1. First Generation 4-year College Basics Workshop Mrs. Olszewski – Class of 2018 Counselor Mrs. Campo – Class of 2017 Counselor September 17, 2014

2. Significance of being 1G ► You will be the first in your family to earn a 4-year college degree. ► You will open the door for younger siblings, for your children and their children. ► Completing college will make you a stronger and happier person. ► You will have more opportunities in your lifetime if you go to college. ► ImFirst.org

3. “a-g”: Minimum Courses for College Entry ► “ a” 2 years of History ► “b” 4 years of English ► “c” 3 years of Math (Including Alg1, Geometry, Alg2) ► “d” 2 years of Lab Science ► “e” 2 years of Foreign Language ► “f” 1 year of Visual/Performing Arts ► “g” 1 year of College Prep Elective

4. Testing Requirement ► SAT Reasoning Test with Writing and/or ► ACT with Writing ► Sign up online ► Fee Waivers available ► Juniors: Take at least once in Spring of 11 th ► Seniors: December is deadline ► 9 th /10th: PSAT is a great practice test for SAT. Offered in October.

5. SAT or ACT The Short Answer… ► Better at vocabulary and reading? The SAT may be the test for you. ► Better at science and graphical thinking? The ACT may play to your strengths ► SAT II tests are specialized, one-hour-long tests, each of which focus on a specific subject area – Chemistry, American History, etc. Free SAT Test Prep: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practicehttp://sat.collegeboard.org/practice Free ACT Test prep: http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/

6. Grade Point Average (GPA) – It Matters ►California Public Universities will only use grades earned in College Preparatory classes for GPA calculation. ►College applications are filed in Fall of 12 th grade, this means colleges will make admission decisions based on grades earned in 9 th -11 th. ►How to calculate GPA: Sample: ▪ A grade = 4 pointsEnglish A (4 points) ▪ B grade = 3 pointsGeometry B (3 points) ▪ C grade = 2 pointsAP World Hist*B (4 points) ▪ F grade = 0 pointsBiologyC (2 points) Spanish 1B (3 points) ►Add the number of points and divide by the number of classes. ▪ 16 points divided by 5 classes = 3.2 GPA (Academic) *Advanced Placement (AP) classes get 1 extra point on GPA

7. Make Yourself College Material ► “Package” yourself for admissions officers: ▪ Take challenging classes ▪ Practice taking the SAT (PSAT) ▪ Compelling extra-curricular activities ▪ Volunteer Work (start now!) ▪ Excellent grades ▪ Effective use of free time to advance future goals

8. Get The Support You Need ► Counselors: Mrs. Olszewski (class of 2018) & Mrs. Campo (class of 2017). Take advantage of on-campus workshops. Students—visit us during our office hours. ► Family: Talk frankly and often about your college plans. Come to agreement and make plans together. ► School & Community: Use teachers, coaches, alumni and community members as resources for information, help and support.

9. Why Go to College? ► More opportunities (jobs) will be available due to the knowledge, skills and experience you will gain in college. ► College work will challenge and inspire you. ► College helps students develop into mature, responsible, and independent adults. ► Choosing your own classes gives you the opportunity to explore courses in many different subjects. ► Explore outside the classroom through extracurricular activities and internships. ► Invest in your future.

10. Types of Colleges: Factors to consider when making your college list ► Public Institutions: Cal States & UCs ► Our local Public Schools: Cal State San Marcos and UC Riverside ► Private institutions ► Local Colleges in Southern CA ► Out-of-State Schools including WUE ► Small Colleges ► Large Colleges

11. Undergraduate Degrees ► BS degree: Bachelors of Science ► BA degree: Bachelors of Arts ► With undergraduate degrees, students: ▪Complete general education requirements ▪Complete major specific requirements

12. Where will you be in 10 years? Will your college major be the determinate? ► Naviance surveys to help you decide: ▪Interest and Career Profiler ▪9 th grade – October 2014 ▪Career options based on your responses ▪Skills, tasks, salaries ► ASVAB – Measures career interests & aptitude ▪10 th grade – September 18 th

13. “In Demand” College Majors ► Biomedical Engineering ► Biometrics ► Forensic Science ► Computer Game Design ► Business ► Public Health ► Robotics ► Petroleum Engineering ► Study dealing with law, medicine, technology, science

14. More Factors to Consider with your College List ► Safe Schools ► Likely Schools ► Reach Schools ► Determine your “fit” based on GPA and SAT/ACT test scores ► Know the competitive factor with schools on your college list ► Continue to revise

15. Cost of College ► Types of Costs: Tuition & Fees, Housing & Food, Books & Supplies, Transportation & Other ► Two types of Aid: ▪Merit Based Aid (GPA) ▪Need Based Aid (family income) ► Many students will get aid from various sources (gift aid and/or loans) ► These costs may seem overwhelming, but there are ways to keep expenses down.

16. Process for Financial Aid ► Free Application for Federal Student Aid: https://fafsa.ed.gov/ https://fafsa.ed.gov/ ► CSS Profile: http://student.collegeboard.org/css- financial-aid-profilehttp://student.collegeboard.org/css- financial-aid-profile ► Private Scholarships such as Dollars for Scholars ► Cal Grants A, B, C ► California Dream Act ► Every college will provide family with Financial Aid Package that will determine how funds will pay for college.

17. What to do Right Now ► Do well in your current classes! ► Read, read, read ► Find a mentor ► Make some like-minded friends ► Join a club or a sport ► Explore and identify career interests ► Make a portfolio (Naviance resume) ► Summer activities (volunteer, first job, visit college campuses, etc.)