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College Presentation to Junior Class

Q&A

Mrs. Ponssen (C&C Specialist) / Ms. Chen (Intern) / Mr. Rodriguez (Counselor)

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

ENGLISH

MATH (Algebra 1)

SCIENCE

SOCIAL SCIENCE

P.E.

HEALTH

FINE ART / WORLD LANGUAGE /

CAREER TECH

ELECTIVES

TOTAL UNITS

40 units

30 units

20 units

30 units

20 units

5 units

10 units

75 units

230 units

SERVICE LEARNING

HOURS = 40

  • Non-profit organization
  • Pre-approved
  • Signed forms go to � Student Center
  • Pay attention to � DEADLINES!

Can be completed anytime!

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Senior Year Timeline

Now Until End of Junior Year

  • Research and visit colleges (in person/virtually).

  • Consider registering for the SAT/ACT for Aug./Sept./Oct. test dates (if applying to private/out-of-state colleges & majors/programs/athletics which require scores).

Summer Before Senior Year

  • Enjoy, learn, work, play, and rest.

  • Begin UC PIQs and Common App essays.

  • Research and visit colleges.

  • Career planning if not applying to college.

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Senior Year Timeline

August

(Return to School)

  • Register for accounts in CSU / UC / CommonApp.

  • Organize college application materials, test dates if needed & Due Dates!

  • Ask teachers to write letter of rec for you (a month in advance).

September

  • Private College presentation in cafeteria.

  • Senior Profile online Google form opens for counselor’s letter of rec.

October

  • FAFSA & CADAA go live (submit as soon as you have decided on some colleges to apply to).

  • CSU & UC applications go live for submission.

October 15th or earlier: Submit Senior Profile online Google form.

November

November 30th: CSU & UC Apps due.

  • Many Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) deadlines for private colleges this month.

December

  • Work on apps for private & out of state colleges (if necessary).

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Senior Year Timeline

January

Submit remaining college applications with Regular Decision (RD) deadlines in the first week. Look for scholarships (such as the LAM Research $10k one).

February

Some colleges, especially private ones, will require mid-year grades/reports. Request from counselor via CommonApp or order through Parchment.com.

March

March 2nd is the typical deadline for FAFSA/CADAA. Look for college admission notices in the mail and email. There are many scholarship apps due this month.

April

Review financial aid awards in your online application portal. Research, visit, and decide which college you will attend.

* If Plan A or B is Ohlone College, apply, take math and English placement tests, attend orientation and Ohlone Freshman Days to have priority for fall classes.

May

By May 1st, submit Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and required deposit money to the college of your choice. Finalize financial aid package. Do well in exams and enjoy the rest of senior year. Attend Senior Awards Night in late May.

June

In beginning of June, order final school transcript through Parchment.com to send to your committed college by June 30th or July 1st, depending on the college.

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Senior Timeline Spotlights

October 1st

FAFSA & CADAA applications open for filing;

CSU & UC applications open for filing

FAFSA & CADAA applications deadline

October 15th

Early Action & Early Decision deadlines

March 2nd

February to August

CCC application window (but priority registration in April-May)

Senior Profile

Google form due for counselor’s recommendation for private university applications

November

November 30th

CSU & UC applications

deadlines

May 1st

College Decision Day Submit SIR and Deposit $

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Summer Opportunities

Goal: Gain meaningful experiences that expand your skills and engage in hands-on exposure to the work field that are applicable to college applications and career planning.

Big 3: Learn, reflect, apply!

Meaningful experience Self-reflection College and Career (application/preparation)

  • Volunteer
  • Work
  • Intern
  • Passion Project
  • Learn
  • Read
  • Create

  • Experience
  • Education/knowledge
  • Skills

These can be referenced in college application essays, extracurriculars, or job application process.

  • Responsibility
  • Initiative
  • Collaboration
  • Leadership
  • Perseverance
  • Creativity
  • Commitment

Find a spreadsheet of programs, internships, work and volunteer opportunities on the

WHS website under College & Career Resource Center.

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Stretch Break

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College Admission - Community College

HIGH

SCHOOL

Diploma

COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

CAREER

$$$

Associate�Degree

OR Certificate

HIGH

SCHOOL

Diploma

COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

Transfer

UNIVERSITY

Bachelor’s

Degree

CAREER

$$$

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A-G REQUIREMENTS

  1. SOCIAL SCIENCE�
  2. ENGLISH�
  3. MATH (Algebra 2 or higher)
  4. LAB SCIENCE (Biological & Physical)�
  5. WORLD LANGUAGE�
  6. VISUAL PERFORMING ARTS�
  7. COLLEGE PREP ELECTIVE

2 years

4 years

3 years

2 years

Level 2

1 year

1 year

  • SOCIAL SCIENCE�
  • ENGLISH�
  • MATH (Trig or higher)
  • LAB SCIENCE (Bio, Physical & higher)
  • WORLD LANGUAGE�
  • VISUAL PERFORMING ARTS�
  • COLLEGE PREP ELECTIVE

2 years

4 years

4 years

3 years

Level 3

1 year

1 year

CALIF. STATE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIF.

