Karen at Your Service

Karen, a newest ET peer advisor, is at your service from Monday Wednesday Thursday from 8:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Karen is familiar with all West Valley College Student Services, and she is also working at Student Service Center.  She is bicultural, bilingual and knows the many needs of students in Asian/American culture. Let me introduce myself:

I am a third semester student at West Valley College. I am Chinese and immigrated to the U. S. ten years ago. I enjoyed the ET program so much, that I decided to work here. I'm a 4.0 G.P.A student and used to pursue a Computer Engineering major. Now, I found my new major -- parallegal. I love math, computers, law, and English. As a peer advisor, I will be very happy to help stduents with their homework assignments.  I also believe that balancing school with life besides school work; I enjoy watching movies/shows. Since I write some movie reviews, I watch a lot movies. Therefore, if you need a quick update about movies, you know who to talk to

--Karen

Karen Mou

Jennifer at Your Service.

Come visit Jennifer, our new Peer Advisor in The Education Transition Office. She is available for both morning and afternoon hours everyday of the week except for Tuesdays, Jennifer would like to tell you a little about herself and the services she is so honored to provide for you:

Hello Everyone, my name is Jennifer and I am a new addition to the Educational Transition/Adult Re-entry family.  This is my second semester at West Valley College ( not counting the Winter Session), and I have a cumulative 3.8 G.P.A.  I am an extremely dedicated, full-time student and thrive on helping others.  As a peer advisor, I am available to help with homework, to introduce you to any of the programs here on campus, and of course to be a listening ear when life gets tough.  Being a single parent and full time student, I truly empathize with the day to day hardships that parents endure as well as the stresses of grueling class work.  As a re-entry student, I understand our need to rely on one another for help, advice, and moral support.  Without the help and support from others, including our peers, the excitement of the college experience can easily be reduced to sleepless nights, stressful days, and poor grades.  Please allow me to help you whenever and with whatever you may need.  I am happiest when I am helping others so your inquiries are most welcome.  Thank you for your dedication to your education and best wishes for a successful and fulfilling Spring semester.      

--Jennifer     

Jennifer Savage

Ask Shahin!

Shahin, a ET peer advisor, is at your service from Monday through Friday. On Mondays from 10:30am to 4:30pm, Tuesdays from 12:30am to 4:30pm, Wednesdays from 10:30am to 4:30pm, Thursdays from 12:30pm to 4:30pm and Fridays from 9:30am to 12:00pm. Shahin is familiar with all West Valley College Student Services. He knows the shortest way to get to all classrooms, and he knows how to fill out WVC applications. Most importantly, he is bicultural, bilingual and knows the many needs of students in Iranian/American culture. Who is Shahin?

I am a third semester student at West Valley College. I was born in Iran and immigrated to the U. S. seven years ago. Somehow, I found my way to the ET office. I enjoyed staying in their lounge, enjoying their coffee and other goodies, and answering questions for new students about “how to get there from here.” By taking students around the campus and answering their questions, I became a “champion” in finding any service in the shortest possible time. I also enjoy answering simple homework questions in many subjects. I feel that I have all the answers and I am honored to be working at ET as a peer advisor. Please come and let me be at your service. I am looking forward to meeting and knowing all of you. Have a super spring semester.      

Shahin, Asgari

Helen Khalouyan ,
ET Counselor

Requesting Letters of Recommendation

Please be aware that the scholarship applications will be out in November through WVC Financial Aid Office. 

Scholarships are free money, from different sources/ organizations, that will help you to have a little extra for your immediate expenses while going to school.  The scholarships amounts are varied between $200 to $3,000 dollars and you will not need to return the awards.  In most cases you have to have some units completed, preferably with a good GPA, before you apply for a scholarship.  Please plan ahead and make sure to give yourself enough time to gather necessary documents.  One of the very important documents is a letter of recommendation.

Even though grade point average, study habits, and leadership skills are important when applying for a scholarship, in competitive cases, letters of recommendation can greatly improve your chances to win an award. The following guidelines can optimize your chances of obtaining a great letter of recommendation from your instructor, counselor or administrator. Choose a writer who knows you very well, so s/he can give specific examples of your qualifications.

Suggestions:
Write a brief description of the scholarship, honor, or any other necessary information that might help the writer.

Provide the writer with a brief description about yourself, your background, your experiences and your current life situation.

Remind the writer of specific details you want emphasized in the letter.

Include your contact information in case the writer needs more information.

Provide the writer with current transcripts and any other documents.

And most importantly, give the writer plenty of time, at least 2 to 3 weeks, so s/he doesn't feel rushed. Preferably, make an appointment to meet with the faculty member and personally request a letter of recommendation and share your information. Please remember that writers must have your information (in plenty of time) to write anything substantive about you. If you wait to request a letter until the last few days before the deadline, your recommendation could be very brief and lacking in depth. Do not be shy about asking for a recommendation, because faculty members want to help you.

Due to the high volume of recommendation requests in ET, counselors will not accept any request for writing a recommendation letter ten days before the Financial Aid deadline, for turning in your applications. Following these guidelines will allow you to check back with your recommendation writer in a few days before the deadline. Good Luck!

by Helen Khalouyan

Are You Transferring in the Fall 2009?   

Application deadlines are approaching quickly to UC and CSU campuses. If you are applying to an impacted major or campus, applications must be received by the priority filing period. Also, some majors require a separate application submitted to the department, e.g. nursing (check your major at your desired campus).  

Educational Transition counselors will help you develop your effective transfer admission plan. Make an appointment with a counselor at 741-2022. 

