College PlanningCollege Planning

College doesn’t just happen… it takes College doesn’t just happen… it takes planning.planning.

Cindy Cutts Cindy Cutts ccutts@rafos.org

Mary Beth Buttweiler Mary Beth Buttweiler mbuttweilver@rafos.org

Chip Kling Chip Kling ckling@rafos.org

Michelle Allen Michelle Allen mallen@rafos.org

Week 1 - September 18 Week 1 - September 18 Understanding the higher ed system in California

Community College, CSU, UC and the other private colleges.

Understanding a – g, academic requirements, etc. Realistic goals –

Reach schools, safety schools

Tools and resources of Naviance.

Preparing to apply to college SAT & ACT

Activities, service, awards, employment,

Does it matter and how much? How maximize your personal history

How to create your own opportunities.

Week 2 – September 25Week 2 – September 25 The college essay Letters of recommendation

Other supportive documentation for scholarships and admission.

Scholarships How to find them How to win them

Financial Aid – How it works & how to apply

California Legislature’s California Legislature’s Master Plan for Higher EducationMaster Plan for Higher Education

University of California top 10%University of California top 10% 9 9 California State University top 30% 23California State University top 30% 23 Community College 100%Community College 100% 109 109

California Public 4 Year SchoolsCalifornia Public 4 Year Schools

CSU & UC academic requirements for CSU & UC academic requirements for admission are the sameadmission are the same

Called the A - GCalled the A - G

A - GA - G

Meeting A – G will make you eligible at:Meeting A – G will make you eligible at:

CSUCSU UCUC Most Private CollegesMost Private Colleges Most Out-of-State CollegesMost Out-of-State Colleges

California’s A – G Course ListCalifornia’s A – G Course ListSearch yours atSearch yours at https://doorways.ucop.edu/listhttps://doorways.ucop.edu/list

College Prep courses in six areasCollege Prep courses in six areas Social StudiesSocial Studies MathMath EnglishEnglish ScienceScience Foreign LanguageForeign Language Visual & Performing ArtsVisual & Performing Arts ElectiveElective

Sometimes most challenging course might not be college prepSometimes most challenging course might not be college prep

What is A – G?What is A – G?AA History and Social ScienceHistory and Social Science (including 1 year of U.S. history or (including 1 year of U.S. history or

1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government government ANDAND 1 year of social science) 1 year of social science)

22

BB EnglishEnglish (4 years of college preparatory English composition (4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature) and literature)

44

CC MathMath (4 years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, (4 years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year) Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year)

33

DD Laboratory ScienceLaboratory Science (including 1 biological science and 1 (including 1 biological science and 1 physical science) physical science)

22

EE Language Other than EnglishLanguage Other than English (2 years of the same language; (2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable - American Sign Language is applicable -

22

FF Visual and Performing ArtsVisual and Performing Arts (dance, drama or theater, music, (dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art) or visual art)

11

GG College Preparatory Elective College Preparatory Elective 11

Total Required (more recommended) Total Required (more recommended) 1515

University of CaliforniaUniversity of California

Nine undergraduate universitiesNine undergraduate universities Research based educationResearch based education Nearly all majors have common general ed classes at Nearly all majors have common general ed classes at

the freshman levelthe freshman level Requires more information on application than CSU Requires more information on application than CSU Requires personal statementRequires personal statement More expensive than CSU*More expensive than CSU*

University of CaliforniaUniversity of California

Nine undergraduate universitiesNine undergraduate universities Research based educationResearch based education Nearly all majors have common general ed Nearly all majors have common general ed

classes at the freshman levelclasses at the freshman level Comprehensive applicationComprehensive application Personal StatementPersonal Statement Highly competitive & more expensiveHighly competitive & more expensive Sometimes referred to as the Sometimes referred to as the Ivy League of the West CoastIvy League of the West Coast

