First Generation4-year College Basics

Workshop

Mrs. Olszewski – Class of 2018 Counselor

Mrs. Campo – Class of 2017 Counselor

September 17, 2014

Significance of being 1G

► You will be the first in your family to earn a 4-year college degree.

► You will open the door for younger siblings, for your children and their children.

► Completing college will make you a stronger and happier person.

► You will have more opportunities in your lifetime if you go to college.

► ImFirst.org

“a-g”: Minimum Courses for College Entry

► “a” 2 years of History► “b” 4 years of English► “c” 3 years of Math

(Including Alg1, Geometry, Alg2) ► “d” 2 years of Lab Science► “e” 2 years of Foreign Language► “f” 1 year of Visual/Performing Arts► “g” 1 year of College Prep Elective

Testing Requirement

► SAT Reasoning Test with Writing and/or► ACT with Writing► Sign up online► Fee Waivers available► Juniors: Take at least once in Spring of

11th ► Seniors: December is deadline► 9th/10th: PSAT is a great practice test

for SAT. Offered in October.

SAT or ACT

The Short Answer…

►Better at vocabulary and reading? The SAT may be the test for you.

►Better at science and graphical thinking? The ACT may play to your strengths

►SAT II tests are specialized, one-hour-long tests, each of which focus on a specific subject area – Chemistry, American History, etc.

Free SAT Test Prep: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice

Free ACT Test prep: http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/

Grade Point Average (GPA) – It Matters

►California Public Universities will only use grades earned in College Preparatory classes for GPA calculation.

►College applications are filed in Fall of 12th grade, this means colleges will make admission decisions based on grades earned in 9th-11th.

►How to calculate GPA: Sample:▪A grade = 4 points English A (4 points)

▪B grade = 3 points Geometry B (3 points)

▪C grade = 2 points AP World Hist* B (4 points)

▪F grade = 0 points Biology C (2 points)

Spanish 1 B (3 points)

►Add the number of points and divide by the number of classes.

▪16 points divided by 5 classes = 3.2 GPA (Academic)

*Advanced Placement (AP) classes get 1 extra point on GPA

Make Yourself College Material

► “Package” yourself for admissions officers:▪ Take challenging classes▪ Practice taking the SAT (PSAT)▪ Compelling extra-curricular activities▪ Volunteer Work (start now!)▪ Excellent grades▪ Effective use of free time to advance future goals

Get The Support You Need

► Counselors: Mrs. Olszewski (class of 2018) & Mrs. Campo (class of 2017). Take advantage of on-campus workshops. Students—visit us during our office hours.

► Family: Talk frankly and often about your college plans. Come to agreement and make plans together.

► School & Community: Use teachers, coaches, alumni and community members as resources for information, help and support.

Why Go to College?

► More opportunities (jobs) will be available due to the knowledge, skills and experience you will gain in college.

► College work will challenge and inspire you.► College helps students develop into mature,

responsible, and independent adults.► Choosing your own classes gives you the

opportunity to explore courses in many different subjects.

► Explore outside the classroom through extracurricular activities and internships.

► Invest in your future.

Types of Colleges:Factors to consider when

making your college list

► Public Institutions: Cal States & UCs► Our local Public Schools: Cal State San

Marcos and UC Riverside► Private institutions► Local Colleges in Southern CA ► Out-of-State Schools including WUE► Small Colleges► Large Colleges

Undergraduate Degrees► BS degree: Bachelors of Science► BA degree: Bachelors of Arts

► With undergraduate degrees, students:▪Complete general education requirements▪Complete major specific requirements

Where will you be in 10 years?Will your college major be the

determinate?

► Naviance surveys to help you decide:▪Interest and Career Profiler

▪9th grade – October 2014▪Career options based on your responses▪Skills, tasks, salaries

►ASVAB – Measures career interests & aptitude▪10th grade – September 18th

“In Demand” College Majors

► Biomedical Engineering► Biometrics► Forensic Science► Computer Game Design► Business► Public Health► Robotics► Petroleum Engineering► Study dealing with law, medicine, technology,

science

More Factors to Consider with your College List

► Safe Schools► Likely Schools► Reach Schools

► Determine your “fit” based on GPA and SAT/ACT test scores

► Know the competitive factor with schools on your college list

► Continue to revise

Cost of College► Types of Costs: Tuition & Fees,

Housing & Food, Books & Supplies, Transportation & Other

► Two types of Aid:▪Merit Based Aid (GPA)▪Need Based Aid (family income)

► Many students will get aid from various sources (gift aid and/or loans)

► These costs may seem overwhelming, but there are ways to keep expenses down.

Process for Financial Aid► Free Application for Federal Student Aid:

https://fafsa.ed.gov/► CSS Profile:

http://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile

► Private Scholarships such as Dollars for Scholars

► Cal Grants A, B, C► California Dream Act

► Every college will provide family with Financial Aid Package that will determine how funds will pay for college.

What to do Right Now► Do well in your current classes!► Read, read, read► Find a mentor► Make some like-minded friends► Join a club or a sport► Explore and identify career interests► Make a portfolio (Naviance resume)► Summer activities (volunteer, first job, visit

college campuses, etc.)