Welcome Class of 2018 SENIORS!!! TEXT: @rmhscou TO 81010

ordering transcripts: RMHS uses Parchment program for Transcripts Students will need to set up an account and send Official Transcripts when you apply to a college and again at the end of your Senior Year Parchment Transcript Tutorial Video below This slide is an example of SPGP I.B.8. The tutorial teaches students how to obtain their own transcripts, as well as how our school processes Transcript Requests.

Graduation requirements 225 Credits 1.51 Minimum GPA

Training & Internships After high school: Community College Job / Career Military Training & Internships Vocational Technical School University

Public university / college Bachelors degrees (B.A.) (B.S.) State universities Supported by state tax money Lower tuition for state residents Large student body (10,000-25,000 students)

A-G requirements Grade of C or better Requirements for private universities and colleges All D’s need to be made up by Senior Year Great preparation for community college AP / Honors classes Applications cost $55-$75 each Fee Waivers available for applications

23 California state universities California Polytechnic University, Pomona California State University, Northridge California State University, Sacramento California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo California State University, San Bernardino California State University, Bakersfield California State University, San Marcos California State University, Channel Islands California State University, Stanislaus California State University, Dominguez Hills Chico State University California State University, East Bay Fresno State University Humboldt State University California State University, Fullerton Maritime Academy California State University, Long Beach San Diego State University San Francisco State University California State University, Los Angeles San Jose State University California State University, Monterey Bay Sonoma State University

10 University of California campuses University of California, Berkeley University of California, Santa Barbara University of California, Davis University of California, Santa Cruz University of California, Los Angeles University of Irvine University of California, Merced University of California, Riverside University of California, San Diego University of California, San Francisco

private university / college Bachelors degrees (B.A.) (B.S.) More flexible admission criteria Unique financial aid possibilities Smaller class size Deadlines vary by school Check College websites so you don’t miss any deadlines!!!

Selecting a college & Career: Make an appt. with Ms. Emery to help you identify career interests, explore majors & colleges, etc. Go to College Fairs & College Tours – in person or virtual – Valley College Fair – October 12, 2017. Talk to admissions counselors, school counselors, parents, former grads Consider majors offered, size of school, teacher to student ratio, cost, location, accommodations, etc.

Community college Associate degrees Associate of Arts (A.A.) Associate of Science (A.S.) Certificate programs Affordable Offer Transferrable Courses to Universities Apply in Spring, 2018

Vocational / technical school Dental Assistant Massage Therapist Computer Repair Electrical Technician Financial aid available Credits may NOT transfer

Military Training for a job / career after service College tuition assistance May choose as a career Recruiter visits school campus ASVAB - @RMHS January 25, 2018

Senior Calendar/Checklist SEPTEMBER ~ Establish an appropriate e-mail account to communicate with Colleges and FAFSA – free accounts available at www.gmail.com Create a College Application File Folder where you keep copies of all of your College Documents Check the ASB, Counseling, & Career Center Pages weekly for important Graduation Information & updates. “Like” Rancho Mirage High School Counseling on Facebook & Twitter. Register for SAT/ACT Tests September 1st is the last day to join Sem. 1 Work Experience Class

College admissions testS SATs & ACTs- Must take by Nov. 2017 Accepted at all colleges & universities Study guides available & Khan Academy Last chance in Fall of 2017 May be no-cost if you qualify for a fee-waver See your counselor for a Fee-Waiver. You must show proof of the Fee Waiver to your Counselor & Ms. Patti in the Principal’s office.

Early decision & early Action Apply to colleges of your choice by deadlines & select Early Decision or Early Action on your application. Early Decision Rules: Only commit to ONE school when choosing Early Decision, usually this is your 1st Choice College If you commit to Early Decision with a school, you must attend that school You will know, usually before the end of the Fall semester if you are admitted to your Early Decision school choice Early Action Rules: You may commit to more than one school with Early Action You will know, usually in the Early Spring semester if you are admitted You may wait until May 1st to make your final decision on which college to attend NACAC’s Early Decision Survey may help if you are still unsure.

QUESTBRIDGE Due by September 27, 2017 QuestBridge aims to increase the percentage of talented low-income students attending the nation’s best colleges. Academic Achievement: In the top 5% or 10% of their class. Have received mostly A’s in the most rigorous classes available. Strong standardized test scores Financial Qualification: Household income is less than $65,000 a year, and often less for a typical family of four, with minimal assets. Often eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Personal Circumstances: Often in the first generation in their family to attend a four-year U.S. college. Strong personal character and unusually high level of family responsibility (caring for siblings, part-time work to support family financially, etc.) Extracurricular achievements, such as leadership or community activities.