UC Looks Beyond AcademicsUC Looks Beyond Academics14 Factors14 Factors

GPAGPA Test scoresTest scores Number of courses beyond the minimum "a-g" requirementsNumber of courses beyond the minimum "a-g" requirements Number of and performance in honors and AP coursesNumber of and performance in honors and AP courses Top 9 percent of your high school class Top 9 percent of your high school class Quality of your senior-year course workQuality of your senior-year course work Quality of your academic performance relative to your high schoolQuality of your academic performance relative to your high school Outstanding performance in academic subject areasOutstanding performance in academic subject areas Outstanding work in special projects in any academic fieldOutstanding work in special projects in any academic field Recent, marked improvement in academic performanceRecent, marked improvement in academic performance Special talentsSpecial talents Completion of special projects Completion of special projects Academic accomplishments in light of special circumstancesAcademic accomplishments in light of special circumstances Location of your school and residenceLocation of your school and residence

California State UniversityCalifornia State University

23 campuses, one university23 campuses, one university Hands on learningHands on learning InternshipsInternships Start classes specific to major at freshman Start classes specific to major at freshman

levellevel Experience, license, training, knowledge Experience, license, training, knowledge

upon graduation to enter the industryupon graduation to enter the industry Respected as “can do” universityRespected as “can do” university

CSU Admits By Selection IndexCSU Admits By Selection Index

Calculate with academic weighted 10-11* g.p.a.Calculate with academic weighted 10-11* g.p.a. Add SAT or ACT scores to calculate a Add SAT or ACT scores to calculate a

Selection Index #Selection Index #

• *CalPoly uses 9-11 grades*CalPoly uses 9-11 grades

BBeing eligible does not mean being admittedeing eligible does not mean being admitted

Many CSU campuses are ImpactedMany CSU campuses are Impacted

More applicants than spacesMore applicants than spaces

Out of service area often has higher Out of service area often has higher selection indexselection index

Some admit all eligible applicants within Some admit all eligible applicants within the service areathe service area

Difference between UC & CSUDifference between UC & CSU

Strategies of EducationStrategies of Education

DifferencesDifferences

If you plan to study to BE somethingIf you plan to study to BE somethingCSU might be your best choiceCSU might be your best choice

If you plan to study If you plan to study ABOUTABOUT something, something,

UC might be your best choiceUC might be your best choice

Private SchoolsPrivate Schools

Private or Independent Colleges Private or Independent Colleges

Excellent options for a quality education.Excellent options for a quality education.

Many are highly regardedMany are highly regarded Many use the Common ApMany use the Common Ap

Independent or Private CollegesIndependent or Private Colleges More expensive than public schoolsMore expensive than public schools Often offer more financial aid than public schoolsOften offer more financial aid than public schools Some accept all applicants/some are highly selectiveSome accept all applicants/some are highly selective Some are faith basedSome are faith based Some are not accreditedSome are not accredited Do your homework – check for undergraduate Do your homework – check for undergraduate

admissions requirementsadmissions requirements Be careful of schools where there are no requirementsBe careful of schools where there are no requirements

Community College Community College Transfer Agreements Transfer Agreements

UC & CSU gives California Community College transfers UC & CSU gives California Community College transfers top priority top priority

Sierra College has transfer agreements with public & Sierra College has transfer agreements with public & private schools across the state and U.S.private schools across the state and U.S.

Bachelor’s degree is the same as 4 year grads.Bachelor’s degree is the same as 4 year grads.

Excellent Back Up Plan for 4 Year BoundExcellent Back Up Plan for 4 Year Bound

Transfer AgreementsTransfer Agreements Community College transfer agreements Community College transfer agreements

can provide a solid plancan provide a solid plan

Transfer policies at the CSU require all Transfer policies at the CSU require all transfers to be “clean” upper division only. transfers to be “clean” upper division only. (Minimum 60 units)(Minimum 60 units)

Both CSU and UC now accept only junior Both CSU and UC now accept only junior level transfers (Minimum 60 units)level transfers (Minimum 60 units)

You can’t transfer to either after only 1 year of community college except You can’t transfer to either after only 1 year of community college except UC Riverside. UC Riverside.

