Welcome Class of 2027!

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Incoming 12th Grade Presentation

Scan QR Code for Slides

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SHS PTSO Information

SHS PTSO Social Media

SHS Counselors

Ms. Allen

Last Names:

A-B, M-R

eallen@lgsuhsd.org

Ms. Bernal

Last Names: C-F

mbernal@lgsuhsd.org

Ms. Saiki

Last Names: G-L

fsaiki@lgsuhsd.org

Mr. Safine

Last Names: S-Z

bsafine@lgsuhsd.org

New Families

Refer to enrollment page for timely registration and online links (included with pre-registration confirmation from Registrar)

LGSUHSD Enrollment Page

Agenda

• Off site programs (Middle College, SVCTE)
• 12th Grade Course Selection
• Timeline
• Course offerings
• Registering for courses
• Next Steps in Preparing for 4 Year Colleges
• Important Spring Dates
• College & Career Information (Sierra Ward)

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Middle College at West Valley College

Middle College Program - Benefits

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1. Opportunity for juniors and seniors to become more self-sufficient in a mature and academic setting
2. Complete high school graduation requirements and begin accumulating college credit
3. Offers a smoother transition from high school to college
4. Opportunity to save up to 2 years of college tuition fees
5. Variety of class selection in a challenging and supportive environment
6. Flexible schedule!

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Middle College Program - Facts

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• Minimum required GPA for incoming students: 2.8
• 100% of all graduating students over the past 2 years have continued to pursue-post secondary education across the country including such schools as Northeastern, Northwestern, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, San Diego State, UCLA, NYU, etc.

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Middle College Program - Contacts

Emily Cassie Middle College Teacher

ecassie@cuhsd.org

Josh Hancock, Middle College Teacher

jhancock@cuhsd.org

Mary Carol Bernal– Middle College Counselor

mbernal@lgsuhsd.org

If interested in applying, please attend the

MC Info Night on February 10, 2026, Saratoga

High School McAfee, 6:00-7:30pm see your counselor or visit the district website at www.lgsuhsd.org

Application opens 2/10/26 at 8:00pm

Hands-On Instruction

Learn by Doing

Medicine, Computers, Film, Animation, Mechanics, Construction, First Responders, etc.

It all starts here…..

SVCTE

23 courses, UC- & CSU-approved

Morning (7:30 - 10:30 am)

or

Afternoon (12:45 - 3:45 pm)

All courses earn 15 credits per semester

SVCTE Slides

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NEW AI Class Fall 2026

SVCTE Courses for 2026/27

SVCTE

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Interested in learning more?

Look for Campus Shadow Day (2/24/26) opportunity in Parent Square announcement

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Complete the SVCTE Interest Form for updates

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Important Spring Dates

• Middle College Student Information Session -

Friday, February 6 during tutorial (CCC)

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• Middle College Mandatory Information Night - February 10, 6:00-7:30pm, McAfee Center at Saratoga High School

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• SVCTE Shadow Day in March/April, To be announced

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12th Grade Course Selection

Timeline

English Courses

English 12

English Literature Composition AP

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English Language Composition AP

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English 12 MAP

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English Language Composition AP MAP

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4 years for graduation

& college

(For MAP)

English Electives

Journalism 1

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English Language Development (ELD)

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Journalism 2-3, 4 H

(Yearbook)

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Journalism 2-3, 4 H (Newspaper)

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Multimedia Journalism

(SHS TV) 1-3, 4 H

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Creative Writing,

Creative Writing H

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Strategic Learning

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Social Studies Courses

Economics/U.S. Government MAP

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Economics/ U.S. Government

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Economics/U.S. Government AP MAP

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History in Film

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Social Studies Electives Courses

European History AP

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Economics/U.S. Government AP

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3.5 years for graduation

2 years for college

(For MAP)

MAP Sequence 12

English Language & Composition AP MAP

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English 12 MAP

Economics/U.S. Government AP MAP

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Senior Media Arts Lab

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or

AND

AND

or

Economics/U.S. Government MAP

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Math Courses

2 yrs req for graduation

3 yrs req for college

The Mathematics Department members feel strongly that students benefit most from enrolling in mathematics classes offered during the regular school year.

More on Math Courses

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• Taking a math course during the summer is strongly discouraged. Summer math courses do not provide the same foundation as yearlong courses.
• Students who decide to advance in math via summer acceleration must

(1) Indicate their plans to do so by completing the

External Course Agreement Form by 4/1,

(2) Submit a transcript by 8/1, and

(3) Take a proficiency test on 8/6 to be placed into

the honors level course.

