Look where our students have been accepted so far….

Congratulations Class of 2013!

U PennNorthwesternIndianaU of Washington, SeattleWashington U at St. LouisSan Diego StateOregonOregon StatePurdueIowaMiamiCal LutheranBoston TuftsTulaneChapmanPepperdine

USCNYULong Beach StateSan Francisco StateSacramento StateU of Texas, AustinMichigan StateMichiganArizona StateU of ArizonaPaceEmoryXavierPenn StateSyracuseCal Poly PomonaTransylvania U

UCLAUC BerkeleyUC San DiegoUC Santa BarbaraUC IrvineUC RiversideUC DavisUC Santa CruzUC MercedCSUNCSU Long BeachCSU East BayCSU Channel IslandsSonoma StateMarymount ManhattanU of Massachusetts at AmherstU of Colorado, Colorado Springs

11th Grade: Graduation and Beyond

Teri Owen, College CounselorAubrey Pasmyn, Counselor

LAUSD GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Subject Requirements / Credits Required English 40 credits College Prep Math 20 credits College Prep Biology Science 10 credits College Prep Physical Science 10 credits Social Science 30 credits Visual/Performing Arts 10 credits Physical Education 20 credits Health 5 credits Applied Technology 10 credits Electives 75 credits = total of 230

credits

In addition: CAHSEE Math/ELA, Computer Literacy, Service Learning

CREDIT RECOVERY OPTIONS Summer School LAUSD: one 5 credit course at Chatsworth or Grant

HS (get enrollment form from counselor for

replacement of Ds and Fs only) OFL: two-three 5 credit courses at an OFL Center (get enrollment form from counselor) OFY: two 5 credit courses at an OFY Center (get enrollment form from counselor) Adult School: various courses available (see

counselor) Community Colleges: accepted courses on

handout ROP: Check counseling office in May for options WVOC: Check with WVOC for available classes

Credit Recovery Options

During the School Year Adult School: one course at a time when

student is in good standing at Taft Community College: classes listed on handout,

as approved by College Office ROP: course offerings vary, see counselor, Fall

2013 WVOC: course offerings vary, check with WVOC and counselor Fall 2013 Students will be notified if and when any other

options are made available.

Senior Graduation Check

Counselors meet w/ seniors Sept to review remaining graduation requirements and options for credit recovery

Parents notified, in writing, regarding student’s graduation status. If student missing any graduation requirements,

parent will be notified and options will be provided Seniors needing credit recovery have priority

for adult school courses offered at Taft A senior parent meeting in the Fall to review

Taft policies regarding participation in senior activities

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL… Students choose to do many different things

after high school depending on their personal situation.

Some options include: Employment Vocational School Military Gap Year College/University

College Name Game How many colleges can you think of???

There are over 3,000 schools in the United States alone…

What’s in a name???

DON’T FALL INTO THE NAME TRAP! Just because you haven’t heard of it, doesn’t mean

it’s not an excellent school!

California’s Higher Education System Community Colleges – 2 year colleges

(i.e. Pierce, Valley, Santa Monica, Moorpark, Glendale)

California State Universities – 4 year universities (i.e. CSUN, CSULA, San Diego State, Cal Poly San Luis

Obispo)

University of California – 4 year universities (i.e. UCB, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, UCI, UCD, UCSC, UCR, UCM)

Private Universities – 4 year colleges and universities (i.e. USC, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Cal Lutheran)

UC/CSU A-G Eligibility Requirements A-Social Studies: 2 years required (3-4

recommended) B-English: 4 years required C-Math: 3 years required (4 recommended) D-Lab Science: 1 year biological, 1 year physical

(3-4 years recommended) E-World Language: 2 years required (3-4

recommended) F-Fine Art: 1 year required G-Additional Academic Elective requirement-1 year

min.

Eligible DOES NOT equal competitive!

Standardized Testing Options: SAT Reasoning (2400 pt scale) or ACT (36 pt

scale) 3 ½ hr test; equally accepted Required by most 4-year universities SAT Reasoning: Math, Verbal, Writing ACT: Math, English, Reading, Science, Writing Can be taken multiple times

SAT Subject Tests (800 pt scale) 1 hr test in specific subject areas 2 or 3 required by some 4-year schools Some UC Campuses recommend tests for certain

majors Student chooses which tests to take Can be taken multiple times

Testing Tips Take each test more than once to

improve scores Test prep (practice makes a difference)

Prep books Prep courses Tutors / Practice exams

2 fee waivers for each test available, if eligible (i.e. school lunch program)

Take Subject Test(s) after completing subject courses

College Admittance Criteria Most schools take a holistic approach Academics:

Grades (Cs or better, Ds are not accepted for college)

Challenging coursework Concurrent enrollment in community college classes

Test scores: SAT/ACT, Subject Tests (if required) Extracurricular activities at school:

Sports, clubs, music, drama, leadership, etc. Community service / Volunteer work outside

school: Find your passion! Make a commitment!

