[BHS Etree] COLLEGE/CAREER BULLETIN: Mar. 15-19, 2010

Fri Mar 12 20:43:54 PST 2010

Do not reply to this e-mail; please contact Angela Price
[mailto:angela_price at berkeley.k12.ca.us]

COLLEGE ADVISOR'S BULLETIN: Week of Mar. 15-19, 2010

*Indicates new or updated item

SAT WORD OF THE DAY: Pensive - deeply thoughtful

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

1. The 2010 Metropolitan Transportation Commission High School Internship program is now open and accepting student applications. Approximately 30 internships will be available throughout the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The hourly rate is $10.00 per hour and students may work full-time or part-time, for up to 8 weeks, between June and August 2010. For more information and applications go to http://www.mtc.ca.gov/jobs/high_school/

2. Like Science? Want to learn about biotechnology? Sign up for the Biotech Academy. Applications available in G305. Program is open to students who will be juniors in the fall. Paid summer internships are part of the program. See Ms Hansen for more information.

3. The application period for YouthWorks, the City of Berkeley's Youth Employment Program, began February 22, 2010 @ 8:00 a.m. Qualified Berkeley residents ages 14-25 can apply for a variety of jobs, including childcare, recreation & clerical positions within city departments and community organizations. The pay is $8.00/hr, and youth may work up to 6 hours/day (30 hrs/week) for a period of up to 6 weeks. The tentative start date is July 11, 2010, and interested youth are required to 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, including Photo ID, original Social Security Card, Proof of Residence and a typed or word-processed resume. For further information, contact YouthWorks at (510) 981-4970 or email youthworks at cityofberkeley.info.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Summer Program for students from traditionally underserved backgrounds --
The Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) at UC Berkeley is open to high school sophomores and juniors who are curious about science. The program gives preference to students who are from traditionally underserved backgrounds and have little or no family history of college attendance. The application deadline is March 1. Students are paid a stipend of $2500 and must commit to full-time work from June 21 to August 13. The program teaches basic lab and research skills and provides first-hand experience working on a bioenergy research project in a state-of-the-art molecular biology lab located in Emeryville and easily accessible by public transit. The teaching staff includes two UC Berkeley scientists and two high school science teachers. In addition to basic science and research, the program also exposes students to career exploration and college preparation including field trips to biotech companies, career talks, writing a college
 statement of purpose, researching colleges, meeting with an admissions officer, and visits to local college campuses. http://www.synberc.org/iclem_internship

Complete list of summer opportunities are available in the College Center, D221.

SENIORS

1. University of California -- To help manage enrollment the UC's have for the first time instituted waitlists with the exception of UCLA. Berkeley hasn't made a decision yet and Merced will continue to offer admission to all of its UC-eligible applicants. The principles that will guide the waitlist process are outlined on UC's website, http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/22825

2. The financial aid booklet "Fund Your Future" is now available. Stop by the College/Career Center to pick up your copy and get important information on the ins and outs of financial aid, Cal Grants, and other state and federal aid programs.  

Pick up a complete list of Financial Aid workshops in the College Center D221.

SCHOLARSHIPS 

1. Berkeley Community Fund Scholarship -- 10 scholarships of $4,000 per year for four years will be awarded to Berkeley High students. In addition, other one-time scholarships may also be awarded. Pick up applications in the College Center D221. Application deadline April 5. 

2. Elena Castañeda Scholarship -- Open to Berkeley High seniors who speak Spanish as their first language and plan to attend a four year college in the fall. Application available in D221. US citizenship/permanent residency is NOT required. Scholarship is for $3,000.

3. 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. Deadline: March 30.

*4. A. Patrick Charnon Memorial Scholarship – Open to high school students who will be attending a four-year college in the fall and have demonstrated a commitment to building communities. The selection committee looks for candidates who value tolerance, compassion and respect for all people in their communities, and who have demonstrated their commitments to these values by their actions. Complete applications must be postmarked on or before March 31, 2010 to be considered for the 2010-11 academic year. Applications are available in the College Center (D221). 

*5. Los Hermanos de Stanford Scholarship – Open to outstanding Latino students graduating from high school with plans to attend any 2-year or 4-year institution of higher learning. Financial need will be taken into account. Attending Stanford is not a requirement. Applications are available in the College Career Center. Application Deadline: April 9, 2010.

*6. The Steve Silver Foundation & Beach Blanket Babylon Scholarship for the Arts – Open to high school seniors planning to pursue an education in the performing arts. Three $10,000 scholarships will be awarded, one in each of the following categories: Voice, Acting, and Dance. Entries will be first judged by a panel of performing arts professionals and experts, who will pick the top three finalists in each category. Finalists will be notified by phone on May 10 2010 and will perform their selection live at a venue in San Francisco on Monday, June 7, 2010. Applications are available in the College Career Center and are due April 30.

