COLLEGE PORTFOLIO INFORMATION

1. COLLEGE PORTFOLIO INFORMATION WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW…

2. Intro to UCs and CSUs… • UC’sCSU’s • -10 campuses (9 undergrad; 1 graduate) -23 campuses • -quarter system (10 week courses) -semester (17-18 week courses) • Except Berkeley & Merced (semester) • -approx. 191,000 students -approx. 450,000 students • -education: undergrad-doctorate -undergrad-masters; few exceptions • -focuses on theoretical, philosophical, -combines theoretical w/ practical applications • and research based learning -learning specific skills applied to jobs in the work force • -research & discovery based careers • -more prestigious based on rank & • -more popular in reputation • -accepts 12.5% of high school seniors -accepts 1/3 of seniors • -more selective in app process-less stringent in selection in app process • -impacted campuses: SLO, Pomona, CSUF, CSULB, and SDSU • -high average gpa’s, test scores & -realistic averages for gpa & test scores • -Needs a Personal statement -NO ESSAYS • -NO LETTERS OF REC NEEDED -NO LETTERS OF REC NEEDED • -Pricing: est. $13,000 a year (Fees and tuition only) -Pricing: est. $7,025 (Fees and tuition only) • Factors to consider when comparing the 2 systems: admission requirements, cost, educational goals and career aspirations.

3. University of California Map… UC San Francisco is a graduate school campus; do not apply there until later  UC Berkeley and UC Merced are on a semester system (15 week semesters) All other campuses are on quarter system (10 week quarters)

4. California State University Map… Cal Poly SLO (San Luis Obispo) and Cal Poly Pomona are polytechnic schools: devoted to instruction of technical arts and applied sciences; learn by doing (most selective esp. in engineering) Cal Poly SLO & SDSU: DO NOT ACCEPT THE DECMEBER SITTING OF THE SAT OR ACT

5. Where do I apply? • Private/Independent Colleges & Universities on the common application list: www.commonapp.org ; can begin applying as early as August 1st. Deadlines vary • California State Universities (CSU’s): www.csumentor.edu ; 1st day to apply is October 1st…last day to apply is November 30th • University of California School (UC’s): www.universityofcalifornia.edu ; 1st day to apply is November 1st…last day to apply is November 30th • Out of state schools not on common app list…visit the school’s website and sign up using their web portal

6. Popular CA Colleges by Region: San Francisco Bay Area Colleges: • Stanford: Ivy league of the west; top notch academics across the social sciences, engineering, and interdisciplinary studies. 12% or less acceptance rate and $33,000 a year. • San Jose State: popular, affordable four-year and master’s institution that has an incredibly diverse student body. • UC Berkeley: rivals Stanford’s academics and is often chosen as the premier public university in the nation. 28% acceptance rate and cheaper price tag of $26,000 a year. • Santa Clara University: a Catholic institution. Much like LMU but up in the bay area. Expensive price tag, out in 4 years. • College of San Mateo: 2 year community college that offers a guaranteed transfer programs to UC’s esp. Berkeley.

7. Popular CA Colleges by Region: • Central CA Colleges: • UC Davis: boast one of the top vet programs in the nation along with excellent academics in social sciences, biology, psychology, and agricultural studies. 60% acceptance rate and a $20,000 price tag…slower paced near big cities.   • Chico State, Sac State, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are also popular central schools.

8. Popular CA Colleges by Region: Southern CA Schools: • UCLA: boasts excellent research faculty and excels in political science, psychology, history, sociology, and economics for undergrads as well as a 10 ten law school. 28% acceptance rate and a $24,000 price tag.   • UCSD: boasts top notch faculty and world class professors focusing on social sciences, biology, theater, dance, engineering, psychology, and communications.   • USC and UCI are also popular southern CA schools.

9. Community (Junior) Colleges: • Goals: College awareness and access, Student success and readiness, Partnership for economic and workforce development, system effectiveness, and resource development  • Fast Track to a Career: may offer occupational degrees and certificate programs such as medical assisting, nursing, paralegal, information technology, business and teaching. • Save $$$ on your 4 year degree: Offers an opportunity to earn an associates degree and/or transfer to a 4 year school while saving money. Offers day, evening, and weekend classes while working full time. • Polish Your Education Record for a 4 year University: If grades in high school weren’t stellar, going to a 2 year college offers an opportunity to clean up your grades before applying to a 4 year school. • Maturity: Some students are not ready for college and that’s ok. Going to a community college gives them a chance to get a feel for the responsibility of what college may be like and get their grades in order to transfer to a 4 year college or university. • Requirements: 18 years of age or older, with or without a high school diploma; you are a high school graduate; you have the equivalent of a high school diploma • Begin applying in the spring of your senior year. Set up a meeting with a community college counselor to get started.

10. CA Community Colleges… 112 campuses throughout all of California allows working and going to school at the same time live at home to save $$$ fix grades from high school

11. Out of State Colleges: • Research: put the time and effort into checking out schools in other states… • West Coast Schools: ASU, U of A, NAU, UW, WASU, Seattle U, U of O, OSU, University of Portland, U of Colorado at Boulder, Regis University • Midwest Schools: University of Nebraska, Creighton University, University of Chicago, University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • South Schools: University of Alabama, LSU, FSU, University of Florida, MTSU, TCU, University of Texas, Austin • East Coast Schools: Ivies, Boston College, Boston University, Penn State, UVA, NYU

12. Advantages of out of state… • You get to live in a new place • You get to become your own, independent person • You get to make new friends • You may qualify for scholarships you didn’t even know about • You get to learn a whole new culture: college life • You can check on out of state tuition waivers for cheaper price tag • You may be able to establish residency after the 1st year to reduce tuition cost

13. Disadvantages of out of state… • Out of state tuition the first year often costs more • The transition from high school to college may be a bit harder • Mom and Dad are farther away; you may get homesick • Inconvenient: don’t know your way around, no friends, no family • Culture shock

14. Private Schools & Universities… Advantages Disadvantages • Graduate in 4 years • More personalized attention & learning • Small teacher: student ratio • Smaller selection of degree offerings • National & global networking opportunites • Prestige/Reputation are often strong based on alumni ties • Tuition Cost=large price tag • Less social options: large sporting events, may not have fraternities & sororities, etc. • Too small

15. Which one is for me? Public Private • Cost=cheaper • Public Admission Advantage=take more students locally • Networking=good in state • Location=personal preference • Small Fish in a BIG Pond • Prestige/Reputation depends on state • Cost=super expensive • Guaranteed Graduation in 4 years for most majors • Networking=national & global • Location=personal preference • Big Fish small Pond • Prestige/Reputation depends on name

16. Tips… • Do the RESEARCH…you won’t know unless you have the information. • Don’t wait until the last minute to apply, ask teachers for letters of rec, or getting transcripts! • Take your SAT’s and ACT’s NOW. There are only 3 left. • If you need to write an essay, start brainstorming. This essay will help set you apart from other applicants. • Choose teachers from your junior year who know you the BEST and can write a glowing letter for you! • Stay on top of all DEADLINES: APPS, FAFSA, Scholarships • Stay connected to your counselor for questions via email

17. The choice is yours…what will you do and where will you go to college?

18. See your counselor for questions… Thanks, Ms. Adams 