SENIOR
COLLEGE
INFORMATION
NIGHT
September 23, 2015
What you need to know about
the 4 Year College Admission
Process

Admission Requirements

Admission Test

Application Process

Important Dates

Tips

Resources
College/University Options
• 4 Year University
• Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree programs
• Hands-on learning
• 23 campuses throughout California
•GPA 3.0
•Average cost of tuition & fees: ~ $5,285/year
•Average Cost of Attendance: ~$23,577/year
23 Cal State Campuses
• 4 Year University
• Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degree programs
• Research Institutions
• 10 campuses throughout California
•GPA 3.5
•Average cost of tuition and fees: ~$15,200/year
•Cost of Attendance: ~ $35,200/year
Universities of California (UC’s)
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UC
UC
UC
UC
UC
UC
UC
UC
UC
UC
Berkeley
Davis
Irvine
Los Angeles
Merced
Riverside
San Diego
San Francisco
Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz
• Over 77 Private Universities in Ca.
• Wide range of specialties & program
offerings
• Bachelors, Masters, & Doctorate
Degrees.
• Cost of Tuition & Fees vary
• Most use the Common Application
or Admissions.
The Common Application: For MOST Private Colleges
“A-G” Minimum Course Requirements for UC/CSU
-must earn a C or better in each college prep classArea
Courses
A
HISTORY:
UC/CSU Minimum
Requirements
UC
Recommends
CSU
Recommends
4 years
2 years
Economics/Government
World History
US History
B
ENGLISH
4 years
C*
MATHEMATICS:
3 years
4 years
2 years
3 years (2 years of
biology, chemistry,
and physical science)
Taken in the 10th,
11th or 12th grade
3 years
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
more
D
LABORATORY SCIENCE:
Physical Science
Life Science
E
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
2 years
F
VISUAL & PERFORMING
ARTS
1 year
G
ELECTIVE
1 year
Admission Tests

SAT: Also called “Reasoning Test,” Has three sections.
Critical reading (200-800)
 Writing (200-800)
 Math (200-800)
*Maximum score of 2400

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SAT II Subject Test: Optional tests used to show exceptional aptitude and demonstrated
strengths in specific subject areas
ACT: Also fulfills Exam Requirements, accepted nationally.
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English (1-36)
Math (1-36)
Reading (1-36)
Science (1-36)
Writing (Optional) (1-36)
*Composite score of 36 (this is an average of your total scores
excluding the writing portion)
What test do schools prefer?
 All
UC’s and CSU’s will accept the
SAT or ACT
 UC’s
will require the writing portion
of the ACT
When should I take the test?
Next Test Dates
 SAT-Oct
 ACT-
3, Nov 7, Dec 5*
Oct 24, Dec 12*
*Most Colleges and Universities will accept a
December test date
How do I Register?

You will register at the testing website..

You will need to create an account…
https://sat.collegeboard.org/home
http://www.actstudent.org/
College Board Website
ACT Website
How do I submit my scores?
 You
can select up to 4 schools to
receive your scores at NO COST!
5
or more & you will need to pay a
fee..
ACT- $12/report
SAT-$11.25/report
How Should I prepare?

Testing Websites

Study Guides

Test Prep Courses

Talk to your counselor about Revolution
K12 SAT/ACT Test Prep.
How much does it cost?

SAT (with essay)- $54.50

SAT (no essay)-$43.00

SAT Subject- $26

ACT (with Writing)- $56.50

ACT (no Writing)-$39.50

Limited Fee Waivers* are available
*See Counselor Donna Hinchliff in the College & Career Center
Applying for Admission- Important Dates

CSU/UC Applications are ONLINE
Available October 1- November 30
CSU: www.csumentor.edu
UC: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply

Private/Out of State colleges: Dates vary - contact
school directly or refer to college website.
How much does the
Application Cost?
 CSU
 UC
Application $55/campus
Application $70/campus
Fee waivers available if you
qualify!
CSU Mentor Website: Applying for Fall 2016
CSU Mentor Website: Applying for Fall 2016
CSU Mentor Support
UC Application
The UC Application is similar to the CSU-mentor
application in its method of collecting personal information.
CSU Sample Application: fall 2016
2016 freshman will be given 2 prompts:
Describe the world you come from—for example,
your family, community or school—and tell us how
your world has shaped your dreams and
aspirations.
2. Tell us about a personal quality, talent,
accomplishment, contribution or experience that is
important to you. What about this quality or
accomplishment makes you proud and how does it
relate to the person you are?
1.
Word Count: 1,000 words TOTAL
How many colleges should I apply to?

