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College & Career Center

The Menlo-Atherton School Counselors work closely with the College and Career Counselors to support students in exploring and pursuing post-secondary options, including community colleges, public and private universities, the armed forces, and employment opportunities.  

College and Career Counselor A-L

Mai Lien Nguyen
mlnguyen@seq.org
Ext. 50141

College and Career Counselor M-Z

Joshua Barraza
jbarraza@seq.org
Ext. 50019

College and Career Counselor Post-Secondary Projects

Lara Sandora
lsandora@seq.org
Ext. 50253

Overview of Menlo-Atherton High School College & Career Services

Menlo-Atherton College & Career Services Infographic

 

The College and Career Center (CCC) is here to support you in exploring college and career options after high school. We are located in Pride Hall, between the B and C wings. You can also find another entrance in the Counseling Office waiting room.

Our Services

The CCC can help with finding information about colleges, financial aid, and scholarships. The College and Career Counselors are also here to help you find a college or career path after graduation that meets your needs and interests, including assistance with college and financial aid applications to 2-yr and 4-yr colleges and career programs. Be sure to explore Naviance and the other webpages of this CCC website to access information, or stop by the CCC to ask questions.

The CCC works in concert with the rest of the Counseling Department. If you have specific questions about your class schedule, dual enrollment at a Community College, or anything else that goes on your high school transcript, your School Counselor is your first point of contact. College and Career Counselors typically work with Gr. 11-12 on their post-secondary plans, college search and application process, and financial aid, but all grade levels are welcome to stop by the CCC during brunch, lunch, and Flex Time. Priority for appointments with a CC Counselor is given to seniors in the fall semester, and juniors in the second semester. Students must initiate appointments.

Information Hub
The Counseling Department and the CCC host parent and student information nights throughout the year around course selection and college topics. The CCC also provides info sessions on post-secondary pathways, such as career talks, scholarship info, college applications, and more. Announcements and details about these events are emailed directly to parents and students throughout the year.. Be sure that your students are checking their "@seq.org" email on a regular basis so they don’t miss wonderful opportunities and critical information.

Events and support for college exploration:

  • Gr. 10-12 College Information Webinars
  • Community College Mini-Fair and Info Night
  • FlexTime workshops
  • College Essays Writing Workshop
  • Summer Application Bootcamp
  • Wednesday Period 7 Workshops for college and financial aid applications
  • Community College Application Workshop
  • FAFSA/CADAA Application Workshops
  • Drop-in office hours are brunch, lunch, Flex Time, and Wednesdays during Period 7
  • More to come!

Naviance

One of your most powerful tools will be Naviance Family Connection. Make sure to ask your student to log into Naviance and explore it as a family. College-related information and announcements are often sent via email through Naviance.

What does Naviance Family Connection provide? Here is just a sample:

  • Search for colleges that match your preferences and profile (try the ”Super Match” feature)
  • View scattergram graphs that can help to inform your college decisions
  • Manage your college lists and teacher recommendations
  • Search for scholarships and summer enrichment opportunities
  • Register for presentations by college representatives who visit M-A
  • Take career-interest surveys and find information about careers, including the college majors that can be relevant to a career that interests you.

College Visits
Colleges from all over the world visit M-A to meet prospective students here. The CCC schedules these visits throughout the year, but most of them occur in the Fall semester. Juniors and Seniors can attend by simply checking the schedule on Naviance, signing up on Naviance, and getting permission from his/her teacher if the visit is during class time. These events are for Gr. 11 and 12 students only and are terrific opportunities to hear about colleges from the very admission officers who will read applications from M-A.

Fee Waivers

Students who are eligible for a fee waiver to take the SAT/ACT or for college application fees are typically students who are also eligible for free or reduced lunch, and/or participate in programs like AVID. If you need a fee waiver to take the SAT/ACT or to apply to colleges, please see your CC Counselor.

Jobs, Work Permits, and more
Need a work permit? Looking for a job? Mr. Stuart is available to help you at lunch time Tuesday-Friday in P-5. Local internships that we hear about are posted in the "Enrichment Programs" section of Naviance.