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College Night

SAN RAFAEL HIGH SCHOOL

FEBRUARY 4, 2020

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Presenters

Seydi Cifuentes - College and Career Advisor
Kelly Leary - HeadsUp College Advisor
Alison Zampino - Counselor
Claire Mazariegos - Counselor Intern

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Agenda

Roles of Counseling and CCC staff
Resources
College Systems: UC, CSU, private, out-of-state and community colleges
Testing: SAT vs. ACT vs. neither
Financial Aid
Junior and Senior Year Priorities

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SR Counseling and CCC Staff

Counseling Staff Mon - Fri 8:00 - 4:00
Alison Zampino (A – Gol) - azampino@srcs.org

Armando Oseguera (Newcomers & Gom – O) - aoseguera@srcs.org

Avi Fernandez (N – Z) - afernandez@srcs.org
Claire Mazariegos (intern and former CCC Advisor) - cmazariegos@srcs.org

College & Career Center Staff
Seydi Cifuentes, College & Career Advisor Mon – Fri 8:00 – 4:30 - scgudiel@srcs.org
Kelly Leary, HeadsUp College Consultant Mon 9:00-5:00, Tues/Wed 3:00-5:00 - kleary@srcs.org
Ivan Diaz, School-to-Career Liaison Tues & Fri 7:30 – 4:00 - idiaz@marinschools.org

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Counseling Roles

Social/emotional and academic support
Main contact for students and families regarding overall academic health
Scheduling - program all students to graduate and if possible, be a-g eligible
Hold individual junior and senior conferences to review academic performance and post-secondary plans
Hold group grade-level meetings to begin 4 year Academic Plans
Referrals for students who are in need of school- based counseling

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College & Career Center Roles

Individual college application guidance & essay advice
Financial aid & scholarship assistance
Parent/Student education events
Communications through newsletter in Counselor’s Corner & social media
Internship, summer study & volunteer work opportunities

College rep visits in fall
Discounted SAT Prep (not in 2021)
College app reference books, gap year info & computers
Job postings & work permits
Career Tech Fair
SRHS Alumni Panel

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College Access Support Programs

For students who are low-income or first-generation:

10,000 Degrees
College Dream Team
Next Generation Scholars
Huckleberry Wellness Academy
Compass
Canal Alliance UP!
Summer Search & SMASH
Questbridge

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Approaching a New Chapter

This is a period of self-awareness and growth.
Charting your future can be exciting AND stressful.
You have the resources here to be well-prepared for success.
Be open minded about your options. They may be very different from others!
We are all here to support you.

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Self-Reflection

What do I see myself doing after high school?
What kind of college am I able to attend? 4 year, 2-year + transfer, or technical training?
The 4Ps:

-Place: distance, urban/rural/suburban, weather

-People: size, diversity, atmosphere, sports, social life, liberal/conservative, religious

-Program: majors offered, extra-curricular opportunities

-Price: cost, available financial aid

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Researching

Books: FISKE Guide, Princeton Review, College Finder, etc.
College search websites: Big Future College Board, Niche.com
Individual college websites & social media accounts
Campus visits: Info session + campus tours (demonstrated interest)
CCC college rep visits in fall
Senior Success Advisories in Fall
College Planning Guide (on CCC page of website)
Ms. Cifuentes & Ms. Leary assistance
Next: Build your realistic college list of Safety, Target & Reach schools

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Calif Colleges Guidance Initiative / CaliforniaColleges.edu

Beginning August 2021, SRCS will partner with CC to provide students with a platform where they can track their high school progress, college-eligibility standing, four-year and post-secondary planning.

“The platform provides high school students the tools to match their interests and skills to postsecondary college and career opportunities. Students can take career assessments and use search tools to develop college, major, and career lists, write goals and journals, track activities, and read a variety of age-appropriate content to develop and expand their knowledge on all college, career, and financial aid planning topics. Students can also launch Cal State Apply, CCCApply, and FAFSA.”

All students will have accounts tied to their SRCS log-in beginning August 2021, and all academic information from AERIES will pre-load into CCCApply and CSU applications once students are ready to apply to colleges senior year.

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Community Colleges

114 Community colleges in Calif
Application Period: by May
Very welcoming! 100% Acceptance - No SAT/ACT, no essay, no XC
Inexpensive! $46/unit, total full-time cost = $1,100 - $1,600
Average class size = high school
Excellent technical & vocational programs for in-demand careers
Associates Degree (AA) = 60 units > transfer to 4-year college to complete a BA/BS
Transfer agreements & guarantees with some UCs, CSUs & private colleges

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California State University (CSU)

23 campuses - priority campuses at SFSU and SSU
4-year college & graduate school, practical education taught by professors
No essays or extracurriculars required
Admissions vary by campus; minimum GPA 2.5 at most campuses (2020)
Average class size = high school
Tuition/fees = $7,000, total cost = $25,000 if living on campus
App period Oct. 1 – Nov. 30

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University of California (UC)

9 campuses + UCSF graduate school
Research & theory often the focus
Offers BA/BS, Masters & Doctoral degrees
Classes may be taught by graduate students vs. professor; very large class sizes first 2 years
Very competitive admissions requirements; average high school GPA is above 3.7
Application requires 4 small “essays” and list of your XC activities
Tuition/fees = $14,000, total = $35,000 if living on campus

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Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

Additional advisor support for first-gen, low-income students
Academic study support/tutoring/scholarships
Programs vary by campus; cultural centers to promote bonding
Available at UC, CSU & CC - apply online at time of college app

UCs - only 2 questions required, but less $ is awarded
CSUs - 2 letters of rec & essays. Competitive – must meet limited income levels
CCs may also provide stipends for books, transportation

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Private & Out-of-State Colleges

