+ High School and the College Application Process North Hollywood – January 31 st 2010 Saanjh...

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High School and the College Application ProcessNorth Hollywood – January 31st 2010

Saanjh College Workshop

+Why Go to College?

Helps you discover your calling

Increase your understanding of the world and community around you

Gives you the skills to be successfulCritical ThinkingCommunication Skills

**Raises in salary over a person’s life are going to be dependent on their degree, so these disparities are going to increase with age

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+Why Go to College?

Monetary value

National Median earnings for someone with a:HS Diploma $32,500Associate’s $42,000Bachelor’s $53,000Master’s $63,000Advanced (PhD, MD) $100,000+

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+Why it is Important for Women to

Attend College

+Types of Colleges

Community Colleges

4 Year UniversitiesPublicPrivate

Trade Schools/Vocational

Military

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+Community College

Public 2 year schools that grant certificates and Associate’s Degree

Examples – Valley Community College, Santa Monica College, College of the Canyons

After completing Community College, some students transfer to a 4 year university.

Note: Cons aren’t reasons not to go to school, just downside of that particular type of college

Pros Cons•Inexpensive•Convenient Locations (Closer to Home)•Smaller Class Sizes•More interaction with professors

•Easy to get stuck and lose time•Smaller variety of courses/majors•Difficulty transferring credits

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+Community College

Must be the step towards a Bachelor’s Degree

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+Public University

4 year publicly funded. (90% of funding comes from state)

Examples - UC System- Berkeley, UCLA, Davis, Irvine, San Diego, Riverside, Santa

Barbara, Merced, Santa Cruz CSU – CSUN, CSU Fullerton, CSULA, CSU Long Beach, CSU Bakersfield

Pros ConsAffordable Tuition

Dynamic Atmosphere (Social, Diverse)

Flexibility

Numerous Majors

Knowledgeable Professors

Very large student populations

Access to information

Lack of access to Professors

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+Private University

4 year privately funded universities that differ substantially in academic standards and mission statements

Examples - Ivy League- Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Penn, Cornell, Dartmouth California - USC, Stanford, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Pomona

College

Pros ConsAcademic Excellence

Close-knit community

Students tend to be more involved academically

Class Size

Offer Merit Scholarships

Less diverse student population

Cost of Tuition

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+Target is a 4 year University

A Bachelor’s Degree is the goal.

You can achieve this by: Attending a 4-year University after High

School Attending a Community College for 2 years

and transferring to 4-year University after your second year

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+

How High School Works

+What you need to know about HS

How long does it take?

What do their grades mean?

What do they do there?

What help and assistance can they get?

How are they prepared for getting into college?

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+High School Timeline

4 years to complete

Student starts when they’re 14 years old

Freshman - 9th grade

Sophomore - 10th grade

Junior - 11th grade

Senior - 12th grade

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+High School Class Schedule

Polytechnic High, Van Nuys High, Kennedy High, Grant High, North Hollywood High, Simi Valley High Traditional Schedule - Student takes 6 classes per day for the entire

year - option of taking prep. period before school starts

Chaminade College Preparatory Block Schedule - Student takes four 1 ½ hour classes per day from

Aug.- Dec. - In Jan., student begins four new classes - Total of eight classes per year

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+Honors/Advanced Placement (AP)

Courses Honors/AP Courses are advanced

courses taken by HS students to help them prepare for the difficulty of college

AP Courses are rigorous, college-level courses taken by students that require them to pass an exam at the end of the year in order to receive college credit (i.e. AP U.S. History)

In terms of G.P.A., Honors/AP classes are usually weighted on a 5 point scale (possible to get a 5.0 or higher)

Colleges have their own way of calculating G.P.A. (some schools do not consider weighted G.P.A.s)

+Grades

Grades assigned by letter.

