1. Information for SVUSD Sophomores
Welcome
Information for SVUSD Sophomores

2. SVUSD Graduation Requirements
Graduation Check List
220 Credits for Graduation
(Each Semester Class = 5 credits)
Minimum 1.75 GPA
Must Pass the Writing Proficiency
Must Pass the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam)
Community Service – 8 hours

3. Detailed Graduation Requirements
English – 4 years
Math – 3 years
Social Science – 3 years
Science – 3 years
Fine Arts, or Applied Arts Tech, or Modern Language – 1 year
Health – 1 semester
Physical Education – 2 years
165 Credits in required courses
55 Credits in Electives

4. California High School Exit Exam
The exam is made up of 2 parts
English (reading, writing, and vocabulary)
Math (arithmetic and Algebra 1)
Students take the CAHSEE in the spring of the 10th grade

5. HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
Records semester grades, credits
College prep courses = “P”
Honors courses = “H”
UC Approved Honors Classes = “E”
UC/CSU GPA = 10th & 11th grade
Community Service = 8 hours

6. UC “a-g” Course List “a” HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE “b” ENGLISH
2 years required
“b” ENGLISH
4 years required
“c” MATHEMATICS
3 years required, 4 years recommended
“d” LABORATORY SCIENCE
2 years required, 3 years recommended

7. UC “a-g” Course List (cont.)
“e” LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH
2 years required, 3 years recommended
“f” VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
1 year required
“g” ELECTIVE COURSES

8. VISUAL / PERFORMING ART REQUIREMENT
Both UC and CSU require one year VPA
Students must complete a “single yearlong course from a single VPA discipline”
May include art, choir, orchestra band, theatre, ceramics, photography
College courses may meet the requirement (IGETC list, Area 3A)
Course must include theory, not skill

9. Sample High School Curriculum Grade 9
GRADES/COURSES
HONORS (H)
COLLEGE PREP
WORKSHOP IB
ENGLISH
English 1
H/IB
English 1 Workshop
pre-IB
SOCIAL
SCIENCE
Cultural Geography H/IB or H/MUN
MATH
Geometry or H/IB, Algebra 2 or H/IB
Algebra 1 or Algebra 1A
Algebra 1A
Biology
Earth Science
Intro to Earth Science
PHYSICAL
ED.
P.E.
N/A
OTHER
Foreign Language
Foreign Lang. Fine Arts/Elec.
Fine Arts/ Elective

10. Sample High School Curriculum Grade 10
GRADES/COURSES
HONORS (H)
COLLEGE PREP
WORKSHOP IB
ENGLISH
English 2
H/IB
English 2 Workshop
pre-IB
SOCIAL
SCIENCE
Euro Hist AP/IB or World H/IB/MUN
World History
World History Workshop
MATH
Algebra 2 or H/IB or Math Analysis
Geometry or Algebra 1B
Algebra 1B
Chemistry or Chemistry H
Biology
Intro Life or
Conceptual Biology
PHYSICAL
ED.
Health or P.E.
N/A
OTHER
Foreign Language
Foreign Lang. Fine Arts/Elec.
Fine Arts or Elective

11. Sample High School Curriculum Grade 11
GRADES/COURSES
HONORS (H)
COLLEGE PREP
WORKSHOP IB
ENGLISH
English 3 Lit. AP
English 3
English 3 I or Workshop
Eng 3 Lit. AP
SOCIAL
SCIENCE
U.S. Hist. AP or U.S. Hist. H/MUN
U.S. History
U.S. History Workshop
U.S. Hist. AP or U.S. Hist./H/MUN
MATH
Math Analysis H/IB. Calculus AP/AB
Geometry, Algebra 2, Stats, Math Analysis
Business Math
or Accounting or Geometry
Math Analysis H , or Math Studies
Physics/H or Bio AP or Phy/Ana/H
Chemistry, Integrated Science,
Physics
Physical Science, Integrated Science or Concept. Bio
Physics H, Physics B/AP, , or Biology SL
OTHER
Foreign Language
Elective or P.E.
Elective
Foreign Language SL
OTHER-VPA
Elective (VPA) or P.E.
Elective (VPA)
Comp.Sci. SL or Psych SL

12. Sample High School Curriculum Grade 12
GRADES/COURSES
HONORS (H)
COLLEGE PREP
WORKSHOP IB
ENGLISH
English 4 HL2 or Humanities Block
English 4
English 4 I or Workshop
English 4 HL 2 (Humanities Block)
SOCIAL
SCIENCE
Econ &
Civics
(Econ Online)
Econ & Civics
Econ /Civics Workshop
Hist.of the Amer. HL2 + TOK (Econ online)
MATH
Calculus AP/AB OR BC or Statistics or Math Studies SL
Math Anal or Alg 2 or Alg 2 Int. or Statistics or Math Studies SL
Elective
Calculus AB/AP , or Math Studies SL Or
Physics AP or
Bio AP or
Physio/Anat H or AP Com. Sci.
Physics or Psychology or Cont. Issues
Physics H or Physics B/AP
OTHER-VPA
Foreign Lang .
Elective (VPA)
For. Lang. HL
or Psych HL