Community CollegeCommunity College

Equal Access for AllEqual Access for All No high school diplomaNo high school diploma No SAT or ACT scoresNo SAT or ACT scores Discounted tuitionDiscounted tuition Wide variety of educational optionsWide variety of educational options Guarantee transfer with many state & private collegesGuarantee transfer with many state & private colleges Excellent back up plan if applying to top tier schools. Excellent back up plan if applying to top tier schools. Great place to challenge yourself academicallyGreat place to challenge yourself academically Well respected and credits are validWell respected and credits are valid

Sierra CollegeSierra College

Ranked first in Northern California in Ranked first in Northern California in transfers to the University of California and transfers to the University of California and California State University systems. California State University systems.

BYU receives more transfers from BYU receives more transfers from Sierra College than any other college in Sierra College than any other college in California. California.

Find out more at Sierra College Parent Find out more at Sierra College Parent information nightsinformation nights

Realistic GoalsRealistic Goals

What kind of education do I want or need?What kind of education do I want or need? What learning environment?What learning environment? What is realistic financially for my family?What is realistic financially for my family? How hard do I want to work in college?How hard do I want to work in college? How long do I want to be in school?How long do I want to be in school?

College? College? I’m not ready for college!I’m not ready for college!

What is the goal?What is the goal?

Fit the education to the goalFit the education to the goal Fit the college to the education goalFit the college to the education goal Fit the student to the collegeFit the student to the college

Where will the student thrive and succeed?Where will the student thrive and succeed?

How could a college not want How could a college not want ME?ME?

A better questionA better question

Why do I want to attend college?Why do I want to attend college?

So What?So What?

Why am I going?Why am I going? What is post college goal?What is post college goal? Where do I want to spend my life?Where do I want to spend my life? What are my natural talents & abilities?What are my natural talents & abilities? What knowledge & skills do I need?What knowledge & skills do I need? How hard am I willing to work in college?How hard am I willing to work in college? How hard am I willing to work when I’m How hard am I willing to work when I’m

finished with college?finished with college?

How many schools?How many schools?

Reach SchoolReach School Confident SchoolConfident School Safety SchoolSafety School

In today’s competitive college applicant In today’s competitive college applicant pool, confirm your back up plan.pool, confirm your back up plan. Take Take advantage of on-the-spot admission or advantage of on-the-spot admission or service area options. service area options.

Top Tier – Highly SelectiveTop Tier – Highly Selective

Highly ranked schools are extremely Highly ranked schools are extremely competitive.competitive.

Be realistic when setting college goals. Be realistic when setting college goals.

You are probably NOT You are probably NOT

going to Stanford!going to Stanford!

Choosing a CollegeChoosing a College First – visit the website – First – visit the website –

Can you meet your goals here?Can you meet your goals here? Talk to reps at College FairsTalk to reps at College Fairs Visit the Campus Visit the Campus

Explore and ask questionsExplore and ask questions Take a guided tourTake a guided tour Then take your own tourThen take your own tour Students need to spend at least 30 Students need to spend at least 30

minutes alone to “breathe the air of a minutes alone to “breathe the air of a campus.”campus.”

Is this a good fit for me?Is this a good fit for me? How competitive am I when I apply?How competitive am I when I apply? How will I reach my goals here?How will I reach my goals here? What if I change my major?What if I change my major? Do I fit in here?Do I fit in here? Does the climate matter to me?Does the climate matter to me? What will I do if I need someone from home?What will I do if I need someone from home? Will the area distract me from studying?Will the area distract me from studying? Will I find internships here?Will I find internships here? How hard will I have to work to achieve my How hard will I have to work to achieve my

degree here?degree here?

Visiting a collegeVisiting a college

Students should visit the second time on Students should visit the second time on their owntheir own Parent visit is different than student visitParent visit is different than student visit Attend a classAttend a class Public transportationPublic transportation Find their wayFind their way ““Try the college on” – Does it fit? Try the college on” – Does it fit?

Realistic GoalsRealistic Goals

Can I reach my goal at this school?Can I reach my goal at this school?

Honestly - How competitive am I?Honestly - How competitive am I? Will I be academically competitive here?Will I be academically competitive here? What is my back up plan?What is my back up plan?

How can WSCA Support How can WSCA Support your application?your application?

