2. 1 presents: Mercers Foolproof Guide to

3. 2 Doug Mercer - resident guru College, financial aid, career counselor 765-5150, ext. 282 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday (fully awake after 10:00 AM)

4. 3 OUR MISSION : To maintain student / parent / counselor sanity To maintain student / parent / counselor sanity To provide an overview of all the opportunities available To provide an overview of all the opportunities available To discuss admission requirements, procedures, deadlines, and costs for California colleges To discuss admission requirements, procedures, deadlines, and costs for California colleges To facilitate the college shopping and application process To facilitate the college shopping and application process To help students bridge the gap between HHS and their chosen career To help students bridge the gap between HHS and their chosen career To help HHS students make the world a better place for our retirement To help HHS students make the world a better place for our retirement

5. 4 COLLEGE COUNSELING SERVICES AT HHS -your tax dollar$ at work… Information (Career Center / Eureka) Campus visits (Fut. Coll. Grads Club) Forms and applications Workshops: student/ parent College testing info & apps (SAT, ACT) Interest, aptitude testing Sage advice from the guru & others

6. 5 Workshops Student: during school - 1st or 2nd period (theatre) advance sign-up & permission form required Parent (students ok, too): weeknight from 7:00 - 8:30 PM (theatre) or Saturday morning 9:00 - 10:30 (Rm. 747)

7. 6 College Planning TIMELINES: Freshman year: Take college prep classes in core subjects Get good grades Get involved in school and community Sophomore year: Continue curriculum, grades, & activities October - take PSAT test Informal college shopping

8. 7 Timelines... Junior Year: Continue curriculum, grades, & activities Serious college shopping & campus visits October - take PSAT again April - take SAT prep class May / June - take SAT I and / or II (ACT for BYU)

9. 8 Timelines... Senior year: (avoid senioritis!!!) Sept./ Oct. - sign up for testing Oct. / Nov. - review for & re-take SAT I /II Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 – CSU & UC apps due December - workshops on financial aid Jan. 1 - Mar. 2 - file FAFSA & GPA verif. Feb. - finalize HHS local scholarship file Feb. - June - college & fin. aid paperwork

10. 9 OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION California Community Colleges: 106 colleges plus satellite campuses 2 year university transfer program Associate Degree Program (2 years) Vocational Certificate Program (1-2 years) Cost: Approximately $400/ yr. Tuition, plus books and living expenses

11. 10 Private Vocational & Tech Schools Specialized training programs with rapid preparation for the job market Certificate, Associate Degree, & some B.A. degree programs Cost: $4,000 - $20,000 / year tuition plus books and living expenses Opportunities...

12. 11 Calif. State University (CSU) System: 23 campuses + 9 off campus centers Bachelors, Masters and credential programs in a wide variety of majors (some PhD programs) Cost: average $12,580 / year for all expenses (living on campus) Practical, hands on education –preparation for careers in the real world -the largest producer of certificated teachers in Calif. Opportunities...

13. 12 University of Calif. (UC) System: 9 campuses Bachelors, Masters, and PhD. Programs in a wide variety of majors Cost: average $16,810 / year for all expenses (living on campus) Well-rounded, research based education - theoretical emphasis -strong preparation for future study at the graduate level Opportunities...

14. 13 Private / Independent Colleges and Universities: Approximately 100 different schools in California, hundreds more across the U.S. Cost: $15,000 - $38,000 / year for all expenses (living on campus) Smaller classes, more personalized education than many public colleges / universities Opportunities...

15. 14 Out of state Public Colleges and Universities: Programs and expenses vary a great deal -beware of non-resident tuition costs and residency requirements -current bargains for out of state residents: Utah, Idaho, New Mexico Opportunities...

16. 15 COLLEGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: UC / CSU 1 year U.S. History / Government 1 year World History (or approved Soc. Sci.) 4 years English 3 years math: Alg. I, II, Geometry 2 years Lab science (life / physical) 2 years Foreign Language 1 year of Visual & Performing Arts 1 year of College Prep Electives

17. 16 ADMISSIONS TESTING SAT I: UC, CSU, & most 4 year colleges SAT II: UC & some private colleges 3 tests: writing, math, + 3rd subject ACT: BYU & some out of state (also accepted as equivalent to SAT I) When? May / June of Jr. year Re-take in Oct., Nov. of Sr. year

18. 17 FACTORS IN COLLEGE ADMISSION DECISIONS Grade point average (GPA) SAT or ACT scores Quality of high school courses Activities / leadership / community service / work experience Essay (UC, private) Recommendations (private, some UCB only) Interview (private only)

19. 18 CHOOSING A COLLEGE Factors to consider: Program / majors Location Size Comfort Co$t

20. 19 Choosing a college... The Shopping Process: Do your homework Make the connection with reps Network with grads, professionals Visit campuses on normal school days

21. 20 Choosing a college... Prioritizing and Planning: Plan A: dream school Plan B: 2nd choice - easier admission and cheaper price tag Plan C: next choice - softer admission and cheaper yet Plan D: safety net - 2 yrs. Community College and transfer

22. 21 THE APPLICATION PROCESS UC & CSU: HHS app. workshops in Oct. App. period: Nov. 1 – 30 UC, Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 CSU Response by March 31 (Dont forget housing applications and deposits!) Letter of intent to enroll by May 1

23. 22 Application process... Other colleges and universities: Deadlines and procedures vary Check with each campus HHS workshop on private schools & applications in November

24. 23 FINANCIAL AID S OURCE $ Public sources- government-based: Federal programs Pell Grant FSEOG Grant Stafford, Perkins, & PLUS loans Work study

25. 24 Financial aid... State Programs: Cal Grants Governors Scholarship Program Work study, etc.

26. 25 Financial aid... Special entitlement / needs programs: veterans disabilities minorities

27. 26 Institutional (campus based) funds: academic athletic performing arts alumni / regents, etc. major related Financial aid...

28. 27 Financial Aid… $$$$ Local Sources: HHS & area service clubs, businesses, and individuals Private sources: companies, charities, foundations, etc.

29. 28 APPLICATION Proce$$ FAFSA between Jan. 1 and Mar. 2 List all possible colleges on FAFSA Calif. GPA Verification by Mar. 2 (Sept. 2 allowed for CC students) Campus required forms (in house apps or CSS Profile) HHS Scholarship folder by mid-February Private scholarships (fastweb.com)

30. 29 MERCER EDITORIALS Education is your most important investment! Go somewhere and do something! Work & save, then school = bad idea! If student is ready... Academically (grades, GPA, skills) Emotionally (maturity, responsibility) Financially ($$, financial aid), THEN.....

31. 30 Mercer editorials... Go to 4 year college away from home Live on campus for at least 1 year If not ready in all 3 categories: Jr. college (home or away) Dont go crazy selecting major generic or undeclared majors are ok at most colleges (exc. CSUCI, MA, & SLO) a B.A. degree is possible in 4 years

32. 31 Mercer editorials... Apply for financial aid (Dec. workshop) Get organized, seek help, and dont be afraid to ask questions and finally...

33. 32 Mercer editorials… Follow your dreams...the possibilities are endless!!

34. 33 YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Try the Higher Education Quiz Review all handouts Discuss college possibilities & plans with family and others Attend future workshops Make it happen!