Senior PSA: College information dates to write down
While I am thankfully not writing my college applications this year, college is still right around the corner, and for those of you who are writing them, or who are just interested in their future like me, here are some important information and dates for all of your college needs.
CSU Presentation:
Even if you are not completely sure that you want to attend a California State University, it is still helpful to go to their information night, which is Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the PAC. There will be a live representative from the CSU system, explaining the process of applying, giving helpful tips and speaking about what life is like on CSU campuses and is able to answer any questions students have.
Common App/ Naviance Workshop:
The ever important Common Application, which is probably haunting many of your dreams, will be demystified on Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the PAC, in a combined presentation that also explains the different college features on Naviance. Rik Napora, counselor, will be going step by step through important processes like adding colleges on Naviance, getting letters of recommendation from teachers, sending transcripts and more. Napora strongly encourages seniors to go, saying that even though parents are welcome, it would be best if the students could hear the correct information for themselves.
UC Presentation:
On Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the PAC, the University of California system information night will be held. This presentation will also have a live representative from the UC system. Napora strongly suggests that students even remotely interested in applying to a UC school or a CSU school go to the CSU and UC information nights, since there will be actual admissions officials at each presentation, giving students direct information they can trust.
College Information Night:
This year, the annual College and Career Information Night is being held at Newbury Park High School, on the night of Wednesday, Sept. 27, and is expected to be an information packed evening. It starts with over 50 college exhibits in the Quad at 4:30 p.m., and throughout the night, there will be workshops dealing with scholarships, UC schools, athletics, the Military and more, including some in Spanish. There will be a workshop or booth for everyone, no matter the grade level, background or economic status, plus the event is free. And it is not just workshops: there will be food trucks almost the entire night, including a grilled cheese truck, a soft serve ice cream truck and a hot dog cart. For more information, here is the link to the flyer.
College visits to school:
After starting on Wednesday, Aug. 30 with a visitor from University of California at Berkeley, the college visits to the CCC will be in full swing, running all the way to October. Already, the CCC has around 40 colleges booked, and is encouraging students to go to at least two. They recommend listening to talks from different types of schools to see other options and processes, like seeing the differences between a California school versus an out of state school, and private versus public. To find out specific college dates, visit the CCC and check your school email for dates.
Ultimately, it is up to you to take advantage of all of these opportunities, and those I did not mention. The CCC offers assistance, provides tools for every student and waits for you to come in with questions. The NPHS Counseling website has so many resources that they even have an index of links on their home page, including a calendar for each grade level that has all of the dates mentioned above and more. Seniors, do not let senioritis get you yet (at least wait until you get into college), be proactive and write those applications. May the college admission offices be ever in your favor.
