Career Center News
Week ending March 1st
The College and Career Center provides a wide variety of services to our Independence HS students and their families. I am here to help support everything from college planning and the application process, job opportunities, volunteer services, financial aid and scholarships, Military, Gap year, and more. Please direct questions to jill.perlman@lcps.org
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Upcoming Events in March
* March 15 ~ Deadline to Register for Loudoun Youth Leadership Program
* March 16 ~ Part Time and Summer Job Fair @ Rock Ridge HS
* March 19 & 20 ~ NACAC College Fair in Montgomery County, MD
Upcoming Registration Deadlines for Pre-College Programs / Summer Camps
March 4 ~ Dental Health Science Camp @ ODU
March 13 ~ Bowdoin College Special Summer Session
March 15 ~ West Point SLE Program Registration
March 21 ~ Summer Bridge Program @ NOVA Session
March 29 ~ Stanford Pre-Collegiate Application
April 15 ~ VT Pamplin Academy Residential Program
April 15 ~ Catholic University Summer Program
April 19 ~ Pratt Pre-College
May 1 ~ E-Summer Program @ NOVA
May 27 ~ The GW Gain An Edge
June 3 ~ The GW Biomedical Sciences Summer Immersion Program
June 15 ~ Swarthmore Fly-In Program Nominations Close
COLLEGE & MILITARY CORNER
Military Night Recap
Thank you to our families who were able to attend last Monday Night's LCPS District-Wide Military Event. Here are the presentations that were given that evening, along with the Contact List of all of the representatives in attendance.
NACAC National College Fair
The NACAC National College Fair - Montgomery County (MD) is coming up on Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20. The fair will be taking place at the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse. This is a great opportunity for you to connect face-to-face with representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities.
All high school students, transfer students, high school or college counselors, and families are welcome to register for this complimentary event.
Dates and Times:
Tuesday, March 19
9:45am - 1:00pm ET
6:30pm - 8:00pm ET
Wednesday, March 20
9:45am - 11:30am ET
Location:
Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse
18031 Central Park Circle
Boyds, MD 20841
View the list of exhibiting colleges and universities.
If you have any questions, please contact collegefairs@nacacnet.org.
Wake Forest's Pre-College Online Courses for Summer
Summer is a perfect time for motivated high school students to start thinking about college.
Wake Forest University offers pre-college online courses to help students ages 13 and older explore their interests. The summer application period is now open. Through participating in our courses, students can discover if an interest could lead to a college major or even a future career.
Click here for more information and to apply for programs.
Exciting Opportunities for Aspiring Artists & Designers with Pratt PreCollege!
Are you on a path to becoming an artist, designer, or architect? With options ranging from one-day workshops, 1-credit Saturday classes during the school year, to a 4-week, 4-credit immersive in-person summer program, Pratt PreCollege aims to meet students where they are in their creative and academic journey.
Learn more about our upcoming programs:
Late Spring 2024–Deadline to Register: April 19, 2024
Portfolio Development Workshop (Online)
Learn from the expert! Join Mike Barry, Associate Director of Admissions and artist, in an engaging, 3-hour workshop covering the ins and outs of what makes a compelling portfolio, what a complete application consists of, and the importance of a portfolio for students considering a career and education in art and design. This unique portfolio workshop aims to give students the tools to look critically at their work, set challenges, and develop meaningful practice as they cultivate their unique creative voice. Engage in a culminating live Q&A session for personalized advice and receive the tools to kickstart preparation for college admission.
SUMMER 2024 PRECOLLEGE PROGRAM:
June 2024: Deadlines to Register: Credit: May 1, 2024; NonCredit: May 7, 2024
PreCollege ELL Portfolio (Online)
Do you know students looking to improve their English language skills with an interest in art, design, and architecture? These 30-hour online, noncredit classes for English Language Learners (ELL) run June 3 - July 3, 2024 from 8:00PM - 11:00PM EST. Classes are available in both Written Communication and Oral Communication - students are encouraged to enroll in both classes for a further immersive experience.
Online Summer Courses
Join us online from June 3 - July 3, 2024 in 1-credit and NonCredit classes. Credit-bearing classes are modeled after Pratt’s undergraduate curriculum and focus on specific areas of study across the Institute’s offerings such as Architecture, Graphic Design, and Painting and Drawing.
July 2024: Deadline to Register: May 1, 2024
In-Person Summer PreCollege Program
Enroll in two, 2-credit classes from a list of 19 different concentrations! This immersive, 4-week program takes place on Pratt’s beautiful Brooklyn campus. Residential students live in Pratt residential halls and participate in extracurricular activities such as museum visits and artist lectures.
