Leland Academic Counseling Team Presents:

1. Leland Academic Counseling Team Presents: Junior Night Go, Chargers!

2. Leland Academic Counseling Team Deepa Mukherjee Assistant Principal (Guidance) Senior Class Adviser Mark McClure Academic Counselor Joan Albers Career Center Technician

3. Agenda 6:30 – 6:50: A-G Requirements CSU & UC Requirements Community College Requirements 6:55 – 7:22: College Application Guidelines College Application Timeline Letters of Recommendation Career Center Resources 7:30 – 8:00: PSAT Result Analysis Testing Timeline

4. A-G Eligibility The intent of the “a-g” subject requirements is to ensure that students can participate fully in the first-year program at the University in a wide variety of fields of study. UC faculty consider the Subject Requirement to be effective preparation, on many levels, for undergraduate work at the University. This pattern of study assures the faculty that the student has attained a body of general knowledge that will provide breadth and perspective to new, more advanced study. Fulfillment of the "a-g" pattern also demonstrates that the student has attained essential critical thinking and study skills How to Become 4-year College Eligible ?

5. History/Social Science 2 years English 4 years Mathematics 3 years (required)/4 years (recommended) Lab Science 2 years (required)/3 years (recommended) Language Other than English 2 years of the same language/3 years (recommended) Visual Performing Arts 1 year Electives 1 year What are the A-G Requirements?

6. How do SJUSD graduation requirements compare to “A-G” requirements? “A-G” History/Social Science - 2 years English -4 years Mathematics - 3 years (required)/4 years (recommended) Lab Science - 2 years (required)/3 years (recommended) Language Other than English - 2 years of the same language/3 years (recommended) Visual Performing Arts - 1 year Electives - 1 year SJUSD Social Sciences - 3.5 years English -4 years Mathematics - 3 years Science -3 years Language other than English - 2 years Electives – 4.5 years Visual Performing Arts -2 years PE -2 years

7. A – History/Social Science – 2 years required Two years of history/social science, including one year of World History, Cultures or Geography; and one year of US History or one-half year of US History and one-half year of American Government/Civics. World Cultures 1-2 World Cultures 3-4 Accelerated World Cultures 3-4 US History Accelerated US History AP US History American Government Honors American Govt. What classes count as an A-G requirement at Leland?

8. What classes count as an A-G requirement at Leland? • b - English - 4 years required Four years of college preparatory English. Students may only use 1 year of ESL/ELD, SDAIE, or Sheltered English. English 1-2 English 3-4 Accelerated English 3-4 English 5-6 Honors English 5-6 AP English Language English 7-8 AP English Literature ELD 5-6

9. What classes count as an A-G requirement at Leland? • c - Mathematics - 3 years required, 4 years recommended Three years of college preparatory mathematics that includes the topics covered in Elementary Algebra/Algebra 1, Geometry and Advanced Algebra, Algebra 2. Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Algebra II with Trig. Pre-Calculus Calculus AP AB Calculus AP BC AP Statistics

10. What classes count as an A-G requirement at Leland? • d - Laboratory Science - 2 years required, 3 years recommended Two years of laboratory science, including two of the three fundamental disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Biology 1-2 Conceptual Physics Biology Honors AP Biology Physics 1-2 Chemistry 1-2 Honors Physics 1-2 Honors Chemistry AP Physics Chemistry in the Community AP Environmental Science Zoology Physiology

11. What classes count as an A-G requirement at Leland? • e - Language Other than English - 2 years required, 3 years recommended. Two years of the same language other than English. Spanish 1-2 AP French Spanish 3-4 Japanese 1-2 Spanish 5-6 Japanese 3-4 Spanish 7-8 ASL 1-2 AP Spanish ASL 3-4 French 1-2 French 3-4 French 5-6 French 7-8

12. What classes count as an A-G requirement at Leland? • f - Visual & Performing Arts - 1 year required Wind Ensemble Drawing/Painting 1-2 Jazz Band Sculpture 1-2, Advanced Sculpture Orchestra Photography 1-2, 3-4 Electronic Music Media Arts 1-2, 3-4 Choir Animation 1-2, 3-4 Chamber Choir Drama AP Music Theory Speech & Debate Film Studies Introduction to Engineering

13. What classes count as an A-G requirement at Leland? • g - Elective - 1 year required. One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f”, for example a 3rd year of Spanish. Principles of Engineering Computers Multimedia Production 1-2, 3-4 Spirit

14. Who Uses the A-G requirements? California State Universities (CSU) www.csumentor.edu University of California (UC) www.universityofcalifornia.edu (Only public, state schools use the “a-g” requirements. Private colleges and universities each have their own admission requirements.)

15. General Application Requirements • 2.0 minimum GPA for California State University • 3.0 minimum GPA for University of California • SAT or ACT Test • Private Colleges require letter of recommendation from teachers/counselors

16. What Do Colleges/Universities Consider While Making Decisions? Considered Top Three at most schools: Grades in academic classes How challenging your courses are Test Scores SAT & ACT

17. Some colleges MAY consider: Extracurricular activities Honors and awards Leadership Volunteer work/community service (commitment) Special talents Hardships Athletic Talent Clubs Creativity

18. What if I have a “D” in an A-G course? For all courses in Mathematics (area C), all courses in Foreign Language (Area E), if you receive a grade of “D” in the first semester and a grade of “C” or higher in the second semester, you will receive two semesters of credit. Completion of an advanced course in the same subject (Math & Foreign Language) presupposes knowledge of the previous course(s). For example, satisfactory completion of a second year of foreign language will validate the first year. The second year of Algebra will validate the first-year algebra but will not validate Geometry. SAT tests can validate some subjects depending on scores Retaking the course through community college, online courses, private summer schools. ** Check with Mr. McClure or Mrs. Albers before making any plans.

