1. Venice High School
Quick Guide for
Seniors

2. Contents High school graduation checklist
What are my post-grad options?
Testing info
Websites and resources
Admissions timetable
How to ask a counselor for a letter of recommendation
Surviving admissions stress

3. VHS Graduation Checklist
Credits: 55= 10th grader, 110 = 11th grader, 170 = 12th grader, 230 = graduate.
CAHSEE: a score of 350 is needed to pass each section – Math and English
Classes: Core classes and electives
Computer Literacy: computer class taken in 6th grade through 12th grade or a competency test.
Class Project: A service learning project during 11th or 12 grade. This is usually completed in a history class.

4. VHS Requirements to participate in Graduation Ceremony
Community Service: 10 hours for each year the student has attended Venice High. Four years = 40 hours.
Career Portfolio: A senior portfolio of work. This includes documents such as a resume and letters of recommendation.
Paperwork is processed by VHS staff.

5. Know your post-grad options
Community College (
-Economical, Transfer Agreement Contracts available, certificate programs
Vocational/Tech Schools, cost varies
-Practical training for specific jobs, Certificate programs, short term
California State University (
-$8820-$17,462/year
-Focus on teaching, classes taught by professors
-Goal to offer admission to top 33% of CA grads
University of California (
-$20,000-$22,800/year
-Focus on research and preparing students for grad school
-Goal to offer admission to top 12% of CA grads, ELC program top 4%
Private Schools, $23,000-$50,000/year
-Vary in size, selectivity, location, cost, etc.
Out-of-state public schools, out-of-state tuition fees

6. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Chico
San Diego*
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo*
Sonoma*
Long Beach*
Fullerton*
Channel Islands
Fresno
Humboldt
Cal Maritime Academy
Monterey Bay
Cal Poly Pomona*
Sacramento
San Francisco
San Jose
San Marcos
Stanislaus
Bakersfield
Dominguez Hills
Los Angeles
East Bay
Northridge
San Bernardino
*Impacted campuses- higher index

7. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Eligibility Index
-GPA X SAT (V&M)
-2900 is min eligibility for non-impacted campuses
SAT code: 3594 for all campuses
Apply for housing ASAP
Some campuses require transcript w/application
-(wait for them to request)
CSU will not be using the writing portion of SAT
Oct SAT test date last date for LB, CPSLO & SD
Rolling admissions
Re-routing option
Sign up for CSU mentor
Admission status check (562)

8. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Berkeley
Davis
Irvine
Los Angeles
Merced
Riverside
San Diego
Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz

9. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Eligibility calculator
Eligibility vs. Selectivity
UCB/UCLA 50% of 4.0 students are denied admission
Comprehensive Review
Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)
Apply broadly
No letters of recommendation required
Transcript not required w/ application

10. CSU and University of California Requirements:
SUBJECTS
HIGH SCHOOL
CAL STATE*
UC*
ENGLISH
4 YEARS
MATH
2 YEARS (INCLUDING 1 YR ALGEBRA 1 or Algebra B)
ALGEBRA 1
GEOMETRY
ALGEBRA 2
ALGEBRA 1, GEOMETRY,
4TH YEAR RECOMMENDED
SOCIAL STUDIES
WORLD HISTORY/GEOG
US HISTORY
GOV’T/ECONOMICS
2 YEARS INCLUDING 1 YR US HISTORY OR 1 SEM US HIST AND 1 SEM AMER GOVT
2 YEARS INCLUDING
1 YEAR WORLD HIST/GEOG AND 1 YEAR US HIDTORY OR 1 SEM US HIST AND 1 SEM AMER GOVT
SCIENCE
2 YEARS
1 YEAR PHYSICAL SCIENCE
1 YEAR BIOLOGICAL SCI
2 YEARS LAB SCIENCE
(BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, GEOLOGY, PHYSICS, PHYSIOLOGY, BIOTECH, ETC.)
(BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS PREFERRED)
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
2 YEARS FROM 2 SUBJECTS
2 YEARS SAME LANGUAGE
3RD YEAR RECOMMENDED
VISUAL/PERF ARTS
1 YEAR
CAREER TECH
NOT REQUIRED
*must have grade of C- or better

11. CSU and University of California Requirements:
SUBJECTS
HIGH SCHOOL
CAL STATE*
UC* PE
2 YEARS
NOT REQUIRED
ELECTIVES
90 CREDITS
1 YEAR FROM: English, Soc. Studies, Adv. Math, Science, Foreign Lang., Vis/Perf Arts
TOTAL
240 CREDITS
15 CLASSES MINIMUM
(10 MHS credits=1 unit)
15 CLASSES MINIMUM;
22-24 RECOMMENDED
*MUST EARN GRADES OF C OR BETTER IN ALL CLASSES

