SOLUTIONS: EXPLORING SUCCESS POST HIGH SCHOOL www.exploresolutions.org "1

Inside This Week

Message Board .................. 1

What’s Happening ............ 2 Solutions Events Community Events Reminders Testing

Money Matters.................. 3 Scholarship Spotlight

Spotlights .......................... 4 Career/Major UC/CSU

Term of the week... Financial Aid Award. If you file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and all required forms this fall when you student applies to college, every college that accepts you will offer a financial aid award by mail or online. In it you will find out how much financial support the school will give you for the coming school year. The award outlines how much the school will cost and what kind of financial aid package you will receive - including federal, state, and institutional sources.

SAT or ACT: Don’t forget to sign up right away for either the SAT or ACT that we discussed in your junior meeting. Always sign up for the SAT or ACT WITH WRITING. Some colleges require the writing section and you don’t want to find that you are without it later.

EFC (Expected Family Contribution): The 2017 tax information is what will be used on your actual financial aid forms when your student applies to college, so you also may want to redo your EFC based on 2017 to be most accurate.

College Appropriate EMAIL: Please make sure students have a separate, business-like or college appropriate email with your first and last name and your graduation year. Example: gaildurso2019@gmail.com

Spring Break College Visits: We know some of you are planning college visits during your spring break. We encourage you to sign-up for campus tours and information sessions. If you are not able to do that, at least sign in at the Admissions Office to let them know you were on campus. If you are planning to visit some of the UC or Cal State schools, don’t forget to visit some of the nearby private schools that may also be affordable to you. Be sure to take notes with at least 3 adjectives describing the college along with photos to help you remember. Jotting down your observations about the campus and programs that stand out helps too. Daytripper University is a resource for hotels and restaurants around colleges.

Demonstrated Interest: Demonstrated interest is the degree to which you show a college that you are sincerely interested in coming to their school. It has become an important, subtle tool that colleges use to efficiently and accurately enroll a specific target number of students each year. Some colleges count demonstrated interest in their admissions decisions and others like UC’s, CSU’s and Ivy League schools, do not. You can show demonstrated interest by visiting campus, meeting with an admissions counselor in San Diego, visiting at a college fair or Solutions college event, signing up on a college’s website, or meeting a college representative at your school. It is always a good idea to register as an interested student using your “college email” for every college you are interested in.

Connect with us!

ISSUE 12 JUNIOR NEWSLETTER MARCH 9, 2018

SOLUTIONS: EXPLORING SUCCESS POST HIGH SCHOOL www.exploresolutions.org "2

Reminders University of Missouri Information Night Monday, March 26, 6:00 pm Join representatives from the University of Missouri for an informational reception for high school juniors and their parents. The event is Monday, March 26 at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego 92130. Check in is at 6:00 pm with the program beginning at 6:30 pm. This fantastic university boasts a wide variety of majors with hands-on learning in a quintessential college town setting with great school spirit. Register here. Learn more about the University of Missouri.

Calvin College West Coast Visit Day Thursday, April 19-Saturday, April 21 You are invited to visit Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. West Coast regional representative Becky Kim will meet you on Calvin’s campus for the “Fridays at Calvin” visit program. Calvin will reimburse each student’s airfare up to $250. Visiting students will be hosted by a current student, stay in the residence hall and eat in the dorm. Calvin will also cover two nights FREE lodging for parents to stay in the campus hotel. Students and parents will participate in the Friday program along with a special “meet and greet” reception with admissions counselor Becky Kim and current Calvin students from California. Plan to arrive on Thursday, April 19 and fly home on Saturday, April 21. What a wonderful opportunity to visit this terrific college. West Coast Visit Day requires registration by April 16. Here is the link. Contact Becky Kim at rk28@calvin.edu if you have questions. Learn more about Calvin College here.

Spring College Showcase - April 18th Mark your calendars for our spring college event which will feature 34 terrific colleges on Wednesday, April 18th at 6:00 pm. Open to Solutions Scholars, their friends and students from Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, SJA and University City High Schools. More information will follow, but save the date.

TESTING: ACT - April 14 : Register by March 9. Register here. SAT & SAT Subject Tests - May 5 : Register by April 6.

Register here.

