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College Night Presentation. University Of California/California State University Requirements. English CP or Higher 4 Years Math Algebra 1CP Higher 3 Years (4 Years Recommended) History/Social Science 2 Years Laboratory Science 2 Years
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University Of California/California State University Requirements • English CP or Higher 4 Years • Math Algebra 1CP Higher 3 Years (4 Years Recommended) • History/Social Science 2 Years • Laboratory Science 2 Years (3 Years Recommended, UC requires at least 2 of these 3 disciplines – Biology, Chemistry, Physics) • Foreign Language 2 Years (3 years same language recommended) • Visual/Performing Arts 1 Year • SAT Reasoning Exam or ACT with Writing
College Options Choices: • University of California • California State University • Independent Schools • Schools Outside California • Community Colleges
The University of California • Look now at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions • You may apply to all nine campuses with one application. • UC eligible students who apply to four or more campuses are admitted at an 86% rate. Apply broadly! • The UC does not have any early action programs. • Application opens August 1, but you can’t submit until November 1-30. • They have personal insight questions, but no letters of recommendations. (Berkeley may ask for a letter) • You must submit either the SAT with Essay or the ACT with Writing. TheSAT Subject Tests are optional, but may be recommended for some majors at some campuses. • Scholarship applications are imbedded in the application for admission. • You will not submit transcripts to the UC until requested.
The California State University • Twenty-three campuses • You may apply October 1st until November 30 at www.csumentor.edu • Only Cal Poly SLO has an early action program • No essays, no recommendations, no activities list (Cal Poly SLO has a brief activities page) • You must submit the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. Writing scores are not considered. • Apply to each school separately, but you won’t need to fill in new data each time except for the first page. • Subject requirements for the UC and CSU are the same except for science: UC requires chemistry, while some of the CSU will accept Geosciences • CSU schools that are not impacted: Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Maritime, and Stanislaus
Private and IndependentSchools • Costs for private and independent schools are greater than the public schools, but the gap has been closing recently. • Scholarships and financial aid may be more available for many private schools. • You may apply to private schools through their own websites or via the Common Application. • For most private schools, you will need a letter of recommendation from your counselor and one – two teachers. • You will need to complete a transcript request for each private school to which you apply. • Most private schools require one or more personal statements. • Deadlines for private schools vary. Please be sure to check websites for information. • Notification of admission can also vary among private schools, as well as • the method of delivery. • Testing requirements may vary, as well. Check the school websites.
The Common Application • Many private and independent colleges accept the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) • If you use the Common App, be sure to check for supplements that may be required for individual schools.
Public Schools Outside California • How difficult are they to get into? • What are their subject and testing requirements? • What about out-of-state costs? (WUE) • What do their applications look like? • When are their deadlines? • When will I know about admission?
Community Colleges • Strong system in California that can lead to university transfer, 110 Schools • Orientation, application, and registration will take place in the spring • Become familiar with the IGETC and www.assist.org • Community colleges are a terrific place to begin your education for any number of reasons • The Transfer Admissions Guarantee is offered by most UC and CSU campuses
Applying to CollegesMaking Tentative Decisions • How many schools should I apply to? • Will I be comfortable there for four years? • How will I pay for this adventure? • What if I have no idea about a major? • But my friend’s sister, whose brother-in-law works at UC Santa Somewhere says… • Editorial comment: Don’t simply go to college to earn a degree; go and learn to problem solve, to look at life from another perspective, and to gain skills that will lend themselves to your success in any field you choose.
The Application • Transcript: unofficial and official • Essay • Testing Requirements: SAT and ACT • Letters of Recommendation • Early Decision / Early Action • Interviews • Deadlines are critical • UC/CSU November 30 • Don’t wait until then, submit it early.
Some First Steps • Use a professional email account for all of your college applications, and check it regularly. • Pick up an unofficial transcript from the office. • Prepare your teachers for your recommendation requests. • Use the same exact name on all college related correspondence
Essay or Personal Insight Questions • You should be the STAR of the essay. • Convey and prove it with examples. • Assign meaning and growth to the experience. What did you learn and how did it shape you? • What ACTION did you take? • Show that you took INITIATIVE. • Show persistence, passion, and/or resilience.
