Mountain View High School Counseling Dept. Presents

Seniors’ Guide to a Great Year

Where to Start

1. 2.

3.4.

5.

Counseling DepartmentIntroductions

• Counselors: Carol Bastian, Counselor Coordinator

Mariela Ho

David Marroquin

Linda Schortz

Marti McGuirk

Admin. Asst. Carol Johnson• College & Career Center: Laurel Brock Funded by MVLA High School Foundation

• Registrar: Rose Russo

The Disease

Watch out for Senioritis!

Previously-admittedstudents have beendenied admission, orhad admission delayed,due to poor grades intheir Senior year.

Hundreds of students denied by the UCs nationally

Other Detractors

• Disciplinary actions

• School truancies

• Misdemeanors and felony arrests

• Internet indiscretions

Sr. Schedule is a Promise

Once you apply:

no Ds or Fs,

no Dropped classes!

THIS IS USUALLY A DEAL BREAKER!!

If student must change a class,

or if grades fall to a D or an F,

s/he must contact each college.

Applying to Colleges

Seniors must plan ahead and meet deadlines.

Register with Family Connection.

Acceptable e-mail address

Read e-mail from colleges and MVHS.

What is Family Connection?

• Web-based resource that supports course, career, and college planning

• Specific to MVHS

• Allows the Counseling Office to communicate with you via e-mail

What should you do on Family Connection?

• Develop and share your resume and plans• Complete surveys• Compare colleges• Develop college list• Test preparation• Search for scholarships• Know schedule of college visits• Receive communications from counselors• And much more . . . Scattergrams: • Compare your grades and test scores

The red circle is YOU. Compare to previous MVHS outcomes.

Scattergrams: How does your data compare?

Developing the College List

Apply Broadly

• 2 Reach, 4 Target, 2 Safety

• CSU-UC, out-of-state Public,

• Community Colleges

• Private colleges/universities

• Academic or Technical [hands-on]

California’s Public Universities

• University of California: file Nov. 1–30.• California State University: file Oct. 1–Nov. 30.• Online applications more accurate, easier

For CSU, go to www.csumentor.edu

For UC, go to

www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply

• Apply for housing now

The Thanksgiving weekend plan is a turkey:

File before Thanksgiving!

Private Colleges/Universities

When to apply:

Early Decision (binding contract),

Early Action,

Regular Decision

Rolling admissions

Secondary School Report and Mid-year Report

Use the MVHS form available in Family Connection

Other 4-year colleges/universities, apply online using the Common Application website or the specific university website.

Community College

• Affordable Option• Transfer Programs• Occupational Programs• Apply in May

Apply on line,

take placement tests

register for classes• Housing options for 2 year schools

How do colleges choose students?

• Grades/GPA/Class Rank

• Standardized Test Scores

• Activities & Experience

• Application Essay(s)

• Recommendations

Transcript / Status Report

Accurate??

Complete??

D’s & F’s

10th and 11th grade academicGPA – weighted and unweighted

Rank in Oct. and Jan.

Credits for Graduation = 220

Transcripts

• Request official transcripts from the Registrar – transcripts are $1 each

• Both weighted and non-weighted GPAs used

• Private schools may require “Mid-Year” or “7th Semester” transcript. Check application.

• UC & CSU – use self-reported record,

don’t send transcripts unless/until requested

• Students must send final transcript to college

as soon as possible after graduation

Examination Requirements

• SAT: Penalty for guessing• SAT Subject Exams: Two subject tests required

by UC and some selective private colleges

Exams should be different academic subjects:

English, history and social studies, languages,

math or science• ACT w/Writing: No penalty for guessing—may

score higher

Fall Admissions Tests

SAT [$45] or Subject [$20]

October 10, register by Sept 9 November 7, register by Oct. 1

December test NOT recommended

ACT + Writing [$47]

October 24, register by Sept. 19

December tests may be TOO LATE for some colleges

TOEFL required if less than 3 years in U.S.

Send Test Scores

Send SAT / ACT scores to colleges when you register for exams:

*Send directly to each campus

*Do not wait to review your scores.

Send SAT Scores to CSU CEEB code 3594

For college athletic eligibility, send to NCAA

Eligibility Center = CEEB code 9999

Essays: colleges know when parents write the essay

University of California

Two prompts

* Describe the world you come from

* Describe a personal quality, talent, contribution or experience

Word Limits

Maximum of 1,000 words total—minimum 250

Allocate the word count as you wish but . . .

DO NOT GO OVER

California State Universities: No Essays

Privates and Out-of-State: Each school has different requirements

Double-check that App.!

• Don’t wait for the last minute to apply.

• Always proofread on paper before submitting, even if applying online.

• Most common errors: no signature, late filing,

incorrect Social Security number. • Keep a copy of everything you send: keep

records together.• Get a “Certificate of Mailing” to demonstrate

deadline was met, if questions arise.

Letters of Recommendationonly for private and out-of-state colleges

Counselor recommendationsRequests due before November 1st

MUST BRING: Complete and print from Family

Connection: “Resume”, “Game Plan,”

and “Senior Self-Report.” Letter or outline from parent/guardian Secondary School Report [complete top &

sign]

Official transcript for each college Large addressed, stamped [3 stamps]

envelope for each college

College & Career Center

• Scholarships: look in Family Connection

plus Scholarship Wall in College & Career Center

• Resources for applications

• Test registration & prep books

• NCAA guidelines

• College Visits: look for list in

Family Connection

Sign up to attend visits from admissions reps. Print confirmation slip & have teacher sign as OK.

College Visits

Financial Aid

FAFSA for everyone

GPA Verification for Cal Grants

CSS Profile for private schools, some scholarships

Scholarship Wall for students with initiative

Save the Dates

Oct. 6 CSU Presentation at LAHS Theater 7 PM

Oct. 12 UC Presentation at MVHS Theater 7 PM

Tues. Nov. 3 7:00 p.m.

Financial Aid Night I: Basics

Tues., December 1, 7:00 p.m.

Financial Aid Night I: FAFSA Line-by-line

When Will This End?

Admission NotificationWatch your email and web portal for admission decisions.

UC campuses mail notices in March.

Statement of Intent to RegisterMay 1 – Deadline to choose just 1 school!

Final transcriptRequest final transcript to be sent to chosen college.

Strong & Myers Briggs

Assessment

Career Exploration

Personality Type

College Major Choice

Learning Styles

$25 fee

Q & A