Solutions Events Open to the public

Career Speaker Series - Wednesday, March 14 - 6:00-8:00 pm Radisson Hotel RB, 11520 W. Bernardo Ct. Medical Career Night Meet and speak with a wide variety of professionals in the medical field. Currently we have the following panelists scheduled: genetic counselor, nurse practitioner, child life specialist, physical therapist, radiation therapist, pediatrician, speech pathologist, medical sales, pathologist, radiologist, and public health representative. Medical Career Night Registration.

College Showcase Wednesday, April 18 - 6:00-8:00 pm Mira Mesa High School Media Center 10510 Marauder Way, San Diego 92126 Presentation at 6:00 pm followed by the college fair featuring 34 colleges. Open to Solutions Scholars, friends, and students from Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch and University City High Schools. More information to follow. No RSVP required

ISSUE 12 JUNIOR NEWSLETTER MARCH 9, 2018

What’s Happening?Save the Date

SOLUTIONS: EXPLORING SUCCESS POST HIGH SCHOOL www.exploresolutions.org "3

Money MattersGlossary of Financial Aid Terms for Parents Jodi Okun

As the parent of a high school student you are about to learn a lot about the world of college financial aid. To help make sure your child gets the most out of college financial aid, here are some terms you’ll need to know.

•Federal Student Aid: This is financial aid from the federal government which is designed to help families and students pay for education expenses at an eligible college or career school. It consists of grants, loans and work-study programs. You always want to maximize the amount of federal student aid before moving on to other college financing options. •FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: This document is a summary of your current financial situation. It provides an overview of your family’s ability to pay for a college education. Completing and submitting this information correctly is the first step to gaining access to federal financial aid. It may also be used by your state, college, and some private providers to determine your student’s eligibility for additional types of aid. •SAR - Student Aid Report: Federal Student Aid will provide a summary of the information you submitted on the FAFSA. It is important that you review the SAR to make sure it is correct and complete, as many financial aid decisions will be based on this information. If you find a mistake, you will need to correct or update your FAFSA. If your financial situation has changed since you filed the FAFSA, you may be able to make certain updates. •EFC - Expected Family Contribution: This number is used to determine your student’s eligibility for federal financial aid. It shows how much money the government expects that your family can contribute to the cost of your child’s education. College Board EFC Calculator. •Aid Award Letter: Once your child’s selected colleges have reviewed the information on your FAFSA, they will provide you with a financial aid award letter which will detail the expected Cost of Attendance (COA) at their institution, as well as any financial aid for which the school believes you are qualified. Be aware that some schools may include student loans as part of their financial aid package. •Grants: This is a form of financial aid which is usually based on financial need. In most cases, grants do not have to be repaid unless your student withdraws from the school. •Institutional Scholarships: This is a form of merit aid from the Office of Admissions. Awards are based on academic merit, talent, diversity, leadership, geographic region or more. This money is usually awarded for four years and does not need to be paid back. •Private Scholarships: This is another form of additional aid, but private scholarships are usually based on merit, activities, group memberships, talent, medical conditions, or some other factor. They are made available by the high school, community and religious groups, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and usually involve some type of application process. Many are one-time awards. •Work-Study Programs: This form of financial aid provides part-time employment opportunities for undergraduate students with financial need. This gives a student an opportunity to earn money to help pay for his/her college expenses. •Student Loans: This is money that is borrowed from the federal government, school or a private lender that will need to be repaid with interest. Both federal and private student loans are available.

SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT

Calvin College Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin is a smaller private college in Michigan. It is a faith-based school with an enrollment of 3,840. While technically a liberal arts school, they offer 5 Engineering majors and 6 Business majors plus a wide variety of other majors in Communications, Health Sciences, Fine Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, Religion, and Science & Technology.

Generous Merit Scholarships range from $8,000-$18,000: Trustee - 3.9 GPA/33 ACT/1490 SAT $18,000 per year President’s-3.9 GPA/30 ACT/1390 SAT $15,000 per year Provost’s - 3.8 GPA/27 ACT/1280 SAT $12,000 per year Dean’s - 3.4 GPA/23 ACT/1130 SAT $10,000 per year Faculty’s - 3.0 GPA/20 ACT/1020 SAT $8,000 per year

Total cost of attendance is $47,090 with 99% of students receiving some type of aid with an average financial aid package of $23,000. DIII sports and lots of opportunities.

