Preparing for the College Admissions Process

October 3, 2014

Ms. Tucker

Mr. Jacks

OVERVIEW

• Student Responsibilities/Preparation/Timeline• UC Admissions– Personal Statement

• CSU Admissions• Private Colleges/Universities (Letters of Recommendation

only)

– The Common Application– Essay

• Community College Programs• Financial Aid

Student Preparation• Prepare early. Get organized!• Research campuses and majors offered

– www.mymajors.com– www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions– www.csumentor.edu

• Gather information in your research– Career Center at WHS– College/university tours

• Finish SAT/ACT testing (December deadline)• Apply broadly but selectively• Get reviews of your personal statement/essay and

revise, revise, revise

Student Preparation cont’d • Observe and meet all deadlines• Follow all instructions as per the applications

directions (private institutions)• E-mail communication is important!– Create a professional e-mail address– Check it often!!!

• Respond immediately to requests for further information

• Before submitting over the internet, make a copy for your records

Application Timeline

Date/Deadline Task

October 1-31 UC/CSU Application OpensNovember 1-30 Submit UC/CSU Application Late January Update December Test ResultsMarch 2 Deadline for FAFSAMarch/April Notification of Admission May 1 SIR (Statement of Intent to Register)

Deadline – Freshman

UC Application Process

• Minimum entrance requirements to the UC system – 3.0 GPA plus an appropriate Eligibility Index (determined by SAT I/ACT scores) and 15 courses in the A - G requirements

• SAT I or ACT; SAT II Subject Tests recommended for certain majors

• Use a Comprehensive Review Process…

Application Factors

• Comprehensive review factors, such as:– High School GPA in UC-required courses– SAT I or ACT (w/writing)– Academic courses completed beyond the minimum– Quality of senior year program– Special talents, achievements, and awards– Outstanding academic performance in a subject– Personal Statement– Community service

The Personal Statement

• 2 Prompts; students must address both• 1,000 words total or less• View as personal interview on paper

For more information and helpful tips visit:

www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html

Final Thoughts on Personal Statement

• Start early, get feedback, and REVISE!• Define your motivation/momentum in topics

you are passionate about• Decisions are never made on the personal

statement alone• Avoid common mistakes (manufactured

hardships, vague examples, etc.)

California State UniversityApplication Process

• Minimum entrance requirements – 2.0 GPA – 15 units in college prep classes (A – G) – Eligibility Index determined by (calculated by using

students’ SAT I or ACT score and GPA)– For further information regarding the Eligibility

Index refer to www.csumentor.edu

California State UniversityApplication Process

• Impacted campuses and impacted majors implement a selection process.

• Some campuses have “Priority Admission Days” -- “Early Admission Days”-- “On Site Admission Days” -- contact the campus you are interested in for details

• Check to see your EAP conditional status– EAP testing from junior year– “C” or better in English 4 AP or IB– “C” or better in Math Analysis, Math Analysis Honors,

Calculus, or any AP or IB math course taken in your senior year

Private College/University Admission Process

• Letter of Recommendation needed• If a student meets UC requirements he/she has

probably met most private institution’s requirements• Contact the school you are interested in and get their

specific admission requirements

The Common Application

• www.commonapp.org• Used by over 400 universities.• Allows students to complete one general

application instead of filling out multiple ones.• Helps remind applicants about deadlines.• Allows up to 20 applications

Early Decision

• Generally binding. Students agree to go there if accepted. – Can opt out if students can prove financial

hardship.– Schools honor ED binding decisions. If you opt out,

other schools are unlikely to accept you.– Leaves less leverage to negotiate financial aid

packages.

Early Action

• Alternative to Early Decision– Not binding – students can attend other

universities.• SCEA – Single Choice EA allow only one EA

application at a time.– Allows students to compare financial aid packages.

Letters of Recommendation

• Require 1 from GLC and 2 from teachers• Senior Profile should be completed (located on

GLC page of WHS website under “senior recommend”) along with a cover sheet and all essays.

• Requires 2-3 weeks notice (holidays not included)

• Confidential – do not ask for a copy• Teachers should be given similar considerations

Example of Cover Sheet(Example Only)

– School Common App. Deadline• 1. La Verne 1. yes 1. Dec. 1• 2. Pt. Loma 2. yes 2. Nov. 30• 3. Cal Poly 3. no 3. Nov. 30

California Community Colleges

• Information and application to any CA college:

• www.cccco.edu• Over 100 community college to choose from• Students can apply to many schools from one

site• Mt. SAC will be on campus next semester to

assist in applications and placement exams

Mt. Sac

Mt. SAC Special Programs

• Connect 4– Participating students register early for fall classes.– Students complete orientation & receive support with registration.– Students increase likelihood of getting fall semester classes.– Invited students will have:

1) Application on file- Students must submit application for Summer 2014 or Fall 2014 and obtain confirmation number (assistance available)

2) Take placement tests- Students must have tested and have scores on their record (tests scheduled at the high school; advanced sign- ups required with application confirmation number)

Mt. SAC Special Programs

• Mt. SAC Honors Program• Requirements– Eligibility for English 1A– 3.5 GPA (weighted okay)– Letter of Recommendation (prefer English teacher)

• Benefits– Geographic convenience– Financial Affordability (tuition, room & board, etc.)– VERY HIGH TRANSFER RATES!!!!!!

Financial Aid

Financial Aid

• File a FAFSA – January 1 - March 2, 2015• Eligibility for many scholarships and

grants requires on-time FAFSA filing

New Contact Information

• Be sure to use the updated email addresses when filling out the Common Application

• Ms. Tucker: – jtucker@wvusd.k12.ca.us

• Mr. Jacks: – jjacks@wvusd.k12.ca.us

THANK YOU