College Application Process

College Application Process

University Of California/California University Of California/California State University Requirements State University Requirements

English CP or HigherEnglish CP or Higher 4 Years4 Years Math Algebra 1CP HigherMath Algebra 1CP Higher 3 Years 3 Years

(4 Years Recommended)(4 Years Recommended) History/Social ScienceHistory/Social Science 2 Years2 Years Laboratory ScienceLaboratory Science 2 Years2 Years

(3 Years Recommended, (3 Years Recommended, UC requires at least 2 of these 3 disciplines – UC requires at least 2 of these 3 disciplines – Biology, Chemistry, Physics)Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Foreign LanguageForeign Language 2 Years2 Years(3 years same language recommended(3 years same language recommended))

Visual/Performing ArtsVisual/Performing Arts 1 Year1 Year

www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissionswww.csumentor.eduwww.californiacolleges.eduwww.commonapp.orgwww.assist.orgwww.collegeview.comwww.act.orgwww.collegeboard.comhttp://connection.naviance.com/centuryacademy

Some Essential Resources

Some First StepsSome First Steps

Set up a professional email account for all ofSet up a professional email account for all ofyour college applications, and check ityour college applications, and check itregularly. It’s best to use your name. regularly. It’s best to use your name.

Pick up an unofficial transcript from thePick up an unofficial transcript from theoffice.office.

Prepare your teachers for yourPrepare your teachers for yourrecommendation requests.recommendation requests.

Use the same exact name on all collegeUse the same exact name on all collegerelated correspondence.related correspondence.

Making Tentative DecisionsMaking Tentative Decisions How many schools should I apply to?How many schools should I apply to? Will I be comfortable there for four years?Will I be comfortable there for four years? How will I pay for this adventure?How will I pay for this adventure? What if I have no idea about a major?What if I have no idea about a major? But my friend’s sister, whose brother-in-lawBut my friend’s sister, whose brother-in-law

works at UC Santa Somewhere says…works at UC Santa Somewhere says… Editorial comment: Don’t simply go to college toEditorial comment: Don’t simply go to college to

earn a degree. Go to learn to think, toearn a degree. Go to learn to think, tochallenge yourselves and others, and to gain achallenge yourselves and others, and to gain abroad based education.broad based education.

College OptionsCollege Options

Choices:Choices: Independent SchoolsIndependent Schools Schools Outside CaliforniaSchools Outside California University of CaliforniaUniversity of California California State UniversityCalifornia State University Community CollegesCommunity Colleges

Private and IndependentPrivate and IndependentSchoolsSchools

Costs for private and independent schools are greater than the publicCosts for private and independent schools are greater than the publicschools, but the gap has been closing recently.schools, but the gap has been closing recently.

Scholarships and financial aid may be more available for many privateScholarships and financial aid may be more available for many privateschools.schools.

You may apply to private schools through their own websites or via theYou may apply to private schools through their own websites or via theCommon Application.Common Application.

You will need to submit a counselor’s form (Secondary School Report), andYou will need to submit a counselor’s form (Secondary School Report), andone to two teacher recommendations for most private schools.one to two teacher recommendations for most private schools.

You will need to complete a transcript request for each private school toYou will need to complete a transcript request for each private school towhich you apply.which you apply.

Most private schools require one or more personal statements.Most private schools require one or more personal statements. Deadlines for private schools vary. Please be sure to check websites forDeadlines for private schools vary. Please be sure to check websites for

information.information. Notification of admission can also vary among private schools, as well as Notification of admission can also vary among private schools, as well as

the method of delivery.the method of delivery. Testing requirements vary, as well. Your counselor can help you!Testing requirements vary, as well. Your counselor can help you!

The Common Application The Common Application

Many private and independent colleges Many private and independent colleges accept the Common Application accept the Common Application (www.commonapp.org)(www.commonapp.org)

If you use the Common App, be sure to If you use the Common App, be sure to check for supplements that my be required check for supplements that my be required for individual schools. for individual schools.

Public Schools Outside CaliforniaPublic Schools Outside California

How difficult are they to get into?How difficult are they to get into? What are their subject and testingWhat are their subject and testing

requirements?requirements? What about out-of-state costs?What about out-of-state costs? What do their applications look like?What do their applications look like? When are their deadlines?When are their deadlines? When will I know about admission?When will I know about admission?

