College Night for Seniors
Class of 2016
For Students & Parents!
Las Lomas High School
Counseling Department and College/Career Center
Welcome Senior Students and Parents

UNDERSTANDING SENIOR YEAR
 Senior Year Mythbusters
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Dealing with Stress and Senioritis
Parent’s Role

Promoting resilience
Naviance
 College Systems Overview

Mythbusters
Common Myths…
• Freshman Grades Don’t Count.
• Senior year is easy!
• I can do my senior project in a week.
• Scholarships are only for 4-year colleges.
• No one cares about senior grades.
• I can’t afford a 4-year college, so I’ll go to a Community College.
• No one from LL gets into UC schools.
• Applying early increases chances of getting into college.
• My parents can fill out my college application.
Naviance Family Connection
Naviance Family Connection
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http://connection.naviance.com/laslomas
What is Naviance Family Connection?
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Personalized college/vocational program searches
A useful tool in the college application process
Note!! Important updates!!

You must load all the colleges you are applying to in your
Naviance account.
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All supporting application documents from Las Lomas (transcripts, letters
of recommendation, etc.) must be sent through Naviance.
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Counselor and teacher recommenders will submit supporting
documents through Naviance, when requested to do so.
Students will still submit applications by following the instructions set forth
by each college.
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Student applications will not be submitted through Naviance.
Naviance Family Connection
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Official Transcripts
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Letters of Recommendation
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Submit requests through your Naviance account
Pay for requests through the LL Web Store
4 weeks advance notice required!
Speak, in person, with potential recommender/s to request a letter
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Teacher Recommendation
 Complete survey on Naviance and e-mail teacher to notify

Follow-up with a “Thank You” note and the news of where you
will be attending

Counselor Recommendation
 Complete 3 surveys on Naviance and e-mail counselor to notify
Need help logging on?

See Ellen Smith in the College/Career Center.
College/Career Center
 College Representative Visits – see full schedule of local college
fairs, information sessions and college reps visiting LLHS on
Naviance
 Social Media
 Check out Facebook, Twitter and blogs for colleges you are interested in
 Be careful of what you post on Facebook – Colleges and Employers are
looking!
 California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Honor Society
 Assistance with college applications; info about specialty schools
and apprenticeships and gap year programs
 Lending library of college related and career materials
 NCAA Clearinghouse www.eligibilitycenter.org
Financial Aid / Cost to Attend College

Financial Aid Seminar – Oct. 8 @ 7pm LLHS Theatre
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Financial Aid may be available/FAFSA is applicable at all accredited schools
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Workshop –
January 19, 2015 @ 7pm LLHS Theatre
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FAFSA www.fafsa.ed.gov

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www.CalDreamAct.org
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Free to apply!
Apply online January 1, 2016 – March 2, 2016
Cal Grant
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Apply online January 1, 2016 – March 2, 2016
California Dream Act


Free to apply!
Free to apply!
Pick up GPA verification form in College/Career Center
Submit to Counseling Office Jan. 1, – March 2, 2016
CSS Profile
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https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp
Selected private universities will require this profile.
Fee charged (fee waiver may be available)
Financial Aid / Cost to Attend College

Colleges may have own forms and priority due dates

Fee waivers for college applications may be available

Look at the college’s Net Price Calculator
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Have a discussion about what your family can afford
LIFE AFTER LAS LOMAS
Where do Las Lomas students go after graduation?
2% 1% 2%
Class of 2015
38%
57%
4-year college
2-year college
Gap Year
Work
Military
College Systems Overview

Community Colleges
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California State Universities (CSU)
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Universities of California (UC)
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Private/Independent Universities
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Public Out-of-State Universities

College Fair at Dougherty Valley High, Oct. 28,
6:30-8:30 pm
Community Colleges
Community Colleges
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Associate Degree & Vocational Certificate Programs are offered
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Transfer programs to 4-year colleges.
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Using www.assist.org can help you prepare.
UC transfer planner guide: https://uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu

