Arleta High School College Summit Peer Leader College Requirements Presentation

Arleta High School Home of the Mustangs  General Advice  General Timelines  What are the Colleges/ Universities looking for?  Specific Admissions Information  Questions or Comments

General Advice  Define what you are looking for in a college or university: -location-major -size-population -activities-athletics -competitiveness-class size -special programs-other?

General Advice  Make lists with 3 types of schools: A. Safe B.Match C.Dream  Apply to at least 3 schools  Have a “Plan B” in case of financial or admissions challenges  Most Admissions Officers will spend between minutes reviewing your application. This is why it is important to make sure your application is ACCURATE!

General Advice  Make a timeline or calendar of due dates and application requirements  Do NOT choose a college because of: -your boyfriend/girlfriend -friends -someone liked/didn’t like the school  Look for a good “FIT” and ask yourself: Why is this a good school for me?

General Timelines  October 1  November 30 -Cal State University Applications -University of California Applications  October 1  February 15 -Private/Independent University Applications -Out of State University Applications  October, November, December -Last 3 SAT/ACT exams for Seniors  Before May 1 -Community College Applications  January 1  March 2 -Financial Aid Applications (FAFSA)  May 1 -Student Intent to Register (SIR) Deadline

What are colleges/ universities looking for? 1)GPA/Grades and A-G Courses 2)SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Tests 3)Application Requirements: -Personal Statements -Letters of Recommendation -Extra Curricular Activities -Community Service

GPA and A-G Courses  Most Colleges or Universities are interested in your GPA.  They want to see good grades and NO Ds or Fails in academic courses  You are also more competitive if you have taken a large amount of high- level courses (Honors, Advanced Placement,…)

SATs and ACTs  Take the PSAT as a practice exam in 9 th, 10 th and 11 th grade  Begin to take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring of your 11 th grade  Colleges will take either the SAT or ACT: Take both to get the highest score possible  Fee Waivers are available from Ms. Winningham in the College Center

Personal Statements  Universities may require 1-2 Personal Statements  Personal Statements are essays that provide an opportunity for students to highlight how unique or special they are  It is an excellent opportunity for students to: -highlight a special talent -explain a unique situation -provide details about a personal challenge  Students should write multiple drafts and get a great deal of feedback before they attach them to their application

Letters of Recommendation Universities generally require 2 Letters of Recommendation: -counselor -academic teacher A third letter could include a coach, boss, religious leader,… Give the Individuals at least 3 weeks Provide them with a BRAG sheet The best teacher recommendations will come from the academic teacher who knows your potential and knows you best.

Extra Curricular Activities  Athletics  Music/Art/Drama  Student Government  Journalism  Peer College Counseling  Academic Decathlon  Speech/Debate  Work

Extra Curricular Activities  Discover your passion  Long term commitment is very important  Leadership within activity  Demonstrate initiative  Take your passion and ‘give back to community’  Fewer, in-depth, rather than laundry list of activities is preferred

Community Service  Connect with your passion  Do more than the minimum  Find something uncommon/unique  Stick with it  Become known by the people in charge

Summers are Important!  Community service  Summer school  College programs  Study abroad  Internships  Work  No vegging out or collecting dust!

Specific Admissions Information  Be sure to understand application requirements and deadlines: 1.Community Colleges: -Apply before March 1st -Apply using a hard copy or online -No transcript or test scores needed -No essay or application fee

Specific Admissions Information 2. California State Universites: -Apply Oct. 1 st –Nov. 30 th -Apply on-line: -Need transcript -SAT or ACT required -No application essay or additional info. needed -Application fee: $55 or fee waiver

Specific Admissions Information 3. University of California: -Apply October 1 st -November 30 th -Apply on-line: -Transcript, personal statements, activities, awards, volunteer service, work experience -SAT/ ACT required (2 SAT Subject Tests recommended) -Application fee: $70 or fee waiver

Specific Admissions Information 4. Private/Independent or Out of State Universities -Deadlines vary (most due by mid-January) -Apply on-line: at school website or -Need transcripts, letters of rec., personal statements, activities, work experience, awards,… -Need a Secondary School Report from Counselor -Application Fee: Varies or fee waiver