1. Hamilton High School College Planning 101
…or how can I survive my child’s Senior year!

2. CONTACT INFORMATION
Hamilton High (951)
Jason Sonnier- School Counselor
Dave Farkas - Principal
Daniel Betts – Assistant Principal

3. Average Annual Earnings for College Graduates and Non-Graduates
$109,600 Professional Degree
$89,400 Doctoral Degree
$62,300 Master's Degree
$52,200 Bachelor's Degree
$38,200 Associate’s College
$36,800 Some College
$30,400 High School Graduate
$23,400 Some High School
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys

4. Unemployment Rate in 2011 9.0% Average-all workers
2.4% Professional Degree
1.9% Doctoral Degree
3.9% Master's Degree
5.4% Bachelor's Degree
7.0% Associate’s Degree
9.2% Some College
10.3% High School Graduate
14.9% Some High School
9.0% Average-all workers
12.1% for California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Population Survey

5. 217 Opportunities for College In California!
9 University of CA campuses
23 Cal State University campuses
75 Private/Independent Colleges
110 California Community Colleges

6. A-G Requirements A - History / Social Science - 2 years required
B - English - 4 years required
C - Mathematics - 3 years required, 4 years recommended
D - Laboratory Science - 2 years required, 3 years recommended
E - Language Other than English - 2 years required, 3 years recommended
F - Visual & Performing Arts - 1 year required
G - Electives - 1 year required

7. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (UC)
Applications on-line
a.edu/apply
Filing Period:
November 1 – 30
Requires short answer Personal Insight Questions
SAT Reasoning or
ACT with Writing
Could require SAT Subject Tests depending on major and University
Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz
$60 fee per campus
Admission based on selectivity
Comprehensive Review
UCLA last year---average 4.3, 2100 SAT and 17 semesters of Honors and AP’s.
This power point will be on the school’s web site—so you will have dirct links to all of these addresses.
Essay – in Senior English class???
One application – check off schools that you are applying to.
No Letters of Rec – do not require and will not accept.
No transcripts – self-reported grades – HONESTY!!
ELC – top 4% of class. Will be notified before November with their ELC # to be used in the application
Guaranteed entrance to:
UC Merced
Uc Riverside
UC Santa Barbara
UC Davis
UC Irvine
Apply broadly – 80% chance of acceptance if apply to 4 or more schools.

8. California State Universities
Cal Maritime
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
CSU Bakersfield
CSU Channel Islands
CSU Chico
CSU Dominguez Hills
CSU East Bay
CSU Fresno
CSU Long Beach
CSU Los Angeles
CSU Monterey Bay
CSU Northridge
CSU Sacramento
CSU San Bernardino
CSU San Marcos
CSU Stanislaus
Humboldt State University
Sacramento State University
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San Jose State University
Sonoma State University

9. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES (CSU)
Applications on-line
Filing period:
October 1-November 30
SAT Reasoning or
ACT WITHOUT writing
2.0 Minimum GPA for A-G
Writing score not used in eligibility determination
NO Essay
NO Subject Tests
$55/campus
16 Impacted Campuses
Eligibility Index
SAT (scores in math and critical reading) + (800 x GPA)
ACT (Your GPA ) x (10 x ACT Comp)
23 campuses. Range in size from small – ( students) Channel Islands, maritime, Monterey Bay,to medium ( ,000) – Chico, Monterey Bay, San Marcos, Humboldt, Sonoma, Stanislaus, SLO, East Bay, to very large (21,000-32,000) LB, LA, Fresno, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego. Smaller schools are like going to a private school at Cal State prices! Channel Islands – new dorms. Everyone has own room and share bathroom with 1 of 4 suite mates!
Eligibility based on Critical Reading and Math scores ONLY. Writing is not used in determining eligibility. That is why if you know you are ONLY applying to a Cal State or schools that do not use the writing score – take the ACT without the writing – cheaper and shorter!
Easiest application EVER!! E.g. no essay…. On October 1 – take ½ hour – DONE!!
Except for impacted campuses, schools accept on numbers alone and follow the eligibility index. E.g. 2.6 and 900 SAT—guaranteed entrance to any CSU EXCEPT impacted campuses—San Diego State, CSU Long Beach, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Need higher GPA and SAT scores e.g. LB – 3.4 and 1000 or 3.2 and 1200.

