1. Shepherds Grove High School

2.  Eligibilty  Step 1: Graduate HS with all the requirements  Acceptance  Step 2: Accomplish criteria desired by colleges

3. So what are the High School Graduation Requirements?

4. A passing grade of “D” or better are required to graduate, but colleges want “C” grades or better Graduation requirements are the minimums and do not guarantee eligibility or entrance to any particular college A- History/Social Science3.5 years (4 years Recommended) B- English4 years (5 th year optional) C- Mathematics2 years (Algebra-Geometry) 3-4 years recommended D- Laboratory Science2 years (Biology-Chemistry) 3-4 years recommended 5 th Year optional E-Language Other than English1 year (2-3 years Recommended) F- Visual/Performing Arts4 years G- College Prep Elective1 year Bible4 years Physical Education2 semesters Community Service20 per year = 80 hours total

5. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION 4 YEAR COLLEGE/ ADMISSION  Has minimum requirements, but also recommendations above minimum  Passing Grade= C or better  Vary from college to college  Specific majors will require additional requirements  Based on minimum requirements for all students  Passing Grade= D or better  Same for all students  Specific majors will require additional requirements

6. Do I have to take every single class offered in High School? NO What else should I focus on? YOUR INTERESTS YOUR TALENTS WHAT WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR FUTURE CAREER AND MAJOR WHAT WILL CHALLENGE YOU THE MOST

7. High School GraduationMinimum UC/CSU RequirementRecommended UC/CSU Requirement A- History/Social Science 3.5 years (Econ optional)2 years Including 1 year of world history/geography; & 1 year of U.S. history 4 YEARS B- English3 years4 years 4-5 YEARS C- Mathematics2 years (Algebra-Geometry)3 years Including Algebra 1, Geometry, & Algebra 2 4-5 YEARS D- Laboratory Science 2 years (Biology-Chemistry)2 years Including Biology, Chemistry, or Physics 4-5 YEARS E-Language Other than English 1 year2 years3 years F- Visual/ Performing Arts 4 years1 year 4 YEARS G- College Prep Elective 1 year1 year/2 semesters of any college prep elective 1-2 YEARS Bible4 years No specific requirement Physical Education2 semesters No specific requirement

8. Although completing the courses required is the first major step to being prepared for college, several other important activities should take place during High School if college is in your future:  Extra-Curricular Activities  Sports, Plays, Clubs, NHS, ASB, Church, etc  Academic Opportunities outside of the classroom  Volunteering, Internships, Jobs, Classes  Pursuing YOUR Interests  What do you love to do?  Standardized Tests  SAT, ACT

10. What exactly are colleges looking for? What should I be looking for in a college?

11.  Seniors fill out applications October- November of senior year  Most require a fee ($60 per UC, $75 per Common App)  Students self report grades, activities, leadership, & test scores  Many require counselor reports and/or teacher recommendations  Students must send official test scores (ACT, SAT) and AP Scores (about $12 per school to send SATs from College Board)  Most applications are due December 1 and seniors can expect to hear back from colleges mid-March  We recommend students apply to several safety, target, and reach schools

12.  Early Decision:  You agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although you can apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to other colleges through the regular admissions process. If you're accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications. Usually, colleges insist on a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1.  Early Action:  Early action plans are similar but are not binding, unlike early decision. If you’ve been accepted, you can choose to commit to the college immediately, or wait until the spring. Under these plans, you may also apply early action to other colleges. Usually, you have until the late spring to let the college know your decision.

13.  UC and Most Colleges require ACT+ Writing or SAT Reasoning Tests  Some majors at some colleges require or recommend SAT Subject tests as well SAT /SAT Subject www.collegeboard.com/sat  Next Test: October 5  $50/$23 per subject test ACT/ACT Writing www.act.org  Next Test: November  $35/$50.50 with writing SAT /SAT Subject www.collegeboard.com/sat  Next Test: October 5  $50/$23 per subject test ACT/ACT Writing www.act.org  Next Test: November  $35/$50.50 with writing

14.  The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.  The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test.  The College Board introduced a new version of the SAT in 2005, with a mandatory writing test. ACT continues to offer its well-established test, plus an optional writing test. You take the ACT Writing Test only if required by the college(s) you're applying to.  The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing.

15.  Sign up for “Question of the Day” emails or a “SAT Study Plan” to help you prep at

16. Type of CollegeAverage Cost Private 4 year (USC, Chapman, Biola, Cal Baptist, Hope) $32,000/year Public 4-year, OUT OF STATE (Florida State,Texas A&M) $22,000/year Public 4 Year (CSU Fullerton, Cal Poly, UC Irvine, UC Berkeley) $10,000/year Public 2 year (Santa Ana College, OCC, Cypress College) 3,500/year Stats from College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/college-costs/college-costs-faqs About two-thirds of all full-time undergraduate students receive grant aid. In 2008-09, aid in the form of grants and tax benefits averaged $2,300 per student at public two-year colleges $3,700 at public four-year colleges $10,200 per student at private four-year colleges

17. Gift AidSelf-Help Aid Grants Based on Cost of Attendance & Espected Family Contribution Work-Study Scholarships Based on performance/application Loans Stats from College Board, http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/4494.html http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/4494.html About two-thirds of all full-time undergraduate students receive grant aid. In 2008-09, aid in the form of grants and tax benefits averaged $2,300 per student at public two-year colleges $3,700 at public four-year colleges $10,200 per student at private four-year colleges

18. 1. Search for scholarships throughout junior/senior year www.apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp www.fastweb.com www.collegeanswer.com/paying/scholarship_search/pay_scholarship_search.jsp www.educationplanner.org 2. When choosing colleges to apply to, contact a financial aid advisor to ask about costs and aid available 3. Fill out FAFSA January 1 to be eligible for all financial aid 4. Fill out Cal Grant Application by Marchof Senior year 5. After a college sends an acceptance letter, it will send a financial aid package, around April of senior year, containing Grants. Compare these carefully before making your decision

19.  College 101  College Search  Applying 101  MAKING YOUR SENIOR YEAR COUNT

20. FINAL SUMMARY: Graduating High School with the best grades, classes, activities, experiences, and effort that I can is important!