Welcome to Senior College Information Night 2014!

1. Welcome to Senior College Information Night 2014! • Presented by Kyle Kassebaum, Katie Paulsen, Sheila Souder, & Molly Yasuda, Counselors, and Lisa Neumaier, College & Career Specialist • Please feel free to ask as many questions as possible so we can support the goals of each student.

2. What You Should be Doing Right Now • Have college list narrowed down • Request letters of recommendation from counselor and teachers if required • Check deadlines and complete applications • Begin writing essays • Sign up for SAT and/or ACT • Investigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities

3. Naviance Family Connection • Naviance will help students: • Access information about colleges of interest to you • Review profiles and compare yourself to Drake grads • Review the list of college reps visiting Drake this fall • Keep up-to-date with important announcements and scholarship opportunities

4. Directions for Logging On • Go to www.connection.naviance.com/drake • See Lisa Neumaier with any password issues • Parents can access Naviance using Naviance Family Connection • Parents were given their own access to Naviance Family Connection, but can contact Lisa Neumaier if they forgot their password

5. Colleges I’m Applying To

6. Applying to CSU’s

7. California State University • Communication takes place through student portal accounts • Applications can be submitted between 10/1 and 11/30 • Complete the application for one college, then choose other CSU campuses – this will pre-populate all other applications • It is your responsibility to send in SAT/ACT scores. The College Board code for CSU is 3594 • Check account regularly (1-2 times a week) for admission status and if admitted to monitor steps for enrollment • If students miss any deadlines they will lose their admissions spot • Maintain the same level eligibility index throughout senior year or risk offer of admission getting rescinded – no D’s • CSU’s do not accept letters of recommendation

8. CSU con’t. ELM (Entry-Level Mathematics Test) and EPT (English Placement Test) Students can take these tests at their local CSU campus No summer work after high school graduation will be accepted to meet admissions criteria Any summer courses taken at COM will make you a transfer applicant, not a freshman applicant

9. Eligibility Index The Eligibility Index is a combination of test scores & GPA required to meet minimum eligibility requirements (GPA for A-G classes) x 800 + SAT = 2900 or higher (GPA for A-G classes) x 200 + (10 x ACT) = 694 or higher The CSU does not use the SAT Writing score for admission purposes; The ACT Writing score is not considered in the composite score All SAT & ACT scores are the student’s responsibility to send For more information on the CSU system: www.calstate.edu For application to CSU: www.csumentor.edu

10. Applying to UC’s

11. University of California • Application is now open and can be submitted November 1-30 • Arrange to have official SAT/ACT score reports sent to one UC campus by December 2014 • Do not send transcripts to the UC campuses when applying • It is critical to maintain strong grades through senior year • Email is primary source of communication from UC’s • UC does not accept letters of recommendation

12. Comprehensive Review Factors: • Campuses draw from 14 academic and personal factors approved by University faculty, including: • Academic GPA in all A-G courses, minimum 3.00 weighted GPA in 10th and 11th grade • Scores on the ACT with writing or SAT Reasoning • Content of and performance in courses beyond minimum A-G requirements • Number of and performance in UC-approved honors and AP courses • Identified by UC as being ranked in top 9% of class • Quality of senior-year schedule • Quality of academic performance relative to educational opportunities at high school

13. Review Factors con’t. • Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas • Outstanding work in one or more special projects in an academic field of study • Recent, marked improvement in academic performance • Special talents, skills, achievements and awards in a particular field (visual or performing arts, athletics, writing, leadership, etc.…..) • Completion of special projects within the high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school event • Academic achievement in light of difficult life experiences or special circumstances • Location of a student’s secondary school and residence

14. Applying to Private Colleges & Out of State Public

15. Private Colleges/Out of State Publics Some private colleges and many out-of-state public institutions have their own online applications Visit college websites to find their specific requirements to apply and their application deadlines Some neighboring states participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange Check out www.wue.wiche.edu for more information

16. Common Application • Invite your counselor and teachers to complete letters of recommendation • We encourage you to waive your right to see the teacher/counselor letter of recommendation • Alert counselor/teachers of any early admission deadlines • Notify colleges of any change in courses or grade issues • Your counselor will upload your transcript to the application • College of Marin transcripts are student’s responsibility to obtain

17. Letters of Recommendation • Adhere to counselor/teacher’s deadlines and alert them to any early application deadlines • Complete counselor Letter of Recommendation packet online • Email or give information to counselor/teacher in person • Parents – your input is greatly appreciated!

18. Letters of Recommendation con’t. • Requirement at most private schools • UC/CSU’s do NOT require letters of recommendation nor accept them • Schools that ask for only two teacher recommendations want you to send only two teacher letters • Please remember that a “thank you” is appreciated by those who took time to write your recommendation

19. Personal Statement/College Essay • UC prompts available at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html • Common application prompts and supplemental essay information available at www.commonapp.org • Importance of student’s voice - this may be the only time an admission officer gets to know YOU.

20. Application Workshop Dates • Wed, September 17 2:45 pm • Tues, September 23 3:25 pm • Mon, October 13 3:25 pm • Thurs, October 23 3:25 pm • Thurs, November 6 3:25 pm • Wed, November 12 2:45 pm • Students should bring their social security number and a copy of their transcript to each workshop.

21. College visits still to come . . . Academy of Art University, Agnes Scott College, American University, Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Beloit College, Bennington College, Boston University, Bryant University, California Institute of the Arts, UC San Diego, College of Charleston, University of Chicago, Clark University, University of Colorado @Boulder, Colorado College, Connecticut College, University of Connecticut, Elon University, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Emory University, The Evergreen State College, Franklin University Switzerland, Goucher College, Guilford College, Hamilton College, Hampshire College, Haverford College, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hendrix College, High Point University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Johns Hopkins University, Juniata College, Kenyon College, Linfield College, Miami University, Oxford, Middlebury College, Northeastern University, Oberlin College, University of Puget Sound, University of Redlands, Rider University, Saint Mary’s College of California, Saint Michael’s College, Scripps College, Seattle University, Seton Hall University, Skidmore College, Sonoma State University, University of Southern California, St. Lawrence University, Syracuse University, Tufts University, Tulane University, Vanderbilt University, Vassar College, University of Vermont, University of Washington, Wellesley College, Western New England University, Western Washington University, Westmont College, Whitman College, Willamette University, University of Wisconsin, Madison The list changes regularly . . . So check Naviance often

22. Sign Up for a College Visit • Sign up for college visits in Naviance, then print out your confirmation email to use as a pass

23. After Submitting Applications Pay attention to all communications from colleges and follow their instructions re: portals, etc. Only pay a deposit at one college Request final transcript to be sent only to the college you plan on attending Maintain same level of academics – finish strong! It is very important to complete your Senior Survey in May

24. Financial Aid Parent Night Please come to our Financial Aid Parent Night on: October 9, 2014 5:30 pm Student Center

25. Community College The process for applying to a community college takes place in the spring of your senior year Placement tests are required prior to registering for classes at a community college Both College of Marin and Santa Rosa Junior College will visit Drake in the spring for an Orientation. Dates TBA. The UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (T.A.G.) program is still in place. For more information, visit: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/guarantee/

26. Please continue to ask questions throughout the college application process. We are here to work together toward a common goal of success for all students. Drake’s Counseling Staff: Sandy Howard, Counseling Secretary & Registrar Kyle Kassebaum, Counselor Lisa Neumaier, College & Career Specialist Katie Paulsen, Counselor Sheila Souder, Counselor Molly Yasuda, Counselor