113 campuses ! http://www.californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/Students
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12 have dorms on site!
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No SAT or ACT required for any Community College
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Apply EARLY in the Spring semester
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Complete online application
Take assessment tests
Complete orientation class (if required)
Must be a high school graduate or 18 years old to attend
Community Colleges
Diablo Valley College (DVC)
www.dvc.edu
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DVC Night - Spring, 2016, 7:00 PM, LL Theatre
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DVC application workshops at LLHS in the spring
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English & Math Placement Exams will be offered at LLHS
Specific date TBA (March/April 2016)
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DVC Special Programs:
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Disability Support Services (DSS)
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Check in the College/Career Center for information on
other California Community Colleges.
Four Year Colleges
What’s the magic recipe
to get into a good college?
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Prepare Yourself
Challenge Yourself
Search Yourself
Be Yourself
Show Resilience
Applying to college is an act of
personal integrity
Applying to College
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Apply and submit all documents on time!

Classes which meet college admission
requirements are on the “a-g” list by year
https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/

Pass all your senior courses with a C or higher!
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Stay organized!

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Create a file for college info and a calendar of senior
year deadlines
Keep printouts of your application and other
communications, plus a file of your passwords
SENIOR YEAR DOES MATTER!

Grades & course selection do make an
impact on your acceptance!

Last day to drop classes: October 23rd

Keep up senior grades or acceptance can be
rescinded!
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Reduce stress by being organized!

Find a system that works for YOU.
Student Checklist
Before You Begin Your Application Make Sure You Have:
High

Test
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
School/College Transcript
Use to correctly enter your classes and grades
 Do not report classes and grades by memory
Scores
Send your SAT/ACT, Subject Exams if applicable, directly from the
testing agency(College Board or ACT)
OK to apply before all tests are completed
Activities


& Awards
Make a list of most significant awards, volunteer work, paid work and
extra-curricular activities.
Make note of time involved in activity. BE SPECIFIC! Use details of what
you did!
Essay/Personal

Statement
Student is the star! Show your voice!
After you apply….
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Check your email often!

Make sure your email address reflects how you want the colleges
to see you.
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Check your campus web portal and corresponding email
account.

Student must notify all colleges if courses listed on the
applications change, or if a semester grade is a “D” or
“F.”
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Check early for housing! Housing application dates and
procedures vary by campus.
A-G Subject Requirements
UC and CSU Systems
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
2 yrs History/Social Science
4 yrs of English
3 yrs (4 recommended) Math
2 yrs (3 recommended) Laboratory Science
2 yrs (3 recommended) Language Other than English
1 yr Visual & Performing Arts
1 yr College Preparatory Elective
California State Universities (CSU)
California State Universities (CSU)
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23 campuses

CSUs NOT impacted for first-time freshman in 2016
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Bakersfield
Channel Islands
Dominguez Hills
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East Bay *
Cal Maritime
San Francisco*

Stanislaus
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Impacted means there are more applications received
than there are available freshman spots at that campus,
resulting in increased competitiveness.
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* Local area CSUs: East Bay and SFSU
California State Universities (CSU)

Non-impacted campuses may have impacted
programs
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Nursing, Criminal Justice, Business
Check on www.csumentor.edu for complete list

Visit www.calstate.edu/impactioninfo.shtml to
determine impacted majors/campuses

To find all degrees/programs available by CSU
campus visit http://degrees.calstate.edu
California State Universities (CSU)

Admission based on “a-g” courses, GPA and SAT or ACT
test score. CSU does not review “writing” portion of the
SAT/ACT.
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No essay or recommendations required or accepted

Application period Oct.1- Nov.30, 2015

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Fee $55* per campus. Fee waiver available.
Visit www.csumentor.edu to apply & get info on all CSU’s
California State Universities (CSU)
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Send transcript only when the campus requests it.
Failure to submit transcript or SAT/ACT scores will result
in admission denial.

Confirm acceptance ASAP. No later than May 1st.