+/- also used to distinguish i.e. B+ is between 87-90%

Teachers have different grading scales for various classes, but this scale is usually the most common:

A 90% - 100% Excellent

B 80% - 89% Good

C 70% - 79% Average

D 60% - 69% Below Average

F 59% and below Failing

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+Grade Point Average (GPA)

Numerical representation of grades 0.00 to 4.00

All A Grades - 4.00 GPA

All B Grades - 3.00 GPA

Report cards and grades are mailed home/available online

Go online to see your child’s current progress

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+Sample Report Card

Subject Grade

Biology 1 A-

Algebra 2 B+

English 2C B-

Physical Education A

Total GPA 3.5

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+Average GPA at Colleges

UC Berkeley - 4.34

UCLA- 4.36

UC Davis - 4.03

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+Class Rank

Each student is given a ranking relative to their fellow students

Valedictorian - First in class

Salutatorian - Second in class

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+Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities help students gain responsibilities and refine focus Sports and Activities Student Government Community Service Clubs Academic Clubs Work Experience

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+Sports

Football

Volleyball

Baseball

Track

Sports are great for learning teamwork/out-of-classroom skills, but reality is very, very few kids will be able to play at college level or beyond

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+Student Government

Class and school government

Students can be officers for their classes and school

Student can get involved immediately at any grade

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+Community Service

Key Club Interact Club Red Cross Club FBLA Can be found through

School Local and Community Organizations Hospitals

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+Academic Clubs

Mathletes

Decathalons

Biology Club

Science Bowl

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+Work Experience

Working part-time during the school years

Summer work and internships

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+Parent Teacher Conference

Questions to ask during the conference

How has my child performed so far this year?

What skills and knowledge will my child be learning in your class?

Will my child complete any major projects or term papers this year?

How do you determine grades on assignments? How do you determine his or her overall grade for the class?

If my child needs help, is tutoring available?

If my child is a fast-learner how can you and the school make sure he or she is challenged?

Is this a college-track class? How does this class help students build skills to succeed in college?

What resources are available at school to help my child with your class?

How can I help my child succeed in your class this year?

What resources would help my child do his work better? Are there additional books or resources available at school or in the community that would help him or her?

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**These conferences are usually optional, but require parents should really maintain a relationship with teacher

+High School Resources

H.S. Counselors Academic advisors who help students pick classes,

register for SAT/ACT, apply to different colleges, and find activities

Career Center Helps students find info on colleges, tests, and

scholarships/financial aid

Avid Program Program focused on students who are going to be

first generation in their family to attend college Help with admissions process Assist with finding scholarships

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+Planning your HS Classes

Meet with your counselor as early as possible

Come up with a 4-year plan

Review College requirements Ex. UC/CSU A-G requirements

Select a challenging course load

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+Personal High School Stories

Experience with certain courses?

Extracurricular Activities (sports, clubs, etc.)?

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College Admissions ProcessOctober to January of your Senior Year

+What it takes to get into College Good Grades

Difficulty of course selection is also measured

Test Scores SAT and ACT

Involvement in Extracurricular Activities Passionate involvement and leadership

Essays and Personal Statement Clearly communicate what your goals are

Letters of Recommendation Pick teacher and people who know you the best

Standing out Leadership and being unique

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+Finding the Right College

Students should fill out the College Questionnaire attached to this presentation. Determine what matters to you and your student (size, costs,

location etc) Come up with a list of choices Determine which choices are practical

Resources (Princeton Review and College Board) http://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings.aspx http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/adv_typeofsc

hool.jsp 

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+Grades

Difficulty of course selection is regarded as one of the most important factors in admissions

For more competitive colleges, students need to take AP/IB and honors courses

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+Average GPAs

UC Berkeley - 4.34

UCLA- 4.36

UC Davis - 4.03

UC Santa Cruz- 3.76

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+SAT and ACT

Standardized Test that all College Applicants take

SAT Reasoning Test - 2400 points

800 Points Critical Reading

800 Points Mathematics

800 Points Writing

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+SAT and ACT

ACT test Scored on a 36 point scale Math, English, Reading, Science Sections

Some Schools prefer either SAT or ACT

For more competitive schools, students generally take both SAT and ACT

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+SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)

