HENRY M. GUNN HIGH SCHOOL
Junior
Handbook
2015
Guidance Department
http://gunn.pausd.org/guidance
Phone: 650-354-8212
College & Career Center
http://gunn.pausd.org/college-and-career-center
Phone: 650-354-8219
TABLE of CONTENTS
I. CALENDAR FOR COLLEGE PLANNING ........................................................................................................... 1
Junior Year ................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Senior Year ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
II. COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTING ................................................................................................................... 7
College Entrance Examinations ................................................................................................................................. 7
Reminders About Test Taking .................................................................................................................................... 8
A Guide to the SAT Subject Tests ................................................................................................................................ 9
III. CHOOSING A COLLEGE / COLLEGE RESEARCH (College Characteristics) ....................................................... 10
Academics ................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Resources ................................................................................................................................................................. 12
IV. CALIFORNIA PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS ......................................................................................................... 13
“A-G” Requirements ................................................................................................................................................. 13
UC and CSU Campuses .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Applications to the UC and UC Map .......................................................................................................................... 15
CSU Map ................................................................................................................................................................... 16
California Community College System ..................................................................................................................... 17
Community College Map ......................................................................................................................................... 18
Transferring to a CSU, UC Campus, or Other Four Year Institutions ........................................................................... 19
V. APPLYING TO PRIVATE AND OUT-OF-STATE PUBLIC COLLEGES .................................................................... 20
The Application ....................................................................................................................................................... 20
Letters of Recommendation for Private Colleges and Scholarships .......................................................................... 21
The Essay ................................................................................................................................................................. 22
What Does A Good College Visit Include? ................................................................................................................. 23
Snapshot of the Campus Visit and Interview ........................................................................................................... 23
The Interview .......................................................................................................................................................... 24
VI. WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ENVELOPE OR E-MAIL ARRIVES ........................................................................... 25
What if You Are Admitted? ...................................................................................................................................... 25
The Waiting List ....................................................................................................................................................... 25
What To Do If You Get Denied .................................................................................................................................. 26
The Appeal .............................................................................................................................................................. 26
VII. FINANCIAL AID ................................................................................................................................... 27
Sources and Purposes of Financial Aid ..................................................................................................................... 27
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I. Calendar for College Planning
JUNIOR YEAR
1st & 2nd Semester
★ College & Career Center (C&CC) will host one-to-one meetings with the College & Career Counselor to discuss
"Life After Gunn" options. Parents are welcome to attend. Summer plans will be discussed as well.
2nd Semester
★ Counseling Appointment with Guidance Counselor.
o Discuss high school credits, college and career plans, testing, etc. Recheck 4-Year Plan.
o Register for the Spring SAT and/or SAT Subject and/or the ACT with writing tests. Check Common Application or the
college’s website for what is required.)
 Register online at collegeboard.org and/or ACT.org and watch for deadlines.
 Remember you are responsible for registering (mail, phone or online) on time to the testing service.
★ Start your college search. Read and gather information about your colleges. Attend local college fairs. Visit
college websites and campuses, if possible. Build your list. A college that you would not attend should not
be on your list. C&CC will host “Building Your List” events, Semester 1, and Semester 2.
★ Discuss your list with your counselor and/or the College & Career Center Coordinator, and your family.
★ Choose the appropriate subject tests to take in May or June.
o Carefully check the testing requirements for each school that is on your list.
★ Recommendations: find one or two teachers who are willing to write you a letter and add in an employer rec
if allowed by any colleges to which you apply.
★ Attend special programs by PTSA and District, and Gunn Guidance will present college-based speakers.
(Announced through Family Connection email.)
★ Visit colleges during junior year and on April break. (College visits during junior year have high value.)
★ Look for and apply to internships, jobs, and other programs for summer.
The junior year transcript is most carefully reviewed by colleges! Make it reflect your true abilities!
Summer
★ Check your transcript to see that you meet individual College Admission requirements, and Gunn graduation
requirements.
★ Take a summer course if it is needed.
★ Start your essay writing and get it to a near polished phase.
