College Night for Seniors Class of 2015 For Students & Parents! Las Lomas High School Counseling Department and College/Career Center

Welcome Senior Students and Parents UNDERSTANDING SENIOR YEAR Senior Year Mythbusters Dealing with Stress and Senioritis Parent’s Role Promoting resilience Naviance College Systems Overview

Mythbusters

Common Myths… Freshman Grades Don’t Count. Senior year is easy! I can do my senior project in a week. Scholarships are only for 4-year colleges. No one cares about senior grades. I can’t afford a 4-year college, so I’ll go to a Community College. No one from LL gets into UC schools. Applying early increases chances of getting into college.

Naviance

Naviance It’s your own personal one-stop shop Quick and easy college/vocational program searches Useful tool in the college application process It’s your ticket to transcripts and letters of recommendation Letters of Recommendation – 4 weeks advance notice required! Teacher Recommendation Complete survey on Naviance, print, and give to teacher OR Pick up blue form in College/Career Center, complete, and give to teacher Counselor Recommendation Complete 3 surveys on Naviance and e-mail counselor to notify Sending Official Transcripts Input request into Naviance Print status page and turn in to counseling office with payment

How do I get on Naviance? http://connection.naviance.com/laslomas If you have not already registered, visit Ellen Smith in the College/Career Center to get started. If you have already registered, but forgot your username: Try your e-mail address as your username and your corresponding e-mail password as your password. or See Ellen Smith to reset your username or password

College/Career Center College Representative Visits – see full schedule of local college fairs, information sessions and college reps visiting LLHS on Naviance and www.laslomasptsa.com/CollegeCareer/CollegeCareerHome.html Social Media Check out Facebook, Twitter and blogs for colleges you are interested in Be careful of what you post on Facebook – Colleges and Employers are looking! California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Honor Society Assistance with college applications; info about specialty schools and apprenticeships and gap year programs Lending library of college related and career materials NCAA Clearinghouse www.eligibilitycenter.org

Financial Aid / Cost to Attend College Financial Aid Seminar – Oct. 7 @ 7pm LLHS Theatre Financial Aid may be available/FAFSA is applicable at all accredited schools FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Workshop – January 21, 2015 FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov Free to apply! Apply online January 1, 2015 – March 2, 2015 Cal Grant Free to apply! Pick up GPA verification form in College/Career Center Submit to Counseling Office Jan. 1, – March 2, 2015 CSS Profile https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp Selected private universities will require this profile. Fee charged (fee waiver may be available) Colleges may have own forms and priority due dates Have a discussion about what your family can afford

LIFE AFTER LAS LOMAS Where do Las Lomas students go after graduation?

College Systems Overview Community Colleges California State Universities (CSU) Universities of California (UC) Private/Independent Universities Public Out-of-State Universities College Fair at Cal High, Oct. 29, 6:30-8:30 pm

Community Colleges

Community Colleges Associate Degree & Vocational Certificate Programs are offered Transfer programs to 4-year colleges. Using www.assist.org can help you prepare. UC transfer planner guide: https://uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu 112 campuses to choose! http://www.californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/Students 12 have dorms on site! No SAT or ACT required for any Community College Apply EARLY in the Spring semester Complete online application Take assessment tests Complete orientation class (if required) Must be a high school graduate or 18 years old to attend

Diablo Valley College (DVC) www.dvc.edu Community Colleges Diablo Valley College (DVC) www.dvc.edu DVC Night - February 18, 2015, 7:00 PM, LL Theatre DVC application workshops at LLHS in the spring English & Math Placement Exams will be offered at LLHS Specific date TBA (March/April 2015) DVC Special Programs: Disability Support Services (DSS) Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) English as a Second Language (ESL) Check in the College/Career Center for information on other California Community Colleges.

Four Year Colleges

What’s the magic recipe to get into a good college? Prepare Yourself Challenge Yourself Search Yourself Be Yourself Show Resilience Applying to college is an act of personal integrity

Applying to College Apply and submit all documents on time! Classes which meet college admission requirements are on the “a-g” list by year https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/ Pass all your senior courses with a C or higher! Stay organized! Create a file for college info and a calendar of senior year deadlines Keep printouts of your application and other communications, plus a file of your passwords

SENIOR YEAR DOES MATTER! Grades & course selection do make an impact on your acceptance! Last day to drop classes: October 24th Keep up senior grades or acceptance can be rescinded!

Student Checklist Before You Begin Your Application Make Sure You Have: High School/College Transcript Use to correctly enter your classes and grades Do not report classes and grades by memory Test Scores Send your SAT/ACT, if applicable Subject Exams Scores are only considered official if sent directly from the testing agency (College Board or ACT) Activities & Awards Make a list of most significant awards, volunteer work, paid work and extra-curricular activities. Make note of time involved in activity. BE SPECIFIC! Use details of what you did! Essay/Personal Statement Student is the star! Show your voice!

After you apply…. Check your email often! Make sure your email address reflects how you want the colleges to see you. Check your campus web portal and corresponding email account. Student must notify all colleges if courses listed on the applications change, or if a semester grade is a “D” or “F.” Check early for housing! Housing application dates and procedures vary by campus.

