College 411

Katy Cardoza, Modesto HighMelanie Hildebrandt, Johansen High

Alison Kuykendall, Gregori High

Preparing for College 9th – 10th Grades

• Keep grades up, C or higher, aim for 3.0 or higher.

• If necessary, take ESS or Summer School classes to make up grades lower than a C

• Enroll in challenging, rigorous courses on the A-G list. Review with counselor during balloting.

• PSAT 10 in the spring• Try out clubs, sports, community service

activities.• Use Naviance to help focus on future career.

Preparing for College 11th – 12th Grades

• Keep grades up, C or higher, aim for 3.0 or higher.• Meet with guidance counselor ASAP to make a plan for

remediating any D’s or F’s if necessary.

• Enroll in challenging, rigorous courses on the A-G list. • Math all 4 years!

• Take on leadership roles in clubs, sports, community service activities.

• Create a resume with all activities, awards, work experience, and community service.

• Take the PSAT in fall of junior year.• SAT and/or ACT in spring of junior year and fall of senior

year.• Use Naviance to research careers and colleges.

General Timeline of Senior Year

• August-September: SAT and/or ACT• October-November: College Apps• October-February: Financial Aid Apps• March-April: Puzzle pieces fit together• April-May: Decision Time• All year, but mostly in spring: Scholarships

California Colleges

•Community Colleges – 108•Public Universities

• 24 California State University (CSU)• 10 University of California (UC)

•Private Universities – 60+

Community Colleges

• Spring enrollment for Fall• Enroll Senior year to get ahead

• Save money• Priority Registration at CC• Most classes will transfer to universities

• Transfer plan:• Plan to transfer approx. 2 years (60 transferable units), apply to

university based on college work only. No SAT or ACT

• CC offers:• Career Technical Certificates = 3-45 units• Associates Degrees (AA/AS) = 60 units• Transfer classes and agreements to 4 year universities

University Admission Requirements

• A-G Coursework• Grades of “C” or better

• SAT or ACT (both with writing)• Some require/recommend 2 SAT Subject Tests

• GPA – aim for 3.0 or higher• Activities (sports, clubs, music, etc.)• Community Service• UCs and Private require essays• Private universities usually require letters of

recommendation from teachers and a counselor

University Admission Requirements

A. History/Social Science 2 yearsB. English 4 yearsC. Math 3-4 yearsD. Lab Science (no 9th grade) 2-3 yearsE. Foreign Language 2-3 yearsF. Visual Performing Art 1 yearG. College Prep Elective 1 year

College Athletics

• Is your child a talented athlete who wishes to participate in D1 or D2 collegiate sports?

• Register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

• Very rigorous, more requirements than simply A-G.

• www.ncaastudent.org

For-Profit Schools

• High tuition schools that have the highest share of students with debt

• Highest student loan default rate • Too many students do not get high quality

training or do not graduate. As a result, students do not get a job and have high debts to repay

Financial Aid October 1-March 2

• https://fafsa.ed.gov/ or https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

• Never pay to apply, use correct website.• Workshops on campus.• Will require parental income and financial

records (previous year tax return).• File each year your student(s) are in school.

Types of Financial Aid

• Pell Grant (Federal)• Cal Grant (State)

• District office files GPA electronically/automatically• Be sure student name and address are correct in

Powerschool and match what student lists on financial aid/college apps.

• Work Study – jobs on campus that provide income towards school expenses.

• Student Loans – lower interest through government, begin repayment after graduation; debt remains with you until paid off, even if you declare bankruptcy.

Scholarships

• Scholarships are ongoing and posted in the MCS Scholarship Bulletin.

• List of safe scholarship websites is available on MCS Scholarship Bulletin at the top of the page.

• Scholarships awarded from colleges may require FAFSA or other additional applications.

• “Free Ride” scholarships very rare, most range from $100 - $1000.

Out of State Colleges

• State Colleges• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

• Private colleges• May offer more merit based financial aid• May require CSS Profile (pay fee to file)• Pell grant and student loans ok, no Cal Grant,

no Dream Act• May be comparable in cost for some families

College Application Costs

• SAT (4 free reports)• $ 46• $ 60 w/writing• $ 26 per subject test• Add’l reports $ 12

• ACT (4 free reports)• $ 46• w/writing $ 62.50• Add’l reports $ 13

• SAT/ACT fee waivers in college counseling office for free/reduced lunch and AVID

• CSU App• $ 55 each campus

• UC App• $ 70 each campus

• CSU/UC fee waivers part of application

• Private and Out of State• Varies by school• Fee waiver process varies

Naviance

• Colleges• Research colleges and universities.• Download/print scholarship applications.• Sign up to attend college presentations & workshops.• Link with Common App to submit teacher LOR and

Counselor School Report/LOR.• Careers

• Help find careers based on interests, and more information about careers.

• About Me• Create resume.• Make sure email is up to date to receive information from

college counselor.

Specific Questions?Call or email for an appointment

• Beyer – Brianne Duran• Davis – John Gahn• Downey – Chirstine Hammell• Enochs – Jennifer Brogan• Gregori – Alison Kuykendall• Johansen – Melanie Hildebrandt• Modesto – Katy Cardoza