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What's Your Plan this Month?
What's Your Plan this Month?
August/September:
Seniors:
● College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process for 12th grade.
● Be careful with your social media use: Any words or pictures you post are part of your permanent online record. Don't post anything that would cause a college (or anyone else) to question your maturity or integrity.
● Make sure you have a Balanced College List. How to Choose a College
● On August 1, the Common App rolls over. Continue working in the common app tab, and add your colleges
● University of California and CSU: For those of you applying to the UC and CSU systems, the applications are due on November 30th. These applications typically open August 1 for UCs and October 1st for CSUs.
● EOP Application Guide: Educational Opportunity Programs offer extra resources and support to help under-resourced students succeed in college. If you’re applying to Cal State Universities, this guide is a must-read.
● Create a spreadsheet of requirements and deadlines: Keep track of application deadlines, number of required recommendation letters, scholarship deadlines, portfolio requirements, etc., all in one organized spot.
● QuestBridge and Posse Foundation: See if you qualify for these great opportunities to win a full ride to college. If you decide to apply to QuestBridge, this is a must read.
● There may be some information that needs to be explained in your application. For example, a medical illness, a low grade, something that is not explained in your school profile, or something that needs to be showcased for you to feel your application is complete. You can utilize your additional information section. How to use the Common App Additional Info Section
● This is the time to get started on your Supplemental Essays as they will be due starting in October/November. How to write your supplemental essays There are School-Specific Supplemental Essay Crash Courses on the College Essay Guy website.
● Do you identify as undocumented or a member of the LGBTQ+ community? If you’re wondering how much to disclose in your personal statement, these guides might help you map out your content.
● Letters of recommendation: This is a good time to check in with your recommenders to make sure they know your deadlines. And if you haven't already, read this guide and then ask your teacher(s) if they’ll write a letter on your behalf. Be sure to make an official request in Common App, Naviance, SCOIR, etc.
● Demonstrated interest: Remember that it’s important to let the colleges on your list know that you’re really interested in attending their schools. Keep connecting with college representatives when they visit your school, your community, or via virtual sessions online.
● Consider visiting a Fall College Fair in your area. NACAC Travels the country and visits cities, but there are also virtual fairs. How to Make the Most of a College Fair Experience
● Finalize your decision to apply ED/EA/RD to your colleges-Should You Apply Early Decision or Regular Decision? (And the Chart That Can Help You Decide)
● As you receive your final SAT/ACT scores, determine whether you will apply test optional or submit test scores. If submitting, determine if you can self-report test scores or must have them sent officially. Official test scores should be ordered 3 weeks prior to college application deadline. What do Test Optional and Test Blind/Free Mean?
● Check each college website for merit scholarships and know the deadline and application means for each.
● Resource guide for low-income students or those experiencing homelessness: Learn more about college costs, financial aid, and available services.
● Demonstrated interest: Remember that it’s important to let the colleges on your list know that you’re really interested in attending their schools. Keep connecting with college representatives when they visit your school, your community, or via virtual sessions online.
● Create a spreadsheet of all usernames and passwords: Keep important login information here for college applications, applicant portals, and scholarships.
● Ask your school/college counselor where to find a list of local/regional scholarships
Application Action Sheet (Before Applying to colleges)
University Action Planning Sheet (After submitting applications)
Juniors:
● College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process for 11th and 12th grade.
● This year we will be administering the PSAT for eleventh graders on Thursday, October 23.
● The PSAT can help qualify you for the NMSQT- National Merit Scholarship.
● Be careful with your social media use: Any words or pictures you post are part of your permanent online record. Don't post anything that would cause a college (or anyone else) to question your maturity or integrity.
● Consider visiting a Fall College Fair in your area. NACAC Travels the country and visits cities, but there are also virtual fairs. How to Make the Most of a College Fair Experience
● Listen to this podcast series on What Colleges Want Part 1-9
● Corsava: Check out this awesome resource that helps you figure out what you want (and don’t want) from your college experience.
