13. MVCAP Implements Online Advising

A $20,000 Invest in Success grant, awarded by the Ohio College Access Network, has enabled the Mahoning Valley College Access Program (MVCAP) to begin advising students—and their parents—online during 2009-2010.

Specifically, each school day, the MVCAP posts messages via three online devices:

a. First, a 140-character message—relating to college admissions or financial aid--is posted on the website Twitter.com; students, parents, and guidance counselors can read these “tweets” if they just search for rottenbornj and become followers;

b. Next, that same message is sent to all MVCAP student advisees currently registered, through an individual advising session, via e-mail using the website PrepHQ.com; and

c. Finally, that message is posted on Facebook.com at the group MVCAP Financial-Aid Friends. That site also contains a discussion board (with links to pertinent news articles on college admissions and financial aid), photos, and virtual events. Any student, parent, or guidance counselor with a Facebook account is invited to become a member of this group.

Currently, daily messages are being sent to over 700 seniors in the MVCAP’s PrepHQ database and approximately 150 sophomores. In the second semester of the 2009-10 school year, juniors and freshmen will also begin receiving daily messages.