Verdugo Hills High School College Info Night October 2013

What LAUSD Counselors Do… All students in grades 9-12 have access to a credentialed counselor who assists with academic, social/personal, college/ career needs. All students in grades 9-12 have access to a credentialed counselor who assists with academic, social/personal, college/ career needs. We are here to support students, parents and teachers of Los Angeles. We are here to support students, parents and teachers of Los Angeles. We are here to help students access resources and services! We are here to help students access resources and services! We are on campuses across LAUSD to help each student graduate with a high school diploma and have a plan to attend college or start a career! We are on campuses across LAUSD to help each student graduate with a high school diploma and have a plan to attend college or start a career!

A-G Initiative For information on LAUSD’s A-G initiative: lausd.net Go To Offices, Click on A-G Requirements. For information on LAUSD’s A-G initiative: lausd.net Go To Offices, Click on A-G Requirements. Class of beginning in 2008, all 9 th graders will enroll in A-G courses. (These are current 10 th graders.) Class of beginning in 2008, all 9 th graders will enroll in A-G courses. (These are current 10 th graders.) A waiver will be available second semester of the 10 th grade year where a parent may request an exemption from these requirements. A waiver will be available second semester of the 10 th grade year where a parent may request an exemption from these requirements. Class of 2016 – beginning in 2012 all 9 th graders must complete the A-G sequence for graduation. Waivers will only be granted for special education students if the exemption is written into the IEP. Class of 2016 – beginning in 2012 all 9 th graders must complete the A-G sequence for graduation. Waivers will only be granted for special education students if the exemption is written into the IEP.

A-G Courses… Are you ready to apply to a 4 year college or university? Current 12 th graders will have had to go beyond graduation requirements to be A-G ready! Are you ready to apply to a 4 year college or university? Current 12 th graders will have had to go beyond graduation requirements to be A-G ready!

A. History/ Social Science CSU -2 years CSU -2 years UC – 2 years UC – 2 years All history courses should promote historical understanding and critical thinking and encourage analysis that requires going beyond the facts. All history courses should promote historical understanding and critical thinking and encourage analysis that requires going beyond the facts. U.S. History & American Government U.S. History & American Government World History, Culture and Historical Geography World History, Culture and Historical Geography

B. English CSU – 4 Years CSU – 4 Years UC- 4 years UC- 4 years Reading - Must include full-length works (i.e., courses based solely on anthologies will not be accepted) Reading - Must include full-length works (i.e., courses based solely on anthologies will not be accepted) Readings should be incorporated into the curriculum. Readings should be incorporated into the curriculum. Writing - Must require extensive expository writing Writing - Must require extensive expository writing

C. Mathematics CSU – 3 years (Alg.1,2 & Geometry) CSU – 3 years (Alg.1,2 & Geometry) UC – 3 years, 4 years recommended UC – 3 years, 4 years recommended Any level of math taken over two years is acceptable, but credit is granted only for one year. Any level of math taken over two years is acceptable, but credit is granted only for one year. Honors courses must be at least at the math analysis or pre-calculus level. Honors courses must be at least at the math analysis or pre-calculus level. UC, CSU and high school faculty met to make recommendations to clarify math and science guidelines. UC, CSU and high school faculty met to make recommendations to clarify math and science guidelines. Class of 2016 and beyond… Geometry is a MUST in the sequence. Class of 2016 and beyond… Geometry is a MUST in the sequence.

D. Laboratory Science CSU 2 years (biology, physical science) CSU 2 years (biology, physical science) UC 2 years, 3 years recommended UC 2 years, 3 years recommended Lower-level science courses (i.e., without prerequisites) that do not address a majority of concepts expected in biology, chemistry or physics, may be approved as “g.” Lower-level science courses (i.e., without prerequisites) that do not address a majority of concepts expected in biology, chemistry or physics, may be approved as “g.”

E. Language Other Than English CSU 2 years of same language CSU 2 years of same language UC 2 years, 3 years recommended UC 2 years, 3 years recommended Acceptable languages: modern, classical, ASL Acceptable languages: modern, classical, ASL Fourth- and fifth-year courses should involve increasingly challenging reading of literature. Fourth- and fifth-year courses should involve increasingly challenging reading of literature. Middle school courses may be used to fulfill requirement. Middle school courses may be used to fulfill requirement. Native-speakers courses are acceptable. Native-speakers courses are acceptable.

F. Visual & Performing Arts CSU 1 year CSU 1 year UC 1 year UC 1 year Design courses (such as video production, architectural or graphic design, animation) must focus on elements of art and principles of design. Design courses (such as video production, architectural or graphic design, animation) must focus on elements of art and principles of design.

