Junior Parent Night Career and College Readiness Sylvia

Junior Parent Night Career and College Readiness Sylvia Onopa Counselor, Class of 2017 1

Tonight’s Agenda �Two parts: �Career Exploration � 4 year college �Career Major College 2

Career Complete a Career Interest Profiler www. cacareerzone. org 3

Major selection How To Choose A Major � Natural Tendencies/Strengths � Academic Pursuits � Assessments – Career. Zone Use the resources that are available to your student 4

Now What �What are colleges looking at? �A student who understands him or herself �What are they good at? �Knowing what they like to do? �How others like them. �This is determined via the APPLICATION �Academic Records �Extracurricular Pursuits �Reputation (References if accepted/required) 5

The Most Important Factor The Yes or No Decision is MOST influenced by the ACADEMICS All Colleges 6

Academics �The Freshmen Year �Incline or Decline? �Senior Year Matters!! �Some Low Grades--what now? 7

Extracurricular How Many Hours is Enough? 25? 50? 100? 8

Extracurricular Quality Over Quantity 9

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, community activities, etc. �Seek “out of school” opportunities �Senior Year: �Continue developing those contacts �Take on a new level of challenge/leadership �Make it relevant 10

Extracurricular How Does the Student Experience the World Outside High School …. it’s a balance 11

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. Did they enjoy the experience--and why? 12

Extracurricular Activities Outside of School 1. 2. 3. Pursue activities that interest them (not the college). List everyone you know and what they are related to (construction, law, etc. ). Pursue experience with them. Study the colleges locally and what specific research projects they are involved in…contact them. (summer programs, etc. . ) 13

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 14

Reputation Students need to develop a positive and healthy relationship with staff and students This builds a stronger, happier, and more involved student Private Colleges and most scholarships require a Letter of Recommendation from counselor/teachers/coaches 15

Standardized Test Timelines Fall Junior Year Spring SAT &/or ACT PSAT Subjects* Senior Year Retake** SAT &/or ACT *Some private schools - Some UC majors **Retake only if necessary 16

Comparison ACT �Content-based �No penalty for wrong answers �Scores sent by test date-student selects �Less test prep options �Longer test w/writing �Provides academic strengths – areas of need SAT (Redesigned) �Content-based �No penalty for wrong answers �All scores sent unless student chooses Score Choice �Multiple test prep options �Shorter (optional essay adds 50 minutes) �More universally known 17

SAT Scholastic Achievement Test Be mindful of deadlines www. collegeboard. org Offered 7 times a Year March, May, and June October, November, December, January 18

ACT American college test Pay Attention to Deadlines www. act. org Offered 6 times per year April, June September, October, December, February 19

Now what ? ? YOU KNOW WHAT COLLEGES ARE LOOKING FOR. . BUT NOT ALL COLLEGES ARE A BEST FIT FOR YOUR STUDENT NOW WHAT!? 20

START THE TALK …. Suggested Immediate Action: 1. Communicate about college **Ask your student if they have completed a college search to share career inventories/personality type surveys 2. Visit colleges in the spring and summer – to experience the campus 2. Listen more than speak 3. Help them set goals and create a timeline 21

The Right Finding a college that meets: �Academic Needs �Social Interests �Realistic Selectivity 22

What really matters Academic/social needs �Brand Consciousness / reputation �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 23

College Search �College Board �https: //bigfuture. collegeboard. org �California Colleges �www. californiacolleges. edu 24

Creating the List “Must Haves” vs. “Nice to Haves” Talk Through Priorities With Your Student Select top THREE 1. Setting 2. Size 3. Major 25

Determine eligibility Now what “I have 200+ colleges on my search”: Look at overall candidacy – How do your Grades, TESTS, course difficulty compare to incoming freshman 1 st Grades, course difficulty, rank Compare GPA with average admitted GPAs 2 nd Tests 3 rd The rest This review will narrow down the school choices when you determine feasibility These comparisons can be done using College Board or other college sourcing websites. In Addition, the campus website can provide those averages. 26

2: 3: 2 Ratio – Create your list � 2 – Dream Schools - Reach �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 - Range �Your students SAT/ACT scores and GPA are almost identical – greater than 50% chance will be admitted � 2 – “No problem” schools - Reliable �Scores/GPA higher than that published—over 90% chance they will be admitted 27

