Senior Parent Night Agenda

• College Entrance Requirements

• Financial aid/scholarships

• What colleges are looking for

• Selecting the right school

• NCAA requirements

• The application process

• Senior year timeline

College Entrance RequirementsCollege Entrance Requirements

CSU

CP English 4 yrMath (Alg1,2,Geom) 3

yrLab Science 2 yrSocial Science 2 yrForeign Language 2 yrCP Electives 1 yrVisual/Performing Arts 1 yr

All courses must be UC certified (P)& passed with a C or better grade

SAT I or ACT

UC

4 yr 3 yr, 4 recom2 yr, 3 recom2 yr 2 yr, 3 recom1 yr1 yr

All courses must be UC certified (P)& passed with a C or better grade

SAT I or ACT Required. SAT II Required/Recommended for

some majors: (Engineering is one)

• SAT I – max score 2400– Critical reading (200 – 800)– Writing (200 – 800)– Math (200 – 800)– Most popular on the West coast

• ACT – max score 36– English– Math– Reading– Science– Optional Writing Test – May be required by Midwest schools

SAT & ACT

SAT II’s• Required for some majors at UC’s & some

private schools• Check with each school to determine if it is

either required or strongly recommended

– Scores used for admission, course placement & advisement

• SAT I & SAT II – Oct 1, Nov 5 & Dec 3

• ACT – Sept 10, Oct 22 & Dec 10

• UC’s – Dec test scores: last accepted

• CSU’s – Dec test scores: last accepted unless space remains open for admission (Nov test last for some CSU”s)

• Private/independent vary

• SAT I & SAT II offered on the same day, cannot take both on same day

Reporting SAT/ACT & SAT IIReporting SAT/ACT & SAT II

• 4 reports included in cost of test

• NCAA must have test results – 9999

• CSU system (all CSUs) code for SAT – 3594

• Some scholarships require SAT/ACT scores

• Division I or Division II schools

• “Clearinghouse” eligibility – Eligibility Center– 16 core courses see counselor to verify - NOW

• NCAA website: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

• SAT/ACT must be submitted to NCAA clearinghouse (9999)

• SYVUHS transcripts (initial & final) must be sent, bring requests to Terry Westfall in the guidance office

• AHC transcripts have to be submitted to NCAA clearinghouse

NCAA Division 1

4 yr English3 yr Math 2 yr Science2 yr Social Science1 yr add Eng, math, sci4 yr (acad elect)16 acad core courses

All courses must be on the NCAA 48H list

SAT or ACT

Questions?

• Gift Aid: Grants and scholarships– Need-based or merit-based

• Self-help aid: Loans and employment– Need-based or non-need-based

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student

Aid

• Must file for Federal, State, Campus & some private $$

• PROFILE: financial supplement to FAFSA for private colleges (NOW)– profileonline.collegeboard.com

• FAFSA website: www.fafsa.ed.gov

• GPA verification for CAL Grant

• File dates: January 1 to March 2

• PIN: get now – www.pin.ed.gov

• Financial Aid Night: Early January

ScholarshipsScholarships• Based on: activities, academic merit, athletics, intended major,

ethnic origin, religion, parent employer, or any combination of factors

• Review Scholarship Handbook

• Santa Barbara Foundation

• Local Scholarships

• Mrs. Westfall – little file cabinet, daily bulletin www.syvpirates.org

Questions?

• Communicate with your son/daughter

• Discuss wants and needs– Each side should discuss– Atmosphere– Money– Long term benefits– Majors

Selecting the Right College

Narrowing the FieldNarrowing the Field

• Types of Schools– Community College – CSU – UC – Private– Out of State

• Prioritize– Have a “reach school” and a “sure bet”

• Use checklist for comparison

GPA

Test Scores

Strength of Transcript

(compared against what is offered at home school)

Personal statement /essayOutside activities & interestsLetters of recommendations

(primarily private colleges)

Sources of Information• College Fairs

• Campus Visits

• College Representatives

• College Catalogs, Resource Handbooks

• Internet

Questions?

When to Apply

• UC’s and CSU’s have NOV filing period– UC’s – Nov 1 – 30– CSU’s file online Oct 1 – Nov 30

• Private/Independents vary – often Dec or Jan

• Early Decision vs. Early Application

• Colleges and universities prefer online apps

• Easier and fewer errors

• CSU: www.csumentor.edu – (Oct 1 – Nov 30)

• UC: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/ – (Nov 1-30)

• Private/out of state: contact school’s website (varies, check each college)

Letters of Letters of RecommendationRecommendation

can sometimes make the differencecan sometimes make the difference

• Get & complete letter of recommendation information form

• Parent/guardian complete their part of form

• Personalized letter, best

• Attach a copy of college essay ( if you have one)

• Two weeks notice for letter of recommendation

Questions?

The College Countdown• October: Gather info, prepare applications, PROFILE completed

• Nov – Feb: Apply for admission, request letters of recommendation

• Jan: Submit FAFSA & GPA verification

• Mar – May : Send add’l info requested (1040)

• April: Notification of Financial Aid by College

• May 1: SIR, Tuition deposit due, housing

• June 8: Graduation 2012

• Summer: Orientation, pre-registration

Tips . . .Tips . . . • Letters of Recommendation

– give 2 weeks notice for person writing

• No “cute” email addresses

Make copies or download copies before you send/submit

• Get certificates of mailing for everything you mail (not certified)

• Make a hardcopy or electronic file for every school applied to & keep all correspondence

• Check junk email

• Check & double check deadlines

• Most communication from colleges will be via e-mail, then Portal

• If you’re not sure, ask!

Questions ?******

Good Luck Class of 2012