13. Top Three Factors For College Admission
G.P.A.
(grades in college prep courses and rigor of course curriculum)
Extracurricular involvement
(athletics, music, theatre, leadership, clubs, etc.)
Admission Test scores

14. University of California www.ucop.edu/pathways
10 campuses (9 undergraduate)
Top 12.5 % of high school graduates
Over 200,000 students
Costs approximately $25,900/yr. (inclusive)
Competitive Admission
Most selective are UCLA and Berkeley
Comprehensive Review (GPA, A.P. courses, Test scores, Extracurricular, Essay)
SAT or ACT with Writing, plus two SAT Subject tests

15. UC ADMISSION GUIDELINES
PERSONAL INITIATIVE & MOTIVATION
Did student take advantage of the school’s most rigorous course offerings
What do the essays reveal or explain about the unique characteristics of the student
Extracurricular activities
Apply November, Senior Year

16. California State University www.csumentor.edu (Pg. 21)
23 campuses
Top 33 % of high school graduates
Over 400,000 students
Costs approximately $18,000/yr. (inclusive)
GPA & Test scores only (no essay, no subject tests)
SAT or ACT without Writing
GPA of 3.0 “eligible” with ANY test score
Cal State Fullerton guaranteed admission for local high schools in OC with 3.0 GPA

17. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Impacted campuses are Cal Poly SLO, San Diego, Chico, Cal Poly Pomona, Sonoma, and Fullerton – varies each year
Strong programs in Education and other degrees
Apply October – November, Senior Year

18. Independent Universities www. aiccu. edu (California) www. naicu
Independent Universities (California) (National)
Usually SAT or ACT
SAT Subject tests for competitive schools
See college websites for specific requirements
Costs: Up to $55,000 per year
75 WASC accredited colleges in CA
233,000 students
$936 Million annual financial aid awards
Letters of recommendation usually required
Personal interviews at some institutions

19. COMMUNITY COLLEGES www.cccco.edu
Top 100% of high school graduates
109 campuses
Over 2.5 million students
Open to all California residents, including those without a high school diploma
A California resident may attend a CC anywhere in the state
Tuition Cost: $20 per unit (separate fees for books)
Written transfer guarantees and priority admission to UC and CSU!

20. COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTS (junior year)
SAT REASONING TEST
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing
800 top score for each area
Perfect Score = 2400

21. ACT www.act.org ACT is linked to student achievement, not aptitude
Test has three sections (Highest score: 36)
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics (arithmetic through trigonometry)
Science Reasoning
Plus: Essay Writing (Optional)

22. SAT or ACT
CSU will take the highest reading and highest math scores from separate sittings to make a new combined total score
CSU does not factor in the Writing Score at this time
UC will take the highest combined reading, math and writing score from one sitting
CSU does not take SAT Subject test scores
UC requires two SAT Subject tests from two different subject areas until 2012

23. SAT or ACT Recommend taking both the SAT and the ACT
Repeat Fall Senior Year the test on which the student scored the highest
Use the ACT translation table to see test correlation

24. PSAT/NMSQT
The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is used to determine preliminary eligibility for juniors in the National Merit Scholars competition.
Students who become National Merit Finalists may win scholarships up to $2,500 (Top 1%)
*Note: USC offers 50% scholarship to National Merit Scholars who note USC as their 1st choice

25. Kuder Career Planning www.cec.kuder.com
High School Planning Guide has information on access codes, passwords and assessments
Career Search
Skills Assessment
Work Values Inventory
Educational Planning, Job Planning
Career, Occupation and College Searches

26. California’s Public Colleges www.californiacolleges.edu
Showcases California’s independent and public colleges and universities
College Planning
Financial Aid
Career Exploration
“Ask an Expert” service
Set up account to track coursework, admission requirements, career interests, and deadlines.

27. FINANCIAL AID www.fafsa.ed.gov
All undergraduates seeking financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1st of their senior year
FAFSA is based on parent and student income during the tax year of the student’s junior year through December 31st of their senior year.
The largest free scholarship search online

28. California Grants www.calgrants.org
Cal Grant Guarantee
Every high school senior who graduates; meets the academic, financial and eligibility requirements and applies on time is guaranteed a Cal Grant award to attend college.
Cal Grant A up to $8,322 at independent colleges (3.0 GPA required)
March 2 deadline, senior year

29. Contact Information District Office – Lead Counselor Phone: Guidance Website