1. 1 Conducting the College Search College Admissions Planning For Eleventh Grade Students & Parents MHS COUNSELING CENTER

2. 2 Students have many options following high school graduation. Technical & trade schools. Military service. 2-Year colleges. 4-Year colleges. Employment Travel

3. 3 Junior Counseling Program 11 th Grade Counseling appointments with students re: post high school planning & the college search Between February & June; with Mrs. Petersen or Mrs. Jayne Does not include parents unless requested PSAT score reports now available

4. 4 Elements of 4-Year Planning MARCH: Pre-registration for Senior year & completion of the 4-Year Plan MHS Course Catalog (on-line); prerequisites Graduation requirements College admissions requirements CSU/UC eligibility evaluated at junior meeting with counselor Alternative: Community College/transfer pathway is an option for all students

5. 2 YEAR COLLEGE- COMMUNITY COLLEGE Students can earn an Associate’s Degree or transfer to a 4 year college Cost less than a 4 year college. Offer vocational degrees & technical degrees Students can earn their general ed. credits (60) then transfer to a 4 year college. Admit all students but placement tests determine level of coursework. A 4 year college is a place where students can earn a Bachelor of Art or Science degree. 4 year colleges cost more than a 2 year colleges. No need to transfer Colleges range from less to more to very selective. Require certain courses, grades & GPA to be admitted Many professional degrees offered. 4 YEAR COLLEGE- UC- CSU – PRIVATE What is the difference between a 2 year College and a 4 year College?

6. California Community Colleges Explore campuses at http://CCCApply.org (all CCC’s with link to college search; one central application site) www.cccco.edu (college search) & www.cerrocoso.edu (Cerro Coso/Eastern Sierra College Center) Senior year: applications open in winter/ spring

7. CERRO COSO - MAMMOTH Lakes Foundation Scholarship (MLF) Covers the cost of your classes (student fees) and $300 towards text books Mammoth High School graduate Full-time status with 12 units or more; all must be “on-the-ground” classes Must have a GPA of 2.5 each semester in your college classes to stay on the scholarship. If you are below a 2.5 GPA @ Cerro Coso, you will have to repay the fees, then obtain the required GPA to be reinstated.

8. 8 UC/CSU “A-G REQUIREMENTS Minimum grade of “C” in all A-G coursework to maintain eligibility. Selective schools: extra yrs. of math, science & foreign lang. are recommended D’s must be made up: take summer school or repeat the class. Exceptions- math & foreign language: 1 st semester D’s are validated by 2 nd semester C’s; no make up allowed

9. 9 Attention Athletes End of junior year: You must register to certify your eligibility as an athlete to practice & compete during your freshman year at NCAA Division I & II colleges. Register at: http://eligibilitycenter.org An official transcript must be provided by the Counseling Center (see Mrs. Dudley). Students should first have their transcripts evaluated by a counselor for Division I/II eligibility

10. 10 NCAA Division I/II Eligibility 16 Core-Course Rule: 4 yrs. English, 3 yrs. math, 2 yrs. science (1 yr. lab), +1 yr. additional English, math, or science, 2 yrs. social science, 4 yrs. additional courses from above areas including Spanish (for example: Span. 1 & 2, Govern. & Econ. and a 4 th yr. of math or science or Span. 1  4) (Math must be Algebra 1 or higher) Students must achieve a required SAT or ACT score & GPA (calculated using only these core courses)

11. 11 The College Admissions “Folder”: What’s in It? Application Academic record Admission test scores Student activities Recommendations Personal qualities (essay) The most important factor in the folder is the high school academic record. An applicant’s transcript is examined closely by admissions officials.

12. 12 College Admissions Testing SAT I, SAT II (Subject Tests), ACT, AP Tests Since high schools vary widely, test scores provide a single, national frame of reference for achievement in verbal & math skills, & in specific content areas (AP classes). The College Board recommends that colleges consider individual students’ circumstances, and use test scores as only one of many factors in deciding on admission.

