College Information Night for Sophomore/Junior Parents

Presented by Acalanes Counseling Department

• Anne Schonauer A-Fa

• Lynn Millar Fe-Lee

• Cheryl Lua Lei-Ri

• Susan Martin Ro-Z

• Joan Karr College & Career Advisor

Agenda

Agenda:

Starting the college search

tasks and timeline

Review the basics

types of colleges

testing

College Search Process

College is a match to be made,

not a prize to be won!

College Search Process

Responsibilities:

• STUDENT - take the lead! Research colleges, request letters

of recommendation, organize, fill out applications,

write personal statements, contact w/admissions offices.

• PARENTS - ‘coach not quarterback’, give guidelines, reminders,

support. Discuss financial parameters with your student.

COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER information center - College rep visits,

application workshops, scholarship applications, guidance,

help with application forms.

• COUNSELOR - give input & guidance, letter of recommendation,

sounding board.

College and Career Center

• Students are encouraged to meet with Joan Karr

• Naviance Workshop for all Juniors in Spring

• Career Interest Inventory with all Sophomores in Spring

• Meet with students and parents by appointment

• Visit the C&CC website: http://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us

• College rep visits for juniors and seniors (mostly in Fall semester)

• College application workshops for seniors

Naviance

• www.connection.naviance.com/acalanes

• Sophomores are introduced to the website

• Naviance has a college search and college compare function

• Students may take an interest inventory

• Seniors will list colleges, sign up for college visits, request letters of recommendation, and order transcripts on Naviance

Counseling

Counselors will meet with Sophomores and Juniors 2nd semester to discuss course selection and college planning

Course Selection

Don’t Overload!

consider time commitments, personal strengths and interests

Open House is February 5 opportunity to learn about curriculum, ask questions

Course Selection due Feb 19 for Sophomores

Feb 20 for Juniors

Timeline--Sophomores

Spring of Sophomore year

- choose courses wisely for junior year

- plan something fun and interesting for summer

- start visiting colleges

Timeline--Juniors

Fall of Junior year:

- take PSAT (October)

- register for SAT or ACT spring dates

Spring of Junior year

- plan something fun and interesting for summer

- choose courses wisely for senior year

- take SAT and/or ACT

- visit colleges

- start forming a list of colleges to apply to

- attend college rep visits in College and Career Center

- think about letters of recommendation

Timeline--Seniors

Senior year:

August/September

--Get organized! Make a chart of applications, requirements,deadlines, passwords, etc

--finalize list of colleges to apply

--start applications online

--if letters of recommendation are needed, ask teachers, counselor and update Naviance

October/November

-- Early Decision & Early Action deadlines are Nov 1 -Nov 15.

finish early applications

Timeline—Seniors, cont’d.

December/January

- continue working on applications to meet December and January 1 deadlines.

- Get notification from Early Action schools

January/February

- complete FAFSA by March 2

- keep waiting to hear from colleges

- Apply to Community colleges

March/April

- receive all application decisions

May 1

- Decide and submit Student Intent to Register

University of California

• www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions

• Apply online August 1 - November 30

• SAT or ACT with Writing required

• SAT Subject Tests recommended for certain majors

• Comprehensive review of applications, including coursework, grades and test scores, activities list and 2 essays.

• No Letters of recommendation required

• Apply broadly among nine undergrad campuses for best chance of admission

California State University

• www.csumentor.edu

• Apply online October 1-November 30

• SAT or ACT required

• Admission index based on 10-12 academic GPA and test scores only

• No letters of recommendation or essays required

• Apply broadly among 23 campuses for best chance of admission

Private Colleges and Universities

• Apply on Common Application or school website

• Most require SAT or ACT; some require Subject Tests

• letters of recommendation, essays and activities list required

• Many have Early Action or Early Decision options

Out-of-State Public Colleges and Universities

• Requirements and deadlines vary – check school websites

• Some use Common Application, some have application on school website.

• SAT or ACT is usually required

• Transcript is usually required

• May require letters of recommendation

• Some schools have rolling admission policies and/or Early Action/Decision options

California Community Colleges

• www.cccco.edu

• No SAT or ACT required

• Transfer to a four year institution after completion of lower division coursework

• Apply in the spring of senior year

• Placement tests in math and English required

Visit College Campuses

• Consider visiting college campuses during Spring break or over the summer

• If your summer travels take you close to a college campus, try to arrange a visit

• When you visit a campus, arrange to take the official tour

• Always visit the bookstore and the feeder community around the campus.

• Many colleges offer programs for high school students over the summer

Financial Aid

• FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is required www.fafsa.ed.gov

• CSS Profile is required by some, mostly private, schools www.cssprofile.org

• Check Net Cost Calculator on college websites

• Look into Western Undergraduate Exchange, WUE, for reduced out of state tuition for some public schools in the Western States

Testing

• Most four year colleges require SAT or ACT tests

• Students may choose to take either test for college admissions

• SAT is given seven times a year

• ACT with Writing is given six times a year

• Some schools require SAT Subject Tests

• The “new” SAT will debut in March 2016

Method Test Prep for SAT and ACT

• LPIE and Acalanes Parents Club have provided student access to Method Test Prep (MTP)

• MTP is an online course that will help with SAT/ACT test skills

• Students are invited to to sign up for MTP on our website

• MTP is self-paced. Sections may be completed in 15 minutes.

Upcoming Events

• Open House February 5

• Course selection due Feb 19th, 20th

• Career Day: Thursday, March 12, 2015

– Students sign up in February

• EBCC College Fair at St. Mary’s College

Sat. May 9, 2015 from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

– Recommended for Sophomores and Juniors

Questions???