Welcome to Prep for College Night! This is Part 2 of our Fall Junior Parent Night Kim Halket Eric Calloway
Prep for College Week 1-Juniors took the College Majors Scorecard in their English classes on Tuesday 2-This evening s presentation 3-Monday- Mini-College Fair at lunch: U of Arizona, U of New Mexico, U of Wyoming, Oregon State, Washington State, U of Idaho, Columbia College, Colorado Mesa, U of Nevada- Reno, U of Mass- Lowell, SFSU, DVC, Elon, Calvin College, Maryville, Santa Fe Univ. of Art and Design, and more!
College Considerations: Am I ready? How far away from home? Do they have what I d like to study? If I change my mind, do they have other things to study that interest me? What is the housing situation? Financial Aid packages? Can we afford it? Do I want to live in a big town, rural area or suburban school?
How many colleges should I apply to? It s a good idea to apply to at least 8-10. For some schools, there are no guarantees Shoot for your dream school, but have a list of several safe schools that you feel reasonably sure will accept you Make sure you have a backup school
California Public Colleges UC System- GPA range 3.61-4.18 -test range ACT 24-31/SAT 1638-2071 CSU System- GPA range 3.09-4.08 -test range ACT 18-29/SAT 1227-1388 Community College- open enrollment
UC Best bets Do the best you can in a-g courses Take advantage of other academic/ leadership/unique opportunities Continue to retest to get best scores and complete testing in Nov/Dec of senior year Remember SAT Subject Tests no longer required, suggested for Engineering and Chemistry majors Apply to numerous UC campuses
CSU Impacted Campuses (16) Pomona* San Diego* Fullerton* Chico San Francisco Channel Islands Los Angeles* Sacramento* -Underlined schools impacted in all programs *Campus impacted for both freshmen and transfers San Luis Obispo* Long Beach* Sonoma Fresno San Marcos Northridge San Jose* Humboldt -Nursing, Architecture and Occupational Therapy impacted on all CSU campuses
Best bets Apply to local CSU East Bay and San Francisco State- Alameda County residents given priority at both Look at CSU Eligibility-only campuses such as Monterey Bay, Stanislaus, Bakersfield, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Maritime Academy, Channel Islands
Community College LPC has TAGs with CSU Monterey Bay, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside, UC Merced, Saint Mary s College and University of the Pacific LPC has Concurrent Enrollment Programs with CSUEB and UC Berkeley
Independent Colleges 75 Independents in California alone 9 out of 10 receive financial assistance Most schools guarantee 4 year graduation Every admission file is personally reviewed Classes are smaller with actual professors Personal attention to succeed in college/life Specialty schools such as FIDM, CIA, Art Schools as well
Western Undergrad Exchange Students who are residents of WICHE states may enroll at participating two- and four-year college programs outside of their home state at a reduced tuition rate. WICHE states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. Website: Wiche.edu/wue Some GPA, major, tests score requirements
What can you do now? Review tests scores with counselor Start Personal Statement/Essay Begin resume Ask Teachers for Letters of Rec. Set up college-only e-mail address at home Research scholarships Visit colleges
Personal Statement/Essay Process Not needed for CSU, but should write one for scholarship applications UC/ Common App. questions are standard Only chance to personalize application Begin draft this summer Will work on essay in English next year (essay prompts and tips in handout)
Letters of Recommendation Need to identify two teachers who would give you a strong and honest letter Complete Brag Sheet or resume for teachers and counselor Set up appt. to review materials with them and give at least three week notice Save a copy for scholarship applications Common App needs Counselor LOR
How to Pay for College Financial Aid and Scholarships may be based on financial need, merit (GPA), or other special considerations Attend Financial Aid Night in February File FAFSA by March 2-also triggers Cal Grant Search for scholarships through colleges, online, and DHS Career Center
Work with your counselor to Help with college lists/matches Review applications and essays College Application Workshops in Sept./October and during lunchtime Common Application School Reports Write letters of recommendation Help review financial aid offers
Junior Spring/Summer Musts Select a rigorous senior class schedule-math! Take a test prep class if needed (DHS works with Revolution Prep and Catalyst) -ACT Bootcamp April 11-12 at DHS Take the SAT and/or ACT in May and June Secure volunteer and/or summer job positions Visit college fairs/colleges-wacac May 8 & 9 Begin list of college matches Begin first draft of essay Fill out letter of recommendation profiles
Senior Fall Musts Review career plan and research schools Retake SAT and ACT as needed by December Get 2-3 letters of recommendation Attend Fall Open House Events/College Fairs- Tri-Valley College Fait at DHS October 14 Attend lunchtime college recruiter visits and College Application Workshop held in October Begin scholarship search-see DHS website
Thank you for coming Best way to ask quick questions is through counselor email Make an appointment to see your counselor for specific detailed questionscall Zoe Zannis at ext. 7050 Remember, you are not in this alone- ASK FOR HELP EARLY AND OFTEN!