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COLLEGE & CAREER 101 WEBSITE
For a comprehensive website to navigate the college planning process, click this link: College & Career 101.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ACADEMIES TO ADDRESS STUDENT'S NEEDS
The College & Career Center is hosting several academies to help students with their specific needs.
Juniors: Wednesday, May 22: what to do this summer to prep for college apps
Juniors: Friday, May 24: how to build your college list
VALUE PRICED COLLEGE NIGHT TALK
Tuesday, June 4 @ 6:30-7:30 Las Lomas Library
Come hear from a financial aid expert, Tim Lenehan, who has researched and compared the costs of colleges across the nation. Learn about affordable instate and out of state public colleges in the Western US. Tim is a CPA and College Advisor and will share his insights and top picks that cost as little as $16 k to attend! Questions? Email afuller@auhscschools.org
COLLEGE ESSAY WRITING WORKSHOPS
Join Campo's College & Career Center for a two-part workshop to help you brainstorm and write your college essays. You have the choice of attending either the June or August Workshops. Private college counselors will be on hand to work with you. Space is limited to 30 students/workshop.
June workshop dates: June 9 + 23, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
August workshop dates: August 4 + 11, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Cost: $75 for the two-day workshop. Bring check payable to "Joan Batcheller" to the College & Career Center (E13). You must pay by June 1 to guarantee your spot.
Format:
DAY 1: Learn what makes a good essay, brainstorm ideas, start drafting, then go home and complete the draft over the next week.
DAY 2: Come with your draft so we can review it and suggest edits. Spend the rest of the time revising the essay with our supervision.
Sign up for one workshop here: (Note: You must pay by June 1 to guarantee your spot.)
SENIORS
- COLLEGE DECISION DAY PARTY PHOTOS
You can see photos of the event here. For those who couldn’t make it, it’s not too late to stop by the College & Career Center to decorate your college house and hang it on the map.
- UPDATE NAVIANCE: It is very important that you update Naviance with your college decisions, then follow all the steps listed here: Now That College Apps Are Done.
- DVC ENROLLMENT: Click here for instructions and forms
- SCHOLARSHIPS: Click here and check Naviance for scholarships.
JUNIORS
BEGIN PREPARING FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Any Junior considering attending college should begin working on the process this spring. There are several smaller tasks that you can do now to make your life easier in the Fall. The entire process may seem daunting, but you have plenty of time provided you don't procrastinate. Set a goal to work on college apps about 1-2 hours each week between now and the Fall. We even have a special "Summer Before Senior Year Checklist" so that you know what to do over the summer. Some of your tasks include:
- College list: Try to build a fairly solid college list by early summer. From there you'll know what types of applications, essays, letter of recommendations, and Subject Tests are needed. (Note: Not all colleges require letters of rec or Subject Tests. Check individual college admissions websites for their requirements.) Use the "Research Colleges" tab in College & Career 101 to learn more about various colleges, and the "SuperMatch" and "Scattergram" features in Naviance to find colleges that fit you.
- Letters of Rec: This Spring ask a teacher (in person) if they can write your letter of recommendation (if one is required by your colleges). Click the “Naviance How-To Guide” link below.
- Naviance items: Before the Fall, complete these tasks in Naviance: resume, student/parent brag sheets, request letter of rec. Click the “Naviance How-To Guide” link below.
- Essays: Over the summer you should draft your college essays. See the "Essays" tab in College & Career 101 for essay writing tips. We can review them with you in the Fall.
- Financing: Understand the cost of the colleges you will be applying to. Click the “Financial Aid & Scholarships” link below to learn about financial aid and how to qualify.
Details about these tasks and much more can be found in the links below. We highly recommend Juniors complete these tasks before the beginning of the Fall semester. Then in the Fall we can assist you by reviewing your college list, reading your essay drafts, and helping you complete the application process. We have a variety of resources available to help, including: Spring and Fall Academies (see Spring dates below), College & Career 101 website, 1-on-1 appointments with Joan Batcheller, and college fairs and college visits on our campus.