★ August 1 – Start Common Application and UC Application.
★ Begin your Recommendation Request Form for your counselor/teachers (login to your Family Connection
Account to complete). Be sure your parents know where to go to fill in their piece.
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★ Use your summer to expand yourself.
o The UC application is available online in August. Start filling it out!
o Use time wisely – plan in advance. Save that fun vacation until after graduation.
o Find an educational opportunity to expand a possible major.
o Strengthen skills in athletics, arts, or other activities you may have strong interests in.
o Become a volunteer or attend a summer seminar in something that interests you
o Learn a skill set, and let colleges know.
o Find a paying job to help defray upcoming college expenses
o Travel to a place you have never been, on your own, and do something useful there.
o Take a summer course. (Consult with your guidance counselor before registering. Permission and/ or prior
approval may be needed if you would like to receive credit for a class on your Gunn transcript!)
o Be ready to discuss your summer in detail with your guidance counselor or work it into an essay.
o If appropriate, have someone from summer or event write a letter of recommendation for you.
SENIOR YEAR
★ Senior Conference with Guidance Counselor (September – November) – if ED/EA, let your counselor know in
August!
o Have you started yet?
o Did you send test results to colleges? (ACT, SAT, Subject Tests)
o Where are you going to apply for college admission? (If you need help, see senior workshop dates in C&CC.)
o Review and trim your college list as needed
o Do you have the forms you need, or know how to go online to do them?
o College Application Packet (List all schools you will apply to.)
o College Applications Process (UC and CSU systems, private schools and out of state publics)
o How to get transcripts sent?
Final choices must be made by you and your family. A good decision is a realistic decision. Need help? See the guidance counselors
or folks in C&CC portable.
September
★ College Representative Meetings
o Plan to attend meetings with representatives from colleges of your choice.
o Check the Naviance website for a calendar of all rep visits that will be taking place on site and off campus.
o You must sign up on Family Connection to attend – some have limited seating.
★ Testing (as needed). If necessary, take the September ACT or October, November or December SAT 1 and/or SAT Subject
tests.
★ IMPORTANT: Send official test scores through College Board or ACT. Remember the College Board
(collegeboard.org) and the ACT Program (act.org) are private organizations. It is your responsibility to contact them
with questions and request for scores.
★ Recommendations / Essays
o Recommendations: find one or two teachers who agree and add in an additional rec if appropriate. Your Guidance
Counselor will also write one. Please provide a Rec Request Form to recommenders.
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o Work on the recommendation request form and have your parent/guardian complete their part (and submit in Family
Connection).
o Get help with application essays from English teachers and other Gunn-provided events.
If you have an outstanding school record, high scores and know this is the place you want to attend, then you may apply to one
college for Early Decision or single choice Early Action admission. Applications are due in November. Notification is in
December. Read the rules for early decision/action carefully as some are limiting and others are not. Be sure to get your
college packet to the registrar by the deadline. Make an appointment to see your guidance counselor.
October
★ Send official test scores through College Board (collegeboard.org) or ACT (act.org) as a part of application
requirements.
★ Recheck college admission forms and requirements.
o Get the different parts of the application to those who need to complete them (secondary school report to the registrar,
and teacher recommendation forms to your teachers).
o Forms for your college packet can be found on the guidance page of the Gunn website.
o CSU applications can be submitted in October and November. (If you have a request to submit “early” – in October –
complete your part, let Guidance counselor know of your quarter grades, but our part of the process will be done
later.)
November
★
★
★
★
★
Filing period for the UC and CSU Deadline November 30. Filing early is highly advised.
November is also the early application period for many private schools.
Check with your individual schools for exact dates! (Use Family Connection to assist you.)
Send official test scores through College Board (collegeboard.org) or ACT (act.org) if you have not yet done this.
Start your scholarship hunt – get forms and get working on filling them out.
December
★ Testing: ACT/SAT or SAT Subject tests may still be taken if your college has a later application date.
★ Scholarships: Work on scholarship applications in Family Connection under “colleges” then scholarship lists.