SAT Subject tests are exams in specific subjects

Graded on an 800 point scale

2 Sat Subject Tests (along with SAT Reasoning or ACT) are required for admission into UC schools

+Average SAT Score

UCLA- 2004

UC Berkeley- 2034

UC Davis- 1887

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+SAT and ACT Test Dates

SAT Test Dates 2009-

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Test

November 7, 2009

SAT & Subject Tests

December 5, 2009

SAT & Subject Tests

January 23, 2010

SAT & Subject Tests

March 13, 2010 SAT only

May 1, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests

June 5, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests

ACT Test Dates 2009-10

September 12, 2009

October 24, 2009

December 12, 2009

February 6, 2010

April 10, 2010

June 12, 2010

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+Essays

Most colleges require some sort of essay or personal statement

CSU Application does not require an essay

UC Application requires two personal statements.

Usually about your background and goals

Private Schools Require several essays or short answer responses

on the application

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+Essay Prompts

Prompt #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.

Prompt #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?

See that attached worksheet, “Personal Statement Tips” to learn about how to write a thorough and compete personal statement.

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+Letters of Recommendation

A personalized recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach or another person on behalf of the student

UC and CSU do not require letters

Private Universities usually require several letters of Recommendation

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+Letters of Recommendation

Over the years, you have been in many classes and have had many teachers. Out of all of them, which ones have you connected with the most? 

If a school would like two recommendations, it is ideal to choose one teacher from a social science department and one from an either math/science department. 

If a school asks for one, pick the one in which you have more of a personal connection with. 

Try to pick teachers that know you outside of the classroom and can remember specific things about you and the relationship you have with one another. 

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+Brag Sheet

It is important to gather all your extra curricular activities and/or honors together on paper and categorize them 

This process is called the Brag Sheet and takes form in a document that summarizes one's accomplishments

It makes it easier for the common application as well as the UC application because this exercise is basically what is on the application

This is particularly helpful during interviews as well as "additional information" sections 

See the attached document

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+Personal Experience with College

Admissions Process

Experience with taking SAT/ACT?

Writing admission essays/getting letters of recommendation?

+By the End of Junior Year

Maintained good study habits

Participated in Extracurricular Activities

Took challenging coursework

-Advanced Placement courses (AP)

Took SAT Subject Test in Math Level 2 and Literature

Started attending college fairs and identifying schools to visit

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+Summer after Junior Year

Harjit gets a job for the summer working at the supermarket. This helps her save some money for college.

She spends the summer studying for the SAT test. Takes a SAT prep course Buys SAT prep books from the bookstore

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+Summer after Junior Year

Harjit decides that she wants to visit some colleges she’s interested in attending.

She and her parents go to see Berkeley and Stanford University Campuses

Harjit starts working on her personal statement

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+September of Senior Year

Harjit meets with her guidance counselor to make sure she is taking all of the required courses.

She chooses a challenging set of classes

She picks 10 colleges that she wants to apply to and develops her application plan.

Harjit notes all of the application deadlines and sets up an application filing system.

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+October of Senior Year

Harjit plays on the varsity volleyball team and her team has been doing well.

Harjit takes the SAT I and receives a great score!

She has been drafting her college essays and reviews them with her counselor and english teacher.

She asks her Biology teacher and counselor to write her recommendation letter.

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+November of Senior Year

Harjit submits her application to the UC schools because the deadline is…

Continues to maintain her grades and excel in her classes.

She continues to complete her community service hours at the hospital

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+December of Senior Year

Harjit submits applications for Stanford, etc on December 15

She obtains financial aid forms from http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Takes her finals and does well.

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+January of Senior Year

Harjit meets with her guidance counselor and reviews her grades

She submits applications for the following schools: Stanford Berkeley Davis Harvard Sacramento State

University of Pacific

Harjit submits her completed FAFSA forms

She begins searching from scholarships

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+February of Senior Year

Harjit starts looking for summer work.

Continues to look for scholarship money

Responds to requests from colleges for additional information

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+March of Senior Year

Harjit receives Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Student Aid Program and reviews for accuracy.

Harjit receives acceptance letters from 4 schools where she applied.

Stanford, Berkeley, Univ of Pacific, Sacramento State

She can’t decide amongst these schools and so she plans to visit her top 3.

