1. College Night for Seniors Class of 2015
For Students & Parents!
Las Lomas High School
Counseling Department and College/Career Center

2. Welcome Senior Students and Parents
UNDERSTANDING SENIOR YEAR
Senior Year Mythbusters
Dealing with Stress and Senioritis
Parent’s Role
Promoting resilience
Naviance
College Systems Overview

3. Mythbusters

4. Common Myths… Freshman Grades Don’t Count. Senior year is easy!
I can do my senior project in a week.
Scholarships are only for 4-year colleges.
No one cares about senior grades.
I can’t afford a 4-year college, so I’ll go to a Community College.
No one from LL gets into UC schools.
Applying early increases chances of getting into college.

5. Naviance

6. Naviance It’s your own personal one-stop shop
Quick and easy college/vocational program searches
Useful tool in the college application process
It’s your ticket to transcripts and letters of recommendation
Letters of Recommendation – 4 weeks advance notice required!
Teacher Recommendation
Complete survey on Naviance, print, and give to teacher OR
Pick up blue form in College/Career Center, complete, and give to teacher
Counselor Recommendation
Complete 3 surveys on Naviance and counselor to notify
Sending Official Transcripts
Input request into Naviance
Print status page and turn in to counseling office with payment

7. How do I get on Naviance? http://connection.naviance.com/laslomas
If you have not already registered, visit Ellen Smith in the College/Career Center to get started.
If you have already registered, but forgot your username:
Try your address as your username and your corresponding password as your password. or
See Ellen Smith to reset your username or password

8. College/Career Center
College Representative Visits – see full schedule of local college fairs, information sessions and college reps visiting LLHS on Naviance and
Social Media
Check out Facebook, Twitter and blogs for colleges you are interested in
Be careful of what you post on Facebook – Colleges and Employers are looking!
California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Honor Society
Assistance with college applications; info about specialty schools and apprenticeships and gap year programs
Lending library of college related and career materials
NCAA Clearinghouse

9. Financial Aid / Cost to Attend College
Financial Aid Seminar – Oct. 7pm LLHS Theatre
Financial Aid may be available/FAFSA is applicable at all accredited schools
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Workshop – January 21, 2015
FAFSA Free to apply!
Apply online January 1, 2015 – March 2, 2015
Cal Grant Free to apply!
Pick up GPA verification form in College/Career Center
Submit to Counseling Office Jan. 1, – March 2, 2015
CSS Profile
Selected private universities will require this profile.
Fee charged (fee waiver may be available)
Colleges may have own forms and priority due dates
Have a discussion about what your family can afford

10. LIFE AFTER LAS LOMAS Where do Las Lomas students go after graduation?

11. College Systems Overview
Community Colleges
California State Universities (CSU)
Universities of California (UC)
Private/Independent Universities
Public Out-of-State Universities
College Fair at Cal High, Oct. 29, 6:30-8:30 pm

12. Community Colleges

13. Community Colleges
Associate Degree & Vocational Certificate Programs are offered
Transfer programs to 4-year colleges.
Using can help you prepare.
UC transfer planner guide:
112 campuses to choose!
12 have dorms on site!
No SAT or ACT required for any Community College
Apply EARLY in the Spring semester
Complete online application
Take assessment tests
Complete orientation class (if required)
Must be a high school graduate or 18 years old to attend

14. Diablo Valley College (DVC) www.dvc.edu
Community Colleges
Diablo Valley College (DVC)
DVC Night - February 18, 2015, 7:00 PM, LL Theatre
DVC application workshops at LLHS in the spring
English & Math Placement Exams will be offered at LLHS
Specific date TBA (March/April 2015)
DVC Special Programs:
Disability Support Services (DSS)
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Check in the College/Career Center for information on
other California Community Colleges.

15. Four Year Colleges

16. What’s the magic recipe to get into a good college?
Prepare Yourself
Challenge Yourself
Search Yourself
Be Yourself
Show Resilience
Applying to college is an act of personal integrity

17. Applying to College Apply and submit all documents on time!
Classes which meet college admission requirements are on the “a-g” list by year
Pass all your senior courses with a C or higher!
Stay organized!
Create a file for college info and a calendar of senior year deadlines
Keep printouts of your application and other communications, plus a file of your passwords

18. SENIOR YEAR DOES MATTER!
Grades & course selection do make an impact on your acceptance!
Last day to drop classes: October 24th
Keep up senior grades or acceptance can be rescinded!

19. Student Checklist Before You Begin Your Application Make Sure You Have:
High School/College Transcript
Use to correctly enter your classes and grades
Do not report classes and grades by memory
Test Scores
Send your SAT/ACT, if applicable Subject Exams
Scores are only considered official if sent directly from the testing agency (College Board or ACT)
Activities & Awards
Make a list of most significant awards, volunteer work, paid work and extra-curricular activities.
Make note of time involved in activity. BE SPECIFIC! Use details of what you did!
Essay/Personal Statement
Student is the star! Show your voice!

20. After you apply…. Check your email often!
Make sure your address reflects how you want the colleges to see you.
Check your campus web portal and corresponding account.
Student must notify all colleges if courses listed on the applications change, or if a semester grade is a “D” or “F.”
Check early for housing! Housing application dates and procedures vary by campus.

