CREDO HIGH SCHOOL

Welcome, Seniors & Families!

Important Senior Year Stuff:

College Application Details, Requirements, Deadlines

College Counseling Department • 1.credohigh.org/college-career-counseling

�

• The Applications
• New & Special Programs
• Letters of Recommendation
• Dual Enrollment Transcripts & Standardized Testing scores (AP and SAT)
• How to Get & Where to Find Information
• The College Monday Workshop Series
• Community College → Info, Support, Registration
• CCGI

THE AGENDA

• Scoir & Common App integration
• The Apps & Tools Overview and Comparison
• Key Fall Events
• Financial Aid
• Super Important Application Information
• Application Checklist
• Final Reminders

The Applications

Most seniors will use at least one of these four paths. Requirements and costs vary widely.

Credo High School College Counseling | The Applications

3

New & Special Programs

​

​

​

• Colleges offer acceptance based on GPA before you apply.
• Focused on 1st-generation and low- to middle-income students.
• Application fee usually waived.
• Traditional requirements like personal essays and LORs often waived.
• NOTE: Highly selective or elite universities do not participate.
• Acceptances remain conditional until official academic transcripts are verified.

Common App

Direct Admissions

• New partnership program between Credo & UC Merced to guarantee admissions to Merced if student meets requirements.
• MAAP app due 9/30
• Any UC Merced undergraduate major
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• $3000 per year scholarship
• Application support w/UCM rep on 9/10

Credo High School College Counseling | Testing & Coursework

5

UC Merced MAAP = Merced Automatic Admission Program

• Credo students who meet Credo’s graduation requirements are eligible for admissions to MOST CSU campuses (not necessarily a major).
• Competitive campuses: SLO, Fullerton, Long Beach, SDSU, SJSU
• Examples of Competitive Majors: STEM, Cinema & TV Arts, Nursing, Business Administration

CSU Admissions

Letters of

Recommendation

What to Know

• Most private colleges ask for 1–2 teacher recs, plus one from your counselor (you don't need to ask; I’ll know if your Scoir college list is accurate).
• Choose teachers from core academic subjects: English, math, science, history, or world language.
• Pick someone who has seen your growth, passion, or perseverance.
• **UCs, CSUs, CCC, and some public out-of state universities don’t accept letters. KNOW BEFORE YOU ASK a teacher to spend time on an LOR.

When to Ask

• You were instructed to ask in person, before summer break. If you did not, do so ASAP. Teachers get many requests; once they reach their max (18) they can say no.
• Formal requests go through Scoir; I will demonstrate on Monday & send a video.

What to Provide & When

• Complete the “brag sheet” in Scoir (coming next week).
• Fill out your Scoir profile with your activities, accomplishments, and goals.
• Be sure your Common App is connected to Scoir and that your college list in Scoir is up-to-date, including your deadlines. You are required to give teachers 4 weeks notice.

4

Standardized Testing, Dual Enrollment & AP

Standardized Test Scores

• UCs and CSUs do not accept SAT/ACT scores.
• 2,100+ U.S. colleges remain test-optional (fairtest.org).
• A strong score, if you have one, can help your application
• Many colleges allow self-reported scores initially but require official scores upon enrollment. I cannot do this for you.
• You are responsible for knowing each school's policy and deadlines.
• Some schools “superscore,” which means they combine your best section scores across test dates.

Dual Enrollment & AP Exam Scores

• You must report all community college classes and grades, even if you don’t like your grade.
• If you took a dual enrollment class at Credo, it will be on your Credo transcript, but you will still enter it in the College Courses section of each application. I will demonstrate that in the workshops.
• You will need to request your transcript from the community college where you took classes and have them sent to the college where you enroll next year. I cannot do this for you.
• You will need to request that your AP scores from the College Board be sent to the college where you enroll next year. I cannot do this for you.

Credo High School College Counseling | Testing & Coursework

5

How to Get & Where to Find Information

Most of what you need to know will come through these channels. Please make it a habit to check them.

1

The Credo Compass

Our weekly newsletter is a MUST read. It is published every Sunday via Student/Parent Square.

​

I announce all upcoming events, deadlines, and opportunities in the College Counseling section.

2

Credo’s Family Guide to College Admissions

Credo-specific guidance including UC & CSU application guides, important dates, senior year timeline, and essay support tips.

3

1.Credo College Counseling

A dedicated resource with links to college and career resources, meeting recordings, my scheduling calendar.

4

Student/Parent Square

If you're not signed up, you will miss essential announcements and event reminders. I do my best to use this only for reminders and if I receive time-sensitive information between Compass publications.

