SMUSD College EXPO

1
SMUSD College EXPO

• October 8, 2009

2
High School Counselors

• Mission Hills High School
• Cherryl Baker (A-Da)
• Angela Segal
• (De-G English Learners A-J)
• Sara Montooth (H-Mi)
• Joyce Brandon (Mn-So)
• Adriana Rios
• (Sp-Z English Learners L-Z)
• San Marcos High School
• Lori Nguyen (A-E)
• Janet Paul (F-L)
• Lisa Stout (M-Re)
• Leandro Galaz (Rh-Z)

3
(No Transcript)
4
Philosophy

• Who you are and what you do in college is a
  better predictor of future success and happiness
  than where you go to college.
• Successful people come from every school in the
  country. A great school will never make an
  average person excel a great person will excel
  at any college. In short, college does not make
  the person.
• College is a match to be made,
• not a prize to be won.

5
The Four Systems of Higher Education in
California
6
2 Paths to a 4-Year Degree
4-YEAR DEGREE
7
Factors in College Admissions

• Grades
• Classes/Rigor of coursework
• Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
• Extra-curricular activities, leadership
• Community service
• Essay/Personal Statement
• Interview
• Letters of Recommendation

8
The College Search Process

• Target Schools
• Geography is of utmost importance in looking at
  colleges.
• Admissibility

9
Factors to Consider in Selecting a College

• Size
• Location
• Academic Environment
• Social Environment
• Major
• Extracurricular Activities
• Cost
• Scholarships
• Financial Aid

10
Visit colleges you are considering.

• It is far more efficient to include and exclude
  colleges from your application process prior to
  applying and prevent wasting time and money.

11
Campus Visits and Tours

• Contact the Admissions Office in advance.
• Preview Days
• Tours
• Spend quality time on campus.
• Talk with students
• Talk with departments
• Visit dorms

12
Campus Visits and Tours (cont.)

• Visit local colleges to get exposure to
  different types of colleges.
• UC UCSD
• CSU CSUSM or SDSU
• Private USD or Point Loma Nazarene
• Community College Palomar or MiraCosta
• Technical/Vocational Coleman, Maric, etc.

13

• Encourage parents and students to begin focusing
  on college at an earlier stage.
• Raise academic expectations and ensure that ALL
  students not only QUALIFY for college admission
  but THRIVE when they get there.
• To increase students' options upon graduation.
• Guaranteed admission to CSUSM with priority
  registration.
• Closing the Financial Gap

14
Student-Athletes

• NCAA Clearinghouse
• www.eligibilitycenter.org
• Register at the end of 11th grade if you are
  interested in competing at a Division I or
  Division II college/university.

15
a-g Subject Requirements
16
College Admissions Testing

• SAT Reasoning
• Critical Reading
• Mathematics
• Writing
• www.collegeboard.com
• SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as SAT II)
• only for class of 2010 2011 - Not required for
  classes after 2011
• English, History and Social Studies , Mathematics
  (level 2), Science, Languages
• www.collegeboard.com
• ACT
• English
• Math
• Reading
• Science
• Writing (optional)
• www.act.org

17

• Strongly recommended for 9th, 10th, and 11th
  graders
• Only offered once a year.
• Test Date Saturday, October 17th
• Deadline to register Wednesday, Oct. 14th

18
College Fair Checklist

• Sample questions to ask college reps
• Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Classroom characteristics
• Housing options
• Student Life
• Surrounding neighborhood

19
Facts for Students

• College admission is not a judgment on my life.
• College is not a judgment on my parents or my
  upbringing.
• Successful college admission is about ending with
  a choiceand being a happy person years from now.
• I am open-minded. Great education happens in
  many places.
• I have all the information and guidance that is
  available I will take charge, believe in myself,
  and trust the process.