Click these links for more information:
Summer Before Senior Year Checklist
College & Career 101 (includes all of the above, plus tools to help you research colleges, write essays, apply to college, prepare for the ACT/SAT, choose a major, explore careers, and much more)
Presentation: Time to Plan for College Apps
ACADEMIES TO HELP WITH THE COLLEGE PROCESS
See the list of upcoming academies under "UPCOMING EVENTS" above. Get a jumpstart on your college application process. The College & Career Center is here to help you build your college list, use Naviance to its fullest potential, learn about financial aid, build your resume, and much more. Take advantage of these free opportunities to set yourself up for success next fall. Sign up in Teachmore under “Joan Batcheller”, E13. You are welcome to attend regardless of the scheduled topic.
PLAN FOR SUMMER NOW: If any student is interested in exploring a field of interest (art, science, technology, etc.), consider attending a summer program. Registration for these programs usually begins in the winter. See College & Career 101 for a list of various Summer Programs.
SOPHOMORES AND FRESHMEN
ACADEMIES
See "UPCOMING EVENTS" above for a list of Academies scheduled for Freshmen and Sophomores in May.
PLAN FOR SUMMER NOW: If any student is interested in exploring a field of interest (art, science, technology, etc.), consider attending a summer program. Registration for these programs usually begins in the winter. See College & Career 101 for a list of various Summer Programs.
GENERAL GUIDANCE: The College & Career Center works hard all year to help students and families. In the Fall we are extremely busy helping Seniors navigate the college application process. After January, we schedule time to meet with every student in grade-level groups to discuss college and career planning. In the meantime, I am happy to meet with you, but be mindful that my top priority now is Seniors and my schedule is very full until January when college applications are done.
ARTICLE TO READ
JOB POSTINGS
Orinda Day Camp: Come work at Orinda Day Camps! We are now accepting applications for 2019 summer camp staff! We're looking for energetic, responsible counselors that want to make a difference in the Orinda community. If you enjoy working with children and love to have fun and stay active during the summer, camp is the perfect place to work. Flexible schedules, June 10-August 9, 16+ years old, $13/hour. For applications email jstearns@cityoforinda.org.
Orinda Hardware: Cashier for weekends and/or after school. Starting at $11/ hour. If interested, contact via Facebook, email at orindatruevalue@yahoo.com or pick up an application at the store
Dolphin Club at Del Rey Elementary School’s after school program. Positions open:
M-F 2:45-5
M/W/F 2:45-5
T/Th 2:45-5
Interested? Email dolphinclub@orinda.k12.ca.us
Rossmoor in Walnut Creek - Searching for Part Time Lifeguard and Golf Course Range Worker. See more details here: lifeguard and golf course range worker. If interested, email your resume to recruiting@rossmoor.com
Sherman Swim School - Part-time after school in Lafayette, 2 or more weekdays. $12-14 per hour. If interested, contact Steve Sherman at 925-283-2100 or by email at sherman243@comcast.net.
Patxi's Pizza in Lafayette - Part-time cook. If interested, either call 925-299-0704 or email lafayette@patxispizza.com or drop by the location for an application and interview!
Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation: Part-time Humane Education Assistant in Walnut Creek. This is a great job for an outgoing and enthusiastic teen who loves animals, is comfortable with public speaking, and would like to gain some work experience working with kids! This position is 7 hours per week, every Saturday year-round. The primary responsibility is working with our other Humane Ed Assistants to host our animal-themed birthday parties and events for kids. The full job description and details on how to apply can be found here.
Tutorfly - Become a tutor. Positions start at $15 an hour, and you can choose to accept payment or donate to a charity of their choice. Email info@tutorfly.org.
CONTACT
Please contact me via email at jbatcheller@auhsdschools.org. I am usually busy meeting with students or families, so I cannot easily answer my phone. Please understand that it may take some time to get back to you. Thank you for your patience.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER
The College & Career Center, room E13, is an information resource center of Campolindo’s Counseling Office. Please feel free to email me to set up a 20 minute appointment to discuss the college application process. Students and parents are welcome to visit and are encouraged to use the many resources of the Center, some of which can be checked out for home use. These include information on the following: Colleges and universities, college-related guides and selection information, career information, financial aid and scholarships, testing information, community service opportunities, job listings.
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