13. 13 California State University (CSU) Early Assessment Program (EAP) for College Readiness May of junior year via CAASSP testing: Students take EAP test in English, mathematics & writing Scores included in CAASSP report sent to MHS in Sept. “Not ready”- Must take placement tests “Ready” score: No placement test required “Conditionally Ready”: Certain senior year math or English classes will exempt student (C’s or higher) May be exempt with a qualifying score on the SAT Reading or Math, ACT English or Math, or AP test (AP English Lang or Lit, AP Calculus or AP Statistics)

14. 14 CSU Placement Tests English (EPT) and Math (ELM) Required for all students who have applied to CSU and who are not exempt Tests evaluate readiness for college level work in English & mathematics Must be taken at CSU campus before freshmen registration (by May 1 st ) December (grade 12) - EPT and ELM offered at BHS during school hours If not “proficient” - must take remedial Early Start on-line course in math or English (summer time)

15. 15 Sources of Information for College & Career Research Experience/opinions of family & friends Reference books on colleges College catalogs Internet resources (websites) Internet search tools College visits

16. 16 The Right College For YOU There are some 3,000 colleges in the U.S. There is a college out there that will be the RIGHT MATCH for you. What features do you want in a college?

17. 17 Sources of Financial Aid Don’t allow the cost of a college education to alter your educational goals & plans. There are different kinds of financial aid. Apply even if you don’t think you will qualify! NEW: For seniors starting college 2017-2018: You will report info. from your completed 2015 tax return. And you can submit the FAFSA as early as October 1, 2016. Information you submit on the FAFSA or California Dream Act App for your 2015 income will be used to calculate your “Expected Family Contribution”.

18. 18 Sources of Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA) - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial Need The financial aid office of each college you are admitted to will prepare a “financial aid package” for you. You will compare these offers, & the cost of each college along with other features.

19. 19 Four Forms of Financial Aid Gift Aid Grants - $ given to students, usually based on financial need Scholarships - $ awarded based on academic achievement, outstanding talent/skill (merit), and/or need. Self-Help Aid Work-Study - $ students earn by working Loans – borrowed $ that must be repaid

20. Financial Aid Websites www.fafsa.gov (Free Application for Student Aid) www.fafsa.gov For federal and state aid www.csac.ca.gov (California Student Aid Commission) www.csac.ca.gov For California grants: also must submit the FAFSA www.caldreamact.org (California Dream Act App.) www.caldreamact.org Seniors who are not yet citizens: AB540, DACA Eligible for California grants only wiche.edu/wue (Western Undergraduate Exchange) For tuition discounts in certain western states, if eligible 20

21. 21 Defining Your Wants & Needs: Physical Factors Areas/regions of the US Proximity to home Rural vs. suburban vs. city Campus size Sense of community, class size, ease of getting courses, faculty relationships, course offerings Housing & transportation

22. 22 Defining Your Wants & Needs: Academic Factors Degree of academic difficulty Admission requirements Academic structure vs. self-directed Access to professors Large/small classes Need for academic support Academic areas of interest, majors

23. 23 Defining Your Wants & Needs: Social Factors Sororities/fraternities Clubs/organizations Athletics/intramurals Political activism Cultural fit Religious affiliations Reputation of campus

24. 24 Defining Your Wants & Needs: Types of Schools Trade/Technical Schools – usually 6 mo. to 2-yr. programs, specific occupational skills Community Colleges – 2-year degree with a variety of trade/technical programs; option to transfer to 4-year college (California – 100+) Technical or Arts/Music Oriented Schools – 4-year schools; specialized, intensive programs; provide few options outside majors; little or no education requirements

25. 25 Defining Your Wants & Needs: Types of Schools Liberal Arts Schools – 4-year colleges; offer a broad education in physical sciences, social sciences, & humanities (many privates) Mid-sized Universities – 4-year colleges; offer a wide range of curriculum; follow a liberal arts model with a joint emphasis on teaching & research; greater occupational focus (CSU-23) Comprehensive Universities – 4-year with widest range of curriculum; emphasis is on research & applied knowledge; core classes are not as extensive as types above (UC-9)

26. 26 New Factors – Being a Better Consumer Retention & graduation rates Employment rates for similar graduates Career services available Academic services available Average debt upon graduation Retention efforts/ student advising Individual colleges should be able to provide this information

27. 27 Helpful Websites For Your College Search (www.) California Community Colleges cccco.educccco.edu Cal State (CSU) csumentor.edu csumentor.edu Univ. of California (UC) universityofcalifornia. edu/admissions edu/admissions U.S. colleges collegesearch.collegeboard. org Cerro Coso College cerrocoso.edu One central site for all CA. community colleges CCCApply.org All CA. colleges californiacolleges.edu californiacolleges.edu Private CA. colleges aiccu.edu aiccu.edu

28. 28 Creating Your College List: Search sources using your criteria to find matching schools & colleges. Include “foundation” schools – your profile for admission is significantly stronger that the typical freshman. Include “target” schools – your profile is similar to that of the typical freshman. “RULE OF FIVE”

29. 29 Visit Colleges From Your List Prior to visiting, review website, catalog & prepare questions Speak with an admissions officer Tour the whole campus with & without a guide Sit in on classes Talk to students, especially 1 st years Check out housing alternatives Chat with an academic advisor. Meet with coaches.