Have questions about any of the programs? Meet our team on zoom to learn more about upcoming programs with Pratt PreCollege in a virtual Info Session and Q+A on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 6:00PM EST.
Questions about ELL Portfolio? We’re hosting a focused Info Session and Q+A at 6:00PM ET on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 on Zoom. Register here with Eventbrite.
Questions in the meantime? Email our team at precollege@pratt.edu .
Turbo Tutoring
Summer Programs at The George Washington University
The Biomedical Laboratory Sciences department at GW is hosting two summer programs in 2024. Here are the details:
- Biomedical Sciences Summer Immersion program - The overall goal is to expose students (with limited laboratory experience) to the skills necessary to pursue careers in biomedical sciences. It's geared toward high school and college students.
- "Gain an Edge" Summer Program - The overall goal is to provide foundational skills to prepare individuals to be successful in college and the workforce. It's geared to high school students who intend to pursue an undergraduate (Associate or Bachelor's) college-level degree.
For Students—The College Search Process: Finding Your Fit
Greetings from Maine and Bowdoin College!
In this special student session on March 13, we'll help students understand the many ways to research colleges and universities. How can they really find the information they value most?
Rice University Precollege Programs
Students Can Show that They've Successfully Navigated College-Level Work
Competitive students understand the importance of experiencing subjects they may have a passion for before college. With Rice University’s Precollege Online Program, they'll gain a notable achievement to add to their college application or resume—a Certificate of Completion.
Students will be able to say that they’ve successfully navigated college-level work, learned from a renowned Rice University professor, and finished a challenging capstone project.
West Point Summer Leaders Experience for Students in the Class of 2025
West Point's Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) is a week-long immersion into the academic, military, and social life of a West Point cadet. At SLE, attendees explore West Point from all angles, including the high-tech educational facilities, team-building athletic activities, and realistic military training. The application opened 1 February and will remain open until 15 March for students currently in their junior year. Students selected to attend SLE will choose to attend one of two sessions.
Session 1: June 1 - 7, 2024
Session 2: June 8 - 14, 2024
Learn more here: https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program
or use this link to apply now: https://apply.westpoint.edu/portal/candidate
Pamplin's Inspiring Possibilities (PIP) Academy
PIP is a ten-day residential program designed to introduce high school students from diverse backgrounds to the dynamic world of business and business careers. Selected students will explore seven areas, including Accounting and Information Systems, Business Information Technology, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Management, Marketing, and Real Estate.
Students will have an opportunity to interact with diverse business professionals and participate in the preparation and presentation of a team project. Participants will be immersed in the Virginia Tech campus experience. Students will attend classes facilitated by Pamplin College of Business faculty, alumni, business leaders, and interact with current Pamplin students, tour campus facilities, and hear presentations from campus units (e.g., admissions, undergraduate programs, study abroad).
Catholic University - Experiences in Architecture Summer High School Program
The Experiences in Architecture (EiA) program at the Catholic University of America is a pre-college workshop for students interested in architecture or other design-related fields. Students are exposed to both the academic and professional sides of the architectural arena, as the city of Washington, D.C., becomes their classroom.
The Experiences in Architecture program will better prepare students for architecture school, giving students a head start, as well as acquainting them with campus life at the university level. Students who have participated in EiA’s summer workshop, or a similar pre-college program, are better prepared for success at the university level.
Details
- EiA 2024: July 7, 2024 - July 20, 2024 (Rising 10th, 11th, 12th and incoming freshmen eligible) residential or commuting*
E-Summer Program @ NOVA
We are excited to announce the return of NOVA’s E-Summer program! This program is sponsored by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) and Dominion Energy and is designed to introduce students to STEM and the energy industry and is targeted to Hispanic and underrepresented minority students. The important program details are included below, and I’ve also included the flyer below for distribution. The application will open on Friday, March 1 and the deadline to register is Wednesday, May 1 at 5 PM EST.
Program Flyer: https://www.nvcc.edu/dist/files/sites/admissions/dual-enrollment/E-Summer-Program-at-NOVA-Flyer-2024.pdf
Who: Rising high school juniors and seniors that meet qualifying GPA or test score requirements may apply.
