1. San Juan USD College Night Senior Parent Information Session
Presented by: Rio Americano Counseling Team

2. Senior To-Do List
Utilize Naviance to research post-high school options
Visit college websites and take virtual tours
Check academic (course) requirements for freshman admission to where applying
Take or re-take SAT and/or ACT + writing
Most colleges accept through the Dec test date but some require tests to be taken by Oct/Nov. Check with each campus.
Prospective college athletes:
Register with NCAA Eligibility Center asap
NCAA academic requirements

3. Student Roles with Letter of Recommendation
▪Sign the FERPA acknowledgement
▪ Allow a minimum of two weeks prior notice (not over Thanksgiving & Christmas breaks)
▪ If the student gives us 2 weeks notice, we will submit on time

4. To-Do List for Students
Be organized! Create master list of application deadlines, letters of recommendations needed, financial aid & scholarship deadlines, etc.
Begin working on UC personal insight questions/essay if required.
Complete “Personal Profile” if requesting a letter of recommendation from teachers/counselor.

5. UC and CSU Schools UC Comprehensive Review CSU GPA (min. 3.0 weighted)
Strength of Curriculum
Test Scores
ACT w/Writing OR SAT w/ Writing
Accept highest score from one sitting
SAT II Subject Tests: Not required but recommended for certain majors
Personal insight questions required
Extracurricular activities
CSU
GPA (minimum 2.0 weighted)
Test Scores
ACT or SAT (no writing scores needed except for Cal Poly SLO)
Super Score

7. WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange)
WUE is a reduced out of state tuition program
Reduced tuition is not automatically awarded
Participating schools might have specific requirements such as GPA, major, etc.
Refer to website for a list of participants

8. Finding the right “fit”
▪ Over 4,000 colleges & universities in the U.S.
▪ Appeal of “name brand” schools
▪ Keep options open
▪ Why “fit” is so important
▪ Research, visit, question!

9. Parent Letter of Recommendation
In counselor letter of recommendation packet as the final question
What would you want the college admissions officer to know about your child that they would not be able to glean from only school records and the college application?
Parental insight makes a tremendous difference in the quality of a finished letter of recommendation, so we ask that you address this portion with anecdotes and other pertinent information that is not already used in the college application
Possible topics include student's greatest strengths, most unique characteristics, significant family events, student's personal obstacles, etc...

10. Counselor Letters of Recommendation
Purpose: Overall picture of student
Students must complete the senior packet thoroughly and completely
Parents asked to write information
Reminder: UC and CSU campuses do not accept letters of recommendation

11. Teacher Letters of Recommendation
Purpose: Spotlight accomplishments within the scope of the classroom
Preferably from junior year academic teacher
Check college website for specific requirements
Your student should ask the teacher IN PERSON to write a letter of recommendation. The teacher may ask the student to fill out the teacher letter of recommendation questionnaire (available in the counseling office)
Teacher at Rio Americano will be using Naviance.
Be Organized! Provide teacher with a written list of schools you would like them to submit letter to.
Remind your student to send a thank you card. Teachers are not required to write letters, so be sure to say thanks!

12. College List in Naviance

13. Scholarships and Grants
Scholarship List
Local Scholarships
National Scholarship Search Available on Naviance under the College Tab then scroll to Scholarships and Money
Parent(s) place of employment

14. Helpful Application Websites
University of California: California State University: www2.calstate.edu/apply Common Application: WUE: Naviance: Rio Americano Counseling Page:
Financial Aid & Scholarship Websites:
FAFSA:
Cal Grant:
Financial Aid Information:
FastWEB Scholarship Search:
Athletic Websites:
NCAA:
(Division I and II)
NAIA –