College Information Night for Sophomore/Junior Parents

Presented by Acalanes Counseling Department

• Anne Schonauer A- El

• Lynn Millar En-Lar

• Marissa Meadows Las- Re (filling in for Cheryl Lua)

• Susan Martin Ri-Z

• Joan Karr College & Career Advisor

Agenda

Agenda:

1. Course selection for next year

2. Starting the college search

Tasks and timeline

Review the basics

Types of colleges

Testing

.

Course Selection

Don’t Overload!

Consider time commitments, personal strengths and interests

Don’t forget to leave time for family, friends and personal time.

Open House is February 4 Opportunity to learn about curriculum, ask questions

Course Selection due Feb 10 for Sophomores

Feb 11 for Juniors

Counselors visiting classrooms Feb 2-11

Math Sequences

Counseling

Counselors will meet with Sophomores and Juniors throughout 2nd semester to discuss course selection and college planning

College Search Process

College is a match to be made,

not a prize to be won!

College Search Process

Responsibilities:

• STUDENT - take the lead! Research colleges, request letters of

recommendation, organize, fill out applications, write personal

statements, contact w/admissions offices

• PARENTS - ‘coach not quarterback’, give guidelines, reminders,

support. Discuss financial parameters with your student.

• COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER information center - College rep visits,

application workshops, scholarship applications, guidance,

help with application forms.

•COUNSELOR - give input & guidance, letter of recommendation,

sounding board

College and Career Center

• Students are encouraged to meet with Joan Karr

• Naviance Workshop for all Juniors in Spring

• Career Interest Inventory with all Sophomores in Spring

• Meet with students and parents by appointment

• Visit the C&CC website: www.acalanes.k12.ca.us

• College rep visits for juniors and seniors (mostly in Fall semester)

• College application workshops for seniors

Naviance

• www.connection.naviance.com/acalanes

• Sophomores are introduced to the website

• Naviance has a college search and college compare function

• Students may take an interest inventory

• Seniors will list colleges, sign up for college visits, request letters of recommendation, and order transcripts on Naviance

Timeline--Sophomores

Spring of Sophomore year

• choose courses wisely for junior year

• plan something fun and interesting for summer

• start visiting colleges

Timeline--Juniors

Fall of Junior year:

• take PSAT (October)

• register for SAT or ACT spring dates

Spring of Junior year

• plan something fun and interesting for summer

• choose courses wisely for senior year

• take SAT and/or ACT

• visit colleges

• start forming a list of colleges to apply to

• attend college rep visits in College and Career Center

• think about letters of recommendation

Timeline--Seniors

Senior year:

August/September

-- Get organized! Make a chart of applications, requirements, deadlines, passwords, etc.

--Finalize list of colleges to apply

--Start applications online

--If letters of recommendation are needed, ask teachers, counselor and update Naviance

October/November

-- Early Decision & Early Action deadlines are Nov. 1 - Nov 15.

Finish early applications

Timeline--Seniors cont’d

December/January

• Continue working on applications to meet December and January 1 deadlines.

• Get notification from Early Action schools

January/February

• Complete FAFSA by March 2

• Keep waiting to hear from colleges

• Apply to Community colleges

March/April

• Receive all application decisions

May 1

• Decide and submit Student Intent to Register

University of California

• www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions

• Apply online August 1 - November 30

• SAT or ACT with Writing required

• SAT Subject Tests recommended for certain majors

• Comprehensive review of applications, including coursework, grades and test scores, activities list and 2 essays.

• No letters of recommendation required

• Apply broadly among nine undergrad campuses for best chance of admission

California State University

• www.csumentor.edu • Apply online October 1 -November 30 • SAT or ACT required • Admission index based on 10 - 12 academic GPA

and test scores only • No letters of recommendatio or essays required • Apply broadly among 23 campuses for best chance

of admission

Private Colleges and Universities

• Apply on Common Application or college website

• Most require SAT or ACT; some require Subject Tests

• letters of recommendation, essays and activities list required

• Many have Early Action or Early Decision options

Out-of-State Public Colleges and Universities

• Requirements and deadlines vary - check school websites

• some use Common Application, some have application on college website.

• SAT or ACT is usually required

• Transcript usually required

• May require letters of recommendation

• Some schools have rolling admission policies and/or Early Action/Decision options

California Community Colleges

• www.cccco.edu • No SAT or ACT required • Transfer to a four year institution after completion

of lower division coursework • Apply in the spring of senior year • Placement tests in math and English required

Visit College Campuses

• Consider visiting college campuses during Spring break or over the summer

• When you visit a campus, arrange to take the official tour

• Many colleges offer programs for high school students over the summer

Financial Aid

• FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is required www.fafsa.ed.gov

• CSS Profile is required by some, mostly private, schools www.cssprofile.org

• Check Net Cost Calculator on college websites

• Look into Western Undergraduate Exchange, WUE, for reduced out of state tuition for some public schools in the Western States

Testing

• Most four year colleges require SAT or ACT tests

• Students may choose to take either test for college admissions

• SAT is given seven times a year

• ACT with Writing is given six times a year

• Some schools require SAT Subject Tests

• The new SAT will debut in March 2016

Method Test Prep for SAT and ACT

• LPIE and Acalanes Parents Club have provided student access to Method Test Prep (MTP)

• MTP is an online course that will help with SAT/ACT test skills

• Students are invited to to sign up for MTP on our website

• MTP is self paced. Sections may be completed in 15 minutes.

Upcoming Events

• Open House Thursday, February 4

• Course selection due Feb 10, 11

• Career Day: Thursday, March 10, 2016

– Students sign up in February

• EBCC College Fair at St. Mary’s College

Sat. May 7, 201 1:30 - 4:30

– Recommended for Sophomores and Juniors

Questions???