“C” OR BETTER!

UC 3.0 GPA�CSU 2.5 GPA

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College Admission - UC

  • UC 13-Factors of Comprehensive Review - “All campuses place the highest importance on academic achievement in evaluating applications. The evaluation process and specific weight (if any) given to each factor can differ from campus to campus and year to year.”

  • Activities & Awards - “Experiences with meaning that illustrate interests and/or demonstrate leadership. Continued participation over time indicates passion, commitment, and sometimes leadership.”

  • Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) - Like an interview, keep your answers straightword. Answer 4 out of 8 prompts. Each response is equal in weight and limited to a maximum of 350 words.

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College Admission - Private University

CSU

UC

Private

High School Transcript & GPA

Summer after 9th to summer after 11th

Same as CSU

9th through first semester of 12th

AP / Honors / College Prep Classes

Max. 8 semesters of Honors/AP points will be counted in GPA (max. 4 Honors/AP points in 10th grade)

Same as CSU

  • Esp. for STEM majors & selective colleges (more math & science courses preferred)

  • Challenging course load but not overwhelming (A & B grades pref.)

SAT / ACT Exams

Test free

Same as CSU

Check college websites for test-optional

Essay(s) / UC PIQs

None

Choose 4 of 8 Prompts

At least one main essay

Activities & Awards

Only # of hours in service/activities will be asked in application

  • Experiences w/ meaning

  • Quality over quantity

  • Consistency & commitment

  • Leadership & teamwork

Same as UC

Letter(s) of Recommendation

None accepted

None accepted except when requested by the UC campus

  • Varies by college

  • Typically 1 from counselor & 1 from teacher

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College Research

  • What is a good college? Look for a high Graduation Rate and Retention Rate.

  • Consider these four general categories when researching and applying to colleges that fit you:

����������

  • Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) - Public 4-year universities in western U.S. at discounted tuition for California residents = MORE OPTIONS!

Academic Fit

Physical Fit

Social Fit

Financial Fit

  • Majors & minors
  • Honors & special programs
  • Co-op education
  • Internships
  • Study abroad
  • Faculty expertise
  • Geography
  • Distance from home
  • Ability to commute to college from home
  • Weather
  • City & Campus Size
  • City Location
  • Class Size
  • Faculty to Student Ratio

  • Culture
  • Arts
  • Athletics
  • Fraternities & Sororities
  • Clubs
  • Demographics
  • Hobbies

  • Public vs. private tuition
  • Cost of attendance
  • Net price or net cost
  • Student Aid Index
  • Need-based aid (Pell, Cal, and institutional grants)
  • Non-need based aid (Institutional grants and scholarships)
  • Federal student loans and parent PLUS loans

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College Financial Fit

Direct Costs

This is what you will owe the university and have a firm deadline to pay

Indirect Costs

Other educational or personal costs, paid throughout the school year

  • Tuition & Fees

  • Food & Housing/Dorm

  • Books & supplies
  • Transportation
  • Misc. personal expenses

DIRECT

INDIRECT COSTS

Cost of Attendance (COA) per Academic School Year

Before applying, estimate your costs here:

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Other OPTIONS Besides College

Apprenticeship

Program

License

Trade�School

Certificate

Military

Work / Community Service /

Gap Year

Certificate

Trade / Technical School

License

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Open Q&A

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Your feedback matters to us! Please scan the QR Code or search the link to vote on BOTH slides.

https://www.menti.com/al33pwoug6wd

Slide 1: Do you feel better prepared going into your senior year?

Slide 2: Which topic did you learn the most about today?

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College Admission Resources

The College Tour

(Virtual College Tours)

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Financial Aid Opportunities

  • FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
    • Designated for students that are US citizens or permanent residents or have specific Visas
    • Private universities: CSS Profile Form (College Board)
  • CADAA: California Dream Act Application
    • Designated for students who are undocumented/without legal papers
  • SAI: Student Aid Index
    • Determines eligibility for federal financial aid after submitting FAFSA

FAFSA

CADAA

GRANTS

SCHOLAR-SHIPS

WORK STUDY

LOANS

  • Gift Aid
    • Grants: Money you don't have to repay

Pell Grants (Federal):

Based on need - will be determined by FAFSA

Cal Grants

(CA Residents & Colleges):

U.S. Citizen, eligible non-citizen, or AB 540-eligible

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants:

