September 2015
LA QUINTA HIGH SCHOOL
DENISE HALSTEAD, PRINCIPAL
(714) 663-6375
COUNSELORS: SHERRI GRELLE (A-HOA)
ADRIANA ESQUIVEL (HOB-NGUYEN,D)
HUY TRAN (NGUYEN,E-Q)
LUCY FITZRANDOLPH (R –Z)
A MESSAGE FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE
Welcome back Class of 2016!
We hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating summer vacation and are ready to begin a dynamic
2015-2016 school year. The La Quinta High School counseling staff is dedicated to making your
senior year the best one yet. Throughout this year there will be various college tasks that will need
to be completed by all seniors, including college applications, entrance exams, personal essays, and
financial aid. Our counseling team is determined to help each of you through this process.
Each month the Senior Newsletter will be published, then distributed in your English class under
the direction of Ms. Grelle. The newsletter will be a great resource, keeping you up-to-date on college admissions, college exams, scholarship information and other school related activities. If you
have any questions regarding the newsletter please feel free to stop by and see Ms. Grelle.
*Testing Information*
Those of you applying to a four-year college/university will need to take the SAT and/
or ACT by the December test date. The December scores will be the last scores universities will consider for Fall admittance. When signing up to take the ACT or SAT
make sure to have your scores sent to the colleges you will be applying to.
LA QUINTA SCHOOL CODE 053737
2015-2016 SAT & ACT TESTING SCHEDULE
**THE FEE WAIVER WILL WORK FOR THE LATE REGISTRATION DATE**
SAT Subject Tests are no longer required for UC admittance
SAT - www.collegeboard.com
Test Date
Test Offered
Regular Registration Late Registration
Deadline
Deadline
October 3, 2015
SAT & Subject Tests
September 3, 2015
Sept 18
November 7, 2015
SAT & Subject Tests
October 9, 2015
Oct 23
December 5, 2015
SAT & Subject Tests
November 5, 2015
Nov 20
ACT - www.actstudent.org
Test Date
Test Offered
Regular Registration Late Registration
Deadline
Deadline
October 24, 2015
ACT
September 18, 2015
Sept 19 - Oct 2
December 12, 2015
ACT
November 6, 2015
Nov 7 - Nov 20
When signing up for your SAT’s on Collegeboard.com, students who want to apply to more
than 4 Cal State Universities may use the code 3594 (CSU Mentor, Long Beach). This will
send the SAT scores to all the Cal States for FREE! Students who apply to at least 1 UC,
Collegeboard.com will send your Sat scores to all UC’s for FREE.
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La Quinta High School Fall 2015
Keep Your Options Open
For many seniors, the final year of high school brings about a lot of questions. One of which is where they
will be after they graduate. It is highly recommended that seniors keep their options open and take their time
when deciding on a path for next year.
There are a variety of options open to seniors between community colleges and four-year universities. Financial Aid determinations will help guide future decisions. Students will find out which schools they have been
accepted to and will have the opportunity to choose a path that is right for them.
Senior Meetings
The counselors will be presenting information in senor English classes regarding A-G, Grad
Status, D-validation, college requirements, financial aid, scholarships, and SAT sign ups.
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
The California State University (CSU) system has a priority filing period of October 1 through November 30.
The University of California system (UC) has a priority filing period of November 1 through November 30. It
is very important that you apply online as soon as possible during the registration time period.
To apply online for a UC campus, access their website at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/
apply/. You may also print a paper application at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/
download/. To complete an online application for CSU go to www.csumentor.edu. Most private colleges and universities have priority-filing dates. The dates may be found by checking
the college handbook and/or calling the college admissions office for that particular campus.
CSU APPLICATION MONTH
La Quinta will be holding CSU application workshops for all seniors in English classes during the
month of October. This is a good way for seniors to start or complete the application process. CSU month
will start with Cal State University, Fullerton visiting La Quinta!
LQ COLLEGE INFORMATION DAYS in 200 LyCeum
Monday October 12
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 22nd
UC Santa Barbara
UC Riverside
UC Berkeley
Period 1 and 2
Period 4
Period 6
(Sign up in Guidance Office with Ms.Davila)
Campus Tours/College Information
A campus tour is a great way to get a first look at where you will be spending most of your time
come fall of next year. We strongly encourage you to access the campus websites in order to
find out when tours are available for future students. Go to www.CollegeWeekLive.com to get
connected to the UC’s for virtual tours and on-line info sessions! This is a gr eat way for
families to explore different aspects of student life at each school. Various campuses visit La
Quinta to talk to our seniors. We will be sure to notify you of upcoming “Campus Preview
Dates and College Information Sessions” that are either on campus or at a local location.