Science Courses

Biology

Chemistry

Earth Science

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2 years for graduation

2 years for college

Chemistry Honors

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Science Electives�Students must complete Biology and Chemistry during the school year

in order to take any AP science course electives.

Anatomy and Physiology

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Biology AP

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Chemistry AP

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Environmental Science

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Physics 1 & 2 AP

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Environmental Science AP

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Marine Biology

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Physics

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Physics C: M / E&M AP

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STEM Courses

Computer Science A AP

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STEM Lab

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Digital Electronics

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Engineering Design & Development

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Honors Digital Electronics

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World Language�Summer school community college courses & language programs are not recommended for advancement

Chinese 3

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Chinese 4 Honors

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Chinese 1

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Chinese 2

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Chinese Language and Culture AP

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French 1

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Spanish 1

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French 2

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Spanish 2

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French 3 Honors

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Spanish 3

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Spanish 4 Honors

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French Language & Culture AP

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Spanish Language and Culture AP

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1 year of WL or VPA for graduation

2 years minimum required for college

American Sign Language

(Grades 10-12)

Given by WVC

Visual & Performing Arts

Digital Photography

Grades 10-12

Art 1-3, 4H

Ceramics 1-3

Grades 9-12

Music

Choir 1-3, 4H, 5H

Band (Symphonic) 1-3, 4H, 5H

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Band (Wind Ensemble) 2-3, 4H, 5H

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Jazz Band 1

Honors Jazz Ensemble

Orchestra 1-3, 4H, 5H

Theater Performance

Theater 1-3, 4H

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1 year of WL or VPA for graduation

1 year of VPA for UC/CSU

Drawing AP

Grade 11-12 only

Art History AP

Grade 10-12

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Music Theory AP

Stage Tech Design

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AP 2-D Art and Design

Grade 11-12

AP 3-D Art and Design

Grade 11-12

Visual Arts

Applied Arts

Introduction to Digital Animation

Grades 9-12

Multimedia Journalism (SHSTV) 1-3, 4H

Psychology, General

Grades 11-12

Sports Medicine

Grades 10-12

Courses listed under other departments that fulfill the Applied Arts Graduation Requirement:

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* Ceramics 3

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* Computer Science A

AP

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* Theater 3, 4, 4 Honors

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* Art 3 & 4H

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*Journalism 1, 2, 3, 4H

Newspaper & Yearbook

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* Honors Jazz Ensemble

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* Principles of

Engineering

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* Digital Electronics

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* Engineering Design &

Development

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* Drawing AP

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* Stage Tech Design

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* STEM Lab

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Academic Tutor

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1 semester for graduation

Senior Media Arts Lab

Concurrent enrollment in MAP 12 reqd

Leadership

Grades 9-12, Peer Selection Required

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International Cuisine & Hospitality

Grades 11-12

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New for ‘26-’27!

Physical Education

PE Course 2

Grades 10-12*

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PE/Fall Sport

PE/Spring Sport

PE/Winter Sport

20 credits for graduation

Strength and Conditioning

Grades 10-12

Concurrent enrollment in a sport

PE

SPORTS

OTHER

* Incoming seniors who have outstanding PE credits to complete will automatically be enrolled in a P.E. class

Color Guard

No prior experience necessary

Spirit (Cheer)

Audition required

Winter Guard

No prior experience necessary

Dance Team

Audition required

Winter Percussion

No prior experience necessary

PE/Marching Band

Fall only; Must be concurrently enrolled in Band

New for ‘26-’27!

PE Course 3

Grades 11-12*

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Course Registration Steps

1. Review course offerings
2. Fill out the Falcon Wheel
3. Review AP, H Expectations
4. Enter courses in Aeries
5. Fill out Google Form
6. Review courses with counselor (2/24 - 3/2/26)

Registration of Courses: Falcon Wheel

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Registration of Courses:

AP, H Expectations

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Registration of Courses:

Enter Courses in Aeries

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Registration of Courses:

Google Form

College Guidance & Application Process

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From Johns Hopkins Admissions Office:

“We’re looking for students who will follow their interests to make meaningful contributions to society. In the application, we want to understand how students have thrived academically and contributed to their school environment, extracurricular activities, and community.”

