Welcome Back, Class of 2020!Mr. Polun A-FeMs. Harr Fi-KMrs. McGarry L-QMs. Maldonado R-ZMs. Ramirez- College & Career Coordinator

Senior Fall Counselor Workshop

GRAD REQUIREMENTS

•220 total credits in required coursework

•6 semesters of satisfactory or excellent citizenship

TRANSCRIPTS

• A graduation status report was mailed in August to all seniors. Keep it for reference.

• The graduation status report identifies all classes passed that meet core graduation requirements (for example, in the area of English, most seniors will have 30 credits, indicating that they have 10 credits left, which is the English 4 class)

• Transcripts include all classes, grades earned, total credits, composite citizenship grades, GPAs, and class rank

TRANSCRIPTS (cont.)• If you took any summer coursework outside of TUSD,

check PowerSchool to make sure your coursework was updated.

• At this point, most seniors have about 180 total credits. Seniors who currently have 160 credits must pass all classes to graduate. If you have fewer than 160, you must do something extra to make up the difference. See your counselor if you have questions.

TRANSCRIPTS (cont.)

• It is your responsibility to check your grades!

• You must have a “D” or better in every class to graduate

• You must have a “C” or better in every class to be eligible for most colleges

Knowing the A-G List•A-G College Prep Requirements – With Grade of C or Higher

Letter Area Years Required Years Recommended

A History/Social Sciences 2 years

B English 4 years

C Mathematics 3 years 4 years

D Laboratory Sciences 2 years 3 years

E Language other than English

2 years 3 years

F Visual and Performing Arts

1 year

G College-Preparatory Electives

1 year

COLLEGE TESTING REQUIREMENTS• Most colleges require the SAT or ACT

• SAT Subject tests are not required for UC & Cal States, but may strengthen the application (especially for certain majors, so research those)

• Private Colleges may require SAT subject tests. Check with the admissions department of that college/online

• The last acceptable test date is December (although some may require an earlier date, so please check)

• Community Colleges do not require the SAT or ACT (even if you plan on transferring)

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS

SAT/SAT Subject Tests

• Apply online at www.collegeboard.org

• Test includes math, English, and writing

• Official test scores must be submitted by the student via College Board to the colleges

ACT• Apply online at

www.actstudent.org • Test includes math,

English, reading and scientific reasoning

• Official test scores must be submitted by the student via the ACT website to the colleges

CSU and UC COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

CSU• Application window is open

October 1st through November 30th

• Apply online at www2.calstate.edu/apply

• 2.0 GPA minimum• Cal State Application

Workshop-October 30th during Spartan Symposium (presented by CSUDH)

• Sign up for 4-year track during Symposium

UC• Application window open now• Application submission is:

Nov. 1st through Nov. 30th • Apply online at

www.ucop.edu/pathways• 3.0 GPA minimum• UC Application

Workshop-October 17th during Spartan Seminar & Period 4.

• Sign up though Naviance

PRIVATE/OUT OF STATE APPLICATIONS

• Deadlines vary. Check college websites or call the admissions department for information

• Many will be on the Common App, but some will be separate applications

• Make sure to give teachers plenty of time if you are going to ask for a letter of recommendation (at least 2 weeks in advance)

• You will need to make an appointment with your counselor if you need to get a recommendation letter

• Naviance eDocs College Application Workshop is September 25th: Period 5 or 6. Sign up on Naviance.

NAVIANCE EDOCS PROCEDURES and PRIVATE/OUT OF STATE COLLEGE WORKSHOP

• If you are planning to apply to any 4-year colleges this year (either in state or out of state), you need to attend this workshop during your elective period or during a period in which you do not have a scheduled class on September 25th.

• Sign up on Naviance. We will teach you how to request transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.

Community Colleges

• You can attend as long as you have graduated from high school

• Applications open up November 1st for many schools

• Honors Transfer Programs can help to transition to 4 year colleges afterward

• El Camino College will be here on October 30th for Spartan Symposium. Make sure to sign up ---a Google form will be sent out.

Vocational Schools

● These are schools that teach career and technical education

● Often have short programs (1-3 years) and certificate programs

● Financial aid is often available

● SCROC may be a good starting point to a vocational school

● www.ECCommunityEd.com is a good website to explore programs

● Torrance Adult School has programs too

Military

• Military recruiters are on campus weekly, and they also give presentations.

• Options include:

–Air Force

–Army

–Marines

–Navy

• Sign up for these on Naviance

Scholarships● NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

○ Scholarship searches are available on the internet (www.fastweb.com, etc.)

○ Many have very specific criteria and deadlines.

● College Scholarships

○ Check with individual colleges of interest

○ Usually posted on their website, or you may call their financial aid office directly

●●

● SHS LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS

● Workshop: early November (Dates to be announced)

● Beginning of lunch in the library (Sign up on Naviance)○ Requires 2 letters of

recommendation○ Approximately 60 awards

varying between $100 and $5000.

● Other scholarships will be posted on our web site and Naviance

Financial Aid • FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid – www.fafsa.ed.gov (or the Dream Act for non-citizens)– This will help you receive scholarships, grants,

work study, and loans• Every student should fill out the FAFSA or the Dream

Act! • Filing period begins October 1st, 2018 and ends

March 2nd, 2019 (note that some schools require it earlier than March 2nd).

• Cal Grant- complete the FAFSA, and TUSD will submit your Cal Grant GPA for you automatically

• We will go around to classes to discuss this further in October

• TUSD Financial Aid Night- October 2nd at 6 pm at Torrance High Auditorium

Other Important Workshops:

● Road Map to College – September 28th (Saturday) 8-11:30 am

● College Visits in the College/Career Center R-4 (sign up for them on Naviance)

Reminders:

• Senior year counts! Final transcripts will be sent per your written request in July 2020, and colleges can rescind admission if your grades drop.

• Notify colleges if you change a class after you filed an application

• Attend College Open Houses/Preview Days• Register with the NCAA if you plan to play a

sport

GENERAL SENIOR YEAR TIMELINE

❏ September-December: take appropriate SAT Reasoning/ACT and SAT Subject Tests

❏ September - November: Senior Conferences with your counselor

❏ October-March: college application filing period (it all depends on what college)

❏ November-March: apply for community colleges

❏ October 1st-March 2nd : FAFSA, financial aid filing period

❏ March:most college admission notifications begin

❏ May 1st: declare where you’re planning to attend

❏ June: must request final transcript sent to future college

❏ June: Graduation!

Resources• School Website: www.shs.tusd.org

– Make sure to go to the Counseling page

• Naviance; http://connection.naviance.com/southhigh

• Check grades weekly on PowerSchool

• eTUSD

• Daily Bulletin

• Counselor: sign up for appointments in the Counseling Office

Remind App

ACT: To Save a LifeSuicide Prevention Program

A- Acknowledge that you see signs of depression or suicide in yourself

C-Care: show your friend that you care about them

T-Tell a trusted adult so that you can get help

Need to talk?

● Talk to a trusted adult (parent, counselor, teacher, coach, administrator, etc.)

● If needed: call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In addition to listening, they have access to local resources . Get support for yourself or someone you care about.

CALL: 1-800-273-8255

TEXT: “Hello” to 741741