Claudia Morales University of California, Berkeley

 The headlines are stark.  Anxiety levels are sky-high.  Parents, students and educators whisper about the straight-A student who never received an acceptance letter.  As a result, the college admissions game is starting earlier and earlier.

 It may come as a shock, but the data shows that it is no more difficult for most students to get into college today than it was a decade ago.  Beneath the headlines and the urban legends lies the real story:  If students are well prepared in high school by earning the right credentials, they will get into a good college.

 Taking harder and higher-level courses, especially in math and science, would do more to increase student chances of being accepted than would a higher GPA.  A higher score on college entrance exams (such as the SAT or ACT) also beats out a higher GPA.

 If an average applicant was able to pass pre-calculus instead of stopping at trigonometry, his or her chances would have increased from 75 to 79 percent.  Lower-achieving applicants could increase their chances from 52 to 57 percent if they simply completed trigonometry instead of stopping math at algebra II -- a greater increase than if the student earned a 3.0 GPA.

Requirements San Jose Unified School District The State of California UC & CSU 3.5 Years3 Years2 Years 4 years3 years4 years 3 years (beginning with Algebra 1) 2 years (including Algebra 1) 3 years (beginning with Algebra 1) 4 YEARS RECOMMENDED 3 years (2 years of lab science) 2 years (does not have to be a lab science) 2 years (Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics) 2 years 1 year (either FL OR VPA) 2 years (of the same foreign language) 3 YEARS RECOMMENDED 2 years 1 year (either FL OR VPA) 1 year 45 Credits n/a1 year 2 years 40 hoursRecommended A. History B. English, C. Math D. Lab Science E. Foreign Language F. Visual/Performing Art G. College Prep Electives Physical Education Community Service Indicates UC/CSU course requirement has been met Did you know that when you fulfill your high school graduation requirements you are also making yourself eligible for college?

 Advance Placement ◦ AP European History ◦ AP United States Government & Politics ◦ AP United States History ◦ AP English & Language Composition ◦ AP English Literature & Composition ◦ AP Calculus AB ◦ AP Calculus BC ◦ AP Statics ◦ AP Chemistry ◦ AP Biology ◦ AP Physics ◦ AP Spanish Language ◦ AP Spanish Literature ◦ AP French Language ◦ AP French Literature ◦ AP Music Theory ◦ AP Studio Art: 2-D Design ◦ AP Studio Art: Drawing  Honors ◦ English 5/6 (H) ◦ Pre-Calculus ½ (H)

 Under the new policy, all California high school seniors who… ◦ complete the 15 UC-required college- preparatory ("a-g") courses, with 11 of those done by the end of 11th grade, ◦ maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better (weighted by honors/AP bonus points) in these courses, and ◦ take the ACT with Writing or SAT Reasoning Test  …will be invited to apply and will be entitled to a comprehensive review of their applications at each UC campus to which they apply.

Changes to Freshman Eligibility for Class of 2012  Within this "entitled to review" pool, two categories of applicants will be guaranteed admission somewhere within the UC system: ◦ those who fall in the top 9% of all high school graduates statewide, and ◦ those who rank in the top 9% of their own high school graduating class.

1. Successfully consume large amounts of information in an efficient manner. 2. Know how to organize information effectively: mastery of outlining, note-taking, structuring and grouping information. 3. Know how to organize and complete long term assignments while working independently. 4. Make a successful transition to acquiring information through the lecture approach and the lack of interaction during the class period. 5. Seek out counseling services and understand how to make use of support services. 6. Be self-directed in making personal choices. 7. Adjust to the depersonalized setting of the secondary school. (Very few adults may know the student's name.) 8. Complete homework assignments and attend classes with a minimum of prodding from school staff. 9. Inform their parents of school events. 10. Successfully fulfill the expectations of six or more different teachers.

 Encourage as much reading as possible, especially beyond what is assigned in class.  Meet all of your student’s teachers.  Check in regularly with your student’s counselor.  Familiarize yourself with Lincoln’s a-g course  Complete and regularly update an Individual Academic Plan (IAP) with your student.

Questions????? Claudia Morales Felicia Aldana, DCAC advisor