College and Postsecondary Planning

Class of 2025 Seniors!

Overview:

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• Important Updates: Resources, College Rep Visits
• College Selection Process, Types of Colleges/Applications
• Transcript Requests
• Letters of Recommendation
• Essays
• Xello – Update Email, Planning Survey
• Application Help Resources– Counselor Appts, Workshops

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� College Information Specialist:�Mrs. Natascha Vossen

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• She is available in the counseling center most Mondays through Thursdays.
• Plans on-campus events that present students with important information regarding applying to college, tips and strategies in selecting your college list, choosing extracurriculars, writing your essays, testing information and more!
• Started the Student College Information Initiative (SCII) to coach 16 student leaders to become peer college admission advisors who will be available in counseling center during lunch.
• Keeps the LJHS College Info website current and up to date.
• Senior To-Do List by month is here: WWW.LJHSCOLLEGEINFO.COM

College Rep Virtual/ In Person Visits:

• College Rep is usually the same person who will review your application- introduce yourself and ask thoughtful questions!

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• Attending college rep sessions demonstrates your interest.

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• Availability and sign ups have been sent to school email

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• If there is a session you can’t attend email the representative directly to connect and ask questions.

Virtual College Visits:

• Check individual college websites for offerings.
• For direct links to over 900 colleges’ tours, live info sessions and youtube channels, check out this resource:
• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1sO7pVos0EvK0BvXoMbnyg00K6r7hXbOQE0HNXF4N4eM/htmlview?usp=sharing&fbclid=IwAR1Vr3WcvpwflVMsaXnzlMq9ibN3oMMAG8x02F0w6o4nsWr2PSlTkenQoqM

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• https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/

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• Enews, instagrams and Mrs. Cox emails in sandi.net email will also share information on college rep visits.

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College Selection:

The Strategy

• Reach Schools (2-3)
• Dream 0-20% chance of acceptance
• Match Schools (4-6)
• Realistic 70-80% chance of acceptance
• Safety Schools (2-3)
• High likelihood of acceptance

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• Apply to 8-12 colleges.

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Types of 4 Year Schools:

• California State University – examples: San Diego State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chico- CSU Application

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2. University of California – examples: UCSD, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis- UC Application

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3. Out-of-State Public Schools – examples: U of Arizona; U of Oregon; U of Delaware, Clemson- Common Application

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4. Private Schools – examples: Stanford, USC, Harvard, Duke, Emory, Gonzaga, Tufts, UPenn- Common Application

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College Application Choices:

• Early Decision - Binding

- Only ONE college allowed, and it should be your 1^st choice.

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• Early Action – Non-Binding
• May apply to more than one school

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EARLY: More competitive- usually top % of applicants

Due dates start in OCTOBER

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• Regular Decision varies by college- check website

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• Rolling – Apply anytime, notified several weeks after applying

California State University System (CSU)� Apply: Oct 1 – Nov 30

• 23 campuses
• Admission based only on:
• GPA: grades 10-11 only
• NO SAT/ACT
• Min. GPA 2.0
• Honors Programs Available! *Many benefits including small class size- 35! (Regular class:100+)
• No letters of recommendation!
• Transcript not sent until JUNE 2024!

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https://www2.calstate.edu/apply

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University of California System (UC)

Open now –Submit Oct. 1 - Nov. 30th

• 9 undergraduate campuses
• Admission based on:
• GPA: grades 10-11 only
• NO SAT/ACT required
• Extracurricular Activities
• 4 Short Insight Questions
• Minimum GPA 3.0
• No letters of recommendation!
• Transcript not sent until JUNE 2024!

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www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions

Private & Out of State Universities

• Admission requirements vary by institution, but most follow similar UC/CSU guidelines in terms of subject requirements and test requirements.
• Check individual campus websites to determine admission requirements!
• GPA: grades 9- 12^th (Fall semester)
• SAT/ACT – Most are NOT requiring them. Check each school’s website
• Essay/Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Extracurricular Activities

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• Deadlines vary greatly; be sure to check each school’s policies!!!

SAT/ACT:

UC & CSU- Will not use ACT/SAT scores for 2024 admission.

• If you already have a score, it will be used for placement in Math/English courses only.
• If you submit scores, they may be used as an alternative of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or course placement.
• Impacted campuses will use your “a-g” GPA and supplemental factors to inform campus admission decisions, such as:
• # courses exceeding minimum “a-g” requirements (ie. 4 years of math; 3-4 years Science)
• extracurricular involvement 
• Be sure to check the admissions webpage for the CSU campuses in which you are interested in attending to know which specific factors the campus will be using.​​​

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SAT/ACT:

Private/Out of State:

Many are not requiring them for Fall 2024 admission- but you must check individual websites.

