4-year University/College The Counseling Department Welcomes Centennial’s Class of 2018

California’s Four Systems of Higher Education University of California (UC) California State University (CSU) Private Colleges & Universities California Community College

4-Year College/University MINIMUM Application Requirements Graduate High School Meet specific GPA requirements Meet A-G requirements Take the SAT and/or ACT Try your best to meet specific SAT/ACT scores Meet all testing and all application deadlines When asked, submit an OFFICIAL transcript

Official vs. Unofficial Transcripts Unofficial transcripts can be printed or copied by: Students Parents Counselor Official transcripts can be printed by: School registrar…nobody else!!! Signed, embossed, and sealed Registrar needs at least 2 weeks Registrar requires a pre-addressed (WHERE IS IT GOING?) and pre-stamped envelope

Why the PSAT is Important To help prepare for the SAT You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT To receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional studying or practice To receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service To enter competitions for scholarships

SAT Practice Test vs. PSAT Tests on the Math, Reading, and Writing sections of the SAT Test provides feedback on the writing section of the SAT Sign up in the student store Date already passed but other test dates will be announced PSAT: Only tests on the Math and Reading sections of the SAT Test does not provide feedback on the writing section of the SAT Sign up in the student store Date: October 19th Students who take it their Junior year get entered into college and scholarship search programs

Scholarships Related to PSAT National Merit Scholarship Corporation Awards more than $50 million in college scholarships each year based on PSAT scores and academic performance http://www.nationalmerit.org/about.php National Hispanic Recognition Program Honors about 5,000 of the highest-scoring students from over 250,000 Hispanic/Latino juniors who take the PSAT https://www.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/using-results/scholarships-recognition/national-hispanic-recognition-program Students who take the PSAT in 9th or 10th grade must take it again in 11th grade to be eligible (SAT scores cannot be used)

Taking the PSAT Please note: CNUSD has paid for every sophomore to take the PSAT in the 2016-2017 school year Test date is Wednesday, October 19, 2016 during the school day Juniors took it last year which means your chances of improving your score is increased! Juniors need to sign up! Remember the benefits!!!! Purchase and sign-ups available through the student store Student Store Contact Info: Rosemary Martinez @ Extn: 20125 Barbara Buffington @ Extn: 20015 Tests are limited so don’t procrastinate!

SAT vs. ACT SAT Questions are evidence and context-based in an effort to focus on real-world situations and multi-step problem-solving Questions increase in difficulty level as you move through that question type in a section  Optional writing test Scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing 2 Sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing are each scored on a scale of 200-800 ACT Straightforward, questions may be long but are usually less difficult to decipher Questions increase in difficulty level as you move through that question type in a section  Optional writing test Scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing 4 components: English, Math, Reading, and Science scores will each range between 1-36 

SAT: Test Dates & Deadlines 2016-17 SAT Administration Dates and Deadlines SAT Date SAT Subject Tests Available (Find Dates) Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline Deadline for Changes Mail Phone/ Online Oct. 1, 2016 See SAT Subject Tests available on this date Sept. 1, 2016 Sept. 13, 2016 Sept. 20, 2016 Nov. 5, 2016 Oct. 7, 2016 Oct. 18, 2016 Oct. 25, 2016 Dec. 3, 2016 Nov. 3, 2016 Nov. 15, 2016 Nov. 22, 2016 Jan. 21, 2017 Dec. 21, 2016 Jan. 3, 2017 Jan. 10, 2017 March 11, 2017 SAT Subject Tests not offered on this date Feb. 10, 2017 Feb. 21, 2017 Feb. 28, 2017 May 6, 2017 Apr. 7, 2017 Apr. 18, 2017 Apr. 25, 2017 June 3, 2017 May 9, 2017 May 16, 2017 May 24, 2017 To sign up for the SAT test, please visit: SAT: www.collegeboard.org There are also practice tests available on-line Please see the counseling office manager (Judith Farnham) if you qualify for a fee waiver…more information on SAT fee waivers to follow

