Hours
Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
*Appointments are recommended for essay review and specific questions
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A Note From Sam
Featured Article
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
Class Specific Monthly Focus
College Spotlight
Internship, Job and Volunteer Opportunities
Summer Programs
In Other News
Helpful Resources
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Welcome to the first Miramonte College and Career Center Newsletter! Each month I hope to provide you with valuable information on the magic that happens in the center, as well as, useful resources and insights about college and the application process. When I first began, I set a mission to provide a personalized and supportive environment to help students build on their strengths and feel confident in the choices they make after high school. Whether they continue on to college, begin a career or take a gap year, knowing what they are capable of achieving is one of the greatest gifts I hope to provide.
This year we are fortunate to have some new additions to the staff.
Sara Feinberg
has joined me from counseling on Fridays.
Stephanie Brady
is a parent volunteer focusing on increasing communication and designing workshops.
Jeanette Chang
is a parent volunteer helping to enhance our community service program. Together we are able to bring the College and Career Center to the next level. I am very excited about the direction we are headed and look forward to continuing the great year we've started.
As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions to keep improving our center!
Warmly,
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Samantha Stuber
College and Center Center Advisor
SStuber@auhsdschools.org
925-280-3935
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Differences between the College and Career Center and Counseling
Miramonte is fortunate to have both a College and Career Center and a Counseling department. Although, sometimes this can be a source of confusion for students and parents when trying to figure out which resource to turn to. While we often overlap and try to maximize our collaboration to offer you the best resources, we also have our own expertise.
The College and Career Center’s main focus is to assist students in successfully navigating the post-secondary and college/career planning process. We meet with students annually, starting their freshman year, to introduce Naviance and college and career pathways and support services. The College and Career Center is open to all grade levels with a focus on juniors and seniors when post-high school planning begins. We also offer parent education workshops throughout the year.
The Counseling department is staffed with four guidance counselors. Students are assigned a counselor based on their last name within the alphabet. The goal of the Counseling department is to provide academic planning, social/emotional support and a sense of responsibility for each of their students. Incoming freshmen and parents meet with the student’s counselor to discuss appropriate course selection and scheduling, transition to high school and help develop a four-year high school plan.
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College and Career Center
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Upcoming Events and Deadlines
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NOVEMBER
1 and 15
1
2
3
9
15
30
30
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Some Early Action and Early Decision Deadlines
First day to submit UC Applications
Deadline to register for December 2 SAT
Deadline to register for December 8 ACT
SAT Test Date
UC Berkeley Bioengineering Honor Society will be in the CCC during academy to talk about the bioengineering as a career
Navy & Marine Corps. will be presenting on ROTC scholarships in the CCC at 1:35pm
UC Application Deadline
CSU Application Deadline
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Class Specific Monthly Focus
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November of senior year is one of the busiest times of high school. Application deadlines are here and financial aid paperwork needs to be completed. Additionally, many students are continuing to write supplemental essays.
Application Process
- Double check college information is up-to-date in your Naviance account
- Order transcripts for colleges (UC's & CSU’s do not require transcripts when applying)
- Order test scores for SAT, ACT and SAT subject tests to be sent to schools that require them
Financial Aid
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Junior year is the year to take standardized tests if you plan on applying to four-year colleges. Even though not all four-year colleges require tests, we highly recommend taking either the SAT or ACT to increase your college options. When taking them be sure to take it with the writing portion.
Determine which Test
In November, you should be planning to or have taken practice tests for the SAT and ACT. Taking practice tests helps you determine which test you would like to focus on officially taking. It does not matter to the colleges which test you take so chose the one you feel fits you best.
Create a Test Plan
Determine how you study best. Are you self-disciplined enough to set time aside each week to study? Would group tutoring be helpful, or would you work best with a private tutor?
Choose Test Dates
Your test preparation plan should coordinate with the test dates you plan to register for. Look at the test date options for the
SAT
or
ACT
and register for those dates before the registration deadline.
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As sophomores the focus is on building upon freshman year. Explore interests and take the opportunity to visit colleges when they are close by.
Participation
Continue participating in school and community extracurricular activities.
Academics
Do your best at school. Maintain excellent attendance.
Exploration
If you are traveling during the Thanksgiving break consider visiting a college close to where you might be.
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Freshman year is about acclimating to the new course work and expectations that come with the transition into high school. For November look to join a club on campus, participate in an extracurricular activity or volunteer for an organization you are drawn to.
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Northeastern University is a private research institution with approximately 13,345 undergraduates students. While Northeastern is popular among Miramonte students, it's known around the world for its cooperative education program (co-op's). Co-op’s integrate rigorous classroom study with real world experiences to empower students to learn through discovery and passion. They do this by alternating semesters of academic study with semesters of full-time employment within a students academic or career interests either in the U.S. or globally. Although co-op’s are optional, 96% of students participate in at least one co-op during their time as an undergraduate. This is a large contributing factor to Northeastern's extremely high job placement rate and above average starting salary post-graduation.
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Internship, Job and Volunteer Opportunities
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- Phenology Internship with John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez: Assist with our ongoing phenology project (a national effort to track the seasonal changes in plants to measure possible effects of climate change). Unpaid internship, requiring students to come to the park twice per week, that will run through the end of the school year. Applications are due by midnight of Sunday, November 4th and can be found here.
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- Orinda Hardware: Cashier for weekends and/or after school. Starting at $11/ hour. If interested, contact via Facebook, email at orindatruevalue@yahoo.com or pick up an application at the store
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- Wagner Ranch Nature Area Monthly Cleanup and Activities: Roll up your sleeves and work with nature for a couple of hours every second Sunday of the month (the next cleanup will be held on November 11). Join Toris and the team to learn about nature and how to take care of it. Sign up here.
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- HOBY Program: HOBY's State Leadership Seminar empowers high school sophomores to develop their leadership talents to become leaders of their community. The seminar curriculum is based on the Social Change Model of Leadership, and develops leadership from three perspectives: Personal Leadership, Group Leadership, and Leadership for Society. Applications can be found by clicking here and must be turned into Ms. Stuber in the CCC by Wednesday, November 14.
- 2019 Battles Won Academy: Applications now open until December 31. Since 2017, the Marines Corps has taken around 100 high school students to Washington D.C. for the Battles Won Academy. During this all expenses paid summer camp, students will participate in daily workouts, an immersive Marine Corps experience on base in Quantico, a community service event, team building outings, and a tour of our Nation's Capital. The selected Semper Fidelis All-Americans will also have the opportunity to network with an elite circle of speakers from all walks of life and various industries who will share their inspiring stories of fighting and winning battles in their own lives. You can find more information and submit applications here.
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DVC is Offering Free Tuition
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Diablo Valley College (DVC) and other Contra Costa community colleges are offering first time, full time students free tuition for their first year. See the details and how to qualify.
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Highly Selective Colleges are Going Test Optional
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More colleges aren't requiring students to send ACT or SAT scores to be considered for admission. The latest school? University of Chicago. Read about who and why so many schools are changing their admission policies.
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"In the last week, a major subject of testimony in the trial over
Harvard University
's
admissions policies was whether the university could maintain a diverse student body without considering race in admissions.."
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Miramonte College and Career Center
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