1. Norwalk High School
The Road to College

2. HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS STARTS NOW!!
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
EARN AT LEAST 220 CREDITS
BREAK DOWN:
9TH GRADE=60 CREDITS
10TH GRADE= 120 CREDITS
11TH GRADE=180 CREDITS
12TH GRADE= 240 CREDITS
WHAT ARE CREDITS?
HOW DO I EARN THEM?
HOW MANY CREDITS EQUAL ONE CLASS ?
WHAT GRADE IS PASSING? FAILING?

3. HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS STARTS NOW!!
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
PASS ALL CORE CLASSSES WITH 2.0 OR BETTER
GRADE A= 4.0
GRADE B= 3.0
GRADE C= 2.0
GRADE D= 1.0
GRADE F= 0
HOW DO I FIGURE OUT MY GPA?
My grades: A (4) + D (1)+ C(2)+ B-(3)+C (2)+B (3)=
15/6= 2.5 GPA
IMPORTANT: A GRADE OF A “D” IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE FOR COLLEGE

4. High school success starts now!
SUBJECT AREA
CREDITS/ YEARS
LANGUAGE ARTS
40/ 4 YEARS
SOCIAL SCIENCE
30/ 3 YEARS
SCIENCE
20/ 2 YEARS
MATHEMATICS
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
CAREERS, FINE ARTS OR FOREIGN LANG
TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS
160
TOTAL ELECTIVE CREDITS 60
TOTAL MINIMUM CREDITS
220

5. Higher Education Options in California
California Community Colleges-2 year colleges. Students can choose to work toward an associate (two-year) degree or a one or two year training/certificate program in choice occupational fields, such as health professions, etc. Students may also complete a coursework to enable them to transfer to a college or university to complete a 4 year bachelors degree.
California State University (CSU)- With 23 campuses, the California State University is the largest, most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country. The CSU system emphasizes undergraduate education, leading to a bachelors, masters, and a limited number of doctoral degrees.

6. Higher Education Options in California
University of California (UC)- The 9 general campuses of the University of California combines the education of undergraduates (Bachelors degrees) with a strong emphasis on graduate programs (Masters and Doctorate) and world-class research programs in science & humanities.
California Independent Colleges- The 75 independent/private, nonprofit California colleges and universities offer diverse and unique educational opportunities such as faith affiliated, women’s colleges etc. These institutions also include 2-year, undergraduate and graduate programs.

7. The 4-Year College Applicant Taking the Right Classes: A-G
History / Social Sciences - 2 Years Required
U.S. History - 1 Year
World History - 1 Year
Government/Economics A
English - 4 Years Required
College Prep English
Composition Literature B C
Mathematics- 3 Years Required /4 Recommended
College Preparatory Math (beginning with Algebra I or higher)

8. The 4- Year College Applicant Taking the Right Classes: A-G
Laboratory Science- 2 Years Required /3 Recommended
Biology
Chemistry
Physics D
Language Other Than English- 2 Years Required /3 Years Recommended
Must be 2 years of the same language E F
Visual and Performing Arts - 1 Year
Must be a visual or performing arts course.
College Preparatory Electives - 1 Year
Chosen from: A-F G

9. The 4 Year College Applicant
What’s the difference between an Applicant and a Competitive Applicant?
2 years of History/Social Science
4 years of English
3 years Math (i.e Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2)
2 years of Laboratory Science
2 years of a Foreign Language
1 year of Visual/Performing Arts
1 year of College Prep Elective
Minimally Eligible Applicant
3 years of History/Social Science (Honors/AP)
4 years of English (Honors/AP)
4 years Math (Honors/AP)
3 years of Laboratory Science (Honors/AP)
3-4 years of a Foreign Language
1 year of Visual/Performing Arts
1 year of College Prep Elective
Competitively Eligible Applicant

10. Be prepared….scores matter!
Important Tests –
Be prepared….scores matter!
PSAT
Take Sophomore Year and Junior Year as preparation for SAT
and National Merit Scholarship.
SAT Reasoning Test
Math, Critical Reading and Writing
Prepare for and take before December of your Senior year. Research shows students who took test 2 times did better.
ACT Plus Writing
Math, Science, Reading, English, &Writing
SAT Subject Tests
Subject tests are optional and no longer required by the UCs. Some private schools may require the subject test. Check with the individual schools.

11. ACT v.s. SAT

12. 4 Types of $$$$ Financing My Education Scholarships Free Money$$$
Grants
Free Money$$$
based on FINANCIAL NEED
Federal: Pell and Supplemental Grant
The college or university
Cal Grants - GPA verification needed
Loans
Borrowed money that you must pay back, often after you graduate
Workstudy
Wages from working on campus
Deadlines
March 2 (FAFSA & GPA Verification Form)

13. Get Involved!
Participating in Extracurricular Activities is NECESSARY to be a competitive UC Applicant
Examples:
Campus clubs and organizations
leadership positions
sports
Volunteering
church
hospital
Boys and Girls Club
Government offices
Tutoring
Part-time job

14. Plan of Action Finish off this academic year strong, grades matter!
Develop a 4 year plan
Meet with your counselor to review the 4 year plan - choose a challenging curriculum
Make sure classes you take meet A-G requirements and are on the CSU/UC approved course list.
Take the PSAT (Fall of Sophomore and Junior Years)
Research colleges, majors and special requirements
Create a list of colleges you are interested in
Read up on SAT & ACT information & plan to enroll in test prep classes
Begin to research scholarships
Schedule campus tours for colleges on your interest list
Get involved!

15. Research! Research! Research! It’s NEVER too early to start
Research colleges and universities
Attend college fairs
Visit college campuses
The only way to know what is right for you is to gather as much information as possible

16. Where on the Web College Searches
SAT info.
ACT info.
High School
Course Lists
Financial Aid /
Scholarships

17. Norwalk High School 4 year Plan
A-G Requirements
Requirements
High School
(220 credits)
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
A. History/Social Science
(2 years required)
A. Social Science
(30 credits)
B. English
(4 years required)
(40 credits)
C. Mathematics
(3 years required/4 years recommended)
C. Math
D. Lab Science
(2 years required/3 years recommended)
D. Science
(20 credits)
E. Foreign Language
(10 credits)
F. Visual and Performing Arts
(1 year required)
F. Fine Arts
G. College Preparatory Electives
G. Electives
(60 credits)
Physical Education
Career Pathways
College Test
(Circle test taken)
PSAT
PSAT/NMSQT
ACT/SAT/SAT subject test
Total Credits:
(220 credits to graduate)

19. Why should I meet with my Counselor?
Set goals for high school
Create academic plans
Career plans
Problem solving
Individual and small-group counseling
Emotional/Personal concerns
Individual/family/school crisis intervention
Peer facilitation
Referrals if necessary

20. California colleges Go to californiacolleges.edu
Click on the lock on the top right
Students–
Register your account
Enter all student info
Next
Personal (only)
Set up password

21. California colleges
1. Choose “My plan” on the top 2. Click on “My goals” 3.“add a response” to “Academic Goals” and “College Goals”