How to start a college list and what to do with the list
Questions to ask yourself
A “Good” College is...
How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?
Balance between safety, target, and reach schools:
-Safety is a college you have an 80% chance of acceptance
-Target is a college between 20%-80% chance
-Reach is a college that is less than 20% chance
Realistically- a list should have 8-15 schools
Where To Start- Systems!
Do your research!
1- Freshman Admission Profile
2- Admission Requirements and Deadlines
3- Academic Programs and Majors- not just the title
4- Student Life
5- Financial Aid and Scholarships for Freshmen
6- Take a Virtual Tour
NOW COLLECT YOUR DATA AND GET STARTED!
Slide Deck
Questions??
Now that you have a list,
what’s next?
Gather info for your apps
Basic steps/info. needed for all applications:
1-Set up a simple email address to be used for college only
2-Ask your parents/guardians for:
*Your social security number
*Citizenship status
*Annual 2019 household income and dependents
*If you have lived in CA for less than a year, when did you come to CA and what was your previous address
3- Print year-long schedule and transcript from IC-this has your CA Statewide ID number- must use full legal name as it appears on transcript (CC transcript needed as well)
4- Test scores and dates including- ACT/SAT/AP-check with each college if this is required or optional
5- Resume or list of all activities, clubs, sports, volunteer hours, awards- including senior year with dates and number of hours spent on each one
6- Payment- credit card or fee waiver
Other helpful info:
-Major and optional major you intend to declare on apps.- will vary by school so do your research
-Housing needs
-Names and emails of people writing you letters of recom.
-Parents occupations, employment, and educational levels
Some applications ask for DHS info:
-Grading Scale- A-F, 4-point weighted gpa, semester system
-Spring 2020- We used a CR/NC grading system while distance learning which did not impact gpa
-Graduation date- May 28, 2021
-2021 Senior Class Size: 736
-School Year- 36 weeks
-CEEB Code- 050784
-We do not rank our students
Things to keep in mind...
-Official Transcripts are ordered thru www.parchment.com
-CSU and UC systems do not need transcripts
-Common App and Coalition, your counselor will send them
-All other schools will ask you if they need one
-If you are reporting SAT/ACT test scores- you must order official scores thru those websites and send to each college
-Check your college email often for messages
Questions??
Changes to the College Applications
Test Optional: Can send test scores, not required
Test Flexible: Can send in scores in a wide variety of ways to the college
Test Blind: Can send test scores, colleges/universities will NOT look at them.
CSU’s:
2.5 GPA (minimum) for CA residents
2.0 GPA - 2.49 GPA: Apply! Each campus will evaluate for admissions
October 1st - December 4th: New deadlines!!
PIQ Writing Tips and Tricks
Why is Writing PIQ Responses so Hard?
I don’t know how to begin.
How do I make my PIQ responses stand out?
This style of writing is not what we are use to.
UC Application
UC’s: Personal Insight Questions (PIQ’s)
PIQ’s: Answer any 4 of the following 8 questions:
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
Additional Comments: Optional Responses
After Academic History:
Do write about….
After PIQ’s:
Do write about…
Don’t use Additional Comments for:
Adding to your PIQ responses
Links to a portfolio, resumes, videos, personal website, etc.
Re-listing information already stated in your application
Questions ?
Resources
PIQ Guidance
How to Stand Out on the UC PIQ’s
Common Application
Answer any 1 of the following 7 questions in 260-650 Words:
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Common Application
COVID -19 Question
Supplemental Essays will vary by college
Common Mistakes
Key Points
Think of these questions as if you were in a conversation with someone.
Swimming Pool technique – jump the reader right into your essay.
Create memorable beginnings and endings to your essays.
Stay away from the three D’s (Death, Disease, and Divorce).
Admissions readers will read the essay 1st or last when evaluating an application. When two candidates are the same on paper, the essay can distinguish between the two.
Do not use the same essay topic to answer all essay questions.
Key Points
Have a few people read your essay:
Resources:
Books:
Questions??