JUNIOR PARENT NIGHT 4 Year College Process TONIGHTS

JUNIOR PARENT NIGHT 4 -Year College Process

TONIGHT’S AGENDA Learn what colleges are looking for What to consider when selecting a college Learn about the application process Find out how important Standardized Tests are to admission representatives

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING AT? The Most Important Factor The Yes or No Decision is MOST influenced by the ACADEMICS All Colleges (specialized perhaps excluded)

ACADEMICS Do classes meet the interests of the student? AP versus CP courses § Highly Selective--Yes with A’s § Less Selective--Consistent academic pursuits Elective Choices vs Core Classes The transcript is not taken at face-value

ACADEMICS The Freshmen Year Incline or Decline? Senior Year Matters!! Some Low Grades--what now?

ACADEMICS THE GPA* Weighted Vs. Non Weighted *Students Must Calculate

EXTRACURRICULAR How Many Hours is Enough? 25? 50? 100?

EXTRACURRICULAR Quality Over Quantity

EXTRACURRICULAR PROFILE Helps the colleges know the WHOLE person Students learn non-academic skills Develop a sense of accomplishment Meet peers/mentors outside of class Current Juniors: § Build Leadership opportunities § Clubs, sport teams, etc. § Seek out of school opportunities Senior Year: § Continue developing those contacts § Take on a new level of challenge/leadership § Make it relevant

EXTRACURRICULAR The Well Rounded Student

INSTEAD…. .

EXTRACURRICULAR What should your student take away from the activities: 1. What have they learned from the activities 2. What has it taught them about themselves today and how it relates to their future goals 3. Whether they enjoy the experience--and why?

EXTRACURRICULAR Activities In School Activities Outside of School 1. Pursue activities that interest them (not the college). 2. List everyone you know and what they are related to (construction, law, etc. ). Pursue experiences with them. 3. Study the colleges locally and what specific research projects they are involved in…contact them.

EXTRACURRICULAR Strong Extracurricular Profile 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Sustained Commitment Increased responsibility over time Creativity Demonstration of student’s strengths Genuine enthusiasm in activities

EXTRACURRICULAR Lack of a Strong Extracurricular Profile Suggestions: 1. 2. 3. 4. Focus on family commitment Focus on trips, etc. Focus on self projects of study In Essay focus on spunk of personality, etc.

REPUTATION Students need to develop a positive and healthy relationship with staff and students This builds a stronger, happier, and more involved student

REPUTATION How? Student should be a good school citizen (will they get along with students, roommates, and contribute to the school community) Establish relationships with teachers/counselor now because these individuals will likely reference it in a letter of support **Students should GET INVOLVED in school—its never to late

STANDARDIZED TESTS How Important Are Standardized Tests to admission representatives? *Part of the general admission criteria *Tie Breaker *Will this students score help our college admissions statistics

STANDARDIZED TEST TIMELINES Fall Junior Year Spring SAT &/or ACT PSAT Subjects* Senior Year Retake** SAT &/or ACT *Some privates - Some UC majors **Retake only if necessary

PSAT - STUDENT SCORE REPORT

LOGGING INTO THE STUDENT PORTAL 1. Go to studentscores. collegeboard. org. 2. If you already have a College Board account, you should sign in with your username and password and click “Sign In” to be taken to your scores. 3. If you don’t have an account, you can create one by clicking “Sign Up” and entering the required information. Only the information marked with an asterisk (*) is required. Your should now be able to view your scores on all the College Board assessments you’ve taken.

FREE PRACTICE AT KHAN ACADEMY Steps for Linking Student Accounts Step 1: Visit satpractice. org. This is where you can log in or create a Khan Academy account. Step 2: Link accounts. When prompted, you must agree to link your Khan Academy and College Board accounts. Step 3: Send test results. Students must sign in or create an account at collegeboard. org and click “Send” to send scores to Khan Academy for a personalized practice plan.

