College Night Presentation

1. College Night Presentation

2. University Of California/California State University Requirements • English CP or Higher 4 Years • Math Algebra 1CP Higher 3 Years (4 Years Recommended) • History/Social Science 2 Years • Laboratory Science 2 Years (3 Years Recommended, UC requires at least 2 of these 3 disciplines – Biology, Chemistry, Physics) • Foreign Language 2 Years (3 years same language recommended) • Visual/Performing Arts 1 Year • SAT Reasoning Exam or ACT with Writing

3. College Options Choices: • University of California • California State University • Independent Schools • Schools Outside California • Community Colleges

4. The University of California • Look now at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions • You may apply to all nine campuses with one application. • UC eligible students who apply to four or more campuses are admitted at an 86% rate. Apply broadly! • The UC does not have any early action programs. • Application opens August 1, but you can’t submit until November 1-30. • They have personal insight questions, but no letters of recommendations. (Berkeley may ask for a letter) • You must submit either the SAT with Essay or the ACT with Writing. TheSAT Subject Tests are optional, but may be recommended for some majors at some campuses. • Scholarship applications are imbedded in the application for admission. • You will not submit transcripts to the UC until requested.

6. The California State University • Twenty-three campuses • You may apply October 1st until November 30 at www.csumentor.edu • Only Cal Poly SLO has an early action program • No essays, no recommendations, no activities list (Cal Poly SLO has a brief activities page) • You must submit the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. Writing scores are not considered. • Apply to each school separately, but you won’t need to fill in new data each time except for the first page. • Subject requirements for the UC and CSU are the same except for science: UC requires chemistry, while some of the CSU will accept Geosciences • CSU schools that are not impacted: Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Maritime, and Stanislaus

8. Private and IndependentSchools • Costs for private and independent schools are greater than the public schools, but the gap has been closing recently. • Scholarships and financial aid may be more available for many private schools. • You may apply to private schools through their own websites or via the Common Application. • For most private schools, you will need a letter of recommendation from your counselor and one – two teachers. • You will need to complete a transcript request for each private school to which you apply. • Most private schools require one or more personal statements. • Deadlines for private schools vary. Please be sure to check websites for information. • Notification of admission can also vary among private schools, as well as • the method of delivery. • Testing requirements may vary, as well. Check the school websites.

9. The Common Application • Many private and independent colleges accept the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) • If you use the Common App, be sure to check for supplements that may be required for individual schools.

11. Public Schools Outside California • How difficult are they to get into? • What are their subject and testing requirements? • What about out-of-state costs? (WUE) • What do their applications look like? • When are their deadlines? • When will I know about admission?

12. Community Colleges • Strong system in California that can lead to university transfer, 110 Schools • Orientation, application, and registration will take place in the spring • Become familiar with the IGETC and www.assist.org • Community colleges are a terrific place to begin your education for any number of reasons • The Transfer Admissions Guarantee is offered by most UC and CSU campuses

14. Applying to CollegesMaking Tentative Decisions • How many schools should I apply to? • Will I be comfortable there for four years? • How will I pay for this adventure? • What if I have no idea about a major? • But my friend’s sister, whose brother-in-law works at UC Santa Somewhere says… • Editorial comment: Don’t simply go to college to earn a degree; go and learn to problem solve, to look at life from another perspective, and to gain skills that will lend themselves to your success in any field you choose.

15. The Application • Transcript: unofficial and official • Essay • Testing Requirements: SAT and ACT • Letters of Recommendation • Early Decision / Early Action • Interviews • Deadlines are critical • UC/CSU November 30 • Don’t wait until then, submit it early.

16. Some First Steps • Use a professional email account for all of your college applications, and check it regularly. • Pick up an unofficial transcript from the office. • Prepare your teachers for your recommendation requests. • Use the same exact name on all college related correspondence

17. Essay or Personal Insight Questions • You should be the STAR of the essay. • Convey and prove it with examples. • Assign meaning and growth to the experience. What did you learn and how did it shape you? • What ACTION did you take? • Show that you took INITIATIVE. • Show persistence, passion, and/or resilience.

