1. A-EMs. Yun F-LON Mrs. Dillon LOO-RNMrs. Webb RO-ZMr. Young College/Career CounselorMr. Elizondo EL CounselorMs. Lozano SENIOR FALL 2015 PRESENTATION

2. Am I on track to graduate? What are my plans/goals after graduation? What do I need to do to get there? What other things do I need to do to prepare for life after HS? QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

3.  Evaluated transcripts mailed home before the start of school.  Seniors should have AT MINIMUM 160 credits earned so far.  Check with your counselor if you are unsure. Don’t wait! REQUIREMENTS:  ENGLISH – 4 years  SOCIAL SCIENCE – 3 years (W. Hist, US Hist & Govt/Econ)  MATH – 2 years  SCIENCE– Biology and PSE/Chemistry/Physics  FINE ART/FL – 1 year of fine art or foreign language  PE – 2 years  HEALTH  ELECTIVES: 75 credits  6 Composite Satisfactory/Excellent Citizenship  Pass ELA/Math CAHSEE AM I ON TRACK TO GRADUATE?

4. WHAT ARE MY PLANS/GOALS? There are over 7,000 post-secondary options in the United States. There are a lot of choices when it comes to higher education. What’s next after high school for you? Even if you’re unsure what path to take after graduation, you have to start planning now for your future.

5. DEGREE OPTIONS  Certificate Programs: Usually a program you can finish in less than two years, sometimes one. These programs are very career-specific and lead to employment opportunities.  Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.): A degree awarded after completing a two-year college program.  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.): A degree awarded after completing four- or five-year college program.

6.  Trade/Technical School  Provides practical “hands-on” training and prepares students for employment.  The length of a program varies from several weeks to several years.  Costs can also vary depending upon the length and quality of training.  Make sure to check the program’s accreditation.  Military  Options include enlistment, military academies and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs.  Talk to area recruiter or College and Career Coordinator.  Employment  What skills or training are required? Salary? Benefit? Opportunities for advancement? POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS

7.  Community College or 2 Year  Open to everyone. High school diploma or GED is usually required.  Relatively inexpensive and offer flexible class schedules.  Can earn an A.A. or A.S degree.  Transfer opportunities to a four-year school to get a B.A. or B.S.  Honors Program  4 Year Universities  Must meet UC/CSU “A-G” College Entrance Requirements.  Graduates from four-year colleges and universities are in greater demand by employers and generally earn more money than non- graduates.  Tuition costs can be high, but financial aid and scholarship are available for all students. POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS

8. HOW CAN COUNSELORS HELP SENIORS?  Counseling Appts & Drop-ins (during break/lunch)  THS Counseling Website  “Torrance High School Counselors” Facebook Page  Graduation Credit and College Eligibility Checks  College/Career Center (A109)  College Searches & Career/Personality Inventories on Naviance  College Visits on Campus  College Applications Workshops  Local Scholarship Program  Secondary School Reports and Letters of Recommendation  El Camino Matriculation  Financial Aid Night  Provide personal, career, and academic counseling

9. SENIOR YEAR TIMELINE October - December 1.Attend College Fairs  (LB State Pyramid, Nov 4th @ 6:30PM & CollegeWeekLive) 2.Visit with college reps that come to THS – see bulletins & website 3.Make a list of colleges to apply to (Reliable, Range, Reach) – Naviance! 4.Complete Brag Sheet and ask teachers/counselor for letter of rec. 5.Complete applications for UC/CSU’s and other universities 6.Register for SAT/ACT Exams (+ Writing for UC’s) 7.Complete Local Scholarship Application– Everyone should do this! 8.Research National Scholarship Opportunities (Fastweb)

10. SAT DATEREGISTRATION DEADLINELATE REGISTRATION Nov 7 th Oct 9thOct 27 th (online) Dec 5 th Nov 5 th Nov 24 rd (online) ACT DATEREGISTRATION DEADLINELATE REGISTRATION Dec 12 th Nov 6 th Nov 20 th REGISTERING FOR SAT/ACT

11. REQUESTING TEST SCORES SAT www.collegeboard.org ACT www.act.org  Scores must be sent directly from testing service – CollegeBoard & ACT  Get 4 for the price of admission.  UC – Highest score in ONE sitting. Requires Writing portion.  CSU – Takes highest score from MULTIPLE sittings. Does not require Writing.  Fee Waivers available.

