Senior Advising Session 2015-2016

Senior Advising Agenda Review Advising Materials

Important: Download the e-version of the Power Point and the Senior Advising Guide from the GBHS Counseling website or Naviance

Presentation– The new graduation requirement– Graduation Status & Transcript Review– A-G (4 yr. college course requirements) – Post-secondary Options– College Timelines & Requirements– College Application Tips– UC/CSU Application and Personal Statement Support– Financial Aid

The New Graduation Requirement

Introduction to Personal Finance Course MUST be passed to graduate. – Most are reporting that it takes from 5-10

hours to complete– This is a no credit course but must be passed– Complete no later than April 30th – Access course through Blackboard

• All Seniors should be pre-enrolled

Graduation Status(transcript review)

A-G’s: Do you got em?

A. History/Social Science2 yearsB. English 4 yearsC. Mathematics 3 yearsD. Lab Science 2 years

1. Life Science (Biology)2. Physical Science (Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics)

E. World Language 2 yearsF. Visual/Performing Arts 1 yearG. College Prep Elective 1 year

***C- minimum grade required in each course

Post-secondary Options

Workforce Military Trade/Tech Schools 2-year community college 4-year college

Military

Enlisting? Contact recruiter / liaison through Career Center

Be sure to have a parent/guardian present before you sign anything

Consider ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Core)

Community College Applications online – recommended to apply by Feb.

• Sierra College http://www.sierracollege.edu • American River http://www.arc.losrios.edu • Watch for Sierra and American River College reps in the Career

Ctr. (Dates TBD)• Assessment required for placement in English and Math and need

to be taken prior to registration

Transfer agreements– UC Transfer Agreement Guarantee (TAG) is available online at

https://uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu/students/– AD-T (AA-T or AS-T) available at all CA. Jr. Colleges for

transfer to CSU’s use www.adegreewithaguarantee.com

Transfer requirements – differ by major– Use www.assist.org for California colleges

Keep in contact with counselor at Community College and make sure they are aware of plans

University BoundWhat colleges are looking for:

Strength of curriculum (maintain thru Sr. yr.) – Must complete Algebra 2 minimally

Grades/GPA: “C-” or better minimally required Test Scores (SAT/ACT) Activities Leadership Community Service Essays (if required) Interviews (some private schools)

CSU (California State University) Are you eligible?

• Satisfy a-g requirements• If your “a-g” GPA is 3.0 or higher, ANY SAT/ACT score will qualify

you• If your “a-g” GPA is below 3.0, you still could qualify (see CSU

Eligibility Index at www.csumentor.edu)• Example: a 2.5 GPA with a 900 SAT score (out of 1600) would qualify!

What do they look for?• GPA• Test Scores: ACT or SAT (1600)• Exception: Cal Poly SLO

Application• Application available online beginning Oct. 1 at www.csumentor.org • Submission period is from Oct. 1 through November 30th

• DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30th

• Print a copy of your online application(s) prior to sending. • DO NOT send an official transcript along with your initial application!

Only send one if prompted to do so after applying!

CSU Application Assistance CSU application tutorial

• https://secure.csumentor.edu/admissionapp/ • https://secure.californiacolleges.edu/college_planning/

california_state_university/applying_for_admission/applying_for_admission.aspx

Where to Apply– www.csumentor.edu

CSU Mentor support:• phone: 800-468-6927 • email: support@CSUMentor.edu

UC (University of California) Are you eligible?

• Satisfy “a-g” requirements• Minimum “a-g” GPA of 3.0 or higher

What do they look for?• Comprehensive Review of application• GPA• Strength of Curriculum• Test Scores: ACT w/ Writing or SAT 1 (out of 2400)• Personal Statement• Extracurricular

Application• Submission window is from November 1 through November 30th

• Application available now at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply • DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30th

• Print a copy of your online application(s) prior to sending. • DO NOT send an official transcript along with your initial application! Only send one if

prompted to do so after applying!

UC Application Assistance

UC Personal Statement tutorial• http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/persona

l-statement/index.html

UC application tutorial• Take the Pathways Virtual Tour (available Aug. 1) of the

application which allows you to walk through each step BEFORE you start your official application at http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/apply-online/index.html

• http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu

UC Outside Support• Online Application: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply • UC Application Center: phone: 800-207-1710

• email: ucinfo@applyUCsupport.net

On-campus Application Assistance Support for UC and CSU application:

• Thursday, Oct. 22nd: during both lunches in Library

• Tuesday, Nov. 3rd during both lunches in the Library

• Thursday, Nov. 19th: 2:45-3:30 in the Library

Private Schools Requirements vary – if you fulfill “a-g” requirements, you likely will

meet most private school admission requirements.

Deadlines are specific to each school– Make sure you pay attention to separate Financial Aid deadlines also

Carefully read all directions prior to completing application and essays

Many schools have similar profiles so don’t apply “just because.” Be sure to research and pay attention to those features or programs that separate schools apart from one another.

If applying through Common Application, be aware that many schools have additional “supplemental” documents that need to be completed.

Handling Letters of Recommendation

Be sure to download important instructions on the counseling website or through Naviance

Access the Personal Profile/Resume Template on the GBHS Counseling website or through Naviance (click “About Me” tab)

Allow a minimum of two weeks for person to write it AFTER submitting a personal profile/resume – a month is preferred! (minimum of 10 school days)

If you are applying through Common Application or SENDedu, you may need a letter from your counselor and two teachers. You will be prompted to enter our contact information and then we receive an email prompt from them.

