College Information Night

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College Information Night

• Northview High School
• Fall, 2014

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COLLEGE PREPARATION TIMELINE - SENIORS!

• 12TH GRADE - Deadlines are Critical!
• Retake ACT/SAT Early
• Four Year College Application Begins
• Attend College Application Workshop at NHS
  (Parents welcome!)
• Wednesday, 10/29/14
• Room B-4
• UC/CSU Deadline Must apply before November 30
• Private and out of state university deadlines
  vary - check websites!
• Community College Applications February - April
• Placement Exams required for all colleges by
  April
• Financial Aid
• FAFSA/Cal Grant Applications January 1 - March
  2nd (deadline)
• Attend FAFSA Application Workshops at NHS (tbd)

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Choosing Your College Priorities

• What is important to you?
• Area of Study/Academics
• Location
• Size
• Campus Appeal
• Social Life
• Total Cost Including aid
• Comfortable Match for YOU!

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CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITIES.

• Going away to college may be a great idea!
• The majority of students attend college in their
  home state although many find the perfect college
  in other regions.

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Words of Wisdom

• Relax
• You have a good chance of getting in - if you
  apply broadly!
• There are over 4600 colleges in the U.S.
• Many of the colleges have a 70 acceptance rate.

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California State Universities 23 campus locations
CSU admit rates may vary from 30 to 80 for
eligible students
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UC Admit rates may vary from 22 -
75 for students who meet eligibility

University of California 10 campus
locations
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Still Exploring Majors?

• If you dont have a major, its OK.
• More than half of new college students say a very
  important reason for going to college is
  to find my purpose in life.
• How to Decide?
• You Can Go! YCG.org
• Naviance
• Bigfuture.org

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Four Year Colleges and Universities
Type Description Tuition Admission Requirements
Four year Degrees offered Bachelors and graduate degrees Provides A well-rounded college experience that includes an academic area of study. State - CSU Typically under 7,000/year State - UC Typically under 13,000/year Private Typically more than 20,000/year Completion of a-g course requirements SAT or ACT GPA Essay Extracurricular activities Letters of recommendation Transcripts
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Two Year/Community Colleges
Type Description Tuition Admission Requirements
Two year Degrees offered Associates Certificate Programs Provides A way to transition to college/ take general ed or lower division classes for college credit. Typically have agreements with four year colleges to transfer credits. Offers Certificate programs for entry into specific careers Typically around 2,000/year Open-door admission policy Placement Exams in Math and English Cosmetology Automotive Technology Medical Technicians
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Northview Naviance Website User Name
Student ID Password Naviance College and
Career Planning Tools Career Interest
Surveys Personality Types Match with career
samples and skills Create a Success Plan Set
Goals for Yourself Assign Tasks Build a Resume,
Create a Portfolio College and Career
Match Research and Compare Colleges/Scholarships
Input Test Scores
NAVIANCE
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What information do college admission officers
review?
Grades in a-g requirements Strength of high school course selections
SAT/ACT Test scores
Personal Statement and/or Essay (if applicable)
Teacher and counselor recommendations
Students demonstrated interest
Personal accomplishments Senior year courses and grades For a list of 850 test optional colleges and universities FAIRTEST.ORG

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Course Requirements
Course Requirements
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Northview High School Courses Meetinga-g
Requirements

• A. History - 2 Years
• World History
• AP World History
• US History
• AP American History
• B. English - 4 Years
• Comp/Lit I, or Comp/Lit I Honors
• Comp/Lit II, or Comp/Lit II Honors
• Comp Lit III, or AP English Language
• Comp/Lit IV, ERWC, or AP English Lit
• C. Mathematics - 3 Years Minimum, Recommend 4
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Algebra II or Algebra II Honors
• Trig/Pre-Calc, or Trig/Pre-Calc Honors
• Statistics, Probability, and Finite Math
• AP Calculus AB

• E. Foreign Language - 2 Years Minimum,
  Recommend 3 (Level, not seat time)
• Spanish I, II, III
• Spanish for Spanish Speakers I or II
• AP Spanish Language
• AP Spanish Literature
• French I, II, or III
• F. Visual and Performing Arts - 1 Year
• Art Appreciation, Adv. Art, AP Studio Art
• Digital Photography I, II, AP Art 2D
• Digital Film
• Intro to Theatre Arts, Play Production
• Chorus, Concert Choir
• Music History and Appreciation
• Advanced Band
• G. College Prep Electives - 1 Year
• American Government/Economics
• Psychology/Sociology

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College Admission Tests

• ACT/ACT with Writing
• Consists of four sections English, Math,
  Reading, Science
• Essay Writing optional (according to college)
• Top composite score is 36
• SAT Reasoning Test
• Consists of three sections Verbal, Math, Writing
• Each test is scored on a scale of 200-800 (total
  600 - 2400)
• Essay Writing is required

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Freshman Admission Information
Calculating Your Grade Point Average (GPA) All
grades earned in the ag approved courses taken
in 10th12th grades are used to calculate your
grade point average. Additional grade points for
A, B and C grades will be awarded for a
maximum of eight semester courses taken in 10th
and 11th grades, for AP and designated honors
courses. Review eligibility index for colleges
of interest.

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Freshman Admission Process
Fall admission is based on self-reported
information and the major to which students
apply. Students cannot change their major
during the application process. Students
applying to Special Programs may be required to
complete an audition, and their admission
decisions will be contingent upon successfully
passing that audition. Admission is provisional
pending verification of the self-reported
information on the application from official
transcripts. Admission may be rescinded if the
GPA, test scores or course grades are lower than
what is reported on the application. Students
must meet senior year requirements stated in
letters of acceptance from colleges or their
admission will be rescinded.

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Common Mistakes that may cost you your acceptance

• Not meeting deadlines
• Statement of Intent (SIR)
• Sending Official Transcripts
• Sending Official Test Scores (direct from Test
  Agency)
• Housing Applications
• Failing to check email or campus portals daily
• Senioritis
• Light course load during senior year
• Drop in GPA

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Scholarships
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Merit Scholarship Tips

• Merit scholarships are where the money is.
• More than 11 billion in merit scholarships
  available to students from colleges
• Not just for A students
• Nearly all colleges offer merit aid scholarships
• Many awards emphasize leadership, school
  involvement, or community service
• Multiple campus/community scholarships available
  through NVHS Career Center
• Many awards can be renewed year after year

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Scholarship Resources

• NHS VIKINGS.ORG - Career Center
• Fastweb.com - Private scholarships
• fafsa.ed.gov - Free Application for Federal
  Student Aid
• Studentaid.ed.gov - The federal governments
  website about paying for college
• MeritAid.com - 11 billion in merit scholarships
• Cappex.com - Scholarship matching
• finaid.org - Free student resource for learning
  about all types of financial aid

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Tips for Positive Parent Support

1. Help your student understand the college search
   process
2. Be realistic and non-judgmental
3. Be in the "back seat" - and not the driver - of
   the college search process
4. Be open to dialogue and responsive to questions
5. Dont let the price tag scare you away
6. Be aware of deadlines and fees due
7. Know that things have changed since your college
   days
8. Dont overemphasize your own alma maters
9. Dont compare your student with others
10. Dont dwell on disappointments, like a rejection
    letter
11. Celebrate successes!