1. College 101
Sonora High School

2. Goals 9th Grade 10th grade 11th grade 12th grade
Start thinking about college
GPA is important: keep grades up
Prepare for SAT/ACT
Make sure to check GPA. Is it aligned with your college/s
Create good study habits
Continue to meet with high school counselor
Consider AP or honor courses
Apply for financial aid and scholarships (Dates have changed)
Visit your high school counselor to make sure you are taking the appropriate courses
Look into scholarship or academic honors
Create a college planner
Start your college applications.
Research careers
Study and time management is crucial
Focus on career exploration
Visit colleges/campus tours
Get involved in high school or in your community
Make sure you take summer classes
Volunteer and stay involved (clubs/ASB/special programs)
Keep up with all deadlines
Naviance- Create student 4 year plans
Naviance - Take a Career Inventory Survey
Naviance - Super Match (Explore colleges)
Naviance - Senior Survey, Letter of Recommendation, Scholarships, Schools You Are Thinking About.

3. The Basics: Types of Colleges
Private University- A 4-year institution supported by tuition, endowment, and donations and not operated by the government. They are typically more expensive than public colleges. Some are closely affiliated with religious organizations.
Technical/Vocational Schools- A school that offers specialized training in a particular industry or career. Usually offer certificates or associate degrees.
Arts Colleges- A school that provides training in areas such as photography, music, theater or fashion design. Most of these colleges offer associate or bachelor's degrees.
Public University- A 4 year institution that receives public funding from the government, and usually offers many major and minor options. Tuition ranges for in state and out of state students. This includes the University of California and California State University systems.
Community College- Generally, a 2-year institution of higher education that anyone can attend and offers different levels of instruction adapted to fit the needs of the community. Degrees offered will range from Certificates to Associate Degrees. (Do not require SAT/ACT)

4. Types of Degrees
BA/BS-The standard 4-year college degree. It is offered in hundreds of subjects and 4-year institutions. A Bachelor’s degree is a usual prerequisite for all graduate and doctoral programs.
AA/AS- A two year college degree, equivalent to the first to years of a Bachelor's program. *Depending on the choice of study.

5. Basic Terms GE: General Education Units: College credits
AA: Associate of Arts
AS: Associate of Science
ADT: Associate Degree for Transfer
GPA: Grade Point Average
Ds are not a passing grade in college
IB: International Baccalaureate
A-G Requirements-Courses required for minimum admission to a CSU/UC.
BA: Bachelors of Arts
Liberal arts/ general
BS: Bachelors of Science
Science, math, technology
ACT: American College Test
SAT: Scholastic Aptitude Test
SAT Subject Test
AP: Advance Placement
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(Financial Aid Night 2017: October 12, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in Theater)

6. The A-G Requirements
The A-G / College Entrance Requirements are a sequence of high school courses that students must complete (with a grade of C or better) to be minimally eligible for admission to the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU). They represent the basic level of academic preparation that high school students should achieve.

7. The A-G Requirements CSU/UC “A-G” Requirements:
Sonora High School’s Course List:

8. Applying When to Apply Test Deadlines SAT/ACT The Application
What to Consider

9. When to Apply
FAFSA - Application opens on October 1, APPLY EARLY
*State Deadline
California - For Cal Grant and many other state financial aid programs – Deadline March 2, 2018 (date postmarked)
*Out of State Deadlines may be much earlier, check with the Colleges and Universities that you are applying to for specific deadlines.
UC- Fall 2018 application period:
November 1, November 30, 2017.
CSU - Fall 2018 application period:
October 1, November 30, 2017
Private/Independent - Usually have later application deadlines depending on each school. Make sure to check dates.
Community College- Will admit up to the start date of the class. *Best to apply sooner to secure classes. Counseling 100 in the Spring- Priority registration.

10. The Common App
The Common Application will connect you to nearly 700 Member colleges through one platform/application.
You should create an account as soon as possible, check for participating schools, and also be aware that counselor recommendations are done through the portal. It requires time and accuracy! Start EARLY.

