Preparing Your Student for College Admissions

Preparing Your Student for College AdmissionsSponsored by: AVHS Counseling Spring 2015Workshop OutlineThe College ListAdmissions TestingApplying to CollegesExtracurricular ActivitiesEssaysFinancial Aid/ScholarshipsNCAATips for Parents

What Do Colleges Want?Success with a rigorous and challenging high school curriculum.

Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT) that are consistent with high school performance.

Demonstrated passion, involvement, initiative, and leadership in extra-curricular activities (Depth, not breadth, of experience is most important)

The College ListThe college list should have some reach, target, and safety schools. Use GPA and SAT scores to estimate. Ivy Leagues, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford should be considered reach schools for ALL students. Students should apply to 8-12 schools. Dont put any school on the list that the student wouldnt be happy attending.Visit schools and/or attend college rep visits, college fairs, etc.Try to finalize the list by September of senior year.Counselors will be meeting with Seniors in Fall 2015 to review college application and post high school planning steps

The College ListEenie, meenie, minie, mothere are thousands of different options!!!

The College ListIts all about fit.Academic programsWeatherRural/urban/suburbanReligious affiliationSchool sizeSocial/recreation activitiesPriceLiberal/conservativeAthleticsDistance from home

The College ListHow can you find schools that will be a good fit?Naviance Family Connection can help students find match schools by using the SuperMatch College Search. This years juniors will be coming to the computer lab on March 17th & 18th to complete this activity. Students can also complete and/or revisit career inventories in Naviance that will then link to majors and colleges with those majors.Students can attend college rep visits in AVHS career center; sign up via NavianceStudents should attend Local College FairsThe College ListBooksFiske Guide to CollegesPetersons Guide to 4yr collegesCollege Board College HandbookColleges That Change Lives (www.ctcl.org)Ruggs Recommendations on the Colleges

Websites CSU Mentor, University of CaliforniaU-CAN (private schools)College Portrait (public schools)FairTestCollege Board; College MatchMakerWestern Undergraduate Exchange schools (WUE)

College FairsRACC Mini College Fair @ AVHS March 24, 2015 at lunchNational College Fair, SF Cow Palace May 3rd, 1:30-4:30 pmCal State East Bay, Hayward May 8 9:30-12Saint Marys College, Moraga May 9 1:00-4:00pmTri-Valley College Fair, Oct 2015 (Date/Location TBD)

COMPARATIVE SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS

Subject AreaPleasanton UnifiedUC/CSUHistory/Social Studies

3 1/2 Years to include: 1 yr. US, 1 sem. Civics, 1 sem. Economics, 1 yr. other social studies usually Global Studies and World History (35 credits)2 YearsUS and WorldEnglish4 Years (40 credits)4 Years College PrepMath2 Years (20 credits)(1 year must be Algebra or the equivalent of algebra)3 Levels of Math:Algebra, Geometry,Intermediate Algebraor Math I-IV(UC Recommends 4 yrs)Science2 Years ( 20 credits)1 Year Physical1 Year Life2 YearsLab Science(UC Recommends 3 yrs)Foreign Language1 Year (10 credits)(Or)2 Levels ofsame language(UC Recommends 3 yrs)9Biggest difference passing grade is C for college, D for high school

COMPARATIVE SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS

Visual and Performing Arts1 Year (10 credits)1 YearPE2 Years (20 credits)----Health1 Semester (5 credits)----Electives80 Credits1 YearCollege PrepElectiveTotals230 Credits(10 credits = 1 year)15 Units(1 Unit = 1 yr.)