21. A-G Subject Requirements UC and CSU Systems
A: 2 yrs History/Social Science
B: 4 yrs of English
C: 3 yrs (4 recommended) Math
D: 2 yrs (3 recommended) Laboratory Science
E: 2 yrs (3 recommended) Language Other than English
F: 1 yr Visual & Performing Arts
G: 1 yr College Preparatory Elective

22. California State Universities (CSU)

23. California State Universities (CSU)
23 campuses
16 CSUs impacted for first-time freshman in
Chico
Northridge
San Jose
San Luis Obispo
Fresno
Pomona
San Marcos
Fullerton
Sacramento
Sonoma
Humboldt
San Bernardino
Long Beach
San Diego
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Impacted means there are more applications received than there are available freshman spots at that campus, resulting in increased competitiveness.

24. California State Universities (CSU)
Local area CSUs: East Bay and SFSU
Non-impacted campuses may have impacted programs
Nursing, Criminal Justice, Business
Check on csumentor.edu for complete list
Visit to determine impacted majors/campuses
To find all degrees/programs available by CSU campus visit

25. California State Universities (CSU)
Admission based on “a-g” courses, GPA and SAT or ACT test score. CSU does not review “writing” portion of the SAT/ACT.
No essay or recommendations required or accepted
Application period Oct.1- Nov.30, 2014
Fee $55* per campus. Fee waiver available.
Visit to apply & get info on all CSU’s

26. California State Universities (CSU)
Send transcript only when the campus requests it. Failure to submit transcript or SAT/ACT scores will result in admission denial.
Confirm acceptance ASAP. No later than May 1st.
Cal Poly - Early Decision Option (except for Art and Music Majors) Only CSU to use 9 – 12 GPA
Eligibility Index Table:
Additional admissions information

27. California State Universities (CSU)
The majority of CSU campuses do not accept coursework the summer after graduation to complete admission requirements.
The EPT (English Placement Test) and/or ELM (Entry Level Math) placement tests may be required in the spring of senior year.
Check from the college for more information.
Meet all deadlines!

28. University of California (UC)

29. University of California (UC) System
9 Undergraduate campuses
1 Graduate campus (UCSF)
Admission based on comprehensive review of:
“a-g” courses & GPA
SAT or ACT score
SAT Subject Tests not required, may be recommended
Personal statement
No change in prompts
Extracurricular activities & honors/awards
No letters of recommendation

30. Comprehensive Review Factors
Campuses draw from 14 academic and personal factors approved by University faculty, including: Grades and test scores and:
Quality of senior year program
Special talents, achievements & awards
Promise for leadership
Recent, marked improvement in academic performance
Significant community service
Participation in student government
Intensive study and exploration of other cultures
Full list of factors:

31. University of California (UC) System
Application available now; Submit Nov. 1- Nov. 30, 2014
Send a transcript when requested by the college.
You will need to submit a final transcript after graduation.
Admissions Index Calculator:
Apply online at:
Fee to apply $70 per campus
Help Desk and

32. University of California (UC) System
Online UC college fair:
Thursday, October 2nd 9 am -7 pm
video/online chat

33. UC Admission Admit Rate – Fall 2014
UC Berkeley 17.3%
UC Davis 40.6%
UC Irvine 35.4%
UCLA 18.2%
UC Merced 64%
UC Riverside 56.7%
UC San Diego 33.4%
UC Santa Barbara 36.1%
UC Santa Cruz 56.9%

34. Independent/Private Universities

35. Independent/Private Universities
77 campuses in CA
Admissions criteria--check with each individual campus!
Most require SAT or ACT
Subject Tests may be required
Most require essays, letters of recommendation, and transcript upon application
Extracurricular activities, work experience, and honors/awards may be considered
Common Application
Secondary School Report = Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Common Application deadlines vary

36. Independent/Private Universities
Early Decision/Early Action/Rolling Admissions
Helpful websites:
Compare college costs and financial aid offers

37. Out of State Public Universities
Check individual admission policies and deadlines
SAT/ACT are usually required
Essay and/or letters of recommendation may be required or considered
Extracurricular activities, work experience, and awards/honors may be required or considered
College/Career Center will host admissions representatives on our campus
Sign up to meet these reps!
Consider Western Undergraduate Exchange
Tuition scholarship program for public colleges/universities in the western states

38. Need Help With Your Applications?
Tuesdays October 7 thru November 4 application help from the counseling staff 6th & 7th periods in the College/Career Center
Application tips:
Government and Econ are one semester classes.
For UC and CSU apps, Econ is in the drop down menu for college-prep electives.
Current semester classes should be listed as “In Progress”; spring semester classes as “Planned.”
Apply Broadly!

39. CONTACT INFORMATION Counselor (A-Cai) ext Counselor (Cal-Ha) Hanalee Washburn 2124 Counselor (He-McG) Kara Bloodgood 2127 Counselor (Mcl-Schn) Marilyn Lewis-Hampton 2123 Counselor (Scho-Z) Valerie Wright-Smith Registrar Beth Chastain 2119 College Advisor Ellen Smith 2117 Testing Coordinator Allison Ridenhour 2116