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+April of Senior Year

Harjit begins receiving financial aid awards letters from the colleges that accepted her.

She talks to her parents about the options and gets ready to make her decision before the May 1st deadlines

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+May of Senior Year

Harjit decides to attend Stanford!

Harjit makes loan arrangements and reports all of the private scholarships that she received as well.

She notifies the colleges that she won’t be attending.

She sends thank-you notes to the teachers and counselors who advised and assisted her.

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+

High School Plan Checklist

+ 9th Grade Meet with your counselor to begin talking about colleges and careers. Make sure you are enrolled in the appropriate college-preparatory or

tech-prep courses. Get off to a good start with your grades. The grades you earn in ninth

grade will be included in your final high school GPA and class rank. Explore your interests and possible careers. Take advantage of Career

Day opportunities. Get involved in extracurricular activities (both school and non-school-

sponsored). Talk to your parents about planning for college expenses. Continue or

begin a savings plan for college. Look at the college information available in your counselor’s office and

school and public libraries. Use the Internet to check out college Web sites.

Tour a nearby college, if possible. Visit relatives or friends who live on or near a college campus. Check out the dorms, go to the library or student center, and get a feel for college life.

Read a lot. Consider spending your free time reading the following classic works

http://bestsellers.about.com/od/readingrecommendations/tp/SummerReading.htm

Investigate summer enrichment programs. Center for Talented Youth (Johns Hopkins - http://cty.jhu.edu/) Educational Program for Gifted Youth (Stanford -

http://epgy.stanford.edu/)

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+10th Grade Fall

In October, take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) for practice. When you fill out your test sheet, check the box that releases your name to colleges so you can start receiving brochures from them.

Ask your guidance counselor about the American College Testing program’s PLAN (Pre-ACT) assessment program, which helps determine your study habits and academic progress and interests. This test will prepare you for the ACT Assessment next year.

Take geometry if you have not already done so. Take biology and a second year of a foreign language.

Become familiar with general college entrance requirements. Participate in your school’s or state’s career development

activities.

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+10th Grade (cont) Winter

Discuss your PSAT score with your counselor. The people who read college applications aren’t

looking just for grades. Get involved in activities outside the classroom. Work toward leadership positions in the activities that you like best. Become involved in community service and other volunteer activities.

Read, read, read. Read as many books as possible from a comprehensive reading list.

Work on your writing skills—you’ll need them no matter what you do.

Find a teacher or another adult who will advise and encourage you to write well.

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+10th Grade (cont) Spring

Keep your grades up so you can have the highest GPA and class rank possible.

Ask your counselor about postsecondary enrollment options and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Continue to explore interests and careers that you think you might like. Begin zeroing in on the type of college you would prefer (two-year or

four-year, small or large, rural or urban). If you are interested in attending a military academy, such as West Point

or Annapolis, now is the time to start planning and getting information. Write to colleges and ask for their academic requirements for admission. Visit a few more college campuses. Read all of the mail you receive from

colleges. You may see something you like. Attend college fairs. Keep putting money away for college. Get a summer job. Consider taking SAT II Subject Tests in the courses you took this year

while the material is still fresh in your mind. These tests are offered in May and June.

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+11th Grade

Fall Meet with your counselor to review the courses you’ve taken, and see what you still

need to take. Check your class rank. Even if your grades haven’t been that good so far, it’s never too

late to improve. Colleges like to see an upward trend. If you didn’t do so in tenth grade, sign up for and take the PSAT/NMSQT. In addition to

National Merit Scholarships, this is the qualifying test for the National Scholarship Service and National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program.

Make sure that you have a social security number. Take a long, hard look at why you want to continue your education after high school so

you will be able to choose the best college or university for your needs. Make a list of colleges that meet your most important criteria (size, location, distance

from home, majors, academic rigor, housing, and cost). Weigh each of the factors according to their importance to you.

Continue visiting college fairs. You may be able to narrow your choices or add a college to your list.

Speak to college representatives who visit your high school. If you want to participate in Division I or Division II sports in college, start the

certification process. Check with your counselor to make sure you are taking a core curriculum that meets NCAA requirements.

