The High School Visual Arts Competition (VAC) celebrates student artwork in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and Digital Art. Submissions are open to high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, or any of the schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. The competition features cash awards, merit certificates, an in-person art exhibit in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, and an online public exhibit of entries on the Lamorinda Arts Council website.

The High School Visual Arts Competition (VAC) celebrates student artwork in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and Digital Art. Submissions are open to high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, or any of the schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. The competition features cash awards, merit certificates, an in-person art exhibit in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, and an online public exhibit of entries on the Lamorinda Arts Council website.

The High School Visual Arts Competition (VAC) celebrates student artwork in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and Digital Art. Submissions are open to high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, or any of the schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. The competition features cash awards, merit certificates, an in-person art exhibit in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, and an online public exhibit of entries on the Lamorinda Arts Council website.

The High School Visual Arts Competition (VAC) celebrates student artwork in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and Digital Art. Submissions are open to high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, or any of the schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. The competition features cash awards, merit certificates, an in-person art exhibit in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, and an online public exhibit of entries on the Lamorinda Arts Council website.

Dear Class of 2026, Parents/Guardians,

 

We are pleased to invite you to the East Bay Case Studies/College Fair at Saint Mary’s College High School (1294 Albina Ave, Albany, CA 94706) on:

This is one of the more unique college counseling events we offer, and we believe one of the most valuable. Students and parents from Athenian, Bentley, College Prep, Head-Royce, Maybeck, and Saint Mary’s will be in attendance. Each year, families report that this program was one of the most informative events they encountered during the admission process, so we hope all junior families will make it a priority to attend. 

Note: We held a Class Meeting with students before the fair to help them prepare on Wednesday, April 23.

The Case Studies evening is designed to help you understand the application process from the college admission officer’s perspective, and it has two separate elements. First, you will meet in small groups that simulate an admissions committee, working with current admission professionals to review mock admission files (attached), learning what factors truly matter to colleges as they review candidates. Next, after reviewing applications, students will have the opportunity to meet with college admission representatives from around the country at the college fair. 

Saint Mary’s is located in a residential neighborhood, and there are several restrictions concerning parking. Limited parking will be available on both sides of the campus, (Albina, and Posen) but will reach capacity quickly. Parking attendants will be assisting guests with finding available space, but please plan to arrive extra early to ensure your prompt arrival to your assigned room. We strongly encourage you to carpool to the Case Studies event. Check-in will begin at 6:15 pm in front of the cross at the center of the campus. Please plan to arrive by 6:15 pm to ensure a timely arrival to your assigned classroom. Saint Mary’s will have attendants working that evening to direct you to parking. In addition, a nearby parking lot and surrounding neighborhoods will likely be used, and you may have a short walk from your car to the event. 

Participating students and parents must register in advance using this link. (We ask that no more than one parent/guardian per student plan to attend.) Upon registering, you will receive a barcode that you’ll use to check in to the event and connect with colleges during the college fair. In addition, here are links to the Case Studies Information Packet provided in English and Spanish. In the packet, you will find the cases (applications) of three fictitious high school students, complete with transcripts, test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation, along with profiles of the high schools they attend. To help you prepare to read the cases, the packet also includes a list of Reading Tips, a profile for the university to which the students are applying (Douglass University), and a Candidate Rating Form for your notes.

 

To get the most out of this event, students and parents should be ready to discuss each candidate’s application. We recommend that you print out a copy of the cases or bring a digital copy with you on your own device. Please read each application carefully, consult the list of reading tips, and record your comments on the Candidate Rating Form. 

After completing this homework, both parents and students will be prepared to serve on the ‘admissions committee’ for Case Studies. You will be assigned to a small group led by 2-3 college admission officers who will moderate your committee’s discussion. (Students and parents will be separated, and room assignments will be waiting for you at check-in tables the night of the event.) Through discussion and the admission officers’ guidance, you will decide which applicants should be offered or denied admission or placed on the waitlist. By participating in this exercise, we hope you will learn what information is most valuable to colleges in determining which of the students is to be ‘admitted’ to your college and thereby gain insight into how a student’s application will be reviewed next year. It is critical to the success of the program that both students and parents take the time to read the cases in advance and come to Case Studies prepared for discussion.

At the conclusion of the Case Studies portion of the evening, there will be a large, hour-long college fair offering the opportunity to meet and talk with about a hundred different college representatives. Please note: Students will have sole access to the fair for the first 40 minutes; parents will be invited to join at 8:55 pm. Parents are invited to attend a presentation, "A Smarter Way to Think About College." This event will be held in the Shea Center across from the gymnasium where the college fair is held. Refreshments for parents will be available while students are at the college fair. 

If you have any questions about the Case Studies Program, please contact your college counselor. We look forward to seeing you on April 29!