College Planning College doesn’t just happen… it takes planning. Cindy Cutts Mary Beth Buttweiler Chip Kling Michelle Allen

Week 1 - September 18 Week 1 - September 18   Understanding the higher ed system in California Community College, CSU, UC and the other private colleges.   Understanding a – g, academic requirements, etc.   Realistic goals – Reach schools, safety schools   Tools and resources of Naviance.   Preparing to apply to college SAT & ACT   Activities, service, awards, employment, Does it matter and how much?   How maximize your personal history Ho w to create your own opportunities.

Week 2 – September 25   The college essay   Letters of recommendation Other supportive documentation for scholarships and admission.   Scholarships How to find them How to win them   Financial Aid – How it works & how to apply

California Legislature’s Master Plan for Higher Education  University of California top 10% 9  California State University top 30% 23  Community College 100% 109

California Public 4 Year Schools  CSU & UC academic requirements for admission are the same  Called the A - G

A - G  Meeting A – G will make you eligible at:  CSU  UC  Most Private Colleges  Most Out-of-State Colleges

California’s A – G Course List Search yours at  College Prep courses in six areas Social Studies Social Studies Math Math English English Science Science Foreign Language Foreign Language Visual & Performing Arts Visual & Performing Arts Elective Elective Sometimes most challenging course might not be college prep

What is A – G? A History and Social Science (including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government AND 1 year of social science) 2 B English (4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature) 4 C Math (4 years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year) 3 D Laboratory Science (including 1 biological science and 1 physical science) 2 E Language Other than English (2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable - 2 F Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art) 1 G College Preparatory Elective 1 Total Required (more recommended) 15

University of California  Nine undergraduate universities  Research based education  Nearly all majors have common general ed classes at the freshman level  Requires more information on application than CSU  Requires personal statement  More expensive than CSU*

University of California  Nine undergraduate universities  Research based education  Nearly all majors have common general ed classes at the freshman level  Comprehensive application  Personal Statement  Highly competitive & more expensive  Sometimes referred to as the  Ivy League of the West Coast

UC Looks Beyond Academics 14 Factors  GPA  Test scores  Number of courses beyond the minimum "a-g" requirements  Number of and performance in honors and AP courses  Top 9 percent of your high school class  Quality of your senior-year course work  Quality of your academic performance relative to your high school  Outstanding performance in academic subject areas  Outstanding work in special projects in any academic field  Recent, marked improvement in academic performance  Special talents  Completion of special projects  Academic accomplishments in light of special circumstances  Location of your school and residence

California State University  23 campuses, one university  Hands on learning  Internships  Start classes specific to major at freshman level  Experience, license, training, knowledge upon graduation to enter the industry  Respected as “can do” university

CSU Admits By Selection Index  Calculate with academic weighted 10-11* g.p.a.  Add SAT or ACT scores to calculate a Selection Index # Selection Index #  *CalPoly uses 9-11 grades*CalPoly uses 9-11 grades  Being eligible does not mean being admitted

Many CSU campuses are Impacted  More applicants than spaces  Out of service area often has higher selection index  Some admit all eligible applicants within the service area

Difference between UC & CSU  Strategies of Education

Differences If you plan to study to BE something CSU might be your best choice If you plan to study ABOUT something, UC might be your best choice

Private Schools  Private or Independent Colleges Excellent options for a quality education.  Many are highly regarded  Many use the Common Ap

Independent or Private Colleges  More expensive than public schools  Often offer more financial aid than public schools  Some accept all applicants/some are highly selective  Some are faith based  Some are not accredited  Do your homework – check for undergraduate admissions requirements  Be careful of schools where there are no requirements

Community College Transfer Agreements  UC & CSU gives California Community College transfers top priority  Sierra College has transfer agreements with public & private schools across the state and U.S.  Bachelor’s degree is the same as 4 year grads.  Excellent Back Up Plan for 4 Year Bound

Transfer Agreements  Community College transfer agreements can provide a solid plan Transfer policies at the CSU require all transfers to be “clean” upper division only. (Minimum 60 units) Transfer policies at the CSU require all transfers to be “clean” upper division only. (Minimum 60 units) Both CSU and UC now accept only junior level transfers (Minimum 60 units) You can’t transfer to either after only 1 year of community college except UC Riverside.

Community College  Equal Access for All No high school diploma No high school diploma No SAT or ACT scores No SAT or ACT scores Discounted tuition Discounted tuition Wide variety of educational options Wide variety of educational options Guarantee transfer with many state & private colleges Guarantee transfer with many state & private colleges Excellent back up plan if applying to top tier schools. Excellent back up plan if applying to top tier schools. Great place to challenge yourself academically Great place to challenge yourself academically Well respected and credits are valid Well respected and credits are valid

Sierra College  Ranked first in Northern California in transfers to the University of California and California State University systems.  BYU receives more transfers from Sierra College than any other college in California.  Find out more at Sierra College Parent information nights

Realistic Goals  What kind of education do I want or need?  What learning environment?  What is realistic financially for my family?  How hard do I want to work in college?  How long do I want to be in school?

