1. Region Training Conference 2018
College Prep 101
Region Training Conference 2018
Name, Position

2. Different Kinds of Colleges
California State University - 23 campuses
University of California - 9 campuses
Private/Out-of-State Universities
Community College* campuses
*Just because you may be considering community college does not mean that you are any less smart or important as someone that attends a private or a UC. The same goes for CSUs!

3. College Applications Timeline
August 1 - UC application opens
October 1 - FAFSA / Cal Grant filing period opens // CSU application opens
November 1 - UC / CSU application filing period opens
November 30 - UC / CSU application filing period closes
December 2 - Last day to take SAT for Fall 2018
December 9 - Last day to take ACT for Fall 2018
Dec - Feb - Due dates for regular decision at private / out of state colleges vary
March 1 - Notification of Fall 2018 results for UC / CSU begins
March 2 - FAFSA / Cal Grant filing period closes
May 1 - Deadline to submit SIR

4. California Community Colleges
114 campuses all over California
Negative stigma with community college
People may assume that students flunked school, weren’t accepted anywhere else
Reasons to attend:
CHEAPER (no application fees, housing, classes, etc.)
THOUSANDS of dollars saved!
Same education that is being taught everywhere else
Guaranteed transfer to certain UCs after credit is collected (usually 2 years)

5. CSU Admissions Criteria
GPA: 2.50 weighted (in A-G courses)[CSU GPA]
Standardized Test scores
Location (Each CSU campus gives priority to students within their service area)
Extracurricular Activities (Cal Poly SLO only)

6. UC Admissions Criteria
GPA: 3.00 (in A-G courses) [UC GPA]
Standardized Test scores
Breadth of AP/IB/Honors/College courses taken
Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)
Location
Background
Talents/Awards/Achievements
Senior Year Class Schedule

7. Private Schools Admissions Criteria
Similar to UC Admissions Criteria
Emphasis on letters of recommendations
SAT Subject Tests are almost always recommended/required

8. Deciding Where to Apply
Safeties
Almost guaranteed to be able to be accepted
All requirements met
“Last Resort”
Matches
Fairly likelihood of being accepted
All requirements met with modest distinction
Reaches
Unlikely to be accepted due to high standards and competition
All requirements met with high distinction
Safeties, Matches, and Reaches are different for all people
Should be able to draw comparisons with people with similar background

9. Test Dates for Fall 2017 SAT/Subject Tests August 25, 2018
October 6, 2018
November 3, 2018
December 1, 2018
ACT
September 8, 2018
October 27, 2018
December 8, 2018
*You cannot take the SAT and the SAT Subject Test on the same test date
*You can only take up to 3 SAT Subject Tests per test date
*It is normal to take any of these tests anywhere between times

10. When to Apply Early Action (EA) Early Decision (ED, ED 1, ED 2)
Non-binding; apply to as many other schools as you want
Early Decision (ED, ED 1, ED 2)
If accepted during ED, you are committed to attending
Restrictive Early Action
Non-binding, but you cannot apply to other schools for ED or EA
Regular Decision (RD)

11. Financial Aid Grants Loans Scholarships Cal Grant Dream Act
Parent Plus Loan
Student Loans
Scholarships
College/University Scholarships
Community Scholarships
*UC Financial Aid - Steps to Applying

12. Being Proactive
Incoming sophomores and juniors, utilize your time to start your applications
Even if you are just a freshmen, start your applications so that you can see the extent of your change by the time you are a senior
For incoming seniors, start being proactive with the application during the summer
Do your research on where you want to apply
Keep revising the application until the deadline
Submit applications AT LEAST 1 week before the deadline as to avoid possible admissions crashing

13. Don’t Know Where to Start? Find Help!
Ask high school graduates attending your safeties, matches, and reaches for assist
Find differences between applications
See if the college makes them happy
Find and read appeals to colleges that ended up being successful
It’s oftentimes a better example of what your college application should somewhat resemble
NOTE: These are very convincing applications that have changed minds in the admissions office

14. Essays Write about significant turning points in your life
Include specific programs or professors you like in each application
Limit the reusing of your college essays -- if it’s very general and not specific for each college, colleges will be able to see right through it.
PROOFREAD -- ask your teachers, parents, counselors, and peers for their feedback.
Plan ahead and finish your essays well before the application deadline

15. Application Tips
When asking for letters of recommendations, refrain from asking two teachers that teach the same department.
i.e. World History and United States History are both social studies
If something is “recommended,” you should make every possible effort to do it. If there is a valid reason as to why you weren’t able to do it, explain it in the “Additional Information” section in the application.
Get to know your counselors and teachers on a more personal level. This will come in handy when you ask them to write your letters of recommendations.
For Ivy League schools, it’s better to show off your strengths in one specific subject matter rather than showing off your “well-roundedness.”

16. Moving On: College!
Attend multiple college spirit days that are open for new undergraduates
Submit your SIR & attend the school orientation
Talk to completely new people
While expensive, will be worth the investment
Selecting Classes and Times
Consider the reality for being able to wake up and head to an 8 AM class
Take some “easier” classes to meet people and build your connections that’ll last through your college life

17. Acting Like an Adult Doing your own laundry Budgeting your money
Buying your dorm materials
Take advantage of student discounts
Find scholarships whenever you have time
Find a job, internship, or join Circle K!
With freedom, you have the chance to find what can build you up
Helps you have interactions with all kinds of people
Work at student stores, local business internships, volunteer

18. Finding Your Place
The name or history of the college isn’t the most critical factor in choosing a college
Attend as many orientations as you can, sneak into a lecture of a class you want to take, and ask the students walking around about their life
Do what makes you happy
Your happiness is all that matters

19. Resources ACT (www.act.org) AP Testing, SAT (www.collegeboard.org)
Khan Academy (
UC Personal Insight Questions

20. Questions?
Comments?
Concerns?

21. Acknowledgements
The CNH Key Club District would like to acknowledge the following individuals who have contributed to this presentation over the years.
Jesus Aguiniga, Kiwanis Family & Foundation Chair,
Johnny Chen, Member Relations Chair,
Brandon Ma, Kiwanis and Family & Foundation Chair,
Vivi Nguyen, Division 31 Lieutenant Governor,