1. Presented by Cal-SOAP MANAGING YOUR SENIOR YEAR

2. Overview Your senior year is an exciting but busy process of closing one chapter in your life, while opening another. This calls for double- duty: preparing for college, while ensuring that you graduate successfully from high school.

3. What We Will Cover Today Tips for avoiding senioritis: Completing senior year at the top of your game! Tests, tests, and more tests: An overview Where do I apply?: The college search process The world of applications: College and financial aid The “finals” stretch: Acing your final exams and senior project Senior year-in-review: A timeline of events

4. A-G High School Graduation Requirements 2 yrs:History and Social Science 4 yrs:English 3 yrs: (4 yrs. rec. for both) Mathematics (algebra, geometry, and algebra II) 2 yrs: (3 yrs. rec. for UC) Laboratory Science (1 year of biological science and 1 year of physical science) 2 yrs: (3 yrs. rec. for UC) Foreign language (both years must be in the same language) 1 yr:Visual and performing arts: art, dance, theatre/ drama, or music 1 yr:Elective chosen from the subject areas listed above or other college preparatory course (2 semesters or 1 year-long course)

5. A-G High School Graduation Requirements In addition to the A-G courses that will fulfill both high school and UC/CSU requirements, each high school has a number of additional requisite courses for graduation. For example, most schools require physical education and a computer literacy class. Ask your counselor about requirements.

6. Avoiding Senioritis: Maintaining Your GPA Even though you are applying for college in November and December, a campus can rescind your admission if your senior GPA falls dramatically.

7. Tips for Maintaining (and Increasing!) Your GPA Ask your high school about tutoring services: It’s NEVER too late! Work with your teachers at lunch or after school – especially for those classes that challenge you. Don’t become lazy with an all-electives course load. Mix it up! Take honors, AP, and community college courses in addition to fun electives. – Note: CC classes not only offer an opportunity for early college credit, but help prepare you for the college mindset.

8. Study Skills 1.Be organized. 2.Do the hardest subjects first. 3.Form a study group. 4.Take quality notes. 5.Ask QUESTIONS and get HELP when you need it.

9. Time Management Tips 1.Create a time management chart for a day or two. 2.Analyze your time management chart. 3.Use your new schedule. 4.Keep a calendar and plan ahead.

10. Testing: CAHSEE By California law, you cannot graduate high school without passing the California High School Exit Exam. – If you have not passed the CAHSEE yet, you have 3 opportunities to do so in your senior year. – All high schools are required to offer CAHSEE tutoring. Ask about it ASAP!

11. Testing: Entrance Exams SAT (www.collegeboard.com)www.collegeboard.com Testing Months ACT (www.actstudent.org)www.actstudent.org Test DateRegistration Deadline Late Deadline (extra fee) Test DateRegistration Deadline Late Deadline (extra fee) September9/11/108/6/108/20/10 10/9/109/10/109/24/10October10/23/109/17/1010/1/10 11/6/1010/8/1010/22/10November 12/4/1011/5/1011/19/10December12/11/1011/5/1011/19/10 1/22/1112/23/101/7/10January February2/12/111/7/111/21/11

12. SAT & ACT Fees SATFee Amount Reasoning Test $47 Late FeeAdd $24 Standby FeeAdd $41 SAT Subject Tests$21 basic fee plus $10 per subject ($21 if the subject is Language with Listening/November only ) ACTFee Amount ACT with Writing$48 ACT without Writing$33 Late FeeAdd $21 Standby FeeAdd $41 Note: Fee waivers are available. See your counselor for more information.

