College Information Night Northview High School Fall, 2014

COLLEGE PREPARATION TIMELINE - SENIORS!  12TH GRADE - Deadlines are Critical!  Retake ACT/SAT Early  Four Year College Application Begins  Attend College Application Workshop at NHS (Parents welcome!)  Wednesday, 10/29/14  Room B-4  UC/CSU Deadline: Must apply before November 30  Private and out of state university deadlines vary - check websites!  Community College Applications: February - April  Placement Exams required for all colleges by April  Financial Aid  FAFSA/Cal Grant Applications: January 1 - March 2nd (deadline)  Attend FAFSA Application Workshops at NHS (tbd)  12TH GRADE - Deadlines are Critical!  Retake ACT/SAT Early  Four Year College Application Begins  Attend College Application Workshop at NHS (Parents welcome!)  Wednesday, 10/29/14  Room B-4  UC/CSU Deadline: Must apply before November 30  Private and out of state university deadlines vary - check websites!  Community College Applications: February - April  Placement Exams required for all colleges by April  Financial Aid  FAFSA/Cal Grant Applications: January 1 - March 2nd (deadline)  Attend FAFSA Application Workshops at NHS (tbd)

Choosing Your College Priorities What is important to you? Area of Study/Academics Location Size Campus Appeal Social Life Total Cost – Including aid Comfortable Match for YOU!

CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITIES…. Going away to college may be a great idea! The majority of students attend college in their home state although many find the perfect college in other regions.

Words of Wisdom Relax… You have a good chance of getting in - if you apply broadly! There are over 4600 colleges in the U.S. Many of the colleges have a 70% acceptance rate.

California State Universities 23 campus locations CSU admit rates may vary from 30% to 80% for eligible students

UC Admit rates may vary from 22% - 75% for students who meet eligibility University of California 10 campus locations

Still Exploring Majors? If you don’t have a major, it’s OK. More than half of new college students say a very important reason for going to college is “to find my purpose in life.” How to Decide? You Can Go! YCG.org Naviance Bigfuture.org

Four Year Colleges and Universities TypeDescriptionTuitionAdmission Requirements Four year Degrees offered: Bachelors and graduate degrees Provides: A well-rounded college experience that includes an academic area of study. State - CSU Typically under $7,000/year State - UC Typically under $13,000/year Private: Typically more than $20,000/year Completion of “a-g” course requirements SAT or ACT GPA Essay Extracurricular activities Letters of recommendation Transcripts

Two Year/Community Colleges TypeDescriptionTuitionAdmission Requirements Two year Degrees offered: Associates Certificate Programs Provides: A way to transition to college/ take general ed or lower division classes for college credit. Typically have agreements with four year colleges to transfer credits. Offers: Certificate programs for entry into specific careers Typically around $2,000/year Open-door admission policy Placement Exams in Math and English Cosmetology Automotive Technology Medical Technicians

NAVIANCE Northview Naviance Website: User Name: Student ID# Password: Naviance College and Career Planning Tools Career Interest Surveys Personality Types Match with career samples and skills Create a Success Plan Set Goals for Yourself Assign Tasks Build a Resume, Create a Portfolio College and Career Match Research and Compare Colleges/Scholarships Input Test Scores

What information do college admission officers review? Grades in “a-g” requirements Strength of high school course selections SAT/ACT Test scores Personal Statement and/or Essay (if applicable) Teacher and counselor recommendations Student’s demonstrated interest Personal accomplishments Senior year courses and grades For a list of 850 test optional colleges and universities: FAIRTEST.ORG

Course Requirements

Northview High School Courses Meeting “a-g” Requirements A. History - 2 Years World History AP World History US History AP American History B. English - 4 Years Comp/Lit I, or Comp/Lit I Honors Comp/Lit II, or Comp/Lit II Honors Comp Lit III, or AP English Language Comp/Lit IV, ERWC, or AP English Lit C. Mathematics - 3 Years Minimum, Recommend 4 Algebra I Geometry Algebra II or Algebra II Honors Trig/Pre-Calc, or Trig/Pre-Calc Honors Statistics, Probability, and Finite Math AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Statistics D. Lab Science - 2 Years Minimum, Recommend 4 Biology or Biology Honors Chemistry, or Chemistry Honors Conceptual Physics or Physics ROP Environmental Science AP Biology or AP Environmental Science E. Foreign Language - 2 Years Minimum, Recommend 3 (Level, not seat time) Spanish I, II, III Spanish for Spanish Speakers I or II AP Spanish Language AP Spanish Literature French I, II, or III F. Visual and Performing Arts - 1 Year Art Appreciation, Adv. Art, AP Studio Art Digital Photography I, II, AP Art 2D Digital Film Intro to Theatre Arts, Play Production Chorus, Concert Choir Music History and Appreciation Advanced Band G. College Prep Electives - 1 Year American Government/Economics Psychology/Sociology AP Human Geography Human Biology AVID Sr. Seminar Additional Courses from the “a-f” list Chicano Latin American Literature Earth Science NOTE: ALL “a-g” COURSES MUST HAVE A GRADE OF “C” OR BETTER!!

College Admission Tests  ACT/ACT with Writing  Consists of four sections: English, Math, Reading, Science  Essay Writing optional (according to college)  Top composite score is 36  SAT Reasoning Test  Consists of three sections: Verbal, Math, Writing  Each test is scored on a scale of (total )  Essay Writing is required

Freshman Admission Information Calculating Your Grade Point Average (GPA) All grades earned in the “a–g” approved courses taken in 10 th –12 th grades are used to calculate your grade point average. Additional grade points for “A,” “B” and “C” grades will be awarded for a maximum of eight semester courses taken in 10 th and 11 th grades, for AP and designated honors courses. Review eligibility index for colleges of interest.

Freshman Admission Process Fall admission is based on self-reported information and the major to which students apply. Students cannot change their major during the application process. Students applying to Special Programs may be required to complete an audition, and their admission decisions will be contingent upon successfully passing that audition. Admission is provisional pending verification of the self-reported information on the application from official transcripts. Admission may be rescinded if the GPA, test scores or course grades are lower than what is reported on the application. Students must meet senior year requirements stated in letters of acceptance from colleges or their admission will be rescinded.

Common Mistakes that may cost you your acceptance  Not meeting deadlines Statement of Intent (SIR) Sending Official Transcripts Sending Official Test Scores (direct from Test Agency) Housing Applications  Failing to check or campus portals daily  Senioritis Light course load during senior year Drop in GPA

Scholarships

Merit Scholarship Tips Merit scholarships are where the money is. More than $11 billion in merit scholarships available to students from colleges Not just for “A” students Nearly all colleges offer merit aid scholarships Many awards emphasize leadership, school involvement, or community service Multiple campus/community scholarships available through NVHS Career Center Many awards can be renewed year after year

Scholarship Resources NHS VIKINGS.ORG - Career Center Fastweb.com - Private scholarships fafsa.ed.gov - Free Application for Federal Student Aid Studentaid.ed.gov - The federal government’s website about paying for college MeritAid.com - $11 billion in merit scholarships Cappex.com - Scholarship matching finaid.org - Free student resource for learning about all types of financial aid

Tips for Positive Parent Support 1. Help your student understand the college search process 2. Be realistic and non-judgmental 3. Be in the "back seat" - and not the driver - of the college search process 4. Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions 5. Don’t let the price tag scare you away 6. Be aware of deadlines and fees due 7. Know that things have changed since your college days 8. Don’t overemphasize your own alma maters 9. Don’t compare your student with others 10. Don’t dwell on disappointments, like a rejection letter 11. Celebrate successes!