1. Letters of Recommendation UC/CSU do not accept letters.

2. Letters of Recommendation Counselor Secondary School Report[SSR] Mid-year report Letter Two teachers Different core subjects Know you well

3. Admission criteria High school record Admissions test scores [ SAT and/or ACT] Recommendations Application/essay Other factors: NCAA, talents, awards, experiences

4. What do Colleges Look For? Least competitive – High School record 90% – Testing 5% – Other 5% Traditional level colleges - High School record 50% - Testing 25% - Other 25% letters/essays/activities Most competitive colleges – High School Record 20% – Testing 20% – Other 60% letters/essays/activities

5. College Application : Putting it all together Official transcript: Personal resume and/or essay: Standardized test results: School recommendation: SSR & Mid-year Letters of recommendation from counselor and two academic teachers

6. Next steps: Ask teachers at the beginning of the school year and not less than two weeks from deadline Counselors have a deadline Supply both with: - the information requested - stamped, addressed envelopes

7. Counselor requirements: List of Colleges and deadlines Register each college with www.commonapp.org Complete the following in Naviance: Sign FERPA, My Resume, My Game Plan, and MVHS Senior Self-Report Form, Move colleges to active list Letter or outline from parent or guardian Request official transcript from registrar Addressed, stamped [3] large envelopes if mailing

8. BE AWARE OF DEADLINES Senior year is all about DEADLINES – for college apps, financial aid & scholarships, changing courses, ordering your announcements, and completing all your requirements to GRADUATE!

9. WHO ARE YOU?

10. Self-Report My Resume: What have you done? My Game Plan: What do you want to do? MVHS Senior-Self Report: Who are you? -including ten adjectives

11. Letter from parent or guardian Observations: -outstanding accomplishments -major events in life, turning points -witness to growth and development -greatest strengths -unusual personal circumstances -outstanding personality traits -relevant to potential for college success

12. MVHS Secondary School Report Agree to waive right to view documents [FERPA] Complete Common Application for each college Move colleges to active list in Naviance User name and password for CommonApp and Naviance MUST match Request official transcript from registrar Include stamped/addressed [8X11]envelopes for each college if necessary to use mail. Each envelope needs 3 stamps.

13. FERPA Agreement-must agree to waive right to access file

14. 1. Rigor of curriculum scheduled. 2. Scholastic readiness, academic motivation 3. Potential, integrity, respectfulness 4. Curiosity, leadership, confidence, sense of humor 5. Concern for others, energy, initiative 6. Emotional maturity, reaction to setbacks 7. Respect afforded by faculty and peers 8. Discipline record What do Admission Officers’ Want to Know?

15. What counselors need to know in order to write a great letter? Student’s essential character Specific anecdotes about student’s abilities Student potential and how it relates to choices How will student add to the culture of the college Unusual or irregular circumstances Does the student love learning Did the student take advantage of opportunities

16. Family Connection by Naviance Forgotten your password or username? See Counselor or College and Career Center Track Application Status: click on “My Colleges” under “About Me” section Scholarships: click on “Scholarship List” under the “About College” section Colleges Visiting MVHS: click on “Visit schedule” under “About College” section. Then “SIGN ME UP”; print the form and ask teacher to sign permission for excused absence.

17. Important Websites http://connection.naviance.com/mountainhttp://connection.naviance.com/mountain view www.commonapp.org www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions www.csumentor.edu www.collegeboard.com www.act.org

18. Last Steps: Meet with your counselor in Sept/Oct Put everything in the big envelope that your counselor will give to you. Deliver to counselor by Nov. 1 st Early decision/actions by Oct. 1st

20. Final Thoughts Relax Work Hard Enjoy Be Balanced Make Memories