An International Baccalaureate School

SVHS College & Career Center

Mr. Carlos Nalda, College and Career Navigator | Email

Open Mon-Fri, 7:00am - 3:00pm | Phone: 240-740-6418 | Room 2408

Seneca Valley High School CEEB Code: 210582 | SVHS Naviance Info

ABOUT

Welcome! The College & Career Center holds a wealth of information and resources for students as they ponder "life after high school." Parents and students can reach out or make an appointment with Mr. Nalda in the College & Career Center for assistance with college, career, or scholarship searches. The College & Career Center also has many resources and information regarding financial aid. This is especially important for eleventh and twelfth graders.

During the school year, the College & Career Center is open 7:00am - 3:00pm. Students can come in before school, after school, or during lunch. At any other time during the day, students may come down with a pass as long as a scheduled activity is not taking place. Parents & Guardians are also welcome to schedule an appointment via email. Zoom meetings are also available.

Weekly Notes from The College & Career Center for Juniors & Seniors

Attention Seniors! Applying to College???

Applying to College

The following document has been created to assist you with the process of applying to college here at SVHS. It is important that you read through this document and follow all of the steps! You may want to bookmark and/or save this important link!

SVHS College Application Guide

Visit the Applying to College Page to see other important information and resources to assist students with the college process!

Curious or want to learn more about a particular college? Click this link to see where some of our SVHS staff members attended. They have volunteered to speak with students about their school and experience!

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Guide for Seniors is another important document for students to review. It contains information about financial aid, how to apply, and other important resources to help you pay for college.

In-Class Senior Presentation

SVHS Class of 2026 College Information Night - Recording & Slideshow Presentation

Click below to see the recording and slideshow presentation from our annual College Information Night on Tuesday, September 9.

College & Career Representative Visits in the College & Career Center (Juniors & Seniors)

College Representative Visits

Juniors & Seniors are invited to participate in college rep visits to SVHS to learn more about colleges and universities. Representatives come to SVHS to talk about their schools and answer questions. Advantages of participating in college rep visits:

Meeting the contact from a college or university. Many times, these are the same people reviewing your application!
Learning in-depth information about the school, their program offerings, and financial aid.
In some cases, reps may offer insight on how to receive an application fee waiver for their college or university.

Career Visits

Mr. Nalda also schedules local organizations, employers, and military branches who are looking to hire or offer opportunities to Seneca Valley students. Many times, these visits will take place in the SVHS Cafeteria during lunch and students from all grades can stop by anytime to learn more.

Schedule

The list of all visits is available in Naviance or on the link below. Visit dates can also be seen on the SVHS College & Career Center Calendar.

List of College & Career Visits

Events & Opportunities

MCPS & MC Biotech Pre-Apprenticeship

Biotech Pre-Apprenticeship Program Highlights:

Brand new program
Open to current juniors
Courses taken at Montgomery College, Germantown Campus
Students will take 2 courses at MC this spring and 1 this summer
Long term goal in apprenticeship in the industry during senior year, but not yet guaranteed.
No cost to students
Application due January 6, 2026

Link to Flyer: MCPS & MC Biotech Pre-Apprenticeship Flyer 2026

For questions:

Students can email Mrs. Skufca (Kimberly_K_Skufca@mcpsmd.org) with questions or stop by room 1410.

MCPS & MC Biotech PreApprenticeship Flyer 2026.pdf

Start Early, Stress Less and Stand Out: Insider College Admissions Advice for 8th - 11th Graders

Jan 8, 2026 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Perfect for parents of 8th–11th graders, this free webinar with expert college consultant Renee Minnich will share insider strategies to reduce stress, navigate recent admissions changes, and help your student stand out in today’s competitive college landscape.

You’ll discover:

✓ How admissions are changing and what it means for your child

✓ What factors matter most in college acceptance decisions

✓ How to build a strong narrative through high school achievements

✓ ACT/SAT prep tips: Should your child take the tests or skip them?

✓ Strategies for building a balanced list and finding hidden gem colleges

Click here to register

FAFSA/MHEC-One App Completion Night

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Time: 6pm-8pm

Where: Northwest High School Media Center

SVHS students and families are welcome to attend to receive assistance with filling out financial aid forms.

Montgomery College's Financial Aid office staff will be at NWHS to help families:

Create your FSA ID
Create your MDCAPS account
Complete your FAFSA OR MHEC One Application
Provide Montgomery College information
Answer any questions you may have about FAFSA/Financial Aid
Assist with creating your MDCAPS account

Even if your student does not plan to attend Montgomery College, you are still able to attend to receive help completing your application(s)!

Click here to register

How to do Your College Research/Visits

Date: Jan 21, 2026

Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Where: Online Zoom Meeting

Please join on Zoom to hear from Jordan Kanarek about how to do your college research to make your college list and how to approach your college visits.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/89115458406?pwd=AxV9JqKu7QmKoh6baxIOPO16vETIY1.1

Meeting ID: 891 1545 8406

Passcode: 139244

Learn How a Gap Year will Enhance Your Teen's Growth Trajectory

Wednesday, January 28 | 7:00-8:00 PM | Online Webinar (Microsoft Teams)

The Walt Whitman High School College & Career Center is hosting an online, interactive workshop titled "From Graduation to Greatness - Learn How a Gap Year will Enhance Your Teen's Growth Trajectory" led by community member Seth Kessler, Co-Founder of GapWell. Students and families from all MCPS high schools are welcome to participate.

The session will include data on the benefits of gap years on a teen’s success in college and in life. The focus will be on how to make the most of the experience – including real life examples featuring MCPS students & alums who have had successful “gap” summer, semester and full-year experiences. This event will be on Microsoft Teams. Please register HERE.

International University Info Session & Fair

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Location:

Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School

4301 East-West Hwy

Bethesda, MD 20814

Join us for an International University Fair! Meet 30 universities from 11 countries. Students and families from all MCPS high schools are welcome to attend.

We’ll begin with a “Why Study Overseas” presentation and Q&A from 6:00pm - 6:30pm followed by a student fair.

Click here to see a list of participating institutions and to register

01-29-26 DMV Metro International University Fair.pdf

MCPS Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Fair

Friday, February 13, 2026 | 6:00-8:30 PM | In Person

Universities at Shady Grove: 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

Students and families of students in grades 8-12. Come join us and learn about HBCUs and Scholarship Opportunities!

Free Admission • Giveaways

Scholarship Opportunities for current 12th grade students

Workshops on: financing college, the HBCU experience, panel discussions, college life and more!

Over 40 HBCUs and 20 scholarship organizations attending! Registration is now open!

Click here to register | Click here for information & updates on schools attending | Click here for the flyer

02-13-26 MCPS HBCU College Fair Flyer (HS).pdf

College and Career Readiness Videos

Collection of college and career readiness recordings of workshops hosted by a variety of experts in their field. From, how to interpret the Common Data Set to What is a Good Fit for College, to How to Make your Common App less Common - you will find answers to many of your questions by watching these pre-recorded videos!

College and Career Readiness Video Channel*

*Shared and maintained by Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

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