1. What Colleges Look For (and Scholarship Committees)

2. 1. Academics (G.P.A. and Class Rank)
Your GPA or Grade Point Average is comprised of all the grades you’ve earned on your high school transcript and averaged together. If you’re high school is on a “4 point system”, then a 4.0 would signify that you’ve earned all A’s in your respective courses.
Along with your GPA goes your Class Rank. Class Rank is loosely described as where you fit in when compared to other students in your graduating class using your GPA. For instance, if you have an overall GPA of 3.75/4.0 and your Class Rank is 50 out of 400 students, that means there are 49 other kids in your graduating class that have a better Grade Point Average than you do. So the higher the GPA you earn, the higher your Class Rank will be. (highest being #1 in your class).

3. 2. Test Scores (ACT/SAT)
Taken during your junior year, the ACT is probably the most important test for college entrance. Most schools work on what is called a “sliding scale” for admission. This basically means that the higher GPA/Class Rank you have, the lower the ACT Composite score you will need to gain admission. And, it works the other way also. The higher the ACT Composite score you earn, the lower the GPA/Class Rank you will be able to get away with and still get admitted. Keep in mind that all colleges differ with regard to how low of a GPA or ACT score you can get and still get accepted.
The average ACT composite score in California in 2018 was 22.7 out of 36
The average SAT score in California is in 2018 was 1060 out of 1600.

4. UC Application Data Fall 2018 of Middle 25%-75% of students
Campus
Admit Rate
G.P.A.
ACT Composite Scores
SAT Reading & Writing Scores
SAT Math Scores
SAT Essay Scores
Berkely
14.9%
4.16 – 4.30
Davis
41.2%
3.97 – 4.25
Irvine
28.8%
4.00 – 4.26
Los Angeles
14.1%
4.16 – 4.31
Merced
66.9%
3.46 – 3.96
Riverside
50.9%
3.66 – 4.09
San Diego
30.2%
4.07 – 4.28
Santa Barbara
32.3%
Santa Cruz
47.7%
3.76 – 4.16
Source:

5. Cal State Application Data Fall 2017
Campus
Admit Rate
Average G.P.A.
Average SAT Score (Math & Reading)
Average ACT Score
Bakersfield
93%
3.2
905 19
Channel Islands
74%
3.22
925 20
Chico
65%
3.33
1000 21
Dominguez Hills
58%
3.13
851 17
East Bay
3.1
901
Fresno
52%
900
Fullerton
42%
3.56
997 22
Humboldt
75%
3.26
992
Long Beach
36%
3.5
1033
Los Angeles
64%
3.18
880
Maritime Academy
85%
3.3
Monterey Bay
49%
3.32
977
Source: CSU Campus Profiles, Admissions

6. Cal State Application Data Fall 2015 Continued
Campus
Admit Rate
Average G.P.A.
Average SAT Score (Math & Reading)
Average ACT Score
Northridge
45%
3.2
920 19
Pomona
39%
3.49
1062 24
Sacramento
67%
3.3
949 20
San Bernardino
65%
3.21
893
San Diego
34%
3.69
1113 25
San Francisco
68%
3.23
997 21
San Jose
3.4
1040 23
San Luis Obispo
31%
3.92
1239 28
San Marcos
85%
3.19
Sonoma
55%
Stanislaus
3.36
938
Source: CSU Campus Profiles, Admissions

7. 3. Course Rigor
When colleges receive a transcript from you for evaluation, chances are they will want to see what courses you chose to take in college. Did you challenge yourself, or did you take relatively easy courses that you could get an easy A in? Colleges are looking for the students that challenged themselves in high school by taking Honors and/or Advanced Placement courses as opposed to lower level classes. Course rigor is important in demonstrating to your prospective college that you are capable of handling college level work. Those students who earning a high GPA, but didn’t take any challenging courses in high school run the risk of being denied admission based on their weak course selection. It does happen, so take the highest level courses in each subject area that you will get a B or better in. If you cannot earn at least a B, do not take the higher level course. Each college has access to a list of the courses offered at your high school. If can take challenging courses and you choose not to, that could hurt your chances of getting into your dream college.

8. A-G Requirements

9. 4. Letters of Recommendation
Admissions officers rely on letters of recommendation to let them know how others view you. Be sure to pick your recommenders wisely. If your recommender doesn't know you that well, it will show through in his/her letter.
If letters of recommendation are required, typically private colleges are the ones who require them.
No letters of recommendation are needed when you apply to Cal States or UCs. UC Berkeley will accept letters, but it is not required.

10. 5. College Admissions Essay/ Personal Insight Questions
The college admissions essay, or personal insight questions for the UC system, allows you to show your uniqueness to admissions officers. Counselors look for application essays that are honest and provide supplemental information.
Do not restate the information found on your transcript and application. Instead, write about your desires, your goals, special events in your life, community service, leadership, etc.

