Senior Parent Night Agenda

1. Senior Parent Night Agenda • College Entrance Requirements • Financial aid/scholarships • What colleges are looking for • Selecting the right school • NCAA requirements • The application process • Senior year timeline

2. CSU CP English 4 yr Math (Alg1,2,Geom) 3 yr Lab Science 2 yr Social Science 2 yr Foreign Language 2 yr CP Electives 1 yr Visual/Performing Arts 1 yr All courses must be UC certified (P) & passed with a C or better grade SAT I or ACT UC 4 yr 3 yr, 4 recom 2 yr, 3 recom 2 yr 2 yr, 3 recom 1 yr 1 yr All courses must be UC certified (P) & passed with a C or better grade SAT I or ACT Required. SAT II Required/Recommended for some majors: (Engineering is one) College Entrance Requirements

3. SAT & ACT • SAT I – max score 2400 • Critical reading (200 – 800) • Writing (200 – 800) • Math (200 – 800) • Most popular on the West coast • ACT – max score 36 • English • Math • Reading • Science • Optional Writing Test • May be required by Midwest schools

4. SAT II’s • Required for some majors at UC’s & some private schools • Check with each school to determine if it is either required or strongly recommended • Scores used for admission, course placement & advisement

5. Fall Test Dates • SAT I & SAT II – Oct 1, Nov 5 & Dec 3 • ACT – Sept 10, Oct 22 & Dec 10 • UC’s – Dec test scores: last accepted • CSU’s – Dec test scores: last accepted unless space remains open for admission (Nov test last for some CSU”s) • Private/independent vary • SAT I & SAT II offered on the same day, cannot take both on same day

6. Reporting SAT/ACT & SAT II • 4 reports included in cost of test • NCAA must have test results – 9999 • CSU system (all CSUs) code for SAT – 3594 • Some scholarships require SAT/ACT scores

7. NCAA • Division I or Division II schools • “Clearinghouse” eligibility – Eligibility Center • 16 core courses see counselor to verify - NOW • NCAA website: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net • SAT/ACT must be submitted to NCAA clearinghouse (9999) • SYVUHS transcripts (initial & final) must be sent, bring requests to Terry Westfall in the guidance office • AHC transcripts have to be submitted to NCAA clearinghouse NCAA Division 1 4 yr English 3 yr Math 2 yr Science 2 yr Social Science 1 yr add Eng, math, sci 4 yr (acad elect) 16 acad core courses All courses must be on the NCAA 48H list SAT or ACT

8. Questions?

9. Types of Financial Aid • Gift Aid: Grants and scholarships • Need-based or merit-based • Self-help aid: Loans and employment • Need-based or non-need-based

10. FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Aid • Must file for Federal, State, Campus & some private $$ • PROFILE: financial supplement to FAFSA for private colleges (NOW) • profileonline.collegeboard.com • FAFSA website: www.fafsa.ed.gov • GPA verification for CAL Grant • File dates: January 1 to March 2 • PIN: get now – www.pin.ed.gov • Financial Aid Night: Early January

14. Scholarships • Based on: activities, academic merit, athletics, intended major, ethnic origin, religion, parent employer, or any combination of factors • Review Scholarship Handbook • Santa Barbara Foundation • Local Scholarships • Mrs. Westfall – little file cabinet, daily bulletin www.syvpirates.org

20. Questions?

21. Selecting the Right College • Communicate with your son/daughter • Discuss wants and needs • Each side should discuss • Atmosphere • Money • Long term benefits • Majors

22. Types of Schools Community College CSU UC Private Out of State Prioritize Have a “reach school” and a “sure bet” Use checklist for comparison Narrowing the Field

23. Factors influencing decisions Personal statement /essay Outside activities & interests Letters of recommendations (primarily private colleges)

31. Sources of Information • College Fairs • Campus Visits • College Representatives • College Catalogs, Resource Handbooks • Internet

32. Questions?

33. When to Apply • UC’s and CSU’s have NOV filing period • UC’s – Nov 1 – 30 • CSU’s file online Oct 1 – Nov 30 • Private/Independents vary • often Dec or Jan • Early Decision vs. Early Application

34. Colleges and universities prefer online apps Easier and fewer errors CSU: www.csumentor.edu (Oct 1 – Nov 30) UC: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/ (Nov 1-30) Private/out of state: contact school’s website (varies, check each college) Apply online

44. Letters of Recommendationcan sometimes make the difference • Get & complete letter of recommendation information form • Parent/guardian complete their part of form • Personalized letter, best • Attach a copy of college essay ( if you have one) • Two weeks notice for letter of recommendation

45. Questions?

46. The College Countdown • October: Gather info, prepare applications, PROFILEcompleted • Nov – Feb: Apply for admission, request letters of recommendation • Jan: Submit FAFSA & GPA verification • Mar – May : Send add’l info requested (1040) • April: Notification of Financial Aid by College • May 1: SIR, Tuition deposit due, housing • June 8: Graduation 2012 • Summer: Orientation, pre-registration

47. Tips . . . • Letters of Recommendation – give 2 weeks notice for person writing • No “cute” email addresses Make copies or download copies before you send/submit • Get certificates of mailing for everything you mail (not certified) • Make a hardcopy or electronic file for every school applied to & keep allcorrespondence • Checkjunk email • Check & double check deadlines • Most communication from colleges will be via e-mail, then Portal • If you’re not sure, ask!

48. Questions ? ****** Good Luck Class of 2012