College & Career Prep for Juniors
Class of 2023 - College, Life & Career - February 2022
Exploring Your Path for After High School
We recently met with juniors during their History class to introduce them to a range of opportunities after high school. We will be visiting Theology III classes to help with college and career searches in March.
We will automatically schedule an individual meeting with a junior once they complete and submit the Junior Planning Questionnaire found in the "Important To-Do's and Tasks" section of Naviance Student.
Mr. David Blue and Ms. Teri Calcagno
College, Life & Career Counseling Team
***CAREER EXPLORATION OPPORTUNITIES***
NW Youth Virtual Careers Expo
The virtual NW Youth Careers Expo will take place on March 15 & 16 and is a career learning experience for high school students to:
- Great careers in construction, healthcare, design, manufacturing, technology, energy, public service, business, the military and more
- What job seekers need to know about the world of work
- What types of work environments best suit them
- What skills employers are looking for
There will be hosted exhibitor booths, career speakers, and mock interview opportunities. Students have full access to the Expo, including recorded talks and booth materials, for 30 days afterward.
Interested? Complete the Pre-registration form HERE by February 24 at 3 pm. Students should contact Mr. David Blue if there are any questions.
Discover Engineers Week (E-Week)
Sessions will include virtual field trips and discussion panels highlighting engineering careers and projects in the Pacific Northwest with multiple sessions offered daily. Each one will last between 30-45 minutes and happen on Zoom.
Featured sessions include "Interested in Engineering - Now What?" as well as Engineering career panel discussions.
Click HERE for more details about each session. Since these sessions are happening during the school day, we will treat them similarly to our college visit process and requires teacher approval in advance to miss a class. Check Naviance Student after February 17 for details.
Summer Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) - Due March 4
ASE typically offers about 130 internships each summer. Mentor partners vary but usually fall under one of the following general disciplines: Biology, Health or Medical, Earth or Environmental Science, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics. Students in grades nine through eleven are eligible to apply for ASE. It is a very competitive program.
Interns contribute to one or more projects at the mentor’s organization throughout the summer. Interns complete 296 internship hours with their mentor between June and late August.
Click HERE for details and an application. Due by March 4.
***UPCOMING EVENTS***
February 16 - College & Career Planning Night for Parents & Guardians of Juniors - Join Mr. Blue and Ms. Calcagno at 6 pm in the CC Weston Commons as we bring everyone up to speed on what we've been sharing with juniors during our classroom visits. We will talk about all the different options available to students after graduation. There will also be a session focused specifically on the four-year college admission process. Can't make it on February 16? We will record the evening and email it to everyone.
February 18 & 19 - National Online Portfolio Day - It’s time for juniors to show off what you’ve been doing for the past few years! Visit with counselors, admissions team members, and faculty from art and design schools for a review of your portfolio before applying to colleges or universities. Your portfolio review will take place on Zoom after registering on their VisitDays platform. Take the opportunity show your portfolio directly from your computer by sharing your screen—no uploads needed!
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR JUNIORS
College Board BigFuture Scholarships - Juniors can make themselves eligible for scholarships each month. Earn entries in monthly drawings for scholarships by completing steps to plan for college. The sooner you start and the more steps you complete, the more chances you’ll have to win. This month’s entries will continue to be included in upcoming monthly drawings.
Horatio Alger State Scholarships Due: March 15 - The program specifically assists high school juniors who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. To be eligible to apply for a Horatio Alger State Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
- Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
- Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
- Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity; and
- Be a United States citizen
***SAT, ACT or TEST OPTIONAL***
During the spring of the junior year is an ideal time if you decide to take the ACT or SAT. You will still have time to retest (if needed) next fall. Here are links to the registration sites and upcoming test dates to help students plan ahead:
Reminder: Many colleges are committed to staying Test Optional permanently and the Class of 2023 will find there are lots of options. We also know that public universities in Oregon, Washington, and the University of California campuses do not require a test score for admission or scholarships. Click HERE to view a list of popular colleges and their testing policy. Be sure to type 2023 in the Search box to view colleges that have made a policy decision for the Class of 2023.
Be sure to check out the December newsletter for more details about testing and test optional.
***What's Next?***
Mark your calendars for the following college counseling events:
- Spring College Fair - April 24 at the University of Portland
- Case Studies Program - April 25 (virtual)
- Jesuit Excellence College Fair - May 18 from 1 to 2 pm in the CC Commons