Norwalk High School The Road to College

HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS STARTS NOW!! GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS EARN AT LEAST 220 CREDITS BREAK DOWN: 9TH GRADE=60 CREDITS 10TH GRADE= 120 CREDITS 11TH GRADE=180 CREDITS 12TH GRADE= 240 CREDITS WHAT ARE CREDITS? HOW DO I EARN THEM? HOW MANY CREDITS EQUAL ONE CLASS ? WHAT GRADE IS PASSING? FAILING?

HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS STARTS NOW!! GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS PASS ALL CORE CLASSSES WITH 2.0 OR BETTER GRADE A= 4.0 GRADE B= 3.0 GRADE C= 2.0 GRADE D= 1.0 GRADE F= 0 HOW DO I FIGURE OUT MY GPA? My grades: A (4) + D (1)+ C(2)+ B-(3)+C (2)+B (3)= 15/6= 2.5 GPA IMPORTANT: A GRADE OF A “D” IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR COLLEGE

High school success starts now! SUBJECT AREA CREDITS/ YEARS LANGUAGE ARTS 40/ 4 YEARS SOCIAL SCIENCE 30/ 3 YEARS SCIENCE 20/ 2 YEARS MATHEMATICS PHYSICAL EDUCATION CAREERS, FINE ARTS OR FOREIGN LANG TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS 160 TOTAL ELECTIVE CREDITS 60 TOTAL MINIMUM CREDITS 220

Higher Education Options in California California Community Colleges-2 year colleges. Students can choose to work toward an associate (two-year) degree or a one or two year training/certificate program in choice occupational fields, such as health professions, etc. Students may also complete a coursework to enable them to transfer to a college or university to complete a 4 year bachelors degree. California State University (CSU)- With 23 campuses, the California State University is the largest, most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country. The CSU system emphasizes undergraduate education, leading to a bachelors, masters, and a limited number of doctoral degrees.

Higher Education Options in California University of California (UC)- The 9 general campuses of the University of California combines the education of undergraduates (Bachelors degrees) with a strong emphasis on graduate programs (Masters and Doctorate) and world-class research programs in science & humanities. California Independent Colleges- The 75 independent/private, nonprofit California colleges and universities offer diverse and unique educational opportunities such as faith affiliated, women’s colleges etc. These institutions also include 2-year, undergraduate and graduate programs.

The 4-Year College Applicant Taking the Right Classes: A-G History / Social Sciences - 2 Years Required U.S. History - 1 Year World History - 1 Year Government/Economics A English - 4 Years Required College Prep English Composition Literature B C Mathematics- 3 Years Required /4 Recommended College Preparatory Math (beginning with Algebra I or higher)

The 4- Year College Applicant Taking the Right Classes: A-G Laboratory Science- 2 Years Required /3 Recommended Biology Chemistry Physics D Language Other Than English- 2 Years Required /3 Years Recommended Must be 2 years of the same language E F Visual and Performing Arts - 1 Year Must be a visual or performing arts course. College Preparatory Electives - 1 Year Chosen from: A-F G

The 4 Year College Applicant What’s the difference between an Applicant and a Competitive Applicant? 2 years of History/Social Science 4 years of English 3 years Math (i.e Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) 2 years of Laboratory Science 2 years of a Foreign Language 1 year of Visual/Performing Arts 1 year of College Prep Elective Minimally Eligible Applicant 3 years of History/Social Science (Honors/AP) 4 years of English (Honors/AP) 4 years Math (Honors/AP) 3 years of Laboratory Science (Honors/AP) 3-4 years of a Foreign Language 1 year of Visual/Performing Arts 1 year of College Prep Elective Competitively Eligible Applicant

Be prepared….scores matter! Important Tests – Be prepared….scores matter! PSAT Take Sophomore Year and Junior Year as preparation for SAT and National Merit Scholarship. SAT Reasoning Test Math, Critical Reading and Writing Prepare for and take before December of your Senior year. Research shows students who took test 2 times did better. ACT Plus Writing Math, Science, Reading, English, &Writing SAT Subject Tests Subject tests are optional and no longer required by the UCs. Some private schools may require the subject test. Check with the individual schools.

ACT v.s. SAT

4 Types of $$$$ Financing My Education Scholarships Free Money$$$ Grants Free Money$$$ based on FINANCIAL NEED Federal: Pell and Supplemental Grant The college or university Cal Grants - GPA verification needed Loans Borrowed money that you must pay back, often after you graduate Workstudy Wages from working on campus Deadlines March 2 (FAFSA & GPA Verification Form)

Get Involved! Participating in Extracurricular Activities is NECESSARY to be a competitive UC Applicant Examples: Campus clubs and organizations leadership positions sports Volunteering church hospital Boys and Girls Club Government offices Tutoring Part-time job

Plan of Action Finish off this academic year strong, grades matter! Develop a 4 year plan Meet with your counselor to review the 4 year plan - choose a challenging curriculum Make sure classes you take meet A-G requirements and are on the CSU/UC approved course list. Take the PSAT (Fall of Sophomore and Junior Years) Research colleges, majors and special requirements Create a list of colleges you are interested in Read up on SAT & ACT information & plan to enroll in test prep classes Begin to research scholarships Schedule campus tours for colleges on your interest list Get involved!

Research! Research! Research! It’s NEVER too early to start Research colleges and universities Attend college fairs Visit college campuses The only way to know what is right for you is to gather as much information as possible

Where on the Web College Searches www.californiacolleges.edu www.cccapply.org www.collegeboard.org/finding/ www.calstate.edu www.universityofcalifornia.edu www.collegeweeklive.com www.commonapp.org www.cacareerzone.org SAT info. www.collegeboard.org ACT info. www.actstudent.org High School Course Lists www.ucop.edu/agguide/ www.finaid.org www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com www.hermana.org www.petersons.com/finaid www.brokescholar.com www.hsf.net www.chicanalatina.org www.wiredscholar.com www.srnexpress.com www.studentaidalliance.org www.yesican.gov Financial Aid / Scholarships

Norwalk High School 4 year Plan A-G Requirements Requirements High School (220 credits) 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade A. History/Social Science   (2 years required) A. Social Science (30 credits) B. English (4 years required) (40 credits) C. Mathematics (3 years required/4 years recommended) C. Math D. Lab Science (2 years required/3 years recommended) D. Science (20 credits) E. Foreign Language (10 credits) F. Visual and Performing Arts (1 year required) F. Fine Arts G. College Preparatory Electives G. Electives (60 credits) Physical Education Career Pathways College Test (Circle test taken) PSAT PSAT/NMSQT ACT/SAT/SAT subject test Total Credits: (220 credits to graduate)

Why should I meet with my Counselor? Set goals for high school Create academic plans Career plans Problem solving Individual and small-group counseling Emotional/Personal concerns Individual/family/school crisis intervention Peer facilitation Referrals if necessary

California colleges Go to californiacolleges.edu Click on the lock on the top right Students– Register your account Enter all student info Next Personal email (only) Set up password

California colleges 1. Choose “My plan” on the top 2. Click on “My goals” 3.“add a response” to “Academic Goals” and “College Goals”