The University of CaliforniaThe University of California Look now at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissionsLook now at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions You may apply to all nine campuses with one applicationYou may apply to all nine campuses with one application You can download the application now, but you can’t You can download the application now, but you can’t

submit it until November 1-30.submit it until November 1-30. They require two essays and an activities page, but noThey require two essays and an activities page, but no

recommendations.recommendations. You must submit either the SAT Reasoning or the ACT You must submit either the SAT Reasoning or the ACT

with Writing. The SAT Subject Tests are no longer with Writing. The SAT Subject Tests are no longer required, but they will help.required, but they will help.

Scholarship applications are imbedded in the application Scholarship applications are imbedded in the application for admission.for admission.

You will not submit transcripts to the UC until requested.You will not submit transcripts to the UC until requested.

The California State UniversityThe California State University Twenty-three campusesTwenty-three campuses You may apply immediately and until November 30 atYou may apply immediately and until November 30 at

www.csumentor.eduwww.csumentor.edu No essays, no recommendations, no activities list (Cal Poly No essays, no recommendations, no activities list (Cal Poly

SLO has a brief activities page)SLO has a brief activities page) You must submit the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. You must submit the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT.

Writing scores are not considered.Writing scores are not considered. Apply to each separately, but you won’t need to fill in new Apply to each separately, but you won’t need to fill in new

data each time except for the first pagedata each time except for the first page Subject requirements for the UC and CSU are the same Subject requirements for the UC and CSU are the same

except for science: UC requires chemistry, while the CSU except for science: UC requires chemistry, while the CSU will accept Geosciences.will accept Geosciences.

Community CollegesCommunity Colleges Strong system in California that can lead toStrong system in California that can lead to

university transferuniversity transfer Orientation, application, and registration willOrientation, application, and registration will

take place in the springtake place in the spring Become familiar with the IGETC and www.assist.orgBecome familiar with the IGETC and www.assist.org Community colleges are a terrific place to beginCommunity colleges are a terrific place to begin

your education for any number of reasonsyour education for any number of reasons The Transfer Admissions Guarantee is offered byThe Transfer Admissions Guarantee is offered by

most UC and CSU campusesmost UC and CSU campuses

The ApplicationThe Application

Transcript: unofficial and official Transcript: unofficial and official EssayEssay Testing Requirements: SAT and ACTTesting Requirements: SAT and ACT Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation Early Decision / Early ActionEarly Decision / Early Action Deadlines are criticalDeadlines are critical

UC/CSU November 30UC/CSU November 30 Don’t wait until then, submit it early. Don’t wait until then, submit it early.

EssayEssay

You should be the STAR of the essay! You should be the STAR of the essay! Answer the question and be specific. Answer the question and be specific. Convey and prove it with examples.Convey and prove it with examples. Assign meaning and growth to the Assign meaning and growth to the

experience. What did you learn and how experience. What did you learn and how did it shape you?did it shape you?

What ACTION did you take? What ACTION did you take? Show that you took INITIATIVE. Show that you took INITIATIVE.

Testing RequirementsTesting RequirementsWhat do I need?What do I need?

SAT test and/or ACT testSAT test and/or ACT test SAT Subject tests are not required, but will helpSAT Subject tests are not required, but will help All test scores must be reported by the testing agencies All test scores must be reported by the testing agencies

(www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org)(www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org) You may send SAT history to all UC campuses simply by You may send SAT history to all UC campuses simply by

indicating one campus codeindicating one campus code You may send SAT history to all CSU campuses by You may send SAT history to all CSU campuses by

indicating CSUMentor as the recipient. Use code #3594.indicating CSUMentor as the recipient. Use code #3594. You may also send your ACT scores to the CSU system You may also send your ACT scores to the CSU system

using the ACT Scores Managerusing the ACT Scores Manager

Testing RequirementsTesting RequirementsContinuedContinued

CSU: Early Assessment Program (EAP)CSU: Early Assessment Program (EAP) Measures readiness for college level English Measures readiness for college level English

and math (It is not an admission test. It just and math (It is not an admission test. It just determines if the student needs remedial determines if the student needs remedial English or math.)English or math.)

English Placement Test (EPT) English Placement Test (EPT) • SAT: 500, ACT: 22, STAR: Exempt or ReadySAT: 500, ACT: 22, STAR: Exempt or Ready

Entry Level Math (ELM)Entry Level Math (ELM)• SAT: 550 ACT: 23, STAR: Exempt or ReadySAT: 550 ACT: 23, STAR: Exempt or Ready

Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation

Ask your letter writers well in advance – Ask your letter writers well in advance – give at least two weeks. give at least two weeks.

