There is so much excitement for kids as they approach the last weeks of the semester. It means a much-needed vacation from school is on its way, holiday traditions, and the chance to sleep late. For our high school seniors, it means college applications, for the most part, have been submitted. They now wait in suspense to hear from the colleges this coming spring; their height of anticipation pales to the days of waiting for Santa.

It is not unusual for seniors to reflect on their high school career and ask was it all worth it: the clubs, the Advanced Placement classes, the volunteer work, and the late nights studying. The answer is yes, and no. If a student only took classes and participated in activities because they thought it would look good to the colleges, there will be a lot of regret at this time. Those who say that the journey was worth the effort are those who took electives that appealed to their interests and curiosity. They also participated in activities that helped them discover who they were and where they wanted to go in the future.

When we return from winter break, it becomes scheduling season at the middle and high schools. Your students will be asked to voice their opinion on what elective classes they would like to take for the following school year. Please take a moment and help them reflect on their choices. There is so much to choose from, such as a CTE class, something in the arts, or a Linked Learning Academy. Elective courses give your child the chance to learn about themselves and ultimately help them when choosing a career, major, and college.

Best wishes,

Paige Loverin, MA, PPS

Visalia Unified College and Career Readiness

Ignite Your Curiosity is a monthly series of webinars for students and parents to hear from various industry leaders. Each month a new industry themed panel will help your child explore career possibilities.

This month's theme is medical careers. On Monday, December 7, at 6:00 PM, we welcome professionals to answer your questions on these career paths. There are great panelists that will be presenting on being a dentist, medical doctor, nurse practitioner, optometrist.

To join us for the event, Click Here to register. Once you register for the event, you will receive an email containing the webinar link. If you missed our previous Ignite Your Curiosity events, Click here to view the videos.

Here is an event just for our elementary set! The career possibilities are endless when it comes to the sciences. So what better way to explore the sciences than to make things blow-up and get down and dirty with lots of goo? Join us to see what slimy fun we are up to this month on Thursday, December 10, at 6:00 PM.

To register for the event CLICK HERE! After you register for the event you will receive an email containing the webinar link. If you missed October's event, Click Here to see the video.

Recently 6-year-old Sam went viral with his YouTube video featuring his A to Z career rap. Visalia Unified's College and Career Readiness believes that is never too early to think about your future. Take a moment to view Sam's video by clicking here, and then challenge your elementary kids to make their own career rap and post it to #vusdcareerrap on your favorite social media.

Seniors, don't forget that we have a whole web page set-up just for you full of resources. If you need guidance on filling out your college applications, completing your FAFSA or search for scholarships, we have you covered. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to your counselors/learning directors if you need help!

Click Here to go directly to the web page!

Seniors that are applying to private colleges are often required to complete the Profile in addition to or in place of the FAFSA to be considered for financial aid and scholarships. A video on how to complete the Profile can be found by Clicking Here. To go to the Profile application Click Here.

As a high school student, how would you like to attend a summer program at a top-tier university? Each summer, many colleges, including the University of California Campuses and Ivy Leagues, offer students the opportunity to experience college life. This year, because of the pandemic, many programs will be offered online. The programs do have a fee, but there are generous scholarships that include those that may not normally think they qualify. Application deadlines are approaching. Below are links to some of the programs:

COSMOS UCSD: COSMOS strives to motivate the most creative minds of the new generation of prospective scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who will become the future leaders for California, our nation, and the world. The program aims to create a community of students who participate in and contribute to an intensive academic experience delivered by distinguished educators and scholars.

ACADEMIC CONNECTIONS: The main advantages of attending UC San Diego Academic Connections: college-level academics, residential and extracurricular activities; exposure and access to state-of-the-art courses, technology, and facilities! Earn college prep units and recognition for program participation on college admission applications! Study with other like-minded academic students from all over the country and the world!

BIOCHEMCORE: BioChemCoRe is an intensive, research-centered summer program for high school and undergraduate students interested in molecular modeling and computational chemistry

UCLA Precollege Summer Institutes provide highly-motivated high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while advancing their skill set in one area of study. During these one- to three-week concentrated programs, students experience lectures, hands-on learning, field trips, group projects, and other activities that provide an intensive and engrossing study of their chosen subject.

Our Precollege Summer Institutes are open to high school students from around the country and the world. We invite you to come and study in a welcoming environment that appreciates diversity and global perspectives.

The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Virtual Program offers international and domestic high school students the opportunity to join an online community of scholars and pursue your academic goals at the world’s No. 1 public institution. Pre-College Scholars participants will have the opportunity to earn college credit with other students from Berkeley and around the world. From the convenience of home, you will be able to connect with UC Berkeley students, staff, and faculty. All of the things that make Berkeley a great place are virtually waiting for you. In addition to academics, we have optional online extracurricular activities and events that will give you a chance to expand your personal and social horizons, learn practical information, and enjoy Berkeley outside of the 'classroom.'

UC Davis: C-STEM Girls in Robotics Leadership (GIRL) Camp is a series of free, week-long day camps to inspire middle school girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through an interactive robotics-based curriculum. The camp focuses on confidence, teamwork, reasoning, and problem-solving. STEM-focused young women in high school and college can also apply for summer coaching positions.

Harvard: Summer Programs for High School Students. The application for both high school programs will open on Tuesday, December 1.

Challenge yourself in college-level academics. Meet new friends from around the world. Strengthen your college application. And, build important life skills that can make your future college experience a success. Harvard Summer School offers two different programs that both offer a transformative introduction to college life.

Discover. Explore. Grow. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes provides a taste of the Stanford classroom experience and challenges students with advanced content not typically found in the high-school curriculum. Explore Your Passions Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is a summer enrichment program that provides academically talented and intellectually curious students currently in grades 8–11 with intensive study in a single course.

Yale Summer Session seeks motivated high school students who wish to enroll in Yale College courses for credit. While enrolled in Yale courses, qualified high school students will share the classroom with college students and will do college-level work. All participants will be held to the same set of standards.

Pre-College students who wish to apply to Yale Summer Session: Must be entering the senior year of high school (summer after junior year) or freshman year of college (summer after senior year). Must be 16 years of age or older by their program start date.

MIT Summer Programs: If you’re the kind of student who would like to spend much of your summer learning as much hands-on math, science, and engineering as you can, you might be a good fit for MIT. Visit our website to see a list of summer programs that MIT students have found enriching and enjoyable. We have prioritized selective summer programs, at MIT and elsewhere, that offer compelling intellectual content and a rigorous educational approach, a great community of like-minded peers to make friends with, and that are either free to attend or, like MIT, offer generous need-based financial aid.