#WhyApply

#WHYAPPLY SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Friday, September 18, 2020

As part of the ASHE 2020 continued commitment to engage with New Orleans and Louisiana, we ask you to join us in our partnership with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA). LOSFA is a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents, that “strives to be Louisiana’s first choice for college access; by promoting, preparing for and providing equity of college access.”

Each year, LOSFA works with the American College Application Campaign (ACAC) on several college access focused initiatives, in an effort to “increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential.” 

ASHE members can help ACAC & LOFSA kick off the college application season by participating in #WhyApply (to college) Day on Friday, September 18, 2020. We encourage you to wear your college gear (t-shirt, hats, pins, etc.) and share on social media why you believe students should apply to college and/or why you applied to college. Be sure to use the #WhyApply hashtag and tag @LOSFA, @American_cac, @ASHEoffice in your post. You can also use the #WhyApply template attached and post a photo of you holding it.

Want to do more? To build awareness and to provide support to educators, ACAC will host a #WhyApply Twitter chat on Thursday, September 10 at 2:00 p.m. EDT with Common App, NACAC, and myOptions. The purpose of the Twitter chat is to discuss how school counselors, college access professionals, and other caring adults can get involved with #WhyApply Day and how best to support students through the college application process this year.

What is #WhyApply Day?

#WhyApply Day is sponsored by the American College Application Campaign, an initiative of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning, which partners with thousands of high schools across the country each fall to host events supporting students through the college application process, especially first-generation college students and those from low-income families who may not otherwise apply to college. This year we anticipate nearly 8,000 high schools hosting application completion events between September and December. To celebrate the more than 700,000 students who will participate in these application events, #WhyApply Day kicks off the application season and provides encouragement for the students.

How to show your support

On Friday, September 18, 2020 wear your college gear (t-shirt, hats, pins, etc) and share why you believe students should apply to college and/or why you applied to college, using the hashtag #WhyApply. Then share your response on your favorite social media platform. Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same. Not sure what to post? You might:

  • Type a short response in your status

  • Make a video of yourself, your kids, or your friends answering the question

  • Draw a picture depicting your reasons

  • Write your answer on a piece of paper (feel free to use the #WhyApply template provided) and post a photo of you holding it

  • Share an image or photo with your reason
You can also use the #WhyApply template selfie printout and post a photo of you holding it.