2,500+ private colleges in U.S.; 1,500 out-of-state public colleges
Admissions requirements vary, but include a few essays & recommendations
Generally small class sizes, taught by professor
Students receive more support by advisors & profs - easily graduate in 4 years
On-campus housing often available all 4 years
Financial aid (need-based) and merit aid (high GPA) can reduce costs significantly (Net Price Calculator)
Total costs vary: $45,000 - $70,000, but the actual cost (after financial and merit aid) is usually much lower
Require either the Common App, Coalition App, or their own app

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College App Essays

UC Personal Insight Questions - same as 2020 - available mid-summer
No essay for CSU
For private or out-of-state colleges, check website of each college or google it to find essay topics
Common App online Aug. 1 – prompts listed under college name

Main essay + 1-5 smaller supplemental essays for each college

Create list of essay prompts for all colleges; brainstorm ideas & start writing essays

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What are 4-Year Colleges Looking For?

Good grades
Strength of Curriculum
Good SAT/ACT scores
Extra-curricular involvements that run deep and long
Insightful college app essays
Overall: passion, talent, academic strength, grit, character, self-awareness
Balance of student body

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Types of Admission

Regular

Varies by college: Nov. 30 – Feb. 1

Rolling

Fall – April : e.g. CU, U of O, ASU, Univ. of AZ, some CSUs

Early Action (non-binding) – strongly recommend!

Nov. 1 or 15

Restrictive Early Action (1 choice, non-binding)

Nov. 1 or 15

Early Decision (1 choice, binding)

Nov. 1 or 15
Also ED II – Jan.

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Testing

Options

SAT or ACT: take practice tests & pick one
Spring of junior year – summer – fall of senior year after Algebra 2
Take 2-3 times - many colleges “superscore”

SAT Subject Tests & SAT with Writing - eliminated!
Test Optional Colleges

Some require no tests; focus will be on academic performance instead

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SAT vs. ACT

Less time on each section; 4 sections; 3 hrs, 35 min total
More direct / formulaic questions

and answer choices

Can use calculator for all math; no

formulas given

Writing prompt more relatable
36 maximum score + writing score

More info on CCC page of website

More time on each section; 6 sections;

3 hrs, 50 min total

More involved questions / answer

choices

Can use calculator for ½ the math

sections; formulas given

No Writing section
1600 maximum score

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Test Prep Options

Online (free): Khan Academy (SAT) & ACT.org (ACT)
Books (inexpensive):

College Board’s Official SAT Study Guide 2020
The Official ACT Prep Guide

Group courses (e.g. Marin SAT Prep, Lifeworks, Kaplan)
Private Individual tutoring (e.g. Compass, but expensive)
Apply early for fee waivers or accommodations
4 free score reports if you send scores immediately after taking tests

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Financial Aid

Two Types of Financial Aid Applications (open Oct. 1, close March 2)

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
California Dream Act

Scholarships

Available through the CCC page of school website
Local/national scholarships
Institutional (colleges’ own) scholarships

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Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Requirements

Student must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible noncitizen
Student requires a valid SSN
Parent(s) must file taxes

Pell Grants

Federal grants
Usually awarded to undergrads who display exceptional financial need
No GPA requirement

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California Dream Act

Equivalent to FAFSA for undocumented families
Students must qualify for either:

AB540: Have attended high school for 3 years in Calif
SB68: For newcomers – must have completed 3 years of school in CA between elementary through community college

Students are eligible for state Cal Grants & institutional aid from colleges (but not federal Pell Grants)
Help available through Ms. Cifuentes, 10,000 Degrees, Canal Alliance, and College Dream Team

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Cal Grants

Cal Grant A

GPA: 3.0 or higher
UC: $12,570
CSU: $5,742
For Profit (Non WASC): $4,000
For Profit WASC: $9,084
Private Non-Profit: $9,084

California Community College (CCC) Reserve: eligible students have their Cal Grant A awards held in "reserve" status for 2 years until they attend a 4-year school

Cal Grant B

GPA: 2.0 or higher
UC/CSU: $1,672 1^st year stipend; increases

2^nd year

2 or 4 year college/university
CC: $1,672

Cal Grant C

For vocational/career technical program

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Financial Aid/Scholarships

Parents: Please file taxes!

Necessary if asked for verification for financial aid (75% of cases)
If no SSN, obtain an Individual Taxpayer Number (ITIN)
Personal info is not shared with government, only colleges
Free help available through 10,000 Degrees and Seydi Cifuentes

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Junior Year Priorities

Spring

Summer

By Sept of senior year

Keep your grades up
Register for challenging courses senior year; keep balanced schedule with commitments outside of school
Prepare for & take 2-3 SAT/ACT
Plan something interesting to do over summer + deepen extra-curricular involvement
Research colleges (try to visit some)
Develop a tentative college list of Reach, Target & Safeties (including cost)
Learn essay prompts for each college
For private and out-of-state colleges, complete Autobiographical Sketch; ask counselor + 2 teachers for letters of rec

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Get organized

Create a professional email address using your name & very few (if any) #s

example: mariachavez19@gmail.com; mariadaniellachavez@gmail.com

Clean up your social media accounts
Create an activity list or resume
Make a master spreadsheet/template online or binder with sections

Keep track of all colleges you are interested in + important facts + deadlines
Record user names, passwords for ACT/SAT & every college
Sample template in the “Developing Your College List” presentation

Prepare a schedule and try to stick to it

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Summer Activities

Important to stay engaged and productive over the summer
Start exploring interests and possible future careers
Pursue something you are passionate about and/or relates to your college major
Colleges are looking for sustained involvement and increasing responsibility in a few activities
Junior year summer is key opportunity to show involvement and personal growth
Can become good material for essays