Cal Poly - Early Decision Option (except for Art and
Music Majors) Only CSU to use 9 – 12 GPA

Eligibility Index Table:
https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/cal_residents.asp

Additional admissions information

https://secure.californiacolleges.edu/college_planning/california_state_univer
sity/freshman_admission_requirements/Majors_Admission_Standards.aspx
California State Universities (CSU)

CSU College Night for high school students and parents

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Thursday, September 24, 2015, 6 – 8:00 p.m.
Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland

The majority of CSU campuses do not accept coursework
the summer after graduation to complete admission
requirements.

The EPT (English Placement Test) and/or ELM (Entry
Level Math) placement tests may be required in the spring
of senior year.

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After admission, check email from the college for more information
Meet all deadlines!
University of California (UC)
University of California (UC) System

9 Undergraduate campuses

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1 Graduate campus (UCSF)
Admission based on comprehensive review of:

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“a-g” courses & GPA
SAT or ACT score
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Personal statement
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SAT Subject Tests not required, may be recommended
No change in prompts
Extracurricular activities & honors/awards
Letters of recommendation only upon request
Comprehensive Review

Campuses Look For
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Access Students Within Context
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Strong grades, test scores & course preparation
A robust educational experience
Educational environment
Available resources and opportunities
The Full Application

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Not just the personal statement
Not just grades and test scores
Full list of comprehensive review factors:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/how-applications-reviewed/
Personal Statement - Essay

Unlike an English essay – use “I” statements

Treat as an interview

Reader doesn’t know you

Responses are not graded

Use your own voice
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Answer the question!
University of California (UC) System

Application available now; Submit Nov. 1- Nov. 30, 2015

Send a transcript only when requested by the college.

You will need to submit a final transcript after graduation.

Admissions Index Calculator:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/california
-residents/admissions-index/index.html

Apply online at:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-toapply/apply-online/

Fee to apply $70 per campus

Help Desk ucinfo@applyucsupport.net and 1-800-207-1710
University of California (UC) System

Online UC college fair:



Thursday, October 8th 11 am - 8 pm
video/online chat
https://www.collegeweeklive.com/eventschedule/ucday
Independent/Private
Universities
Independent/Private Universities
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77 campuses in CA

Admissions criteria--check with each individual campus!

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Most require SAT or ACT
Subject Tests may be required
Most require essays, letters of recommendation, and transcript
upon application
Extracurricular activities, work experience, and honors/awards
may be considered
Common Application www.commonapp.org


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Links with Naviance Family Connection
Secondary School Report = Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Common Application deadlines vary
Independent/Private Universities

Early Decision/Early Action/Rolling Admissions

Helpful websites:
www.aiccu.edu
www.californiacolleges.edu
www.collegeboard.com
www.actstudent.org
www.commonapp.org

Compare college costs and financial aid offers
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-forcollege/compare-financial-aid-and-college-cost/
Out of State Public Universities

Check individual admission policies and deadlines

SAT/ACT are usually required

Essay and/or letters of recommendation may be required or
considered

Extracurricular activities, work experience, and awards/honors may
be required or considered

College/Career Center will host admissions representatives on our
campus
 Sign up to meet these reps!

Consider Western Undergraduate Exchange http://wue.wiche.edu

Tuition scholarship program for public colleges/universities in the western states
Need Help With Your Applications?

Tuesdays October 6 thru November 10 application help
from the counseling staff 6th & 7th periods in the
College/Career Center

Application tips:




Government and Econ are one semester classes.
For UC and CSU apps, Econ is in the drop down menu for
college-prep electives.
Current semester classes should be listed as “In Progress”;
spring semester classes as “Planned.”
Apply Broadly!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Counselor (A-El)*
Amelia Whalen
ext. 2126
Counselor (En-K)*
Hanalee Washburn
2124
Counselor (L-Pi)*
Kara Bloodgood
2127
Counselor (Pl-U)*
Marilyn Lewis-Hampton 2123
Counselor (V-Z + ELL Stu)* Valerie Wright-Smith
2125
Registrar
Beth Chastain
2119
College Advisor
Ellen Smith
2117
Testing Coordinator
Allison Ridenhour
2116
* Seniors check Naviance for counselor