13. Testing: Institutional Placement TestWhen to Take ItWhy Take It ELM: Entry Level Mathematics Test EPT: English Placement Test www.sa.sdsu.edu/testofc/ testing.html Seniors who have been accepted to a CSU take these tests in the spring. CSU students must take these tests before they are allowed to register for classes. Plan to take these tests no later than the May test date. *Some students may be exempt from these tests if they took the Early Assessment Program (EAP). -ELM/EPT is a California State University (CSU) requirement that students take if they have not yet satisfied the requirements through other methods (i.e. SAT, ACT or AP Tests). -For more information, contact: SDSU Test Office (619) 594-5216, or the CSU school of choice. AWPE: University-wide Analytical Writing Placement Examination www.ucop.edu/sas/awpe/ index.html Students who plan to enroll in a UC campus in the fall should take the test during the spring semester of their senior year if they have not yet satisfied the AWPE through other means. There is a $90 fee, which can be waived if student received a waiver for their UC application. *The test is usually administered the morning of the second Saturday in May. -AWPE is a standardized measure of writing competence necessary for success in the UC. -Whatever the results, the University-wide Analytical Writing Placement Examination will not affect a student’s admission to the UC. -Even those who are taking the AP English exam in May should take the AWPE. -Customer Service: (800) 839-8507 Community College Assessment Test After enrollment and prior to class registration. Call the Community College of choice for dates and locations. Tests are frequently administered. -Measures your mathematics, reading, and written English skills to help determine placement and course selection. -You can’t fail. It is just for your personal assessment, and it’s free.

14. College Search Go to www.collegeboard.com to research U.S. campuses.www.collegeboard.com – College Profiles: Find detailed stats on most educational institutions in the U.S. – College MatchMaker: Discover multiple college options based on search criteria of your choosing.

15. College Applications Deadlines vary! Make a list of your application due dates: – UC: Nov. 30 – CSU: Nov. 30 – Privates: Vary Cal-SOAP College Application/Scholarship Workshop: – Saturday, November 13 – Time and Location: Lincoln High School from 9:00-1:00pm

16. Financial Aid FAFSA deadline is March 2 nd Cal-SOAP Cash for College Workshops – Saturdays: Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 19, Feb. 26 Scholarships – Tip: Complete one scholarship every two weeks – www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com Financial aid for foster youth, undocumented students, and veterans’ dependents: Talk to a Cal-SOAP representative today or at your high school.

17. Keeping Up With College Email and Mail Create a college appropriate email account that both student and parent can access. Check email/mail frequently for: – Supplementary college/financial applications that may be required – Campus-specific deadline dates – Housing and registration dates – Dates/locations for mandatory placement exams and orientation events – And, of course, acceptance letters!

18. The “Finals” Stretch Study hard for final exams – these grades do matter! Your campus has the right to rescind your admission at any time! Study early and plan ahead: It is your responsibility to manage your final exam schedule with busy end-of-the-year and graduation activities.

19. Senior Project/Portfolio Most high schools require a senior project/portfolio of some sort in order to graduate. The project details vary by campus, but it should always be taken very seriously. “Two Birds With One Stone”: – Some highs schools permit students to make the topic of their senior project the college application process. If your school allows, this is an excellent way to save time and extra effort!

20. Senior Project/Portfolio Possible elements of your portfolio may include: – One or two college applications – A completed FAFSA – A completed scholarship – Your high school transcript – A job application – Your resume – Proof of volunteer hours completed – A summary of your extracurricular activities – Any elements of your college application and preparation process

21. Senior Year in Review: A Timeline October: Register for ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject Tests November: Fill out college applications and check on financial aid deadlines – UC/CSU: Nov. 30; Privates: vary December: Continue working on private applications. Apply to CC. Apply for a FAFSA pin (student and parent). January-March: Begin FAFSA application. Due March 2 nd. Submit GPA Verification form by March 2 nd. Submit CSS PROFILE for private colleges. April: Check email for SAR and CAR. If attending CC, apply for EOPS and Board of Governors Fee Waiver.

22. An Unquestionable Requirement Every senior should, if you have not already, schedule a meeting with your counselor in order to review your transcript, course load, graduation track, college applications, and future goals. It is strongly recommended that parents attend this meeting.

23. Resources: When You Need Help… High school guidance department High school staff/teachers Cal-SOAP College Peer Advisor – Ask Counselor: October – April Cal-SOAP Office: 858.569.1866 Cal-SOAP website: www.SanDiegoCalSoap.comwww.SanDiegoCalSoap.com