Register for SAT Tier One Prep Course $99 –Coming in Fall 2017 Register for the SAT Reasoning + Writing and Subject Tests (optional) @ www. collegeboard. com – Next test May 6, 2017 Deadline to register is April 7, 2017. Register for ACT + Writing @ www. act. org – Next test 6/11/17 Deadline to register is April 7, 2017. Tests are Saturdays off campus and you choose testing location from list provided during registration

NEED HELP? You can find registration deadlines and test dates on the Katella website See Ms. Diaz in the College and Career Center for a fee waiver or if you need help with registration for any of these tests

HOW TO SIGN UP Log on to: http: //katella. auhsd. us/ Click: - Counseling - Testing

WHEN SHOULD STUDENTS TAKE THESE TESTS? Students should take tests taken by SAT June 3, 2017 ACT June 10, 2017 Senior testing is only to IMPROVE your score and must be taken no later than December, 2017

SAT SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT TEST

SAT SCORING 200 - 800 - Reading & Writing 200 - 800 - Math Total: 200 - 1600

SAT II SUBJECT EXAMS

ACT AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST

ACT SCORING Composite Score 1 – 36 Subscores: Used more for the student

COMPARISON Test Structure ACT and Format New SAT Length 3 hours, 35 min (with optional Writing Test) 3 hours, 50 minutes (with optional Essay) Structure 4 sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) plus an Optional Essay (or Writing Test) 4 sections (Evidence-Based Reading, Writing, Math without a calculator, Math with a calculator) plus an Optional Essay

COMPARISON CONT. Scoring ACT New SAT Score Composite of 1 -36 based on average scores from the 4 test sections 4 scores of 1 -36 for each test Optional Writing Test score of 1 -36 (not included in the overall) Score is out of 1600: 800 for Math, 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Optional Essay receives a separate score Subscores and insight scores available Wrong Answer Penalty No penalty for wrong answers Sending Score You decide which score is sent Not yet known History

COMPARISON CONT. Content ACT New SAT Reading Comprehension Words in Context Evidence Based Math Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Algebra II Trigonometry Algebra Data Analysis Geometry Trigonometry Algebra II Science Analysis Interpretation Evaluation Basic Content Problem Solving Science Insight Score Provided The Essay: Writing Test Writing and Language Essay English Test: Writing & Language multiple-choice questions Optional final section 40 minutes Not included in composite score Topic presents conversations around contemporary issues Tests grammatical and rhetorical skills Optional final section 50 minutes Separate score Tests Reading, Analysis, and Writing Skills Topic comes from a 750 -word passage to be read on Test Day

SAT SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT TEST Deadlines www. collegeboard. com Offered 7 x a Year January, March, May, and June October, November, December

SAT SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT TEST Preparation? Critical !

ACT AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST Deadlines www. act. org/student Offered 6 x per year April, June September, October, December, February

SAT TEST PREP OPTIONS Tier One SAT Prep Once A Week (Wednesdays) $99. 00

NOW WHAT ? ? YOU KNOW WHAT COLLEGES ARE LOOKING FOR ! BUT NOT ALL COLLEGES ARE A BEST FIT FOR YOUR STUDENT NOW WHAT!?

START THE TALK …. Suggested Immediate Action: 1. Communicate about college **Avoid the “What college do you plan to attend? ” **You have to establish a relationship 2. Listen more speak less 2. Help them timeline goals

MAJOR SELECTION How To Choose A Major Natural Tendencies Academic Pursuits Assessments

THE RIGHT FIT Finding a college that meets: Academic Needs Social Interests Realistic Selectivity

WHAT REALLY MATTERS ACADEMIC/SOCIAL NEEDS List Drivers Rating 1 - 10 Top Three Brand Consciousness Geography Setting (City, suburban, rural) Size (small, medium, large) Type of School Major Academic/Learning Services Sports Clubs/Cultural Activities Greek Life Cost X Factor

WHAT REALLY MATTERS ACADEMIC/SOCIAL NEEDS Brand Consciousness Geography Setting (City, suburban, rural) Size (small, medium, large) Type of School Major Academic/Learning Services Sports Clubs/Cultural Activities Greek Life Cost X Factor

PREFERENCES TO LIST DRIVERS Must Haves vs. Nice to Haves Talk Through Priorities Select top THREE 1. Setting 2. Size 3. Major

WHAT NOW 200+ Colleges What Now?