What: Enrolled students will take two college courses at no cost: CSC 221: Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming (3cr) and SDV 100: College Success Skills (1cr), earning four college credits over the six-week program. Students must take both courses. Additionally, students will hear from industry speakers to learn more about the energy industry and career opportunities, participate in a field trip to a Dominion Energy Facility, and learn more about NOVA support resources and the benefits of higher education. The cost of tuition and course materials are covered for the students enrolled in the program.
Where: The program will be held at NOVA’s Alexandria, Manassas and Woodbridge Campus.
When: 6-week class sessions from July 1 – August 12, 2024. Classes will be in a hybrid format – on-campus on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 AM -1:00 PM, and virtual synchronous (via zoom) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM -11 AM. Lunch will be provided on Mondays and Wednesdays. Attendance at all in-person and virtual class sessions is required.
How to Apply: Please see the steps on the website for more details. Students will first apply to NOVA if they haven’t already, and then select the courses/campus in our online request portal: https://nvcc.dualenroll.com/login. Students will identify their preferred campus on the course request in the online portal. Students are selected by a lottery system and all completed application submitted by the deadline, Wednesday, May 1, are considered. The application is open from March 1 – May 1. Students will be notified by Monday, May 13 if accepted.
For more information about the E-Summer Program at NOVA, please visit the website or contact Katie Aimone at dualenrollment@nvcc.edu. The application is open in https://nvcc.dualenroll.com/login from March 1 - May 1.
Summer Bridge Programs @ NOVA are FREE!
NOVA's summer Bridge Programs are focused on Engineering Technology (ET), Data Center Operations (DCO), Information Technology (IT), and Computer Science (CS). These programs provide students an opportunity to explore either ET/DCO or IT/CS through hands-on activities and industry site visits. Students will be introduced to NOVA's campuses, offices (e.g. student services, financial aid, etc.), and career pathways. Transportation will be provided between the two participating NOVA Campuses and any site tours or field trips conducted as part of the program. Students will need to drive to or be dropped off and picked up each day at the session campus closest to them. Bridge programs are free, but space is limited. Students may apply for one bridge program session.
Information Session Registration
Thurs, Feb 22, 2024 | 4:30pm and Thurs, March 21, 2024 | 4:30pm
For more information: Contact Kathleen McNamee at kmcnamee@nvcc.edu or go to www.nvcc.edu/systemic and click on Bridge Programs
NOVA CORE
This program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and is designed to recruit, retain, and support eligible students who are interested in studying Engineering at NOVA. The program welcomed its first cohort of NOVA CORE students in Fall 2023 and will bring in new cohorts every year for five years.
To be eligible for this program, students must demonstrate financial need through FAFSA (Pell grant eligibility), be Calculus ready by the time they start the program (free summer PreCalculus classes are available at NOVA through Jumpstart) and meet citizenship/legal entry requirements set forth by NSF. If accepted, students will receive up to $6000/year for two years at NOVA, along with tutoring, mentoring, experiential learning opportunities and increased faculty advising support as they pursue their Engineering degrees.
As this is a multi-year grant, the NOVA Core team would welcome the opportunity to meet (in-person or virtually) with students in any grade to talk about Engineering as a major/profession, introduce them to Engineering at NOVA and guaranteed admissions with our 4-year transfer partners, and let them know about this scholarship opportunity.
The NOVA CORE website has more information about the program: https://www.nvcc.edu/financialaid/nova-core.html, as does the attached flyer.
This program provides both full financial and academic support to students who are interested in and prepared to pursue an Engineering degree.
Summer Programs @ NoVA
In addition to the Bridge Programs, NVCC also offers STEM Camps and Paid Summer STEM Internships.
Georgetown University HOYA Summer HS Session
Georgetown’s Hoya Summer High School Sessions offer an immersive learning experience that prepares you with the tools needed for college success. Ranging in length from one to eight weeks, our programs span a wide range of subjects, covering everything from forensic science and politics to creative writing. You’ll have the opportunity to meet classmates from around the world and earn college credit.
WorldStrides ~ Educational Travel & Experiences
Are you passionate about Veterinary Science? The Veterinary Academy in partnership with Loop Abroad, a WorldStrides Program. These extraordinary programs affords students the unique opportunity to explore their varied interests in veterinary science.
Spend your summer break in Costa Rica, Belize, Thailand, or one of two different locations here in the United States, learning from teaching veterinarians and working alongside leading conservationists and animal experts at Veterinary Academy.
Summer Science Camps with the Virginia Tech College of Science
Do you know any middle or high school students who love science? Want them to have a fun summer where they can experience science in new ways and get a sneak peek at college life? Virginia Tech is offering several science camps this summer: SCIENCE CAMPS 2024!
