1. the college admission process True North College Advising
a perfect fit
the college admission process
Sharon Travers
True North College Advising

2. Before We Start… Fill out an Essay Coaching Raffle Slip
Take a copy of the Steps in the College Admission/Decision Process
Presentation will be available on CVHS website

3. California Community College System California State University (CSU)
University of California (UC)
Public Out-of-State
Private Colleges
Next…The Basics
Different College Options

4. Community College System
112 in California, 19 in Bay Area
Diablo Valley College
Ohlone College
Berkeley City College
Laney College
Chabot/Las Positas
Use this as a path to:
Obtain an AA or AS degree
Transfer to a UC or CSU
Advantages and drawbacks
Importance of planning and advising

5. CSU and UC Systems California State University (CSU)
More “applied” learning
Less competitive admission than most UCs*
Tuition lower
University of California (UC)
More “research” oriented
More selective admission than most CSUs*
Tuition higher
* except Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State University

6. Other 4-Year College Options
Private Colleges
Small to large in size
Some have specialties (religious affiliation, single gender, race)
Not “all” exclusive or expensive
Many have generous financial aid
Out-of-State Public Colleges
Expense as out-of-state resident
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

7. Application Process CSU UC Oct. 1-Nov. 30 No essay Nov. 1-Nov. 30
Application has 2 essays, no teacher or counselor recommendations
No “Early Decision” (binding)
Out-of-State Publics
Applications vary in complexity
Deadlines vary
Private Colleges
Individual School Application
Requirements and deadlines vary
Common Application
Counselor evaluation, teacher recommendations, 7th semester grades, 1 essay, 1 short answer + supplemental questions (very important)
Deadlines vary: Early Decision vs. regular admission
Application Process
Different systems have different applications

8. What goes into finding the college that’s right for you?
3 Things…
Academic Fit
Social & Environmental Fit
Financial Fit

9. Academic fit: what it is, why it matters, and how to research
Many factors go into admissions decisions
Grades and test scores – a MUST
Essential to know if you’re competitive
Look at 25%/75% range
Make sure list includes Safety/Fit/Reach Schools
Research Tool #1
Example: Sonoma State University

12. Academic fit: your major
Know your major? Great!
Don’t know your major? Don’t worry!
Explore which CA public colleges have your major
Explore different flavors of your major
Transfer path tools
Research Tool #2
Example: Bioengineering
Example: UC Berkeley
Academic fit: your major

17. Complete new AA-T or AS-T and be guaranteed admission to CSU system
Opportunity to complete 2 degrees (Associates and Bachelors) with only 120 units
Selected majors connect with specific colleges
Academic Fit
Community College Option: AA-T or AS-T

18. Research Careers & Majors
6 Smart Ways to Research Careers and Majors
Visit the Career Center
(re-)take Career Cruising or other assessment
Reflect on what you’re passionate about
Talk to people in the field
Use connections – job shadow, work, intern this summer
Read, listen to the news: what is interesting to you and where is it happening?
Research Tool #3
Career Cruising (or other assessment)
Follow your interests and aptitudes

19. Career Cruising id: castrovalley pw: trojans

20. Social/Environmental Fit
Research Tool #4
Visit colleges and universities
Many 4-year colleges within 90 minutes of Bay Area
Even more 2-year, technical, and vocational colleges
Research Tool #5

22. Financial Fit And, work. Cal Grants
Board of Governors Fee Waiver (Comm. College)
Scholarships
“Institutional” scholarships (merit and need) – know if you need to file the CSS Profile
Private scholarships
Do not have to be repaid, but there are conditions (scholarship, units) – need to be aware of whether “renewable” or not
Loans
Student
Secured
Unsecured
Parent
Parent Plus
Work Study
Awarded after filing FAFSA
Must be repaid (or work to receive)
And, work.

23. Financial Fit: Things to Know
Research Cost of Attendance (COA)
Understand Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Learn what constitutes Financial Aid
Understand risks of student loans
Consider schools where you might receive merit or need-based aid

24. Financial Fit: Things to Do
Apply for scholarships in your senior year!
From your college (some automatic, some you must search out)
Your high school, local Ed Foundation, parent workplace, service organizations, cultural organizations
Other major scholarships (e.g. PGE)
Deadlines come up early!
Be realistic: consider your options
Research Tool #6
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

25. Priority Deadline: March 2
Make sure to use this site: Do NOT pay for online help with FAFSA
What is FAFSA?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
First step in receiving financial aid, grants, work study, loans
Need Social Security #, tax returns to complete
Student and Parent(s) must file if student is “dependent”
Parents need to share financial information with students
Priority Deadline: March 2

26. Parents: Take the time to learn about types of financial aid.
Begin early. Talk to a tax advisor or financial planner.
Read Wall Street Journal online article “How Not to Blow It with Financial Aid”.
Financial Aid

27. Financial Fit
Research Tool #7
Net Price Calculators

28. So, What’s Next? College Fairs Focus on academics
WACAC College Fairs: wacac.org/fairs
Sat. May 11 from 1-4 p.m. at St. Mary’s in Moraga
Other days/locations available
Specialty Fairs
Exploring College Options (Duke, Harvard, Penn, Georgetown, Stanford)
May – register now
Colleges That Change Lives (July 29-30)
Focus on academics
Prepare for the SAT/ACT
Correlation between GPA/scores and admissions
Extracurricular activities – depth, leadership
Experiences that add dimension to your life
Summer programs on my Facebook page
Western Association for College Admission Counseling

29. Student Admittances Brigham Young University
California State University
Channel Islands
Chico
East Bay
Humboldt
San Jose
Maritime
Monterey
Polytechnic - Pomona
Polytechnic - San Luis Obispo
San Diego
San Francisco
Sonoma
Georgia Institute of Technology
Gonzaga University
Hawaii Pacific University
Lewis & Clark
Notre Dame de Namur
New York University
Occidental College
San Francisco Art Institute
Stanford University
University of California
Berkeley
Davis
Irvine
Los Angeles
Merced
Riverside
Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz
San Diego
University of Colorado
University of Hawaii, Manoa
University of the Pacific
University of Puget Sound
University of Redlands
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Utah
Villanova University
Willamette University

30. Please let me know if I can help True North College Advising
Thank You!
Please let me know if I can help
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