1. Mrs. Cardoza College Counselor

2.  August – September: Research colleges you will apply to; register to take the SAT/ACT again (last test date in December).  October – November: College Applications  January – February: FAFSA, Dream Act  March – April: Receive financial aid packages, college acceptances, and make a decision!  August – May: Scholarship applications vary, with most being in the spring. Different criteria, deadlines, and applications.

3.  Stay organized.  Use a calendar.  Plan to submit everything EARLY, never wait until the deadline.  Set realistic goals.  Have a back-up plan for everything.  Read Mrs. Cardoza’s bulletins and emails, then read them again in a couple of weeks just to be sure you’re on top of things.  Check your email daily. Respond to college emails quickly.  Avoid the hype and buzz. Not every website/blog/friend/parent has the right answers for you.  Things are going to work out for you, it might not be the plan you first envisioned, but it will be the RIGHT plan for you. Every opportunity is for you to make the most of.

4. GraduationUniversity A-G  English 4 years  Social studies 3.5 years  Science 2 years, Earth & Biology  Math 3 years, any level  Foreign language not required, but can meet VPA  VPA 1 year  Electives 13 semesters  Health, Computer Lit., Practical Art  CAHSEE  English 4 years  Social studies 2 yrs., World & US  Science 2 yrs., Bio & Chemistry  Math 3 yrs., must take Geom. & Adv. Alg.  Foreign language 2 years of same language  VPA 1 year of same course  Elective 1 year of approved elective  SAT or ACT

5.  Universities DO NOT accept D’s in any A-G course.  Summer school PACE in general, is not college prep.  ESS courses this year are not all college prep.  See your counselor with individual questions.  Potential NCAA athletes: remember that you are held to a higher standard! See Mrs. Cardoza to be sure you are on track for NCAA requirements.

6.  Challenging Math class – ask your math teacher for their recommendation. ◦ Financial Math is ok for MJC, but is NOT accepted by universities.  MJC requires math/English placement exams ◦ Low scores = remedial courses = takes longer to graduate or transfer  CSU requires math/English placement exams ◦ Low scores = remedial courses during summer or you cannot attend in the fall

7.  Colleges looking at your grades and GPA from grades 9-11 AND that you are enrolled in challenging coursework this year. ◦ Most colleges recalculate your GPA based off your grades in A-G courses only.  Cumulative GPA – all classes, not weighted.  Weighted – all classes, extra point for H classes.  Cal Grant – only used for financial aid, only core academic classes, not weighted.  Class rank – based off grades 9-11. Determined by early October, does not change.  How important is class rank?

8.  Colleges will only use your highest score!  When signing up for ACT, take the ACT+writing  If applying to private colleges or UC’s, take SAT subject tests. ◦ Must be on a different day than regular SAT, take 2-3 subject tests in areas that you feel you will score the best.  Sign up now! ◦ Request that your scores be sent to CSU Mentor and one of the UC’s when you register for the test! ◦ December is last month for you to test – yes you can submit college applications before you have a score!  Fee waivers available from Mrs. Cardoza. AVID students please see your AVID teacher.  If you are absolutely, positively going to attend MJC, you do not need to take these tests, ever!  What’s a good score?  What about AP and IB test scores? ◦ Not used much in application process, but can earn you college credits.

9.  Community College vs. University ◦ Transferring from CC to University ◦ Career Technical Education Courses & Certification  CSU vs. UC  Public vs. Private  Non-profit vs. For Profit  Beauty Schools and Trade Schools

10.  Classes for concurrent high school students only cost about $30, plus textbook if required.  Take Mrs. Cardoza’s recommended classes and they will transfer to universities.  Attend for 2 years, earn 60 credits of college level courses, and then apply to universities as a transfer student. **May take longer if you have to take remedial classes**

11.  Community College and Trade School – basic application  CSU – basic academic application  UC – basic academic application, personal statement  Private Universities – Common Application requires LOR, Counselor letter and secondary report, transcripts, personal statement, supplements.  How many to apply to? Reach, on-target, safety ◦ Always CSU Stanislaus and UC Merced as safety!  Visit, meet, learn as much as possible. Your first contact with a college should not the application.  Be realistic, consider all options.

12.  Essays – must stand out, be unique, tell a memorable story.  LOR – ask WAY AHEAD OF TIME! A good recommender can tell about what makes you unique. Private universities require counselor LOR and secondary report.  Resume  Nothing is optional, use every opportunity to let them learn about you.  Custom essays for each college?

13.  Major prepares for career  College within the college?  Undeclared major  Double majors  Minors and concentrations  Degrees ◦ AA/AS, BA/BS, MA/MS, PhD

14.  Took last year in Adv. Algebra (or higher) and English. Scores will come home in the mail with SBAC scores. ◦ Ready – you are exempt from taking CSU placement in that subject area ◦ Conditionally Ready – you can be exempt if you take ERWC or IB English, or a math class higher than Algebra 2 (financial math does NOT count) and earn a C or higher both semesters. ◦ Not Yet Ready – you must take the placement exams in that subject area.  You can also be exempted from placement exams by your SAT or ACT scores.

15.  Merit based vs. Need based  FAFSA and Work Study  Cal Grant and Dream Act  CSS Profile (requires fee)  Scholarships ◦ Finding, Applying, Claiming $$$  Out of state universities, WUE  Private universities  Loans – Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent  Avoid scams

16.  AB540 – California law that allows undocumented students to pay in state tuition rates if requirements are met. ◦ “pre” AB540 students CAN take MJC courses  DACA – gives SSN to allow for work.  Dream Act – allows AB540 students to receive Cal Grant financial aid and other state aid programs.  Scholarships? Yes, check requirements.

17.  How to know which classes to take?  How many units to take? ◦ 12 is full time, 15+ to graduate in 4 years ◦ Each class is typically 3-4 units  Will you get into classes you need?  Quarter system vs. Semester  Dorms, living on campus vs. off campus  Part time job?  Parties, Greek life, clubs, sports, etc.  Dangers of campus life and living on your own  Graduate school, Med School, etc.

18.  Research careers and colleges  Sign up for workshops and presentations  Scholarship applications  Required for students using Common Application or applying to any private universities. ◦ Electronically submit transcripts, LOR, school profile, secondary report, etc.  Emails and bulletins from Mrs. Cardoza

25.  Mrs. Cardoza  Come by the counseling office ◦ Out of office or helping others, be patient and persistent! ◦ Fill out request for appointment slip  Email me: Cardoza.ka@monet.k12.ca.usCardoza.ka@monet.k12.ca.us