1. College Summit Peer Leader College Requirements Presentation
Arleta High School
College Summit
Peer Leader
College Requirements
Presentation

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

3. 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?

4. 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!

5. 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?

6. 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

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

8. 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,…)

9. SATs and ACTs
Take the PSAT as a practice exam in 9th, 10th and 11th grade
Begin to take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring of your 11th 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

10. 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

11. 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.

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

13. 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

14. 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

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

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

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

18. Specific Admissions Information
3. University of California:
-Apply October 1st-November 30th
-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

19. 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