Get College Knowledge

Information for Seniors and their Parents

Senior Year

Can be daunting, upsetting, and very stressful

Solution- Be organized, use a planner, and keep track of all deadlines

Most students rejected from a college is because of a missed deadline or

Incomplete file

Types of Admissions Rolling Admissions- ex. U. of Michigan, Univ. of

Arizona, etc.-Apply early to these schools for a better chance of admission.

Single Choice Early Decision- not recommended, for students who need financial aid- they may not have your FA pkg. ready by deadline- UPenn-Decision is binding between the student and the school. Some schools have two rounds of Early Decision

Single Choice Early Action- Pick one college, apply early by Nov.1, not binding, can still see where else you are accepted during the regular round.

Regular Decision- Apply to colleges that have a deadline of either January 1 or earlier. Admission decision by April 1.

UC & CSU –application comes online about Oct. 1, due by Nov. 30. UC cannot submit til Nov. 1

Common Application Best invention for college applications Each section needs to be complete

only ONCE!! Must have 2 teachers and 1

counselor complete the Secondary School Report, which includes the Letter of Recommendation.

***Meeting for Private College Process during Lunch in the MPR Wed. 9/23

Letters of Recommendation

Most schools require them, (not UCs or CSUs)

Counselors, or a favorite teacher can do them

Counselors limit to 40 students Must have 30 days to complete Students must pick up packet from

College Center- brag sheets, (4)

Testing SAT Reasoning Test-includes critical reading, math, & writing ACT Plus Writing SAT Subject Tests- UCs- no longer require- but if applying in

math or science you will need Math II. If you took SAT II and did well send them to the colleges

Certain majors- ie. engineering at MIT requires Physics, and Math II-SAT Subject Tests. Check each college website to make sure of requirements.UCs have dropped the Subject tests as a requirement, but some schools in UCs do require it.

CSUs use Mentor Code #3594- scores will be sent to all 23 campuses of CSU’s

UCs send to UCLA and scores will go to all UCs to which you applied. The reason is ETS is the SAT and UCs application clearing house is ETS.

Test Prep Can use free test prep online at www.number2.com, www.freerice.com www.review.com, www.dictionary.com www.vocabulary.com/top/sat3.htm www.collegeboard.com- full length SAT online practice

taking the test. All of these websites are listed on the College Office website which is a link on the CHS website

Receive tutoring sessions at home or go to group classes, can be expensive!!

Eureka(Princeton Review), Revolution, CSUN, Kaplan, Ivy West, Elite, Score! Are all reputable companies.

Financial Aid Private colleges -although more $$$ than

UCs, may end up less $$$, as they have more FA to give

Allow students to apply where they want to go, not where you want them to go

FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Cal Grant- only for CA colleges Must have a Social Security # to apply, or

do the DREAM Act FAFSA

AB540/Dream Act

Please inform school personnel- Counselor, College Counselor of your immigration status, as there are many scholarships thru MALDEF, SALAS-

Copies of these scholarships in College Center Eligible for instate tuition at UCs, CSUs, or CA

Community Colleges If you are undocumented, but are graduating from a

CA high school, you are eligible for AB540. NEW!!! Dream Act!! Need transcripts from K-12 and

for 2 years you will not run risk of deportation. Must do well in college. Will be able to fill out the Dream Act FAFSA and receive financial aid in the form of state grants.

Financial Aid Night Parent Night Meeting in December File taxes early, or estimate using last year’s data Parent considered- biological or adoptive- not step

parent- except on the CSS Profile for private colleges such as USC, Ivie, etc.

GPA Verification form for Cal Grant will be sent from LAUSD to CSAC. It will mesh with FAFSA after you file

FAFSA + Cal Grant = $$$ Calculate EFC- Expected Family Contribution on

www.fafsa4caster.com, www.collegeboard.com, or www.finaid.com.

Private Colleges will also ask for the CSS Profile which asks many more questions-online at www.collegeboard.com.

Scholarships Students should be registered online at

www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com Search Engine with 600,000 scholarships Fill out profile of yourself They will email you scholarships when to apply for

when they fit your profile. Free money that does not need to be repaid, as are

grants Millions of dollars of scholarship money is not given out

because students do not apply Check the Scholarship drawer in College Office, and go

to our website: www.clevelandhs.org, click on College Office, and then careerandcollegeoffice.org link

What Colleges Look for Rigorous academic record on transcript SAT, SAT Subject Test or ACT scores Personal Statement-can use this as a way

to make the student come alive-can explain deficiencies, why grades were lower than expected, etc.

Community Service Work Experience Commitment to School Extra-Curriculars And a PASSION for learning!!!

Personal Statement UC Personal Statement questions are the

same as last year. Essay should be in active voice. It should

make you come across as real. This is the only part of the application that can set you apart, and make you appear “real.”

Personal Statement is a vital part of the application. Ms. Hall will conduct a Personal Statement Workshop in Room E10 at the conclusion of our event.

Questions????

Call Mrs. Drell, College Counselor or your child’s counselor at Cleveland HS

(818) 885-2300