Oct. 4th- Create your FSA I.D. through social studies classes OCTOBER Oct. 4th- Create your FSA I.D. through social studies classes Oct. 4th- Parents/guardians should all have personal email addresses created by this date & an FSA I.D. # of their own Oct. 4th- (Mandatory) Attend RMHS FAFSA & UC/Cal State Parent & Student Informational Night @ 6:00p.m. in the HGPAC (English) or Room 402 (Spanish) Oct. 6th- Quarter 1 Ends (Q1 Edgenuity classes need to be completed) Early Action, Early Decision and Rolling Admission: Deadlines for many schools begin as early as October, so keep track of these dates for each school to which you are applying. (If you apply for QuestBridge, you can’t apply for Early Action or Early Decision). CSU application submission October 1 – November 30, 2017 https://www2.calstate.edu/apply ~ No essays in application Common Application – submission deadlines vary www.commonapp.org ~ Essays & Teacher and/or Counselor Recommendation Letter

College & career kick-off day 4 seniors OCTOBER 11, 2017 FAFSA WORKSHOP- Please bring your FAFSA worksheet to school already completely filled out on October 11th!!! “Requesting a Letter of Recommendation” Workshop- You need to give your resume to your teacher(s) and/or counselors two weeks prior to any due date Scholarship Application Workshop- Search & Apply for Scholarships & RMHS Local Scholarship at http://rmhscareers.weebly.com

How do I pay for college...?? Federal Aid State / School Aid Complete FAFSA Oct. 1st – March 2nd (Come prepared on October 11th w/Paperwork to complete FAFSA App!!!!) Grants Scholarships Work Study – (School Bookstore, RA, TA) Loans State / School Aid Cal-Grant Academic & Local Scholarships

FAFSA application submission October 1 – March 2, 2018 If you have a social security number for DACA, do not submit a FAFSA. You will complete a DREAM ACT Application If you have a social security number, be sure that your name on ALL of your applications is spelled exactly the same as it is on your Social Security card. October 11th- FAFSA Parent & Student Night Application Workshop @ 6:00p.m. in the Media Center Labs Room 201 & 202 Oct. 12- Attend Valley-wide College Fair 5-8p.m. @ Agua Caliente Oct. 20- Submit a printed copy of your RMHS Local Scholarship Application (Part 1) to Ms. Emery.

NOVEMBER Nov. 1st- Two Letters of Recommendation for your Scholarship are due to Ms. Emery (Part 2). These can be from teachers, employers, coaches, etc. Nov. 6- Nov 9th: Attend RMHS College Application Workshops during lunch in Room 402 to work on & review your application with your Counselor before you submit it. UC application submission November 1–30, 2017 www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply ~ Four personal insight questions required in application (available now on website) Submit Cal State and UC Applications no later than November 30th!!! Common Application submission deadlines vary so be checking college websites for dates

DECEMBER ~ Dec. 1st- WebGrant Account Workshop through social studies classrooms. Seniors MUST create a WebGrant account after completing the FAFSA or CADAA in order to claim your Financial Aid. Sign-up for the ASVAB in the Career Center if you are interested in joining the Military. The week of Dec. 4th, meet with your counselor if you are interested in going on a Shortened Day second semester (see requirements) Dec. 13-15th- Semester 1 Final Exams- Finish Strong!! Dec. 15th- Submit RMHS Local Scholarship personal essay to Ms. Emery (Part 3/Final Part of Scholarship Packet) Dec. 15th- Semester 1 Ends

JANUARY Jan. 11th: College of the Desert Information Presentation through Social Studies Classes Jan. 16th-Jan.19th: Sign-ups begin in the Counseling Office on the “Student Information Table” for College of the Desert Events. Jan. 25th: ASVAB Test Jan. 31st: Make sure all official SAT or ACT scores are submitted to colleges

FEBRUARY Begin Community College Applications on-line Feb. 1st & Feb. 5th: College of the Desert Application Workshop in RMHS Media Center @ 8a.m. MARCH March 1st: Community College Accuplacer Assessment Test @ RMHS March 16th: College of the Desert “Campus Informational Day” Field Trip March 2nd: Submission Deadline for FAFSA Be checking emails for important information about admissions

GRADUATION DAY: MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018 APRIL April 15th- You should be notified about acceptance by this date When you choose a 4-year college, you will need to pay a non-refundable admissions deposit to hold your place in the Freshman class. Be sure to follow through with Community College steps for enrollment MAY May 1st: Notify your College of Acceptance & submit your Deposit by this date Notify your RMHS Counselor of what College you will be attending May 21st: Attend RMHS Senior Scholarships Awards Night (Invite Only) @ 6:00p.m. in the HGPAC May 30th: Last day for Seniors GRADUATION DAY: MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

Have a GREAT Senior Year!!! Questions: Fill out a Request to see your Counselor in the Counseling Office E-Mail your Counselor or Ms. Emery in the College & Career Center: Mr. Mendez – smendez@psusd.us - AVID & 10th Grade Special Ed. Students & Alpha (Last names that begin with “A”) Mr. Mannes – pmannes@psusd.us - Advanced Performing Arts & 11th Grade Special Ed Students & Alpha (C- Gomez) Ms. Valenzuela – mvalenzuela@psusd.us - RACE Academy & 12th grade Special Students & Alpha (Gonzalez-Pitts) Ms. VandenBrook – rvandenbrook@psusd.us - CAFÉ Academy & 9th grade Special Ed Students & Alpha (B & PL-Z) Ms. Emery – semery@psusd.us - College & Career Center; Career Exploration & College Research Assistance Have a GREAT Senior Year!!!