30. 30 SENIOR YEAR September Finalize college list (6-8 colleges) Access applications on-line Begin a file to organize information for each college Begin working on applications Get off to a good start academically Register for SAT I, and/or SAT Subject Tests, ACT

31. 31 SENIOR YEAR October Take SAT, ACT CSU & UC apps available on-line Commonapp.org (accepted by many private colleges) Work on college essays, if required (UC’s, privates) Can start FAFSA (new!) Letters of recommendation: Give the person a resume of your academic & extra- curricular activities. Give them 2 weeks notice for a quality letter, & follow-up with a thank you note! Counselor forms also require letters of recommendation!

32. 32 SENIOR YEAR November Take SAT I or II UC applications submitted between November 1-30 CSU priority deadline is Nov. 30 Print out copy of application after submitting on-line or at least the confirmation page! Send Early Decision and Early Action applications

33. 33 Admission Options: Early Decision Early Decision (ED) – designed for those students who are certain where they want to go to college. Requires you to sign a statement that commits you to: accept the offer of admission if you are admitted, pay a deposit within a week or two of notification, & withdraw all other applications. ED is binding.

34. 34 Admission Options: Early Action Early Action (EA) – Similar to Early Decision, but you are not bound to pay early & withdraw any of your other applications. With Early Action, you find out about your admission status early. You may apply to more than one campus.

35. 35 Admission Options: Regular Decision Regular Decision is best for the majority of applicants who are not sure of where they will be admitted to or where they will go once they know their options. This plan gives you time to take senior tests, and more time for decision-making to consider all your options, including financial aid. Most students need this time!

36. 36 SENIOR YEAR December - February December: Last time to take SAT I or II; Study hard for strong first semester finish! January: File FAFSA Oct. 1  March 2 (?) Cal Grant GPA Verification by Counseling staff Submit CSS Profile if required for private colleges http://profileonline.collegeboard.com Attend workshops on Financial Aid at MHS; February: Check that collegses have received all materials: application, test scores (sent by ETS), financial aid forms

37. 37 SENIOR YEAR December - February Set up all campus “portal” accounts as soon as directed and keep checking “to do” lists. Requests for mid-year official high school transcripts & mid-year report forms must be submitted to the Counseling Center Please do not wait until the last minute!  Review all your application materials; know when transcripts/forms are due, & give plenty of advance notice!

38. 38 SENIOR YEAR Cerro Coso Community College Nov: Cerro Coso (CC) workshop – Greg Kost March: Cerro Coso app workshop, placement testing - English/math (research other CCC’s) April: Meet w/Mr. Kost at MHS re: goals, placement testing results, course choices Work on MLF Scholarship application & personal statement- must be turned in at the time of registration for classes (usually 3 rd week of April) Minimum 12 units – all on-the-ground classes Register for classes mid-April or after

39. 39 SENIOR YEAR March - June March: If colleges request additional information, mail it immediately April: All colleges should respond; financial aid offers will arrive; decide where you wish to go May: AP exams; make final decision & send deposit by May 1; fill out housing forms June: Order final transcript from Counseling Center; respond to all requests by your college; GRADUATION!

40. 40 Guiding Your Child Through The College Application Process Puts pressure on the whole family! Know when to intervene if your child seems overwhelmed by the process. Offer to help in practical ways - calling, mailing, proofreading. Expect increased tension at home. You are beginning an important separation process. Don’t allow your or your student’s anxiety about college admission escalate beyond reason. Contact the Counseling Center for help.

41. 41 ASK FOR HELP! Parents, teachers, significant others Mrs. Jayne: 934-8541, x233; kjayne@mammothusd.org kjayne@mammothusd.org Mrs. Petersen: 934-8541, x236; cpetersen@mammothusd.org cpetersen@mammothusd.org

42. 42 Goodbye, Good luck, & Most Importantly, Get Started! Thank you!