20. Community College A good next step…

21. Reasons to go 1/3 of all UC and 2/3 of all CSU graduates started at a community college. Community college transfer students get admission priority to UC and CSU campuses. Community college transfers are just as successful academically as first-time freshmen in terms of graduation versus drop-out rates.

22. Transfer & Certificates Articulation and Transfer Admission Agreements with many universities Transfer Centers facilitate student’s transfer to their targeted university. Vocational training, certificates and 2-year degrees.

23. Money Money: Fees average 1/3 the cost of public universities, and 1/10 the cost of private universities. Add to that the potential savings of living at home for two additional years.

24. Admission Requirements One of the following: A high school diploma A General Education Diploma A Proficiency Certificate At least 18 years old with evidence of being able to benefit from the instruction offered by the college.

25. Concurrent Enrollment Form High school students are also admissible provided they have a High School Concurrent Enrollment (R-40) form signed by their high school principal or designee and by a parent or guardian.

26. Community College Resources Application, Assessment dates, majors/Programs, Financial Aid, Transfer Programs all vary by campus. Further information available at the following websites: www.deanza.edu www.foothill.edu www.westvalley.edu www.missioncollege.edu www.sjcc.edu

28. Choosing a College That is the Best Match for You Step One: Know your personal and academic profile: Personal: Career goals, hobbies, special interests, talents, personal attitudes, traits and needs. Academics: academic record, grades, GPA, test scores, activities related to academics, awards and recognition, academic learning/study skills, self motivation and discipline, communication skills…

29. Choosing a College That is the Best Match for You Step Two: What are you looking for in a college? Type: Liberal Arts, Business, Engineering,… Curriculum: What is your tentative choice major? Special programs: Honors, research, internship, study abroad Where do I want the college to be? How far? Size? 50-40,000 How much will it cost? Coeducational or single-sex institution Campus life/social life/extracurricular Special Services Available (tutoring…special assistance)? Selectivity: How difficult? Be realistic!

30. Reminders Remember your final college choices should include schools that are realistic (safe), reasonable (good fit) and some reaches (long shots). You should have 2-3 of each. Colleges expect you to challenge yourself! Take as challenging of a course load that you can and receive good grades. Take care of yourself. Any D can affect your admissions decisions. Avoid Senioritis!!! Take advantage of summer academic opportunities.

31. More Reminders Choose as challenging of a senior course load as you can handle but remember you must be able to do well in the classes. Any D in your senior year can make you ineligible even if it is for an AP class. Must have grades of C or higher to meet college requirements You also need to take care of yourself!

32. Career Center Resources • College, Major, and Career Library • Bridges Choices Programs and Get In 2 College (internet) • College Rep Visits for all students • College Application Workshops for Seniors in the Fall • Scholarship Bulletin • Financial Aid Materials • SAT and ACT Testing Info (registration, free booklets, books…) • Testing and application fee waivers • Test Prep Info and Resources, Revolution Test Prep offers Mock ACT’s and SATs

33. College Rep. Visits • College Rep Visits are for ALL Leland Students • Students obtain a pass and have teacher sign it in advance • Almost all visits are in the fall • Excellent opportunity

34. College Application Workshops for Seniors CSU Presentation for all CSU’s given by SJSU CSU Application Workshop UC Independent UC Personal Statement College Essays College Application Workshops

35. Career Center Web Site Accessed from Leland High Web Site http://www.sjusd.org/leland/career_center/index.html

36. College Application Workshops (contd.) Letter of Recommendation Workshops CSU/UC Fall Update of changes for seniors Financial Aid Night: Seniors & their Parents - Jan. Community College Night in the spring

37. College Application Timeline Research and visit possible schools NOW. Consider all options. Use online resources (Choices Planner, Get in 2 College, californiacolleges.edu, books, talk to people…….. Talk to seniors this semester about the college application process CSU applications submitted between 10/1 – 11/30

38. College Application Timeline UC applications submitted 11/1 – 11/30 Independents: Early’s vary starting on 11/1: Regulars 12/1 – rolling (most during the month of Dec.) Public Out of State – vary: most similar to CSU and UC – some later or rolling

39. Letter of Recommendation Process for Independents (CSU and UC will not accept letter of rec) Junior year: Ask academic teachers if they are willing to write your letter of rec. Students are required to complete the College and Scholarship Recommendation Form (CSRF).

40. Letter of Recommendation Process for Independents Four pages of information plus Senior Questionnaire, Parent Assessment and unofficial transcript. Seniors are encouraged to work on this packet during the summer. Administrators write the Counselor or Secondary School Report. Completed packets are due to all recommenders for any EARLY APP (due before 12/1) by third week in September. All regulars (due 12/1 or after )second week in October. Mid-Year Reports in January.

41. Testing Information Colleges will accept either the SAT Reasoning or the ACT (UC requires the ACT Optional Writing if you take the ACT). UC will no longer require Subject Tests effective for Fall 2012 freshman applicants. However, some independents and some majors at UC may recommend or require SAT Subjects. We encourage you to take both SAT and ACT because colleges will take the best score and the tests are different.

42. Testing Information • All juniors should plan to take at least one ACT and/or SAT Reasoning Test by June. Refer to #1 if you need to take SAT Subject Tests. • Most schools will not consider test scores past December of your senior year. • Keep in mind that these deadlines may change.

43. Testing Information Some CSU’s have October and November deadlines. Refer to Testing Schedule for add’l info. Students must send official test scores by the testing companies by testing deadlines. Revolution will present a testing timeline. Application deadlines and testing deadlines are different. All deadlines are FIRM.

44. Junior Newsletter

45. With Good Information, We Make Better Decisions!