Preparing for College

1
Preparing for College

• What You Need to Know

2
Why Go to College?

• Prestige
• Financial Security
• Challenging and Rewarding
• Career Intellectual Development
• Develop Social skills
• Variety of Career Opportunities

3
Types of Colleges/Universities

• University of California (10 campuses, newest UC
  Merced will open 2004)
• 4-year Private Colleges and Universities
• California State University (23 campuses)
• 2-year Community Colleges

4
Financial Aid

• Cal Grants
• Federal Grants
• Scholarship Opportunities (Merit and Need-based
  scholarships)

5
Admission Requirements

• The Specifics

6
Courses You Must Complete in High School

• CSU and UC Systems
• History/Social Science - 2 years
• English 4 years of College Prep Courses
• Math 3 years required, 4 years recommended
• Laboratory Science 2 years required,
  3 years recommended
• Foreign Language 2 years required,
  3 years recommended
• Visual Performing Arts 1 year
• College Prep Electives 1 year

7
Calculating G.P.A.

• UC calculates GPA by
• Assigning point values to grades earned, totaling
  the points, and dividing by the number of a-g
  course units
• Grades earlier than 10th grade do not apply into
  the G.P.A.
• 9th grade courses with C or better can be used
  to meet subject requirements

8
Eligibility Index for the UC

• UC Eligibility Index incorporates SAT I, SAT II
  scores, and G.P.A.
• SAT Total Score
• SAT I Composite (2 x SAT II Writing SAT II
  Math Third SAT II )
• Refer to Eligibility Index Chart on the IAP

9
UC Eligibility Index
GPA a-g SAT Total GPA a-g SAT Total
gt3.50 3120 3.10 3.14 3616
3.45 3.49 3128 3.05 3.09 3720
3.40 3.44 3152 3.00 3.04 3840
3.35 3.39 3192 2.95 2.99 3984
3.30 3.34 3248 2.90 2.94 4160
3.25 3.29 3320 2.85 2.89 4384
3.20 3.24 3408 2.80 2.84 4640
3.15 3.19 3512
10
Eligibility in a Local Contact (ELC)

• CA students who are in TOP 4 of their junior
  class will be considered UC Eligible if they meet
  a specified set of subject matter.
• Must submit application by November 30 annual
  deadline.
• The UC will notify students who fall into this
  group by September of the senior year.

11
Admission Tests

• SAT or ACT
• SAT II
• Advanced Placements

12
Getting into the College of Your Choice

• Set High Standards.
• Be Proactive!
• Take the most rigorous of courses.
• Maintain high overall academic achievement.
• Engage in successful and meaningful leadership
  experiences.
• Participate in meaningful community service.