TOOLS TO EXPLORE COLLEGES & CAREERS/MAJORS CCGI § Californiacolleges. edu College Board § www. collegeboard. org Careerzone. org § www. cacareerzone. org

CCGI auhsdstudent ID# DOB =08031999

COLLEGE BOARD

CALIFORNIA CAREERZONE

DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY Look at overall candidacy Grades, TESTS, course difficulty 1 s t Grades, course difficulty, rank Compare GPA with average admitted GPAs 2 n d Tests 3 r d The rest This review will narrow down the school choices when you determine feasibility These comparisons can be done using Naviance or other college sourcing websites. The campus website can provide those averages

CREATING A LIST OF SCHOOLS 2: 3: 2 Ratio 7 -10 Schools

2: 3: 2 RATIO 2 – Dream Schools § Your students SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall below the average range. Less than a 50% chance they will be admitted. Extracurricular can tip the scale. 3 – ”Just Right” Schools § Your students SAT/ACT scores and GPA are almost identical – greater than 50% chance will be admitted 2 – “No problem” schools § Scores/GPA higher than that published—over 90% chance they will be admitted

DISCLAIMER There are no guarantees in the college admission process

COLLEGE LIST BUILDING GOAL Schools Determined: August 2017 Why?

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES CSU’S Public university Simi-Selective college

CSU SCHOOLS Affordability • Cost of Tuition: $5, 480 • Cost of Tuition / Room and Board: $16, 480 (approximate) Accessible • Many financial packages help subsidize the cost • Cal Grant, State University Grant (SUG), EOP • Each Campus has a variety of scholarships Class Size • General Ed courses are higher • Major Courses 25 -40– depends on the school Diverse • Many ethnic and/or racial backgrounds Successful • Many students experience a 5 -year pattern

CSU SCHOOLS

CSU SCHOOLS General Information More “hands-on” – the doing professions…teaching, engineering, nursing. CSU prepares: § Approx. 87% of the teachers in the State § about 45% of the State’s engineering graduates § about 50% of business graduates, § and more graduates in agriculture, communications, health, education, and public administration than all other California universities and colleges combined. Each school offers educational instruction up through the masters level with only a couple doctoral programs

CSU SCHOOLS Admission Process Accepting the top 1/3 Deadlines § Application Opens on OCTOBER 1 st § Applications Accepted: OCTOBER 1 st – NOVEMBER 30 th Course Requirements § GRADES – GPA § NO D’s or F’s § All A-G requirements completed Testing Requirement § SAT or ACT (NO WRITING NEEDED OR EVALUATED) § No SAT Subject Exams Supplemental Information § NONE – NO Letters of Recommendation allowed § Must meet Eligibility Index

APPLICATION PREPARATION CSU APPLICATION Eligibility Index Minimum: 2900 Your GPA* x 800 + SAT (math + reading score) 2. 6 x 800 + 1000 (500/500)= 3080 --Accepted *CSULB 3200—Denied Note: The eligibility index can be major specific

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA THE UC’S Public University System Selective college

UC SCHOOLS Affordability • Cost of Tuition: $12, 692 • Cost of Tuition / Room and Board: $32, 415 Accessible • Many financial packages help subsidize the cost • Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan— Tuition Paid • Parents making less than $80, 00 --qualify for financial aid-- Class Size • 20: 1 ratio – depends on the school Diverse • Many ethnic and/or racial backgrounds Successful • Sustained Effort = 4 Years

UC SCHOOLS

UC SCHOOLS General Information 10 UC schools in California – UCI-UCLA-Berkeley—San Diego More theoretical, philosophical, and research based learning Each school offers educational instruction up through the doctoral and professional degree level More UC academic programs are consistently rated among the top 10 nationally than any other public or private university. Who Should Apply? Students who are eventually pursing doctoral level studies or planning to go into research and discovery based careers Students who have found a program that matches their individual career needs

