Senior Parent Night Agenda College Entrance Requirements Financial aid/scholarships What colleges are looking for Selecting the right school NCAA requirements The application process Senior year timeline

College Entrance Requirements CSU CP English4 yr Math (Alg1,2,Geom)3 yr Lab Science 2 yr Social Science 2 yr Foreign Language 2 yr CP Electives 1 yr Visual/Performing Arts 1 yr All courses must be UC certified (P) & passed with a C or better grade SAT I or ACT UC 4 yr 3 yr, 4 recom 2 yr, 3 recom 2 yr 2 yr, 3 recom 1 yr All courses must be UC certified (P) & passed with a C or better grade SAT I or ACT Required. SAT II Required/Recommended for some majors: (Engineering is one)

SAT I – max score 2400 –Critical reading (200 – 800) –Writing (200 – 800) –Math (200 – 800) –Most popular on the West coast ACT – max score 36 –English –Math –Reading –Science –Optional Writing Test –May be required by Midwest schools SAT & ACT

SAT II’s Required for some majors at UC’s & some private schools Check with each school to determine if it is either required or strongly recommended –Scores used for admission, course placement & advisement

SAT I & SAT II – Oct 1, Nov 5 & Dec 3 ACT – Sept 10, Oct 22 & Dec 10 UC’s – Dec test scores: last accepted CSU’s – Dec test scores: last accepted unless space remains open for admission (Nov test last for some CSU”s) Private/independent vary SAT I & SAT II offered on the same day, cannot take both on same day

Reporting SAT/ACT & SAT II 4 reports included in cost of test NCAA must have test results – 9999 CSU system (all CSUs) code for SAT – 3594 Some scholarships require SAT/ACT scores

Division I or Division II schools “Clearinghouse” eligibility – Eligibility Center –16 core courses see counselor to verify - NOW NCAA website: SAT/ACT must be submitted to NCAA clearinghouse (9999) SYVUHS transcripts (initial & final) must be sent, bring requests to Terry Westfall in the guidance office AHC transcripts have to be submitted to NCAA clearinghouse NCAA Division 1 4 yr English 3 yr Math 2 yr Science 2 yr Social Science 1 yr add Eng, math, sci 4 yr (acad elect) 16 acad core courses All courses must be on the NCAA 48H list SAT or ACT

Questions?

Gift Aid: Grants and scholarships –Need-based or merit-based Self-help aid: Loans and employment –Need-based or non-need-based

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid Must file for Federal, State, Campus & some private $$ PROFILE: financial supplement to FAFSA for private colleges (NOW) –profileonline.collegeboard.com FAFSA website: GPA verification for CAL Grant File dates: January 1 to March 2 PIN: get now – Financial Aid Night: Early January

Scholarships Based on: activities, academic merit, athletics, intended major, ethnic origin, religion, parent employer, or any combination of factors Review Scholarship Handbook Santa Barbara Foundation Local Scholarships Mrs. Westfall – little file cabinet, daily bulletin

Questions?

Communicate with your son/daughter Discuss wants and needs –Each side should discuss –Atmosphere –Money –Long term benefits –Majors Selecting the Right College

Narrowing the Field Types of Schools –Community College –CSU –UC –Private – Out of State Prioritize –Have a “reach school” and a “sure bet” Use checklist for comparison

GPA Test Scores Strength of Transcript (compared against what is offered at home school) Personal statement /essay Outside activities & interests Letters of recommendations (primarily private colleges)

Sources of Information College Fairs Campus Visits College Representatives College Catalogs, Resource Handbooks Internet

Questions?

When to Apply UC’s and CSU’s have NOV filing period –UC’s – Nov 1 – 30 –CSU’s file online Oct 1 – Nov 30 Private/Independents vary –often Dec or Jan Early Decision vs. Early Application

Colleges and universities prefer online apps Easier and fewer errors CSU: –(Oct 1 – Nov 30) UC: –(Nov 1-30) Private/out of state: contact school’s website (varies, check each college)

Letters of Recommendation can sometimes make the difference Get & complete letter of recommendation information form Parent/guardian complete their part of form Personalized letter, best Attach a copy of college essay ( if you have one) Two weeks notice for letter of recommendation

Questions?

The College Countdown October: Gather info, prepare applications, PROFILE completed Nov – Feb: Apply for admission, request letters of recommendation Jan: Submit FAFSA & GPA verification Mar – May : Send add’l info requested (1040) April: Notification of Financial Aid by College May 1: SIR, Tuition deposit due, housing June 8:Graduation 2012 Summer: Orientation, pre-registration

Tips... Letters of Recommendation – give 2 weeks notice for person writing No “cute” addresses Make copies or download copies before you send/submit Get certificates of mailing for everything you mail (not certified) Make a hardcopy or electronic file for every school applied to & keep all correspondence Check junk Check & double check deadlines Most communication from colleges will be via , then Portal If you’re not sure, ask!

Questions ? ****** Good Luck Class of 2012