January
★ Financial aid: FAFSA website is www.fafsa.ed.gov Apply early, do not assume you do not qualify for money.
o Make sure your parents complete the FAFSA – it is required by colleges.
o Applying to private school will require the CCS Profile (www.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile). There is a
charge for the Profile.
o Review the acknowledgement that you will receive from College Scholarship Service indicating which colleges and
scholarship programs you want to receive your FAFSA and/or Profile report.
o Many colleges have their own one page financial aid application form. You must fill in the supplement in addition to
the FAFSA and Profile.
o Questions: See Mr. Lang in C&CC.
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February
★ Transcripts with First Semester Senior Grades
o Cal Grant GPA verification form is due by February 25.
o Transcripts are sent to most Common App schools and any other school requesting first semester senior year grades
(use Naviance). Do well on finals!
March
★ Admission Notice: You will begin receiving your letters of admission from colleges. You may hear from these colleges
any time from December to May. Continue to work hard on academics. All college admissions granted during your senior
year are conditional or provisional with the proviso of "satisfactory completion of the senior year."
★ Visits: Plan for Spring Break visiting to make that final decision.
★ Tell your counselor and the College & Career Coordinator the outcome of your applications, i.e. accepted,
denied, wait listed (or never submitted your application.) We are here to help!
April
★ Trouble deciding which yes to accept? See your counselor, the C&CC, or students who are there now.
★ Accept only one. Multiple acceptances are not allowed.
★ Notify the C&CC of all scholarships etc.
★ Visits: Never say yes to a place you have never seen. Visit campus of places you are serious about. Stay overnight and
attend classes.
★ Need help re: Wait List? See your guidance counselor or C&CC staff.
May
★ Keep your grades up. Colleges do send disinvites, and contingency acceptance notes.
★ You are expected to continue to earn grades at the level at which you submitted your application.
★ Be sure your diploma requirements have also been met.
★ Final Step
o You will need to request a final transcript to be sent to the college you will attend through your Naviance account.
o Arrange to have any AP scores you want to use sent directly from ETS to the campus you want to attend.
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II. College Admission Testing
IMPORTANT: CHECK WITH YOUR COLLEGE(S)FOR SPECIFIC TESTING REQUIREMENTS
1. ACT - American College Testing Program
ALL colleges accept the ACT or SAT I. If taking the ACT for entrance, the UCs and some private colleges require the writing
portion as well.
2. PSAT/NMSQT - Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Qualifying Test
The PSAT is the practice test for the SAT. National Merit Scholarship eligibility comes from the PSAT in 11th grade. Read
the report – know what to do with the information.
3. SAT Reasoning Test
Critical Reading, Math (covers concepts through Algebra 2), and writing (includes multiple choice grammar questions and
a student written essay. Test is 3 hours, 45 minutes.
4. SAT Subject Tests
These are one-hour tests measuring knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge in specific subject areas. Up to three
tests can be taken on one test date. The UCs do NOT require subject tests. Some colleges may require two or rarely three.
Check with your colleges to see what their specific requirements are.
5. TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
For FOREIGN BORN students living in the United States LESS THAN FOUR YEARS, you should sign up to take at least one
TOEFL exam. The purpose of this test is to determine your English proficiency since your native language is not English.
The test is administered in one session assessing three areas: listening comprehension, structure and written expression,
and vocabulary and reading comprehension.
Many colleges require TOEFL scores and they also decide what scores are acceptable to their admissions office. The TOEFL
office does not figure in what is an acceptable score. That is left up to the individual colleges. For more information on the
TOEFL, visit www.ets.org/toefl.
6. AP - Advanced Placement Program
These are three-hour examinations based on full-year college level course taken during the school years. Scores range
from 1 through 5, with 5 being the highest. Colleges determine credit to be given to high school students based on scores
of 3, 4 and 5. The AP exams are given in May. AP courses can be used for both college placement and credit.