Credo High School College Counseling | Credo's Support System

6

College Mondays!

Weekly workshops & support for college-bound seniors

When: Every Monday after school from 2:30 - 3:30 (repeated as a recorded evening Zoom)�

Where: Room 7

What if I forget where to go or where the Zoom link is or where the recording link is?? Check the Credo calendar first, or the Credo Compass, or 1.Credo.

Upcoming Workshop Topics

• The UC application
• Personal Insight Questions
• Education Section
• Activities List
• Additional Information section
• The Common App
• Education Section
• Activities List
• Additional Information section
• Supplemental Essays
• CSU Application Walkthrough

Credo High School College Counseling | College Mondays

7

Community Colleges

SRJC drop-in Office Hours are every other Monday @ Credo!

SRJC application happen in the spring during our SRJC application workshop. Nothing to do until then! It's free, and our SRJC liaison walks everyone through the process. THIS IS REQUIRED.

Why apply to SRJC through the spring workshop?

• It’s required for any student who plans to enrol at SRJC in fall 2027. Students cannot register for classes unless they’ve completed one of these “Ed Plan Workshops.”
• Our SRJC liaison is present to walk students through the process and answer questions.
• I recommend students do this if they’re not sure where they’ll enroll in the fall (especially if waiting on financial aid). You'll be all set up if you choose to attend SRJC.

Applying to a different CA community college?

Schedule a meeting with me in the spring for help applying.

SRJC office hours with our liaison are biweekly on Mondays at 2:30 - 3:30 in the College Counseling office. For questions about dual enrollment, career training, and general SRJC questions.

Credo High School College Counseling | Community Colleges

9

California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)

A free, state-funded college & career readiness platform for every California student.

• Students use CaliforniaColleges.edu to explore careers, research colleges, and keep track of the goals.
• Streamlines applications: Student academics are imported can directly from CCGI (from Aeries) into UC, CSU, and community college applications.
• Your data is private. Colleges cannot see anything you do on the platform.
• Not perfect. Will require tweaking. Saves time!
• Use of CCGI is REQUIRED.

NOTE: You cannot submit UC or CSU applications until October 1 at the earliest, but you can (and should) launch your apps through CCGI now. We’re going to do this together on Monday in Cohort!

Getting Started

1

We will all launch at least one application on Monday in Cohort.

2

Attend Monday workshops where we will continue to work on these applications.

3

Credo High School College Counseling | CCGI

8

Watch posted demonstration videos if you missed a workshop or need a refresher.

3

4

Launch and complete your financial aid application.

Scoir & Common App Integration

What it does and does not do.

• Scoir now integrates with the Common Application, which means that you will be prompted to connect these two accounts when you log into Scoir. Your My Colleges list in Scoir will sync automatically with Common App activity.
• BUT FIRST, you must complete your FERPA release & waiver, fee waiver requests, and Early Decision Agreements in Common App for schools you're applying to that way.
• Teachers and I cannot see your school list until you complete these steps. We need this information for our letters of recommendation.
• Schools you apply to that are not in the Common App MUST be entered manually in your Scoir “applying” list. That means each UC and CSU campus.

Credo High School College Counseling | Scoir & Liaison Program

10

TOOLS CREDO STUDENTS USE TO APPLY TO COLLEGES

Different tools. Different jobs.

• All students MUST use CCGI & Scoir.
• Applying to UC: UC application
• Applying to CSU: CSU application
• Applying to community college: CCC apply
• Applying to private or out-of-state public: Common App

CaliforniaColleges.edu

One login → Four applications.

UC Application Parts

1. Personal information
2. 4 PIQs (personal insight questions)
3. Activities list
4. Additional information section
5. Education Section = classes taken & grades earned

× No letters of recommendation

CSU Application Parts

1. Personal information
2. Education Section = classes taken & grades earned

× No activities list

× No writing

× No letters of recommendation

CA Community College app

• Personal information
• Application opens in the spring for fall 2027.
• Attendance at Ed Plan workshop in March @ Credo is required to register.

× No activities list, writing, or LORs

FAFSA/CADAA

• ALL families should submit, regardless of income to access financial aid.
• Parent and the student each complete their own application.
• If divorced, only parent who provides “more than 50% of financial support” should fill out a FAFSA.

Common App Parts

1. Personal information
2. The personal essay: one essay that goes to
3. every school on your list
4. Supplemental essays: different at each school
5. Activities list
6. Teacher and counselor LORs
7. Additional information section
8. Education section = classes taken and earned.