UC SCHOOLS Admission Process Accepting top 12. 5% Deadlines § Application Opens on August 1 s t § Applications Accepted: August 1 st – NOVEMBER 30 th Course Requirements § GRADES – GPA § NO D’s or F’s § All A-G requirements completed—recommend beyond minimum Testing Requirement § SAT or ACT w/Writing § SAT Subjects ONLY for specific majors—not a Entrance Requirement Supplemental Information § NONE – NO Letters of Recommendation allowed – Some majors may request one § Comprehensive Review: § students are looked at for more than just GPA and SAT/ACT *Essay, quality of senior program, personal involvement

APPLICATION PREPARATION UC APPLICATION Essay There will be 8 questions to choose from. Students must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. Essay questions: 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

APPLICATION PREPARATION UC APPLICATION Essay Continued 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? 6. Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you. 7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California? Essay workshops planned in Spring Review Workshops in Fall 2017

PRIVATE SCHOOLS/ INDEPENDENT COLLEGES Cost Does it cost more?

PRIVATE SCHOOLS/ INDEPENDENT COLLEGES Not Always

PRIVATE SCHOOLS/INDEPENDENT COLLEGES Affordability • Cost structure can be as low as a UC school • 86% of students receive student aid Accessible • Students overall receive 1. 4 billion in student financial aid Class Size • 12: 1 ratio – typical Diverse • Many ethnic and/or racial backgrounds Successful • The majority of the students graduate in four years • This saves money

PRIVATE SCHOOLS/INDEPENDENT COLLEGES General Information Schools have classifications • Specialized Institution • California Institute of the Arts • Research Universities • Cal Tech & Stanford • Liberal Arts College • Harvey Mudd College • Comprehensive Universities • Chapman University • Affiliation Colleges • Christian; Roman Catholic; Church of Nazarene Competitiveness Ranges • Students should review the school’s profile statistics

PRIVATE SCHOOLS/INDEPENDENT COLLEGES Admission Process Deadlines Vary § Be mindful of deadlines Course Requirements § Typically follow the A-G Pattern with NO D’s or F’s § Recommended ALWAYS means REQUIRED Testing Requirement (Typically) § SAT or ACT w/Writing Supplemental Information § Portfolios (specialized schools) § Letters of Recommendation (get to know your teachers NOW) § Essay questions—know what makes you tick!

APPLICATION PREPARATION PRIVATE SCHOOLS Decision Type Application Due Date What Does it Mean? Early Decision (ED) November Plans are FINAL Still Eligible For Regular Admission if Denied Decision is made PRIOR to financial aid decision Early Action (EA) November Nonbinding Students can wait to review other offers Regular Action January 1 – February 1 Notifications made on or around April 1 st Decisions must be made by May 1 Rolling Admission Ongoing Applications reviewed when received Decisions/Notifications made once reviewed Apply Early

2017 -2018 COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY PROMPTS 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. [No change] 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? [Revised] 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [Revised] 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. [No change] 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised] 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? [New] 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. [New]

APPLICATION PREPARATION PRIVATE SCHOOLS Letters of Recommendation (LOR) Letters of Support Securing letters should be done this year Students are responsible for getting to know their teachers/counselor Students should be preparing their LOR Self. Evaluation Students should be prepared to provide their essays

OVERWHELMED? WHAT I RECOMMEND BEFORE AUGUST 2017

TOPIC TIMELINE Academics – Academics - Academics Now – June (Senior year too) Personal Involvement Now – June (Senior year too) Discuss College Now Discuss Interests/Complete Surveys Now Work on Preferences/List Drivers Now - June Prepare for SAT Now - May Take SAT or ACT January – June (recommend March) Secure Recommenders (Private School Applicants Only) May – June Begin to Review College Essays May (Essay workshops in English) Start College Essays Summer Have Your College List Developed August (Start of School)