SAT
ACT
TEST DATES
October 3, 2015
November 7, 2015
December 5, 2015
TEST DATES
April 18, 2015
June 13, 2015
September 12, 2015
October 24, 2015
December 12, 2015
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REMINDERS ABOUT TEST TAKING
Gunn’s code number is 052347
Signing Up: (SAT: collegeboard.org / ACT: act.org)
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Complete a separate registration for each test date. The questionnaire portion is optional.
Always use your LEGAL AND COMPLETE NAME on all forms that you fill out. No nicknames!
Online Registration: Print you admission ticket and take it with you on the test date.
The ACT registration envelope is available in the College & Career Center, or register online at www.act.org
Mark the ACT test date on your calendar. The test begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at noon. Arrive early.
Closing date is the last date to guarantee registration. Forms postmarked after the penalty date require a late fee.
You cannot take both the SAT and the SAT Subject tests on the same date.
Note SAT Subject test dates carefully. SAT Subject tests are not offered on all SAT test dates. Also certain subjects are
only offered in June and December (e.g. World History & Latin)
When to test?
o Allow two test dates for the SAT I or ACT; one in the spring of the junior year and one in the fall of the senior year.
Only one may be necessary if your scores are satisfactory. If taking the ACT, include the writing portion.
o Early Decision/Action applicants should complete SAT I/ ACT and SAT Subject tests spring of 11th grade. Wait to test
for SAT until you get your PSAT data back and see your guidance counselor re: best time to take SAT Subject Tests.
Sending Results
o
o
o
o
You must ask College Board or ACT to send your test scores directly to each college you wish to receive results.
Code numbers of colleges are in the SAT Student Bulletin. You are entitled to four free reports.
The day of the test you can indicate where you want test results sent. (Don’t use “Score Choice.”)
Be sure to print a copy for entry into Naviance and bring to the C&CC: Mr. Lang.
Test Day and After
o Be at the test center before 8:00 a.m. with IDENTIFICATION and REGISTRATION PAPER.
o If you need additional reports, request them online (collegeboard.org). There is a fee for each additional report.
o Keep a copy of all SAT/ACT results – you may need this later.
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A GUIDE to the SAT SUBJECT TESTS
Go to the SAT Subject Test Prep Center @ http://www.collegeboard.org/student/testing/sat/lc_two.html
SAT Subject test booklet @ http://www.collegeboard.org/prod_downloads/sat/sat-subject-test-preparation-booklet.pdf
SUBJECT
ACHIEVEMENT TEST
RECOMMENDED
COURSE OF STUDY
RECOMMENDED
TEST DATES
ENGLISH
Literature
3 1/2 years of high school English terminology of
literary analysis
November -Grade 12
HISTORY
United States History
1 year of high school survey course, preferably Grade 11
World History
French
1 year of European history, 1600 to present other
courses in the history of the Middle East, Latin
America, and Asia helpful and cartoon or two
2 years of high school French, 3 to 4 years
June of Grade 11
October of Grade 12
December or June of Grade 11
German
Modern Hebrew
2 years of high school German; 3-4 years preferable
2 years of intensive study; 3-4 years preferable
June of Grade 11
June of Grade 11
Italian
Latin
2 to 4 years study in high school
2 to 4 years of high school Latin
Spanish
2 years of high school Spanish; 3 to 4 years preferable
December- Grade 11
June of Grade 11
December- Grade 12
June of Grade 11
October or December- Grade 12
LANGUAGES
Reading Only
LANGUAGES
Reading &
Listening
MATHEMATICS
Chinese
French
German
Japanese
Korean
Spanish
Math Level 2
SCIENCE
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
3 years of math, adv. Algebra, plane and solid
geometry, vectors, sequences, functions, limits, logic,
probability
The Biology E/M Test with either ecological (BiologyE) or molecular emphasis (Biology-M) has a common
core of 60 questions followed by 20 questions in each
specialized sections
1 year of college preparatory course (not
introductory); covering molecular theory, matter,
formulae and equations, bonding, various types of
chemical changes.
1 year of college-preparatory course (not
introductory); covering mechanics, electricity,
magnetism, optics, waves, heat, kinetic theory
June of Grade 11
October of Grade 12
June of Grade 11
December- Grade 12
COMMENTS
Review a good Am. History text,
factual questions.