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COLLEGE PREVIEW/INFORMATION DAYS
 Oct 10
CSU Monterey Bay Open House Parents/students, register at:
CSUMB.edu/openhouse, or call 831-582-3738
 Oct 11
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) - Los Angeles
Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion register at: saic.edu/
ugevents
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 Oct 21
 Oct 24
Discover Duke University—Tiger Woods Learning Center
7:00pm, Anaheim, register admiss.ugrad.duke.edu/discoverduke
Chico Preview Day Open House, register atwww.csuchico.edu/
Admissions
COLLEGE Fair
What: District College Fair
When: Monday October 12
Where: Bolsa Gr ande H.S.
FROM 6:30 - 8:00pm
Parents, students come take part in this unique opportunity to meet with college representatives, college alumni, & other representatives from a variety of postsecondary
schools. Get info from favorite colleges!
CSUF now offers a Computer Engineering, B.S-M.S in 4 years!!
Admission Requirements:
 Entering freshmen must be CSUF eligible w/a minimum GPA of 3.0
 completed at least 3 AP courses with a 3, 4 or 5 toward major and/
or general education (10 semester credits)
 One of 3 AP courses must be Calculus AB or Calculus BC (with a
score 4 or 5)
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How to Apply for Scholarships
Each month a section of the newsletter will be devoted to giving a brief description of scholarships that are
being offered by colleges, private organizations, and corporations who send their info to us. Remember you and
your parents can access the Senior Newsletter on La Quinta’s web page at: www.laquintahs.org Please read about all our
scholarships as well as research your own. For every one we list, there are thousands more! . Check these out!
www.HighFiveScholarships.com, http://www.scholarsnapp.org/, Fastweb.com, meritaid.com,
www.collegeboard.org, www..salliemae.com, www.csac.ca.gov, www.edfund.org, www.mapping-yourfuture.org, http://www.yahoo.com/Education/financial_Aid, www.ed.gov/index, www.usnews.com,
www.scholarships.com, www.gocollege.com, www.educatorsconnection.com/register.php
www.scholarshipcoach.com, scholarships.com, zinch.com, weirdscholarships.net
Many scholarships require that the applicant obtain letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, employers, etc. When asking for a letter of recommendation be sure to let the person know the purpose of the
recommendation, the date it is due and to whom to send it. It is very helpful to give the person a resume listing your activities, honors/awards, college plans, goals and anything you feel would be helpful in writing the
recommendation. Give people at least two weeks notice in order to ensure a good letter and timely delivery.
GRANTOR
REQUIREMENTS
DEADLINE
QuestBridge
National College
Match
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Scholarships for high GPA, low-income students
College match program
Admission and four-year scholarships to leading colleges
From households earning less than $60,000/yr
Go to: www.questbridge.org
2016 United States
Senate Youth
Program. Sponsored
by the William
Randolph Hearst
Foundation, the
California
Department of
Education (CDE)
coordinates
competition for outstanding Seniors.
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October 1,
$5,000 college scholarship from the foundation
2015
3.5 GPA & interested in pursuing a career in public service.
Top History students active in Student Government
Must be serving in an elected or appointed capacity in student government, civic, or educational organization for 2015-2016 school yr.
4 finalists, consisting of 2 delegates and a 1st alternate and 2nd alternate, will be selected by CDE from the statewide applicants to be
California’s USSYP representatives. They will participate in a week
of intensive study of the federal government as guests of the US Senate March 5-12, 2016, in Washington, D.C. Hearst Foundation pays
expenses for the delegates, including transportation, hotel and meals.
See Ms. Grelle for an extensive application packet
Wendy’s High
School
Heisman Athletic
Scholarship
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At least 3.0 GPA
2 winners from each school!
Excel in academics
Participate in at least one school-sponsored sport.
Involved in your community and extracurricular activities
$500.00 & up to $10,000 in donations to your school!
First 1,000 students to apply win $10. Wendy’s gift card
Apply: http://www.wendysheisman.com.
