College Night for Seniors

Class of 2017

For Students & Parents!

Las Lomas High School
Las Lomas Counseling and College/Career Center

Welcome
Senior Students and Parents

UNDERSTANDING COLLEGE PROCESS

Senior Year Mythbusters

Parents Role
Students Role
How to apply to college
Where do I go from here?
Q&A

Mythbusters

Common Myths
Senior year is easy!
I can do my senior project in a week.
Scholarships are only for 4-year colleges.
No one cares about senior grades.
No one from LL gets into UC schools.
Applying early increases chances of getting into college.
My parents can fill out my college application.
A good college guarantees me a job
Volunteer hours are required for graduation and for college

Parent Role
Mentoring / Coaching
Listening & honoring student

Providing information
Financial Support
Be Honest
Use financial estimators and college net price calculators

Its Not Your College Application!

Student Role
It is YOUR college application!
Be honest and realistic
How do colleges fit your need?
Get organized
Organization = less stress
Find a system that works for you
Communication
Ask questions
Resources

Whats the magic recipe

to get into a good college?

Prepare Yourself

Challenge Yourself

Search Yourself

Be Yourself

Show Resilience

Applying to college is an act of

personal integrity

Student Checklist
Before You Begin Your Application Make Sure You Have:
High

Use to correctly enter your classes and grades

Do not report classes and grades by memory

Test

School/College Transcript

Scores

Send your SAT/ACT, Subject Exams if applicable, directly from the

testing agency(College Board or ACT)
OK to apply before all tests are completed

Activities

& Awards

Make a list of most significant awards, volunteer work, paid work and
extra-curricular activities.
Make note of time involved in activity. BE SPECIFIC! Use details of
what you did!

Essay/Personal

Statement/UC Personal Insight Questions

Student is the star! Show your voice!

Students need to stop thinking

about what we want to hear
they need to authentically
represent themselves in their
application.
Gary Clark, director of admissions, UCLA

LIFE AFTER LAS LOMAS

QUESTIONS?

How Do I Apply to College?

Applying to College

Step 1: Create a list of the colleges you will be applying to

This list should include safe, range, and possibly reach schools
(Naviance will help determine the category)
http://connection.naviance.com/laslomas

Step 2: Arrange your list by application due date

Rolling admission, Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision

(dates can be found on the colleges website and Naviance)

Applying to College

Step 3: Understand the required components for each

application

Transcript (high school courses and grades)

Standardized test scores (ACT/SAT/Subject Tests)

Activities and Awards

Personal Statement Essays/Personal Insight Questions

Teacher Letter/s of Recommendation

Secondary School Report/Counselor Letter of

Recommendation

Applying to College

Step 4: Input the colleges you are applying to in Naviance

If you are applying to a Common Application college you must match

your Common Application and Naviance accounts.
If applicable, follow the steps to request a teacher and/or counselor
letter of recommendation. Be sure to load teacher recommenders into
your Naviance account. Counselors are preloaded.

Step 5: Following the instructions on the colleges website, fill out

and submit your application.

Note: Your college application is submitted independently of all your

supporting documents (teacher and counselor letters of
recommendations and Secondary School Report). When 4-weeks
advance notice is given, your supporting documents will be submitted
through Naviance by the reported application deadline.

Applying to College

Step 6: Send official test scores by ordering them through the

testing agencys website (ACT and/or College Board for SAT)
Step 7: When directed by the college, request your official
transcript through Naviance. Pay for transcripts on the web
store.
Step 8: Regularly check your email and/or campus web portal
for important and time sensitive updates.

Student must notify all colleges if courses listed on the

applications change, or if a semester grade is a D or F.

Check early for housing! Housing application dates and

procedures vary by campus.

QUESTIONS?

Where Do I Go From Here?

Need Help With Your

Applications?

Workshops in the College/Career Center

Application tips:

Government and Econ are one semester classes.

For UC and CSU apps, Econ is in the drop down menu for
college-prep electives.

Current semester classes should be listed as In Progress;

spring semester classes as Planned.

Apply Broadly!

Apply and submit all documents on time!

Stick to the facts

Ask yourself: Will a stranger
understand me and the context
of my situation?
Be authentic

Letters of Recommendation
4 weeks advance notice required!