Check out Page 2 in our newsletter for an exciting opportunity to visit Calvin College in April.

ISSUE 1 JUNIOR NEWSLETTER JULY 20, 2015ISSUE 12 JUNIOR NEWSLETTER MARCH 9, 2018

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University of New Mexico Public University Albuquerque, New Mexico www.unm.edu

Undergraduate student enrollment: 19,520 College location: urban, medium sized city, 5000’ elevation, Rocky Mtns Name & distance from nearest airport: ABQ is 3 miles from UNM Average accepted GPA & test scores: 3.38 (core weighted), 950-1110 SAT (CR/M), 19-25 ACT. Acceptance rate: 50% Application deadlines: Rolling admission (June 1 – May 1) App Fee Waiver (FREE Application) for Solutions students. Scholarship priority deadline – Regents: December 1. Amigo / WUE Plus / WUE Scholarship: February 1. Merit scholarships: (No separate application / automatic review) • WUE scholarship worth approximately $11,700+/year 3.0+ GPA and 980+ SAT (CR/M) or 19+ ACT. • WUE Plus scholarship worth approximately $15,000/year 3.0+ GPA and 1100+ SAT (CR/M) or 22+ ACT. • Amigo Scholarship worth approximately $15,500/year 3.0+ GPA & 1240+ SAT (CR/M) or 26+ ACT OR 3.5+ GPA & 1130+ SAT (CR/M or 23+ ACT. • UNM Regents Scholarship approximately $33,000+/year (Requires additional app) 3.9+ GPA and 1420+ SAT (CR/M) or 31+ ACT with deadline December 1. Limited need-based aid for out-of-state students (Grants / Loans / Work Study) Most popular, new or unique majors: 200+ Majors: Business (10 concentrations), Film, Fine Arts, Engineering (12 majors) and Health Sciences (Pre-med, Pre-Dental), Social Sciences. Colleges and Schools: Management; Arts & Science; Education; Fine Arts; Honors; Nursing; Architecture & Planning; Engineering; Public Administration. Student Life: 350+ clubs & organizations, Division I Athletics in the Mountain West Conference, Greek Life, Marching Band and Rugby. Total Cost of Attendance 2017-2018: Non-resident $34,900 (WUE $23,000; WUE Plus $19,900; Amigo $19,400) What is unique or makes your school standout? ONE Application for admission AND merit scholarships! GPA @ 3.0+ = $60k. Rolling Admission – application fee waiver for Solutions students: no essay, no personal statement, no letters of recommendation – 2-week turnaround …200+ Academic Programs with Undergraduate research opportunities

California Admissions Representative Gary K Bednorz (GaryB) Student Recruitment Specialist GaryB@UNM.edu

SPOTLIGHTSFYI Column: Be a Smart Tester

Avoid over testing Studies show that any more than 2.3 times of retaking an SAT or ACT gives little to no return on a student's investment of time and effort. Retaking more than needed creates anxiety and burn out. After your initial testing of an ACT and SAT pick the test that you feel most comfortable with the content and format. Then, create a preparation plan for that ONE test and retake. Parents, if your student is currently using a tutor, make sure to ask them what is being covered during their sessions. If you would like an at home study guide for the ACT or SAT, contact Maureen at moroad@hotmail.com .

Do your research regarding SAT Subject II tests There are approximately eight colleges that even require SAT Subject II tests and several that may recommend that a student take one-two tests. Also, remember that while a college may not require or recommend, a specific program might - such as engineering. It is the responsibility of the student to research these details on the colleges' websites. Note: ACT sub-scores can also be a substitute at some colleges. In general, SAT Subject II tests are considered value added to an application. A student may wish to show mastery in a particular subject area. If so, take some time to visit a local Barnes and Noble and browse through the SAT Subject II test prep book(s) to see how much you may or may not know before registering for the test(s). To see a list of schools that require or recommend SAT Subject II tests, click on this link: Compass Education Group SAT Subject Test Requirements and Recommendations.

ISSUE 12 JUNIOR NEWSLETTER MARCH 9, 2018

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