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Published on 12/22/1999 All articles from this issue

College and career centers lessen stress of application process

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By Melissa Leavitt / Town Crier Staff Writer

College application season is under way for high school seniors everywhere, adding pressure and stress to students' lives. However, the college and career centers at Mountain View and Los Altos high schools are alleviating this stress by guiding students through the application process.

Coordinators of the centers said they work closely with each high school's counseling department, providing information and assistance to help students understand the college admissions requirements.

"We all work very much as a team," said Barbara Bogomilsky, Mountain View High School's College and Career Center coordinator. "That's what makes our department successful."

The centers begin providing college information to students as early as sophomore year, with a college awareness evening.

Students begin to use this information their junior year, when they begin to take entrance exams and decide which schools interest them.

"Junior year is really when students become most aware of colleges," said Kristin Joseph, Los Altos High School's College and Career Center coordinator.

Bogomilsky hosts two workshops for juniors. "In the fall, I ask 'How does a college choose you?' and in the spring, I ask 'How do you choose a college?'" she said.

"Most of the juniors have some idea of which college they're looking for," Joseph said. "But we try to expand their horizons and open their eyes to alternatives."

Choosing a college "can be a calm process," Bogomilsky said. "But you have to be open to different options."

Bogomilsky and Joseph spend time with each student, trying to find colleges that meets that student's needs. "We take a lot of things into consideration, such as the classes they have taken, test scores, personal interests," Bogomilsky said. "We just get to know the student."

Bogomilsky and Joseph keep their centers stocked with college brochures and videos, handbooks, testing registration materials and career guides. "We've got all of the resources and all of the catalogs," Bogomilsky said.

Students can check out these materials from the centers and bring them home for their parents to view. Parents are also welcome to visit the centers and meet with the coordinators.

Each center also has computers available to students. They can either use the Internet or college search programs to research information.

"We try to get them at least interested in pursuing something," Joseph said. "We want them to stay focused."