SENIOR COLLEGE Meeting Fall 2014

1. SENIOR COLLEGE Meeting Fall 2014

2. Does this sound familiar???

3. Communicate as a Family • Welcome and thank you for coming! • I hope and anticipate that the college conversation will continue in your home. • There is a clear commitment on everyone’s part to continue talking through any obstacles and come to a working approach in this exciting (and sometimes stressful!) time in a student’s life.

4. Help is here… Just ask. • We are all here to help you along in this process over the coming months. • Contact us: • Karyn Koven – College Counselor • Dr.koven@ht-la.org 818-609-2681 • Nikki Bender – Academic Counselor • Ms.bender@ht-la.org 818-609-2682 • Noreen Bagley, Margo Cohen, Joan Weiss and Evelyn Alexander – College Counseling Assistants

5. What not to do in a PowerPoint presentation… • That’s the model here! • Not a good POL model kids! • I’ll talk in bullet points. • The full presentation will be posted on the HTLA website under “College Guidance” for your future reference and further details/notes.

6. You will be AWARE OF DEADLINES • Senior year is all about DEADLINES – for college apps, financial aid & scholarships, ordering your cap and gown, completing all your requirements to GRADUATE and go off to college!

7. The Senior Year All year: • Continually check your Naviance account for scholarships, when college reps are visiting, upcoming events, links to career websites • Visit college campuses every chance you get! (school trip planned in November) • Search for scholarships. There is a lot of free money you can get your hands on if you just put in a little effort! • Maintain your grades in all of your academic courses.

8. 2013 U.S. News & World Report Best National Liberal Arts Colleges Best Regional Universities • Pomona College • Claremont McKenna College • Harvey Mudd College • Scripps College (women’s) • Occidental College • Pitzer College • U. of Redlands • Soka University • Santa Clara University • Loyola Marymount University • Mills College • Cal Poly-SLO • Chapman University • St. Mary’s College of Calif. (women’s) • California Lutheran University • Cal State Long Beach • Mount St. Mary’s College • CSU – Chico • Cal Poly Pomona • Sonoma State University • CSU Fresno • San Jose State University

9. Break the hovering habit Hovering gives your kids the message that you know what is best for them and they cannot do it on their own. Trust, build self-confidence and let them deal with conflict or difficult situations on their own. This will make them better self-advocates and more independent. DO pay attention and stay involved but DON’T do it for them.

10. September • Meet with college admissions reps visiting HTLA • Create a timeline - calendar your application and scholarship deadlines • Review your applications, transcript, activities resume and college essays with your parents, teachers and counselor • Register for the upcoming SATs, ACTs and SAT Subject Tests if you need to • Have your official scores sent to the colleges you are applying to (best to do it within days after the SAT/ACT)

11. SAT/ACT/Subject Tests • Go to www.collegeboard.com for SAT/Subject Tests, or www.actstudent.org for ACT. (go to websites for deadlines) • SAT Subject Tests: It is your responsibility to check with your colleges to see what (if any) specific tests they require. • The last exam date you can sit for is December. Those scores will be sent to the colleges you are applying to per your request. • Fee waivers are available for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch. See me for the waivers. Lunch forms need to be turned into Ms. Singer each year.

12. October • October 1. Your college list is due on Naviance. • Continue to polish your application essay/s – get many people to read it for you. • Continue to visit with College Representatives when they visit HTLA (listed on Naviance) or meet them locally in the evenings (look at the college websites). • Ask your teachers if they will write letters of rec. for you in person. Then, make the request through Naviance. You must do this by Nov. 1. • Getstarted on your applications if you haven’t done so already.

13. The Application Process You are responsible for: • Application & fees • Essays/personal statement • Asking/getting teachers to complete recommendation letter/s • Transcript requests through Naviance • Sending your test scores to the colleges you are applying to • Following up with all necessary communications with the colleges • Asking for help when you need it.

14. Online Applications • It is recommended that you complete all applications online. Most all forms your high school must complete (School Report Form/ Teacher or Counselor Recommendation Form) are also completed electronically through Naviance.

15. Applying… the nuts and bolts Community College Cal State University (CSU) • Apply by February of your senior year. • The application is simple – no transcript or tests needed. • Graduation from high school required to attend full time. • No application essay. • Apply by November 30th • Straight forward application – you will need your transcript to list classes taken. (no official transcripts needed until the end of senior year) • SAT I or ACT required. • No application Essay.

16. Applying Continued University of California Private & Out of State Universities • Apply by November 30th. • Comprehensive application – need to list classes taken, activities, and awards. (no official transcripts needed until the end of senior year) • SAT I or ACT required. • Two or three SAT II subject tests recommended (Math, writing and one of your choice). • Application has short answer essays (personal statement). • Deadlines vary (most are due by mid January). • Comprehensive applications – need to list classes taken, activities, awards. • Official transcripts need to be sent, as well as letter/s of recommendation. • SAT I or ACT required, as well as SAT II tests (see college website). • Applications usually have several essays. • Interviews sometimes available through admissions office.

17. Application fee waivers • If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, you may obtain application waivers for private colleges from Dr. Koven. • For the UC/CSU, students must enter their parent’s annual income and the computer will immediately let you know if you are granted a fee waiver. If you are free/reduced and you don’t get the fee waiver on the site, see Dr. Koven. • If you get a fee waiver you should apply to the full number of schools you are able to for free: • UC = 4 campuses • CSU = 4 campuses • If you would like to apply to more than the fee waiver will cover, you must pay for the additional applications.

