College Admissions / SAT Information Session February 25, 2007

1. College Admissions / SAT Information SessionFebruary 25, 2007 Home of Christ - Cupertino

2. Test Your College Knowledge Which college/university consistently has a 99% acceptance rate of graduates accepted into their first choice medical school and 90% into their first choice law school? • Johns Hopkins University • Stanford University • Williams College • Pomona College

3. Test Your College Knowledge If the following four medical school candidates have the same MCAT (medical school entrance exam) score, which would most likely be accepted by Stanford Medical School? • Attended Stanford and graduated with a 3.4 GPA • Attended Santa Clara University earning a double major in Chemistry and Biology, and graduated with a 4.0 GPA • Attended Harvard and graduated with a 3.5 GPA • Attended UCLA and earning a degree in photography, with a 3.9 GPA, and completed the pre-med prerequisites

4. Test Your College Knowledge For the SAT I Reasoning Test, the Writing Section has two components: The Essay and the Grammar Multiple-Choice section. Which one is more important for the Writing score? • Essay • Grammar Multiple-Choice • Both

5. Common Questions/Myths • How many times should my student take the SAT? • For top private universities, students need to score at least 750 for each section on the SAT I? • How does the colleges look at the SAT Writing Essay score? • Which SAT Subject Tests (SAT II) should my student take? • Should my student take more challenging courses (AP) and risk a lower grade or take an easier course to get the A grade? • Should my student do a summer internship or take summer school? • Which extracurricular activities do colleges care about more?

6. Itinerary • UC schools & The Stats • Private Universities & The Stats • Criteria for College Admissions • SAT Test Information • Q & A

7. UC Admission Statistics

8. UCLA Applicants 45000 Total 40000 Top 10% of Applicants: 35000 their Class: 47,245 45,828 30000 25000 20000 15000 Accepted: 12,069 10000 5000 0 UCLA Applications

9. UC San Diego Admitted Freshman Profile (2006) Averages • High School GPA (weighted): 4.04 • SAT I Score: 1936 (Avg) • Critical Reading: 630 • Mathematics: 667 • Writing: 639 • SAT II Math (1C and 2C) Score: 669 (2005 score) Admit Rate: 45.7% • Applicants: 43,587 • Admits: 19,933

10. Private University Statistics

11. College Sampling * Source: US News & World Report (2006 Edition)

12. College Admissions Process Criteria For Admissions • GPA: Grades in courses taken • Standardized Test Scores • Extracurricular Activities • Personal Essay • Counselor/Teacher Recommendations • Interview (if required)

13. College Admissions Process • GPA: Grades in courses taken • Generally, most important • Challenging courses (AP & Honors) • Uptrend in GPA score • UC: sophmore thru first semester of senior year grades • Private schools: depends on each school • Standardized Test Scores • SAT Reasoning Test (SAT I) • SAT Subject Tests (SAT II) (2 or 3)

14. College Admissions Process • Extracurricular Activities • Type of activity generally not important • Student passion/interest • Depth vs. Breadth • Personal Essays • Very important to private schools • Student voice/personality/passions • Unique and interesting • UC – highlight achievement/accomplishment • Don’t wait until the last minute!

15. College Admissions Process • Counselor/Teacher Recommendations • Get to know your counselor (be proactive) • Instructors who know you • Ask early – Don’t wait until the last minute • Interview (if required) • Opportunity to differentiate

16. UC Admissions More Formula Driven Too many applicants Most important criterias GPA SAT scores Strength of Courses, Extracurriculars, College essay, etc. College Essay Achievements/Accomplishments Explanations Private Universities More In Depth Examination GPA Strength of Courses SAT Counselor/Teacher Recommendations Extracurriculars College Essay Passions/Interests/Personality/Character Differences in AdmissionsUCs vs. Private Universities

17. SAT TestInformation

18. SAT Reasoning Test (Formerly SAT I) Critical Reading Writing Math 2400 points (total) SAT Subject Tests (Formerly SAT II) Math Sciences Languages Literature History 800 points (each) THE TESTS:SAT REASONING TEST

19. COMMON PROBLEM AREAS:SAT Reasoning Test (SAT I) Critical Reading: • Reading the SAT-way rather than for English Lit class • Reading speed and stamina • Vocabulary • Most difficult section to improve Writing: • Knowledge of grammar the “SAT-way” • Knowledge of the most commonly tested grammar rules • Timed essay writing • Grammar section easiest section to improve Math: • Knowledge of higher level math concepts • Problem solving skills / Avoiding SAT “traps”

20. MORE COMMON PROBLEM AREAS: The SAT is a reasoning test designed to measure critical thinking skills, not what students learn in school. In the words of Collegeboard, the makers of the SAT, “The SAT assesses how well students analyze and solve problems.” The biggest challenge students face with the SAT: IT’S A 5 HOUR PROCESS--YIKES!

21. SAT SUBJECT TESTS: Non-Language

22. FLEX Recommended SAT Schedule NOTE: Never take the SAT unless you are ready!

23. What can I do now? • Freshmen • Begin reading different topics from a variety of publications (e.g., Time, Newsweek, New York Times) • Practice writing under time pressure • Don’t forget your math • Sophomores • All of the above • Think about SAT Subject Test options • Goto www.collegeboard.com and become educated about the process

24. Q&A Session

25. Common Questions/Myths • How many times should my student take the SAT? • For top private universities, students need to score at least 750 for each section on the SAT I? • How does the colleges look at the SAT Writing Essay score? • Which SAT Subject Tests (SAT II) should my student take? • Should my student take more challenging courses (AP) and risk a lower grade or take an easier course to get the A grade? • Should my student do a summer internship or take summer school? • Which extracurricular activities do colleges care about more?

26. Contact Information • Gus Hsu- gus@flexcollegeprep.com- (408)252-7742- www.flexcollegeprep.com