PLEASE connect with your counselor in person or via email to

provide us your personal profile. Do not assume that just because you enter our info. on Common App/SENDedu that everything is taken care of!

Tips for filling out application

• Be honest and accurate (random verification).• Be sure to print out the electronic receipt and

summary page.• Don’t wait until the last minute to apply!• If essay is required, begin early and edit

multiple times and seek feedback from others.• Only grades earned in “a-g” approved courses

taken in 10th-12th grade are used to calculate your GPA for UC/CSU’s

Tips continued…• Consult with college admissions office if considering an

academic course change• Any academic class changes made (after submission of

application) should be reported to colleges in writing (email works well for this)

Early Action vs. Early Decision

• Early Action is non-binding (you don’t have to go if you are accepted)

• Restricted Early Action is non-binding but you are agreeing that you will not apply early to any other colleges

• Early Decision is binding (you are committed to going if you are accepted – you should thus never apply to more than one campus under ED)

• Application timeline is early for these options (usually during Oct.) and decisions are typically rendered by Dec.

Essay/ Personal StatementRequired for UC’s and some private

colleges Gives you a voice – goes beyond grades and test scores

Enables applicant to make the best case possible for admission

Gives an opportunity to provide information that supports and augments the review process

Part of the UC comprehensive review process

Start early!! You will go through multiple revisions.

SAT/ACT

• Registration• Register for SAT I or II www.collegeboard.org • Register for ACT www.actstudent.org • **YOU MUST REQUEST TEST SCORES TO BE SENT DIRECTLY

FROM COLLEGEBOARD/ACT DIRECTLY TO EACH SCHOOL YOU APPLY TO**

• Dates• SAT 1, SAT 2, ACT can test in Oct., Nov., Dec. with the

following exceptions: San Diego St., Cal Poly SLO, Long Beach St., Fullerton St., San Jose St. and Cal Poly Pomona prefer completion in October or November.

• If testing in Dec. be sure to rush scores• For non UC/CSU colleges, contact individually to verify testing

deadlines.

SAT/ACT Cont’d

SAT II Subject Tests• Some private schools require; NOT REQUIRED for UC’s, NOT

for CSU’s• Some UC’s majors recommend taking subject tests – check with

each campus

Sending scores to 4-year schools• 4 scores sent for free (but only if utilized by test day)• Extra scores sent for fee (complete on-line)• CSU code = 3594 (Save $ as this will send to all CSU’s)• You only need to send scores to one UC - all UC’s will then have

access• Send scores to NCAA Eligibility Center for Div. 1 and 2 sports

– eligibility code = 9999

Requesting Transcripts Be sure to carefully review your transcript for accuracy and alert

counselor if errors

Both official and unofficial transcripts may be obtained by filling out the appropriate form available at the front desk

** If you apply through Common Application or SENDedu, counselors will submit an initial official transcript on your behalf at no cost

Please allow 3-5 business days for processing

$3 fee per transcript paid in Student Services

Unofficial record of grades my be downloaded through Homelink for free

Financial Aid Workshop for parents and students on Dec. 9th at

6:30 pm at Granite Bay High School Local Scholarship Program is available early

Feb. (see Career Center for more info) College and Career Center a good resource Use online scholarship searches (info in Senior

Advising Guide and on counseling website) Check parent’s place of employment as they may

offer scholarships Check Naviance account “College” tab for

updated scholarship information

NCAA

NCAA (for Division 1 and 2 sports)

Students planning on playing college-level athletics MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Center

If you have not already done so, register online at www.eligibilitycenter.org

NCAA has specific academic requirements so be sure to check that you are on track.

Undecided about Majors / Careers? ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

test)– Given on January 26th at 7:45 am in Library– Sign up in Career Center– Be sure to attend the session after the test to review your results

Use “Do What You Are” on Naviance (info in Sr. Advising Guide)

Use online career research tools (info in Sr. Advising Guide and on counseling website)

See Career Center for resources

Occupational Handbook– www.bls.gov/ooh/

What you should be doing now? Utilize Naviance to research colleges and refine your application list

Attend College Fair at Woodcreek HS on Sept. 23rd from 6-8 pm (over 120 colleges represented)

Narrow list to 4-6 potential colleges:– Reach school– Safe school– Fall back school

Visit campuses (or take virtual tours). Visit College Week Live: http://www.collegeweeklive.com/

Create master list of all application and financial aid deadlines

Take or re-take ACT/SAT

Send ACT/SAT scores to colleges you are applying to that require them

Fill out “Personal Profile” if requesting letters of recommendation from counselor or teachers

Start draft of personal essay if applying to UC’s and other colleges that require them

Final Steps in College Application Process

1. If necessary, update your counselor on private or out of state school decisions and/or changes so that mid-year and final reports can be handled accordingly.

 2. Update college admissions acceptances in Naviance 

3. Request final transcript to be sent to your college of choice at the end of the year (process will be advertised and forms provided at the front desk in May). 

4. If a final college report is needed, be sure to notify your counselor

Reminders College Applications

– CSU/UC deadline Nov. 30th

Complete Testing– No later than December (earlier for some campuses)

Visit Colleges (or take virtual tour) Utilize Senior Advising Guide Don’t wait until the last minute! Visit College Week Live

http://www.collegeweeklive.com

Spring schedule change window: Sept. 23rd – More info to come on this online one day process

Be sure and share your good news of

admission with your counselor!!!