[BHS etree] COLLEGE|CAREER: Advisor's Bulletin for Feb. 23, 2009

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

College Advisor's Bulletin
Monday, February 23, 2009

SAT WORD OF THE DAY:  OLFACTORY -- of, relating to, or connected with the sense of smell.  The aroma of cinnamon rolls emanating from the kitchen served as an enticing olfactory clue that breakfast was almost ready.  

FOR ALL STUDENTS 
The East Bay Regional Park District is now hiring students ages 15 1/2 - 20 years old for summer jobs.  Most positions are for gate attendants (easy money, great pay $11.95 hr & a great way to spend a summer!)  Go to http://www.ebparks.org/job/gip2009 for more information and an application.  Deadline:  February 27.

YouthWorks, the City of Berkeley's Youth Employment Program, is now accepting applications.  Berkeley residents ages 14-25 will be placed in a variety of jobs, including childcare, recreation & clerical positions within city departments and various community organizations.  The pay is $8.00/hr, and youth may work up to 6 hours/day (30 hrs/week) for a period of 8-10 weeks.  The tentative start date is mid to late June.  Pick up an application in person at 1947 Center Street, basement.  The completed application, with Parental Authorization and all supplemental forms, must be returned by March 31st, along with Photo ID, Social Security Card, Proof of Residence, a typed or word-processed resume.   For further information, contact YouthWorks at (510)981-4970 or email youthworks at cityofberkeley.info.

FOR JUNIORS
EXPERIENCE BERKELEY -- Free program for high achieving (3.5 or higher GPA) Black & Latino juniors (class of 2010) to get an up close and personal look at UC Berkeley.  They are introduced to college life, taken to classes, introduced to test taking and essay writing strategies, and mentored throughout the application process. Students who apply and are accepted are brought back to campus for meetings with faculty, students, and financial aid officers. Application deadline: March 1. Notification of selections will be by May 15.  Applications are available at http://stileshall.org/experienceberkeley.htm.

Nordstrom’s Scholarship -- open to juniors who have a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.7;  have made a substantial contribution to the community; are involved in school activities; require financial assistance to attend college and will be eligible to attend a four-year college or university in the U.S.  Deadline:  June 1.  Award:  $10,000 scholarship paid over four years at $2,500 per year.  Applications available in D221. 

SAT/ACT TEST DATES -- February 24 is the late registration deadline for the March 14 SAT.  February 27 is the regular registration deadline for the April 4 ACT. These are the first tests recommended for juniors.  Fee waivers for low income students are available in D221.  

SUMMER PROGRAMS
A list of additional summer programs is available by going to the College/Career Center website - http://bhs.berkeley.net/index.php?page=home-2 -- then clicking on "Summer Programs 2009."

*UC Davis Young Scholar Program -- Summer research opportunities in the biological and natural sciences for 40 current sophomores and juniors.  Students live in the dorm and work closely with university research faculty on individual projects.  For more information and application, go to http://ysp.ucdavis.edu.  Fee reductions are available for students based on need.  Program runs from June 21-August 1. Deadline:  March 31.

*Rensselear Polytechnic Institute -- Programs include architecture career discovery program, computer game development academy, video production, and others. Session dates and costs vary.   Scholarships and financial aid are available.  More information and applications available at www.summer.rpi.edu.  Application deadline: March 31. 

FOR SENIORS
URGENT -- If you have not turned in your Cal Grant GPA Information Release Form, do so IMMEDIATELY.  Even if you think that you may not be eligible, fill out and turn in this easy form so that you might be eligible if your financial situation changes.  Turn it in ASAP to D173 so that our registrar, Ms. Mellion, can send your GPA to the Cal Grant agency.  

CHECK ON THE STATUS OF YOUR CAL GRANT -- If you have already filed your FAFSA and turned in your Cal Grant GPA Information Release Form, you can check on the status of your Cal Grant by creating an account at https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/logon.asp.  You cannot set up an account until your FAFSA has been processed.  

SAN FRANCISCO STATE APPLICANTS -- If you have not yet received an admissions decision, it is very important to check your status on your web account or call the admissions office at 415/338-6486.  Some students have not yet submitted documents requested by the admissions office.  The deadline to submit documents to the SF State Admissions office is February 27.  

Are you planning on taking a year off between high school and college?  Find out about opportunities at the free Gap Year Opportunities Fair, Sunday, March 1, 2:00-4:00 pm at the Jewish Community School of the Bay, 1835 Ellis Street, SF.  For more information, go to www.internshipyear.org  or call 508-755-2571 x18.

*LAST FAFSA WORKSHOP TO BE HELD THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 3:30 PM -- Sign up to attend this workshop on filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Prior to the workshop, pick up a FAFSA On the Web Worksheet in the College/Career Center or download one at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fafsaws90bw.pdf and fill it out as much as you can.  You can estimate numbers if necessary.  YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE TO ATTEND BECAUSE WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF COMPUTERS.  All workshops will be held in the BHS library.

SCHOLARSHIPS 
For a complete list of scholarship applications available in the College/Career Center, go to http://bhs.berkeley.net/index.php?page=scholarships.  

*Anita Baskerville-Harris Scholarship -- Open to graduating seniors with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 (not including PE, dance and other non-academic courses) who has financial need.  Scholarships range from $500 to $2,000.  Applications available in D221.  Deadline:  April 1.  

*Bay Area Council Scholarship -- Open to High school seniors who live in an underserved neighborhood in the Bay Area (Go to www.ffiec.gov/Geocode/default.aspx), plan to enroll full time as a freshman at one of the following schools:  Mills, Santa Clara, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, U of San Francisco, and have financial need.  Selection is based on leadership skills, academic honors, community involvement and financial need.  Ten scholarships ranging from $5,000-$10,000 will be awarded.  Applications available in D221 and at http://www.bayareafamilyoffunds.org/programs/scholarship.shtml.  Deadline:  March 23.

Wa Sung Community Service Club Award -- Open to graduating high school seniors of Asian descent who are living in Alameda or Contra Costa County and plan to attend college in fall 2009. Selection is based on scholastic achievement, extra-curricular activities, work experience, community service and financial need.  5-7 scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded. Applications available in D221 and at www.wasungserviceclub.org.  Deadline:  April 4.  

Rotary Club of Berkeley -- Open to students graduating from a high school in Berkeley who are academically qualified to complete a four year college degree but would be unable to attend without the scholarship. Selection is based on academic potential, extracurricular activities, financial need, and willingness to work during the summer.  At least one scholarship of $5,000 per year for four years will be awarded.  Social security number is not required. Application available in D221. Must be received by: April 17.

Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards -- Open to graduating high school seniors who are planning to enroll in college in the fall who are of Hispanic/Latino descent (at least one parent), have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA and will attend the awards ceremony.  Award:  up to $8000, a laptop computer and all-expenses trip to National Youth Award ceremony.  Applications available at www.hispanicheritage.org.  Deadline:  March 6.  

Morris and Juliet James Achievement Award -- Open to Berkeley High seniors who have spent most of their school age years in the Berkeley Unified School District.  Awards will be based on hobbies, community service, home responsibilities, work experience, career goals, extracurricular activities and leadership experience.  Applications available in D221.  Deadline:  March 6.  

*New to the bulletin today