Phone Registration Fee SAT Fees Be mindful of deadlines to avoid additional fees Information on fees for subject tests can be found on the college board website! www.collegeboard.org SAT Registration Fee $43, with Essay $54.50 Includes up to four score reports (if selected during the registration period). Visit our Sending SAT Scores page to find out why StudyPoint recommends sending score reports after viewing your child’s SAT scores. Late Registration Fee additional $28 For more information about late registration, visit our SAT Late Registration page. Phone Registration Fee additional $15 This service is available only if you have previously registered. Waitlist Testing Fee additional $46 For more information about waitlist testing, visit our SAT Waitlist Testing page. Change Fee This fee applies to test date, test center, or test type changes. Score Report Fee additional $11.25 per report This fee applies to each score report beyond the four included in the registration fee and to those reports requested after the test date. Visit our Sending SAT Scorespage to find out why StudyPoint recommends sending score reports after viewing your child’s SAT scores.

ACT: Test Dates & Deadlines Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required) September 10, 2016 August 7, 2016 August 8-19, 2016 October 22, 2016 September 16, 2016 September 17-30, 2016 December 10, 2016 November 4, 2016 November 5-18, 2016 February 11, 2017 January 13, 2017 January 14-20, 2017 April 8, 2017 March 3, 2017 March 4-17, 2017 June 10, 2017 May 5, 2017 May 6-19, 2017 To sign up for the SAT test, please visit: ACT: www.actstudent.org There are also practice tests available on-line Please see the counseling office manager (Judith Farnham) if you qualify for a fee waiver…more information on ACT fee waivers to follow

ACT Fees ACT (no writing) $42.50 Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register) ACT with writing$58.50 The $16.00 writing test fee is refundable on written request if you are absent on test day or switch to ACT (no writing) before testing begins. www.actstudent.org

SAT/ACT Fee Waivers Some students may qualify for fee waivers for 4 tests A fee waiver form details all of the information and if must be completed before an SAT/ACT fee waiver will be granted You may qualify for a fee waiver because of one of the following reasons: You’re enrolled in or eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Your annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service You’re enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., Federal TRIO programs such as Upward Bound) Your family receives public assistance You live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home, or are homeless You are a ward of the state or an orphan

SAT/ACT Fee Waiver Request Form

Having Trouble Deciding Between CSU and UC? California State University University of California 23 campuses 9 campuses

General Similarities and Differences Between CSU and UC Minimum GPA: 2.0 SAT/ACT required Personal statement NOT required Letters of recommendations are NOT required Various majors offered Medium - large campuses Application based Bachelors degrees, Masters degrees, Credentials UC Minimum GPA: 3.0 SAT/ACT required Personal statement IS required Letters of recommendations are NOT required Various majors offered Typically larger campuses Theory and research based Bachelors degrees, Masters degrees, Credentials, Doctoral degrees

Snapshot Statistics Statistics on SAT/ACT are available online The information below is based off of the admitted freshman profiles from fall 2016 Statistics on SAT/ACT are available online CSU’s Local Campuses All UC Campuses School Avg. Weighted GPA % of Admits San Bernardino 3.23 65% Los Angeles 3.32 61% Northridge 3.39 53% Fullerton 3.51 44% Long Beach 3.58 36% San Diego 3.63 34% Cal Poly Pomona 3.68 52% School Avg. Weighted GPA % of Admits Merced 3.37 – 3.88 73.7% Riverside 3.52 – 4.00 66.2% Santa Cruz 3.65 – 4.09 58.4% Santa Barbara 3.92 – 4.23 35.9% Irvine 3.93 – 4.22 40.7% Davis 3.95 – 4.25 42.3% San Diego 4.00 – 4.27 Los Angeles 4.12 – 4.30 18.0% Berkley 17.5% www.collegedata.com http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/index.html

UC’s Eligibility by Other Means UC guarantees a spot at one of their campuses for any of the following criteria that is met Eligibility in the Statewide Context If you're in the top 9 percent of California high school graduates and aren't admitted to any of the UC campuses you apply to, you'll be offered a spot at another campus if space is available. They use a formula — called an admissions index —to determine if you fall in that group Eligibility in the Local Context Unlike the broader statewide eligibility pathway, which seeks to recognize top students from throughout the state, ELC draws qualified students from among the top 9 percent of each participating high school Eligibility by Examination Alone Must meet specific scores on SAT/ACT Look at university website to determine score

