HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS TIME LINE COLLEGE INFORMATION SENIOR PRESENTATION

11 th and 12 th Counselors A – Ha: Brooke Valot He – Rios: Betty Valenzuela Rivas – Z: Laurie Hurl AP Incentive Program: Clayton Ballard

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS EARN A CUMULATIVE 2.00 GPA (9TH - 12TH) EARN A 2.00 GPA IN CITIZENSHIP TO PARTICIPATE IN GRADUATION AND SENIOR ACTIVITIES COMPLETE A SENIOR PORTFOLIO AND EXHIBITION COMPLETE ALL REQUIRED CLASSES NO SUSPENSIONS YOU MUST PASS THE HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM (CAHSEE)!

H.S. Graduation CSUUC English4 years Math 3 years ( Alg.,Geo., Int. Alg.) 3 years (4+) History 3 years U.S., World, Gov/Econ. 2 years, including U.S. History 2 years U.S. and World Hist. Science 3 years 2 years w/ lab (3+ recommended) Foreign Lang. 1 year (options) 2 years (3+ recommended )

VAPA 1 year of the same course 3 years (4+) H.S. Graduation CSUUC 1 year of the same course Option A or B College -prep elective 1 full year of a a college prep course; could be Science or Math

Work with English teacher on college essays Check scholarships for Seniors on Naviance College night at PLHS- October 22 nd Senior activity sheet/Parent brag sheet Use Naviance for college information Apply to CSU/UC on-line Finalize college campuses/majors CAL SOAP representatives in Media Center College Application Workshop: Wednesdays in Library 2:30 – 3:30 Senior Year 101 : Tuesdays in Library during Advisory period

Submit college applications Submit transcript requests on Naviance Last opportunity to register for SAT Reasoning & Subject Exams and ACT Writing Test Letters of recommendations to counselors & teachers by November 20 for Jan. 1 deadline; otherwise 2 weeks notice On-line applications to CSU/UC due by Nov. 30 (Print for your records)

Visit colleges you have applied to Last month for college entrance examinations ACT Test – Dec. 12 SAT – Dec. 5 Register PIN for FAFSA Classroom presentations re: Financial Aid

Financial Aid Night January 6:00 P.M. See Registrar regarding mid-year reports for private schools Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Apply on line GPA verification form-PLHS will submit for you CSS Profile (private colleges)

Apply for scholarships (PLHS Scholarship packet) on Naviance Community college orientation at PLHS College acceptance letters sent out NO SENIORITIS! Maintain senior grades Senior portfolio/exhibition due Mid-year reports to counselors

Enrollment period in the spring of the Senior year Availability of classes will be harder this year! Enroll on time! Do not need to take the SAT or ACT No letters of recommendation or essay required In California only $26 a unit/financial aid available Most four year schools take transfer students first Many great job-training programs Good athletic programs Many have housing available (College of the Redwoods, Marymount, Mt. Saint Marys, Santa Monica, Shasta, etc.) College search Naviance Your level of achievement in math and English determine the level of college courses, 2 years of world language often satisfies the general ed requirement, prepare for placement tests.

TRANSFER to a 4-yr. ASSOCIATE DEGREE FYE Freshman Year Experience CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION: MIRAMAR public safety Business transportation biotechnology MESA COLLEGE Architecture health care, early childhood education Fashion design, hotel management, travel & tourism Study Abroad CITY COLLEGE nursing, computer tech, media, biotechnology

Apply now thru Nov. 30 Must take the SAT or ACT (SAT Subject tests not required) No essay or letter of recommendation Cal Poly SLO and Pomona, Long Beach, San Diego, Fullerton, Sonoma are impacted apply on must do a separate application for each school CSU Mentor code-3594 test scores will go to all schools you apply. EOP Program – extra financial aid if you qualify for free or reduced lunch STATE SCHOOLS LOOK AT: GPA, required classes taken (no Ds accepted) SAT or ACT score Must have a year of fine art Take the ELM/EPT EAP Scores

Decisions sent out in March Will not consider race, ethnicity or gender SAT Reasoning test or ACT Assessment Plus Writing Two SAT Subject Tests: 2 tests in different subject areas (English, history, languages, math, or science). # Of Honors, AP, and Adv. courses, community service, involvement in school & clubs UC Merced - All UC eligible students admitted. Apply Nov No letters of recommendation Discourage letters of appeal Acceptance may be rescinded if grades drop If you make changes in classes, contact UC ASAP 2 Essay prompts Visit to learn about specific majors/community college coursework used for transferringwww.assist.org

Other Types of Colleges… Work Colleges: (tuition-free or graduate debt-free) Warren Wilson, NC College of the Ozarks, MO Alice Lloyd, KY Berea College, KY Co-operative Colleges: Drexel University, PA Pace University, NYC Rochester Institute of Technology, NY University of Cincinnati, OH

Colleges for B and C Students Complete list inside packet Consider: Schools with liberal admissions criteria, including test-optional schools ( Location – be flexible High admit rates Apply for Spring semester Womens, Mens, and Historically Black Colleges Small, liberal arts colleges (Marymount, Dean,etc.) 2-year private schools

UC ESSAY PROMPTS #1 Describe the world you come from-your family, community or school-tell them how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations (write about yourself) #2 Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are? Must respond to 2 questions ~ 1,000 words total. Must be at least 250 words, but one prompt may be greater in length

Essay Tips Combine topics for different applications into as few of essays as possible; use UC prompts as a basis Provide a context for your grades, scores, activities, etc. Add to what is already on your application When generating ideas – start with a paragraph and if you can write more, its an essay! Dont make excuses for low grades or test scores Its not the topic, its how you tell it Should be your own voice – not a parents or teachers

More Essay tips…

Entrance Rates 2008 GPASAT% Admitted UC Berkeley % UCLA % UCSB % UC Irvine % UC Riverside % UC Merced % SDSU3.3341% Chico State3.2581% San Fran State % U of Colorado150077% Oregon State % Seattle Pacific % Evergreen State160094% Arizona State161082%

Schools vary by size, academic programs, majors, reputation and environment College search: internet, Naviance, catalogs, video, specialty books Many private schools are interested in seeing: Strong academic program SAT, ACT & SAT Subject Tests Essay & letters of recommendation (counselor & teacher report) Some want personal interview at the college or with alumni Look for the well-rounded student Many schools want the FAFSA & profile for financial aid Scholarships available Many have study abroad programs College tours and over night stays available Common application

Applications/letters of recommendations Early decision Organization Scholarships/financial aid/athletic scholarship Fee waivers Community service & clubs Visiting colleges/college options NCAA ** College resources; internet, CD, video, catalogs, specialty books, college web sites Point Loma High web page Common application Professional address; Facebook / MySpace

Grades Special Talents Test scores Essay Community service Transcript Leadership activities Work experience GPA THE APPLICATION PACKAGE

SENIOR TIPS Avoid Senioritis! Keep up with rigorous coursework and grades Colleges can rescind your admission after acceptance! Final Grades = 66% of colleges Falsification of info. on transcript = 26% of colleges of colleges Disciplinary issue = 25% Inappropriate website = 2% Contact Admissions if you drop any classes or have a D on progress reports Order final transcript in May via Naviance