Class of 2017 Kick Off to College Night

1. Class of 2017Kick Off to College Night August 30, 2016 College Center www.tinyurl.com/bhhscollegecenter Counselors www.tinyurl.com/bhhscounselors

2. Agenda • College guidance overview for Seniors • College systems and application types • Personal statements & essays • What should I be doing now? • Requesting recommendation letters • Ordering transcripts • College rep visits to BHHS & other upcoming events • How to strengthen your college application Kick Off to College Class of 2017

3. As Juniors… • Theme: Investigation and Making Connections • Goal: Start to define yourself as well as your post-secondary plans by investigating post-secondary options. Prepare for Senior year courses Self-Exploration and Engagement College search College entrance exams Kick Off to College Class of 2017

4. College Guidance Overview for Seniors • Theme: Making Decisions & Doing the Work • Goal: This is the year to put everything you learned about yourself and the college admissions process into action. Build your college list Balance your college list Continue strong coursework Make decisions for you! Create timelines and goals Define/set goals for yourself! Kick Off to College Class of 2017

5. College Guidance Activities for Seniors • Individual meetings with counselors College Monday Workshops: every Monday* during lunch (*few exceptions) • College rep visits: begins August 30! • 1-on-1 Essay Review Sessions • College Connections Fair: Monday, October 10 • Seniors only @ 6:30 p.m., workshops available • College Day: Wednesday, October 19 • Coffee with the Counselors (parents only): once a month • ACT & SAT workshops & practice exams Kick Off to College Class of 2017

6. College Systems & Application Types • California Community College • California State University (CSU) • University of California (UC) • Private colleges and universities • 75+ in California • THOUSANDS in United States • Out of state public colleges and universities • Simple Guidelines for Applying to Colleges Kick Off to College Class of 2017

7. College Systems & Application Types Simple Guidelines for Applying to Colleges Kick Off to College Class of 2017

8. California Community College • 112 campuses in California • Associate degrees (many lead to careers) • Transfer to 4-year school (to obtain Bachelors degree) • CSU or UC: must complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units (equivalent to 2 years of full time studies) • Most private schools: 30 semester units or 45 quarter units okay to transfer (check with each college and major) • Articulation agreements or TAG are available for most schools- use www.assist.org • VERY important to plan for transferring- it is NOT an automatic 2 year plan!- use UCTAP • Apply to community college by February/March of Senior year- use www.cccapply.org Kick Off to College Class of 2017

9. California State University • 23 campuses(diverse campuses, find one that fits you!) • Bachelor and Master degrees • To be eligible: 2.0 GPA, A-G courses, SAT or ACT (no Writing) • Not required/accepted: SAT Subject exams, essays, recommendation letters, transcripts • Application filing period: Oct 1– Nov 30 • To apply: www.csumentor.edu • Many CSU’s are impacted and very difficult to get into! Like… Cal Poly SLO, San Diego State, Long Beach, San Francisco State • You can check online Kick Off to College Class of 2017

10. University of California • 10 campuses but San Francisco is graduate only • Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees • Research & theory based curriculums • Competitive admissions with many highly selective campuses • To be eligible: 3.0 GPA, A-G courses, SAT or ACT with Writing, personal statements, list of activities & honors • Not required/accepted: SAT Subject exams (some majors “highly recommended”), recommendation letters, transcripts • UC Berkeley letter of rec • Application filing period: Nov 1–Nov 30 (available Aug 1) • To apply: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply Kick Off to College Class of 2017

11. Private Colleges & Universities • 75+ private colleges and universities in California • 3,000+ in US (including public schools) • All vary in admission requirements and application deadlines • Application requirements: official transcript, official test scores, essays, activities & honors, recommendation letters, interview, portfolio/audition • Use Common Application • Early Admission Plans: Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Restrictive Early Action • National Candidates Reply Date: May 1 Kick Off to College Class of 2017

12. Out of State Public Institutions • 3,000+ colleges and universities in US (including private schools) • Rolling admissions plans • Can open up opportunities! • Many have low out-of-state tuition • Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): tuition discount for California students • Honors programs/colleges at public schools; rigorous academics in large, research universities Kick Off to College Class of 2017

13. Personal Statements & Essays • An opportunity to show your true self/personality • (one of the few places!) • Basic tidbits • Spell check, get a second reading • Follow instructions • Procrastination is just the WORST • Be authentic and do it yourself • Avoid clichés • Get detailed, be unique! • Check Naviance for list of Essays that Worked Kick Off to College Class of 2017

14. What Should I Be Doing Now? • College Counseling Timeline for Class of 2017 • Get organized • Request recommendation letters (check for requirements) • Complete Brag Sheet for Counselors • Attend college related events on and off campus • Attend College Monday Workshops • Take/retake SAT or ACT • Complete applications and write essays • Order transcripts (Parchment) Kick Off to College Class of 2017

15. What Should I Be Doing Now? Stay connected to College Center  emails via Jupiter Grades  like on Facebook  subscribe to Ms. Rowley’s Blog Kick Off to College Class of 2017