Private and Out of State Universities & Colleges They will have their own admission requirements and deadlines Research individual school’s websites for specific information Private/Independent California Colleges Quick Facts: 77+ members Approx. 50 in SoCal 86% receive financial aid www.aiccu.edu Out of State www.petersons.com

Alternative Path to a 4-year College/University What if you don’t get into the colleges or universities you apply to? What if you don’t want to go to straight to a 4-year college/university? Alternative path: 4-year college or university California Community College High School

California Community College Approx. 112 campuses in 72 districts Convenient locations Affordable when compared to a 4-year college or university Have partnerships with UC and CSU for smooth transferring after general education is completed 55%-60% of CSU graduates and 28%-30% of UC graduates started off at a CCC

Why Go to a CCC First? Very affordable when compared to a 4-year Hundreds of instructional programs Wide variety of student support programs Complete general education classes Discover possible majors suitable for you Option to transfer into a 4-year as a junior Easier to get admitted as a junior vs. a freshman End goal can still be met in 4-years

Things to Consider When “Shopping” for College Which of the 4 systems interest you? Listen to announcements regarding college visitors Sign-up for specific visits with Mrs. Matthews in room 303 If possible, start visiting campuses that interest you Consider admission statistics Desired Location…close to or far from home? Tuition costs and/or cost of living School culture and demographics Weather/climate Degrees offered, majors offered, academic programs, athletic programs

Speaking of Athletic Programs…NCAA Are you and athlete and plan to continue in your sport during college? Register to take the ACT, SAT or both and use the NCAA Eligibility Center code “9999” as a score recipient Complete NCAA-approved courses Earn a minimum required core-course GPA Earn a required SAT or ACT sum score Division I and II both have 16-core classes Talk to your counselor to check your status!

Financial Aid Start shopping for ways to help pay for college Grants Free money Scholarships Work study Students work on campus which adds money to their financial aid packet which helps pay for college Loans Pay back with interest www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov www.fastweb.com

Things Every Junior Needs to Consider Take all tests seriously PSAT SAT/ACT EAP…optional but has great potential rewards Minimum scores may waive having to take placement tests Work towards being academically competitive Plan ahead and always consider deadlines Take Honors/AP classes Recognize your ability, talents, and limitations Colleges like to see students challenging themselves Extra points help increase can help improve your GPA AP test scores of 3 or higher may earn you elective or subject college credit For more information on AP credit, visit www.collegeboard.org and follow the AP links to “AP Credit & Placement”

Don't Forget CCGI California College Guidance Initiative Step 1 Sign in (your account has already been created for you). Account name: cnusd###### (cnusd + your ID #) Example: cnusd123456 Password: MMDDYYYY (your birthday) Example: If your birthday is 5/7/98, you enter 05071998 Step 2 You will be asked to reset your password. Change your password to First Name Initial + Last Name Initial + Student ID number (i.e. FL123456) Step 3 You will be asked to create a security question. Select one of these two questions: In what city were you born? What is the name of your hometown?   Answer the remaining questions on the page, agree to the terms and conditions and click on “continue.” You may now begin your first activity and your Plan of Study

Your Plan of Study Step 1 Click on the tab called “High School Planning” Step 2 Click on the box called “Your Plan of Study” Step 3 Click on “Create another course plan” Step 4 Click on “Create a plan of study from scratch” Step 5 Click on “Show all defined requirements” Step 6 You will be asked whether you wish to follow CSU Minimum Eligibility Requirements or UC Eligibility Requirements. Decide which path you wish to follow and click “Choose this set” on the far right column. Once you complete step 6, you will see the Plan of Study. You may add classes to begin planning for the A-G requirements. The A-G requirements are the classes you will need to take to be college-eligible.

JUNIOR PARENT NIGHT Is the same as: COLLEGE FAIR NIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH Location: PAC Time: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

Questions?