College Admittance Criteria Personal Essays (if required)

Leadership Life experience Personal qualities (what makes student unique and a

good fit) Awards / recognition

Letters of Recommendation (if required or optional; students must give counselors/teachers advance notice)

Participation in special programs Summer programs, internships, employment, etc.

Special factors Talent, legacy, first in family to attend college, diversity,

etc.

Deciphering GPAs/Class Rank Every Taft student has 3 unique GPAs LAUSD GPA: 9th – 11th grade marks on a 4.0 scale,

with a ¼ pt. weighting for all AP classes (senior ranking is determined with this GPA, recalculated after 12th grade fall final marks) UC/CSU GPA: 10th -11th grade marks on a 4.0 scale, with a full pt. weighting for all AP classes and applicable honors courses (see flyer) Financial Aid GPA: 10th-11th grade unweighted marks on a 4.0 scale (excludes PE)

Deciding Factors: 4-year vs. 2-year Housing Location Cost/Financial aid package Degrees offered Weather

Extracurricular activities Size (small vs. big) Special programs Unique college life

aspects Academic focus

What can each school offer?What is the best fit for student?

Private Schools with a Special Focus Historically black colleges

(i.e. Morehouse, Howard) Liberal Arts colleges

(i.e. Whittier, Claremont) Women’s colleges

(i.e. Scripps, Smith, Bryn Mawr) Fine Arts / Dramatic Arts schools

(i.e. Cal Arts, Berklee School of Music, Julliard, Otis) Denominational schools

(i.e. Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, University of Judaism)

Community College Option Eligibility

18 years old or high school diploma Placement exams in Math and English

Accelerated programs Honors Programs College credit for AP tests (scores of 3 or higher) Transfer agreements with certain 4 year colleges

and universities Technical / Specialized programs

Less expensive than private technical school Skills for job placement (nursing, culinary arts, fire

science)

Choosing Community College Over 4-Year Lower cost Closer to home Smaller class size Bridge to a four year school Programs not offered at 4-year college Easy entrance requirements Complete general education requirements before

transfer Opportunity to decide on major Not accepted to school of choice Opportunity to transfer to dream college or

university

Choose schools wisely! Safety schools

must have AT LEAST ONE safety school Competitive schools

likely to be accepted, not guaranteed Reach schools

very competitive, may not be accepted Pick schools in each category UCLA, UCB, UCSD, and UCSB are

COMPETITIVE/REACH schools for everyone!

Researching a College Internet

collegeboard.org collegedata.com csumentor.edu ucop.edu/pathways

College visits Tours/virtual tours Summer programs

Compare colleges Start by visiting local colleges and

universities

How to Pay for College Forms of financial aid

Grants Scholarships Loans Work study

Sources of financial aid Federal government State government University grants Private organizations for

scholarships Lending institutions

College Finances Scholarships websites

fastweb.com finaid.com

File FAFSA before March 2 of senior year fafsa.ed.gov EFC (Expected Family Contribution): same no

matter what school you attend! File CSS profile for private schools senior year Cal Grant GPA verification automatically sent

by LAUSD for Cal Grant eligibility DON’T FALL FOR SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS!

NEVER PAY FOR FREE MONEY!

Junior Timeline January-March: Standardized test prep March/April: SAT Reasoning/ACT May: AP exams June: SAT Subject tests

Athletes file w/ NCAA Eligibility Center

Summer: College research and visits Work on Essays / Personal statements (many prompts are

available on-line now including the Common Application) Last chance to increase GPA through college

classes/summer school Make good use of time!

Senior Timeline Oct.: Applications available for UCs/CSUs

Take SAT/ACT and SAT Subject Tests Ask for letters of recommendation (EARLY)

Nov. : UC/CSU applications due November 30th

Take SAT/ACT and SAT Subject tests (if app.)

Dec.: Most private school applications due Last chance to take SAT/ACT (and

submit scores) Jan.-March 2: File financial aid forms (FAFSA) April: Decide on college (notify before 5/1) May: AP Exams June: GRADUATION!!

College Office Services/Assistance Peer College Counselors Senior meetings College application help Catalogs and brochures Application workshops College rep visits

Scholarships Financial aid

information Concurrent Enrollment Test prep materials Recommendations Senior Rank/GPAs

Contact Information Aubrey Pasmyn: atp1616@lausd.net

(counselor) (818) 227-3619 Teri Owen: teri.owen@lausd.net

(college counselor) (818) 227-3636

Counseling Office: (818)227-3610 Website: www.tafthigh.org “College

Corner”

THE END…or just the beginning?

Questions?