NavianceNaviance

Tools for all college prep Tools for all college prep Helps counselors support applicationHelps counselors support application Not a “fix all”Not a “fix all” Advocate for yourselfAdvocate for yourself Be pro-activeBe pro-active Use transcript request & communicateUse transcript request & communicate Assume nothing - check e-docsAssume nothing - check e-docs

NavianceNaviance

Log in is your student IDLog in is your student ID

Password is your password with a leading zero. Password is your password with a leading zero.

(Password is 999 your Naviance password is 0999)(Password is 999 your Naviance password is 0999)

Visit Student Services for codesVisit Student Services for codes

Common App is supported with Naviance but you still Common App is supported with Naviance but you still must communicate! must communicate!

Naviance & Common ApNaviance & Common Ap

Communicate with Communicate with Mr. Kling – Mr. Kling –

My application is My application is complete and complete and ready for you to ready for you to finalize.finalize.

Communicate with Communicate with Mrs. Allen – Mrs. Allen –

Formally request Formally request your transcript and your transcript and pay the $1 fee in pay the $1 fee in Mrs. Allen’s office.Mrs. Allen’s office.

TranscriptsTranscriptsConfirm your school is listed in NavianceConfirm your school is listed in Naviance

Add transcript request form in NavianceAdd transcript request form in Naviance

Fill out WSCA Transcript Request Form Fill out WSCA Transcript Request Form (on our website)(on our website)

Pay $1 Pay $1

Take it to Mrs. Allen Take it to Mrs. Allen (must come out of your backpack)(must come out of your backpack)

Minimum 3 days from order to transcriptMinimum 3 days from order to transcript

Transcripts are NOT auto-sentTranscripts are NOT auto-sent

Must be formally requestedMust be formally requested

College Application TestingCollege Application Testing

SAT & ACTSAT & ACT Juniors – Fall & SpringJuniors – Fall & Spring

ACT with WritingACT with Writing SAT Reasoning & SAT Subject ExamsSAT Reasoning & SAT Subject Exams

Seniors – Fall Seniors – Fall • ACT with Writing ACT with Writing

• September & MAYBE DecemberSeptember & MAYBE December

• SAT Reasoning or SAT Subject Exams SAT Reasoning or SAT Subject Exams

• October & MAYBE November & December October & MAYBE November & December

Send official score reports when you apply.Send official score reports when you apply.

Sophomores TestingSophomores Testing

SAT Subject Exams in AP courses they SAT Subject Exams in AP courses they have completed at the end of sophomore have completed at the end of sophomore year year

Take SAT Subject exams in JUNE.Take SAT Subject exams in JUNE.

Freshmen probably do not need to test Freshmen probably do not need to test unless they are in AP level classesunless they are in AP level classes

What else do they want?What else do they want?

ActivitiesActivities AwardsAwards Service Service EmploymentEmployment

… … Maybe…..Maybe…..

ActivitiesActivities Evidence of leadershipEvidence of leadership Evidence of potential to contribute to the Evidence of potential to contribute to the

vitality of a college campusvitality of a college campus Evidence of ability to do more than studyEvidence of ability to do more than study

Activities are not just school related Activities are not just school related Consider anything that you Consider anything that you

do on a regular basis outside do on a regular basis outside of the classroomof the classroom

Maximize Your LeadershipMaximize Your Leadership Assume leadership roles when presentedAssume leadership roles when presented Step up to chair projects or eventsStep up to chair projects or events All four years of high schoolAll four years of high school Create your own opportunitiesCreate your own opportunities

Volunteer (often & regularly)Volunteer (often & regularly) Problem solveProblem solve Create awarenessCreate awareness Look at your family responsibilitiesLook at your family responsibilities

Next WeekNext WeekPulling it all togetherPulling it all together The college essay High school resume Letters of recommendation

Scholarships How to find them How to win them

Financial Aid – How it works & how to apply

QuestionsQuestions

ckling rafos.org - Counselorckling rafos.org - Counselor mallen rafos.org - Registrarmallen rafos.org - Registrar ccutts rafos.org - Consultantccutts rafos.org - Consultant mbuttweiler rafos.org – Career Techmbuttweiler rafos.org – Career Tech

www.wscacollege&careercenter.weebly.comwww.wscacollege&careercenter.weebly.com