College Application Overview

Common Application Counselor Report (For Private & Out of State Public Colleges)

College Admissions Through the Years

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College Admissions Through the Years

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SHS-Specific Stats

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College Kickstart: An Effective Tool for Building Your College Application List:

Available for Rising Juniors/First Semester Seniors January-January

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College Kickstart: An Effective Tool for Building Your College Application List

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To find colleges that offer specific programs or attributes, employ tags

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College Kickstart: An Effective Tool for Building Your College Application List

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To improve the letter grade of your list and find more targets, employ list fixer

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College Kickstart: An Effective Tool for Building Your College Application List

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To craft an early application strategy, employ early strategy

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College Kickstart: An Effective Tool for Building Your College Application List

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To learn whether or not it is helpful to submit SAT/ACT test scores, employ my plan

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College Kickstart: An Effective Tool for Building Your College Application List

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To verify what is required for each college’s application employ my plan

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Accessing College Kickstart: Student Log in Instructions

• Check your email from College Kickstart with your account information and instructions on getting started. Be sure to check your spam folder just in case it lands there.
• Click on the link in the email to log in to College Kickstart with the username and password provided. Make sure your browser is up to date and running on a tablet, laptop, or desktop to take full advantage of the application.
• Enter your list and run College Kickstart. Don’t worry if your list isn’t finalized or you don’t have an SAT/ACT score

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Sierra Ward, SHS CCC Advisor, (sward@lgsuhsd.org)

• 27 years: 7 college admissions, 20 college counseling
• 300+ unique colleges visited: both regular + recent
• Harvard Summer Institute On College Admissions
• Counselor Advisory Boards: U of Delaware, U of Maryland, Northwestern U, Willamette U
• WACAC Executive Board; Chair-Elect, College Fairs
• WACAC Co-Chair, Public School Counselor Special Interest Group
• Regular presenter & faculty, NACAC & WACAC conferences

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• What I do (really!): college apps, essays, college list
• extracurricular guidance
• college visit itinerary suggestions, financial aid
• mock interviews, resumé assistance
• individual meetings (spring juniors/fall seniors), group workshops

Next Steps For Juniors In Preparing For 4-Year Colleges

• Sign up for SAT/ACT as early as you can; Senior fall is OK!
• Plan college visits (Feb 9 days, Mar 3 days, Apr 9 days)
• Brainstorm list of colleges
• CCC, College KickStart, Niche, Scoir
• Organize college list by deadlines; Reach, Target, Likely
• Open & begin Common App (it’s already open)
• Begin brainstorming & drafting (yes, now):
• Common App Personal Statement (main essay)
• Common App supplements (major, why us, random)
• UC PIQ’s
• Begin extracurricular list and descriptions of impact

Types of Colleges & Applications

UC / University of California (9; app opens ~8/1, due ~11/30)

CSU/Cal State (23; app opens ~10/1, due ~11/30)

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Common Application (app is already open, due 10/15-1/15)

• Out-of-state public (WA, OR, CO, TX, WI, IL, MI…)
• Private (USC, Chapman, LMU, NYU, BU, Northwestern…)
• Religious (Santa Clara, USF, USD, ND, G’town, BC…)
• STEM-focused (MIT, CalTech, Stevens, RPI, WPI…)
• Women’s (Scripps, Bryn Mawr, Barnard, Wellesley…)

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• Community College (2-3 years, ~115 in California)
• West Valley, De Anza, Cuesta, SBCC, Santa Monica, etc
• Transfer to UC (TAG), CSU, or other

College List-Building:

Weather

(3-4 months, Not Tahoe, Then Come Home)

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College List-Building:

Politics & Policies

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College List-Building

Size: office hours, engagement, rec letters?

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List-Building: Other Factors to Consider

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• Setting: urban, suburban, rural
• Majors & Minors
• Beware CS, Data Sci, AI, Mech, EE, Biomedical Engr., etc
• Religion: statement of faith, high %, or lite
• School spirit + Greek
• Diversity: geog, int’l, politics, race, religion, socio-ec
• Selectivity: Reach, Target, Likely (not Safety!)
• Limit to 20 campuses
• emails from them
• emails to them
• portals
• Admissions website details

FIT, FIT, FIT > Ranking

College Application Components

• Academics: transcript (schedule rigor, cumulative GPA, GPA trend)
• Beware too much rigor = lower grades, more stress…balance is key
• Extracurriculars
• Impact, visibility, prominence, leadership, not just participation
• Stand out, take risks, try new things, be bold, not a cookie-cutter
• Improvisation & adaptation, not rigidity
• —>Essays: Common App, Common App supplements, UC PIQ’s<---
• Testing: ACT, SAT, AP; TOEFL/ DuoLingo?
• Letters of Rec: school & 1-2 teachers
• Demonstrated Interest (?): campus visits, emails, rep visits, fairs, iv’s

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• Financial Aid: Need- vs. Merit-based, Honors Programs
• Application Deadline Types: EA, REA, Early Decision, Rolling, RD
• Workshops in CCC
• Ongoing, weekly: apps, essays, list-building, EC’s, FinAid, etc
• Summer Mini-Bootcamps: June 8-10 & August 5-7?