HAVE FUN, LEARN SCIENCE, AND GET A SNEAK PEEK AT COLLEGE LIFE!
- EXPLORE SCIENCE
June 24 - 27 for rising 9th- 10th graders
June 30 - July 3 for rising 7th- 8th graders
Microbiology, neuroscience, physics, nanoscience, psychology, coding, game-o-nomics, and way more!
- EXPLORE DATA SCIENCE
July 8 - 12 for rising 11th- 12th graders
Statapult-catapults, coding, data ethics, molecular modeling, disease surveillance, game theory, career exploration, and more!
- EXPLORE PHYSICAL SCIENCES
July 15 - 19 for rising 11th- 12th graders
Solar energy, nanoscience, GPS and modeling, physics and astronomy, biochemistry, geophysical methods to study the critical zone, career exploration, and more!
EXPLORE LIFE SCIENCES - July 22 - 26 for rising 11th- 12th graders
Neuroscience, nanomedicine, ecology, chemical biology, emerging diseases, bioinformatics, ancient life forms, career exploration, and more!
Registration Is Now Open (Click Here)!
Space is limited, so register soon.
Discover Swarthmore Fly-In Program
Discover Swarthmore, held each fall, is our all-expenses-paid overnight fly-in program for high-achieving high school seniors. The Admissions Office pays for all transportation, meals, and on-campus housing expenses for students selected to attend one of these programs. Participants experience Swarthmore firsthand as they attend classes, stay with current students in our residence halls, eat in the dining hall, and go to campus events. Prospective students hear from faculty, staff, alumni, and current students through a series of panel discussions and informal conversations.
We will host two programs to give students maximum flexibility in visiting our campus during the busy fall semester. Last fall, our on-campus programs took place during the last weekends of September and October.
All interested rising high school seniors (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented/DACA students attending school in the United States) are welcome to apply to Discover Swarthmore, though preference will be given to students who are the first in their families to attend college, students from low-income backgrounds, and students who might not otherwise be able to afford a trip to campus.
Nominations
Nominations for the fall 2024 programs are now being accepted. Students do not have to be nominated in order to apply. Nominations for the fall 2024 programs close Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes Application is Now Open!
We are currently accepting applications for the 2024 Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes!
This two-week online enrichment program is designed for academically motivated and intellectually curious students currently in grades 8-11. Each online course provides an in-depth exploration of a single subject, allowing students to enrich their academic interests while meeting other students who share their passions and abilities. Students join our community from around the world, and challenge themselves with advanced content not typically found in the high school curriculum.
The application deadline is March 29, 2024 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.
Summer at UChicago
The University of Chicago's Summer Session brings together a global community of thinkers who are excited by interesting questions and seek to engage new ideas. Discover diverse program opportunities designed to challenge and engage curious high school students this summer across a variety of subject areas and disciplines. Within a supportive community, pre-college students are are given the chance to take intellectual risks, dive more deeply into subject matter, and discuss questions that go beyond the realm of their high school curriculum, while experiencing a dynamic campus situated in scenic Hyde Park in the city of Chicago during the best season of the year - summer!
All summer session programs are designed for high-school students ready to tackle undergraduate-level material. Apply and learn more at: summer.uchicago.edu
UMass Amherst Summer 2024 Pre-College Programs
We are now accepting applications for 2024 Summer Pre-College programs at UMass Amherst.
Apply by March 15th and waive the $35 application fee. Use code: EarlyBird24
Rising 10th - 12th graders in high school are eligible to apply. Applications are done through our website and consist of:
- A statement of interest from the applicant describing their interest in the program
- An unofficial high school transcript including grades from the current school year
- A letter of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor
- English language proficiency scores (international students only)
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, with deadlines as outlined below for each session. We recommend applying early as programs may fill up.
- Session 1 (Programs starting June 30): May 1st, 2024
- Session 2 (Programs starting July 14): May 15th, 2024
- Session 3 (Programs starting July 28): May 31st, 2024
Dental Health Sciences Camp @ Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University School of Hygiene and the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation have teamed up to launch the Dental Health Summer Institute at no cost to students.
The five-day camp will be three hours each morning the week of June 24, 2024. Students will get help with the college application process, learn about different aspects of dentistry, and receive a lab kit for hands-on lab activities.
This will be a highly-interactive experience, but there are limited spots available. Please complete the online application below by March 4, 2024.
ODDS & ENDS
Think Outside Spring Break 2024
Please see the announcement of the New Ag School’s Think Outside Program
for 8th through 12th graders.
