Leland Academic Counseling
Team Presents:
Junior Night
Go, Chargers!
Leland Academic Counseling
Team
Deepa Mukherjee
Assistant Principal (Guidance)
Senior Class Adviser
Mark McClure
Academic Counselor
Joan Albers
Career Center Technician
Agenda
6:30 – 6:50: A-G Requirements
CSU & UC Requirements
Community College Requirements
6:55 – 7:22: College Application Guidelines
College Application Timeline
Letters of Recommendation
Career Center Resources
7:30 – 8:00: PSAT Result Analysis
Testing Timeline
How to Become 4-year College
Eligible ?
A-G Eligibility
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The intent of the “a-g” subject requirements is to ensure that students
can participate fully in the first-year program at the University in a wide
variety of fields of study.
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UC faculty consider the Subject Requirement to be effective
preparation, on many levels, for undergraduate work at the University.
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This pattern of study assures the faculty that the student has attained a
body of general knowledge that will provide breadth and perspective to
new, more advanced study.
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Fulfillment of the "a-g" pattern also demonstrates that the student has
attained essential critical thinking and study skills
What are the A-G Requirements?
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History/Social Science 2 years
English 4 years
Mathematics 3 years (required)/4 years
(recommended)
Lab Science 2 years (required)/3 years
(recommended)
Language Other than English 2 years of the same
language/3 years (recommended)
Visual Performing Arts 1 year
Electives 1 year
How do SJUSD graduation requirements
compare to “A-G” requirements?
“A-G”
History/Social Science - 2 years
English - 4 years
Mathematics - 3 years (required)/4
years (recommended)
Lab Science - 2 years (required)/3
years (recommended)
Language Other than English - 2
years of the same language/3
years (recommended)
Visual Performing Arts - 1 year
Electives - 1 year
SJUSD
Social Sciences - 3.5 years
English - 4 years
Mathematics - 3 years
Science - 3 years
Language other than English - 2 years
Electives – 4.5 years
Visual Performing Arts - 2 years
PE - 2 years
What classes count as an A-G
requirement at Leland?

A – History/Social Science – 2 years required
Two years of history/social science, including one year of World
History, Cultures or Geography; and one year of US History or onehalf year of US History and one-half year of American
Government/Civics.
World Cultures 1-2
World Cultures 3-4
Accelerated World Cultures 3-4
US History
Accelerated US History
AP US History
American Government
Honors American Govt.
What classes count as an A-G
requirement at Leland?
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b - English - 4 years required
Four years of college preparatory English. Students may only use 1 year of
ESL/ELD, SDAIE, or Sheltered English.
English 1-2
English 3-4
Accelerated English 3-4
English 5-6
Honors English 5-6
AP English Language
English 7-8
AP English Literature
ELD 5-6
What classes count as an A-G requirement at
Leland?
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c - Mathematics - 3 years required, 4 years recommended
Three years of college preparatory mathematics that includes the topics
covered in Elementary Algebra/Algebra 1, Geometry and Advanced Algebra,
Algebra 2.
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Algebra II with Trig.
Pre-Calculus
Calculus AP AB
Calculus AP BC
AP Statistics
What classes count as an A-G
requirement at Leland?
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d - Laboratory Science - 2 years required, 3 years
recommended
Two years of laboratory science, including two of the three fundamental
disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Biology 1-2
Biology Honors
AP Biology
Chemistry 1-2
Honors Chemistry
Chemistry in the Community
AP Environmental Science
Zoology
Physiology
Conceptual Physics
Physics 1-2
Honors Physics 1-2
AP Physics
What classes count as an A-G
requirement at Leland?
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e - Language Other than English - 2 years required, 3 years
recommended. Two years of the same language other than
English.
Spanish 1-2
Spanish 3-4
Spanish 5-6
Spanish 7-8
AP Spanish
French 1-2
French 3-4
French 5-6
French 7-8
AP French
Japanese 1-2
Japanese 3-4
ASL 1-2
ASL 3-4
What classes count as an A-G
requirement at Leland?