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For a list of all schools that do not use ACT/SAT, including those just for fall 2025: http://www.fairtest.org/

Western Undergraduate Exchange:

WUE

https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/

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Application Deadline Review:

• CSU- California State University
• Not open until October 1 – November 30

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• UC – University of California
• Open Now, submit October 1 – November 30

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• Private and Out of State Schools
• Common App is open now.
• Due dates vary by school. (most common are Nov.1-15th, Dec. 1-15th, Jan 1st, Feb 1st).
• Check college’s website for accurate dates.

College Application Information:

• You will need this information for our school when filling out the applications:

1) Graduation Date – 06/06/24

2) Counselor name and contact information (on website)

3) We do not rank!

4) Class size = 322

5) Cumulative GPA – Your 10-12 WGPA (top of transcript)

6) GPA Scale - 4.0

7) GPA Weighting - Weighted

8) Your transcript

Academic Sections on Applications:�Semesters – Quarters at LJHS

Our grading system is semesters: earn 2 semester grades per class. *2020-21: grades reported on a quarter system, but you will need to enter as semesters- Quarter 1&2=Semester 1 Quarter 3&4=Semester 2

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Common App:

Current/Most Recent Year Courses = Semester system

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UC:

Academic History = Select semester

Most courses are Yearlong, College classes are semester long.

(AP Gov= Semester 1, AP Econ Semester 2)

See tutorial at end

College Courses:

Dual Enrollment

• All college classes taken (at LJHS or off campus) must be entered on college applications under “College Courses Taken.”

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• You will first need to list the colleges you have attended, and then add the course title, number and credits earned.

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• San Diego Mesa/UCSD dual enrollment courses offered at LJHS:

Business/Marketing Math 150/151

Sociology/Nutrition English 101/205

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UC/CSU Application Information:

• UC/CSU A-G course list
• IMPORTANT: Refer to your original transcripts from all schools attended. This includes Charter, Mesa College, out of state/country, etc.
• If not on the menu (i.e. not a CA school), report it in the designated area.

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• Must meet a-g minimum requirements by graduation.

Community Colleges:

Community Colleges:

• In every area across California!

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• Transfer to a 4 year is generally easier than for freshman.
• Affordable, and free with the PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP.
• Conveniently located, small class sizes.
• Associates degrees, select Bachelors degrees, and certifications offered.
• Transfer requirements:
• Private – some after 1 year
• Public – must have completed 60 units (approx. 2 yrs)

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Community College Planning:

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• Application process is done in the spring.

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• Make sure to list at least one CC on Xello. We will add you to a list of students who gets additional advising throughout the year from a Mesa College ambassador.

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Career & Technical Education Options:

Have a college list or plan? �Your Next Steps:

1. Order transcripts.
2. Ask for letters of recommendation.
3. Meet with your counselor!
4. Complete your application on time –
• Don’t wait for your teacher/counselor to submit their recommendation! Submit your app as soon as it’s done! ☺

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LJHS Registrar:

Delia Lopez

Please see Mrs. Lopez in the Counseling Center to request official and unofficial transcripts.

She is located between Mr. McVay’s and Ms. Fitzpatrick’s offices.

1. Order Transcripts

1. All colleges are entered in Xello w/correct deadlines.
• Sign the FERPA waiver for Common App Schools

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• Request your transcript through Xello.

https://clever.com/

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** AT LEAST 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO DEADLINE! **

1. Order Transcripts - continued

• If you attended a school outside of our district:
• You MUST order OFFICIAL transcripts from them directly. (For example, go to https://myportal.sdccd.edu/ for Mesa College transcript orders.)

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Enter colleges into Xello

• Go to College planning and then Create new Application:

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• Make sure you specify the deadline stated on the applicaiton!
• Early or Regular

You must look up application date through common app or UC/CSU portal

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Xello - Transcript Requests

1. Create list in:

2. Click on Manage Applications:

Xello - Transcript Requests

College Applications list: Check all due dates!

This message indicates that your transcript request has been submitted: “Your high school is processing your transcript.” If the status does not change in 2 days, contact your school counselor.

Xello - Transcript Requests

Common App Matching - FERPA waiver

LJHS Teacher Rec Letters:

• Contact your LJHS teacher in person.

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• Request in Xello.

Please do at least 3+ weeks before the deadline.

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• Write a THANK YOU note!

2. Letters of Recommendation

• Most schools require 2 teachers & 1 counselor
• Ask NOW (before you request in Xello)
• FOR TEACHERS: add request in Xello.
• Choose specific colleges…

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Non-LJHS Teacher Ltrs of Rec:

• Download the Teacher Evaluation Form in the Common Application, and email to the teacher.
• Provide the mailing address of the school or the email of the admission rep - They will mail the letter for you.
• Please talk to your counselor for help with this step!

