[BHS etree] COLLEGE|CAREER: Advisor's Bulletin for Sept. 18, 2008

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Do not reply to this e-mail, contact Ilene Abrams at iabrams at berkeley.k12.ca.us

College Advisor's Bulletin
Thursday, September 18, 2008

SAT WORD OF THE DAY:  PROLIFERATE -- to become widespread.  Falling prices have been a major factor in causing home computers to proliferate so rapidly.  

PSAT -- Berkeley High School is offering the PSAT on Wednesday, October 15 from 8:30-11:30 at school. Room assignments will be announced closer to the test date.  All sophomores will automatically be registered for the test and can take it for free, due to a generous donation from an anonymous donor.  Juniors can register with Ms. Reed in D173 at lunchtime and immediately after school.  Cost is $15.  Fee reductions are available for low income students.  The PSAT is an excellent practice test for the SAT, which is required by the UC's, Cal States and many private schools.  For juniors only, it is also the qualifying exam for National Merit scholarships.   

FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS 
Teen Volunteer and Internship Program at Chabot Space & Science Center.  Students must be between the ages of 14 and 17.  To apply and learn more about the program, go to http://www.galaxyexplorers.org/.  Deadline:  October 1.  

FREE COLLEGE PLANNING WORKSHOP -- COLLEGE 101: Sunday, September 21, 1:00-3:00 pm, Easter Hill United Methodist Church, 3911 Cutting Blvd., Richmond.  Led by College Advisor, Angela Price.  For more information or to RSVP, contact Joann Steck-Bayat at 510-524-9464.  

FREE COLLEGE PLANNING WORKSHOP IN SPANISH -- Sunday, September 28, 4:00-6:00 pm, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1825 Church Lane, San Pablo.  Led by Monica Montenegro from the East Bay Consortium.  For more info or to RSVP, contact Joann Steck-Bayat at 510-524-9464.  

FOR SENIORS
*Helpful websites:
www.meritaid.com -- Search for schools which offer merit (non-need based) scholarships.
www.youniversity.tv -- Take a free on-line tour of colleges you have not had a chance to visit.  

Incentive Awards Program -- Find out about this excellent scholarship/mentorship/leadership development program for students applying to UC Berkeley.  You are eligible to apply if you are UC eligible, have a minimum unweighted 3.5 GPA from your UC approved classes taken in 10th and 11th grades, come from a low income family, and are a US citizen, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen.  Informational meeting, Friday, September 19 at lunch in Conference Room B.  

SENIOR PROFILE: If you are applying to private colleges which need a counselor recommendation, your Senior Profiles are due on Friday, September 19th for students applying under a Regular Decision plan.   You do NOT need to fill these out if you are applying only to the UC's, Cal State Universities or community colleges. 

*FREE SAT PREP CLASS -- NOTE TIME CHANGE! Starts Tuesday, September 23 in H103.  The class will meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:45-5:45 pm.  Will day will focus on the math section and the other day on the critical reading section of the test.  There is no need to register in advance, just come to H103.  For more information, go to www.ptps.org .  

WORKSHOPS
Sign up in advance in the College/Career Center to attend a workshop.  
Thursday, September 18 -- Early Decision/Early Action Workshop, 3:30 pm, College/Career Center
Tuesday, September 23 -- Essay Writing workshop, 3:30 pm, College/Career Center
Tuesday, September 23 -- Early Decision/Early Action Workshop, 7:30 am
MORE TO COME

COLLEGE VISITS
Over 100 college representatives visit Berkeley High's College/Career Center every year.  Seniors may attend up to 10 of those meetings, with the permission of the teacher whose class they are missing. Sign up in advance in the College/Career Center and pick up a permission slip.  The complete September list is available at http://bhs.berkeley.net/index.php?page=finding-a-college.

TODAY -- Thursday, September 18
8:30 Kenyon (OH)
9:35 George Washington (DC)
10:35 Bryn Mawr (PA)
12:20 Notre Dame de Namur (CA)

Friday, September 19
9:30 University of San Diego (THIS IS NOT UC SAN DIEGO)
10:35 State University of New York, Stony Brook
2:20 Amherst (MA)

Monday, September 22
8:30 Oregon State University
10:35 Boston College (MA)
12:20 UC Santa Cruz

Tuesday, September 23
9:30 UC San Diego
2:20 Davidson (NC)

*Wednesday, September 24
12:20 Hampshire (MA)
2:20 Connecticut College (CT)

SAT/ACT TEST DATES -- LATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED! Friday, September 19 is the late registration deadline for the October 4 SAT and SAT subject tests.  Friday, September 19 is the regular registration deadline for the October 25 ACT test.  Fee waivers for low income students are available in D221.  

COLLEGE INFORMATION SESSIONS IN THE BAY AREA
1. Introduction to Penn – Sunday, September 21, 7:00 pm, The Stanford Court, 905 California St., SF, 415-989-3500.  
2. Boston College – Sunday, September 21, 3:00 pm, Hotel Monaco, SF.  Register at www.bc.edu/eagleoverview .  
3. *The Sisters (Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mt. Holyoke, Smith, Wellesley) – Monday, September 22, 7:00-9:00 pm, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St., SF.  RSVP to www.mtholyoke.edu/adm/thesisters . 
4. *National Christian College Fair – Monday, September 22, Redwood Christian HS, 1000 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo 94580.  

SCHOLARSHIPS 
*Ron Brown Scholarship -- Open to African-American or Black high school seniors who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership ability, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need who are US citizens or permanent residents.  Up to 20 students will receive $10,000 per year for four years.  Two deadlines:  November 1 (considered for Ron Brown Scholarship and forwarded to additional colleges and scholarship providers) and January 9 (considered for Ron Brown scholarship only).  Apply at www.ronbrown.org.  

Gates Millennium Scholars Program -- Open to African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students who are citizens, nationals or legal permanent residents of the US, with a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale who have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities and meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria.  Deadline:  January 12, 2009. Applications available in D221 or at www.gmsp.org . 

Sinkler Miller Medical Association Scholarship -- Open to seniors who are SF Bay Area residents, minimum GPA of 3.0 who demonstrate financial need and plan to attend a two or four year college in the fall.  12 $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.  Applications available in D221.  Deadline:  September 20.  

California Museum's Dreamers Challenge -- Submit an essay, video, audio or artwork to tell us how your dream will leave a lasting mark on the state, nation and the world.  Must be a senior and California resident.  Award - $5,000 cash and attend the California Hall of Fame Events.  Application available in D221 and at www.CaliforniaMuseum.org. Received deadline:  October 10

Horatio Alger Association -- Open to graduating seniors, planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree, (but may start at a community college), with family income no more than $50,000, involved in co-curricular and community activities, with a minimum GPA of 2.0, who is a US citizen.  Apply online at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships.  Scholarships from $2,000-20,000.  Deadline:  October 30.  

*New to the bulletin today