Additional graduation requirements:Speech ProficiencyCA High School Exit Exam (English and Math)Senior Service Hours (20)10Applying to CollegesCommunity College- Admissions begin Feb/March of senior year (www.cccco.edu)Total cost: $4000-$6000 (no room and board)No SATs/ACTs/high school grades/essaysOpen door policy: A-G not required, graduate & enrollStudents can earn a certificate, AA/AS degree, and/or transfer to a 4 year institution.Transfer Admission Guarantees (TAGs) with all UCs except UCLA, Berkeley, and UCSD TAGs with local CSUs and some private colleges

Admissions TestingNot required for Community CollegeSchools will accept either the SAT or the ACTSuper Scoring is when schools take the highest section scores from multiple SAT Test sittings and creating a composite. (CSUs use this)Score Choice is a feature that allows students the option to choose the SAT scores by test date and SAT Subject Test scores by individual test that they send to colleges, however, most colleges prefer students send ALL scores.A complete list of what test scores schools require is available online: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/sat-score-use-practices-list.pdfUCs require that all scores are sent.www.fairtest.org has a list of test optional schools.

Admissions Testing TimelineSpring of Junior Year: -Take SAT Reasoning/ACT if you missed the earlier date. -Consider taking SAT Subject Tests if applying to more competitive colleges/majors. Summer between Junior and Senior Year:-Receive scores from all Spring tests. Check college eligibility charts. Do test prep individually or register for test prep course if needed.October Senior Year:-Repeat SAT Reasoning or ACT. Last time to take test for impacted CSUs.November Senior Year:-Repeat SAT Subject Tests if neededDecember Senior Year:-Final repeat testing if necessary. December is the last month to test if you are applying for admission for the next fall.

Admissions Testing Calendar Spring 2015SAT (sat.collegeboard.org)March 14May 2June 6

ACT (www.actstudent.org)April 18June 13

Applying to CollegesCSUsTotal cost: $20,000 - $28,000 per yearOne application for all 23 CSUsWindow for submitting is Oct. 1-Nov. 30 (www.csumentor.edu)No essays or extra-curricularsSAT or ACT required but SAT Subject Exams not required10th and 11th grade A-G coursesUse top reading and math regardless of sitting (super score)Eligibility index (uses GPA & SAT/ACT score to determine eligibility)Cal Poly SLO is the exception (4-5 additional questions on app)

CSU admissions data (Fall 2014)CSU CampusAverage GPAAverage SAT (Reading & Math only)Average ACT(composite)CSU Bakersfield3.2091219CSU Channel Islands3.1999421CSU Chico3.21102021CSU Dominguez Hills3.2389018CSU East Bay3.10137419CSU Fresno3.3392917-22CSU Fullerton3.3999725CSU Humboldt3.20102623CSU Long Beach3.43not published18-24CSU Los Angeles3.1488018CSU Maritimenot publishednot publishednot published

CSU Monterey3.20not published18-24CSU Northridge3.0992619Cal Poly Pomona3.41101423Cal Poly San Luis Obispo3.87123227CSU Sacramento3.2698517-22CSU San Bernardino3.1789318CSU San Diego3.60108621-26CSU San Francisco3.1499721CSU San Jose3.28not publishednot publishedCSU San Marcos3.2494819CSU Sonoma3.21104022CSU Stanislaus3.2094920

Applying to CollegesUCsTotal cost: $29,000-$36,000One application for all 9 UCs (www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply)Opens Oct. 1 for viewing and completing (may be Aug. 1)Submitting window is Nov. 1-Nov. 302 required essaysUse top SAT/ACT at one sittingUse A-G courses from 10th and 11th gradesHolistic admissions process (14 points)

UC admissions data (Fall 2014)UC CampusAverage GPAAverage SAT (composite)Average ACT(composite)UC Berkeley4.18207131UC Davis4.07192428UC Irvine4.05186727UCLA4.17206730UC Merced3.61163824UC Riverside3.77173925UC San Diego4.13201830UC Santa Barbara4.03192529UC Santa Cruz3.82178226

Applying to CollegesOut-of-State and Private SchoolsTotal cost: $40,000-$60,000+Private schools typically have more money to award in merit and need based aid (actual price tag may be greater)SAT or ACT required for most, subject tests may be requiredOverall GPA; 9th-12th Common Application is frequently used, opens August 1Common App has one required essay; some schools have supplements that have additional questions/essaysDeadline for each school variesFor private schools, or any school that requires letters of recommendation, students will use Naviance to submit documents and will need to complete resume and transcript request form during their meeting with their counselor

