Welcome to College Making It Happen

1. Welcome to College Making It Happen “Creating Partnerships to Ensure Student Success”

2. District’s Strategic Plan Objective “100% of students in the Sweetwater District will graduate and succeed in post-secondary education and/or in the career of their choice on a pathway to fulfill their promise.” Class of 2006 Compact Scholars First SDSU Compact Scholar Graduates!

3. Topics • Middle School through High School “Setting the pathway toward College” • Career Exploration • Understanding California College Systems • How to afford college

4. College Success Begins at the Middle School Parents Students District Staff Teachers Counselors Administrators College Partners Building Partnerships with Parents and Students

5. Middle School – setting the path toward college Parents and staff working together . . . • Creating Study Habits – Help student become organized • Daily Planner • Homework time • Prioritize school assignments and activities • Keep student on track to meet deadlines – move them up if possible • Building Student’s Skills • Take advantage of resources such as tutorial support; academic enrichment programs, AVID, summer school, and skill building courses • Be involved in the selection of academic courses • Communication • Know how to access teachers and counselors – maintain communication • Be informed that California Standards Test Results – impact determine course placement for students (remediation, on-track, accelerated) • Create Goals • Begin the college talk and help student focus toward goal • Maintain 3.0 GPA (grades B and above) • Help student explore careers • Help child select activities/classes and celebrate achievements

6. “College Ready” - students must complete the following college prep courses while in high school (known as “a-g” courses) *Subjects can be started in middle school.

7. Transitioning to High School – Set a 4 Year Plan in 9th Grade • Students have an advantage when they take Honor Courses/Advanced Placement Courses (AP) • Maintain a balance rigor and ability – set goals • Strive for A or B grades • Keep communication with teachers & monitor progress • Participation in College Prep Programs such as AVID, Upward Bound, Puente • Ensure students access support systems at school – TUTORING or any supplemental/enrichment programs • Go on-line and explore colleges and career options at CaliforniaColleges.edu or careercruising.com

8. Career Exploration – connect to Post Secondary Goals! www.careercruising.com Username: swccd Password: chulavista Personal login: School/Name i.e., CVMbender213 Personal password: ********* Find out about yourself Career Matchmaker – interest survey My Skills – skills inventory My Learning Styles – how do I learn best Career Searches Educational Pathways Sample Career Pathways Career Descriptions & Personal Testimonials – a typical workday. Exploring Schools and Colleges Search for campuses offering program, review

9. Fastest Growing Occupations 2008- 2018 Data derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics What do they have in common? They require a college degree!

10. Earning Potential & College Degrees

11. University of California www.universityofcalifornia.edu 10 campuses in CA – only 9 open for undergraduates Targets upper 12% of high school students – • ELC Program: top 9% of high school graduates guaranteed UC admission from high school • Comprehensive Review of students Minimum GPA is 3.0: • Non-selective campuses 3.3+ • Selective campuses 3.95+ Applications are due senior year from November 1-30. Priority admission for community college transfer students

12. California State Universitywww.csumentor.edu • 23 campuses • Targets upper 33% of graduating high school seniors • Formula Based Admission: • GPA & SAT/ACT Score • Minimum GPA is 2.5 Enrollment crisis has made it a more competitive environment – 3.0+ • Applications are due senior year from • October 1st to November 30th • Priority admission for community • college transfer students

13. Private and Independent Colleges and Universities • 77 campuses throughout California • Usually include a specialized emphasis: • Gender • Faith Based • Ethnic Background • Minimum GPA will VARY • Most will request SAT Reasoning or ACT Exam Scores www.aiccumentor.edu

14. California Community Colleges • 110 campuses • Transfer programs • CSU and UC gives priority to transfer students • Certificates & Associate Degrees available • Open Admission • Accepts students with high school diploma OR be age 18+ www.cccco.edu

15. Comparing College Costs Yearly Tuition Costs Additional Costs of Attendance include: College fees: $600 (student fees, parking, etc.) Books: $3,000 (both semesters) Room and Board $13,000 Financial Aid is the difference between your ability to pay and the cost of college! Find out now your financial eligibility for financial aid http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/

16. Financial Aid Free Money • Grants – Need Based • PELL Grant • Cal-Grant • Academic Competiveness • Scholarships – Need or Merit Based • Grade Point Average • Personal Essays • Community Service • Awards • Extra Curricular Activities (sports & clubs) Must Pay Back or Work • Loans Repaid with interest once finished with school • Work Study Campus jobs that help pay for school. One free form – FAFSA Free Application for Federal StudentAid www.fafsa.ed.gov

17. Savings Plan – build your own scholarship • Start a College Fund • Savings Plan: Weekly, Monthly or Annually • $10/month = $120/year x 5 = $ 600 • $35/month = $420/year x 5 = $2,100 • $100/ month = $1,200/year x 5 = $6,000 If interested in starting one today, visit the Mission Federal Credit Union table for more details.

18. A program just for Sweetwater District students guaranteeing admission to SDSU. • Benchmarks: • Enrolled in SUHSD since 9th Grade • Complete “a-g” Curriculum • Achieve a 3.0 CSU GPA • Take SAT/ACT Exam • Satisfy Entry Level Math (ELM) and English Placement Test (EPT)

19. Thank you for coming • Questions Visit the following websites for more information