16. Requesting Recommendation Letters • If you need a letter of rec • Counselor recommendation letter • Brag Sheet for Counselors/Teachers in Naviance • 1-2 teacher recommendation letters from academic subjects • Outside recommenor • UC* and CSU do not accept recommendation letters *unless they ask you for it after you submit your application • Some schools do not require recommendation letters • You may need letters for scholarships Kick Off to College Class of 2017

17. Naviance Family Connection • Log in: https://connection.naviance.com/bhhs • Update email address • Tip: use the same email address for all college applications • Appropriate email address • Click on “about me” and complete the following tasks: • Under “surveys to take” • brag sheet for counselors (if you need a counselor rec letter) • parent brag sheet (one of your parents must do this) • Resume • Test scores Kick Off to College Class of 2017

18. Naviance Family Connection • Finalize your college list • Add to “colleges I’m applying to” • Senior meetings with counselor (follow instructions from your counselor prior to meeting) Kick Off to College Class of 2017

19. Kick Off to College Class of 2017

20. Common Application: Inviting Recommenders • Create an account: www.commonapp.org • Save your Common App ID for ordering transcript • Create a college list using the “College Search” tab • Your college list will appear on your “Dashboard” • Add Beverly Hills High School to your Common App Kick Off to College Class of 2017

21. Common Application: Inviting Recommenders • Click on “My Colleges” tab then choose one of the schools listed • Click on Recommenders and FERPA and sign the FERPA Release Authorization • You must waive your right to review all recommendations and supporting documents in order for your counselor and teachers to write your recommendation letters • Click on Invite Counselor and enter the requested information to invite your counselor to be a recommender • THANK your recommenders Kick Off to College Class of 2017

22. Common Application: Inviting Recommenders • Click on Invite Teacher and enter the requested information to invite your teacher(s) to be a recommender • Add teacher’s email address • Completing these steps will trigger an email to your invited recommenders with instructions on submitting their recommendation letters via the Common App Recommender website • Ask in person, confirm and say THANK YOU Kick Off to College Class of 2017

23. Non-Common Application Schools • Complete online application on the school’s website • Follow instructions specific to that college • If letters need to be snail-mailed, then let your counselor and/or teachers know in person and provide them with self-addressed and stamped envelopes Kick Off to College Class of 2017

24. Requesting Recommendation Letters • October 1: Deadline to ask your counselor and teacher(s) for recommendation letters for Early Action and Early Decision schools; also to notify your counselor if you are applying to schools with rolling admission deadlines • November 1: Deadline to ask your counselor and teacher(s) for recommendation letters for regular decision schools Kick Off to College Class of 2017

25. Ordering Transcripts through Parchment • Once you start your college applications, you must request that official transcripts be submitted • All transcripts must be ordered through Parchment • Get an unofficial copy and review it for accuracy before you send official transcripts to colleges • Exceptions • UC & CSU campuses and the University of Washington do notwant transcripts Kick Off to College Class of 2017

26. Ordering Transcripts through Parchment • Go to www.parchment.com or click on the link on the BHHS website or Naviance • Click on “Order Transcript” and then “High School Transcript” • Register and complete your information. You do not need a code to register. • Once you are registered, click on “My Transcripts” • Search for and select Beverly Hills High School • Enter your earliest year of attendance (2013 if you entered BHHS as a 9th grader) • Enter 2017 as your expected year of graduation Kick Off to College Class of 2017

27. Ordering Transcripts through Parchment • Complete the FERPA agreement and waive your right to review. • Enter your Common App ID# if applicable • Search for other colleges to which your transcript should be sent Kick Off to College Class of 2017

28. Ordering Transcripts through Parchment • For other organizations such as scholarships and NCAA Eligibility Center, click the link under “Select Other Destinations” and enter the required information • Pay for transcripts once added • If you later add schools to your “colleges I’m applying to” list in Naviance, then be sure to order additional transcripts Kick Off to College Class of 2017

29. College Rep Visits to BHHS • Over 100 college and university reps visit our school each year • Great way to get to know the school and the admission rep who will read your application • Most updated list is in Naviance • If you want to attend a college rep visit: • Sign up in Naviance • Get the gold permission slip signed by your teacher prior to the day of the visit • Forms available in House offices and College Center Kick Off to College Class of 2017

30. Upcoming Events • Individual meetings with counselors: starts in September • College Monday Workshops: every Monday* during lunch (*few exceptions) • College rep visits: begins September 1 • 1-on-1 Essay Review Sessions • How Colleges Can Be More Affordable Than You Think: Tuesday, September 27 • College Connections Fair: Monday, October 10 • College Day: Wednesday, October 19 • Coffee with the Counselors (parents only): once a month • ACT & SAT workshops & practice exams Kick Off to College Class of 2017

31. Thank you! This can be a process that seems daunting. YOU can help make it an easier one. WE are here to help. Take advantage of resources, take a DEEP breath…it WILL be okay! Kick Off to College Class of 2017