What Colleges Look For (and Scholarship Committees)

1. Academics (G.P.A. and Class Rank) Your GPA or Grade Point Average is comprised of all the grades you’ve earned on your high school transcript and averaged together. If you’re high school is on a “4 point system”, then a 4.0 would signify that you’ve earned all A’s in your respective courses. Along with your GPA goes your Class Rank. Class Rank is loosely described as where you fit in when compared to other students in your graduating class using your GPA. For instance, if you have an overall GPA of 3.75/4.0 and your Class Rank is 50 out of 400 students, that means there are 49 other kids in your graduating class that have a better Grade Point Average than you do. So the higher the GPA you earn, the higher your Class Rank will be. (highest being #1 in your class).

2. Test Scores (ACT/SAT) Taken during your junior year, the ACT is probably the most important test for college entrance. Most schools work on what is called a “sliding scale” for admission. This basically means that the higher GPA/Class Rank you have, the lower the ACT Composite score you will need to gain admission. And, it works the other way also. The higher the ACT Composite score you earn, the lower the GPA/Class Rank you will be able to get away with and still get admitted. Keep in mind that all colleges differ with regard to how low of a GPA or ACT score you can get and still get accepted. The average ACT composite score in California in 2018 was 22.7 out of 36 The average SAT score in California is in 2018 was 1060 out of 1600.

UC Application Data Fall 2018 of Middle 25%-75% of students Campus Admit Rate G.P.A. ACT Composite Scores SAT Reading & Writing Scores SAT Math Scores SAT Essay Scores Berkely 14.9% 4.16 – 4.30 30 - 35 660 - 750 680 - 790 16 - 20 Davis 41.2% 3.97 – 4.25 26 - 33 600 - 700 620 - 780 15 - 18 Irvine 28.8% 4.00 – 4.26 600 - 710 630 - 780 Los Angeles 14.1% 4.16 – 4.31 31 - 35 670 - 750 690 - 790 Merced 66.9% 3.46 – 3.96 19 - 27 510 - 630 510 - 650 13 - 17 Riverside 50.9% 3.66 – 4.09 22 - 30 570 - 670 560 - 710 14 - 17 San Diego 30.2% 4.07 – 4.28 29 - 34 640 - 730 660 - 790 16 - 18 Santa Barbara 32.3% 28 - 34 630 - 720 640 - 780 Santa Cruz 47.7% 3.76 – 4.16 26 - 32 590 - 700 620-750 14 - 18 Source: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/profiles/index.html

Cal State Application Data Fall 2017 Campus Admit Rate Average G.P.A. Average SAT Score (Math & Reading) Average ACT Score Bakersfield 93% 3.2 905 19 Channel Islands 74% 3.22 925 20 Chico 65% 3.33 1000 21 Dominguez Hills 58% 3.13 851 17 East Bay 3.1 901 Fresno 52% 900 Fullerton 42% 3.56 997 22 Humboldt 75% 3.26 992 Long Beach 36% 3.5 1033 Los Angeles 64% 3.18 880 Maritime Academy 85% 3.3 Monterey Bay 49% 3.32 977 Source: CSU Campus Profiles, Admissions

Cal State Application Data Fall 2015 Continued Campus Admit Rate Average G.P.A. Average SAT Score (Math & Reading) Average ACT Score Northridge 45% 3.2 920 19 Pomona 39% 3.49 1062 24 Sacramento 67% 3.3 949 20 San Bernardino 65% 3.21 893 San Diego 34% 3.69 1113 25 San Francisco 68% 3.23 997 21 San Jose 3.4 1040 23 San Luis Obispo 31% 3.92 1239 28 San Marcos 85% 3.19 Sonoma 55% Stanislaus 3.36 938 Source: CSU Campus Profiles, Admissions

3. Course Rigor When colleges receive a transcript from you for evaluation, chances are they will want to see what courses you chose to take in college. Did you challenge yourself, or did you take relatively easy courses that you could get an easy A in? Colleges are looking for the students that challenged themselves in high school by taking Honors and/or Advanced Placement courses as opposed to lower level classes. Course rigor is important in demonstrating to your prospective college that you are capable of handling college level work. Those students who earning a high GPA, but didn’t take any challenging courses in high school run the risk of being denied admission based on their weak course selection. It does happen, so take the highest level courses in each subject area that you will get a B or better in. If you cannot earn at least a B, do not take the higher level course. Each college has access to a list of the courses offered at your high school. If can take challenging courses and you choose not to, that could hurt your chances of getting into your dream college.

A-G Requirements

4. Letters of Recommendation Admissions officers rely on letters of recommendation to let them know how others view you. Be sure to pick your recommenders wisely. If your recommender doesn't know you that well, it will show through in his/her letter. If letters of recommendation are required, typically private colleges are the ones who require them. No letters of recommendation are needed when you apply to Cal States or UCs. UC Berkeley will accept letters, but it is not required.

