FRESHMAN MEETINGCLASS OF 2016

September 11, 2012 @ 3:15Mrs. Romeril

Agenda

E-mail addresses for communication Transcript review – grad/A-G

requirements Graduation pathways College pathways College entrance tests (SAT, ACT) Senior Year Tips Helpful Websites

E-MAIL

E-mail addresses needed for:

Scholarship opportunities

Freshman news

Counseling help

Transcript Review

A-G Requirements: Must meet in order to go to a UC or CSU Cumulative 3.0 or higher on all A-G

coursework No D’s (unless you have retaken the course) Meet all A-G Requirements Depth of study

SJVA Graduation Requirements

4 years English 3 years Math

including Algebra 1, Geometry, and 3rd year of Math

3 years History (World, US, Econ, Civics)

Passage of Spanish 3 2 years

Visual/Performing Arts

2 years Science (1 life, 1 physical)

2 years P.E. 1 year college prep

elective 150 hours Service

Learning (junior/senior year)

Passage of CAHSEE Minimum 2.0 total

GPA

A-G Requirements A-History Two years, including one

year of World History, Cultures, and Historical Geography and one year of US History or one-half year of US History and one-half year of Civics.

B-English Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature.

C-Mathematics Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced Algebra (Algebra 1 and 2) and two and three dimensional Geometry.

D-Laboratory science Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Physics.

E-Language other than English Two years of the same language other than English.

F-Visual & performing arts One year, including dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.

G-college preparatory elective One year, chosen from additional “a-f” courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely for use as “G” elective

You must have a C or better and a cumulative 3.0 GPA in all A-G Coursework

Graduation Pathways

General Track College Prep Track IB Track Middle College Program

We are a college-prep high school. Our aim is to ensure that all students meet or exceed the A-G Requirements.

College Prep Track

Students will take all A-G required courses Will meet requirements to get in to a UC

Must pass courses with C or better 3.0 minimum

IB Track

IB Diploma Candidates begin their IB courses junior year IB Diploma awards students 30 units of

college credit to any UC Weighted grades Depth of study (looks great for college

applications) Meets all A-G required courses

Middle College Program Track

This track works in tandem with College Prep or IB Track

Students must assess into college Math and/or English to participate

Concurrent enrollment provides college and high school credit

Saves time in college and LOTS of money Juniors and Seniors only

College Pathways

UC or CSU

Private or out-of-state universities

Community colleges

Vocational or technical training

College Entrance Tests

You must take the SAT or ACT (or both) in order to be accepted to a four-year university (most students begin taking this 11th grade)

Some colleges require that you also take the SAT2 Subject Tests

PSAT is a practice test offered on campus October 17th. Space is limited & the cost is $14

Sign up for the tests on: SAT www.collegeboard.com ACT www.act.org

How applications are reviewed

GPA in all completed A-G Courses (including additional points for UC-certified honors courses which are IB Hist HL2, IB Eng HL1 & HL2, IB Spanish SL, IB Theater HL1 & HL2, IB TOK

Scores on the following tests: ACT Plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test.

Number of, content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum "a-g" requirements.

Number of and performance in UC-approved honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Higher Level and transferable college courses.

Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of your high school class at the end of your junior year (Eligible in the Local Context, or ELC). http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-residents/admissions-index/index.html

Quality of your senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.

UC Freshman Essay Prompt

Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. Spend time writing your essay Have others help you edit A good essay should give the college a reason

to accept you

Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your high school.

Outstanding performance in one or more specific subject areas.

Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.

Recent, marked improvement in academic performance as demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.

Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.

Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status.

Location of your secondary school and residence.

How applications are reviewed

How applications are reviewed

Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student's promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.

Financial Aid

California Student Aid Commission www.csac.ca.gov

Many different ways to pay for college Grants (Calgrant, Chafee) Federal Grants (Pell Grant and other federal aid) Scholarships (local and national) Volunteer Service

If there’s a will there’s a way to pay

Tips on how to survive and THRIVE during Freshman year!

Set goals that are difficult but attainable Keep your grades up! Practice reading difficult books Improve note-taking skills Develop study groups with your friends Be organized. Don’t PROCRASTINATE!! Study nightly Get involved! Begin working on community service :) Maintain a balance between school, family, friends,

activities Make memories :)

Helpful Websites

www.sjvawolves.com Click on counseling to find many helpful links

www.collegeprowler.com Search for colleges, majors, and scholarships

www.californiacolleges.edu Official California source for college and career planning

www.commonapp.org Once completed online or in print, copies of the application for undergraduate admission can be sent to any number of participating colleges. Only certain colleges honor the common application.

www.universityofcalifornia.edu Use this site to research all University of California Campuses and to apply for admissions.

www.csumentor.edu Use this site to explore CSU Campuses and to apply for admissions.

www.collegeboard.com Sign up for SAT; great resource to learn about schools

www.act.org Sign up for ACT www.shmoop.com Start SHMOOPING!