Colleges only receive a set amount of funds

    • Scholarships: Free money for college and usually based on your area of study/merit or affiliations

Need-Based Financial Aid:

Based on family income and assets (tuition and other costs of attendance)

Non-need (Merit) Based Financial Aid:

Considers strength of application, talents, grades, and/or standardized test scores

  • Self-Help
    • Federal Work Study: Part-time jobs for students with financial need ($2-$3,000)
    • Federal Direct Student Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized ($5,500 max)
    • Plus Loans: Federal loans in parents’ name from the Department of Education (up to the cost of attendance)

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College Essays / UC PIQs

  • Start brainstorming earlier than later. Plan ahead.
  • “Show, not tell” (examples and details).
  • Have several ideas, choose what you’re most passionate about writing.
    • It’s ok to change topics and do rewrites
  • Write about something not on your app or expand on extracurriculars.
  • Be concise and organized.
  • Have your essays be authentic and sincere.
  • Tie it all together: What did you learn, how did you grow?
  • Ask a couple of people to look over your essays.
    • Ideally 1 adult (i.e., English teacher or parent)
    • Not too many “chefs in the kitchen”

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College Applications Overview

  • Early Action or Early Decision
  • Look up specific schools’ deadlines
  • Letters of Rec (1 or 2 teachers and 1 counselor)
  • Common App vs Coalition/Scoir
  • One main essay (personal statement) & various supplemental essays/info for each college
  • Opens August 1st
  • Filing period 10/1 to 11/30
  • 1 App for multiple schools
  • UC has PIQs & extracurricular list
  • Application fee of $75 per campus, but there are fee waivers based on income
  • Fall Registration starts in the prior Spring
  • Talk to CC Counselor for input on classes
  • Attend Ohlone’s Freshman Days in early May to get priority registration for fall classes

*Reach out to your Counselor or C&C Specialist if you have any specific questions about your applications

next year. See also: College Applications on the WHS College & Career Center website.

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Common Questions

  • How many colleges should I apply to?

It depends on your major and how selective are the universities that you will apply to. Typically, 7 to 12, including public, in state, out of state, and/or private colleges. If you will apply to a competitive/selective/impacted major, such as Computer Science, Engineering, Biology, Business, Nursing, then you might need to apply to more colleges to increase your odds. The more flexible you are to attend a community college as Plan B, the less colleges you will have to apply to. The key is to apply to a diverse and balanced list of schools.

  • Is it difficult to switch majors once I’m in college?

It depends on the major and the college. It’s difficult to switch into CS or Eng. from outside the College of Eng/CS, especially at the public universities. It’s easier to switch into impacted majors at well-resourced private universities or into less popular majors at any university.

  • What are target, safety and reach schools for me?

These are personal; depend on your GPA and test scores, and whether they are in the middle 50th percentile (target), upper 25th percentile (safety) or lower 25th percentile (reach) of that universities’ enrolled freshmen. These are just odds and offer no guarantees, especially since your major, awards, achievements, and essays count considerably as well. You should apply to a mix of each. The six most popular UCs are considered reach schools for almost every high school student because they are unpredictable to get into. UCs typically only have two readers read your application and maybe not more than 10 minutes on each. Don’t take rejection personally.

  • How many semester or quarter credits or units is considered a full-time college student?

12 units, but 15 or 16 units will more likely help you graduate on time.

  • How essential are good colleges to successful careers?

What is the definition of good? It should be based on the high graduation and retention rates of a college and the programs it has of your interest(s), but many people confuse good with prestigious. Research has found that prestigious colleges are somewhat helpful to first generation college students, underrepresented groups, and women by getting them into the professional networks and their first jobs. In the end, a successful career depends on your good reputation, that you work hard, are responsible, professional, trustworthy, honest, a teamplayer, a leader, have good communication skills and social perceptiveness, etc.

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Common Questions

How do you sign up for financial aid for college? What are the requirements? Who is eligible?

  • Depends if you are a US citizen or permanent resident and the type of visa you have.
  • If eligible, then first get you Federal Student Aid ID (one for the student and one for the parent).
  • Get your FAFSA or CADAA (CA specific) in! Get your CSS Profile in (for private colleges ONLY).
  • Amount of aid is based on eligibility: Annual income, family assets, expenses, household size, savings, cost of college/type of college. It is individualized for each student’s application and varies family-to-family or person-to-person.

What are the financial factors that I should consider while applying for scholarships?

  • Similar to the above question and answer.
  • For universities/college scholarships, you must apply through the college application itself, FAFSA, and/or CSS profile.
  • For outside/external scholarships, you must apply separately. Some popular ones at our school are: WHS Alumni Foundation Scholarships, Lam Research Core Values $10k Scholarship, and the Glenmoor, Centerville, and WHS PTSA scholarships.