A-G Subject Requirements UC and CSU Systems A: 2 yrs History/Social Science B: 4 yrs of English C: 3 yrs (4 recommended) Math D: 2 yrs (3 recommended) Laboratory Science E: 2 yrs (3 recommended) Language Other than English F: 1 yr Visual & Performing Arts G: 1 yr College Preparatory Elective

California State Universities (CSU)

California State Universities (CSU) 23 campuses 16 CSUs impacted for first-time freshman in 2014-15 Chico Northridge San Jose San Luis Obispo Fresno Pomona San Marcos Fullerton Sacramento Sonoma Humboldt San Bernardino Long Beach San Diego Los Angeles San Francisco Impacted means there are more applications received than there are available freshman spots at that campus, resulting in increased competitiveness.

California State Universities (CSU) Local area CSUs: East Bay and SFSU Non-impacted campuses may have impacted programs Nursing, Criminal Justice, Business Check on csumentor.edu for complete list Visit www.calstate.edu/impactioninfo.shtml to determine impacted majors/campuses To find all degrees/programs available by CSU campus visit http://degrees.calstate.edu

California State Universities (CSU) Admission based on “a-g” courses, GPA and SAT or ACT test score. CSU does not review “writing” portion of the SAT/ACT. No essay or recommendations required or accepted Application period Oct.1- Nov.30, 2014 Fee $55* per campus. Fee waiver available. Visit www.csumentor.edu to apply & get info on all CSU’s

California State Universities (CSU) Send transcript only when the campus requests it. Failure to submit transcript or SAT/ACT scores will result in admission denial. Confirm acceptance ASAP. No later than May 1st. Cal Poly - Early Decision Option (except for Art and Music Majors) Only CSU to use 9 – 12 GPA Eligibility Index Table: https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/cal_residents.asp Additional admissions information https://secure.californiacolleges.edu/college_planning/california_state_university/freshman_admission_requirements/Majors_Admission_Standards.aspx

California State Universities (CSU) The majority of CSU campuses do not accept coursework the summer after graduation to complete admission requirements. The EPT (English Placement Test) and/or ELM (Entry Level Math) placement tests may be required in the spring of senior year. Check email from the college for more information. Meet all deadlines!

University of California (UC)

University of California (UC) System 9 Undergraduate campuses 1 Graduate campus (UCSF) Admission based on comprehensive review of: “a-g” courses & GPA SAT or ACT score SAT Subject Tests not required, may be recommended Personal statement No change in prompts Extracurricular activities & honors/awards No letters of recommendation

Comprehensive Review Factors Campuses draw from 14 academic and personal factors approved by University faculty, including: Grades and test scores and: Quality of senior year program Special talents, achievements & awards Promise for leadership Recent, marked improvement in academic performance Significant community service Participation in student government Intensive study and exploration of other cultures Full list of factors: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/how-applications-reviewed/

University of California (UC) System Application available now; Submit Nov. 1- Nov. 30, 2014 Send a transcript when requested by the college. You will need to submit a final transcript after graduation. Admissions Index Calculator: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/california-residents/admissions-index/index.html Apply online at: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/apply-online/ Fee to apply $70 per campus Help Desk ucinfo@applyucsupport.net and 1-800-207-1710

University of California (UC) System Online UC college fair: Thursday, October 2nd 9 am -7 pm video/online chat http://www.collegeweeklive.com/en_CA/Guest/College-Events-UC-System-Day

UC Admission Admit Rate – Fall 2014 UC Berkeley 17.3% UC Davis 40.6% UC Irvine 35.4% UCLA 18.2% UC Merced 64% UC Riverside 56.7% UC San Diego 33.4% UC Santa Barbara 36.1% UC Santa Cruz 56.9%

Independent/Private Universities

Independent/Private Universities 77 campuses in CA Admissions criteria--check with each individual campus! Most require SAT or ACT Subject Tests may be required Most require essays, letters of recommendation, and transcript upon application Extracurricular activities, work experience, and honors/awards may be considered Common Application www.commonapp.org Secondary School Report = Counselor Letter of Recommendation Common Application deadlines vary

Independent/Private Universities Early Decision/Early Action/Rolling Admissions Helpful websites: www.aiccu.edu www.californiacolleges.edu www.collegeboard.com www.actstudent.org www.commonapp.org Compare college costs and financial aid offers http://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/compare-financial-aid-and-college-cost/

Out of State Public Universities Check individual admission policies and deadlines SAT/ACT are usually required Essay and/or letters of recommendation may be required or considered Extracurricular activities, work experience, and awards/honors may be required or considered College/Career Center will host admissions representatives on our campus Sign up to meet these reps! Consider Western Undergraduate Exchange http://wue.wiche.edu Tuition scholarship program for public colleges/universities in the western states

Need Help With Your Applications? Tuesdays October 7 thru November 4 application help from the counseling staff 6th & 7th periods in the College/Career Center Application tips: Government and Econ are one semester classes. For UC and CSU apps, Econ is in the drop down menu for college-prep electives. Current semester classes should be listed as “In Progress”; spring semester classes as “Planned.” Apply Broadly!

CONTACT INFORMATION Counselor (A-Cai) ext. 2126 Counselor (Cal-Ha) Hanalee Washburn 2124 Counselor (He-McG) Kara Bloodgood 2127 Counselor (Mcl-Schn) Marilyn Lewis-Hampton 2123 Counselor (Scho-Z) Valerie Wright-Smith 2125 Registrar Beth Chastain 2119 College Advisor Ellen Smith 2117 Testing Coordinator Allison Ridenhour 2116