Senior Meeting Class of 2013

1. Senior MeetingClass of 2013 August 30, 2012 @ 8:15 a.m. Mrs. Romeril

2. Agenda • E-mail addresses for senior communication • Transcript review – grad/A-G requirements • College pathways • College entrance tests (SAT, ACT) • College application timelines • Cost of applications • How applications are reviewed • Financial Aid Checklist • Senior Year Tips • Helpful Websites

3. E-MAIL • E-mail addresses needed for: • Scholarship opportunities • Senior news • Counseling help

4. Transcript Review • A-G Requirements: Must meet in order to go to a UC or CSU • Cumulative 3.0 or higher on all A-G coursework • No D’s (unless you have retaken the course) • Meet all A-G Requirements

5. SJVA Graduation Requirements • 4 years English • 3 years Math including Algebra 1, Geometry, and 3rd year of Math • 3 years History (World, US, Econ, Civics) • Passage of Spanish 3 • 2 years Visual/Performing Arts • 2 years Science (1 life, 1 physical) • 2 years P.E. • 1 year college prep elective • 150 hours Service Learning (junior/senior year) • Passage of CAHSEE • Minimum 2.0 total GPA

6. A-G Requirements • A-History Two years, including one year of World History, Cultures, and Historical Geography and one year of US History or one-half year of US History and one-half year of Civics. • B-English Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. • C-Mathematics Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced Algebra (Algebra 1 and 2) and two and three dimensional Geometry. • D-Laboratory science Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Physics. • E-Language other than English Two years of the same language other than English. • F-Visual & performing arts One year, including dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art. • G-college preparatory elective One year, chosen from additional “a-f” courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely for use as “G” elective You must have a C or better and a cumulative 3.0 GPA in all A-G Coursework

7. College Pathways • UC or CSU • Private or out-of-state universities • Community colleges • Vocational or technical training

8. College Entrance Tests • You must take the SAT or ACT (or both) in order to be accepted to a four-year university • Some colleges require that you also take the SAT2 Subject Tests • 3 tests dates before apps are due • October 6, November 3, December 1 • Sign up for the tests on: • SAT www.collegeboard.com • ACT www.act.org

9. College Application Timelines Make sure to check timelines and requirements for Early Decision Applications

10. Application Fees • UC Application: $70 per school • CSU Application: $55 per school • Private Colleges: Varies

11. How applications are reviewed • GPA in all completed A-G Courses (including additional points for UC-certified honors courses which are IB Hist HL2, IB Eng HL1 & HL2, IB Spanish SL, IB Theater HL1 & HL2, IB TOK • Scores on the following tests: ACT Plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test. • Number of, content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum "a-g" requirements. • Number of and performance in UC-approved honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Higher Level and transferable college courses. • Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of your high school class at the end of your junior year (Eligible in the Local Context, or ELC). http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-residents/admissions-index/index.html • Quality of your senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.

12. UC Freshman Essay Prompt • Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. • Spend time writing your essay • Have others help you edit • A good essay should give the college a reason to accept you

13. How applications are reviewed • Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs. • Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status. • Location of your secondary school and residence. • Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your high school. • Outstanding performance in one or more specific subject areas. • Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study. • Recent, marked improvement in academic performance as demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.

14. How applications are reviewed • Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student's promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.

15. Financial Aid • California Student Aid Commissionwww.csac.ca.gov • Many different ways to pay for college • Grants (Calgrant, Chafee) • Federal Grants (Pell Grant and other federal aid) • Scholarships (local and national) • Volunteer Service If there’s a will there’s a way to pay

16. Miscellaneous Tips for your Senior Year • Set goals that are difficult but attainable • Keep your grades up! • Practice reading difficult books • Improve note-taking skills • Maintain a balance between school, family, friends, activities • Be organized – a lot is going on your sr. year • Make memories :)

17. Helpful Websites • www.sjvawolves.com Click on counseling to find many helpful links • www.collegeprowler.com Search for colleges, majors, and scholarships • www.californiacolleges.edu Official California source for college and career planning • www.commonapp.org Once completed online or in print, copies of the application for undergraduate admission can be sent to any number of participating colleges. Only certain colleges honor the common application. • www.universityofcalifornia.edu Use this site to research all University of California Campuses and to apply for admissions. • www.csumentor.edu Use this site to explore CSU Campuses and to apply for admissions. • www.collegeboard.com Sign up for SAT; great resource to learn about schools • www.act.org Sign up for ACT • www.fafsa.ed.gov Fill out FAFSA beginning January 1, 2013