Introduction to Cal-SOAP

What can Cal-SOAP do for you?

We provide information about:▫College Application

Admission Tests (SAT & ACT) GPA

College Applications▫Financial Aid

▫Scholarship Searches

We meet with students through:

Presentations Small group meetings Individual, one-on-one meetings

Sign up to meet with your College Peer Advisor (CPA) for assistance with college and career information.› CPAs are college students who advise high

school students on college and career planning.

We help students better understand…

California College SystemsUC System: 4 yearsCSU System: 4 yearsPrivate Universities: 4 yearsCommunity College System: 2 yearsVocational/Technical Colleges: Varies

University of California College System

UC System: 10 campuses▫Research University, ~$25,000/year▫Min. GPA - 3.0▫UC Berkeley, UCLA,

UC Davis, UCSD, UC Irvine…

California State University System

CSU System: 23 campuses▫Traditional University, ~$16,000/year▫Min. GPA- 2.0▫SDSU, CSU San Marcos, Cal-Poly Pomona…

San Diego UC/CSU Campus Stats

• San Diego State University (SDSU)

• Over 50% of incoming freshmen in 2010 had a GPA of 3.78 or higher.

• Avg. SAT: 930-1170• Avg. ACT: 20-25

• University of California- San Diego (UCSD)

• 80% of incoming freshmen in 2010 had GPA of 3.8 or higher.

• Avg. SAT:1773• Avg. ACT: 25.4

78 campuses throughout California▫Prestige and Cost vary widely▫University of San Diego, USC, Stanford…

California Private Universities

Community College & Vocational/Technical Colleges

Community College System: 112 campuses▫Associate’s Degrees, Certificates and

Transfer to a 4-year institution, ~$2,200/year

▫Grossmont, Mesa, Southwestern, Fresno City College…

Vocational/Technical Colleges: Many campuses▫Degrees/Certificates and Costs vary widely▫Paul Mitchell School, Art Institute of San

Diego, New School of Architecture & Design…

College Admission Tests SAT Reasoning Test:

▫ General exam with 3 sections: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing

▫ One option for CSU, UC, and almost all private universities

ACT:▫ General reasoning exam with 5 sections: English, Math,

Reading, Science, and Writing.▫ The other option for CSU, UC, and almost all private

universities

SAT Subject Tests: (Not required but RECOMMENDED)

▫ Shorter exams focused on the curriculum of one subject (Foreign Language, Mathematics, English Literature, etc.)

▫ Must take 2 Subject Tests for UC admission (2010 and 2011 high school graduating classes only)

▫ Not required for CSU; check with private universities if required

Required Admission Tests

UC: ACT w/ writing or SAT Reasoning Test; 2 SAT Subject Tests (NOT required but RECOMMENDED)

CSU: ACT w/o writing or SAT Reasoning Test

Private: ACT or SAT Reasoning Test. Check with the university to see if SAT Subject Tests are required

Community College: No admission tests required

Vocational /Technical School: Check with the school to see which admission tests are required

What Looks Good on an Application?

•Rigorous Classes•Volunteer Work•Community Service•Campus Involvement•Professional Email Address

Do it now! Visit the FAFSA website and become familiar

with it. (www.fafsa.ed.gov) CALGRANT Talk to counselor about GPA Verification form

and how it is submitted. Research how to get FREE money!

› Scholarships (merit, need, or athletic based)› Grants› Writing Contests› Art Contests› Etc…

ASK QUESTIONS!!!!

Career Search

• Research industries/careers online with your CPA, high school counselor, or at your career center

• Explore college majors/subjects you like and that are applicable to your interests.

• Many college majors can lead to the same career path. Pick a college major that will give you options in the career/industry sector of your interest.

Your path to a career will come sooner than you realize. Start your search early!

Discussion Questions…How can Cal-SOAP help you?

A. Deciding on where to applyB. Understanding how to pay for collegeC. Picking college-prep coursesD. Investigating possible careers that match your interestsE. All of the above

E

A student wants to apply to a CSU campus. Which admission tests are required?A. The SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT w/o writingB. The SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT w/ writing, and 2 SAT Subject TestsC. The SAT Reasoning Test or the Act w/ writing, 2 SAT Subject Tests,

and the General Reasoning Exam (GRE).A

Senior Year in ReviewOctober: Register for the ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject Tests (if

required). Don’t like your score? Take them twice!November: Fill out college applications and check on financial

aid deadlines. UC/CSU: Nov. 30; Privates: vary

December: Continue working on private applications. Everyone should apply for a community college.

January-March: Submit your FAFSA and GPA Verification Form by March 2. Submit the CSS PROFILE for private colleges (deadlines vary). Look for Cal-SOAP Cash for College events for help.

April: Check your email for the SAR and CAR. If attending CC, apply for EOPS and the Board of Governors Fee Waiver.

Meet with your College Peer Advisor (CPA) on campus either by appointment or walk-in if you need

help with anything college or career related.

Call the Cal-SOAP office at 858.569.1866Visit the Cal-SOAP website at

www.SanDiegoCalSoap.com for information and current events for high

school students!

Remember, we are here for YOU!