Private/Out of State admissions data (Fall 2014)Univ. of San Diego3.88Santa Clara Univ.3.66Univ. of San Francisco3.61St. Marys College3.61Univ. Southern CA3.73Chapman Univ.3.70Pepperdine3.59Univ. of Pacific3.47Univ. of Oregon3.40Univ. of Washington 3.60Univ. of Colorado Boulder3.40Univ. of Arizona3.30Early Decision vs. Early ActionEarly decision is a BINDING agreement . If students are accepted, they must attend that school.Students can only apply early decision to one school.Financial aid becomes difficult to negotiate. You basically waive your right to compare financial aid packages.Students should consider applying if this is their first choice school and they have a solid academic background throughout all of high school.Some schools accept a higher percentage of students from the ED pool, however this could be because its a stronger than average pool of candidates. Do not apply ED if student absolutely needs financial aid, if it is not the top choice school, or if the student needs Fall grades to bring up GPA.

Early Decision vs. Early ActionEarly action is a NON-BINDING agreement. This just means that you apply early and find out your admissions decision early. Students can apply to as many early action schools as they want.Students can wait for financial aid packages before deciding which school to attend.Students shouldnt apply EA if they need senior grades to boost GPA or if they need to take the SAT/ACT after October.Restrictive early action is another form of EA. This is non-binding, however students can only apply early to one school. Extracurricular ActivitiesThere is no magic number for volunteer hours, extracurricular activities, sports, etcStudents should be participating in activities they enjoy and can be involved with throughout high school (sustained involvement).Students dont need to do research, have an internship, or do volunteer work in another country in order to get admitted to college.Students shouldnt do an activity just because it looks good on college applications.Leadership is important.

EssaysMake it interesting. Admissions officers read thousands of essays and spend a very short time on each application. The UC prompts havent changed in many years and are on the UC website. See private school websites for their specific prompts.

This is the only part of the application that allows a students voice to be heard. Its what will differentiate applicants who have similar grades and test scores.

Focus on you, not an event, accomplishment, another person, etcThe bulk of the essay should focus on you and your reflection of a situation/person/activity.

Be yourself. If you finish your essay and have your best friend read it, it should be very clear that the essay is about you.

Use the opportunity to introduce something new that isnt already part of the application. For example, if you list varsity soccer, captain of the soccer team, and soccer camp counselor under extracurricular activities, try to avoid writing your essay about soccer (unless of course you played in the World Cup).

Stick to the prompt.

Financial AidIn order to qualify for federal aid, students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid, www.fafsa.gov) beginning January 1st March 2nd of their senior year. You can estimate taxes based on previous years taxes and then update the information when taxes are finished.Some schools, particularly those with early admissions, require the CSS Profile (http://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile)Seniors should be searching and applying for scholarships in the Fall. Dont wait until Spring to apply!Merit scholarships: Awarded to students by individual schools, typically based upon GPA and test scores. No additional application is usually required.Private organizations: Some companies and non-profits offer scholarships to students. Check Naviance for a list of scholarships.The Cal Grant deadline is March 2nd & is part of the FAFSA. AVHS will submit GPA verification for seniors electronically. NCAAComplete NCAA clearinghouse form2nd semester (Spring) of junior year

www.ncaa.org

www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Important DatesMarch 17th & 18th: Juniors in computer lab with counselors to complete SuperMatch via Naviance

Sept./Oct.: Senior counseling meetings to begin

October (dates TBA): UC/CSU night & College Application workshop in computer lab night

January 2016: Financial Aid nightAs a ParentThe student should be directing the college search and application process.Help your student stay organized.Although you can recommend colleges for your student, it is important that the student has a say in what schools make it to the list. What was good for you may not be whats good for the student. Remember that the student has to spend the next 4 years at the college, not you.Be realistic. Dont just focus on the prestige of a college.Have an open and honest conversation about financing college with your student. What is plan B if you dont get the financial aid that you need?Visit schools.Thank You!