Questions on political, diplomatic,
intellectual, cultural, social &
economic history, graph.
Only superior students should take
the test with 2 year study; 3 to 4
years.
Grammar & Vocabulary are stressed.
Consult instructors before taking test.
Half test takers have studied for 10
years.
Consult instructors.
3-4 years of study; grammar and
forms, prose, poetry and reading.
Only superior students should take
test with 2 years study.
Given only one time per year in
November.
Read the special instructions.
Narrower & deeper than Level I test;
recommended for good students with
3 year of HS math. Requires
calculator.
Take at the end of the year when you
complete the course.
Consult instructor before attempting
test; laboratory experience helpful.
Consult instructor before attempting
test; no calculators or slide rules.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are planning on applying Early Decision/Action, take note of the testing deadlines that individual colleges
may have. Some schools want all SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject, and/or ACT testing done by the spring of your Junior Year. UC’s no
longer require subject tests but certain impacted programs encourage students to submit any scores they have on file.
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III. Choosing a College / College Research
COLLEGE CHARACTERISTICS
ACADEMICS
★ What colleges offer the kind of education or training I am interested in?
★ How academically challenging is the school? Will I be happy with the challenge?
★ Are my GPA and test scores in line with other students from Gunn who were accepted at these colleges? See
information on Family Connection.
Size
Colleges range in size from 150 - 80,000 students. Size does make a difference.
o Will I feel closed in and trapped at a small college?
o Will I welcome the personal, friendly atmosphere a small college affords?
o Will I feel lost and overwhelmed at a large institution?
o Will I feel more independent and free at large university?
o Will I want large or small classes?
Atmosphere / Student Body
Colleges, just like any group working and living together, create their own atmosphere.
o How do students at the university approach responsibility? Is it an academic or less serious mood?
o Is the school single sex or coeducational?
Cost
A major factor to be considered is the cost of attending college. Ask: How much can my family and I afford for an education? The
total cost for a year as computed by the college financial aid office, includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies,
transportation, and personal expenses. While cost is important, don’t limit your choice of colleges to only those you can afford
without financial assistance. Many of the more expensive private schools have solid financial aid programs, which may cover
anywhere from 20% to the full cost, depending on your need. All college sites have a net calculator so you can estimate the
price tag. You may also contact financial aid officials at a college to get more information.
Location of the College
The decision of a location and campus setting for your college should ultimately include those schools where you would be
most comfortable living for the next two or four years of your life.
o Do I want to go away to college?
o How far away?
o Do I want independence or would I like to stay closer to my family?
o How expensive will my travel costs be?
o How important is the climate and the weather?
o Do I want to live in a big city or in a more rural setting?
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Social Structure and Campus Lifestyle
What are the types of dorms? (Coed, shared facilities, student-controlled, etc.)
o Are housing accommodations readily available on or near campus?
o Are there sororities and fraternities?
o What is the weekend social life like, both on and off campus?
o What are the extracurricular opportunities?
o Are the athletic facilities important to me?
Steps You Can Take to Help Make Decisions
1. Talk to your parents, your teachers, and your friends. Meet with your Guidance Counselor to review your choices.
2. Look at college viewbooks, catalogs and handbooks in the CC&C, or go online.
3. Use Family Connection to create lists and visit college websites. Check requirements for admission (grades, courses, college
entrance tests). Do in June after the group of seniors have had their data entered.
4. Visit the college website and look at courses offered in your major or area of interest.
5. Investigate the costs of attending the colleges. Find out about financial aid, part-time work, loans, scholarships, etc., if you
will need financial help to go to college. Check out the Gunn scholarship database. Talk with Mr. Lang.
6. Attend college representative meetings in the C&CC. Dates are published on the C&CC events calendar. Reminder emails in
Family Connection about these visits will be sent if you have a particular college on your list in Family Connection.
