“For Juniors Only”

What Do I Need to Know? The importance of senior year Life after high school How do I pay for all of this? What resources are available? Now what? Questions?

The Importance of Senior Year A year of transition “Am I ready for life after high school?” “Senioritis” “I wanna have the easiest schedule possible!” Study skills “College is great, but I had to learn how to study!” Time management You think you’re busy now…

The Importance of Senior Year Final grade point average / transcript Including ACT/SAT, AP, CAHSEE test scores, AND classes taken at community college “Does it matter if I change my schedule senior year?” Timeline: Visit schools by Labor Day Complete applications by Thanksgiving Submit Financial Aid by Valentine’s Day

As you enter your senior year, people are going to ask you many questions such as: Juniors: “Johnny, what are your plans after high school?” “Billy – WAKE UP BILLY! – What are your plans for the future?” “Susie, what college are you planning to attend?”

College / University What are my options? Public or private In-state or out-state How do I choose a school? Campus visits On-line information – – – – –

College / University How do I choose a major? When do I have to decide? Can I change my mind? Majors within majors Book of majors Narrow your choices

Deciding Where to Apply Final list must include a combination of: “Reach” schools – dream schools where admission is “iffy” or have admit rates between 7-20% (this will include some CSU’s and UC’s if we are not one of their “feeder” schools) “Possible” schools – you closely meet the expectations in the school’s profile, but competition for spaces can still be tight “Probably/likely admit” – Chances for admissions are very strong “Financial safety” – a place that parents can afford if your financial aid package is not strong at other schools, or if your financial situation changes at home due to the economy, unemployment, etc.

Top Factors in Selective College Admissions » Student transcript – your GPA, grades, strength of schedule, class rank Test scores – ACT or SAT Student Essay or Personal Statement Recommendation letters Extracurricular activities and community service Demonstrated interest in the school – including campus visits, s to admissions office, phone calls, etc. They document all communications in your file! *Source: colleges/

How Do I Pay for All of This ? Financial Aid Trends – FAFSA –In , undergraduate students received an average of $13,218 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student in financial aid, including $6,932 in grant aid from all sources, and $5,056 in federal loans. –Federal grant aid almost tripled in constant dollars between and , increasing from 20% to 26% of the total billion in undergraduate aid. –Only 2% of students who first enrolled in had borrowed more than $50,000 from federal and nonfederal sources combined by Over 40% did not borrow and another 25% borrowed $10,000 or less. Apply by the deadline! Early March 2016 **Source:

What Resources are Available? Web Page Directory –The American Council on Education’s College Is Possible Web site: –The Department of Education's financial aid Web page: –The FASFA portion of the Department of Education’s Web page: –General financial aid and college planning Web page: –The California Student Aid Commission: –**FASTWEB (Scholarships):

What Resources are Available? Visit, Visit, Visit Tips to make your campus visit a success Additional materials “Ten Myths About Choosing a Career” “How is College Different from High School?” Overview publications of public and private universities and technical colleges – “My List of Colleges” CSU Major Matrix Summer Priorities Now What? Explore all of your options Discuss plans with your family Talk to your Guidance Counselor (Read the Senior bulletin) Go on-line Ask lots of questions –Resource: