Navigating the College Application Process

1. Welcome 12th Grade Parents! Navigating the College Application Process

2. Pretty soon it will be june… … just remember it’s still September!

3. % Admission rates for colleges All 4 year colleges across the US………………………………………….67% UCLA……………………..16% UC Berkeley……………………..19% USC……………………..19% LMU……………………..54% CSU Long Beach……………………….30% CSU Dominguez………57% San Diego State……….31% Stanford………….5% University of Redlands……..67% University of San Francisco……….61%

4. The Cost of College Today vs. 1970

5. Common Myths and Realities • “I worked my way through college, so my student can do the same” • “Why is everyone saying that it’s so difficult to get into a state college? I was a B student and I got into UCLA, Berkeley, Irvine, etc.” • “If my grades are a C average, high test scores, and I have lots of extra-curricular activities, I’ll still get into highly competitive college”

6. Common Myths and Realities • “It’s less expensive to start off at a community college and attend for two years and then transfer to a four year college” • “You have to know your major before you select a college---don’t pick a college if they don’t have your major” • “The best time to visit college is after you have been admitted” • “There is only one, perfect college out there for me”

7. Colleges who have visited DA Vinci Schools

8. LIST OF COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES • University of California (LA, Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Santa Cruz, San Diego, Riverside, Merced, Santa Barbara) • California State (LA, Dominguez Hills, Chico, San Francisco, East Bay, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Fullerton, Long Beach, Stanislaus, Channel Islands, San Diego, San Jose) • California private (Redlands, Azusa Pacific, Biola, Occidental, Mount St. Mary’s, USF, Whittier, Woodbury, LMU, Marymount, USC, Pepperdine, University of Pacific) • Out of state highly selective/selective (Boston University, Boston College, American, RIT, NYU, Smith, University of Richmond, , Univ of Indiana, Univ of Rochester, Colby-Sawyer, Syracuse, Hampshire, Emerson, Dartmouth, Smith) • Other out of state colleges (U of Arizona, Arizona State, James Madison, St. John’s Univ., Univ. of Oregon, Miami Univ, Columbia College, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph’s, Hofstra, LIM, Fisk, Howard, University of Colorado: Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, Hawaii Pacific, Drexel, Univ of Hawaii Manoa, ) • THREE Posse Scholars 2015 (Bucknell, Hobart and Williams Smith)

9. what’s happening Senior Year… • College Writing Class • Gather Your Documents • Transcript (on Naviance) • Brag sheet (on Naviance) • 2015 tax documents (parents, for FAFSA) • Letters of recommendation (if required) • Personal Statements/Essay prompts (when necessary) • Finding The Right Fit • CCC – 106 campuses • CSU – 23 campuses • UC – 9 campuses • Independent – over 1,000 across the country • Public Out of State – over 1,000

10. Senior checklist October-December • Register for standardized tests (SAT/ACT) for October-December: SAT: Nov. 7, Dec. 5 www.collegeboard.org ACT: Oct. 24, Dec. 12 www.actstudent.org • Create user name/password MASTER SHEET for all of the below accounts (as needed): 1. Common App account @ www.commonapp.org 2. CSU Mentor account @ www.csumentor.edu 3. UC account @ www.universityofcalifornia.edu 4. Community Colleges- on each school’s website

11. Senior Checklist • Complete your brag sheet on Naviance (due Nov. 2 in College Writing class) • Complete college apps by due date • Decide who the ‘best teachers’ are for your recommendations and ask them to write you one (4-6 weeks notice is best) • Work on your personal statement/essay/ supplemental questions for college applications

12. Before you apply • Reach - Target - Safety • Reach:You want to attend. You meet all the requirements for minimum coursework. Your SAT/ACT score and un-weighted GPA is at or below the average that was accepted last year • Target:You want to attend. You meet all requirements for the recommended coursework(exceed the minimum required). Your SAT/ACT score and un-weighted GPA is at or above the average that was accepted last year. • Safety:You want to attend. You meet all requirements for the recommended coursework (exceed the minimum required). Your SAT/ACT score and un-weighted GPA is significantly above the average that was accepted last year.

13. Before you apply • Thoroughly research your colleges you want to apply to and add them to your Naviance “colleges I’m thinking about” list (Oct. 1 in College Writing class) • Finalize your list of colleges/universities in Naviance “Colleges I’m Applying To” (must have final discussion with counselor to verify final list Oct. 15) • Know your deadlinesfor your college apps and prioritize by due dates

14. An overview

15. Naviance family connection • Electronic system for college applications and supporting documents -Transcripts (initial, mid year & final) -Teacher & Counselor Recommendations -School profile • Efficient (and preferred system) for colleges, students and parents -Eliminates the need for paper (envelopes, stamps)\ -REDUCES the time needed to get documents to colleges -REDUCES the chance of error and mix-up of student files -Allows parents to monitor status of college applications and assist your students

16. Mark Your calendars • Oct. 1-CSU Application opens • Oct. 24- ACT test • Nov. 1- UC applications opens to submit • Nov. 7- SAT test • Nov. 30- CSU/UC applications deadline • Dec. 5- SAT test • Dec. 12- ACT test • January 1- FAFSA opens

17. What Can we do now? • Create accounts for scholarship searches and apply! • Fastweb.com • Cappex.com • Scholarships.com • Research the cost of education of potential universities student might attend- Use the net price calculator on each website • Stay organized with documents need for FAFSA and CSS Profile • File your taxes as early as possible to complete your FAFSA (Jan. 1) and get as much financial aid eligible!

18. Important: • Send test scores directly through the testing agency no later than December 15th or as soon as scores are in. • Meet all college application deadlines. Visit Naviance • Check your email frequently- set up web portals if necessary • Keep your grades up. All acceptances are conditional.

19. Thank you for coming! EMAIL: Karen: kgracebaker@davincischools.org Erin: eknott@davincischools.org Nicole: ncabalar@davincischools.org