful opportunity for high school and community college students to get first hand information about historically Black colleges and universities and the possibility of transferring from the Maricopa Community College District into a historically Black college or university," said Dr. Camilla Westenberg, Phoenix College English faculty and Black Student Union advisor. "The workshops provide hands on opportunity to go through the necessary processes for selecting the appropriate college.

Participants can attend the following workshops.

College Survival
Students living away from home for the first time can find college life to be very challenging, but many common pitfalls can be avoided. Information on balancing academic work, study time, health issues, plus social and extra curricular activities, all of which is a challenge for first year students, will be presented in the workshop.

Choosing A College: Dispelling the Myths
What are some of the important things to look for in a college? Accreditation, degree offerings and ACT & SAT requirements need to be considered. In addition, student support services, diversity services, security on campus and the surrounding community environment impact the quality of campus life. Extra curricular activities, such as sports, music, theatre, fraternities and sororities are added features. There are many things to consider, and this workshop will help show participants how they can answer the questions – Where do I start? The advantages of HBCUs will also be discussed.

College Requirements: Are you prepared for the Test?
Your SAT or ACT scores depend on how much you know, but they also depend upon how well you can apply what you know. If you are nervous, distracted or in a bad mood on test day, you may have a hard time concentrating, which can have a negative impact on your scores. Learn some basic tips to help you do your best on test day.

Financial Planning: Show me the money!
Parents and jobs are two common sources of support for a college education. Be aware that parental support may be insufficient or unavailable and the second option can pose problems. Working many hours a week can distract from a student’s schoolwork. You must balance immediate financial needs with ultimate goals. There are many other options to consider.

Developing A Personal Statement
A great application essay will present a vivid, personal and compelling view of you to the admission staff. It will round out the rest of your application and help you stand out from the other applicants. The essay is one of the only parts of your application over which you have complete control, so take the time to do a good job on it. Find out these tips before you begin. This will be discussed in the context of filling out a complete application.

For more information, please call (602) 285-7365. High School students can also check with their counselors for more information.

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