College Information Night for Juniors and Parents WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016 6:30 – 8:00 PRESENTED BY REDWOOD HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

Tonight’s Agenda Timeline for junior and senior year Overview of different college and university systems Research Tools Q & A

Planning Timeline January - February Meet in small groups with counselor to discuss senior year classes Register for SAT/ACT Sign up for internships or job shadows Research & visit colleges during February break Attend career conversations

Planning Timeline March - April Take or sign up for SAT/ACT Research potential colleges Plan another visit during April break Make summer plans (job/internship, vacation, college visits, etc.)

Planning Timeline May - August Take SAT/ACT and AP exams in May and June RELAX!!! Enjoy vacation! Continue to research schools Visit schools, narrowing down list

Planning Timeline September - October Take the last of your SAT/ACT exams Finalize list of colleges Get recommendation packets to counselors Create accounts for your applications Work on essays and supplements Meet with your counselor and/or College and Career Specialist Attend SMaRT workshops

RHS Counseling Activities Next Semester January-small group meetings with your counselor to begin course selection for senior year, college entrance testing and using Naviance for research. Late February through the spring-individual conferences for students only. SMART workshops

California Community Colleges What do they offer? Transfer pathway to 4 year colleges and universities Vocational programs which are skill based programs for job readiness Associate Degree which is a 60 unit two year college degree

Benefits of Attending a Community College Cost Smaller class sizes = Access to teachers and professors Transfer programs Housing options at some campuses www.cccco.edu

Transfer Programs Guaranteed Transfer Programs (TAG) with UC http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/guarantee/ www.assist.org Express Transfer Workshop at College of Marin Saturday, January 9 2016 10:00 to 11:30am

California State Universities Top 33% of CA high school graduates 23 Campuses Each campus has distinct student populations and programs

The CSU System Largest, the most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country Hands on learning preparing students to successfully enter the workforce CSU system awards more than half of the bachelor's degrees and a third of the master's degrees granted in California

CSU Admission Requirements The CSU admissions requirements include: High school “A-G” college prep courses (with grade of C or better) GPA: from a-g courses only Test Scores: SAT Reasoning (math and critical reading) or ACT

A-G College Preparatory Pattern for UC and CSU 2 years: U.S. History or U.S. History and Government, and Social Science 4 years: English 3 years: Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Int. Alg. Or Adv. Alg.) 2 years: Science with Lab (CSU requires one Biological Science and one Physical Science) 2 years: Language other than English (two years of same language) 1 year: Visual and Performing Arts (A single yearlong approved course) 1 year: Electives https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/details/1327/

Tests & Scores The CSU accepts the SAT or ACT. CSU only looks at Critical Reading and Math portion of SAT. If a student submits multiple score reports the highest score earned in each single sub score of the examination is used. Example: 1st time: 500 M + 600 CR= 1100 2nd time: 550 M + 550 CR= 1100 CSU total = 550 M + 600 CR= 1150 Notes: The CSU is not looking at the writing portion on the SAT and ACT. The CSU will only look at Critical Reading and Math. Taking the SAT/ACT’s twice allows you to have one score for your backing and the second one will help you have an additional score (we’ll take better of the two)

Sonoma State Naviance Scattergram

San Diego State University Naviance Scattergram

University of California

UC Admission Requirements Eligibility v. Selection Eligibility (top 9% of CA high school graduates) Completion of 15 “A-G” courses (with grade of C or better) Minimum GPA of 3.0 in “A-G” courses in the 10th and 11th grade SAT Reasoning test or ACT plus Writing 2 SAT Subject tests (recommended for certain majors) http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements /examination-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/

UC Admission Requirements Eligibility v. Selection Selection-admissions is not guaranteed to campus of choice Academic Factors: A-G courses taken - including number of courses completed beyond the minimum required Test Scores Honors - UC Approved Honors, AP, IB or College Coursework completed GPA - Weighted GPA calculated from 10th and 11th grade years only from “A-G” courses

UC Admission Requirements Eligibility v. Selection Non Academic Factors Leadership positions Special talents and awards Perseverance in overcoming challenges & hardships