If you are interested in one of the military academies, talk to you guidance counselor about starting the application process now.

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+11th Grade (cont)

Winter Collect information about college application procedures, entrance

requirements, tuition and fees, room and board costs, student activities, course offerings, faculty composition, accreditation, and financial aid. The Internet is a good way to visit colleges and obtain this information. Begin comparing the schools by the factors that you consider to be most important.

Discuss your PSAT score with your counselor. Begin narrowing down your college choices. Find out if the colleges you are

interested in require the SAT I, ACT Assessment, or SAT II Subject Tests for admission.

Register for the ACT Assessment, which is usually taken in April or June. You can take it again late in your junior year or in the fall of your senior year, if necessary.

Begin preparing for the tests you’ve decided to take. Have a discussion with your parents about the colleges in which you are

interested. Examine financial resources, and gather information about financial aid.

Set up a filing system with individual folders for each college’s correspondence and printed materials.

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+11th Grade (cont)

Spring Meet with your counselor to review senior-year course selection and

graduation requirements. Discuss ACT Assessment/SAT I scores with your counselor. Register to take

the ACT Assessment and/or SAT I again if you’d like to try to improve your score.

Discuss the college essay with your guidance counselor or English teacher. Stay involved with your extracurricular activities. Colleges look for

consistency and depth in activities. Consider whom you will ask to write your recommendations. Think about

asking teachers who know you well and who will write positive letters about you. Letters from a coach, activity leader, or an adult who knows you well outside of school (e.g., volunteer work contact) are also valuable.

Inquire about personal interviews at your favorite colleges. Call or write for early summer appointments. Make necessary travel arrangements.

See your counselor to apply for on-campus summer programs for high school students. Apply for a summer job or internship. Be prepared to pay for college application, financial aid, and testing fees in fall.

Request applications from schools you’re interested in by mail or via the Internet.

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+11th Grade (cont) Summer

Visit the campuses of your top-five college choices. After each college interview, send a thank-you letter to the

interviewer. Talk to people you know who have attended the colleges in which

you are interested. Continue to read books, magazines, and newspapers. Practice filling out college applications, and then complete the final

application forms or apply online through the Web sites of the colleges in which you’re interested.

Volunteer in your community. Compose rough drafts of your college essays. Have a teacher read

and discuss them with you. Proofread them, and prepare final drafts. Proofread your final essays at least three times.

Develop a financial aid application plan, including a list of the aid sources, requirements for each application, and a timetable for meeting the filing deadlines.

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+12th Grade Fall

Continue to take a full course load of college-prep courses. Keep working on your grades. Make sure you have taken the courses

necessary to graduate in the spring. Continue to participate in extracurricular and volunteer activities.

Demonstrate initiative, creativity, commitment, and leadership in each. To male students: you must register for selective service on your eighteenth

birthday to be eligible for federal and state financial aid. Talk to counselors, teachers, and parents about your final college choices. Make a calendar showing application deadlines for admission, financial aid,

and scholarships. Check resource books, computer programs, and your guidance office for

information on scholarships and grants. Ask colleges about scholarships for which you may qualify.

Give recommendation forms to the teachers you have chosen, along with stamped, self-addressed envelopes so your teachers can send them directly to the colleges. Be sure to fill out your name, address, and school name on the top of the form. Talk to you recommendation writers about your goals and ambitions.

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+12th Grade (cont) Fall (cont)

Give School Report forms to your high school’s guidance office. Fill in your name, address, and any other required information on top. Verify with your guidance counselor the schools to which transcripts, test scores, and letters are to be sent. Give your counselor any necessary forms at least two weeks before they are due or whenever your counselor’s deadline is, whichever is earlier.

Register for and take the ACT Assessment, SAT I, or SAT II Subject Tests, as necessary.

Be sure you have requested (either by mail or online) that your test scores be sent to the colleges of your choice.

Mail or send electronically any college applications for early-decision admission by November 1.

If possible, visit colleges while classes are in session. If you plan to apply for an ROTC scholarship, remember that your application

is due by December 1. Print extra copies or make photocopies of every application you send.

