College Apps 101

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College Apps 101

• Demystifying the College Application process

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Mt. Carmel High School Senior Team

• The Class of 2010 Senior Team
• Greg Magno Assistant Principal
• Dena Tracanna Counselor
• Vanda Wilshire Guidance Technician
• Shevaun Teegarden Attendance Assistant

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What were doing to help

• Classroom Presentations
• Senior Social Studies - October 6th, 9th,16th
• T1 Non Social Studies - October 7th, 15th
• College Application Open Lab time
• November 3rd 5th, 1230-330pm

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More MC Support

• MC Senior webpage - Debut
• Updates
• Career Assessments
• Exploring Majors

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California Master Plan

• The University of CA makes every effort to
  provide a place on one of its campuses for all
  California resident applicants who meet the
  minimum admissions requirements and file an
  application during the appropriate filing period,
  Nov. 1-30.
• However, in this climate of budget problems, it
  is important for your student to consider all UC
  campuses as an option and follow through on all
  instructions and deadlines.

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CSU Budget Updates

• Revenue Combating 500 million deficit
• Fee increases

• Expenses
• Enrollment reduced 11
• Voluntary 10 salary reduction
• classes closed
• pruning
• Academic probation

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Making the Match

• Students who value the outdoors UCSC, UCM
• Beach communities UCSB, UCSD, UCSC, UCI
• Big city campuses UCB, UCLA
• Suburban area UCI, UCR
• Which campuses have academic programs that most
  interest you?
• Intellectual community All campuses in the UC
  system are drawing students from the top 12.5
  percent of high school graduates in California.
• Consider applying to a variety of campuses.

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Consider Choices

• Most Competitive UCLA, UCB, UCSD
• If you only apply to these three schools you may
  be denied at all three, so consider other
  campuses.
• If gaining admission to the University of
  California is a priority for your family, please
  consider UC Merced and UC Riverside because these
  campuses admit the highest percentage of UC
  eligible applicants.

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The Online Application
CSU website www.csumentor.edu 10/1 11/30 UC
website www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
11/1- 11/30

• Preparation
• get a transcript, gather info
• Save before logging out
• Copy for records
• Send scores

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Fees and Fee Waivers

• Application fees per campus
• CSU 55
• UC 60
• Privates 75
• Fee Waiver
• Imbedded in the application
• EOP Educational Opportunity Program
• Imbedded in the application

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ESTIMATED COSTSFees will increase with the
2010/2011 School Year
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• UC Housing
• Guaranteed with admission.

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SelectivityAdmissions Statistics for Fall 2009
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Comprehensive Review Factors

• Grades and courses in A-G courses Grades 10 and
  11
• The number and content of, and performance in,
  courses completed in academic subjects beyond the
  minimum specified by the University's eligibility
  requirements.
• Honors, AP, Community College courses.
• The quality of the senior year program, as
  measured by the type and number of academic
  courses.
• Outstanding performance in one or more specific
  academic subject areas.
• Outstanding work in one or more special projects
  in any academic field of study.
• Recent, marked improvement in academic
  performance, with particular attention given to
  the last two years of high school.

• Special talents or leadership.
• Significant community service.
• Academic accomplishments in light of the
  applicant's life experiences and special
  circumstances.

• This information will be conveyed on the
  application.
• No letters of recommendation will be accepted by
  the University of California.
• Students should work to include insight into
  these areas in their application essay.

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Important Information for Students and Parents

• Although senior grades will not be reported on
  the self reported transcript, it is important to
  remember that all admission decisions are
  conditional.
• Students must successfully complete the senior
  year courses listed on the self reported
  transcript with grades that reflect the same
  level of achievement reported from the sophomore
  and junior year.
• Campuses will rescind acceptances in July or
  later if the final transcript is not received on
  time and/or does not reflect grades or
  information reported in the application.

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Apply Between Nov 1-30

• Fill out and send your application early in
  November. Do not wait until after Thanksgiving!!
• Be sure to print out your electronic receipt for
  online submission.
• No application will be considered if electronic
  stamp indicates it was submitted after 1159 PM
  on November 30.
• Print and keep a copy of your application.

• Admissions decisions will be available online
  (via student portal) during the month of March.
• The Application Status Website will be the portal
  for all applicant updates prior to January.

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Personal Statements

• aka The College Essay
• Purpose
• Not required by all schools

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Send Test Scores

• Make sure you have completed both SAT Reasoning
  Test (or ACT with Writing) and SAT Subject Tests
  in two different subject areas no later than the
  December SAT test date.
• Make sure to order test scores sent directly from
  the College Board or ACT to each of the UC
  campuses you are applying to in order to complete
  your application. Failure to do so will postpone
  or cancel any admission decision.
• You will receive only one reminder if test scores
  are not received on time (usually in January).
• Score Choice? (Send all scores and ASAP!)

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TranscriptsOfficial or Unofficial

• Which one do I need and when?
• Unofficial Now!
• Official Depends on College you are applying to
  (dont need for UC/CSU apps)
• Mid-year Report

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Private School Applications

• FERPA - Permission to Release School Record
  Information Form
• Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Data Form
• Parent Input Form
• Peer
• Large envelope with deadlines containing
• College Counselor Forms
• Pre-addressed envelope(s) with 2 stamps
• Official Transcript(s)
• Mid-year reports

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The Common Application

• One application accepted at over 250 colleges and
  Universities

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Early Decision vs. Early Action

• What is the difference?
• Early Decision BINDING!
• Early Action Not Bindingbut risky

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Letters of Recommendation

• Who to ask and how to ask them
• Forms

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Financial Aid

• FAFSA (http//www.fafsa.ed.gov)
• Scholarships/Grants
• Loans
• Work Study
• Financial Aid Night
• Jan. 10th _at_ 6 pm in G8

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When will I hear back?

• Students in the Top 10 of their class may hear
  back as early as December
• Early March is the typical response date

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Intent to Register

• May 1st deposit due

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Rolling Admissions

• Applications are accepted throughout the year
• Best to apply early as possible at a Rolling
  Admissions College

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Community College Opportunities

• Community College Workshop - Spring 2010
• Community College Placement Tests- Spring 2010
• Application
• Programs
• Testing

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Transfer Admission Agreements

• 7 UC campuses have these agreements with all
  California Community Colleges.
• Please explore this option if your student is set
  on a certain campus.
• General education requirements are similar for
  the first two years for many majors.
• Students must complete 60 semester or 90 quarter
  units to transfer.

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So What Do I Do Now?

• Have an honest discussion with your child about
  post secondary interests/opportunities
• -Is your child mature enough right now for the 4
  year college experience?
• -Does their academic background support their
  choices?
• -What time have you invested in researching
  different campuses either online or in person.
• -Have you determined what you can afford?

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Thank you for coming!

• Good Luck!
• Buena Suerte!
• Bonne Chance!
• Viel Gluck!
• ?