College Information Night

1. College Information Night Katy Cardoza, MHS College Counselor Cardoza.ka@monet.k12.ca.us 569-2879

2. Preparing for College 9th – 10th Grades • Keep grades up, C or higher, aim for 3.0 or higher. • Enroll in challenging, rigorous courses on the A-G list. • Try out clubs, sports, community service activities. • Use Naviance to help focus on future career.

3. Preparing for College 11th – 12th Grades • Keep grades up, C or higher, aim for 3.0 or higher. • Enroll in challenging, rigorous courses on the A-G list. • Math all 4 years! • Take on leadership roles in clubs, sports, community service activities. • Create a resume with all activities, awards, work experience, and community service. • Take the PSAT in fall of junior year. • SAT and/or ACT in spring of junior year and fall of senior year. • Use Naviance to focus on future career, find colleges that meet your needs, and COMMUNICATE WITH COLLEGE COUNSELOR!!

4. General Timeline of Senior Year • August-September: SAT and/or ACT • October-November: College Apps • January-February: Financial Aid • March-April: Puzzle pieces fit together • April-May: Decision Time • All year, but mostly in spring: Scholarships

5. California Colleges • Community Colleges – 108 • Public Universities • 24 CSU’s • 10 UC’s • Private Universities – 60+

6. Community Colleges • Spring enrollment for Fall • Enroll Senior year to get ahead. • Save money • Priority Registration at CC • Most classes will transfer to universities • Transfer plan: • Plan to transfer after 2 years, apply to university based on college work only. No SAT or ACT  • CC offers: • Vocational Certificates = 3-45 units • Associates Degrees (AA/AS) = 60 units • Fully Transferrable Units to 4 year schools

7. University Admission Requirements • A-G Coursework • Grades of “C” or better • SAT or ACT • Some require 2 SAT Subject Tests or ACT + writing • GPA • Activities (sports, clubs, music, etc.) • Community Service • UC’s and Private require essays • Private require letters of recommendation

8. University Admission Requirements • History/Social Science 2 years • English 4 years • Math 3-4 years • Lab Science (no 9th grade) 2-3 years • Foreign Language 2-3 years • Visual Performing Art 1 year • College Prep Elective 1 year

9. College Athletics • Is your child a talented athlete who wishes to participate in D1 or D2 collegiate sports? • Register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). • Very rigorous, more requirements than simply A-G. • www.ncaastudent.org

10. Remediation of D’s or F’s • Retake the class or comparable class in the regular day schedule • Often not room in classes • Cannot fit in to an already packed schedule • Summer School • PACE and other computer based courses may not be accepted by universities and NCAA. • ESS • Limited availability • Not all classes offered at our site

11. For-Profit Schools • High tuition schools that have the highest share of students with debt • Highest student loan default rate • Too many students do not get high quality training or do not graduate. As a result, students do not get a job and have high debts to repay • MOST for-profits in CA can no longer participate in the Cal Grant program (list of these schools on College Counseling link and includes U of Phoenix, ITT Tech, Kaplan, Heald, etc.)

12. Financial Aid January 1-March 2 • https://fafsa.ed.gov/or https://dream.csac.ca.gov/ • Never pay to apply, use correct website. • Workshops on campus. • Will require parental income and financial records. • File each year your student(s) are in school.

13. Types of Financial Aid Pell Grant (Federal) Cal Grant (State) District office files GPA electronically/automatically Be sure student name and address are correct in Powerschool and match what student lists on financial aid/college apps. Work Study – jobs on campus that provide income towards school expenses. Student Loans – lower interest through government, begin repayment after graduation; debt remains with you until paid off, even if you declare bankruptcy.

14. Scholarships • Scholarships are ongoing and posted in the College & Scholarship monthly bulletin. • Local Scholarships (specific to MHS) will be available in the spring in a special bulletin given out in English classes to all seniors. • List of “Safe Scholarship Websites” is available on MHS College Counseling Website. • Scholarships awarded from colleges may require FAFSA or other additional applications. • “Free Ride” scholarships very rare, most range from $100 - $1000.

15. Out of State Colleges • Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) • Private colleges • May offer more merit based financial aid • May require CSS Profile (pay fee to file)

16. College Application Costs • SAT (4 free reports) • $ 54.50 • $ 26 per subject test • Add’l reports $ 11.25 • ACT (4 free reports) • $ 39.50 • w/writing $ 56.50 • Add’lreports $ 12 • SAT/ACT fee waivers in college counseling office for free/reduced lunch and AVID • CSU App • $ 55 each campus • Eng/Math Placement tests $16 ea. (no waiver) • UC App • $ 70 each campus • CSU/UC fee waivers part of application • Private and Out of State • Varies by school • Fee waiver process varies

17. Naviance • Colleges • Research colleges and universities. • Download/print scholarship applications. • Sign up to attend college presentations & workshops. • Careers • Help find careers based on interests, and more information about careers. • About Me • Create resume. • Make sure email is up to date to receive information from college counselor.

21. Specific Questions? Call or email for an appointment Katy Cardoza, MHS College Counselor Cardoza.ka@monet.k12.ca.us 569-2879