1. COLLEGE INFORMATIONNIGHT
Parents/Guardians of Class of 2018

2. CCC RESOURCES CCC Website and Calendar
Senior Folders and Senior/Junior Handbooks
ing Seniors Updates (Schedule Updates, Essay Readers, SAT Prep, College Visits, etc.)
Berkeley Book of College Essays
Advising appointments, group or individual
The CCC will links to make appointments via Sign-Up Genius

3. ESSAY READERS Volunteer essay readers in the CCC
M: 9:00-10:00am, Lunch, After school T-Th: Lunch and After School
F: Lunch s

4. HOW DO STUDENTS STAY INFORMED?
Visit the CCC. Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm. Student drop-in advising before school, at lunch, after school
Sign up for the BHS E-Tree.
To subscribe, send an message to bhs- with “subscribe” as the first and only word in the subject line.
Visit the CCC website
Morning Announcements
Check Berkeley High School s daily

5. TESTING Deadlines (College specific) ACT vs. SAT
SAT Subject Tests (Required?)
Sending Test Scores (CSU/UC/Private schools, and do you send them all scores?)

6. TESTING CALENDAR

7. TESTING CALENDAR

8. COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES
Community College (113)
CSU (23)
UC (9)
Private Schools
Out-of-state schools

9. PRIVATE COLLEGES The Common Application (700 schools)
Basic FAQ’s (Class Size, Rank, GPA weighting, etc.)
Letters of Recommendation (Who writes them, how and when to request them)
Transcripts
Essays

10. COMMON APP PROMPTS
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. [No change] 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? [Revised] 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [Revised] 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. [No change] 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised] 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? [New] 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. [New]

11. NON-COMMON APPLICATION SCHOOLS
Procedures for requesting and sending required documents
Each school is different

12. WUE: WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE

13. COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Various opportunities – General Education for transfer, certificate options
College AND career consideration
Students can complete General Education at community colleges for most majors
Students must also complete Major Preparatory courses which are critical to admission to many transfer majors
TAG - Transfer Admission Guarantee to some UCs or CSUs, with a certain GPA and prerequisites

14. UC/CSU APPLICATIONS
How does UC/CSU calculate the GPA of a high school applicant who is a California resident?
In calculating the GPA for admission consideration, UC uses all UC- approved “a-g” courses a student took between the summer before 10th grade through the summer following 11th grade. Additionally, UC will grant up to eight semesters (with no more than four semesters coming from 10th grade) of honors weight for grades of C or better in AP, IB, UC-approved Honors Level, and transferable college courses. 

15. A-G COURSES

16. CSU APPLICATIONS https://csumentor.edu
1 application for all 23 CSU campuses
Applications open October 1st
Minimum GPA of 2.0 (10th & 11th grades, a-g courses)
Either SAT or ACT, Writing section not required
No essay or recommendation letters required unless applying for EOP

17. WHAT IS EOP?

18. UC APPLICATIONS https://admissions.universityofcalifornia.edu
1 application for all 9 undergraduate UC campuses
Application opens in August
Freshmen Admission Eligibility Requirements: GPA, coursework, and testing – ACT or SAT with Essay/Writing portions. Some schools/majors require SAT Subject Tests – check websites
Coursework based on “a-g” courses completed in 10th and 11th grade
Minimum 3.0 weighted GPA

19. UC PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS
Applicants are asked to respond to 4 out of 8 Personal Insight prompts pertaining to these topics: 1) Leadership 2) Creativity 3) Talent/skill 4) Taking advantage of educational opportunities/ overcoming educational barriers 5) Overcoming challenges 6) Favorite academic subject 7) How you made your school/community a better place 8) What sets you apart from other applicants
Each response must be 350 words maximum
Each response is weighted equally

20. IB EXAM CREDITS
When it comes to exam by credit here is the distinction between SL exams and HL exams:
(From UC admissions website) International Baccalaureate exam credits
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization awards either a diploma or a certificate for individual IB exams. UC awards students who complete the IB diploma with a score of 30 or above with 30 quarter (20 semester) units toward their UC degree. Students who receive IB certificates with scores of 5, 6 or 7 on Higher Level exams will receive 8 quarter (5.3 semester) units.
Designated examinations are awarded elective units which may be applied to UC graduation requirements for specific subjects and/or for general education/breadth requirements, as determined by each campus.
Students or counselors should refer to individual campus catalogs/bulletins for more information on how subject credit may be granted.
The units granted for IB exams are not counted toward the maximum number of credits required for declaration of a major or the maximum number of units a student may accumulate prior to graduation. Students who enter the UC with IB credit do not have to declare a major earlier than other students, nor are they required to graduate earlier.

21. FINANCIAL AID
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and Dream Act for CA AB540 Students: Application opens October 1, 2017
Loans
Grants – Cal Grants
Work Study
Scholarships
Financial Aid Packages from Private Schools

22. https://dream.csac.ca.gov/
FINANCIAL AID

23. FINANCIAL AID
Financial Aid Information Night Thursday, October 5, 2017 BHS Library 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Cash 4 College Night Thursday, November 9, 2017 BHS Library and CCC 6:30pm – 8:30pm

24. APPLICATION WORKSHOPS

25. IMPORTANT DEADLINES
November 1-15: Early Decision and Early Action applications for private schools due (depends on school)
November 30: UC and CSU applications due
January 1-15: Regular decision applications for private schools due (depends on school)
March 2: FAFSA and DREAM Act applications due

26. HELPFUL TIPS
Create Google Doc consolidating usernames and passwords for all college-related websites
Create and maintain calendar with important deadlines
CHECK YOUR AND STUDENT PORTALS FREQUENTLY

27. WHAT SHOULD YOUR STUDENT DO NOW?
Keep/get their grades up
Ensure they meet a-g course requirements
Register for SAT or ACT. Fee waivers are available in the CCC.
Check in with Academic Counselor
Secure writers for Letters of Rec. Counselor/College Advisor and 1-2 teachers (varies by school)
Draft and write essays, create portfolios if necessary for applications

28. THANK YOU! melanieaguas@berkeley.net maryjacobs@berkeley.net
Melanie Aguas, College Advisor
Mary Jacobs, Clerical Support