Priority Application Filing Deadline

California State University (CSU)
Transfer Term Application Filing Period:

Fall 2009
Apply: Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, 2008
Winter Quarter 2010*
Apply: June 1 – 30, 2009
Spring Semester or Quarter 2010*
Apply: August 1 – 31, 2009

University Of California (UC)
Transfer Term Application Filing Period:

Fall 2009
Apply: Nov. 1 – 30, 2008
Winter 2010*
Apply: July 1 – 31, 2009
Spring 2010*
Apply: October 1 – 31, 2009
Apply: July 1 –31, 2009 (UC Merced only)

*Please note: Not all CSU or UC campuses or programs are open for winter and/or spring terms.

Please check the websites:
CSU:  www.csumentor.edu/admissionapp/
UC:    www.ucop.edu/pathways/

by Geneva Leighton - ET Counselor

Personal Counseling

Is life weighing you down?          

Are you overwhelmed or going through a difficult time?

Did you know that free Personal Counseling is available to all students at West Valley College?

Personal Counseling provides a safe place where students can talk about their concerns that may be getting in the way of academic or personal success. 
To make a Personal Counseling appointment, please go to or call one of the West Valley College programs listed below and ask for an appointment. One-hour appointments are made based on the availability of interns, trainees or licensed counselors within each area.

Health Services - 741-2027
Counseling Center - 741-2009

by Geneva Leighton - ET Counselor

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Meet our New Counseling Intern Michele Burns 

Hello. It is a delight to work as an intern with re-entry students at West Valley College. The ET office and counseling services at WVC were instrumental in my success as a graduate student. In 2006, I returned to college to consider a career change and learned of new options while enrolled in the Counseling 12 – Careers and Lifestyle course. Now, just two years later, I have completed the coursework for the MA in Counselor Education at SJSU. This career aligns with my greatest passions of teaching and counseling.

I have recently lectured at SJSU, WVC, and traveled to China to lecture on Career Choices and Crisis Counseling. I have also enjoyed teaching counseling and study skills programs, developing marriage and parenting workshops, and facilitating group counseling sessions. Earlier in my career, I taught at the College of San Mateo while working as a corporate trainer. My other exciting careers have been in business development, advertising, and public relations.

I believe that life long learning plays an important part in developing ourselves so that we can contribute to society in relevant ways. I am also passionate about raising children responsibly and look forward to providing the Love and Logic Parenting workshop to WVC student parents and their friends this semester. (See the flyer in this newsletter). I live in the Santa Cruz area with my husband and my two grown children who are currently in college. I also enjoy gardening, hiking, scuba diving, tennis, golf, and getting to know people.    

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Love and Logic Parent Workshop

The counselors in E.T. understand the demands of dedicated and successful parenting. Children of all ages desire consistent, supportive, and loving parents. However, our busy schedules and limited time seem to push us to points of feeling hopeless on occasion.

Love and Logic can help you learn quick and effective parenting strategies in just one session. The program is devoted “to making parenting and teaching fun and rewarding, instead of stressful and chaotic.” The workshop will introduce you to “practical tools and techniques that help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationship with their children” while learning to take care of themselves. Let’s face it, as a parent we must learn self-care so that we have the energy to keep up with the demands of parenting, working and going to school.

Help us pick the day and time of the week to provide the Love and Logic Workshop. Find the list of choices at the bottom of the Love and Logic Parenting Workshop flyer. We look forward to sharing these tools with you as we encourage your parenting efforts.

Please click above link or parenting class questionnaire page and email your feedback to the ET Office, thank you

by Michele Burns, Re-entry Counseling Intern

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Woman of Distinction Scholarship

The Woman of Distinction Scholarship is a perpetual award given through a West Valley College endowment from an anonymous donor.  The scholarship recognizes and rewards high achieving women that are transferring on to 4-year colleges and universities.  Selection for the Woman of Distinction Scholarship is based on the following criteria:

Academic merit
Applicants must be re-entry women over the age of 30
Transferring to a four-year public institution for the first time
Majoring in Arts and Letters at the four-year institution

The award is renewable for a 2nd year if the recipient completes 24 units with a 3.0 GPA.

To apply for this distinguished scholarship, please submit a West Valley College Financial Aid Scholarship application before the due date which will likely be in late February.  You will need to write your personal biography and you’ll need to have letters of recommendation.  Financial Aid Scholarship Applications will be available in various locations later this fall. The winner of the Woman of Distinction Scholarship will be announced in spring 2009 and the scholarship will be presented at the ET End of the Year Celebration.  For questions, call Susan at (408) 741-2606.

West Valley College Scholarships

Students may apply for a variety of West Valley Scholarships that will be awarded to students in Spring 2009.  You do not have to be eligible for Financial Aid to apply for WVC scholarships because some of them are based on academic merit or other criteria as outlined by the donor (e.g. ethnicity, major, activities…..)  To apply for West Valley College Scholarships, you must pick up the Financial Aid Scholarship application that will be available later this fall semester (date TBA).  Financial Aid Scholarship applications will be available at several campus locations including the ET Office.  The Financial Aid Office will announce the due date for applications which will likely be in later February 2009.  In the Financial Aid Scholarship Application you will need to write a biography and you must obtain two letters of recommendations, preferably from West Valley educators.  Instructors, counselors, and administrators will appreciate receiving your request for a letter before the end of fall semester.  This will give them adequate time to write you a great letter!

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Announcements
Valuable Web Links For You
Scholarship Search Page http://www.fastweb.com/

Online Teacher Evaluations
http://www.ratemyprofessor.com

Domestic Violence Project
http://www.growing.com/nonviolent/

WVC Faculty & Staff Listing
http://westvalley.edu/faculty/

WVC Career Fair
will there be one?

JOB PLACEMENT
http://westvalley.edu/careers/jobplacement.html

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