zero to admitted2012
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Welcome and AgendaTonight I hope to share with you:• Expectations, role norms, and share a down to earth moment• Where, what, and when?• Useful data and stats• UC Admission Requirements and Application Overview• UC Resources and suggestions• CSU Admissions and Application Overview• CSU Resources• What about private schools/Common App?• The Process and Procedures at NTHS• What happens next?• Questions and answer time
What you can expect of me.• Goal: All students are A-G ready. • I will put 100% of my professional self to seeing that every
single one of your children is as competitive as possible in their academic and college preparations.
• I will be available to answer questions, find resources, and assist with the college application process.
Some false expectations.• It is my job to apply for your child.• I am working 24/7.• I have all of the answers.• I am better looking than Brad Pitt.
Applying To CollegeThe Student/Parent Norms
Parents roleIt will help if you:• Let go! Applying to college is the student’s responsibility (parents are cheerleaders,
encouragers, but not enablers)! • Separate Nuts & Bolts from emotions• Support but do NOT do • Plan time to talk about college – just not every day!
Students roleIt will help if you:• Have considered college in light of your vocation and purpose, not just material
considerations• Stay organized• Stay on top of deadlines• Apply broadly but limit applications to a reasonable number (6-10 maximum)
Where do I apply?College application fees are expensive and non-refundable. By
now you should have narrowed your options to:
• Two “reach” schools (dream schools, a stretch as far as your competitiveness)
• Two to four “target” schools (you fit the profile of an admitted student)
• Two “safety” schools (you can fall back on – know you are admissible)
• ALL should be “first choice” schools
What are schools looking for?• Admissions officer’s mission: Create a diverse applicant class
that will enhance the culture and community of their campus.
• They do look for the obvious things like good grades, test scores, class rank, and GPA.– Strength of schedule
• Just as important are things like school/community involvement, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and supporting portfolios.
Important “No-Brainers”• There are a few very important “no-brainer” points to bring to
your attention before we start looking at the UC/CSU more closely.– DEADLINES MATTER! If you miss them, you will miss out. Be sure to be
on top of them.– If your home language is something other than English, include that
on college apps. Helps to put test scores in perspective.– Ensure that you use your OFFICIAL name (i.e. what is on your
transcripts, birth certificate, passport, etc.). If any of your materials are in a different name, get it fixed (esp. test scores).
– Create a professional email address (not [email protected]) and check it regularly• Same with your USPS mail – check at least weekly.
Options for next year:
• Four- year Colleges & Universities:• University of California• California State University• Private schools• Out of state public schools
• Community Colleges• Trade or Vocational Schools
Creating Your Support NetworkStarts Now!
• Take a few minutes and find:– one parent of an 11th grader and one of a 12th
grader that you DO NOT KNOW.– Yes – that means you need to get out of your seats
– Get their contact information (name, phone number, email, students’ ideas of colleges)
– Use them to bounce questions off of in the future.
University of California:
• Apply November 1 -30 ONLY• Apply online at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
• (online required – no paper apps!)
• One application for all nine campuses; • $70 per campus application fee• Fee waivers available for up to 4 schools• For additional program and location requirements see:
• www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/counselors/requirements/index.html
• Order test scores to 1 campus and the other 8 get it
UC Stats for Fall 2012:UNIV OF CA Applied Admitted Admit Rate:
Berkeley 61,702 13,038 21.1%
Davis 49,416 22,538 45.6%
Irvine 54,532 19,806 36.3%
Los Angeles
Merced
72,657
13,148
15,455
9,874
21.3%
75.1%
Riverside 29,888 18,375 61.5%
San Diego 60,838 22,939 37.7%
Santa Barbara 54,831 23,803 43.4%
Santa Cruz 32,954 19,936 60.5%
University of California
• See UC website for more information• No letters of recommendation needed• Eligibility based on:
• a-g course work taken (rigor/recommended)• GPA (as calculated by UC): Important! H/AP credit varies by
campus! (3.0 minimum)• 10th/11th grades only. A-G courses only. Max 8 weighted courses.
• SAT Reasoning Test / ACT with Writing• SAT Subject Tests (for highly competitive majors)• Other factors (leadership, co-curriculars, community service,
etc.)• Personal statement
Personal Statement:The personal statement is probably the most difficult portion of the UC application. Ask your English teacher for help and
come see me.
Personal Statement Questions for Fall 2012 admission Application Instructions
• Respond to both prompts, using a maximum of 1,000 words total.
• You may allocate the word count as you wish. If you choose to respond to one prompt at greater length, we suggest your
shorter answer be no less than 250 words.
Personal Statement (cont.):
Questions
Prompt #1 • 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.
Prompt #2 • Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution
or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?
Filling out the Application
Resources when coming up against application questions:
• Re-read the instructions– Read them…again.
• Visit the help or FAQ sections• Call the admissions department at the college• Make an appointment with me to go over the application• Come to the Wed/Thurs. RTI college workshops and help
sessions
Filling out the Application
Common Questions:
• We use an exact class ranking system and a Semester term system.• Use your weighted A-G course GPA from grades 10 and 11 unless
otherwise instructed.• Some fields only can take up to 5 entries, like extra non-A-G
coursework, extracurricular activities, etc. If you have more than 5, you will need to decide which ones speak most about you and what you think is most important for the admissions department to know.
• EOP is a great program and you typically are qualified if you meet the SAT fee
waiver requirements.
California State University
• Apply October 1 -November 30 • Apply online at www.csumentor.edu
(required)• One application for all 23 campuses; $55. per
campus application fee• Many campuses/programs are impacted• See list/description here
http://www.calstate.edu/sas/impactioninfo.shtml
California State University
• No essay or personal statement• No letters of recommendation• Eligibility based on grades in a-g courses and
college admission exam results• Eligibility index: • [H.S. GPA X 800] + SAT score (no writing) = Eligibility
Index or [H. S. GPA X 200] +[ ACT X 10] = Eligibility Index• 2900 for most campuses• Non-residents: 3502
California State University
• Sign up for on-campus housing when applying even if you are unsure if you want that.– If you don’t select this, housing will probably be gone by the time
you get admitted.
• Send SAT test scores to the CSU Mentor campus at Long Beach (code 3594)– ACT (no writing section required) can be sent to one campus and us
the ACT Score Manager to release to additional campuses.
• With all apps, double check that they were submitted. Log out and login to check submission status.
California State University
• Excellent tutorial on the CSU Mentor website under the Apply Online Tab and undergrad admissions applications. Highly recommended.
• The CSU Mentor site makes this application process really efficient and it will be hard for you to make an outright error. Biggest confusions come from courses, college credit, and test scores.
Private Colleges
• Deadlines vary - call or go to their website• Early Decision/Early Action/Restrictive Early
Action/Regular Decision/Rolling Admission– Read ALL fine print and understand how it works for each
college. ED is a binding contract.• Letters of recommendation needed• Counselor + two teachers (typical)
• Secondary School Report• Mid-year Report• AT LEAST TWO WEEKS NOTICE!
The Common Application
• Apply online or download at www.commonapp.org
• Some colleges have separate supplemental forms –see website for details
• There are now 488 Common Application members in 46 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and Switzerland.
Q & A Time
• Now is the time for Q & A. Please speak up for the benefit of all in the room.
• Please note that I may not have the answer you seek at this time. If so, please kindly send me the question over email and I can get you an answer soon.
Resource Time
• Please take a few minutes and speak with the outside resources that are available to you in the lobby.
• I also encourage you to email me or stop by the office and request your son/daughter’s transcript.
THANK YOU.