11. Personal Insight Questions (for University of California)
1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.  (350 Word Maximum) 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.  (350 Word Maximum)
3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?  (350 Word Maximum)
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. (350 Word Maximum)

12. Personal Insight Questions (for University of California)
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? (350 Word Maximum) 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. (350 Word Maximum) 7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?  (350 Word Maximum) 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? (350 Word Maximum)

13. 6. Extra Curricular Involvement/Community Service
Being involved outside of the classroom shows good initiative and time management skills. Colleges want to see that well-rounded student, not just top grades and scores. Being a member of a club or sports team is a great choice. But do your best to take it a step further. For instance, if you are a member of Student Council, consider running for an office such as Treasurer, Vice President or even President! The top colleges are looking for leaders, and what better way to show them that you are a leader than by holding office or running a club or activity. If sports is more your thing, strive to be named a team captain. This displays outstanding leadership and colleges love that when its combined with a solid academic background. The UC system is looking for 200+ hours of community service!

14. 7. Work and Entrepreneurial Experiences
Part-time work experience, an internship or summer job, even starting your own business can provide excellent essay material to showcase your maturity, initiative, work ethic as well as interpersonal and time-management skills

15. 8. Other Factors
There are numerous other factors that can play a role in the admissions decision including:
geographical diversity (students from places other than the communities surrounding the college)
legacy (your grandparents or parents attended the same university)
ethnic heritage (your race/ethnicity is needed to make the college more diverse)
socio- economic background (colleges typically give more financial aid to less fortunate students)
first in family to go to college
ability to overcome adversity (death, single parent home, difficult personal or family situation, etc.)

16. Get IGETC
IGETC stands for Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum. It is a general education pattern which community college transfer students can use to fulfill lower-division general education requirements in either the CSU or UC system without the need, after transfer, to take additional lower-division general education requirements.
Focus on these transferrable units instead of focusing on getting an A.A. or A.S. degree from your local community college. An A.A. or A.S. degree means nothing once you get a B.A. or B.S.

17. Types of College Degrees
Type of College: 4 Year College or University
Degrees Available: Doctoral Degree (i.e. PhD, Ed.D)
Average Completion Rate for Degree: 7-8 years
Graduate Degree
Type of College: 4 Year College or University
Degrees Available: Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.)
Average Completion Rate for Degree: 2-3 years
Type of College: 4 Year College or University
Degrees Available: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Average Completion Rate for Degree: 4-6 years
Undergraduate Degree
Type of College: Community College, Junior College, Trade School
Degrees Available: Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.)
Average Completion Rate for Degree: 2-3 years

18. UC’s Old Comprehensive Review
Although UC schools don’t technically use this calculation anymore, this does give you some insight into what they have looked for in the past.

19. UC’s New Comprehensive Review
Grade Point Average for A-G classes
Test Scores (ACT with writing or SAT with essay)
Honors, AP, & College Classes
In top 9% of your class
Quality of Senior-Year Program of Study (Challenging classes & number of classes for both semesters)
Outstanding Performance in 1 or More Academic Subject Areas
Achievements in Special Projects

20. UC’s New Comprehensive Review (continued)
Improvement in Academic Performance (G.P.A & Quality Coursework)
Special Talents, Achievements, and Awards (leadership, significant community service project, job)
Special project related to high school program (i.e. Senior Research & Community Service Project)
Academic Accomplishment in Light of Life Experiences & Circumstances (low income, 1st to attend college, need to work, difficult personal or family situation, etc.)
Location of your high school and home

21. Apply to all 3 Types of Schools
1.) Safety Schools: Colleges where your academic qualifications are above the average accepted student.
2.) Match Schools: Colleges where your academic qualifications match the average accepted student.
3.) Reach Schools: Colleges where your academic qualifications are below the average accepted student. Even if your grades and SAT/ACT scores aren’t the greatest, colleges want a diverse student population. Maybe your community service, sports, special talents, accomplishments, race/ethnicity, skills, special circumstances, etc. are what your reach school needs to appear to be diverse. They might need you!

22. Don’t Let Averages Keep You From Applying to Reach Schools
Let’s pretend that you have a 3.1 G.P.A. Last year’s incoming college freshmen had an average G.P.A. of Should you apply to this reach school? YES! Let’s pretend that this college is only accepting 5 students next year (to make this illustration easy). Look at the chart below. The average G.P.A. is 3.8.
Next Year’s Incoming Freshmen
G.P.A.
Jeff Smith
3.1
Maria Sanchez
4.2
Jose Rodriguez
3.9
Tanisha Brown
4.1
Aliyah Ahmed
4.0
You are Jeff Smith! Welcome to your reach school!

23. Colleges are Looking for the “Total Package”
5. Personal Insight Questions or College Admissions Essay
1. Academics
2. Test Scores
Extra Curricular
Involvement
3. Course Rigor
Work and Entrepreneurial
Experiences
Letters of
Recommendation
8. Other Factors