​

​

Scoir

= A college research & organization tool

• Research colleges
• Track where you’re applying
• Request teacher LORs
• Provides teachers and Ms. Wuerthner with a complete profile and an up-to-date college list with deadlines
• Ms. Wuerthner will send all documents in Scoir. **

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION ARE FOR COMMON APP SCHOOLS ONLY

In Scoir: update your profile & college list, complete brag sheet, and request teacher LORs.

If you need a counselor LOR, Ms. Wuerthner will know if your Scoir is updated. DO NOT request one.

** Transcripts: DO NOT REQUEST these from the registrar. If your Scoir is updated, Ms. Wuerthner will send all required documents to colleges.

Upcoming Fall Events

September

• 9/1: College Knowledge Night & mini college fair at Credo
• 9/2: Sonoma County College & Career Fair (open to all)
• 9/2: College reps visit Credo at lunch
• 9/22: SmartTrack College Funding webinar (free)

October

​

• 10/3: Sonoma State Seawolf Discovery Day
• 10/7: SAT School Day for seniors (optional RSVP required)
• Cash for College FAFSA/CADAA financial aid workshop (date TBD)

November/December

​

• EA/ED deadlines (vary by school)
• 11/1
• 11/15
• 11/30: UC & Cal State applications due
• EA/ED deadlines (vary by school)
• 12/1
• 12/15

Credo High School College Counseling | Fall Events

11

Financial Aid Information

FAFSA.gov

Apply for federal aid opens October 1 of senior year.

CSS Profile (College Board)

Required by many private colleges for institutional aid.

Net Price Calculators

Available on every college's website AND on Scoir (parent accounts only) to estimate cost.

Scholarships.com & Fastweb.com

Search national and local scholarships matched to your profile.

College Financial Aid Websites & Offices

It's fine to contact them directly with questions, even now. Especially if you’re applying ED.**

Parent tip: If applying Early Decision, contact that school's financial aid office directly with your student's academic profile and financial situation, and ask for a cost-of-attendance estimate before committing.

Credo High School College Counseling | Financial Aid

12

SUPER IMPORTANT!

• Legal names: Students must use their legal names or their financial aid applications will not match their application information. Use the name that is tied to your social security number.

​

• Confirm mailing address: Confirm that your mailing address in Aeries is the one you use for all your applications or you will have problems with your financial aid.

​

• Hyphenated or Multiple Surnames: Be sure to type your legal last name(s) exactly as it appears on your social security card and in Aeries on all applications (including FAFSA/CADAA). When these don’t match, you will have problems.

​

• Personal email addresses: Use a personal email address for applications. Your Credo email address will be deleted after graduation, but colleges will still email you important information.

​

• Transcript requests: DO NOT request from our registrar. Keep your Scoir updated, and I will send all documents.

​

4

Your Checklist: Applying to a 4-Year School

Connect your Common App account to Scoir

Update your Scoir college list with your CA public schools

Schedule your meeting with me

Complete your brag sheet

Request letters of rec only if required (no more than 2)

Use your legal name on all applications (must match Aeries)

Use a personal (not Credo) email to create your applications

Write your Personal Insight Questions (UC), if applicable

Write your personal essay in Senior English

Write supplemental essays in workshops

Confirm whether each school requires official or self-reported test scores

Launch your UC, CSU, CCC & FAFSA/CADAA accounts via CCGI

Attend weekly workshops or watch the recordings

Fill out FAFSA/CADAA after October 1

Start researching scholarships

Reminder: after submitting applications, you'll create a portal for each school. All future communication comes through those portals. I do not have to your portals, nor do I receive the important information college will send you through the portals.

Credo High School College Counseling | Senior Checklist

13

Create your portals for every school you apply to.**

Final Reminders

Transcript Requests & Counselor LOR Requests

Don’t do it. Update Scoir instead so I know where to send transcripts and if you need a counselor LOR.

Working with a private counselor?

That's great! But they will not know how to complete the education sections of your applications. Please follow my instructions for those sections.

Applications are reviewed before submission

I must review ALL applications before you submit them. UC/CSU are final.

Applications are not read early by colleges

Take your time and put together your best possible application. In most cases, reps are traveling in the fall and don’t start reviewing applications until the first deadlines.

Communication with me is essential

If you are struggling with something and you don’t ask me for help, I don’t know you need help.

Credo High School College Counseling | Reminders

14

Questions?

• I need parents and students to work with me in partnership.
• Communication with me is essential. If you are struggling with something and you don’t ask me for help, I don’t know you need help.
• Me = 1; Seniors = 85.

• 1.credohigh.org/college-career-counseling
• Family Guide to College Counseling
• Scheduling link
• Application resources
• Meeting recordings

Credo High School College Counseling Department