7. Visit as many campuses as possible. Colleges are happy to make arrangements for such visits. Students may be excused for
a maximum of five school days per year for college visits as long as the permission forms are submitted in advance.
Remember that these visits should not affect the satisfactory completion of your senior year courses or jeopardize your
offer of admission.
To how many schools should I apply? How selective should the colleges be?
Do not use the “shotgun approach” of applying to a multitude of schools. College applications are very time- consuming. It is
impossible to apply to numerous colleges and to do a good job on each application. A college admissions officer looks for clues to
indicate that an applicant really wants to go to his/her particular college. In addition, applications are very expensive, including not
only each college’s application fee, but also all the costs of testing, sending score reports, transcript fees, mailing, etc.
It is important that, regardless of your academic ability, you do not “put all your eggs into one basket” by applying to only one
institution or to one competitive level of college. As a general rule, students should apply to six to ten schools (all the UCs can be
counted as one as can all of the CSUs) that vary in terms of selectivity but each has the most important features desired by the student.
While there are no hard and fast rules, students should choose two or three schools from each of Groups “reach” and “target”
and at least two schools from Group “safe”:
o Reach Schools – Schools which might be difficult, but possible, for you to gain admission. (Think at least 20% chance.)
o Target Schools – Schools you believe you will have a good chance of acceptance. (Less than 25% chance they say no.)
o Safety Schools – Schools you believe will, without question, gain you admission. (UC is not a safety.)
Schools that qualify as “reach,” “target,” and “safe” vary greatly from student to student. Each applicant has an individual
academic profile and should select colleges accordingly, making sure that there are choices in all three groups. Family Connection is
an extremely helpful tool to use historical data to evaluate whether a school can be considered a reach, target or safety.
Should I apply early?
Apply under an "Early Decision" program only if you are absolutely certain you wish to go to that college. If you are accepted
you must withdraw all applications to other colleges and you will be unable to compare financial aid offers from other schools.
"Early Action" programs may or may not allow you to apply early action to other colleges. They generally do allow you to defer
your final decision until May 1. In recent years some colleges have added additional requirements and recommendations to
their early programs. Check the specific instructions for any college to which you may apply early.
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RESOURCES
★ Universities (4 year colleges)
o UC campus info and application: www.universityofcalifornia.edu
o CSU campus info and application: www.csumentor.edu
o California Private Universities/Colleges: www.aiccu.org
o Private Universities/Colleges: www.commonapp.org ; www.center for collegeaffordability.org
o Research through Family Connection: https://connection.Family Connection.com/fc/signin.php?hsid=hmghs
o Graduation Rates for Colleges: www.collegeresults.org
o Student Experiences: www.unigo.com; www.collegeprowler.com
o Student Engagement Data: www.collegeportraits.org
★ Financial Aid and Scholarships
o Financial Aid/FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov
o Scholarships: www.fastweb.com
o HS Guidance office, the College or University’s Financial Aid Office
o EFC Calculators: www.bigfuture.org
o www.finaid.org
★ College Entrance Tests
o SAT info/ registration: www.collegeboard.org
o ACT registration: www.act.org
o Colleges that do not require SAT/ACT to get admitted: www.fairtest.org
★ Community College Transfer Information
o Assist (community college course lists): www.assist.org
★ College Athletics
o NCAA Clearinghouse-Student Athlete: www.ncaa.org
o www.berecruited.com
★ AP Information
o Over 1000 Universities give details on their AP credit policy: http://collegesearch.collegeboard.org/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp
★ College Majors & Career Information
o Occupation Search: www.bls.gov/oco/
o Apprenticeships: www.calapprenticeship.org
o Career Training Programs and AA degrees from local Community Colleges http://www.evc.edu/pdf/CareerTraining.pdf
o Research through Family Connection Family Connection: https://connection.Family Connection.com/fc/signin.php?hsid=hmghs
o Explore majors: http://www2.assist.org/browseAreas.do
o Explore majors: http://www.princetonreview.com/majors
o www.careersandcolleges.com
o www.acuinfo.com
★ Recommended Reading
o Admission Matters by Sally Springer / Jon Reider
o College Admission by Robin Mamlet / Christine Vandevelde
o Choosing the Right College
o Design Intelligence (see website)
o The Collegefinder / Antonoff
o The College Solution / O’Shaughnessy
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IV. California Public Institutions
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (UC)
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES (CSU)
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Selection: Top 12.5% of high school graduates.