12. PRIVATE AND OUT-OF-STATE
Requirements vary
Deadlines vary
Letters of Recommendation
-Counselor recommendation
Student statement
-Teacher recommendation
Official transcripts required
Early Action, Early Decision
Rolling admission

13. What counts most with Admissions Directors?
Grades in college prep courses
Admissions test scores
Grades in all subjects
Senior year classes
Class rank
Essay/personal statement
Work/extra curricular activities
Counselor recommendation
Teacher recommendation
Interview
Ability to pay

14. TEST INFO SAT Reasoning Test ACT
ACT
SAT Subject tests (UC requires 2 tests in 2 different subjects)
Literature
Foreign Language
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
US History
World History
Math 2

15. RESPONSIBILITIES
STUDENT- set priorities, research colleges, request letters of recommendation, organize, fill out applications, write personal statements, contact w/admissions offices
PARENTS- ‘coach not quarterback’, gives input, write checks
COUNSELOR- gives input and guidance, letter of recommendation, sounding board

16. COUNSELING OFFICE HOURS
The counseling office is open Monday through Friday from
7:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please feel free to call or make an appointment.
The counseling office telephone number is
310/

17. COUNSELING CONTACTS Mr. Zarate… A-F & CASAA
(310)
Ms. Cleary… G-K & 9th Grade Magnet
(310)
Mrs. Goodwin… L-M & BBFA
(310)
Ms. Talley… N-S & ESL
(310)

18. Counseling Office Contacts continued
Mrs. Roche-Blair… T-Z, NMA, & AVID
(310)
Ms. Sturgeon… 10th – 12th Grade Magnet
(310)
Ms. Davis… Credit Recovery Program
(310)
Ms. Reyes… College Counselor
(310)
Ms. Cohen… Work Experience Coordinator  
(310)

19. WEBSITES & RESOURCES
University of California
California State Universities
California Community website:
NCAA Clearinghouse:
The Common Application
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
College Planning Websites:
  (Free if you take the PSAT)
Financial Aid Search:

20. ADMISSIONS TIME TABLE Grade 12- Senior Year Sept/October
Take (or retake) SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests (Oct. is last acceptable test date for many early action/early decision schools)
Finalize list of colleges (6-10) .
Review online applications or request paper application.
Work on college essays
See counselor and teachers early for recommendations
See college reps in the College/Career center
Keep an eye out for scholarship applications
Complete CSS profile at ( Opens on Oct 1 and it’s required by many private colleges for financial aid consideration)

21. ADMISSIONS TIME TABLE Grade 12- Senior Year Nov/Dec January
Take any remaining planned SAT or ACT tests
Complete UC and CSU Applications by Nov 30.
Have test scores sent to colleges/NCAA directly from testing company.
Complete all applications by Dec 20 and enjoy winter break!
Keep an eye out for scholarship applications
January
Fill out FAFSA (January 2 – March 2 )
Keep grades up!
Do not drop classes. A college application is a contract.
Keep looking for those scholarship opportunities!

22. ADMISSIONS TIME TABLE Grade 12- Senior Year February March/April May
request transcripts for Mid-year reports by Feb. 15
March/April
Acceptances start coming!
apply for housing—maybe even before acceptance
May
May 1 SIR = Student Intent to Register– confirm admission and sign up for orientation.
Arrange to take any necessary placement exams for English and math classes.
Request that a final transcript be sent after graduation.

23. Letters of Recommendation
Students need to provide counselors with
Student Brag sheet, including activities and awards
-- Brag Sheet
Copy of essay(s)
Transcript release form
request from Common app or other on-line application program.
Stamped, addressed envelope for each college
School report forms or other forms that counselors need to fill out
list of schools and due dates.
Teachers will want similar information.
UC and Cal State campuses do not require letters or recommendation.

24. The Essay Essays should be
Personal: The essay written in the student’s own voice. It should be about something that is personally important.
Concise: Every word counts! Every sentence should add information and meaning.
Specific: Use examples. Don’t use the word “everything” when you could list 2 or 3 specific things.
Connect specific events to a larger theme

25. SURVIVING THE ADMISSIONS FRENZY
Make sure your measures of success are not dependent on things outside your control
Be organized
Work together
Keep communicating

26. REMEMBER:
“College is a match to be made-not a prize to be won!”