El Toro High School Senior Parent Night

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El Toro High SchoolSenior Parent Night

• Karyn Rashoff (A-Ld)
• karyn.rashoff_at_svusd.org
• Eileen Linzey (Le-Z)
• eileen.linzey_at_svusd.org

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Objectives

• Inform
• Reassure
• 3500 Colleges
• All but 150 accept over half their applicants
• 44 accept ALL their applicants
• Admissions officers job is to ADMIT not reject
• Encourage you to apply broadly, not just name
  brand schools

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Timeline

• Senior---Applications, Financial Aid, Decisions
• College Planning calendar
• And always, aim for academic
  excellence!

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Choosing a College

• Know your child---What does he/she want?
• Location, setting, size, major, activities,
  housing
• Find a match
• Academic record
• ResearchBooks and Websites
• The Thinking Parents Guide to College Admissions
  
• by Eva Ostrum
• CaliforniaColleges.edu
• www.collegeboard.com (matchmaker)
• http//collegeboard.com/myroad
• http//collegenavigator.ed.gov
• Virtual tours of campus websites

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College Visits

• Check the Career Center for dates of college rep
  visits/listen to bulletins
• Students Sign up/ Get pass from class/Go at
  tutorial
• Parents Get Ebulletin e-mailed to your home
• Visit campuses that interest you
• Take a tour/make an appointment
• Visit while students are there

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College Application Process

• Types of colleges
• University of California/California State
  Universities
• Private and/or Out of State Colleges
• Community Colleges
• Vocational Schools

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Eligible for UC?

• Complete a specific set of 15 college prep
  courses (a-g requirements) with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Complete testing requirements
• Be UC eligible based on UC Eligibility Index
• Meeting minimum admission requirements for UC
  does not guarantee admission to specific campuses
  or programs.

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Testing Details

• SAT Reasoning Test (SAT I) Verbal, Math,
  Writing (Deadline December)
• ACT/optional ACT with Writing
• CSU only applicants may combine best SAT
  reasoning test math verbal scores from multiple
  sittings (CSU Code 3594).
• UC requires 2 SAT Subject tests (SAT II) in areas
  of choice (If choose math, must be Math Level 2)
• www.actstudent.org
• www.collegeboard.com (866-756-7346)

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UC/CSU Application Timeline

• California State Universities
• October 1 November 30
• Apply online NOW
• www.csumentor.edu
• University of California
• November 1 30
• www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
• (students may begin working on apps now)
• Do NOT need teacher recommendations for UC/CSU
  applications

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UC Personal Statement

• Two prompts
• Describe the world you come from
• Personal quality, talent, accomplishment
• 1000 words to answer both prompts
• Neither response should be less than 250 words

Click on Apply to College then UC Personal
Statement
www.ucgateways.org
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Essays that work

• NOT a biography
• Add something new to the application
• Use vivid examples
• Authentic voice
• Reflect who the student is, how she thinks, what
  he cares about.
• Rewrite, edit, edit, edit..
• http//teenink.com/College/Essays.html

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Private Schools/Out of State

• Common Application if possible
• www.commonapp.org
• Generally require letters of recommendation and
  secondary school reportsAllow time!
• Review specific requirements carefully
• Deadlines vary

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Interviews

• On Campus or Local Alumni
• Prompt
• Be natural
• Be interested---two way street (Prepare
  questions)
• Thank you note
• Only a small factor in admissions decision

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Comprehensive Review

• Rigorous classes Honors, AP, IB, college courses
• GPA in a-g courses
• Test scores
• Courses beyond minimum a-g
• Senior year courses
• Academic performance given opportunities
  available in HS

• Outstanding performance subject
• Outstanding performance project
• Talents, achievements
• Qualities of leadership
• Accomplishments in light of life experiences,
  challenges
• ELC factor--Top 4
• Personal Statement

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Community College

• Apply in March
• SAT/ACT not required. Matriculation placement
  testing on our campus in spring for IVC OCC
• Honors Programs/Transfer agreements
• UCLA, UCI, UCR, UCSC
• CSULB, CSUF, SDS
• Chapman, Pitzer, Pomona, Occidental
• Columbia, Georgetown

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Scholarships Financial Aid

• All students applying for ANY financial aid must
  complete the FAFSA form.
• Available in early December - apply online!
• Earliest filing date is Jan 1st (800-433-3243)
• ( fafsa.ed.gov ) Get PIN nowstudent and parent.
• SAR and EFC
• Cal Grant gpa verification due 3/2
• Private schools and/or out of state schools may
  require the CSS Profile also, available NOW in
  the Career Center or on line at
  www.collegeboard.com
• Scholarship bin in the reception area of guidance
  office
• www.fastweb.com FREE scholarship search and
  SVUSD scholarship website

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Making the Decision

• FebApril letters
• (conditional acceptance pending senior year
  grades)
• Financial Aid packet follows
• Compare offers/ask questions
• Visit campuses
• Spend night
• Attend classes
• Talk to students/professors
• Apply for housing as soon as possible
• May 1st deadline for acceptance/reject others

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Questions

• General now
• Specific--- Email or call
• Contact us
• Karyn Rashoff (A-Ld)
• [phone] x6124
• karyn.rashoff_at_svusd.org
• Eileen Linzey (Le-Z)
• [phone] x6125
• eileen.linzey_at_svusd.org