5. College Admissions Essay/ Personal Insight Questions The college admissions essay, or personal insight questions for the UC system, allows you to show your uniqueness to admissions officers. Counselors look for application essays that are honest and provide supplemental information. Do not restate the information found on your transcript and application. Instead, write about your desires, your goals, special events in your life, community service, leadership, etc.

Personal Insight Questions (for University of California) 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.  (350 Word Maximum) 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.  (350 Word Maximum) 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?  (350 Word Maximum) 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. (350 Word Maximum)

Personal Insight Questions (for University of California) 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? (350 Word Maximum) 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. (350 Word Maximum) 7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?  (350 Word Maximum) 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? (350 Word Maximum)

6. Extra Curricular Involvement/Community Service Being involved outside of the classroom shows good initiative and time management skills. Colleges want to see that well-rounded student, not just top grades and scores. Being a member of a club or sports team is a great choice. But do your best to take it a step further. For instance, if you are a member of Student Council, consider running for an office such as Treasurer, Vice President or even President! The top colleges are looking for leaders, and what better way to show them that you are a leader than by holding office or running a club or activity. If sports is more your thing, strive to be named a team captain. This displays outstanding leadership and colleges love that when its combined with a solid academic background. The UC system is looking for 200+ hours of community service!

7. Work and Entrepreneurial Experiences Part-time work experience, an internship or summer job, even starting your own business can provide excellent essay material to showcase your maturity, initiative, work ethic as well as interpersonal and time-management skills

8. Other Factors There are numerous other factors that can play a role in the admissions decision including: geographical diversity (students from places other than the communities surrounding the college) legacy (your grandparents or parents attended the same university) ethnic heritage (your race/ethnicity is needed to make the college more diverse) socio- economic background (colleges typically give more financial aid to less fortunate students) first in family to go to college ability to overcome adversity (death, single parent home, difficult personal or family situation, etc.)

Get IGETC IGETC stands for Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum. It is a general education pattern which community college transfer students can use to fulfill lower-division general education requirements in either the CSU or UC system without the need, after transfer, to take additional lower-division general education requirements. Focus on these transferrable units instead of focusing on getting an A.A. or A.S. degree from your local community college. An A.A. or A.S. degree means nothing once you get a B.A. or B.S.

Types of College Degrees Type of College: 4 Year College or University Degrees Available: Doctoral Degree (i.e. PhD, Ed.D) Average Completion Rate for Degree: 7-8 years Graduate Degree Type of College: 4 Year College or University Degrees Available: Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) Average Completion Rate for Degree: 2-3 years Type of College: 4 Year College or University Degrees Available: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Average Completion Rate for Degree: 4-6 years Undergraduate Degree Type of College: Community College, Junior College, Trade School Degrees Available: Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) Average Completion Rate for Degree: 2-3 years

UC’s Old Comprehensive Review Although UC schools don’t technically use this calculation anymore, this does give you some insight into what they have looked for in the past.

UC’s New Comprehensive Review Grade Point Average for A-G classes Test Scores (ACT with writing or SAT with essay) Honors, AP, & College Classes In top 9% of your class Quality of Senior-Year Program of Study (Challenging classes & number of classes for both semesters) Outstanding Performance in 1 or More Academic Subject Areas Achievements in Special Projects

UC’s New Comprehensive Review (continued) Improvement in Academic Performance (G.P.A & Quality Coursework) Special Talents, Achievements, and Awards (leadership, significant community service project, job) Special project related to high school program (i.e. Senior Research & Community Service Project) Academic Accomplishment in Light of Life Experiences & Circumstances (low income, 1st to attend college, need to work, difficult personal or family situation, etc.) Location of your high school and home

Apply to all 3 Types of Schools 1.) Safety Schools: Colleges where your academic qualifications are above the average accepted student. 2.) Match Schools: Colleges where your academic qualifications match the average accepted student.   3.) Reach Schools: Colleges where your academic qualifications are below the average accepted student. Even if your grades and SAT/ACT scores aren’t the greatest, colleges want a diverse student population. Maybe your community service, sports, special talents, accomplishments, race/ethnicity, skills, special circumstances, etc. are what your reach school needs to appear to be diverse. They might need you!

Don’t Let Averages Keep You From Applying to Reach Schools Let’s pretend that you have a 3.1 G.P.A. Last year’s incoming college freshmen had an average G.P.A. of 3.86. Should you apply to this reach school? YES! Let’s pretend that this college is only accepting 5 students next year (to make this illustration easy). Look at the chart below. The average G.P.A. is 3.8. Next Year’s Incoming Freshmen G.P.A. Jeff Smith 3.1 Maria Sanchez 4.2 Jose Rodriguez 3.9 Tanisha Brown 4.1 Aliyah Ahmed 4.0 You are Jeff Smith! Welcome to your reach school!

Colleges are Looking for the “Total Package” 5. Personal Insight Questions or College Admissions Essay 1. Academics 2. Test Scores Extra Curricular Involvement 3. Course Rigor Work and Entrepreneurial Experiences Letters of Recommendation 8. Other Factors