To help ease the stress of the daunting college process, College and Career Center is hosting Wednesday Workshops starting Sept. 3 to give students advice with their educational journeys.
“Wednesday Workshops are a program that the College Office provides where a University of California (UC) Davis application reader [and private college counselor], Ms. Stern comes over and provides workshops on different presentations regarding the college process,” Peer College Counselor (PCC) senior Taye Sangkhae said.
Wednesday Workshops are held during the first four periods of the day every Wednesday from September through November, in which the College and Career Center will invite Ms. Stern to help students.
“Ms. Stern gives the overview of every single application, whether it’s the UC application, the Common application or anything else,” PCC senior Raha Vakili said. “Sometimes she gives lessons on separate more specific schools within the California State Universities and the UCs.”
During Wednesday Workshops, students can learn a multitude of things. They can get general information about both their applications and their essays, but they can even go into the College Office and get more personalized advice. During the Common Planning Period on Wednesdays, students can also visit the office for Application Bootcamp and receive help from the PCCs and College Counselors themselves.
“Wednesday Workshops are so important because you’re able to get advice and information from an actual UC admissions officer,” Sangkhae said. “She actually reads essays, so she knows what colleges are looking for, and if you’re not too knowledgeable about the college process or you would like some help, she could give you personal assistance on that.”
Ms. Stern is an extremely beneficial opinion for students looking for help on their essays or applications. As an admissions officer herself, she knows first hand the ins and outs of what colleges, especially CA schools, are looking for.
“Anyone could come if you simply need help on your college essays or you’re just looking to learn more about the process, even if you’re a ninth or tenth grader, you’re always welcome,” Sangkhae said. “Anyone is always welcome to come to the Wednesday workshops and it’s a great opportunity to learn more and have a pathway for higher education.”
Usually, Wednesday Workshops are geared toward actively applying seniors for the first semester, and preparing juniors for the second. However, students from any grade are encouraged to join if they are curious about the process. It is a great and very accessible opportunity to begin learning about the college process.
“As a senior myself, [who is] going through those applications right now, I’m so lost, even though I work in the college office,” Vakili said. “Having that extra source of knowledge really helps me.”