18. UC Personal Statement • Complete 4 of 8 personal insight questions with 350 words for each response • Not an essay – no classic structure • Your interview with the UC in your voice • If you had a five minute conversation with the UC, what would you want them to know? • Write it separately, then copy & paste it in

19. UC Personal Insight Questions • Provides clarity, richness, and meaning to the application • The UC is seeking to learn the context for the student’s home, school, and community • How well have you done in the context of your environment?

20. Personal Insight Questions • Avoid: • using a title or repeating the prompt • acronyms • quotes/dialogue • creative writing • story telling or scene setting • repetition • asking a rhetorical question • inappropriate humor

21. Testing RequirementsWhat do I need? • SAT test with essagy and/or ACT test with writing • SAT Subject tests are not required, but will help • All test scores must be reported by the testing agencies (www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org) • You may send SAT history to all UC campuses simply by indicating one campus code • You may send SAT history to all CSU campuses by indicating CSUMentor as the recipient. Use code #3594. • December is the last test date that most schools will accept (SDSU, CSUSLO, and SJSU - Nov SAT)

22. The New SAT • Better reflect classroom learning. • More relevant with less obscure vocabulary • Focus on the math that matters most - Algebra • Eliminate the guessing penalty • Free test practice from Khan Academy - • Back to 1600 points – essay optional, but I recommend that you do the essay

23. Testing RequirementsContinued • CSU: Early Assessment Program (EAP) • Measures readiness for college level English and math (It is not an admission test. It just determines if the student needs remedial English or math.) • English Placement Test (EPT) • SAT: 500, ACT: 22, CAASPP: Standard Exceeded • Entry Level Math (ELM) • SAT: 550 ACT: 23, CAASPP: Standard Exceeded

24. Letters of Recommendation • Ask your letter writers well in advance – give at least two weeks. • Fill out and return the student Letter of Recommendation questionnaire and Parent Questionnaire posted on our website. • Be appreciative. Write a thank you note.

25. Early Admissions ProgramsEarly Decision / Early Action • Earlier application and earlier notification • Early Decision (Binding) – a promise to attend. If you renege, other schools honor the early decision, so it is unlikely that another school will accept you. • Early Action (Non Binding) – benefit of early notification without the obligations of early decision.

26. What To Do Now? • Begin your applications. Use an unofficial transcript to complete your coursework. Read the application, including the instructions and video • Work on your essays for the UC and private schools. Share your essays with good readers for feedback. • Re-take the SAT/ACT up until December. • Request letters of recommendations, if needed.

27. Naviance • Be sure to list all of your schools that you are applying to, whether or not they are on the Common Application. • Be sure to complete the FERPA waiver so that your recommenders can submit your information online.

28. Dates and Deadlines • Oct. 1 – Nov. 30: CSU Filing Period • Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: UC Filing Period • Nov. – Jan. – Regular deadlines for many private and out of state public schools • Mid Year Reports: after semester 1 • October 1 – March 2: File the FAFSA • March – April: Acceptance Notifications • May 1: Statements of Intent to Register

29. The Waiting Game • When will I know? Most admissions decisions are made in the spring, usually by April. However some schools will let you know more quickly. • What should I do in the meantime? Continue to explore and form a preliminary priority list, so your final decisions won’t be rushed.

30. Financial Aid • FAFSA – Free Application For Federal Financial Aid. • A little bit like doing taxes. • FAFSA may be submitted starting Oct. 1, 2016. • 2015 taxes can be used

31. How Does It Work? • FAFSA determines Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). • Institution Creates Financial Aid Package based on that EFC. • Three Types of Financial Aid • Grant and Scholarship = Free • Loan – Federal or Institutional = Pay Back • Work Study = Job on Campus

32. Examples of Calculations

33. Questions that need Answers • Does School meet 100% of need? • Does the School Gap Students? • Average Student Loan $30,000+

34. Final Thoughts…Good Luck!