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+12th Grade (cont) Winter

Attend whatever college-preparatory nights are held at your school or by local organizations.

Send midyear grade reports to colleges. Continue to focus on your schoolwork!

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and, if necessary, PROFILE®. These forms can be obtained from your guidance counselor or at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to download the forms or to file electronically. These forms may not be processed before January 1, so don’t send them before then.

Mail or send electronically any remaining applications and financial aid forms before winter break. Make sure you apply to at least one college that you know you can afford and where you know you will be accepted.

Follow up to make sure that the colleges have received all application information, including recommendations and test scores.

Meet with your counselor to verify that all applicable forms are in order and have been sent out to colleges.

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+12th Grade (cont) Spring

Watch your mail between March 1 and April 1 for acceptance notifications from colleges. Watch your mail for notification of financial aid awards between April 1 and May 1. Compare the financial aid packages from the colleges and universities that have

accepted you. Make your final choice, and notify all schools of your intent by May 1. If possible, do not

decide without making at least one campus visit. Send your nonrefundable deposit to your chosen school by May 1 as well. Request that your guidance counselor send a final transcript to the college in June.

Be sure that you have received a FAFSA acknowledgment. If you applied for a Pell Grant (on the FAFSA), you will receive the Student Aid Report

(SAR) statement. Review this Pell notice, and forward it to the college you plan to attend. Make a copy for your record.

Complete follow-up paperwork for the college of your choice (scheduling, orientation session, housing arrangements, and other necessary forms).

Summer If applicable, apply for a Stafford Loan through a lender. Allow eight weeks for processing. Receive the orientation schedule from your college. Get residence hall assignment from your college. Obtain course scheduling and cost information from your college. Congratulations! You are about to begin the greatest adventure of your life. Good luck.

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+What Parents Should do Communicating

Give positive feedback and show appreciation for teachers and principals.

Keep a positive attitude and an open mind when dealing with school personnel.

Share expectations and set goals for your child with his or her teacher.

Attend parent-teacher conferences make appointments as necessary to discuss your child’s progress.

Understand and reinforce school rules and expectations at home. Attend PTA or parent meetings, education fairs, and other special

events at the school. Read classroom or school newsletters, and visit the school’s web

site. Notify teachers of any significant changes that have taken place in

your child’s life, such as a death in the family, loss of income, or the divorce/separation of the parents.

Meet your child’s friends and get to know their parents. Assist in developing parent support groups and programs.

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+What Parents Should do Student Learning

Discuss your child’s school day and homework daily. Know your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses. Know your child’s learning style to better understand HOW your

child learns. Use the student Learning Style Quiz here in Education Planner.

Provide a quiet, comfortable, well lit place with basic school supplies for studying and homework.

Develop a consistent daily routine for studying and homework. Help your child avoid distractions by restricting telephone,

television, and computer use during studying and homework time. Help your child break down big homework assignments into smaller,

more manageable pieces. Assist with homework, but avoid doing it for your child. Provide your child with books, magazines, newspapers, and other

materials and encourage regular reading, especially reading for fun. Provide encouragement and praise for your child’s efforts.

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+Story of the Application Process

Student has taken challenging courses(AP, Honors) Student has been in involved in the community and extracurricular Student studies for the SAT Student takes SAT Prepare your application     Write the essay     Get recommendation letters     Decide what major you want Prepare Financial Aid Application Colleges receive the application and begin processing Colleges make choices based on 

    Academic Qualifications     SAT     Grades     Diversity of student population     Essay

Send acceptance notices in March and April Financial Aid sent in April to May

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+Online Resources

www.saanjh.org

Email: College.Saanjh@gmail.com

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+Scholarship

Saanjh Sikh Scholarship’s mission is to work with parents, students and community members to encourage higher education of California Sikh Students by providing need-based and merit-based financial scholarships to selected students entering their first year of undergraduate studies.

Flier and Application is being passed out right now.

Go to www.saanjhsikhscholarship.org for more applications. Site will be up in 1 week.

+What Next?

Questions?

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