UC Riverside Naviance Scattergram

UC Davis Naviance Scattergram

Out of State Public Universities Wide array of options throughout the U.S.-requires research Admissions requirements and applications used vary by institution Tuition and fees are higher than in-state public schools Many public universities in the Western states participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program – WUE (http://wiche.edu/wue)

WUE Example Boise State University How much would I save with WUE? Resident tuition: $4766 Nonresident tuition: $18816 WUE rate (Resident x 150%): $7149 WUE Savings: $11,667 New Entering Freshman must have at least a 3.20 cumulative unweighted high school GPA AND ACT composite 21 or SAT composite 1060 to receive the WUE.  Additional students will be considered based on resource availability. High School students with college credits will be considered based on their high school GPA and test scores.

University of Colorado at Boulder Naviance Scattergram

University of Washington Naviance Scattergram

Private Colleges and Universities 1400 in the United States – 75 in California Worthy of consideration: Value, financial Aid, four year graduation rate and class size. Students can enter a private university after high school or transfer from community college after completing GE requirements.

Entrance Requirements Subject Requirements vary by institution, but generally resemble the California “A-G” pattern. Testing Requirements also vary by institution, but will be one or a combination of the following: SAT Reasoning ACT SAT Subject Check with the university to find out number of exams required or recommended. Certain subjects may be required or recommended.

Applications Vary by institution, but many use the Common Application. Holistic Review Many private institutions may also require supplemental information such as: Additional essays Interview Sample work

University of San Francisco Naviance Scattergram

New York University Naviance Scattergram

College Entrance Testing All juniors should take the SAT and/or the ACT in spring semester of junior year. Time for retakes in the fall of senior year Take SAT Subject tests in May or June if they are required or recommended for colleges that you are interested in. http://www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subjects .aspx For dates and registration: www.sat.collegeboard.org www.actstudent.org

ACT vs. SAT SAT ACT What is the test content? Math: up to trig Reading/Writing: evidence based reading, data interpretation, revision of writing in a variety of subjects. Essay: optional Science: Charts and data Reading: four passages English: stresses grammar Writing: an essay (optional) Is there a penalty for wrong answers? No How is it scored? 200-800 per subject added together for a score of 400-1600 2-8 for the essay in 3 areas Reading/Analysis/Writing 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score Need more info? www.sat.collegeboard.org www.actstudent.org

Role of Student in College Planning Process This is your opportunity to take responsibility for choices about your future. Opportunity to develop important life skills: research, decision making, self-reflection, organization. Utilize resources available to you: parents; school counselor; College and Career Specialist.

Role of Parents in College Planning Process Appreciate your teen for who they are Listen and be mindful of stress reduction Have a conversation with your student about expected costs and family contribution Keep an open mind and allow your student to own the process Emphasize that the goal is for students to find options which allow them to be happy and successful both personally and academically

Organization Create a calendar Keep files (electronic and paper) for prospective colleges Encourage your student to take notes when visiting campuses Establish an appropriate email address for college communications Keep a master list of all usernames and passwords Consider setting aside time every one to two weeks to check in with your student and review progress.

Research Tools Naviance Attend College Fairs Go to Gap Year Fair 2/27 at Drake College and Career Center Online Resources-some examples include: College Navigator: www.thecollegenavigator.com/ Collegeboard: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search College Prowler: http://colleges.niche.com/search/  Peterson’s: www.petersons.com/college-search.aspx rose.redwood redwood

Exploring Colleges It is best to reserve spots on official tours early, especially around school holidays Students are allowed up to three days of warranted absences for college visits Visit local colleges to get a sense of small vs. large, private vs. public etc. Approximately 100 college representatives visit Redwood each fall.

Financing College Use Net Price Calculator on college websites FAFSA and Cal Grant (Process now begins in October of Senior Year) CSS Profile WUE Scholarship information and deadlines on college websites

Redwood Counseling Staff Students please ask questions and seek our help throughout the college planning process. We are here to support you. Redwood Counseling Staff Jeff David, Counselor Candace Gulden, Counselor Lynne Kennedy, Counselor Suzanne Ledbetter, Records Secretary Katie Paulsen, Counselor Ian Scott, Counselor Nicole Tafoya, Counseling Secretary Paula Vantrease, College & Career Specialist Tami Wall, Counselor

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