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• Do NOT use the

“Other Recommender”

in the Common App!

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Counselor Rec Letters:

• Student and Parent Survey must be completed prior to your request for a letter. Surveys are found in “assignments” in Xello.

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• If those are incomplete, a counselor won't be able to write a letter for you.

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• Counselors would like a 3 week notification, at minimum 2 week notice before your application deadline.

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• Make an appointment with your counselor via email!

Essays:

Personal Insight

• Required for…
• UC – choose four out of eight prompts https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/personal-insight-questions.html
• Common Application – 1 essay, plus supplements
• Private schools
• Some out-of-state schools

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• Revise, revise, revise!

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• Do not send without having someone review it. (Teacher, counselor)

Essays:

Personal Statement Words of Wisdom

• “Consider your essay your interview on paper” – UC Berkeley

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• "Give careful thought to the questions asked, but don’t try to write the answers that you think we want to hear; give us the answers that tell us about you."    - Cornell University

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• "You don’t need to have had extraordinary experiences to write an extraordinary essay. You don’t need to have done incomparable things to be interesting."    - Wellesley College  

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• “Edit. Then edit again. Then again. There is no excuse for errors anywhere on your application or essay. None whatsoever. It should be flawless, people. Take the time to edit and review and revise your full application multiple times."   - Tulane University

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Paying for college…

Prepare to apply for Financial Aid – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) usually opens October 1. Same is true for the CSS Profile which is required by fewer schools. These forms should be completed sooner rather than later.

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• FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/

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• Dream Act https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

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• CSS Financial Profile (some private schools)
• On College Board website
• Deadlines are usually prior to application due dates https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

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• Timeline and materials needed are on the new LJHS college website: https://www.ljhscollegeinfo.com/timeline-to-apply-for-financial-aid.

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• Scholarships – website links in Xello, Fastweb, StudentScholarhsips.org, etc.

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Xello:

• Update your email immediately!
• Do not use your stu.sandi.net
• Use your personal email
• Email address should match the one used on your college applications! (Use an appropriate email address!!! ☺ )

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• My Surveys
• Class of 2024 College Application Plans
• Student/Parent Input Questions
• Resume

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Students:

Make your counselor appointments, starting 9/20…

• A - Fe Ms. Fitzpatrick: kfitzpatrick@sandi.net

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• Fi - L Mr. Drozda: adrozda@sandi.net

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• M - Sc Mrs. Soria: rsoria@sandi.net

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• Se - Z Mr. McVay: cmcvay@sandi.net

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Helpful Links on the following slides:�

• Xello tutorial
• Application help videos
• UC/CSU virtual tours
• CSU application tutorial-coming soon
• Adding academic courses- Common App

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A Quick Reference Sheet with all links will be shared soon!

College Application Help:

Xello: Adding Colleges/Teacher Recs/Transcripts

Xello training https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wWDGP8-4JHgg0zZnQ9M0iPYMwD5e6rCDng7SiBE8bMs/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x0OsmIih9AS65x8BHQzOGOcMuHr_qwggOK1THSlHRsk/edit

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UC Application:

Steps 1-9 (Be sure to watch # 4 Academic; 6 Activities, 8 Short Answers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVf9r72D_zw&list=PL-yx76EbPhMd8BkiLRvWl_xPUKOXbPfWM&index=1

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Common Application:

FERPA- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNcr0rkLi7Q

Adding Colleges- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gbCc_Dxfi0

Listing your current classes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10xDKL3uP6lHqBwNTF58ONQf8Sp3G3QSl/view?usp=sharing

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CSU Application:

Will be shared when made available.

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Campus Virtual Tours:https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/choosing-a-campus (This link is on the Cal State Apply main site under Explore Campuses)

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CSU Week - October 5th through October 9^th: Short live sessions that provide a campus overview, information about the admission process and a question and answer portion. Pre-registration is required: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/csuweek/Pages/first-year-incoming-freshman.aspx.

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UC for You- Get to know the nine undergraduate campuses and ask questions about admission, majors, pre-professional programs and more. 

October 3, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - California first-year students:

https://ucforyou.universityofcalifornia.edu/?mc_cid=de3de0d40d&mc_eid=949048897e

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LJHS Counseling Google Classroom for Seniors and Juniors

Class Code: zd7sf2y

Questions?

Thank you for attending!

Please attend College Kick Off with parent Sept 14th 6pm sign up:

https://forms.gle/7GLqtPtfw9oLgjAh6