THE ROAD TO COLLEGE STARTS HERE

1. THE ROAD TO COLLEGESTARTS HERE A College: Making It Happen presentation for Middle School students and their parents, sponsored by Cal-SOAP. SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES Student Opportunity and Access Program California SOAP Serving Students Since 1979

2. Subjects to be discussed • The student role • The parent/guardian role • Support and resources • The five systems of higher education in California • Choosing a college that is right for you • Making middle school coursework count • The transition to high school • Financial aid resources

3. THE ROAD TO COLLEGE… IN PERSPECTIVE

4. Why go to college? • Greater and more diverse career options • Personal and educational growth • It pays off…

5. TIPS: The student role • 1. Crack the books • Strong grades and a competitive GPA are habits that must begin in middle school. • 2. Set your goals • Which colleges interest you? • What majors will you consider? • Do you have any career objectives in mind? • 3. Make a plan • How will you reach your goals? • What kind of GPA do you need? • What classes will you take in high school? • What kind of extracurricular activities will you pursue?

6. TIPS: The student role • 4. Do your research • Explore possible college and career choices: • Online research: www.collegeboard.com(to be discussed) • Support at school: counselors, teachers, outreach organizations • Advice at home: parents, siblings, extended family • 5. Stay motivated • It’s never too early to prepare for college. It will keep you motivated! • Choose friends that share the same goals. • 6. Talk to your parents • Discuss your goals and plans with your parents– they can help! • Consider possible high school, college, and career choices together.

7. TIPS: The parent/guardian role

8. TIPS: The parent/guardian role • 1. Prioritize your child’s education • Create a family calendar in order to schedule homework, study, extracurricular, and recreational times. • Be aware of school deadlines in order to keep your child on track. • 2. Celebrate achievements • Regularly check report cards and discuss progress with your child’s teachers so you can celebrate good grades and consistent effort. • Remember, your child’s motivation is the most important guide on the road to college. • 3. Be involved • Help choose and plan your child’s extracurricular activities. • Be aware of your child’s circle of friends.

9. TIPS: The parent/guardian role • 4. Encourage good habits • Calendars, planners, schedules • A designated study time…everyday • Extracurricular activities • 5. Talk • NOW is the time for the college talk. • Remember, colleges will consider your child’s work from day one of high school to graduation day. • Ask questions: • What are your child’s career interests? Favorite subjects? Weakest subjects? • Seek resources • Look for school and community resources in order to build a support network for your child’s success…

10. The college talk begins…NOW! • We will now take a 30 second break… • PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Turn to your students and ask them one or all of the following questions: • 1) Where do you want to go to college (i.e. possible campuses, cities, states)? • 2) What careers are you interested in? • 3) What are your strongest and weakest subjects in school?

11. Building a support network • The College Team: Who’s in it? • The student, of course! • Family matters: parents/guardians, siblings, extended family • Good friends– with shared goals • School staff: teachers, counselors • Local outreach organizations…like Cal-SOAP!

12. Seek resources…because we all need a little help • Encourage your child to join an after school program that supports a college-going culture. • Finding a program: • School: talk to teachers, counselors, and principals • Community organizations– i.e. libraries, recreational centers, religious institutions • Research programs and advice online with the After School Alliance: www.afterschoolalliance.org (Click on “After School in My Community”) • Seek the services of educational outreach organizations that may be present in your middle schools or high schools. • Cal-SOAP, TRIO, UPWARD BOUND, GEAR-UP, EAOP, etc.

13. DISCLAIMER: The times, they are a-changin’ • The most important tip of all for students and parents: • Do your research and remain up-to-date with college requirements. • Recent changes (announced in 2009) have affected: • The UC testing requirement • The UC Eligibility in the Local Context GPA range • The impaction of majors in select CSU campuses • The Transfer Agreement Guarantee program at the CSU • Tuition fees at all California public campuses, including community colleges • Disclaimer: All requirements discussed today, apply only today. It is your responsibility to remain aware. • Let’s learn about some colleges…

14. THE 5 SYSTEMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA AND THEIR REQUIREMENTS

15. Requirements: A cheat sheet for college acronyms • GPA- Grade Point Average • Colleges will ask for either the student’s weighted (extra points for honors/AP courses) or unweighted GPA • AP- Advanced Placement • Optional courses in high school that offer college credit, if students pass a final examination • “A-G” • A curriculum of University of California (UC) approved general education courses, listed A-G, that must be completed in high school for college entrance • Standardized Tests: • SAT- Scholastic Aptitude Test (a.k.a. SAT Reasoning Exam) • ACT- American College Test • Most universities require scores from either the SAT or ACT • What’s the difference? • SAT Subject • Subject-specific exams that some private universities may require or recommend (i.e. Spanish, US History, Literature, etc.)

16. University of California • Stats: • 10 campuses • Research-based • Approximately $27,000 per year for total fees • Basic admission requirements: • A-G coursework • 3.0 GPA • SAT or ACT • SAT Subject Update: Beginning with the senior class of 2012, the SAT Subject exams are no longer required (but recommended) • “Comprehensive/Holistic Review” • Important factors: extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, etc. • Transfer Agreement Guarantee for CA Community College students

17. California State University • Stats: • 23 campuses • Traditional university setting • Approximately $15,000 per year for total fees • Basic admission requirements: • A-G coursework • Meet minimum eligibility index (a number derived from an equation that considers both GPA and SAT/ACT scores) • SAT or ACT • Transfer Agreement Guarantee for CA Community College students

18. California Community College • Stats: • 112 campuses • Transfer, Associate’s Degree, vocational, and certificate programs available • Approximately $2,000 per year for total fees • Basic admission requirements: • High school diploma or GED or • 18 years old • (Note: High school students can enroll in community college classes with high school’s approval.)

