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

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Do not reply to this e-mail, please contact Angela Price at  angela_price at berkeley.k12.ca.us or 644-4576.  

College Advisor's Bulletin
Thursday, April 23, 2009

SAT WORD OF THE DAY: ALLY -- One united to another by treaty or league; someone on the same side; a kinsman. President Bush caused tensions with some traditional U.S. allies, including France and Germany, with his decision to invade Iraq.

Ms. Abrams will be away from school this week visiting colleges.  If you need assistance, please contact Angela Price at angela_price at berkeley.k12.ca.us or 644-4576.  

FOR ALL STUDENTS 

Internship available in Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Oakland office -- Internships available for the summer and fall semesters.  Learn the inner workings of a fast-paced congressional office, Study innovative national policies and their impact on local programs, assist constituents and community organizations of the 9th Congressional District.  The minimum commitment: is 2 days per week (8 hrs/week total) for 3 months.  Applicants must have excellent written and oral communication skills, professional manner, and ability to attend a one  time orientation session (date to be determined).  Duties include administrative support, community outreach, research, and casework.  To apply, send a statement of interest and resume to the Oakland District Office.  The cover letter is used as a writing sample, and should include the dates of your availability.  In addition, be prepared to submit references.  Direct application materials, questions and
 concerns to: Dominique Nisperos, 1301 Clay Street, Suite 1000-N, Oakland, CA  94612.  Phone:  (510) 763-0370 ext. 14, Fax:  (510) 763-6538, Nisperos at mail.house.gov.

Application materials are ready for Community Reading Buddies 2009.  Volunteer to spend a few hours each week reading and animating learning activities with young children at two Oakland Child Development Centers and at Berkeley Youth Alternatives.  Most of the young children come from families who are not native English speakers, so this program is a way to get them excited about learning and reading in English.  The junior high and high school “mentors” have a lot of fun, make friends and learn a lot from their peers and their “buddies.”  Volunteers for this program also earn Community Service Credits. Dates:  June 15 - July 31, Mon. - Fri. for 2 ½ hours a day.  Volunteers must commit to at least two sessions a week for two weeks; most choose to do more. For more information and application materials, go to http://aspireeducation.org/communityreadingbuddies.htm.  Deadline:  May 15th.  If you have questions please email
 CRB at aspireeducation.org.

Teen volunteers needed at MOCHA for Fun Community Event, Sunday, April 26, 10-5pm. The Museum of Children's Art in Oakland is seeking high school age volunteers for MOCHA's 20th Birthday Party Community Event. Volunteers will be helping to run fun art-making and carnival game booths.  Volunteers must be responsible, ready to work and have fun.  Volunteers can sign-up for any of the following shifts: 11:30-5:30 - The Whole Shebang; 10am-noon Set up only; 11:30-3pm Early fun time; 2:30-5:50 Afternoon blast; 5:00-7pm Clean-up. For information and sign-ups email: rae at mocha.org. 510-465-8770 x310.

JOB OPENING -- Alko Office Supply has an opening for a part-time job working after school and on Saturdays.  Starting pay is $8.00.  Duties include retail floor sales, stocking and shelving, and light janitorial duties (sweeping, emptying trash).  For more information, call Claudia or Gary at 848-3356 or pick up an application at 2225 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley.

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE FAIR -- Saturday, April 25, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm.  Come to the St. Mary’s College Fair to get information from over 150 college representatives from around the country.  Workshops on admissions and financial aid in English and Spanish are also available.  Free shuttles are available every 15 minutes beginning at 12:30 pm from the Orinda BART station. For more information, go to www.stmarys-ca.edu/ebcc.  

Project WHAT -- Part/time jobs for teenagers and young adults, ages 15-24, who have had a parent in prison or jail, to increase awareness of what it’s like to have had a parent in prison or jail and to improve services for youth with incarcerated parents.  The job entails working with a writing instructor to write a true story based on your personal experience, speak publicly at conferences about your experience, and facilitate trainings for adults and youth.  $8/hour for summer training + $100 bonus at the end of the summer.  $10-$12/hour for weekly meetings during the school year, plus fees for presenting at conferences or training.  Applications and more information available in D221.  Deadline:  April 23.  

FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS

Essay contest sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses.  Students must be a resident of a district of members of the Congressional Black Caucus.  Applicants must write an essay of 750-1000 words on a specific topic (see application).  Winners and their families are invited to Washington, DC (all expenses paid) in September to present their essays and participate in a panel discussion.  Applications available in D221.  Deadline:  May 29.  

Exploring College Options -- Student/Parent Information Sessions on Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn and Stanford.  Tuesday, April 28, 7:30 pm, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 - 9th Street, Oakland.  RSVP at www.exploringcollegeoptions.org.  

JUNIORS - Nordstrom Scholarship -- Open to juniors who have maintained a strong GPA (at least 2.7 unweighted), have made a substantial contribution to their community, are involved in school activities, and demonstrate financial need.  Award:  $10,000 scholarship distributed over four years.  Applications are available in D221.  Received deadline:  June 1.

JUNIOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS -- Did you miss the financial aid information night held on April 2?  If so, you may borrow the DVD of the meeting for up to two evenings.  Contact our assistant, Ms. Breiter, at firecat_breiter at berkeley.k12.ca.us to get on the list.  

Are you interested in serving in the US House of Representatives as a page?  If you are at least 16 years old and have a 3.0 GPA in core academic subjects and are a current sophomore, you may apply for a fall or spring appointment.  There is no GPA requirement for pages who work during the summer and current juniors may apply.  Pages live in the Page Residence Hall in Washington, DC and attend classes at the Page Residence Hall.  Pages must be sponsored by a member of Congress.  For more information, go to http://pageprogram.house.gov/become.html.   

SAT/ACT TEST DATES -- May 5 is the regular registration deadline for the June 6 SAT and SAT subject tests. May 8 is the regular registration deadline for the June 13 ACT.  These are the last tests offered before September 2009.  Fee waivers for low-income students are available in D221.  

SUMMER PROGRAMS

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

FOR SENIORS

TODAY -- FRESNO STATE -- Are you planning on attending Fresno State or were admitted and have questions about the school? Come to a meeting on Thursday, April 23 at 10:35 in the College/Career Center to speak with an admissions representative from the school.  Sign up in advance in D221 to attend.

MAY 1 DEADLINE -- May 1 is the deadline to send in your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to most colleges and universities.  For most schools, if you do not send in your SIR and your deposit (if required) by May 1, you will not be able to attend that school in the fall.  You may only send in a SIR to one school.  It is unethical to tell more than one school that you plan to attend their college in the fall.  If you have any questions at all, please stop by to see me or Ms. Price at lunch or after school.  

WAITLISTED?  Still interested in the school?  Check out this very helpful article on how to let schools know that you really want to go to their school:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/05/AR2009040501805.html.  Once you’ve drafted your letter, Ms. Price or Mr. Abrams would be happy to review it before you send it.

SCHOLARSHIPS 

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

Will to Win -- Open to high school seniors with asthma who demonstrate outstanding performance in the following areas and have received at least one award in their category:  performing arts, visual arts, community service, athletics, science.  Applicants must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5, be a US citizen and plan on enrolling in college in fall 2009.  Two scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded in each category. Applications available in D221.  Deadline:  April 30.  

Check Center Scholarship -- Open to graduating senior from Berkeley High School with a minimum 2.5 GPA who will attend a vocational/training school, 2 year or 4 year college or university in the fall.  Two scholarships of $500 each will be awarded.  Applications available in D221. Deadline:  May 11.

Los Hermanos de Stanford -- Open to outstanding Latino seniors who plan to attend a two or four year college in the fall and has financial need.  Students are NOT REQUIRED to attend Stanford.  
Two $800 scholarships will be awarded Applications available at www.stanford.edu/group/hermanos/scholarships.html and in D221. Deadline:  May 15.

Salvadoran American Leadership & Educational Fund (SALEF) -- Open to students of Central American or other Latino ethnicity who demonstrate financial need, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate a history of community involvement and reside in SF Bay Area or Los Angeles Area. US citizenship or permanent residency NOT required.  Applications  available in D221. Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000. Deadline: June 30.  

*LAHF Dise/Gardere/Smith Scholarship Fund -- Open to any low-income high school senior going to college fall 2009.  There will be two scholarships awarded for $1,000 each. Deadline: May 15. Applications available in D221.

*New to the bulletin today