UC Personal Statement • Complete 4 of 8 personal insight questions with 350 words for each response • Not an essay – no classic structure • Your interview with the UC in your voice • If you had a five minute conversation with the UC, what would you want them to know? • Write it separately, then copy & paste it in
UC Personal Insight Questions • Provides clarity, richness, and meaning to the application • The UC is seeking to learn the context for the student’s home, school, and community • How well have you done in the context of your environment?
Personal Insight Questions • Avoid: • using a title or repeating the prompt • acronyms • quotes/dialogue • creative writing • story telling or scene setting • repetition • asking a rhetorical question • inappropriate humor
Testing RequirementsWhat do I need? • SAT test with essagy and/or ACT test with writing • SAT Subject tests are not required, but will help • All test scores must be reported by the testing agencies (www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org) • You may send SAT history to all UC campuses simply by indicating one campus code • You may send SAT history to all CSU campuses by indicating CSUMentor as the recipient. Use code #3594. • December is the last test date that most schools will accept (SDSU, CSUSLO, and SJSU - Nov SAT)
The New SAT • Better reflect classroom learning. • More relevant with less obscure vocabulary • Focus on the math that matters most - Algebra • Eliminate the guessing penalty • Free test practice from Khan Academy - • Back to 1600 points – essay optional, but I recommend that you do the essay
Testing RequirementsContinued • CSU: Early Assessment Program (EAP) • Measures readiness for college level English and math (It is not an admission test. It just determines if the student needs remedial English or math.) • English Placement Test (EPT) • SAT: 500, ACT: 22, CAASPP: Standard Exceeded • Entry Level Math (ELM) • SAT: 550 ACT: 23, CAASPP: Standard Exceeded
Letters of Recommendation • Ask your letter writers well in advance – give at least two weeks. • Fill out and return the student Letter of Recommendation questionnaire and Parent Questionnaire posted on our website. • Be appreciative. Write a thank you note.
Early Admissions ProgramsEarly Decision / Early Action • Earlier application and earlier notification • Early Decision (Binding) – a promise to attend. If you renege, other schools honor the early decision, so it is unlikely that another school will accept you. • Early Action (Non Binding) – benefit of early notification without the obligations of early decision.
What To Do Now? • Begin your applications. Use an unofficial transcript to complete your coursework. Read the application, including the instructions and video • Work on your essays for the UC and private schools. Share your essays with good readers for feedback. • Re-take the SAT/ACT up until December. • Request letters of recommendations, if needed.
Naviance • Be sure to list all of your schools that you are applying to, whether or not they are on the Common Application. • Be sure to complete the FERPA waiver so that your recommenders can submit your information online.
Dates and Deadlines • Oct. 1 – Nov. 30: CSU Filing Period • Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: UC Filing Period • Nov. – Jan. – Regular deadlines for many private and out of state public schools • Mid Year Reports: after semester 1 • October 1 – March 2: File the FAFSA • March – April: Acceptance Notifications • May 1: Statements of Intent to Register
The Waiting Game • When will I know? Most admissions decisions are made in the spring, usually by April. However some schools will let you know more quickly. • What should I do in the meantime? Continue to explore and form a preliminary priority list, so your final decisions won’t be rushed.
Financial Aid • FAFSA – Free Application For Federal Financial Aid. • A little bit like doing taxes. • FAFSA may be submitted starting Oct. 1, 2016. • 2015 taxes can be used
How Does It Work? • FAFSA determines Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). • Institution Creates Financial Aid Package based on that EFC. • Three Types of Financial Aid • Grant and Scholarship = Free • Loan – Federal or Institutional = Pay Back • Work Study = Job on Campus
Questions that need Answers • Does School meet 100% of need? • Does the School Gap Students? • Average Student Loan $30,000+