*7. East Bay Consortium of Educational Institutions/Cal-SOAP Scholarship – Open to seniors graduating in June from Oakland Unified School District high schools, Berkeley High, Richmond High or Elizabeth High School or have participated in the East Bay Consortium Pre-Collegiate Academy who will be attending a four year or community college, have a minimum 2.8 GPA, if attending a 4-year institution, or cumulative minimum 2.0 GPA if attending a community college, have demonstrated active participation in extra curricular activities and have financial need. Approximately 25-30 $2,500 scholarships for students attending 4 year schools and 5-10 $1,000 scholarships for students attending community colleges. Applications are available in D221 and are due April 23.

A complete list of scholarship and scholarship applications are available in the College/Career Center D221.

FOR JUNIORS

1. College advising appointments available -- sign up in the College Center, D221. Please come in and make an appointment to see your College Advisor.  

2. Junior Parent Night -- Thursday, April 8, Financial Aid Night for Juniors at 6:30 pm in BHS Library. Sue Kim will give an overview of the financial aid process. (Berkeley HS Parents only - limited space)

3. College-bound athletes can access the 2009-10 Guide on the NCAA Eligibility Center website, www.ncaaclearinghouse.net to find important information on how to become eligible. On the website go to "General Information" then click on "Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete." The Eligibility Center's registration fee is $60. Students from low-income families should see Ms. Price or Ms. Sandberg for a fee waiver.

4. This is the time to start the college search. There are some wonderful websites that can help you in this process. CollegeWeekLive is an online virtual college fair, with hundreds of colleges and universities from around the world participating. Besides virtual college fairs and open houses, attendees can watch admissions experts speak on topics such as how to prepare for the SAT, the application essay, and how to pay for college. Attendees can also have questions answered via live chat with admissions experts and college students. CollegeWeekLive is free, and can be accessed at www.collegeweeklive.com.

5. SAT TEST:  Register for the SAT at www.CollegeBoard.com. Students will also be able to find tests dates, and national test center locations at this site, as well as helpful SAT prep information.

ACT TEST: Register for the  ACT at www.actstudent.org. Students will also be able to find test dates, and national tests center locations at this site, as well as helpful ACT prep information.

6. Free SAT Prep Class - Monday and Wednesdays, from 3:45- 5:30 in D219. Juniors will be give preference. The class is being taught by the Peoples Test Prep Service. (UC Berkeley)

*7. Take an SAT/ACT practice test at Berkeley High School Saturday April 17, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm proctored by the Kaplan Test Prep Service. This practice test is proctored like an actual test, except your score won't go on record. The cost is $15(cash only) and students must preregister. Registration begins on Monday, 3/15, in the College Center D221 at the front counter during lunch or after school. This practice test is for Berkeley High Juniors and is not opened to the general public. Students please bring Berkeley High school ID to register; parents will not be able to register for students. The last day to register for SAT/ACT practice test is April 15, 4 p.m.

*8. Students Rising Above – Open to juniors from a low income family who have overcome obstacles that are not of their own making, have a GPA of 3.0 or above, live in the Bay Area and are planning on attending a four year college. The scholarship covers all college expenses not covered by other scholarships or financial aid. In addition, students are given assistance in applying to college, help with dental and healthcare appointments, summer internships, and a mentor. Applications are available in D221 and at http://studentsrisingabove.org/student-scholarships. Application deadline:  April 4.  

*9. Nordstrom scholarship –  Five $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to students in Northern California.  It is open to juniors who have maintained an overall unweighted 2.7 GPA, participated in community or volunteer activities, are planning to apply for financial assistance to attend college, attend an accredited 4-year college or university during all years for which the scholarship is awarded, maintain a GPA of at least a 2.7 while in high school, are eligible to attend a 4-year college, currently reside in Northern California, and don’t have a conviction for any crime. All applications must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2010.

ALL STUDENTS

*1. 10th Annual Latino Education Summit – College and Financial Aid Workshops and College Resource Fair for Latino students and parents. Saturday, March 27, 8 am - 1 pm, at Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA 94545. Register online at www.chabotcollege.edu/latinosummit

2. PUBLISH YOUR ART! Illustrations are needed for next year's BHS College Application handbooks. Hand-drawn or digital, photos, cartoons, crossword puzzles, or whatever—all are fine just so they're original. The art can be in color, but be aware that it will be reproduced in black and white. The artwork can express something about applying to college, life at Berkeley High, student life, or just life. Of course, no objectionable subject matter please. We'll use your name unless you don't want it published; but please include your name and contact info on the back of your art in case we need to contact you. Drop it off in the College/Career Center, attention Nancy Koerner, or send it to downboy1013 at yahoo.com. Deadline is April 1. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Nancy at downboy1013 at yahoo.com