Speak, in person, with potential recommender/s to request a

letter

Teacher Recommendation
Complete survey and add request for teacher
recommendation on Naviance.
Counselor Recommendation
Complete surveys on Naviance and e-mail counselor to
notify
Follow-up with a Thank You note and the news of where you
will be attending

Need help logging on to Naviance?

See Ellen Smith in the College/Career Center.

College/Career Center hosts admissions representatives

on our campus

Sign up to meet these reps! Ask questions at the

meetings.

Private school reps read the applications of LL

students

Helpful websites:
www.aiccu.edu
www.californiacolleges.edu
www.collegeboard.com
www.actstudent.org
www.commonapp.org

QUESTIONS?

Appendix
College Systems Overview

Community Colleges

California State Universities (CSU)

Universities of California (UC)

Private/Independent Universities

Public Out-of-State Universities

Christian College Fair at Berean Christian, Sept. 15, 6:00 8:00

pm
College Fair at Dougherty Valley High, Oct. 26, 6:30-8:30 pm

Community Colleges

Community Colleges

Associate Degree & Vocational Certificate Programs are offered

Transfer programs to 4-year colleges.

Using www.assist.org can help you prepare.

UC transfer planner guide: https://uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu

113 campuses ! http://www.californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/Students

12 have dorms on site!

No SAT or ACT required for any Community College

Apply EARLY in the Spring semester

Complete online application

Take assessment tests

Complete orientation class (if required)

Must be a high school graduate or 18 years old to attend

Community Colleges
Diablo Valley College (DVC)

www.dvc.edu

DVC Night - February 7, 2017, 7:00 PM, LL Theatre

DVC application workshops at LLHS in the spring

English & Math Placement Exams will be offered at LLHS

Specific date TBA (March/April 2016)

DVC Special Programs:

Disability Support Services (DSS)

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)
English as a Second Language (ESL)

Check in the College/Career Center for information on

other California Community Colleges.

Four Year Colleges

A-G Subject Requirements

UC and CSU Systems
A:

2 yrs History/Social Science

B: 4 yrs of English
C:

3 yrs (4 recommended) Math

D: 2 yrs (3 recommended) Laboratory Science

E: 2 yrs (3 recommended) Language Other than English
F: 1 yr Visual & Performing Arts
G:

1 yr College Preparatory Elective

Classes which meet college admission requirements are on the a-g

list by year https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/

California State Universities (CSU)

California State Universities

(CSU)

23 campuses
All undergraduate programs, pre-programs, and
undeclared/ undecided programs are impacted for the
following campuses:
CSU Fresno

CSU Fullerton

CSU Long Beach

San Diego State University

San Jose State University

Impacted
means there

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

are more applications received than

there are available freshman spots at that campus, resulting
in increased competitiveness.
Local area CSUs: CSU East Bay & San Francisco State
University

California State Universities

(CSU)

Non-impacted campuses may have impacted

programs

Nursing, Criminal Justice, Business

Check on www.csumentor.edu for complete list

Visit www.calstate.edu/impactioninfo.shtml to

determine impacted majors/campuses

To find all degrees/programs available by CSU

campus visit http://degrees.calstate.edu

California State Universities

(CSU)

Admission based on a-g courses, GPA and

SAT or ACT test score. CSU does not review writing
portion of the SAT/ACT.

No essay or recommendations required or accepted

Application period Oct.1- Nov. 30, 2016

Fee $55* per campus. Fee waiver available.

Visit www.csumentor.edu to apply & get info on all

CSUs

California State Universities

(CSU)

Send transcript only when the campus requests it. Failure to

submit transcript or SAT/ACT scores will result in admission
denial.

Confirm Student Intent to Register (SIR) ASAP. No later than May

1st.

Cal Poly - Early Decision Option (except for Art and Music Majors)
Only CSU to use 9 12 GPA

Eligibility Index Table:

https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/cal_resident
s.asp

Additional admissions information

https://secure.californiacolleges.edu/college_planning/california_state_u
niversity/freshman_admission_requirements/Majors_Admission_Standar

California State Universities

(CSU)

CSU College Night for high school students and parents

Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 6 8:30 p.m.

Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland

The majority of CSU campuses do not accept coursework the

summer after graduation to complete admission
requirements.
The EPT (English Placement Test) and/or ELM (Entry Level
Math) placement tests may be required in the spring of
senior year.

