1. La Serna School 11th Grade College Information Night
PREPARING PARENTS AND STUDENTS FOR SENIOR YEAR AND POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

2. A well-balanced senior year
Student responsibilities are split between planning their futures and working on high school demands:
Help your student plan for next year’s commitments now
Understand that social connections are more important than ever
Anticipate conflicting emotions with upcoming change
Reassure students that parents, advisors, counselors, and teachers are there to help provide support

3. 10 Steps To Good College Planning
The following 10 steps will help your student:
Begin the college search process with parent support
Plan for deadlines in the post-secondary planning process
Survive and thrive throughout the senior year

4. 1. Match aptitudes and career goals with schools and programs
Visit the LSHS College & Career Center
Edlin Simental, LSHS College Advisement Specialist
Explore college search websites
Write a résumé
Look for schools with a good range of programs in an area of interest

5. 2. Register for a rigorous and balanced senior course schedule
Core academic courses
Coursework beyond minimum college entrance requirements
Advanced classes/course studies
Elective classes in areas of interest

6. 3. Sign up for College Entrance Exams
SAT Reasoning Test -
ACT with optional writing test –
Sign up for ACT Prep (Tier One Tutors Feb- April)
Sign up for SAT prep (Tier One Tutors March-May)
Both are tests of college readiness
Recommended Spring of Junior and Fall of Senior year
PSAT Update: Scores are available on Collegeboard
Additional personalized SAT practice materials available through Khan Academy
Last testing opportunity Fall of Senior year (November/December)

7. College Entrance Exams
ACT
25% English
25% Mathematics
25% Reading
25% Science
Optional Writing Test
Subtests range from 1-36
Composite of 4 test scores
(1-36)
No penalty for guessing
Redesigned SAT
Reading and Writing Sections have been combined, with a maximum score of 800.
Math section is scored out of 800.
The essay is optional (do essay if applying to UCs!).
The SAT is now scored out of ( )
No penalty for guessing.

8. 4. Build a list of schools/programs to research
Gather information about:
Location
Size
Admissions Requirements – typical test scores/GPA
Academic Offerings – majors/programs
Expenses – tuition, travel to/from school
Financial Aid
Housing
Campus Visits

9. 5. Plan school visits Attend a class (with prior permission)
Walk around campus
Attend a class (with prior permission)
Take virtual tours
Meet with admissions counselors/attend presentations
Spend a night in the dorm (can be pre-arranged on some campuses)
Talk with other university students
Use campus comparison form as a tool (i.e.,

10. 6. Build a list of schools for application
Discuss the college comparison data and get feedback from others
Students should talk with parents, counselors, advisors, teachers, and friends
Help your son or daughter examine their goals, thoughts and feelings so that they may choose schools for application
Build a well-considered, reasonable list of schools for application (CSU, UC, private, out of state, community college)

11. 7. Application elements Demographic Information/Essays Academic record
Test scores (SAT or ACT)
School/counselor report
Teacher recommendation

12. Letters of recommendation
To receive letters that add depth and excitement to an application students should:
Ask someone who knows them well
Choose teachers of classes where they were most engaged intellectually, showed creativity, or completed a special project or independent work
Provide teachers with a résumé
Talk to the writer about their dreams for college and a career
Remember to write thank you notes to letter writers including exciting news of acceptance

13. 8. Financial aid and scholarship
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Factors determine the EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
Schools determine distribution of funds as financial aid packages
Research independent sources of scholarship funding
Athletes should register with the NCAA
LSHS Financial Aid Night in January of senior year

14. 9. Plan senior year Establish a calendar to plan for:
SAT/ACT (at least 2 attempts)
WUHSD College Fair (Fall of Sr. year)
College Representatives visits to the College & Career Center
Senior workshops
Application deadlines
LSHS finals, AP tests, senior project
Sports, activities, community service, social events
National College Decision Day May 1
Graduation

15. Possible Senior expenses
Yearbook approx. $70-$110
Sr. Prom Tickets approx. $70-$100 pp
Cap and Gown approx. $35-$65
Senior Pictures approx. $100-$500
Announcements approx. $100
Senior picnic/breakfast $25
College Applications $55-$70 per school
Grad Night $80-$100
Athletic Expenses
ASB card $45
Jacket $250-$450

16. 10. Fall Senior Workshops
Encourage your student to attend College Application Workshops after school in September-November
Attend Sr. College Information Night in Fall
Attend Financial Aid Night (Fall and Spring) FAFSA
Encourage your student to attend the Financial Aid workshops beginning in January of Sr. year

17. Stay Connected

18. College Resources

19. GOT QUESTIONS?
Encourage your student to make an appointment with their counselor
Encourage your student to come to the College & Career Center (A212)
Feel free to or call:
College & Career Center ext. 6066