Senior Year!

1. Senior Year! Have fun but stay on track!

2. Credits….. You should need 60 or fewer credits. Failing a class first semester may prevent you from graduating in May. You are expected to pass classes at Lincoln. Meet with your counselor if you are short of credits. If you are VERY short of credit, consider transferring to Adult School (starting at 18 years old). The County One program may also be a possibility - 205 credits are required to graduate.

3. LHS Transcript

4. Attend school every day, monitor your grades, and get help if you need it! Regularly review grades online.Know where you stand in each class. Tutoring is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 - 4 p.m. in the library. Math tutoring at lunchtime in Room 1510. Many teachers will also work with students at lunchtime or after school.

5. Plans after High School?? • Military? • Work? • Specialized (“trade”) school? • 4-year college or university? • Community College? • Not sure of a career path?? • Take the ASVAB or take an Interest Inventory - • details on the Senior Handout!

6. California Community Colleges Register online and take a placement test. New students start the registration process in April. All fees must be paid (or financial aid processed) before students can register for classes. Determine your objective…. Certificate, degree, transfer? Enroll with a goal! Take a class from Delta’s Guidance Department if you need help determining your goal or career path. How long you stay at a community college will depend upon your high school coursework, units you carry, and college objective.

7. San Joaquin Delta College has over 100 majors and certificate programs!

8. Think about size, location, and majors! University Bound?

9. CSU System… 23 campuses

10. UC System…9 undergraduate campuses

11. Submitting UC/CSU Applications • For CSU: Oct. 1 - Nov. 30 • For UC: Nov. 1 - Nov. 30 (Start early and complete your application in stages). Submit early! • Applications are submitted online. Late admissions are not accepted. • If you took College Prep courses in 7th/8th grade, you must list those on the application.

12. Eligibility in the Local Context • The University of California recognizes the top 9% of the senior class and offers “guaranteed” admission. If you are designated an ELC student, you will be guaranteed placement at a UC campus. You are not guaranteed to a specific campus. • Students find out if they are ELC eligible when they submit their online application.

13. Out-of-State or Private Colleges • Go online now to gather information. Many private colleges accept the Common Application. • Keep a calendar. Write down deadlines and requirements. Be sure entrance exams are completed on time (many schools require that SAT/ACT are completed by November). • Apply systematically. Select 4 - 7 schools and include at least one “safe” school.

14. Private colleges….. • Most private colleges/universities require two letters of recommendation - one from a teacher and one from a counselor or administrator. Ask people for recommendations long before you need them (allow a minimum of three weeks). • Unfortunately, we need to report suspensions that students may have earned in high school. • If we need to mail School Reports or recommendations, give counselors addressed envelopes with three stamps attached.

15. Essay Requirements UC’s Write a “personal statement” (two essays totaling 1000 words) Private Colleges/Universities Use the Common Application and send the same essays to multiple campuses. Be sure to “write to the prompt.” Plan ahead and write dynamic, reflective pieces that add to your college application. Write essays in a Word document and then cut/paste them into your online application. Verify your “word count.”

16. Prepare a resume or fill out a Student Background Sheet. You will use these when filling out college and scholarship applications. Give a copy to people who write you recommendation letters. Type resumes. Type or print, and use black ink, on Student Background Sheets. Resume or Student Background Sheet

17. College Entrance Examinations • If you plan to attend a 4-year college or university after graduation, complete SAT/ACT’s by the November test date. Choose ACT with composition. • Do not use “score choice” at this time. Your scores need to be released to the schools to which you are applying. • Subject Tests are no longer required for UC, but can be used to demonstrate achievement or to help with placement in classes at the university. • If you plan to attend a community college and transfer to a university as a junior, you do not need to submit SAT/ACT scores.

18. Financial Aid and Scholarships Attend the Financial Aid workshop at LHS on November 7th, 6:30, in Room 1113. You and your parents should attend. Go online at home or use computers at school to search for scholarships.

19. Go online and establish your Pin #. (You and a parent need to create pin numbers). www.pin.ed.gov You may submit the Free Application for Federal Aid online beginning January 1. Apply early! www.fafsa.ed.gov A Cal Grant GPA Verification form needs to be submitted by March 2. Pick up the form in the EPC in early January. FAFSA.. for everyone going to college

20. EOP/EOPS The Educational Opportunity Program at UC/CSU and the Educational Opportunity Program Services at community colleges give support to first generation and low-income students. Take advantage of these support services if you qualify.

21. Educational Planning Center • Become familiar with the EPC. • Fill out the Scholarship Questionnaire (form is available in the EPC) and give to Mrs. Hernandez to keep on file. This sheet will help Mrs. Hernandez to know your interests and talents. • In January, make weekly visits to the EPC to ask about new scholarships. Be sure you are in Mrs. Hernandez’s “data base.”

22. Need more information? Attend Lincoln’s annual College Night - October 11, from 6 p.m. to 8:20. Get information about community colleges, UC/CSU, SAT/ACT’s, private colleges, and the NCAA Eligibility Center.

23. Athlete or Band Student? If you want to play sports at a 4-year college, submit an application to the NCAA Eligibility Center(www.ncaa.org). See the athletic director for more information. Band If you think you qualify for a P.E. waiver, make an appointment with your counselor now to verify that you meet the requirements.

24. Be proactive about getting information! Listen to morning announcements and read the Student Bulletin. A number of representatives from colleges are scheduled at the EPC – sign up and hear their presentations.

25. Final reminders….. For community college-bound students. Plan ahead and register early. Community colleges are crowded and students who register late often don’t get the classes they need. Meet with a community college counselor and create a plan and/or take a class from the Guidance Department that will help you with career exploration. Continue to get good grades (you will take longer to complete your community college program if you do not do well in high school).

26. Final reminders…university students For university-bound students DO NOT drop a class or get less than a “C” in any class! Be sure to take the necessary college placement tests. CSU requires the EPT (English Placement Test) and ELM (Entry Level Math Test). These are taken in the spring of senior year, after you have received acceptances. Fill out a form in the Registrar’s Office to have your final transcript sent to the college of your choice. Keep track of deadlines and remember to send in deposits for admission and housing. 26

27. Pick up a senior booklet at the EPC! 27

28. Have a great senior year!