Fall 2017 MVCS College Night Senior Workshop Class of 2018 Hosted By: Student Services

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU! Finding colleges Application questions Help with Personal Statements Counselor Forms and Reports

AT THIS POINT SENIORS SHOULD: Have a list of the colleges where they will apply. Be signed up for the SAT, ACT, & TOEFL. Have written rough drafts of their personal statement. Have a list of all community service hours, awards and recognitions. Check transcripts for accuracy!

Transcripts Things to check for accuracy Team Sports Repeated Courses Test Scores If something is missing or wrong, make a note on your transcript and bring it to your Advisor ASAP! Team sports- If you completed the season, it should be noted on your transcript. Repeated courses- If you retook a class at MVCS, the first grade should be an “R”. Transfer courses- School name, courses, grades. Double check these with your records. Make sure you have an official transcript from each of your former high schools. Community Service and Test Scores- Are all your scores there?

Senior Year Application Timeline September Register early for fall SAT/ACT Start applications right away if applying through Early Action/Early Decision Deadlines usually in November Start essays Update your resume October Request letters of recommendation CSU filing period October 1 – November 30 FAFSA opens October 1

November December January Submit Early Action/Early Decision applications on time UC filing period November 1 – November 30 (opens August 1) Complete essays and get help with proofreading Follow up with teachers re: letters of recommendation December Last recommended test dates Try to wrap up college applications Early Action/Early Decision responses arrive January Early Action/ Early Decision responses arrive Mid-year reports are due

March March 2nd is the deadline for FAFSA and Cal Grant April Most admission decisions & financial aid award letters arrive May May 1st is decision day for most colleges AP exams are administered Submit your Exit Survey June Make sure your counselor knows where to send your final transcript!

NAVIANCE Family Connection MVC’s new tool for career planning, exploring colleges, tracking your college applications, and requesting transcripts Family Connection is linked with Naviance™, a program that we use in our office to track data about college and career plans, so it provides up-to-date information that is specific to our school Lets us share information with you about upcoming meetings and events, local scholarship opportunities, and other resources for college and career information

https://connection.naviance.com/mvcs Focus User Name Focus Password https://connection.naviance.com/mvcs

General Application Advice REVIEW Review requirements before completing applications, and review your application to ensure completion before submitting! USE YOUR LEGAL NAME & PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS Do not use your MVCS student email address for your college applications; this will no longer be active once you graduate! BE ORGANIZED Keep track of your dates, deadlines, supplemental requirements, etc. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES CHECK EMAIL FREQUENTLY UTILIZE THE PORTALS Review applications ahead of time (including supplemental applications) so you can plan your time wisely. Organization is key Make an Application Spread Sheet Organize your activities/community service/internships Keep track of usernames & passwords

UC/CSU APPLICATION INFO UC application opens on August 1, 2017 UC filing period: November 1 – 30, 2017 CSU filing period: Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, 2017 UC Application Hotline: (800) 207-1710 December 2017 - deadline for taking admissions tests (ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, TOEFL)

UC/CSU Requirements a-g Requirements Be prepared! a: history/ social science 2 years b: English 4 years UC/CSU Requirements a-g Requirements Be prepared! c: mathematics 3 years (4 years preferred) d: lab science 2 years (3 years preferred) g: college-prep elective 1 year e: world language 2 years (3 years preferred) f: visual & performing arts 1 year

ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENTS SAT and/or ACT with writing SAT Subject Tests recommended for some UC majors - no longer mandatory. TOEFL - if your native language is not English. You need to have your official scores sent to each university where you’re applying by December. This can be done through the College Board website for SAT, ACT website, and ETS website for TOEFL.

Common Application Utilize the Common Application when possible Over 600 colleges and universities are members Students can complete one application to send to all of the schools in their list that accept the Common Application In addition to the Common App Essay, each school may require students to answer supplemental questions The Common Application is made up of the following parts: Standard Personal Information like your name, address, birthday, etc. Future Plans and Academic Interests Demographics and Family Information Your Education and Academic History Extracurricular Activities and Work Experience The Essay Don’t forget to match your Common App in your Naviance Family Connection Enter the email address associated with your Common App account in the blue box in the “colleges I’m thinking about” section of Naviance

Counselor Forms/Transcripts Senior Surveys are used when writing your recommendations/evaluations. If you have not turned in a senior survey, you are at a disadvantage Remember to submit all transcript/counselor form requests through FAMILY CONNECTION

Teacher Recommendations Ask the teachers who KNOW you the best and can support your readiness to begin college. Plan on AT LEAST a two-week turnaround time. All recommendation requests should be submitted through FAMILY CONNECTION When electronic submission is not an option provide a stamped addressed envelope with each recommendation Use electronic forms whenever possible. (You can check and see if they have been submitted.)

Running Start @ Cabrillo College What is it? Priority Registration Program for incoming freshman from local high schools Monte Vista Contact for Running Start Janelle Glaum, janelleglaum@mvcs.org Intent to participate form due January 2018. Apply through http://www.cccapply.org/

FINANCIAL AID and SCHOLARSHIPS Apply for financial aid opens October 1 www.fafsa.ed.gov Deadline to apply is March 2, 2018 Cal Grant Form of “Gift Aid” that is based on GPA and financial need Deadline to submit GPA Verification form is March 2, 2018 Scholarships National Scholarship Search through Naviance Fastweb – www.fastweb.com Monte Vista Memorial Scholarships FINANCIAL AID and SCHOLARSHIPS

College campuses will be lucky to have you! FINAL WORDS Keep Track of your applications. Not knowing is not an excuse. Be honest Apply for schools that match your academic credentials. Read all emails carefully and use your application portals. Be honest about who you are and your achievements College campuses will be lucky to have you!

IMPORTANT DATES & UPCOMING EVENTS September 22: Registration deadline for October 28 ACT October 5: Registration deadline for the November 5 SAT October 14: CSUMB Open House, 10:00am-1:00pm (check-in at 9:30) October 30: College & Career Night at Cabrillo College, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm November 2: Registration deadline for December 2 SAT November 3: Registration deadline for December 9 ACT

TONIGHT’S WORKSHOP SCHEDULE