Northview High School
Fall, 2014
College Information Night
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)
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!
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.
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.
California State Universities
23 campus locations
CSU admit
rates may
vary from
30% to 80%
for eligible
students
University of California
10 campus locations
UC Admit rates
may vary from
22% - 75%
for students who
meet eligibility
Still Exploring Majors?
If you don’t have a major, it’s 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
Four Year Colleges and Universities
Type
Description
Tuition
Admission
Requirements
Four year
Degrees offered:
Bachelors and graduate
degrees
State - CSU
Typically under
$7,000/year
Provides: A well-rounded
college experience that
includes an academic
area of study.
State - UC
Typically under
$13,000/year
• Completion of
“a-g” course
requirements
• SAT or ACT
• GPA
• Essay
• Extracurricular
activities
• Letters of
recommendation
• Transcripts
Private:
Typically more
than
$20,000/year
Two Year/Community Colleges
Type
Description
Tuition
Two year
Degrees offered:
Associates
Certificate Programs
Typically around Open-door
$2,000/year
admission policy
Provides: A way to
transition to college/ take
general ed or lower division
classes for college credit.
Admission
Requirements
Placement Exams in
Math and English
Typically have agreements
with four year colleges to
transfer credits.
Offers: Certificate
programs for entry into
specific careers
Cosmetology
Automotive
Technology
Medical Technicians
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
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
•Student’s demonstrated interest
•Personal accomplishments
•Senior year courses and grades
• For a list of 850 test optional colleges and
universities: FAIRTEST.ORG
Course Requirements
University of California (UC)
OR Private College
A. History/Social Science (2 years)**
California State University (CSU)
History/Social Science (2 years)**
World History (or AP World) (1 year)
U.S. History (or AP U.S.) (1 year)
** See graduation requirements
World History (or AP World) (1 year)
U.S. History (or AP U.S.) (1 year)
** See graduation requirements
B. English
College Prep English (4 years)
C. Math (3 years, 4 recommended)
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II (or Honors)
Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB/BC, AP Stats
English
College Prep English (4 years)
Math (3 years, 4 recommended)
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II (or Honors)
Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB/BC, AP Stats
English (4 years)
D. Lab Science (2 years, 3 recom.)
Biology (or Honors)
Chemistry (or Honors)
Physics (or Conceptual Physics)
AP Environmental Science
AP Biology
Lab Science (2 years, 3 recommended)
Biology (or Honors)
Chemistry (or Honors)
Physics (or Conceptual Physics)
AP Environmental Science
AP Biology
Lab Science (2 years)
Earth Science
Biology
E. Foreign Language (2 yrs, 3 recom.)
French
Spanish
*SAT Subject Test, w/required score
Foreign Language (2 years, 3 recom.)
French
Spanish
*SAT Subject Test, w/required score
Foreign Language OR Fine Art (1 year)
F. Visual & Performing Arts (1 year)
Art
Music/Music Appreciation
Drama
Digital Photography/Digital Film
Visual & Performing Arts (1 year)
Art
Music/Appreciation
Drama
Digital Photography/Digital Film
Physical Education (2 years)**
G. College Prep Electives (1 year)
History, English, Foreign Language,
Earth Science, Human Biology, AVID,
Visual or Performing Arts, etc.
College Prep Electives (1 year)
History, English, Foreign Language,
Earth Science, Human Biology, AVID,
Visual or Performing Arts, etc.
Health (1 semester) **
Standards may be covered through Biology
College Entrance Exams (Required)
SAT Reasoning or ACT with writing
3.0 GPA or Higher in A-G courses
College Entrance Exams (Required)
SAT Reasoning or ACT
2.0 GPA ** depending on SAT scores
High School Graduation/Diploma
SAT/ACT not required
Possible Placement exam for Comm. College
NOTE: ALL A - G COURSES MUST HAVE A GRADE OF "C" OR HIGHER!!
Community College, Military, Trade School,
employment (high school graduation)
History/Social Science (3 years )
World History (1 year)
U.S. History (1 year)
American Government/Economics (1 year)
Math (2 years required)
Algebra I - required
Northview High School Courses Meeting
“a-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
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
D. Lab Science - 2 Years Minimum, Recommend 4
Biology or Biology Honors
Chemistry, or Chemistry Honors
Conceptual Physics or Physics
ROP Environmental Science
AP Biology or AP Environmental Science
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
AP Human Geography
Human Biology
AVID Sr. Seminar
Additional Courses from the “a-f” list
Chicano Latin American Literature
Earth Science
NOTE: ALL “a-g” COURSES MUST
HAVE A GRADE OF “C” OR BETTER!!
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
Freshman Admission Information
Calculating Your Grade Point Average (GPA)
All grades earned in the “a–g” approved courses
taken in 10th–12th 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.
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.
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
Scholarships
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
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 government’s
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
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.
Don’t 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.
Don’t overemphasize your own alma maters
9.
Don’t compare your student with others
10. Don’t dwell on disappointments, like a rejection letter
11. Celebrate successes!