MISSION VIEJO HIGH SCHOOL

PSAT PARENT NIGHTFor Freshmen, Sophomores and

Juniors

It’s not the name on the gates that matters It’s how you take advantage of your

education

TOPICS

WHERE TO APPLY HOW TO APPLY WHEN TO APPLY APPLY BROADLY RESOURCES

Where do MVHS students go ?

CSU – 87 (previous 65) UC - 36 (previous 51) PRIVATE IN CALIFORNIA - 46

(previous 28) OUT OF STATE – 81 (previous 92)

FINDING A MATCH ACADEMIC RECORD SIZE/LOCATION MAJORS/SPECIAL PROGRAMS PUBLIC/PRIVATE STUDENT LIFE COST/FINANCIAL AID ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

CAMPUSES 23 IMPACTION ADMISSIONS ELIGIBILITY VS SELECTION TESTING – SAT/ACT (send scores) APPLICATION – Oct.1 to Nov.30 http://www.csumentor.edu - apply

CSU ADMISSIONS 2011 CAL POLY SLO (16) gpa 3.92 –

sat 1298 SAN DIEGO ST. (17) gpa 3.73 –

sat 1132

CSU SAN MARCOS (6) gpa 3.25 - sat 1015

CSU FULLERTON (23) gpa 3.27– sat 1022

CAL POLY POMONA (5) gpa 3.41 sat

1083

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

CAMPUSES/ADMISSIONS ELIGIBILITY vs SELECTION TESTING – SAT/ACT (last test date is

Dec.) APPLY – Nov. 1 to Nov.30 UC APPROVED COURSE LIST PERSONAL STATEMENT http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/

UC ADMISSIONS - 2011 UCB 4.14

SAT 2073 UCLA 4.11

SAT 2038 UCSD 4.08

SAT 1966 UCSB 3.97

SAT 1889 UC DAVIS 4.00 SAT

1922 UCI 3.97

SAT 1849 UC SANTA CRUZ 3.75 SAT

1776 UC RIVERSIDE 3.67 SAT

1710 UC MERCED 3.56

SAT 1623

Comprehensive Review

Academic GPA in “a-g” courses Test Scores- ACT, SAT, Subj. Tests Senior yr. courses # of & grades in Honors, AP, IB Course beyond minimum “a-g” Rank in top 9% (ELC) Academic performance Given opportunities available in HS

Outstanding performance in academic subject Outstanding performance in special project Recent, marked improvement in academics Special talents, achievements, awards Completion of special projects with school events Academic accomplishments in light of life experiences Locations of High School

Personal Statement 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 most proud and how does it relate to the person you are ?

PERSONAL STATEMENT

The most compelling statements often include discussion of:

Your academic record, accomplishments, activities.

Any unusual circumstances, challenges, or hardships and the ways you responded to them.

Your initiative, motivation, leadership, persistence, service to others, special potential.

Your achievements in light of opportunities available.

INDEPENDENT COLLEGES

CAMPUSES – 76 colleges (review specific requirements)

APPLY – Nov./Dec./Jan./Feb. (deadlines vary)

EARLY DECISION/EARLY ACTION LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION http://www.aiccu.edu https://www.commonapp.org

INDEPENDENT COLLEGES

U S C (3) gpa 4.04 sat 2060

U. of SAN DIEGO (4) gpa 3.90 sat 1240

BIOLA (11) gpa 3.54 sat 1104

AZUSA PACIFIC (9) gpa 3.67 sat 1085

VANGUARD (4) gpa 3.40 sat 1000

THE ESSAY

Pick something you know/trust your instincts

Some experiences important to you are too familiar to admissions i.e. Big trip/Big Game

Avoid Big Issues – too many people save world

It doesn’t take big event for compelling essay

Essay isn’t reciting your resume Admissions officers less interested in

what you did than how it made you feel/what you took away from the experience

THE ESSAY Part 2

DEFINE YOURSELF AS A BRAND ALLOWS ADMISSIONS TO

DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN STUDENTS

CONVEY CLEAR MESSAGE WHY YOU SHOULD BE ACCEPTED

WHAT WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE, WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT, WHAT DEFINES YOUR BRAND

Letter of Recommendation

Required by Private colleges Forms printed out from college

website Some colleges will ask for teacher

letter Some colleges want teacher and

counselor/administrator letter Student who needs

Counselor/administrator letter must meet with correct person for procedure to follow, allowing 4 weeks to do

OUT OF STATE COLLEGES

U. of Arizona (6) gpa 3.36 sat 1098

Arizona State (5) gpa 3.39 sat 1100

U. of Oregon (4) gpa 3.59 sat 1105

BYU (8) gpa 3.80 sat 1240

NAU (6) gpa 3.60 sat 1081

U. of Colorado (5) gpa 3.55 sat 1170

Boston U. (3) gpa A- sat 1993

WHAT TO DO NOW ?

• KEEP GRADES UP• SIGN UP FOR SAT/ACT/SUBJECT

TEST• GET TO KNOW COLLEGES – USE

WEBSITES FOR COLLEGE SEARCHES

• ATTEND COLLEGE FAIRS• VISIT COLLEGES BETWEEN NOW

AND SENIOR YEAR