Two Delaware high schools will pilot College Application Week between November 26 and 30 to help seniors apply for college.

Lake Forest and Smyrna high schools will work with their seniors during College Application Week to encourage every student to complete and submit at least one college application. Volunteers from the state’s universities and colleges will be on hand to help students complete and submit applications. State and federal dignitaries also have been invited to stop by throughout the week to encourage students.

The Delaware Department of Education, which is sponsoring the event as part of the state’s College Access Grant Challenge initiative, brought together college admission and financial aid administrators, school counselors, community outreach members, superintendents, congressional educational advisors and DOE staff to support this pilot project at the two schools.

“We hope to see every high school senior apply to at least one college,” Secretary of Education Mark Murphy said. “Just as we want every child to graduate from our public schools ready for college or career, we want all students to graduate with both options ready and available so they have the freedom to choose what is right for them.”

College Application Week is a nationwide effort to assist high school seniors in the college application process and increase college attendance. Special focus is placed on first-generation college students or those who otherwise may not have considered applying to college. The program started with a pilot school in North Carolina in 2004. Delaware is one of 24 states hosting a College Application Week in 2012.

“I’m excited to be able to offer this College Application Week opportunity to all of our families,” Lake Forest High Principal John Filicicchia said. “Completion of a college application can be a daunting task, and we’re happy to work with the Department of Education and all of the local universities and colleges to be certain that our seniors are college bound. Our staff has been encouraged to speak with students about their college experience.”

Media is welcome to visit the schools during the event. Volunteers will be helping students with their college applications at Lake Forest High between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26 through Friday, Nov. 30. Smyrna High’s program will run between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28 and between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29.