● Challenge yourself academically: Take advantage of the course offerings, and don’t be afraid to ask about higher-level classes if you aren’t feeling challenged.
● Read this: What are “Hooks” and “Institutional Priorities”?
Sophomores:
● College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 10th through 12th grade.
● Stay involved with your clubs and other extracurricular activities. Let go of things that don’t interest you. If you can’t find anything at school, look for volunteer opportunities outside of school A database with tons of volunteer opportunities in your area
● Be careful with your social media use: Any words or pictures you post are part of your permanent online record. Don't post anything that would cause a college (or anyone else) to question your maturity or integrity.
● As you are starting tenth grade, start thinking about what lies ahead and how you can pave the way for a smooth application process in a couple of years: What Do Colleges look for in a Student
● Something else to keep in mind as you start thinking about colleges is Demonstrated Interest
● Listen to this: Podcast #108 w/Monica James: Demonstrated Interest: How to Build Authentic Relationships with Colleges (and Why It's a Good Idea)
● Start exploring possible careers: There are so many possibilities out there. What sounds interesting to you? Start with your interests and see where your research takes you. Talk to your school counselor about shadowing and internship opportunities.
Freshman:
● Welcome to High School! Top 8 tips for ninth graders:
○ Get organized- read your syllabi and map out your calendar/planner
○ Get involved- join clubs, sports, and volunteer opportunities
○ Create good study habits-ask a teacher for tips for each subject
○ Set attainable goals- track your progress
○ Nurture relationships- aside from your peer group, be sure to build relationships with your teachers, counselors, administrators, employers, coaches, and club sponsors. These relationships will help support you throughout high school.
○ Challenge yourself within reason academically and personally
○ Create healthy habits-eat well, get enough sleep, set aside time for studying and alone time
● College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
● Be careful with your social media use: Any words or pictures you post are part of your permanent online record. Don't post anything that would cause a college (or anyone else) to question your maturity or integrity.
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Weekly Events and Updates
Weekly Events and Updates
Monday ~ October 13,No school
Tuesday ~ October 14th
Wednesday ~ October 15 , Career Education Fair Field trip
Thursday ~ October 16th, Becoming an Occuapational Therapist Presentation 6th period
Friday ~ October 17, Mapping out careers with the Juniors in classrooms
Presentations
Presentations
Financial Aid 101 Classroom Presentation 2025
Senior College Application Launch 2025
Senior Finalizing your College List
Senior Survey/Senior transcript Request
NCAA SS Presentation 4/24/2025
NCAA Website Full Presentation
Researching Scholarships SS 3/6/2025
AP Parent Presentation 1/23/2025
Underclassmen Parent Presentation 11/2024
Junior Classroom Presentation 2024
August 2024 Senior Classroom Presentation
College Application Portals
College Application Portals
Under Construction
Under Construction
Upcoming Events This Fall
Upcoming Events This Fall
8/26 ~ Launching College Applications with Seniors in classrooms
9/4 ~ Junior Classroom presentations
9/15 ~ Financial Aid Parent information Night 6 PM Little Theater
10/23 ~ PSAT for Juniors at Northgate and MDUSD Annual College Fair at Ygnacio Valley High School
10/24 ~ SAT School Day for Seniors
Ongoing College and University Visits to Northgate
Welcome to the College and Career Center
Welcome to the College and Career Center
Janine Santos runs the College and Career Center located in the Northgate Library. Mrs. Santos has been guiding students with their post-secondary plans for the past 15 years with the Mt Diablo School District. She recognizes that all students are unique and approaches all students with an individual plan tailored to them. The goal is to help students discover their values, strengths, and aspirations to enable confident decisions about college and life beyond Northgate. She strives to create a supportive environment and foster active and open-minded collaboration with students and families.
Services Provided by the College and Career Center:
College planning and College Application workshops
College PIQs and Essay help
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Career Planning
Career interests and personality surveys
Apprenticeship Programs
Military guidance
Course selections
Building a College List
NCAA and the College Athlete
CTE and Apprenticeship guidance
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