Loudoun Valley Youth Leadership Program
LYLP is a week-long experience designed to introduce youth to leadership concepts and communication skills while giving them exposure and interaction with local business, government and community leaders. Open to all Loudoun County rising sophomores, juniors and seniors, candidates participate in leadership workshops, have interactive sessions with county leaders and gain exposure to technology, business and agricultural economic drivers in Loudoun.
Registration is open till March 15, and no student will be turned away. Financial aid will be available to qualifying students.
Music & Art Contests
Get excited for the Red, White and Blue!
Show Your Talent. Display Your Patriotism. Express Your Creativity
Music: A National Anthem singing contest for youth in grades K-12. $500 National Prize
1) Record a video of your solo vocal performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" in the arrangement and genre of your choice.
2) Upload the video to YouTube and submit a signed entry form to a VFW Auxiliary by March 15 for judging.
3) Entry will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value.
Visit vfwauxiliary.org for contest eligibility, rules, national awards and an entry form.
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 1177 Announce Kick-Off of Annual Scholarships & Contests for High School Students.
Two creative, patriotic art contests are open to students in grades 9-12. Both contests' entries must be received by March 15, 2024. Please see the flyer for more information. Click here to see how to apply!
Career Conversations
As we schedule our programming in the Career Center for this school year, I plan to highlight one or two careers per month with speakers from our parent community.
I'm looking for 10 - 12 Independence High School parents who would be interested in spending 45 minutes - 1 hour discussing your careers, the pros and cons of your roles, and what types of skills / education are necessary. Please send me an email if you're interested, and can work out specific dates, times, and presentation information.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Cub Run Recreation Center
Child Care Attendant
Ages 18 yrs and up
Evenings M-Th 4-8 pm- not to exceed 20 hrs per wk (Occasional Sat am shift)
Pay is $14 / hr.
Responsibilities would include keeping children safe and happy while parents are using the facility. No changing of diapers or feeding of children.
Great for students possibly exploring Early childhood or Teaching fields.
Open until filled.
To apply : Contact Deidre.Schrader@fairfaxcounty.gov
We also have lifeguards, and manager on duty positions available as well.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Loudoun County Volunteer Opportunities
Ashby Village - https://www.ashbyvillage.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=748044&module_id=98521
Ashburn Senior Center - https://loudoun.cervistech.com/acts/webreg/eventwebreglist.php?org_id=0403&console_mode=console
Best Buddies - https://www.bestbuddies.org/vadc/volunteer/
Claude Moore Park - https://www.loudoun.gov/1297/Volunteering
Habitat for Humanity - https://www.loudounhabitat.org/
JK Community Farm - https://jkcommunityfarm.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Loudoun Feeds - https://loudounfeeds.org/get-involved/
Mobile Hope - https://mobile-hope.org/volunteer
Salvation Army - https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/volunteer
Special Olympics https://sovaloudoun.org/volunteer/
Udvar Hazy - https://airandspace.si.edu/get-involved/volunteer
Women Giving Back - https://womengivingback.org/volunteer/
There are HUNDREDS of opportunities here ... https://www.loudoun.gov/3149/Volunteer and https://www.loudoun.gov/1381/Volunteer
Including working at: an Animal Shelter, Fire Rescue, Keep Loudoun Beautiful, Loudoun Cares,
and MORE!
Virginia Marathon - Help Needed!
When: Sunday, 3/24
Where: Virginia Marathon, which will start and finish at the Hill School in Middleburg (130 Madison St, Middleburg, VA 20117)
Who benefits: We will be contributing a portion of proceeds to two different non-profit organizations: the Piedmont Environmental Council (https://www.pecva.org/) and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (https://www.fallenheroesfund.org/).
What you’ll be doing: Assisting with set-up, take-down, aid stations, and route maintenance for the Virginia Marathon.
To sign-up go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/VA/Middleburg/VirginiaMarathon
For more information go to www.vam.run or contact James Liechty at 703-217-2179 (voice or text) or james@olddominionracing.com.
How To Register For an Event in SchooLinks
Log into your SchooLinks account.
From your Dashboard, click on the tab at the top titled School Events. You will then see a chronological list of all events happening in our building.
Select the event you’d like to register for. Once selected, you will click on the button that says Register For This Event.
Once you register for an event, the button should change and you should see a Reminders tab appear at the top. Here, you can see all the events you are registered for. And, of course, you can still click on an event to see the info popup once again.
As a reminder, only students are able to register for these College & Military Visits.