Does FAFSA cover community college?

  • Yes, FAFSA covers community college as well as 4-year universities and some trade schools. FYI, the Ohlone Promise Scholarship application is open to everyone, independent of financial need. The scholarship application is due March 2nd, and 5 to 10 WHS graduating seniors will win this each year. It’s a full-ride education of two years worth about $3,400.

Should we still apply for FAFSA even if we exceed the limits for need-based scholarships? Why or why not?

  • Yes! Apply so that you still have access to scholarships and student loans. There are non-need merit-based scholarships which may require it. It’s also an insurance policy in case a parent loses their job midway through your school year in college.

Despite being above the financial aid threshhold/limit, is there a way for me to still receive financial aid since expenses rise tremendously if I go out of state for college ?

  • Out-of state private colleges might give you more aid because they want to recruit you. Out-of state public colleges will vary. WUE colleges are good options.

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Common Questions

What can I do to stay on top of things? (When is the correct time to start applying?)

  • Start researching schools you’re interested in between now and the summer after junior year if not earlier. Look up specific programs and majors that you’re interested in. Think about cost, location, environment, etc. There are a lot of factors to consider.
  • Create a schedule that works for you. It’s okay to not have everything figured out early; pace yourself and give yourself ample time to write rough drafts for essays. There’s a good chance you’ll be changing your topic and rewriting quite a bit. Set deadlines for yourself and have friends/family keep you accountable on those deadlines.

Is it possible to show extracurriculars done later in your senior year to colleges after you have submitted the applications?

  • Yes! When listing your extracurriculars, you can state that you will be doing it for the rest of the year. Look for more long-term opportunities that you can list for the year. Even though public universities like the CSU/UCs don’t see 1st semester grades senior year (including AP exam scores), when you submit your applications, universities do consider the rigor of your senior year classes. Stay consistent with your academic performance.

Is it okay that I’m not taking classes related to what I want to do when I am older? Do we have to take classes that are geared towards our potential major?

  • Choose classes that you are interested in. It’s good to have a general idea of what you want to do, but choose and stick to something that you have interest in. Choose what YOU want to do and/or are good at, rather than what your parents want you to do. At many schools, it is fine switching majors (this happens quite a bit), but it depends if you are switching into impacted majors, which will be more difficult. You can even opt to do double majors or minors in topics that aren’t directly related to your career path. Use your time in college to explore.

What is a college schedule like? What’s college life like? How do you sign up for classes in college?

  • You choose your own schedule! It is based on availability of classes. Be prepared to take care of yourself; you are responsible for your own success. College life is ultimately what you make of it, and there is flexibility to choose what you want to do. Be responsible and focused, and don’t goof off.
  • Most schools use designated pass times for classes. Sometimes classes are impacted, and sometimes classes are only offered during certain terms. You choose classes based on your major and General Ed. requirements.

How important are extracurriculars in college admissions? Do I need a lot?

  • They are important because they differentiate you from other applicants. There is no set amount that you need, choose what you are most passionate about and what helps you be you (helps you grow). Quality over quantity.

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CAREER RESEARCH

CaliforniaColleges.edu

  • Recall the website we used in the Sophomore Career Unit last year
  • Free account for students & parents; sponsored by the CA Department of Education
  • Career interest inventories, assessments, and research

Truity - Career Aptitude Test

  • Free 15-minute assessment
  • Test your career aptitude, job interests, and personality traits
  • Suitable for adults/students age 16 and up
  • Based on the Holland Code and Big Five systems

Indeed.com

  • Job search and descriptions
  • Educational qualifications to see what you should study in college

O*NET OnLine (onetonline.org)

  • A part of the U.S. Department of Labor
  • Occupational, industry, salary information and educational/skills requirements

Gladeo for Bay Area

  • Personality quiz
  • Browse careers by industry or personality
  • Find programs and courses to help you reach your career goals

TriCity Career Exploration

  • Jobs, summer camps, internships, and apprenticeship programs
  • Ohlone College
  • Bay Area events

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Counselor FYI

  • All your grades matter! (9th-12th)
    • Mid-year and end of year report
    • Maintaining C’s or higher
    • Service Learning Hours
      • They may count as extracurriculars!
  • Recommendation Letters
    • Senior Profile Google form (due mid October)
    • 3 weeks before deadlines
  • CC Classes (Early College) + Dual Enrollment
  • Add/Dropping Classes
    • Maze Day + first few weeks
  • Taking care of yourself (esp. during application season)
    • Time management (start early!)
    • Sleep
    • Work Life Balance, managing your responsibilities
  • Reach out for support
    • Your counselor and College/Career specialist
    • Teachers
    • Family and friends