Red Bluff H igh S chool 11 th grade College Night

1. Red Bluff High School 11th grade College Night

2. Junior Year • In School • Stay focused on academics • Do not lighten your academic load for senior year • Meet with your school counselor • Stay involved in school and community activities • Standardized Testing • Prepare for and register for ACT / SAT tests – should be taken in late spring of Junior year. • College Options will be offering an ACT and SAT prep course. • Register for AP tests as appropriate • College Exploration • Explore colleges on the Web • Visit colleges if you can • Meet with college representatives • Attend college fairs • www.californiacolleges.eduwww.collegeweeklive.com

3. Educational Options • University of California (UC) • www.ucop.edu/pathways • California State University (CSU) • www.csumentor.edu • Independent/Private Colleges • www.aiccu.edu • Community Colleges • www.cccco.edu • Vocational/Trade Schools • Military

4. Preparation for College • Transcript • GPA • Attendance • Test Scores • Challenging senior year schedule • Finish junior year strong • School & community involvement

5. Community College & Trade Schools • Most 2-year colleges require a minimum of proof of a high school diploma or a GED • Community Colleges do not require the SAT or ACT • Less expensive than four year colleges • Offer shorter certificate programs • Assist you in preparing for a career • Assist you in preparing for transfer to a 4-year college

6. 4 Year Colleges & Universities • California State University system (CSU) • 23 CSU campuses • Application period: October 1st – November 30th • Start filling in high school courses on csumentor.edu • University of California system (UC) • 10 UC campuses { 9 Undergrad campuses } • Application period: November 1st – November 30th • http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/ • Private Colleges • Application period varies depending on specific college

7. A–G Requirements

8. SAT & ACT • SAT • May 4th, 2012 • Register by April 5th • June 1st, 2013 • Register by May 2nd • Test fee - $50 • $23 per subject test • www.collegeboard.com • ACT • April 13th, 2013 • Register by March 8th • Test fee - $35 • $50.50 with writing • www.actstudent.org

9. SAT vs ACT • SAT • Consists of 3 tests: Verbal, Math and Writing • Subject tests required for certain majors at some UC & Private Campuses • Each test is scored on a scale of 200-800 • ¼ point deducted per wrong answer • Test is out of 2400 points • ACT • Consists of 4 tests: English, Math, Reading and Science • Writing portion is optional – REQUIRED for UC Campuses • No penalty for wrong answer • Test is out of 36 points • { SAT & ACT Test Prep – March 23rd & April 20th - Department of Ed. – Register today }

10. EAP Testing • The Early Assessment Program (EAP) measures student English and math skills at the end of the junior year to let students know in advance if they are ready for college level work. • EAP tests are augmented California Standards Tests (CSTs) in 11th-grade English and mathematics; these tests are required of all students. It is very important that students take these tests seriously. • After 11th-graders take the test, they will be notified whether they have either met the CSU expectations (and are thus exempt from any additional CSU placement tests) or whether they need additional preparation in order to be successful in college-level work. • Possible results on the EAP English Test are: • Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level English courses - Your Score met the EPT requirement. • Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level English courses - Conditional - You demonstrated readiness for CSU English at this point. You will need to take an approved English course in the 12th grade to be ready for the CSU. • Not yet demonstrating readiness for CSU or participating CCC college-level English courses - Your score did not meet the EPT requirement • Incomplete - You did not correctly fill out all components of the EAP English test.

11. College Characteristics to Consider • Majors and educational programs - Do they have a major or courses that I am interested in pursuing? • Type of educational degrees offered (Certificate, Associate, Bachelors, etc.) • Admission requirements – What does it take to get admitted? • Location - Is it a location that is acceptable to me? • Size – Does the size suit my needs? • Costs and financial aid – Is there aid available? • College affiliation and accreditation • Campus personality - The personality of a college is usually a reflection of the staff and students. Does the college feel comfortable to me? • Support services/Extracurricular activities - Do I have certain needs or interests?

12. What College Admissions Officers Consider • Grades and GPA • Rigor of high school courses • College admission test scores • Personal Statement • Letters of Recommendation • Personal accomplishments • Student’s demonstrated interests • Courses in progress senior year

13. Develop a Plan to Pay for Your Education • Determine college costs • Investigate all possible financial aid resources • Secure necessary forms and determine deadlines • Apply for financial aid early • Be aware of scholarship scams • Be a comparison shopper! What is the total cost of • attendance and can I get the same thing somewhere else?

14. Scholarships & Financial Aid • Red Bluff High School Counseling webpage –current & common scholarships • www.rbuhsd.k12.ca.us • Fastweb.com - Private scholarships • FAFSA - fafsa.ed.gov- Free Application for Federal Student Aid • Studentaid.ed.gov - The federal government’s website about paying for college • Scholarship listing from College Options http://www.collegeoptions.org/scholarships_otherresources.html#freeinfosites • McConnell Foundation • http://www.mcconnellfoundation.org/programs/scholarships

15. Financial Aid • There are three types of federal student aid: • Grants – financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund). • Work Study – allows you to earn money for your education. • Loans – allow you to borrow money for school. You must repay your loans, with interest. • ***To be considered for financial aid and • scholarships, you MUST fill out the FAFSA!

16. NCAA & NAIA Eligibility • NCAA: Students must register at NCAA Eligibility Center for Division 1 and 2 schools • http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html • NAIA Eligibility • http://www.playnaia.org/

17. Tips to Remember • Please remind students to create an appropriate email address for résumés, job applications and college applications. • With everyday stresses of being a student, making good grades, making choices and decisions, becoming involved in activities, etc… it is important to find the proper balance. Each student, with the help of parents, teachers and counselors, must find that balance. Remember, don’t overextend yourself, but aim to reach your fullest potential! • Plan ahead – develop appropriate relationships with your counselor and those teachers you will be asking to write your letters of recommendation. They need to know who you are now so they can speak highly of you as they write their letters. • Identify special characteristics about yourself that set you apart from other students who have the same GPA and test scores. • Clean up your facebook and other social media accounts. 25% of all colleges and universities now look at your accounts when making college admission decisions. Employers also often check these accounts before hiring employees.

18. Counseling Department PEP ROA proa@rbhsd.org RICH HASSAY rhassay@rbhsd.org MARGARET GAMBETTA mgambett@rbhsd.org HALEY CARTER hcarter@rbhsd.org LAUREN TINGLEY ltingley@ucdavis.edu A – B plus Spanish home language C – J K – S T – Z College Options & ETS

19. Final Questions? Thank you for attending. Red Bluff High School Counseling Center 529-8724