12. GPA  Unweighted GPA – Graduation GPA  All courses (academic and elective) are averaged into the GPA. Grade forgiveness.  Weighted GPA – Ranking GPA  All courses (academic and elective) are averaged. Grade forgiveness.  1 additional grade point for Honors and AP courses  College Admissions GPA  A-G courses calculated ONLY.  10th & 11th grades + summers before, in-between, and after.  Weight for Honors and AP

13. APPLICATION DEADLINES  Rolling admissions  Can submit application at convenience.  Notified within 4 weeks of application submission  Regular Decision (most common)  Application submitted by college deadline date  Evaluated and notified during spring semester  Early Action  Not binding.  Process is highly selective.  Students are notified of decision and allowed to apply to other school.  Early Decision  Application submitted by Nov. 1 st of senior year.  Decision made around mid-December  Required to sign acceptance of admissions – BINDING.

14. CSU ApplicationOct 1 – Nov 30 UC ApplicationOct 1 – Nov 30 Private SchoolsCheck school website Financial Aid NightOct 14 th, Auditorium, 6pm UC App WorkshopOct 20 th, CC, Lunch/After-School Local Scholarship WorkshopOct. 8th and 15 th, CC, Lunch CSU Application WkshpNov 19 th, CC, Lunch/After-School Common App WorkshopNov 12 th, CC, Lunch/After-School ECC Honors RepNov. 2 nd, Library, 9AM IMPORTANT DATES

15. SENIOR YEAR TIMELINE January - March 1.Gather documents to complete FAFSA 2.Complete applications for Universities with later deadlines 3.CAL Grant GPA Verification 4.Request Mid-Year Reports from counselor, if necessary 5.Follow up on your applications 6.Research scholarships and continue applying 7.Start applying to community colleges

16. PAYING FOR COLLEGE  Always check the box “Yes” on financial aid questions on applications!  Questions about parent income may be optional - but not if you want financial aid.  Complete FAFSA and apply! IMPORTANT DATES: Financial Aid NightOct 14th, Aud @ 6PM Local Scholarship WkshpOct 8 th and 15 th, Little Theatre @ Lunch Local Scholarship DeadlineDec 5th in Counseling Office FAFSAJan 1 – March 2 CSS ProfileCheck with schools

17. IMPORTANT DATES FAFSAMarch 2nd CSS ProfileCheck with school ECC Counselor at THSTBA ECC Senior PresentationTBA, After Jan 1st El Camino PRIORITY Registration Deadline March 31, 2016

18. PRIORITY REGISTRATION FOR EL CAMINO  El Camino matriculation must be completed by March 31, 2016 for PRIORTY registration in the fall of 2016.  Four Steps to Matriculation:  Step 1: Apply for Admission in the Admissions Office. Declare an educational goal such as program certificate, Associate degree, or transfer to a four–year college or university.  Step 2: Take English and Math placement test in the Assessment/Testing Center.  Step 3: Online Orientation through MyECC.  Step 4: Students who complete Online Orientation must bring in the confirmation page to make a 30 minute counseling appointment for an Educational Plan.

19. SENIOR YEAR TIMELINE April - June 1.Track acceptances, rejections and waitlists. 2.Avoid senioritis. Acceptances doesn’t mean you can stop working. 3.Review SAR and compare financial aid packages. 4.Prep and take AP exams. 5.Notify school of intent to register by May 1 st. 6.Complete enrollment paperwork for college you will attend. 7.Arrange for final transcripts to be sent to colleges.

20. HOW TO ORDER TRANSCRIPTS  Forms for transcript requests are in the counseling office  Fee to order a transcript for $2  Transcripts can be sent electronically or mail.  Transcript requests can take 3-5 days to process to order in advance. Please make sure your name, SSN, address, etc are correct on your transcript!

21. ADDITIONAL TIPS & SUGGESTIONS  Have professional email account dedicated to college apps, financial aid, & check it frequently.  Make a spreadsheet of schools you apply to, deadlines, login info for school portals, contacts, and supplemental materials needed.  Document everything and keep a file.  Get a “Certificate of Mailing” when using snail mail.  Give teachers/counselors ample time to write a letter of rec.

22. HELPFUL RESOURCES  College Week Livewww.collegeweeklive.comwww.collegeweeklive.com  California Collegeswww.californiacolleges.eduwww.californiacolleges.edu  CA Community Collegeswww.cccco.eduwww.cccco.edu  Assoc. of Independent CA Collegeswww.aiccu.eduwww.aiccu.edu  CSU Mentorwww.csumentor.eduwww.csumentor.edu  UC Applicationwww.admissions.universityofcalifornia.eduwww.admissions.universityofcalifornia.edu  FAFSAwww.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov  Fastwebwww.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com  My Majorswww.mymajors.comwww.mymajors.com  My Next Movewww.mynextmove.orgwww.mynextmove.org  CA Career Zonewww.cacareerzone.comwww.cacareerzone.com  NavianceTHS Website