19. Private Colleges • Stats: • Many, many campuses (i.e. University of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University, Stanford University, National University) • Campus settings/focuses vary widely • Costs vary widely • Basic admission requirements: • Vary, but generally accept courses covered by the A-G curriculum • GPA varies, but generally selective • Testing requirements vary, but generally require SAT or ACT • (SAT Subject exams may be required or recommended, depending on campus and major) • Transfer requirements and programs vary • Generally practice Holistic Review • Extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and community service considered

20. Vocational/Technical Institutions • Stats: • Many campuses, depending on field of study (i.e. Art Institute of San Diego, FIDM, Paul Mitchell School, Universal Technical Institute, Concorde Career Institute) • Degrees and/or certificates available • Costs vary widely • Basic admission requirements: • Admission requirements vary widely. Research application procedures at each program of interest. • (Note: Many vocational programs are available at community colleges for a much lesser cost.)

21. CHOOSING A COLLEGE THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU… COLLEGE EXPLORATION BEGINS TODAY

22. Make-or-break criteria • A few, basic factors to consider when researching college campuses… • Institution type (public, private, vocational) • Majors/minors offered • Campus/enrollment size (large vs. small classes) • Campus reputation • Geography (urban/rural; in-state/out-of-state) • Distance from home • Housing (available/guaranteed?) • Campus resources (libraries, computers) • Costs (tuition, books, room and board) • Financial aid offered

23. Make-or-break criteria • Some more factors to consider… • Religious affiliation • Gender-specific vs. co-ed • Student body diversity • Extracurricular activities offered • Social life (sororities, fraternities, clubs) • Tips for successful research: • Begin to visit campuses as early as possible. • Don’t rely on name recognition/hype. Find your best fit! • Don’t pick campuses just because your friends are applying. Make your own decisions! • Don’t rule out colleges because of cost. Financial aid is available. • Online research: College Board “Profiles” and “Matchmaker”: www.collegeboard.com

24. MAKING MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNT: PREPARING EARLY FOR COLLEGE

25. Did you know? • There are two courses that middle school students can take for A-G credit NOW: • Algebra 1 • Foreign Language • Spanish, French, Cantonese, etc. • …BUT, you must earn at least an ‘A’ or ‘B’ in order to prevent repeating the course in high school.

26. Middle School Checklist • 6th Grade: • Take challenging classes to help prepare yourself for high school • Begin the college talk with your parents • Start a calendar of homework and activities • Teach yourself good study habits now! • Encourage your parents to start saving for your college education • 7th Grade: • Enroll in Algebra and a foreign language– they count for A-G credit! • Perform well on standardized tests– they’re good practice for the CAHSEE and SAT/ACT • If you need help, seek a counselor/teacher/tutor NOW– don’t wait! • 8th Grade: • Ask your parent/guardian to help you research colleges and careers: www.collegeboard.com • Research financial aid options with your parents: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov • Talk to your parents about choosing a high school • Become involved in school or community activities that will let you explore career interests

27. THE WONDERFUL TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING YOUR NEXT FOUR YEARS

28. The notorious “A-G” • In order to find a unique list of A-G courses approved for your high school, visit the UCOP Pathways website: https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/

29. Five tips for high school success • 1. Make sure you take a healthy number of A-G courses every year– in addition to your high school requirements and electives. Passing may mean a “C” • 2. Show progress and diversity in your coursework. • If you excel in a subject, take its Honors/AP level. • 3. Talk to your counselor every semester! • The big question to ask: “Am I on track to apply for ____ college(s)?” • 4. Work on your “application builders”: • Extracurricular activities: clubs, sports, student government • Leadership roles • Community service • 5. Balance your school work and social life with college preparation, i.e.: • SAT/ACT preparation and examination • College research • Scholarship searches and applications

30. FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES (PARENTS: LISTEN CLOSELY!)

31. Money, money, money • Government grants/loans: • Apply for the FAFSA by March 2 of your senior year in high school • Campus-based grants and scholarships: • Apply with your admission application and/or once enrolled in college • Scholarships: You should begin applying in middle school and not stop till you have a college degree! • Online search engines: www.fastweb.com ; www.cashe.com ; www.collegeboard.com ; www.scholarships.com ; www.maldef.org • School/community resources: counselors, teachers, peers, career centers, public libraries, community organizations, etc. • Financial aid is available for everyone! Undocumented students, foster youth, and veterans’ dependents should talk to a counselor or Cal-SOAP representative in high school.

32. Money, money, money • Tips for scholarship success—Start NOW: • Apply for as many scholarships as possible • Don’t neglect smaller, local scholarships • Bridge multiple applications • Recycle, recycle, recycle • Paint a strong self-portrait in scholarship essays • Keep a written personal inventory • Prioritize school work and class time • Stick with it

33. The road to college…starts here, today • When you need directions, contact Cal-SOAP: • Online: www.sandiegocalsoap.com • Phone: (858) 569-1866 SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES Student Opportunity and Access Program California SOAP Serving Students Since 1979