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f - Visual & Performing Arts - 1 year required
Wind Ensemble
Jazz Band
Orchestra
Electronic Music
Choir
Chamber Choir
AP Music Theory
Film Studies
Drawing/Painting 1-2
Sculpture 1-2, Advanced Sculpture
Photography 1-2, 3-4
Media Arts 1-2, 3-4
Animation 1-2, 3-4
Drama
Speech & Debate
Introduction to Engineering
What classes count as an A-G
requirement at Leland?
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g - Elective - 1 year required. One year (two semesters), in
addition to those required in "a-f”, for example a 3rd year
of Spanish.
Principles of Engineering
Computers
Multimedia Production 1-2, 3-4
Spirit
Who Uses the A-G requirements?
California State Universities (CSU) www.csumentor.edu
University of California (UC)
www.universityofcalifornia.edu
(Only public, state schools use the “a-g” requirements. Private colleges
and universities each have their own admission requirements.)
General Application
Requirements
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2.0 minimum GPA for California State
University
3.0 minimum GPA for University of
California
SAT or ACT Test
Private Colleges require letter of
recommendation from teachers/counselors
What Do Colleges/Universities
Consider While Making
Decisions?
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Considered Top Three at most schools:
Grades in academic classes
How challenging your courses are
Test Scores SAT & ACT
Some colleges MAY consider:
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Extracurricular activities
Honors and awards
Leadership
Volunteer work/community service (commitment)
Special talents
Hardships
Athletic Talent
Clubs
Creativity
What if I have a “D” in an A-G
course?
For all courses in Mathematics (area C), all courses in Foreign Language (Area E),
if you receive a grade of “D” in the first semester and a grade of “C” or
higher in the second semester, you will receive two semesters of credit.

Completion of an advanced course in the same subject (Math & Foreign
Language) presupposes knowledge of the previous course(s). For example,
satisfactory completion of a second year of foreign language will validate the
first year. The second year of Algebra will validate the first-year algebra but
will not validate Geometry.
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SAT tests can validate some subjects depending on scores
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Retaking the course through community college, online courses, private
summer schools.
** Check with Mr. McClure or Mrs. Albers before making any plans.
Community College
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A good next step…
Reasons to go
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1/3 of all UC and 2/3 of all CSU graduates started at a
community college.
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Community college transfer students get admission priority to
UC and CSU campuses.
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Community college transfers are just as successful academically
as first-time freshmen in terms of graduation versus drop-out
rates.
Transfer & Certificates
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Articulation and Transfer Admission Agreements with
many universities
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Transfer Centers facilitate student’s transfer to their
targeted university.
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Vocational training, certificates and 2-year degrees.
Money
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Money: Fees average 1/3 the cost of public universities,
and 1/10 the cost of private universities.
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Add to that the potential savings of living at home for two
additional years.
Admission Requirements
One of the following:
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A high school diploma
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A General Education Diploma
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A Proficiency Certificate
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At least 18 years old with evidence of
being able to benefit from the instruction
offered by the college.
Concurrent Enrollment Form
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High school students are also admissible provided they
have a High School Concurrent Enrollment (R-40) form
signed by their high school principal or designee and by a
parent or guardian.
Community College Resources
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Application, Assessment dates, majors/Programs,
Financial Aid, Transfer Programs all vary by campus.
Further information available at the following websites:
www.deanza.edu
www.foothill.edu
www.westvalley.edu
www.missioncollege.edu
www.sjcc.edu
Choosing a College That is the
Best Match for You
Step One: Know your personal and
academic profile:
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Personal: Career goals, hobbies, special interests, talents,
personal attitudes, traits and needs.
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Academics: academic record, grades, GPA, test scores, activities
related to academics, awards and recognition, academic
learning/study skills, self motivation and discipline,
communication skills…
Choosing a College That is the
Best Match for You
Step Two: What are you looking for
in a college?
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Type: Liberal Arts, Business, Engineering,…
Curriculum: What is your tentative choice major? Special programs: Honors,
research, internship, study abroad
Where do I want the college to be?
How far?
Size? 50-40,000
How much will it cost?