11. The University of California
The California State University

12. Early Decision vs. Early Action
ED Applicants- ED if you're completely, absolutely, positively sure you want to attend the school. You should have strong, concrete reasons for wanting to go there*
Apply early (usually in November) to first-choice college.
Receive an admission decision from the college well in advance of the usual notification date (usually by December).
Agree to attend the college if accepted and offered a financial aid package that is considered adequate by the family.
Apply to only one college early decision.
Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans.
Withdraw all other applications if accepted by ED.
Send a nonrefundable deposit well in advance of May
EA Applicants- For the most part, you can apply to as many early action colleges as you want. However, a few schools have restrictive or single-choice early action, which means you can't apply early anywhere but that one school.
Apply early.
Receive an admission decision early in the admission cycle (usually in January or February).
Consider acceptance offer; do not have to commit upon receipt.
Give the college a decision no later than the May 1 national response date.
Early Decision vs.
Early Action
Early decision plans are binding — a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college.
Early action plans are nonbinding — students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1.
A good rule of thumb to go by is this: apply early if you're organized and prepared with a strong application. Wait until regular decision if your application would be stronger with a couple more months of preparation. Your highest priority should be to send the best application you can.
The most common deadlines for early action are November 1 and November 15

13. Test Deadlines SAT DATES
August 26, Registration Deadline July 28, 2017
October 7, Registration Deadline September 8, 2017.
November 4, Registration Deadline October 5, 2017
December 2, Registration Deadline November 2, 2017
ACT DATES
September 9, 2017-Registration Deadline August 4, 2017
October 28, 2017-Registration Deadline September 22,
December 9, 2017-Registration Deadline November 3, 2017
OUT OF STATE COLLEGES MAY HAVE DIFFERENT DATES.
Both UC and CSU require that your SAT and ACT are taken the latest DECEMBER so keep that in mind.
Some Private still require sat subject tests so check those schools. YOU MUST CHECK

14. Community College The largest system of higher education in the nation
2.4 million students attend
Basic Skills
Continuing Education
Certificate
AA/AS degree
Transfer

15. Special Admit Program: Counseling 100

16. Special Admit Program: Counseling 100
Strongly recommended for community college bound seniors:
Enhanced registration at FJC: enroll before all other new students with zero units at FJC (Priority Registration)
Learn the transfer process so you can do it in a timely manner
Learn about the special programs (i.e. honors, TAP) that can help you be successful

17. F A S

18. Financial Aid Submit FAFSA - Filing period opens October 1
Types of Financial Aid
Grants (Federal/State) CAL GRANTS
Workstudy
Scholarships
Federal Loans
BOG Fee Waiver- For eligible California residents, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver permits enrollment fees to be waived.
2017 Financial Aid Night* (October 12, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.)

19. Financial Aid Federal Pell Grant (estimated at $5, 550 per award year)
GRANTS:
Federal Pell Grant (estimated at $5, 550 per award year)
State Grant/Cal Grant
Cal Grant A
4 year university
Helps pay tuition
3.0 GPA
Cal Grant B
Help pay living expenses and tuition
2 year college or 4 year
2.0 GPA
Cal Grant C
Tech or career education
Available for only 2 years of education
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Non-profit organizations
University/college
Free
QuestBridge (National Scholarship Match, based on income and family size
Blue Scholarship Form
WORK STUDY:
Federal aid
Work on or off campus
Do not have to pay back
FEDERAL LOANS:
Amount based on FAFSA
Not free!
Pay back with interests.

20. What are ‘YOU’ Looking for in a College

21. College Search Factors
Areas of Study - What is your goal? What interests you? Does your school offer the Major you are interested in?
Campus Demographics - This describes the characteristics and makeup of the student body at a school, including ethnicity, gender, age, religious affiliation, size of student body etc.
Location - What city, state, or country is the school located. (Think about additional expenses such as out-of-state fees, dorming, etc)
Cost & Financial Aid - The amount needed to pay for tuition and other expenses. Are there scholarships? Loans?
Housing - Will you Living on campus or off campus? Does the school offer dorms, residence halls, student apartments? Does your college have these options?
Sports & Extracurricular Activities - Most universities will participate in NCAA sports, but please do some research to see if they offer a sport you are interested, as well as clubs.

22. Naviance
is LONG ID # ONLY
Password is SHORT ID # ONLY

23. Naviance Tasks 1) How to request Letter Of Recommendation
2) Schools they are Thinking of Applying to
3) Scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Match via Naviance
4) Blue Scholarship Forms - For local scholarship opportunities
5) Verify that SAT/ACT Scores are accurate in their Naviance portal.

24. The College and Career Center
College admissions information
College Representative Visits
Scholarship applications (Naviance)
Financial aid information
Volunteer Opportunity List
Armed services brochures
Summer Programs
Job Board Postings
Work Permits