College? I’m not ready for college!

What is the goal?  Fit the education to the goal  Fit the college to the education goal  Fit the student to the college Where will the student thrive and succeed? Where will the student thrive and succeed?

How could a college not want ME?

A better question  Why do I want to attend college?

So What?  Why am I going?  What is post college goal?  Where do I want to spend my life?  What are my natural talents & abilities?  What knowledge & skills do I need?  How hard am I willing to work in college?  How hard am I willing to work when I’m finished with college?

How many schools?  Reach School  Confident School  Safety School In today’s competitive college applicant pool, confirm your back up plan. Take advantage of on-the-spot admission or service area options. In today’s competitive college applicant pool, confirm your back up plan. Take advantage of on-the-spot admission or service area options.

Top Tier – Highly Selective Highly ranked schools are extremely competitive. Be realistic when setting college goals. You are probably NOT going to Stanford! going to Stanford!

Choosing a College  First – visit the website – Can you meet your goals here? Can you meet your goals here?  Talk to reps at College Fairs  Visit the Campus Explore and ask questions Explore and ask questions  Take a guided tour  Then take your own tour  Students need to spend at least 30 minutes alone to “breathe the air of a campus.”

Is this a good fit for me?  How competitive am I when I apply?  How will I reach my goals here?  What if I change my major?  Do I fit in here?  Does the climate matter to me?  What will I do if I need someone from home?  Will the area distract me from studying?  Will I find internships here?  How hard will I have to work to achieve my degree here?

Visiting a college  Students should visit the second time on their own Parent visit is different than student visit Parent visit is different than student visit Attend a class Attend a class Public transportation Public transportation Find their way Find their way “Try the college on” – Does it fit? “Try the college on” – Does it fit?

Realistic Goals  Can I reach my goal at this school? Honestly - How competitive am I? Honestly - How competitive am I? Will I be academically competitive here? Will I be academically competitive here? What is my back up plan? What is my back up plan?

How can WSCA Support your application?

Naviance  Tools for all college prep  Helps counselors support application  Not a “fix all”  Advocate for yourself  Be pro-active  Use transcript request & communicate  Assume nothing - check e-docs

Naviance  Log in is your student ID  Password is your password with a leading zero.  (Password is 999 your Naviance password is 0999)  Visit Student Services for codes  Common App is supported with Naviance but you still must communicate!

Naviance & Common Ap  Communicate with Mr. Kling – My application is complete and ready for you to finalize. Communicate with Mrs. Allen – Formally request your transcript and pay the $1 fee in Mrs. Allen’s office.

Transcripts Confirm your school is listed in Naviance Add transcript request form in Naviance Fill out WSCA Transcript Request Form (on our website) Pay $1 Take it to Mrs. Allen (must come out of your backpack) Minimum 3 days from order to transcript Transcripts are NOT auto-sent Must be formally requested

College Application Testing  SAT & ACT Juniors – Fall & Spring Juniors – Fall & Spring ACT with Writing ACT with Writing SAT Reasoning & SAT Subject Exams SAT Reasoning & SAT Subject Exams Seniors – Fall Seniors – Fall ACT with WritingACT with Writing September & MAYBE December September & MAYBE December SAT Reasoning or SAT Subject ExamsSAT Reasoning or SAT Subject Exams October & MAYBE November & December October & MAYBE November & December Send official score reports when you apply. Send official score reports when you apply.

Sophomores Testing  SAT Subject Exams in AP courses they have completed at the end of sophomore year  Take SAT Subject exams in JUNE.  Freshmen probably do not need to test unless they are in AP level classes

What else do they want?  Activities  Awards  Service  Employment  … Maybe…..

Activities  Evidence of leadership  Evidence of potential to contribute to the vitality of a college campus  Evidence of ability to do more than study  Activities are not just school related  Consider anything that you do on a regular basis outside of the classroom

Maximize Your Leadership  Assume leadership roles when presented  Step up to chair projects or events  All four years of high school  Create your own opportunities Volunteer (often & regularly) Volunteer (often & regularly) Problem solve Problem solve Create awareness Create awareness Look at your family responsibilities Look at your family responsibilities

Next Week Pulling it all together   The college essay   High school resume   Letters of recommendation   Scholarships How to find them How to win them   Financial Aid –   How it works & how to apply

Questions  ckling rafos.org - Counselor  mallen rafos.org - Registrar  ccutts rafos.org - Consultant  mbuttweiler rafos.org – Career Tech 