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September
28, 2015
October 2,
2015
GRANTOR
REQUIREMENTS
DEADLINE
Horatio Alger
Association
Scholarship
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October 25,
$5,000 - $22,000
2015
Min GPA 2.0 & be a U.S. Citizen
Pursue Bachelor’s degree starting at a college, or university
Have financial need ($55,000 or lower AGI, Adjusted Gross Income)
Involvement co-curricular & community service activities
Display integrity & perseverance in overcoming adversities
Apply: www.scholars.horatioalger.org
National Association
of Secondary School
Principals (NASSP)
Herff JonesPrincipal Leadership Award for the
Prudential Spirit of
Community Awards
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Could qualify to receive $1,000 or more, unrestricted, an engraved
medallion & an all expense-paid trip with a parent to Washington
DC for 4 days in the Spring
Leadership, made an outstanding difference in service organizations
& clubs where some was done after Sept 2014
3.5 GPA or higher
Apply: http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit, click on
“Apply Now” link and follow instructions
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Moose Youth
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Awareness Program
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Disneyland
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Dreamers and Doers 
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November
3, 2015
November
All-expense paid, round trip to the international Youth Awareness
Congress in Williamsburg, VA & one of five scholarships awarded: 12, 2015
$2,000, $3,000, $5,000, $8,000 or $12,000
You must first attend and receive a certificate as a Kids Talk Presenter, at the Association Youth Awareness Congress at the: Buena Park
Moose Lodge #195, 8651 Knott Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620 on
Saturday November 14, 2015 - Registration 8:00– 9:00 AM Congress starts 9:00-3:00 PM. Free Breakfast, lunch & parents are encouraged to attend
Go to: http://www.mooseintl.org/members/wp-content/
uploads/2014/08/Youth-Awareness-Brochure.pdf
Application: http://www.mooseintl.org/portal/pdf/YouthAware/
StudentApplication.pdf
Two Disneyland 1-day Park-Hopper tickets will go to 2 LQ students! November
18, 2015
Disneyland Dreamers & Doers celebrates power of possibility &
youth who take action to improve their community, home or school.
From nominated group of “Dreamers and Doers” 60 students will be
identified as “Shining Stars” & invited to a Celebration Lunch w/2
family members & a representative from their school
To inspire fellow students to make their school a better place, each of
the 60 students selected as “Shining Stars” will receive $1,000 grant
for their school, as well as a Dreamers & Doers medal of recognition
Six “Luminaries” will be selected to receive a Disneyland Resort
weekend prize package to enjoy with their families
Additional surprises will be announced at the Celebration Luncheon
Must have a 3.0 GPA
Must have completed some community service, and made a positive
change in your home, school or community.
See Ms. Grelle for an application!
GRANTOR
2016 Profile and
Courage Essay
Contest
REQUIREMENTS
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DEADLINE
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$10,000 first place prize and an expense-paid trip to Boston with family January
6, 2016
and nominating teacher!
Essay no more than 1,000 words but must be a minimum of 700.
Must describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official that
occurred during or after 1956
Go to: www.jfklibrary.org/essaycontest
APIASF Asian &
Pacific Islander
American
Scholarship Fund
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$2,500 - $15,000
Be Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by U.S. Census
Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the US.
Enroll in a college or university in the Fall of 2016.
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
Must apply for federal financial aid
Submit one letter of recommendation online
Apply: http://www.apiasf.org/scholarship_apiasf.html
Gates Millennium
Scholars
Program (GMS
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January
Thru doctoral degree, need based, merit scholarship
13, 2016
Be African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American/Pacific Islander or Hispanic American
Be citizens, legal permanent residents or nationals of the US
Cumulative GPA of 3.3 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or earned a GED
Demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community
service, extracurricular or other activities
Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria
Attend College or University in Fall as first time degree-seeking individual.
Have the following forms completed and submitted by the deadline: A
Nominator Form (an evaluation of student’s academic record, and a
Recommender Form (an evaluation of student’s community service and
leadership activities
Apply: www.gmsp.org
The Make Sense
Foundation (MSF)
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$10,000 or more to selected applicants
Must be female and preparing to enter college in Fall 2016
Must complete an application and email, mail, or fax
See Ms. Grelle for an application
Power Scholarship
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March 31,
$2,500
Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) on: Which 2016
superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and
why?
Enroll in the Fall to college or university
Apply: http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/apply.htx
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6
January
8, 2016
February
15, 2016