Welcome to Senior Parent Night Presented by: Christa Schulz – Guidance Specialist Jenelle Huffman – Guidance Specialist

Graduation Requirements 1. Earn a minimum of a C- average (1.75 total GPA); 2. Earn a minimum of 220 credits of coursework: 165 required credits; 55 elective credits SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS: English 40 credits Health 5 credits Math 30 credits Physical Education 20 credits Science 30 credits Social Studies 30 credits Art/Technical Art or foreign language

Graduation Requirments cont. 3. Demonstrate grade level writing proficiency on a district benchmark activity (CAHSEE writing sample or District Portfolio) 4. Submit verification of a minimum of eight hours of community service or equivalent project completed during grades 9-12. 5. Successfully pass the California High School Exit Examinations (CAHSEE) in language arts and mathematics.

Post High School Options: Work Military Trade School community college 4 year university or college

Community College OPTION 1: CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS A specific occupational program is selected and courses are completed from the list in the college catalog for that skill area. The certificate programs range from 18-30 units. If you have a career field in mind, it is necessary to research which college offers your program. OPTION 2: ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS A community college "degree" program is also available. the Associate Degree is granted upon completion of 60 college units, general education course, a major and a 2.0 grade point average. OPTION 3: TRANSFER PROGRAM Lower division university course requirements can be completed at a community college. Students may then enter a four-year college as a junior to complete their bachelor's degrees

California State University CSU First-time Freshman Admission Requirements Be a high school graduate Complete the 15 unit a-g course pattern with grades of "C" or better Minimum subject requirements ("a-g" subjects): History/Social Science: 2 years required English: 4 years required Mathematics: 3 years required (algebra I, geometry, algebra II) Laboratory Science: 2 years with laboratory required (one biological, one physical – one can be earth science). Language Other Than English (LOTE): 2 years required Visual/Performing Arts: 1 year required College Preparatory Electives: 1 year required

Earn a qualifying eligibility index The eligibility index is a weighted combination of high school grade point average during the final three years of high school and a score on either the SAT I or the ACT. All grades in the "a-g" courses take in 10th through 12th grades are used to calculate the grade point average (GPA). THIS GPA IS NOT ON TRANSCRIPT. Test Score Requirement CSU requires the SAT I or the ACT test scores for students with a GPA below 3.0. However, test scores for students above 3.0 may be used for advising and placement in appropriate courses.

CSU Mentor You can list CSUMentor as an SAT score recipient. The SAT institution code for CSUMentor is 3594. CSUMentor will then store your scores for ALL CSU campuses to utilize. If you have not yet sent your scores to either a CSU campus or CSUMentor, you can request this at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/reg.html. ACT If you have listed a CSU campus as an ACT score report recipient, you can use the ACT Scores Manager to release your score to additional campuses. Before you can use the ACT Scores Manager, you must first have arranged for your scores to be sent to a CSU campus. If you have not yet arranged for your ACT scores to be sent to a CSU campus, you can learn how to request this at www.actstudent.org/scores/send/index.html.

University of California Most major departments require additional preparation in math and laboratory science beyond the "a-f pattern" of minimum subject requirements. Preferred minimum preparation for most major fields of study: 4 years of advanced math 3-4 years lab science 3-4 years foreign language All grades must be a "C" or higher in the required courses.

UC requires the SAT or the ACT (with writing) UC requires the SAT or the ACT (with writing). Subject tests are no longer required for the UCs – but see it as additive information – some majors want it. Initial filing period for admission: November 1 for following fall semester. For most campuses, applications will not be considered after November 30.

ELC Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) is a program by which the University of California identifies top-performing California high school students. Unlike the broader statewide eligibility pathway, which seeks to recognize top students from throughout the state, ELC draws qualified students from among the top 9% of each participating high school. The ELC program was implemented to: increase the pool of eligible students meet the guideline of the California Master Plan for Higher Education, which states that the top 12.5 percent of public high school graduates will be considered UC-eligible give UC a presence in each California high school and stimulate a college-going culture at those schools that typically do not send many graduates to the university

Docufide Here's how: www.docufide.com Sign up by identifying your school and provide some information about yourself, including your email address. Choose the destinations where you want to send your transcripts. Sign off by paying $8 online We'll send out official transcripts, checked and approved by your school. We'll email you to confirm that they've gone out. And for colleges (and other destinations) that accept transcripts electronically, we'll even confirm when they receive them.

Independent Colleges/Universities Application (Common Application) Personal Statement Letters of Recommendation

Student Questionnaire – complete this form with as much detailed information as possible. (Form available on THHS website) Click the Guidance link and download. Teacher input Sheets – select three to four teachers that know your academic strengths and that can provide anecdotal information to your letter writer. Specifics will be included in this letter so it is imperative that you do not give a Teacher Input Sheet to any instructor you have asked to write a Teacher Letter of Recommendation directly to a campus. This will cause duplication of information and weaken the value of both letters. Complete the list of colleges you will be applying to utilizing the Common Application process, mailed applications or on-line recommendations along with their deadlines to your letter writer. Mailed recommendations require the secondary school report form be given to your letter writer along with an addressed envelope with two stamps. Please allow three weeks lead time prior to the deadline for this process to be completed. Teachers will not complete a letter of recommendation without you first asking them if they would be able to perform this task. Three weeks advance notice is required for them as well. Submit to them the complete list of colleges you will be applying to as well. (Form available on THHS website)

What is the Parents’ Role? Parents are the number one influence on the career their child pursues. Download the Kuder Navigator : www.cec.kuder.com. Password: mustang Activation code: N3367557WYT User name: first initial of first name, full last name, last two digits of student ID #

Financial Aid What is financial aid? There are three types of financial aid: scholarships and grants which do not have to be repaid; loans which do have to be repaid, but usually not while you are still attending college; work study, often available on campus, which pays a direct salary.

Where does financial aid come from? There are four main sources of financial aid: federal government state government colleges and universities private agencies, scholarship donors

How do I apply for state aid (Cal Grants) and financial aid? You may apply for a federal Pell Grant and for a state Cal Grant by completing the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Some colleges or programs have unique forms. Contact the financial aid officer at the school to which you are applying for details. You may not file the FAFSA before January 1 of the year in which you are applying. The deadline for Cal Grant applications is March 2. File as early as possible after January 1. Some colleges and private scholarships also require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile form to be submitted to College Scholarships Services. FAFSA's and Profile forms are available from your Guidance Specialist and in your Career Center.

Parents should attend Financial Aid Night on January 25, 2012, at Trabuco Hills High School

NCAA If you are planning to enroll in college as a freshman and you wish to participate in Division I or Division II sports, you must be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse will analyze your academic information and determine if you meet the NCAA's initial eligibility requirements. If you want to participate in Division I or Division II sports, you should start NOW!

To be certified by the Clearinghouse, you must: Graduate from high school. Take at least 16 core courses Earn a minimum combined score on the SAT I or the ACT with a minimum GPA in the 16 core courses. Minimum 2.00 in the 16 core courses. Minimum of 68 (sum of scores on the 4 individual ACT subtests) or an 820 combined math and Critical Reading on the SAT. REGISTER ONLINE! www.ncaa.org