1. Foothill Technology High School Junior Parent College Night 2008-2009 College Application Timeline and Process

2. Foothill Technology High School Grade 11  Begin the college search process if not started already.  Use spring break/summer vacation to visit colleges/universities and take campus tours.  Attend the National College Fair at Seaside Park on April 22 nd, 09.  Take SAT and/or ACT tests in spring of junior year. Take SAT Subject tests in June 2009 if you are applying to UC campuses.  Keep grades up. College GPA’s are based on grades from sophomore/junior years only.  Talk to your counselor immediately if you have below a C in any of your A – G requirements.  Use your summer wisely: take a college class, volunteer, attend a summer program, travel, work.

3. Foothill Technology High School Grade 12 September:  Finalize the list of colleges that you will apply to.  Register for and retake additional SAT and/or ACT tests if necessary. All testing must be completed no later than December of senior year. (Impacted schools may require tests to be completed by November).  Sign and return Cal Grant and Transcript release form distributed to students by Ms. Nordin in the Registrar’s Office. October:  Check www.commonapp.org, www.csumentor.edu, www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions to start application forms. Part of the Common Application Form for private universities is the “Secondary School Report.” Give this to your counselor ASAP!  If you are applying to private colleges/universities, identify staff who will be writing your letters of recommendation. Give your brag sheet to those individuals at least TWO WEEKS before applications are due.  Work on personal statements for UC and private universities.  Attend Senior Parent Night (usually mid October)  Use fall break to make any last minute visits to colleges.  Do not miss SAT and/or ACT registration deadlines for Nov./ Dec. test Dates

4. Foothill Technology High School Grade 12 November:  Attend UC, CSU, and private university application workshops offered in the Media Center.  Attend Personal Statement feedback workshops (new next year!)  Last month to take SAT/ACT for some schools.  Submit application forms for any private colleges to which you are applying “Early Decision/Early Action”.  Submit application forms to UC’s and CSU’s no later than November 30 th … we recommend completing them before Thanksgiving! December:  Continue working on applications to private colleges/universities. (Most due by Jan. 1 st )  Last month to take SAT/ACT for most colleges and universities. Have scores sent directly to the places that you have applied.  Use Winter Break to finish the application process.

5. Foothill Technology High School Grade 12 January:  Attend Foothill’s Financial Aid Night (early January)  Begin filling out the FAFSA. Attend free workshops at VC for additional assistance.  Pursue scholarship opportunities (ongoing).  Register to take AP exams. February :  Finish FAFSA and file no later than March 2nd. March :  FAFSA Deadline: March 2 nd.  Begin to receive notifications of admission from colleges/universities. April :  Take placement exams at VC if attending in the fall.  Return intent to register forms to your chosen college by May 1 st.

6. Grade 12 May:  Notify Mrs. Kapala of scholarships and awards to be included in awards assembly.  Take AP exams. June:  Graduation!  Begin life after high school!!! Foothill Technology High School

7. Factors to consider in choosing a college of university  Location (in-state vs. out-of-state, rural vs. urban setting, weather considerations)  Size (Colleges range in size from 40,000 students to under 1000)  Cost (in-state vs. out-of-state tuition, private vs. public)  Selectivity (do you meet the admissions criteria for college/university, how competitive is admission?)  Type of College (private, public, community, parochial, etc)  Major/Academic Dept.  Housing Foothill Technology High School

8. Useful Websites for College Searches  www.californiacolleges.edu  Provides college information and search engine for California private and public institutions  www.princetonreview.com  great place to start the college search  www.usnews.com  Provides college rankings, college majors, and college planning tools  www.campustours.com  Offers virtual tours, campus maps, webcams, videos, general information, tuition costs, enrollment statistics, admission requirements and majors  www.petersons.com  Helps students with a timeline starting in 9 th grade  www.collegeview.com  Provides college search with key facts College Application Websites  www.csumentor.edu  Helps students plan for attending a Cal-State Univ.  www.commonapp.org  Over 300 colleges/universities  www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions  Provides information about all UC’s (requirements, deadlines, campus life, etc.) Foothill Technology High School

9. College OptionsEntrance Requirements Ventura CollegeHigh School Diploma University of California  9 campuses  Designed to accept top 12.5% of CA graduates A – G Requirements SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests or ACT Minimum GPA: 3.0 California State University  23 campuses  Designed to accept top 33% of CA graduates A – G Requirements SAT Reasoning or ACT Minimum GPA: 2.0 Private Colleges/Universities Varied depending on institution Letters of Recommendation from teachers and counselor Foothill Technology High School

10. Counselors:  Mr. Boyd – Last Names A – F, ext. 1011  Ms. Freeman – Last Names G – N, ext. 1013  Mrs. Hillis – Last Names O – Z, ext. 1014 Your counselors are here to assist you with college planning and admission, fulfilling you’re A – G requirements, graduating from high school, academic issues AND any personal, social and/or emotional issues you may encounter. Media Center Specialist:  Mrs. Kapala, ext. 1033 or 1008 Mrs. Kapala is our college and scholarship coordinator as well as the community service coordinator. Mrs. Kapala works closely with students on career and college planning. Textbook/Records Coordinator:  Ms. Nunley, ext. 1008 or 1034 In addition to assisting with Media Center operations, Ms. Nunley also offers assistance with the FAFSA and college application forms. Registrar  Ms. Nordin, ext. 1005 Ms. Nordin is the point person for official transcripts, VC transcripts, Cal Grant Submissions, and multi-site enrollment forms. Ms. Nordin can also answer many counseling related questions in the event of the counselors’ absence.