College Campus Visits

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Campus Culture/Vibe: Student Center boba = do you fit, for 4 years?

Take notes for “why us? supplemental essays!

When: Feb. 14-22, March 7-9, Spring Break April 4-12, Summer, Fall

Duration: Afternoon, Full Day, Overnight, Week

Tour vs. Info Session

• Official tour
• Register
• If possible: Demonstrated Interest (for those who consider it)
• In advance: up to 1 month ahead of time (tours can fill up!)
• Drive-through tours: be sure to get out for 30 minutes to walk around
• Self-guided tours

Connect w/ Saratoga alumni

Summer

—>College apps!!!<—

• Make headway on Common App personal statement, UC PIQ’s, C.A. supps
• Open and mostly complete Common App (open now) & UC app (opens 8/1)

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Internships: nearly always first go to grad students, college students, then high school rising seniors

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Research opportunities are very hard to come by, for same reasons as internships

• Cold-calling university professors, hospitals, tech companies, non-profits, etc?

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Work (Paid)

• SHS College & Career Jobs Link
• Indeed: Bay Area Jobs for Teens

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Volunteering: fill needs, especially with marginalized, vulnerable people

Animals Education Elderly

Environmental Homelessness Poverty

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Summer…

Classes

1. repeat a class you received a D/F at SHS

OR

• subject not offered at SHS (Geology, Business, Psychology, Poli Sci)

OR

• go beyond what’s available at SHS (Diff Eq, MVC, Spanish Lit, AP Econ)

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• LGSUHSD Summer School will offer online instruction to students who require remediation in core content courses. The LGSUHSD Summer School website will have updated information in spring 2026

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• West Valley College offers summer courses through “concurrent enrollment.” The West Valley College Concurrent Enrollment Link will have updated information in spring 2026

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• De Anza College offers summer courses through “concurrent enrollment.” The De Anza College Concurrent Enrollment Link will have updated information in

spring 2026

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Summer

Camps

• Walden West
• YMCA
• Scouts
• Outdoors Ed
• Etc

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College & University “Pre-College Programs”

• Dozens of subjects to choose from!
• Nationwide, experience another part of the country & its culture
• Live in a dorm/residence hall
• Often co$tly
• Rec letters from Saratoga will be a challenge
• Will not help a student gain admission into that same college when student applies senior year
• Combine with college visits before or after

Parents In College Search & Apps

• Be the steady shoreline for your child
• Avoid getting in their boat too much
• 6 + 1 rule
• Cars belong to the 6, even if on the 1
• Ask us for help
• It’s OK and normal to be anxious & nervous
• Be open to new, unknown (to you) colleges
• Be excited for your kids!
• Ask Senior/2026 (+ 2025) parents’ hindsight advice

Admissions Landscape

Demographic Cliff

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AI

• College Admissions application review
• College essays written by students

�International Students: new vs. returning

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DEI: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

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New ED: U of Michigan & USC/Marshall

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Career outlooks/prospects in STEM

See next slide…and project to college Class of 2031?

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College & Career In The News

• For the First Time In 50 Years, College Grads Are Losing Their Edge (1/31, WaPo)
• Why Workers Are Having a Tough Time Landing Jobs In Tech (1/31, Washington Post)
• Hey ChatGPT, Where Should I Go To College? (1/28, NYT)
• Why It’s Hard To Find A Job Right Now (1/26, NPR)
• Interest In Law School Is Surging. AI Makes the Payoff Less Certain (1/24, NYT)
• The Real Economics Of AI and Jobs (1/23, Time)
• The Hiring Market Is So Bad It’s Making People Do Something Bizarre To Get Hired (1/20, Slate)
• Chinese Universities Surge In Global Rankings As US Schools Slip (1/15, NYT)
• How AI Is Shrinking the Job Market For Teens (1/9, NPR)