18. Application Tips and Workshops during Xblock @ HTLA Application Tips • Friday, October 3 – UC Application • Friday, October 17 – Private colleges (common application) • Friday, October 24 – CSU Application Application Workshop (work on any apps) • Friday, November 7 & 14

19. November • Start your Financial Aid Process. Both you and your parents need to obtain a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov so you can fill out the FAFSA • Complete the CSS Profile Financial Aid Form if your colleges require it for application or financial aid (Private colleges) • November 30: Deadline for UC and CSU applications.

20. Application Deadlines • UC November 30, 2014www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply • CSU November 30, 2014 www.csumentor.org • Private Colleges Dates Vary* *www.commonapp.org *See the college website for details

21. December • Complete Applications for private colleges • Check on Naviance before winter break to see if your teachers and Dr. Koven have submitted your letters of recommendation. • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov • Financial Aid Night @ HTLA – FAFSA line by line workshop on Tuesday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Room with Cynthia Martinez from CSUN (assistance in Spanish will be available). • Sign the consent to release your GPA for the Cal Grant. Give it to Dr. Koven.

22. Other Deadlines… Last Call… • December 15, 2014 begins the last week of school before winter break. Please make sure you have a teacher or Dr. Koven look over your applications. Some private college applications are due during or before winter break.

23. Transcripts (three types): • Official (sealed and stamped or sent electronically) – They go to colleges and for scholarships and end of the year transcript to the college you will attend in the fall. 2. Unofficial (for your reference only). 3. Mid-Year Transcripts • ALL official transcript requests must be given to Dr. Koven with 3 days notice! In person or by email • Please do NOT request a transcript or letters of recommendation if you are not 100% sure you will be completing that school’s application!

24. We are NOT talking about financial aid in detail tonight. But… • Do not limit your college research or application submission based only upon the notion that you will not be able to pay for tuition. • Do apply broadly. • Do apply for financial aid through the FAFSA, Cal Grant, scholarships, local scholarships and ask at the university/college what scholarships you can apply for. • AND YOU NEVER KNOW… some private colleges have $ to give. Why not to you?? • MANDATORY MEETING: Seniors and their parents must attend F.A. night FAFSA line by line 12/02/2014 6:30 p.m.

25. Everyone applies for financial aid and scholarships 2- year colleges 4-year colleges trade schools… everyone needs to try to get $ *Students who are undocumented AB540 need to see me for information about financial aid. They may NOT apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA) but may apply for state aid (Cal Grant). They may apply to any college, anywhere. If they have been at a California high school for 3 years and graduate, they are granted in-state tuition at CA public colleges and universities. See Dr. Koven for more details and scholarship resources.

26. Money/Scholarships • Look for local scholarships • Look on Naviance for scholarships • Join fastweb.com, scholarships.com and look at the reference sheet on our website under college office – it’s a good resource! • Parents - File taxes as early as possible this year and each year that your student is in college (March 2 deadline for FAFSA)

27. January • You may begin to fill out the FAFSA online as of January 1, 2015. You have until March 2 to submit. • Complete other scholarship applications. • Dr. Koven will send your mid-year transcripts to colleges electronically OR give you copies to mail to colleges. • If you received a grade of “D” or “F” during first semester, you MUST call the admissions offices at the four-year colleges and tell them. They have the right to rescind your acceptance if they don’t find out about it until June.

28. February/March • Review scholarship programs for additional sources of merit and need-based funds. (Naviance, fastweb.com, scholarships.com, etc.) • Be sure you have applied for housing at the public college of your choice. • FAFSA & CSS Profile are due by March 2. • Have you received FAFSA Acknowledgement and the Student Aid Report (SAR)from the Pell Grant Program? If there are changes or corrections, resubmit the forms. • If you applied to the UC or CSU, you should hear from the campus in mid-March (sometimes later). • Private colleges send acceptances throughout the spring, but before April 15.

29. April • Review your acceptances and financial aid offers with Dr. Koven • Check about housing opportunities at your colleges • Wait to hear from all of your colleges before making your final decision. • Visit the college of your choice if before making the final decision. • Notify the college of your choice. Send the Statement of Intent (SIR) and deposit to the school by May 1.

30. May • May 1. Input your college acceptance data into Naviance • Notify the schools from with you have been accepted that you have decided NOT to attend. • Keep your counselor informed of your college decision and the scholarships you receive. • Send your Pell Grant Student Aid Report (Green Copy) to your chosen college. Keep one for your records. • If necessary, apply for student loans • Apply for a summer job to help pay for college costs. • Academic counselor does a final graduation check. • Contact the college you plan to attend if you think you will earn a final grade of “d” or “f”.

31. Letting Go Night & Internship POL • Nights for seniors and their parents. • Internship POLs presented • Mentors and community members present • Tips for the transition from high school to college • Guest speakers • Prizes and food! • Save the dates: • Letting Go: Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. • Internship: Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. Both events will be in the Great Room.

32. On the topic of Letting Go… • Let GO! • Allow students the freedom to explore their interests and passions • Keep an open mind • Apply and see • Let students take advantage of the best educational opportunity offered to them. Do not limit growth, experiences and opportunities –that’s why you sent them to HTLA!

33. June • Finish all courses and requirements for graduation. (See your graduation contract) • Keep applying for scholarships. • Get final transcript at graduation practice to send to the college you will be attending. • Thank all those who have helped you in this process Parents, friends, teachers…) • Graduation! (6/05/15)

34. Other helpful tips/reminders…

35. What is our School Code? High Tech LA 051526

36. Check your email daily.It’s where all the important stuff goes! You are on email anyway… we know you are! Don’t ignore “school stuff” or you’ll be sad.

37. Choose one log-in name and one password… make your life easier Parents: Are you on Naviance/Family Connection? If not, email me ASAP!

38. Questions?