Welcome to Prep for College Night! This is Part 2 of our Fall Presentation- Part 1 is available on our website. Presenters: Kim Halket Caroline Rubio *

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 8-12. 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 3.56-4.31 -test range ACT 24-33/SAT 1370-2250 CSU System- GPA range 3.13-4.04 -test range ACT 18-30/SAT 874-1352 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 Biology/Chemistry/Nursing majors Apply to numerous UC campuses

CSU Impacted Campuses (18) Pomona* San Diego* Fullerton* Chico* San Francisco* Channel Islands Los Angeles* Sacramento* Monterey Bay -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 San Bernardino* -Nursing, Architecture and Occupational Therapy impacted on all CSU campuses *

CSU 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 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, ASU, Univ of AZ, Univ. of HI, and 9 HBCUs LPC has Concurrent Enrollment Programs with CSUEB and UC Berkeley Students graduate from four-year California colleges at the same rate if they are transfer students as those who start at a four-year college directly after high school graduation. They have priority registration for junior year classes. *

Independent/Private 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 Visit colleges Start Personal Statement/Essay Begin Resume and Brag Sheet Ask Teachers for Letters of Rec. Set up college-only e-mail address at home Research scholarships *

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 teachers who would give you a strong and honest letter. On Common Application you can see how many letters per school are required/permitted. Common App opens on 8/1/2017 Complete Brag Sheet or resume for teachers and counselor Set up appt. to review materials with them and give at least a three week notice Save a copy for scholarship applications Common App requires 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 - Fall 2017 File FAFSA between October 1- June 1- also triggers Cal Grant app. Search for scholarships through colleges, online, and DHS Career Center *

Junior Spring/Summer “Musts” Select a rigorous senior class schedule-math! Complete “College Major Scorecard” Test prep class if needed-Catalyst Bootcamp Take the SAT and/or ACT in May and June Secure volunteer,summer job, classes Visit college fairs/colleges - WACAC May 6 & 7 Begin list of college matches Begin first draft of essay Assemble recommendation packet *

Senior Fall “Musts” Review career plan and research schools Retake SAT and ACT as needed by December Get 2-3 letters of recommendation if applying to Common Application schools or for scholarships Attend Fall Open House Events/College Fairs- Tri-Valley College Fair in October Attend college reps presentations and College Application Workshops held Sept.-Nov. Begin scholarship search - see DHS Career Center website *

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 *

Thank you for coming Best way to ask quick questions is through counselor email Parents may make an appointment for a parent/student meeting with your student’s counselor for specific detailed questions- call our secretary at ext. 7050. Students may sign up to see their counselor in the Counseling Office Remember, you are not in this alone - ASK FOR HELP EARLY AND OFTEN! *