Cal-SOAP Presents: Your Path to College Testing and Application Preparation for Juniors

Campus Selection Criteria Size of the student body Requirements Location Majors/programs offered Student : teacher ratio Housing Financial aid

Application Builders Grade Point Average in A-G courses Entrance tests Honors and awards Work experience and special skills Extracurricular activities Community service Possible writing samples and interviews

Pop Quiz! (True or False?)  The prestige of the high school you attended can affect your chances of admission. ◦ False!  Requirements and financial aid can vary widely depending on the college. ◦ True  If a college doesn’t have exactly the major you want, you shouldn’t consider attending. ◦ False!

A-G Requirements for UC and CSU 2 yrs:History and Social Science 4 yrs:English 3 yrs: (4 Rec. for both) Mathematics (algebra, geometry, and algebra II) 2 yrs: (3 Rec. for UC) Laboratory Science (1 year of biological science and 1 year of physical science) 2 yrs: (3 Rec. for UC) Foreign language (both years must be in the same language) 1 yr:Visual and performing arts: art, dance, theatre/ drama, or music 1 yr:Elective chosen from the subject areas listed above or other college preparatory course (2 semesters or 1 year-long course) Note: Private and out-of-state institutions may not require “A-G” completion, but their subject requirements will be very similar.

Entrance Tests University of California SAT Reasoning or ACT w/ Writing  Highest total score California State University SAT Reasoning or ACT  SAT: Use Reading and Math scores only  ACT: Writing is not required Register at:   Take the SAT or ACT by the end of your junior year!

University of California Ten Campuses in CA Admission Requirements:  15 A-G courses w/ 3.0 or better  Entrance Exams (SAT or ACT w/ writing)  Personal Statements Application Deadline: November 30, 2010  Fee: $60 per UC application

California State University California State University 23 campuses in CA Admission Requirements: 15 A-G courses w/ 2.0 or better Entrance Exams (SAT or ACT w/o writing) Application Deadline: Nov. 30, 2010 Fee: $55 per application

California Community Colleges 112 campuses in CA Degrees offered:  Associates Degrees  Vocational Certificates Rolling admission practiced and applications are FREE Admission requirements:  Must be 18 or older (or with parent permission)  Must take Math and English Placement Tests  SAT or ACT not needed Affordable: $26/unit Many offer evening and online courses Transfer options to a 4-yr university:  IGETC  TAG

Pop Quiz!  The admission tests for UC and CSU: ◦ A. are the same ◦ B. have different writing requirements ◦ C. have different subject test requirements ◦ D. are both B and C  B  How many CSU campuses are in CA? ◦ A. 2 – B. 9 – C. 23 – D. 33  C  What percentage of college students in the US attend a CA community college? ◦ A. 1.3% – B. 4% – C. 7% – D. 10%  D

Private/Independent Universities 73 in CA Degrees offered and admission requirements expected:  Vary for each institution  Application process varies but many institutions accept the Common Application: 

Vocational/Technical Institutions Admission requirements vary for each institution Accreditation: Does your degree count? Do research on the institution Remember: Community colleges often offer the same certificate programs for a much lower cost!

Military Opportunities Admission requirements for military academies:  Vary, but are usually very rigorous  Scholarships and student aid programs are available to eligible students** Air Force Academywww.usafa.af.mil Coast Guard Academywww.gocoastguard.com Merchant Marine Academywww.usmma.edu Military Academywww.usma.edu Naval Academywww.usna.edu **Contact the appropriate liaison officer at each academy of interest for information. Two options: before college and after college  Serving before college can lead to military financial aid  Serving after college allows you to serve as an officer, and may still be combined with military financial aid

Financial Aid BOG-Waiver for CC students: – Waives community college fees – FAFSA: Get a PIN for yourself and a parent ASAP Apply between January 1 st and March 2 nd of you senior year Scholarships: – AB-540 for undocumented students: – Waives out-of-state tuition fees for undocumented students – Types of financial aid  Grants  Scholarships  Loans  Fee waivers  Work-study  Campus-based funds

Pop Quiz! (Multiple answer…)  Name 5 private universities in CA… ◦ Ex: University of Southern California / Stanford University / University of San Diego / Point Loma Nazarene University / Pepperdine University  Name 5 vocational/technical schools… ◦ Ex: Art Institute / ITT Tech / Coleman College / Universal Technical Institute / Culinary Institute of America  Name 5 military academies… ◦ Ex: West Point / Air Force Academy / Naval Academy / Coast Guard Academy / Merchant Marine Academy  Name the 4 forms of financial aid… ◦ Grants, Loans, Work-study, and Scholarships

You can do it! …Cal-SOAP can help! Find the College Peer Advisor (CPA) assigned to your high school site. Become a Cal-SOAP student by filling out an application. Visit the Cal-SOAP website or call our office for resources and upcoming events: Your path to college begins NOW!