Disclaimer: There are no guarantees in the college admission process 28

College list building goal Schools Determined: August 2016 Visit schools in the SPRING before Senior Year 29

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES CSU’S Public university Semi-Selective college 30

CSU Schools � Affordability • Cost of Tuition: $8, 417 • Cost of Tuition / Room and Board: $23, 000(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 Population � Successful Graduation Rate • Many students experience a 5 -year pattern 31

CSU Schools 32

CSU Schools General Information � More “hands-on” – the doing professions…teaching, engineering, nursing. � CSU prepares: � Approximately 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 33

CSU Schools Admission Process � Deadlines Accepting the top 1/3 � 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 (varies per campus & major) 34

CSU Eligibility Index Minimum Eligibility Index of 2900 Your GPA* x 800 + SAT (not writing) EXAMPLE: 2. 6 x 800 + 1000 (500/500)= 3080 Note: The eligibility index can be major specific 35

Cal State Fullerton GPAs of Incoming Freshmen 36

csumentor. edu 37

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA THE UC’S Public University System Selective college 38

UC Schools �Affordability • Cost of Tuition: $14, 900 • Cost of Tuition / Room and Board: $33, 600 �Accessible • Many financial packages help subsidize the cost • Both merit-based and need-based �Class Size • 20: 1 ratio – depends on the school (50% of classes, many are larger) �Diverse Population �Successful Grad Rate • Sustained Effort = 4 Years 39

UC Schools 40

UC Schools General Information � 10 UC schools in California (only 9 for undergrads) – Popular choices: UCI-UCLA-Berkeley-San Diego-Santa Barbara � 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 41

UC Schools Admission Process � Deadlines Accepting top 12. 5% � Application Opens on OCTOBER 1 st � Applications Accepted: NOVEMBER 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 w/Writing or ACT w/Writing � SAT Subjects ONLY for specific majors—not a Entrance Requirement � Supplemental Information � NONE – NO Letters of Recommendation allowed (UC Berkeley piloted LOR’s this year) � Comprehensive Review: � students are looked at for more than just GPA and SAT/ACT *Essay, quality of senior program, personal involvement 42

Application Preparation UC application Essay 2015 (this will change for class of 2017) 2 Prompts Available on UC Website Essay 1 Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. Essay 2 Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are? Essay workshops and review Workshops in Fall 2016 43

University of California Irvine GPAs of Incoming Freshmen 44

admission. universityofcalifornia. edu 45

Private Schools/ Independent Colleges Cost Does it cost more? Not Always!! 46

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. . . Up to 20: 1) �Successful Grad Rate • The majority of the students graduate in four years • This saves money! 47

Private Schools/Independent Colleges General Information Schools have classifications • • • Specialized Institution • California Institute of the Arts • Cal Tech & Stanford • Harvey Mudd College • Chapman University • Christian; Roman Catholic; Church of Nazarene Research Universities Liberal Arts College Comprehensive Universities Affiliation Colleges Competitiveness Ranges • Students should review the school’s profile statistics 48

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! 49

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 50

Application preparation private schools Common Application 5 Essay Prompts (Subject to change Fall 2016) � Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. � Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn? � Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? � Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you? � Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. 51

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 / Brag Sheet / Resume �Students should be prepared to provide their essays to their recommender 52

TOPIC TIMELINE Academics – Academics - Academics Now – May (Senior year too) Personal Involvement Now – May (Senior year too) Discuss College Now Discuss Interests/Complete Surveys Now Work on Preferences/Lists Now - August Prepare for SAT Now - May Take SAT or ACT January – June Secure Recommenders (Private School Applicants Only) April-May Begin to Review College Essays May-Summer Start College Essays Summer Have Your College List Developed August (Start of School) 53

What Else Parents Can Do. . . �Set good examples for your Students �Make time to listen to them – they still need you! �Initiate conversations with them, “tell me about your day” �Let your student decide with your guidance �Enjoy this time with them! 3/11/2021 54

�If you haven’t done so already, sign up for the text updates and reminders from Mrs. Onopa by texting the message @mrssono to 81010. 55

Don’t Forget… �Check out our website- www. katellahs. org �Click on the “Counseling” tab on the left side of the page to access the following information: grade specific information, announcements regarding the counseling department and events that support students. �You can view this presentation online. Visit www. katellahs. org 11 th Grade tab under “Counseling” 56