a perfect fit

1. a perfect fit the college admission process Sharon Travers True North College Advising

2. Before We Start… Fill out an Essay Coaching Raffle Slip Take a copy of the Steps in the College Admission/Decision Process Presentation will be available on CVHS website

3. California Community College System • California State University (CSU) • University of California (UC) • Public Out-of-State • Private Colleges Next…The Basics Different College Options

4. Community College System • 112 in California, 19 in Bay Area • Diablo Valley College • Ohlone College • Berkeley City College • Laney College • Chabot/Las Positas • Use this as a path to: • Obtain an AA or AS degree • Transfer to a UC or CSU • Advantages and drawbacks • Importance of planning and advising

5. CSU and UC Systems • California State University (CSU) • More “applied” learning • Less competitive admission than most UCs* • Tuition lower • University of California (UC) • More “research” oriented • More selective admission than most CSUs* • Tuition higher * except Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State University

6. Other 4-Year College Options • Private Colleges • Small to large in size • Some have specialties (religious affiliation, single gender, race) • Not “all” exclusive or expensive • Many have generous financial aid • Out-of-State Public Colleges • Expense as out-of-state resident • Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

7. CSU • Oct. 1-Nov. 30 • No essay • UC • Nov. 1-Nov. 30 • Application has 2 essays, no teacher or counselor recommendations • No “Early Decision” (binding) • Out-of-State Publics • Applications vary in complexity • Deadlines vary • Private Colleges • Individual School Application • Requirements and deadlines vary • Common Application • Counselor evaluation, teacher recommendations, 7th semester grades, 1 essay, 1 short answer + supplemental questions (very important) • Deadlines vary: Early Decision vs. regular admission Application Process Different systems have different applications

8. 3 Things… • Academic Fit • Social & Environmental Fit • Financial Fit What goes into finding the college that’s right for you?

9. Academic fit: what it is, why it matters, and how to research • Many factors go into admissions decisions • Grades and test scores – a MUST • Essential to know if you’re competitive • Look at 25%/75% range • Make sure list includes Safety/Fit/Reach Schools • Research Tool #1 • www.nces.ed.gov • Example: Sonoma State University

12. Know your major? Great! • Don’t know your major? Don’t worry! • Explore which CA public colleges have your major • Explore different flavors of your major • Transfer path tools • Research Tool #2 • www.assist.org • Example: Bioengineering • Example: UC Berkeley Academic fit: your major

17. Complete new AA-T or AS-T and be guaranteed admission to CSU system • Opportunity to complete 2 degrees (Associates and Bachelors) with only 120 units • Selected majors connect with specific colleges • http://adegreewithaguarantee.com/ Academic Fit Community College Option: AA-T or AS-T

18. 6 Smart Ways to Research Careers and Majors • Visit the Career Center • (re-)take Career Cruising or other assessment • Reflect on what you’re passionate about • Talk to people in the field • Use connections – job shadow, work, intern this summer • Read, listen to the news: what is interesting to you and where is it happening? • Research Tool #3 • Career Cruising (or other assessment) Research Careers & Majors Follow your interests and aptitudes

19. Career Cruisingid:  castrovalleypw:  trojans

20. Social/Environmental Fit • Research Tool #4 Visit colleges and universities • Many 4-year colleges within 90 minutes of Bay Area • Even more 2-year, technical, and vocational colleges • Research Tool #5 www.youniversitytv.com

22. Financial Fit • Grants • Cal Grants • Board of Governors Fee Waiver (Comm. College) • Scholarships • “Institutional” scholarships (merit and need) – know if you need to file the CSS Profile • Private scholarships • Do not have to be repaid, but there are conditions (scholarship, units) – need to be aware of whether “renewable” or not • Loans • Student • Secured • Unsecured • Parent • Parent Plus • Work Study • Awarded after filing FAFSA • Must be repaid (or work to receive) And, work.

23. Financial Fit: Things to Know • Research Cost of Attendance (COA) • Understand Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • Learn what constitutes Financial Aid • Understand risks of student loans • Consider schools where you might receive merit or need-based aid

24. Financial Fit: Things to Do • Apply for scholarships in your senior year! • From your college (some automatic, some you must search out) • Your high school, local Ed Foundation, parent workplace, service organizations, cultural organizations • Other major scholarships (e.g. PGE) • Deadlines come up early! • Be realistic: consider your options • Research Tool #6 • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

25. Free Application for Federal Student Aid • First step in receiving financial aid, grants, work study, loans • Need Social Security #, tax returns to complete • Student and Parent(s) must file if student is “dependent” • Parents need to share financial information with students Make sure to use this site: www.fafsa.ed.gov Do NOT pay for online help with FAFSA What is FAFSA? Priority Deadline: March 2

26. Parents: Take the time to learn about types of financial aid. • Begin early. Talk to a tax advisor or financial planner. • Read Wall Street Journal online article “How Not to Blow It with Financial Aid”. Financial Aid

27. Financial Fit Research Tool #7 Net Price Calculators

28. So, What’s Next? • College Fairs • WACAC College Fairs: wacac.org/fairs • Sat. May 11 from 1-4 p.m. at St. Mary’s in Moraga • Other days/locations available • Specialty Fairs • Exploring College Options (Duke, Harvard, Penn, Georgetown, Stanford) May 12-17 – register now • Colleges That Change Lives (July 29-30) • Focus on academics • Prepare for the SAT/ACT • Correlation between GPA/scores and admissions • Extracurricular activities – depth, leadership • Experiences that add dimension to your life • Summer programs on my Facebook page

29. Student Admittances • Brigham Young University • California State University • Channel Islands • Chico • East Bay • Humboldt • San Jose • Maritime • Monterey • Polytechnic - Pomona • Polytechnic - San Luis Obispo • San Diego • San Francisco • San Jose • Sonoma • Georgia Institute of Technology • Gonzaga University • Hawaii Pacific University • Lewis & Clark • Notre Dame de Namur • New York University • Occidental College • San Francisco Art Institute • Stanford University • University of California • Berkeley • Davis • Irvine • Los Angeles • Merced • Riverside • Santa Barbara • Santa Cruz • San Diego • University of Colorado • University of Hawaii, Manoa • University of the Pacific • University of Puget Sound • University of Redlands • University of San Diego • University of San Francisco • University of Utah • Villanova University • Willamette University

30. Thank You! Please let me know if I can help s.travers@yahoo.com 510.733.5796 Facebook True North College Advising www.truenorthcollegeadvising.com