Fill out and return the student Letter of Fill out and return the student Letter of Recommendation questionnaire and Recommendation questionnaire and Parent Questionnaire posted on our Parent Questionnaire posted on our website. website.

Be appreciative. Write a thank you note. Be appreciative. Write a thank you note.

Early Admissions ProgramsEarly Admissions ProgramsEarly Decision / Early ActionEarly Decision / Early Action

Earlier application and earlier notificationEarlier application and earlier notification Early Decision (Binding) – a promise to Early Decision (Binding) – a promise to

attend. If you renege, other schools honor attend. If you renege, other schools honor the early decision, so it is unlikely that the early decision, so it is unlikely that another school will accept you.another school will accept you.

Early Action (Non Binding) – benefit of Early Action (Non Binding) – benefit of early notification without the obligations of early notification without the obligations of early decision. early decision.

What To Do Now?What To Do Now?

Begin your applications. Use an unofficial Begin your applications. Use an unofficial transcript to complete your coursework. Read transcript to complete your coursework. Read the application, including the instructions and the application, including the instructions and video!video!

Work on your essays for the UC and private Work on your essays for the UC and private schools. Share your essays with good readers schools. Share your essays with good readers for feedback. for feedback.

Re-take the SAT/ACT up until December.Re-take the SAT/ACT up until December. Request letters of recommendations, if needed. Request letters of recommendations, if needed.

NavianceNaviance

Be sure to list all of your schools that you Be sure to list all of your schools that you are applying to, whether or not they are on are applying to, whether or not they are on the Common Application.the Common Application.

Be sure to complete the FERPA waiver so Be sure to complete the FERPA waiver so that your recommenders can submit your that your recommenders can submit your information online. information online.

Dates and DeadlinesDates and Deadlines

Oct. 1 – Nov. 30: CSU Filing PeriodOct. 1 – Nov. 30: CSU Filing Period Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: UC Filing PeriodNov. 1 – Nov. 30: UC Filing Period Nov. – Jan. – Regular deadlines for many Nov. – Jan. – Regular deadlines for many

private and out of state public schoolsprivate and out of state public schools Mid Year Reports: after semester 1Mid Year Reports: after semester 1 January 1 – March 2: File the FAFSAJanuary 1 – March 2: File the FAFSA March – April: Acceptance NotificationsMarch – April: Acceptance Notifications May 1: Statements of Intent to RegisterMay 1: Statements of Intent to Register

The Waiting GameThe Waiting Game

When will I knowWhen will I know? Most admissions ? Most admissions decisions are made in the spring, usually decisions are made in the spring, usually by April. However some schools will let by April. However some schools will let you know more quickly.you know more quickly.

What should I do in the meantimeWhat should I do in the meantime? ? Continue to explore and form a preliminary Continue to explore and form a preliminary priority list, so your final decisions won’t be priority list, so your final decisions won’t be rushed. Start focusing on financial aid. rushed. Start focusing on financial aid.

Financial AidFinancial Aid

FAFSA – Free Application for Federal FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid.Student Aid.

A little bit like doing taxes.A little bit like doing taxes. May not be filed until after January 1 the May not be filed until after January 1 the

year your student begins college.year your student begins college.

How Does It Work?How Does It Work?

FAFSA determines Estimated Family FAFSA determines Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).Contribution (EFC).

Institution Creates Financial Aid Package Institution Creates Financial Aid Package based on that EFC.based on that EFC.

Three Types of Financial AidThree Types of Financial Aid Grant and Scholarship = FreeGrant and Scholarship = Free Loan – Federal or Institutional = Pay BackLoan – Federal or Institutional = Pay Back Work Study = Job on CampusWork Study = Job on Campus

Examples of CalculationsExamples of Calculations

SchoolSchool CSUNCSUN UCLAUCLA Cal Cal LutheranLutheran

HarvardHarvard

Estimated Estimated Cost Cost (FAFSA)(FAFSA)

$22,965$22,965 $29,771$29,771 $46,192$46,192 $56,750$56,750

Your Your EFC?EFC?

$5,000$5,000 $5,000$5,000 $5,000$5,000 $5,000$5,000

Your Your Financial Financial NeedNeed

$17,965$17,965 $24,771$24,771 $41,192$41,192 $51,750$51,750

Questions that need AnswersQuestions that need Answers

Does School meet 100% of need?Does School meet 100% of need? Does the School Gap Students?Does the School Gap Students? Average Student Loan $30,000+Average Student Loan $30,000+

Good Luck!Good Luck!