10. Private/Independent Colleges (some examples)
Azusa Pacific University
California Institute of Technology
California Lutheran University
Chapman University
Dominican University
Fresno Pacific University
Loyola Marymount University
Occidental College
Pepperdine University
Santa Clara University
Stanford University
University of La Verne
University of Redlands
University of San Diego
University of Southern California
University of the Pacific
Westmont College
Whittier College
Woodbury University

11. PRIVATE and OUT OF STATE COLLEGES
May apply on-line through school’s website
Students can request these applications at (345 colleges)
Deadlines and Fees vary
Entrance Requirements vary
Usual requirement:
SAT’s or ACT test scores
Essay
Resume of Extracurricular Activities
Letters of Rec. ( Counselor / Teacher
Transcripts
Range of schools from !
Arizona Schools and Oregon schools – 3.0
Pace in New York (15 blocks south of NYU) – 2.6
With Financial Aid – many more economical than a state school

12. Local Community Colleges
Mt. San Jacinto Community College
College of the Desert
Palomar College
Riverside Community College
San Bernardino Valley College
Crafton Hills College

13. COMMUNITY COLLEGE 18 years of age or High School Graduate
No SAT/ACT required
Placement Tests
Priority transfer to UC’s and CSU’s
Honors Transfer Program
Transfer Admission Guarantee (UC’s)
MAKE A PLAN!!
To apply to Community College you need only be 18 years of age or a High School graduate
Not SAT/ACT tests are required for admission. Your grades in Community College are solely used for transfer to a four year school.
Students should apply early on-line in the Spring. They will take English and Math placement tests at their school site which will guarantee correct placement in their English and Math classes. It in no way impacts their acceptance.
Students who complete two years at community college have PRIORITY transfer to UC’s and CSU’s over students who are transferring from a four-year school. They are placed FIRST, and then all others.
Students who have first priority are those who have completed the Honors Transfer Program. Students must have a 3.0 average upon admission (or within the first semester), take one Honors course a semester and maintain a prescribed GPA---and they will have first priority for transfer. Usually these students will choose the most competitive of the UC’s e.g. Berkeley and UCLA.
Transfer Admission Guarantee – offered by every UC except UCLA and UCB. Student signs contract with UC of their choice. If they complete the courses required with a specific GPA, they are guaranteed admission to that UC after two years.
Only 9% of community college students transfer to a 4 year school. Those who do have a plan.
Applications can begin in January-February. Priority registration to those who apply early. Longer you wait—fewer classes will be available.

14. College Admissions Testing
SAT
Time: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Subjects Covered: Critical Reading, Math, Writing (includes the Essay)
Science: not included
Math: accounts for 1/3 of overall score. Topics Covered: Arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and algebra II
Scoring: Total score out of 2400.
ACT
Time: 3 hours, 25 minutes
Subjects Covered: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (optional)
Science: (analysis, interpretation, evaluation, basic content, and problem solving)
Math: accounts for 1/4 of overall score. Topics Covered: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry
Scoring: Total composite score of 1-36
ED/EA – decisions will be made before they can receive test results from the November sitting
November – SLO and San Diego State – do not require Subject tests which leaves
December – Subject Tests – coming near the end of the semester. Optimal time to take if student chooses.
Even though UC and CSU have a November 30 deadline for APPLICATIONS—it is important to remember that they will accept scores through December

15. What Colleges are Right for You?
Visit Campuses
Take a campus tour
Speak with an admissions counselor
Ask about financial aid opportunities
Sit in on a class of interest
Read the student newspaper
Talk to students and faculty
Tour the student housing
What to consider
Size and diversity of student body
Location
Academic programs (majors)
Campus life – athletics, activities, housing
Graduation and retention rates
Cost, Financial aid and scholarship opportunities

16. FINANCIAL AID Total Cost of College Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
October 1-March 2 - application period
Forms:
FAFSA (federal)
Cal Grant (State – District sends)
CSS Profile (individual private schools)
Total Cost of College – Tuition, Room and Board, Books, Travel (2x/year), personal expenses
EFC – Expected Family Contribution. What you are expected to pay based on information submitted with FAFSA forms. Determined through a formula using income and asset information.
Financial Aid Night – December 2 at Torrance High School. Will do a line by line review FAFSA form
DO NOT hire anyone to do your forms! Huge SCAM! Will pay more to have them prepare than you would receive in aid. Free workshops and calling Financial Aid office at the schools will answer any question.

17. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
One parent + student needs FSA ID for electronic signature (
FAFSA Application on line at
Required by ALL schools to apply for aid, Pell Grants, Cal Grants, Stafford loans, Work Study and
Board of Governor’s Waiver-Community College
Determines family’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Considers income of the CUSTODIAL parent only.
PIN – apply NOW!! Keep for 4 years. Resubmit each year.
Based on income from this year.
Forms are available January 1, and you can use last years tax form to “estimate” your numbers from this year.
Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for financial aid, completing the FAFSA makes you eligible for low interest Stafford loans that are unavailable unless you complete the FAFSA form.
Also required if applying for Cal Grants

18. CAL GRANTS California grants based on need and GPA
Students complete application and obtain GPA and seal from Counseling Office
Linked to Social Security Numbers submitted through FAFSA form.
March 2 deadline
California grants awarded to students going to a California school. Based on need and GPA. 2- year, 4- year, private or public, as long as it is in California
Renewable each year automatically
2) Cal Grant authorization forms are available tonight if you have not already submitted the form.
3) Cal Grant A – 3.0 and above, Cal Grant B – 2.0 and above, Cal Grant C – vocationally oriented schools

19. SCHOLARSHIPS www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com www.collegeboard.com
Scholarship information at future University
Hamilton local scholarships
How do you advertise National scholarships – web site? Weekly postings?
2nd tier schools – Merit money is available for top students applying to 2nd tier schools e.g. Fordham – top 15 applicants receive full tuition, room and board. Many Cal States – Presidential Scholars to 4.0 or valedictorians – full tuition, room and board, books, and the President of the College is the student advisor. Top schools do not offer merit money and usually ALL of their students would qualify. 2nd tier schools are ACTIVELY recruiting and WANT top students to attend their schools.
Local Scholarship program – describe your school’s program.
Scholarship scams – scholarships are FREE money. You should not have to pay for free money. If anyone asks you to pay to find you one, or has even a $5 registration fee---IT IS A SCAM!!

20. AFTER ACCEPTANCE – THEN WHAT?
May 1 – State of Intent to register (SIR)
Provide deposit
No double deposits!! One school ONLY!
Housing – may need to apply early
Wait List
May 1 – final and most important deadline. Can not Double deposit. Can risk acceptance at both schools
In this day of electronic submission---don’t even think the schools won’t find out!
Many CSU’s with limited housing require deposits well ahead of the May 1 deadline. Most are refundable.
Wait List. You will not hear until June. Make sure that your student accepts at another school before the May 1 deadline. If your student comes off of the Wait List, there is no penalty other than a lost deposit for accepting at your wait listed school. If a student is wait listed and wants to attend that school, make sure that you communicate with the school of your interest. They want to accept students on the wait list who they KNOW will come to their school, as they will be meeting their yield numbers with those offers of admission.
Appeals—appeal ONLY if there is new compelling information to submit (e.g. new awards, etc.) If there is no new information, the student will be rejected once again since there is no reason to review the file. Don’t appeal just to appeal because feelings hurt that you weren’t accepted. Schools assume that if you win your appeal, that you will attend that school. Take appeals seriously and only appeal if you are serious about accepting admission if offered

21. Senior Timeline
Review class schedules with high school counselor to ensure that college preparatory requirements are being satisfied.
Early September: Register for the SAT or ACT. The high school counselor will have forms and information about fee waivers for those who qualify. or
October: Begin the application process on line.
Visit colleges and universities, open houses , check websites and/or college fairs.
November 1-30th: apply to colleges. Some campuses may continue to accept application after November 30th.
January: complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. It provides financial aid opportunities and eligibility information and can calculate an estimated financial aid package.
Frequently check with high school counselor for scholarships awarded by schools, local companies, and community groups. Search for this information in the counselor’s office and Internet.
March and April: If required, take the English Placement Test (EPT) and Entry Level Math (ELM) exam at a CSU campus. A passing score in EPT or ELM is required.
June: have your final transcripts sent to your college.
July: Notify the financial aid office of your college about any scholarships you’ve been offered.

22. FINAL THOUGHTS Education is an investment! Senior year DOES COUNT!!
All acceptances are PROVISIONAL dependent upon final semester grades
Apply to a realistic number of schools (3-6)
Senioritis is DEADLY!!
All acceptances provisional dependent upon final semester grades. College have the right to rescind any acceptance to a student who has not continued to perform in his Senior year. Expect the same caliber of student as the one that they accepted. 2 C’s or a D will cancel acceptance at top schools.
Weak Senior schedule – takes you out of the running for most competitive schools – need 5-6 academic classes. Fewer than 4 academic classes will also weaken your application e.g. students who had 3.6, 1800 SAT scores – denied Santa Barbara. Schedule had English, Econ & Gov., Appreciating the arts, ASB, TA and free period. Denied.
If school accepts you because you have reported that you are enrolled in English AP, Econ/Gov AP and then drop to College prep without informing your schools. – commit fraud! MUST inform schools, and if you don’t, could risk having acceptance rescinded once your corrected transcript is recieved

23. THANK YOU!
Any questions??