Coeducational or single-sex institution
Campus life/social life/extracurricular
Special Services Available (tutoring…special assistance)?
Selectivity: How difficult? Be realistic!
Reminders
Remember your final college choices should include schools that
are realistic (safe), reasonable (good fit) and some reaches (long
shots). You should have 2-3 of each.
Colleges expect you to challenge yourself! Take as challenging of
a course load that you can and receive good grades. Take care of
yourself. Any D can affect your admissions decisions. Avoid
Senioritis!!!
Take advantage of summer academic opportunities.
More Reminders
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Choose as challenging of a senior course load as you can handle
but remember you must be able to do well in the classes.
Any D in your senior year can make you ineligible even if it is for
an AP class.
Must have grades of C or higher to meet college requirements
You also need to take care of yourself!
Career Center Resources
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College, Major, and Career Library
Bridges Choices Programs and Get In 2 College (internet)
College Rep Visits for all students
College Application Workshops for Seniors in the Fall
Scholarship Bulletin
Financial Aid Materials
SAT and ACT Testing Info (registration, free booklets,
books…)
Testing and application fee waivers
Test Prep Info and Resources, Revolution Test Prep offers
Mock ACT’s and SATs
College Rep. Visits
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College Rep Visits are for ALL Leland Students
Students obtain a pass and have teacher sign it
in advance
Almost all visits are in the fall
Excellent opportunity
College Application Workshops
for Seniors
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CSU Presentation for all CSU’s given by SJSU
CSU Application Workshop
UC
Independent
UC Personal Statement
College Essays
College Application Workshops
Career Center Web Site
Accessed from Leland High Web Site
 http://www.sjusd.org/leland/career_c
enter/index.html
College Application Workshops
(contd.)
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Letter of Recommendation Workshops
CSU/UC Fall Update of changes for seniors
Financial Aid Night: Seniors & their Parents Jan.
Community College Night in the spring
College Application Timeline
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Research and visit possible schools NOW.
Consider all options.
Use online resources (Choices Planner, Get in 2
College, californiacolleges.edu, books, talk to
people……..
Talk to seniors this semester about the college
application process
CSU applications submitted between 10/1 –
11/30
College Application Timeline
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UC applications submitted 11/1 – 11/30
Independents: Early’s vary starting on 11/1:
Regulars 12/1 – rolling (most during the month
of Dec.)
Public Out of State – vary: most similar to CSU
and UC – some later or rolling
Letter of Recommendation
Process for Independents
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(CSU and UC will not accept letter of rec)
Junior year: Ask academic teachers if they are
willing to write your letter of rec.
Students are required to complete the College
and Scholarship Recommendation Form
(CSRF).
Letter of Recommendation
Process for Independents
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Four pages of information plus Senior Questionnaire,
Parent Assessment and unofficial transcript.
Seniors are encouraged to work on this packet during
the summer.
Administrators write the Counselor or Secondary
School Report.
Completed packets are due to all recommenders for any
EARLY APP (due before 12/1) by third week in
September. All regulars (due 12/1 or after )second
week in October.
Mid-Year Reports in January.
Testing Information
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Colleges will accept either the SAT Reasoning or the ACT (UC
requires the ACT Optional Writing if you take the ACT).
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UC will no longer require Subject Tests effective for Fall 2012
freshman applicants. However, some independents and some
majors at UC may recommend or require SAT Subjects.
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We encourage you to take both SAT and ACT because colleges
will take the best score and the tests are different.
Testing Information
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All juniors should plan to take at least one ACT and/or SAT
Reasoning Test by June. Refer to #1 if you need to take SAT
Subject Tests.
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Most schools will not consider test scores past December of
your senior year.
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Keep in mind that these deadlines may change.
Testing Information
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Some CSU’s have October and November deadlines.
Refer to Testing Schedule for add’l info.
Students must send official test scores by the testing companies
by testing deadlines.
Revolution will present a testing timeline.
Application deadlines and testing deadlines are different. All
deadlines are FIRM.
Junior Newsletter
With Good Information, We Make
Better Decisions!