Select your top 3 Universities

Select a “Dream School”

Select a University you have no doubt
you will get in

Select a University close to home (just
in case)

Apply to a minimum of 5 Universities
Admission Options
Regular Decision

Priority Filing Period Oct1st-Nov 30

Admissions decisions March-April
Wait listed

Not offered or denied admissions but extends possibility
of admissions in the future

Decision made by August

No deposit required
Admission Options Cont’
Early Action/Early Decision: This process allows the student to apply to a University of
preference and receive a decision in advance of the “normal” response dates in the spring
Early Action
Early Decision
If admitted the student can commit Commitment by the student that if
to the college immediately, or wait admitted the student WILL enroll…
until the spring.
• Binding
• None Binding
• None refundable deposit
• No May 1st deposit
May 1st
• No withdrawal of
• Must withdraw other
applications
applications
• Can apply EA to multiple
• Can only apply ED to one
schools
school
• Notification 4-8 weeks
• Application deadline before
Nov 30th
• Notified 4-8 weeks
When Filling out Your Application

Read instructions thoroughly

Have a copy of your transcript

Know your SAT/ACT scores

Know your social security number

Know your parents personal information and income

Use the help tools and tutorial videos

Have someone review your application

Type your personal statement in a word document before
as a first draft. Check the word count.
More TIPS…

Letters of Recommendation: Give 2 weeks notice to the
chosen person writing the recommendation

Make copies or download copies of everything you
send/submit

Make a file for every school applied to & keep all
correspondences

Get certificates of mailing for everything you mail

Check & double check deadlines

Ask questions!
I’ve applied now what?

Log into your student portal accounts regularly

Check your email regularly

Send all requested documents asap

Pay attention to deadlines
Examples: EOP paperwork, Intent to Register, Housing
Deposits, etc…

Avoid senioritis

Your acceptance is conditional (notify schools of any
academic changes in your schedule or of low final grades)

Don’t commit until you have received a financial aid award
letter
The College Countdown

Sept/October: PREPARE
Gather college info, take SAT/ACT to improve scores, prepare
applications & personal statement.

November/December: APPLY TO COLLEGES
Send SAT/ACT scores, request letters of recommendation.

January/February: APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
Complete the FAFSA, Compare award letters.

March-May: DECIDE
Send additional/updated info requested, notification of financial aid by
college, get informed about all the colleges to help make your decision.

May 1: Deposit due, statement of intent to register, request official

Summer: Sign up for Freshman Orientation, pre-registration
transcripts.
Why apply to Allan Hancock College?

Cost of tuition $46/unit

Need more time to explore options

Did not get into school/s of choice

Not ready to move away

Safety net

A better fit for current situation
Steps to Enroll: Spring 2016

Visit www.hancockcollege.edu

Complete an Online Application
When you are done, check your email, you will
receive your Allan Hancock ID “H” Number
After you receive your “H” number
Complete the steps to
Priority Registration
Talk to your counselor for Registration deadlines
Step 1: Complete Online Orientation
Step 2: Sign up to take the START Test.
-Reading, Writing, & Math Placement TestThings to Remember:
• Prepare for the test!
You get one chance
to take it.
• Accuplacer Test Prep
will be available
online via Revolution
k12- Talk to your
counselor.
• Testing dates will be
available at PV in the
Spring. Space is
limited, listen to the
bulletin & talk to your
school counselor.
Step 3: Complete the Academic
Advising Workshop (AAW)

Bring your START
Test results

Meet with a
Counselor to go
over your results,
identify your
academic goals
and develop a
semester plan.

Ask questions

Learn about
programs

Meet new people
PVHS Career Center
Coming
Soon!
Building blocks for
the future!
Help online…
•
California State University
•
•
University of California
•
•
www.californiacolleges.edu
California Community Colleges
•
•
www.ucop.edu
California Colleges
•
•
www.csumentor.com
http://www.cccco.edu/
The Common Application
•
http://www.commonapp.org/
Upcoming Important Dates

College Application Night: October 28, 2015
3pm-8pm @ PVHS Library

Financial Aid Night: Nov.12, 2015
6:30pm @ PVHS Cafeteria

Cash for College: TBD Feb 2016

AHC Information Night: TBD Spring 2016
Counseling Staff

Dona Hinchliff
A – BI & AVID
Email: dhinchliff@smjuhsd.org

Susan Avrit
BO – Cruz & Sped
Email: savrit@smjuhsd.org

Nadia Ventura
Cruz*** – Heredia
Email: nventura@smjuhsd.org

Heidi Leal
Hern-Morales
Email: hleadl@smjuhsd.org

Rebecca Leadbetter
Morales***– R
Email: rleadbetter@smjuhsd.org

Summer Willis
Email: swillis@smjuhsd.org
S – Z & Panther Pack