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College Application Process. University Of California/California State University Requirements. English CP or Higher 4 Years Math Algebra 1CP Higher 3 Years (4 Years Recommended) History/Social Science 2 Years Laboratory Science 2 Years
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University Of California/California State University Requirements • English CP or Higher 4 Years • Math Algebra 1CP Higher 3 Years (4 Years Recommended) • History/Social Science 2 Years • Laboratory Science 2 Years (3 Years Recommended, UC requires at least 2 of these 3 disciplines – Biology, Chemistry, Physics) • Foreign Language 2 Years (3 years same language recommended) • Visual/Performing Arts 1 Year
Some Essential Resources www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions www.csumentor.edu www.californiacolleges.edu www.commonapp.org www.assist.org www.collegeview.com www.act.org www.collegeboard.com http://connection.naviance.com/centuryacademy
Some First Steps • Set up a professional email account for all of your college applications, and check it regularly. It’s best to use your name. • Pick up an unofficial transcript from the office. • Prepare your teachers for your recommendation requests. • Use the same exact name on all college related correspondence.
Making Tentative Decisions • How many schools should I apply to? • Will I be comfortable there for four years? • How will I pay for this adventure? • What if I have no idea about a major? • But my friend’s sister, whose brother-in-law works at UC Santa Somewhere says… • Editorial comment: Don’t simply go to college to earn a degree. Go to learn to think, to challenge yourselves and others, and to gain a broad based education.
College Options Choices: • Independent Schools • Schools Outside California • University of California • California State University • Community Colleges
Private and IndependentSchools • Costs for private and independent schools are greater than the public schools, but the gap has been closing recently. • Scholarships and financial aid may be more available for many private schools. • You may apply to private schools through their own websites or via the Common Application. • You will need to submit a counselor’s form (Secondary School Report), and one to two teacher recommendations for most private schools. • You will need to complete a transcript request for each private school to which you apply. • Most private schools require one or more personal statements. • Deadlines for private schools vary. Please be sure to check websites for information. • Notification of admission can also vary among private schools, as well as the method of delivery. • Testing requirements vary, as well. Your counselor can help you!
The Common Application • Many private and independent colleges accept the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) • If you use the Common App, be sure to check for supplements that my be required for individual schools.
Public Schools Outside California • How difficult are they to get into? • What are their subject and testing requirements? • What about out-of-state costs? • What do their applications look like? • When are their deadlines? • When will I know about admission?
The University of California • Look now at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions • You may apply to all nine campuses with one application • You can download the application now, but you can’t submit it until November 1-30. • They require two essays and an activities page, but no recommendations. • You must submit either the SAT Reasoning or the ACT with Writing. The SAT Subject Tests are no longer required, but they will help. • Scholarship applications are imbedded in the application for admission. • You will not submit transcripts to the UC until requested.
The California State University • Twenty-three campuses • You may apply immediately and until November 30 at www.csumentor.edu • No essays, no recommendations, no activities list (Cal Poly SLO has a brief activities page) • You must submit the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. Writing scores are not considered. • Apply to each separately, but you won’t need to fill in new data each time except for the first page • Subject requirements for the UC and CSU are the same except for science: UC requires chemistry, while the CSU will accept Geosciences.
Community Colleges • Strong system in California that can lead to university transfer • Orientation, application, and registration will take place in the spring • Become familiar with the IGETC and www.assist.org • Community colleges are a terrific place to begin your education for any number of reasons • The Transfer Admissions Guarantee is offered by most UC and CSU campuses
The Application • Transcript: unofficial and official • Essay • Testing Requirements: SAT and ACT • Letters of Recommendation • Early Decision / Early Action • Deadlines are critical • UC/CSU November 30 • Don’t wait until then, submit it early.
Essay • You should be the STAR of the essay! • Answer the question and be specific. • Convey and prove it with examples. • Assign meaning and growth to the experience. What did you learn and how did it shape you? • What ACTION did you take? • Show that you took INITIATIVE.
Testing RequirementsWhat do I need? • SAT test and/or ACT test • SAT Subject tests are not required, but will help • All test scores must be reported by the testing agencies (www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org) • You may send SAT history to all UC campuses simply by indicating one campus code • You may send SAT history to all CSU campuses by indicating CSUMentor as the recipient. Use code #3594. • You may also send your ACT scores to the CSU system using the ACT Scores Manager
Testing RequirementsContinued • CSU: Early Assessment Program (EAP) • Measures readiness for college level English and math (It is not an admission test. It just determines if the student needs remedial English or math.) • English Placement Test (EPT) • SAT: 500, ACT: 22, STAR: Exempt or Ready • Entry Level Math (ELM) • SAT: 550 ACT: 23, STAR: Exempt or Ready
Letters of Recommendation • Ask your letter writers well in advance – give at least two weeks. • Fill out and return the student Letter of Recommendation questionnaire and Parent Questionnaire posted on our website. • Be appreciative. Write a thank you note.
Early Admissions ProgramsEarly Decision / Early Action • Earlier application and earlier notification • Early Decision (Binding) – a promise to attend. If you renege, other schools honor the early decision, so it is unlikely that another school will accept you. • Early Action (Non Binding) – benefit of early notification without the obligations of early decision.
What To Do Now? • Begin your applications. Use an unofficial transcript to complete your coursework. Read the application, including the instructions and video! • Work on your essays for the UC and private schools. Share your essays with good readers for feedback. • Re-take the SAT/ACT up until December. • Request letters of recommendations, if needed.
Naviance • Be sure to list all of your schools that you are applying to, whether or not they are on the Common Application. • Be sure to complete the FERPA waiver so that your recommenders can submit your information online.
Dates and Deadlines • Oct. 1 – Nov. 30: CSU Filing Period • Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: UC Filing Period • Nov. – Jan. – Regular deadlines for many private and out of state public schools • Mid Year Reports: after semester 1 • January 1 – March 2: File the FAFSA • March – April: Acceptance Notifications • May 1: Statements of Intent to Register
The Waiting Game • When will I know? Most admissions decisions are made in the spring, usually by April. However some schools will let you know more quickly. • What should I do in the meantime? Continue to explore and form a preliminary priority list, so your final decisions won’t be rushed. Start focusing on financial aid.
Financial Aid • FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. • A little bit like doing taxes. • May not be filed until after January 1 the year your student begins college.
How Does It Work? • FAFSA determines Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). • Institution Creates Financial Aid Package based on that EFC. • Three Types of Financial Aid • Grant and Scholarship = Free • Loan – Federal or Institutional = Pay Back • Work Study = Job on Campus
Questions that need Answers • Does School meet 100% of need? • Does the School Gap Students? • Average Student Loan $30,000+