G. College Preparatory Electives CSU – 1 year from approved A-G course list CSU – 1 year from approved A-G course list UC – 1 year from approved A-G course list UC – 1 year from approved A-G course list

High School GPA GPA must be at least 2.0 to be admitted o CSU & 3.0 to be admitted to a UC Campus GPA must be at least 2.0 to be admitted o CSU & 3.0 to be admitted to a UC Campus Calculate GPA using only A-G courses taken after 9 th grade through 11 th grade Calculate GPA using only A-G courses taken after 9 th grade through 11 th grade AP / Honors points - maximum of 8 points allowed, only 2 courses in 10 th grade earn points. LAUSD gpa is.25 per AP AP / Honors points - maximum of 8 points allowed, only 2 courses in 10 th grade earn points. LAUSD gpa is.25 per AP UCs and Top Tier Colleges prefer students who take the most rigorous courses possible. UCs and Top Tier Colleges prefer students who take the most rigorous courses possible.

GRADES GRADES: Final grade in each “A-G” courses must be a “C” or better in higher level math class will validate or fulfill the course GRADES: Final grade in each “A-G” courses must be a “C” or better in higher level math class will validate or fulfill the course Example : Algebra 2A – “D” Algebra 2B – “C” ( this “C” will validate or fulfill your work in Algebra 2) This also applies to LOTE. Example : Algebra 2A – “D” Algebra 2B – “C” ( this “C” will validate or fulfill your work in Algebra 2) This also applies to LOTE.

We Offer Concurrent Enrollment Adult School Adult School AWEC AWEC ROP or SCROC Classes ROP or SCROC Classes Summer School Summer School Community College Community College D = Do Over

College or University? Tiers The selectivity, academic rigor and cost goes up as we move through the tiers of colleges.

Community College “Applications” start in March “Applications” start in March Students must take the placement test as part of the application process Students must take the placement test as part of the application process Students work towards a certificate, AA or AS degree Students work towards a certificate, AA or AS degree Students transfer after 2 years “A Degree with A Guarantee” to a CSU. Students transfer after 2 years “A Degree with A Guarantee” to a CSU.

California State University A minimum 3.0 gpa and any SAT score admits a student to CSUN or CSULA A minimum 3.0 gpa and any SAT score admits a student to CSUN or CSULA Students need to meet an index to be admitted to non-partner schools Students need to meet an index to be admitted to non-partner schools Applications require Applications require GPA Grades from Transcript SAT

University of California The top 9% of our students can be admitted to a UC based on ELC The top 9% of our students can be admitted to a UC based on ELC Students need a minimum of 3.0 gpa Students need a minimum of 3.0 gpa Applications require Applications require GPA GPA Grades from Transcript Grades from Transcript SAT SAT SAT Subject Tests SAT Subject Tests Extra Curricular Activities Extra Curricular Activities Personal Statements Personal Statements

Top Tier These schools require: These schools require: Top GPA Top SAT or ACT SAT Subject Tests Personal Statements Extra Curricular Activities Letters of Recommendation The Top 50 Schools in the United States as found in US News & World Report The Top 50 Schools in the United States as found in US News & World Report The Top Tier schools are private and public The Top Tier schools are private and public USC and UCLA tied at #24 USC and UCLA tied at #24 Stanford is still the West Coast top school at #6 Stanford is still the West Coast top school at #6 UC Berkeley is the #21, but ranks as the #1 public school in the United States. UC Berkeley is the #21, but ranks as the #1 public school in the United States.

Early Decision vs. Early Action Early decision and early action plans can be beneficial to students but only to those who have thought through their college options carefully and have a clear preference for one institution. Early decision and early action plans can be beneficial to students but only to those who have thought through their college options carefully and have a clear preference for one institution. Early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Early action plans are nonbinding — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1. Counselors need to make sure that students understand this key distinction between the two plans. Early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Early action plans are nonbinding — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1. Counselors need to make sure that students understand this key distinction between the two plans. Approximately 450 colleges have early decision or early action plans, and some have both. Some colleges offer a nonbinding option called single-choice early action, under which applicants may not apply ED or EA to any other college. Approximately 450 colleges have early decision or early action plans, and some have both. Some colleges offer a nonbinding option called single-choice early action, under which applicants may not apply ED or EA to any other college. ED plans have come under fire as unfair to students from families with low incomes, since they do not have the opportunity to compare financial aid offers. This may give an unfair advantage to applicants from families who have more financial resources ED plans have come under fire as unfair to students from families with low incomes, since they do not have the opportunity to compare financial aid offers. This may give an unfair advantage to applicants from families who have more financial resources

College Applications Applying to college can be stressful, know where to get help! Applying to college can be stressful, know where to get help! UC Requirements & Applications CSU Requirements & Applications CSS Profile Info Packets NCAA Profile Packets AB540 Packets Common Application Info. Monthly Updates for applying.