After admission, check email from the college for more

information

University of California
(UC)

University of California (UC)

System

9 Undergraduate campuses

1 Graduate-only campus (UCSF)

Admission based on comprehensive review of:

a-g courses & GPA (min 3.0)

SAT or ACT score

Personal Insight Questions

SAT Subject Tests not required, may be recommended

Respond to 4 of the 8 questions, all have equal importance

Extracurricular activities & honors/awards

Letters of recommendation only upon request

Comprehensive Review
Academic

Non-Academic

Grade-point average

Test scores

Performance in and number of

courses beyond minimum a-g
requirements
UC-approved honors courses and
advanced courses

Eligibility in the Local Context

Quality of senior-year program of
study

Academic opportunities in California

high schools

Outstanding performance in one or

more academic subject areas.

Achievements in special projects

Improvement in academic
performance
Special talents, achievements and
awards
Participation in educational
preparation programs
Academic accomplishments in light of
life experiences
Geographic location

Comprehensive Review

Campuses Look For

Strong grades, test scores & course preparation

A robust educational experience

Students Evaluated Within Context

Educational environment

Available resources and opportunities

The Full Application

Not just the personal insight questions, grades or test scores

No single factor determines admission

Full list of comprehensive review factors:

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/how-applications-reviewed/

Personal Insight
Questions

Use I statements
Choose any 4 of the 8 questions all treated
same

Treat as an interview clarity & context

Provide new information not found elsewhere

Responses are not graded

Use your own voice

Answer the questions!

University of California (UC)

System

Application available now; submit Nov. 1- Nov. 30, 2016

Send a transcript only when requested by the college.

You will need to submit a final transcript after graduation.

Admissions Index Calculator:

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/californiaresidents/admissions-index/index.html
Apply online at:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applyonline/

Fee to apply $70 per campus

Help Desk ucinfo@applyucsupport.net and 1-800-207-1710

Independent/Private
Universities

Independent/Private
Universities

77 campuses in CA

Admissions criteria--check with each individual campus!

Most require SAT or ACT

Subject Tests may be required
Most require essays, letters of recommendation, and
transcript upon application
Extracurricular activities, work experience, and
honors/awards may be considered

Common Application www.commonapp.org

Links with Naviance Family Connection

Secondary School Report = Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Common Application deadlines vary

Out of State Public

Universities

Check individual admission policies and deadlines

SAT/ACT are usually required

Essay and/or letters of recommendation may be required or

considered

Extracurricular activities, work experience, and awards/honors

may be required or considered

Consider Western Undergraduate Exchange

http://wue.wiche.edu

Tuition scholarship program for public colleges/universities in the western

states

Financial Aid / Cost to Attend College

Financial Aid Seminar Sept. 29 @ 7pm LLHS Theatre

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Workshop
October 5 @ 7pm LLHS Theatre

California Dream Act

www.CalDreamAct.org Free to apply!

Apply online January 1, 2017 March 2, 2017

Cal Grant

FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov Free to apply!

Apply online October 1, 2016 March 2, 2017

Submitted automatically by LL Registrar

CSS Profile

https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp
Selected private universities will require this profile.
Fee charged (fee waiver may be available)

Financial Aid / Cost to Attend College

Colleges may have own forms and priority due dates

Fee waivers for college applications may be available

Look at the colleges Net Price Calculator

Have a discussion about what your family can afford

Compare college costs and financial aid offers

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college
/compare-financial-aid-and-college-cost/

CONTACT INFORMATION
Counselor (A-El)*

Amelia Whalen

Counselor (En-K)*

Hanalee Washburn

Counselor (L-Pi)*

Kara Bloodgood

Counselor (Pl-U + ELL Stu)*

awhalen@acalanes.k12.ca.us
hwashburn@acalanes.k12.ca.us
kbloodgood@acalanes.k12.ca.us

Marilyn Lewis-Hampton

mlewis-hampton@acalanes.k12.ca.us
Counselor (V-Z)*
Registrar
College Advisor
Testing Coordinator

* for class of 2017 only

Valerie Wright-Smith
Beth Chastain
Ellen Smith
Allison Ridenhour

vwright@acalanes.k12.ca.us
bchastain@acalanes.k12.ca.us
esmith@acalanes.k12.ca.us
aridenhour@acalanes.k12.ca.us