Others admitted using different criteria.
Selection: Top 33% of high school graduates.
Selection: All high school graduates; adults
18 years of age or older.
Programs: Undergraduate and graduate degree
programs.
Programs: Undergraduate and graduate
degree programs.
Programs: Two-year associate degree
programs; vocational programs; certificate
programs; transfer opportunities to UC or CSU
campuses.
Students: Over 220,000
Students: 450,000
Students: Over 2.6 million
Campuses: 10
Campuses: 23
Campuses: 110
Estimated Costs: $14,000 for fees; $13,225 for
room and board; and $1700 for books and
supplies.
Entrance Requirements: Top 12.5% of high
school graduates statewide or other criteria; 15
prescribed courses, and appropriate admission
tests.
Estimated Costs: $7,000 for fees; $9382 for
room and board; $1552 for books and supplies.
Estimated Costs: About $1,000 for fees;
$1350 for books & supplies.
Entrance Requirements: Top third of high
school graduates statewide; 15 prescribed
courses and appropriate admission tests.
Entrance Requirements: Open to all
California residents 18 years or older including
those without a high school.
“ a-g ” SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS*
California State University (CSU)
University of California (UC)
a HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE
Two years of history/social science, including one year of U.S. history or one semester of U.S. history and one semester of American Government and
For CSU Two semesters of history/social studies from either the “a” or “g”
For UC two semesters of world history, cultures and
subject areas.
geography from the “a” subject area
b ENGLISH: Four years English, which can include not more than one year of ESL/ELD courses.
c MATHEMATICS: Three years math (algebra I and II, geometry); four years recommended.
d LABORATORY SCIENCE: Two years laboratory science including
For CSU one year of physical science and one year of biological science, one For UC at least two of three core disciplines of biology chemistry, and
of which must be from the “d” Subject area with the other from either “d”
physics; both from the “d” subject area. Three years recommended.
or “g”.
e LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH
Two years of language other than English. Must be the same language.
For UC three years recommended
f VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
One year visual and performing arts. Students must complete a single year-long course selected from the disciplines of dance, drama/theater, music
or visual arts.
g COLLEGE PREPATORY ELECTIVE
One year elective chosen from any of the areas on the approved “a-g” course list, excluding those designated as non-elective (lower-level
mathematics, language other than English, and visual and performing arts).
For CSU (traditionally accepted agricultural courses that are not on the “a-g” list will be considered on a course-by-course basis.
* A unit is equal to one year or two semesters. Freshman applicants must complete the same pattern of 15 units of required courses. Get a list of your school’s “a-g”
courses from www.ucop.edu/doorway / or from your counselor.
TIP: Create your own personal account at www.californiacolleges.edu and enter your classes into the Freshman Planner. Then match them with the
colleges that interest you. You can also visit www.csumentor.edu for detailed CSU requirements and www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions for
detailed UC requirements.
13
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA and
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission
Code
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
College
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UCLA
UC Merced
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC San Francisco
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
Phone
(510) 642-3175
(530) 752-2971
(949) 824-6703
(310) 825-3101
(559) 241-7474
(951) 827-4531
(858) 534-4831
(415) 476-8280
(805) 893-2585
(831) 459-4008
URL
www.admissions.berkeley.edu
www.whyucdavis.edu
www.admissions.uci.edu
www.admissions.ucla.edu
www.admissions.ucmerced.edu
www.futurestudents.ucr.edu
www.admissions.ucsd.edu
www.oar@saa.ucsf.edu
www.admissions.ucsb.edu
www.admissions.ucsc.edu
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY www.csumentor.edu
Code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
College
CSU Bakersfield
CSU Channel Islands
CSU Chico
CSU Dominquez Hills
CSU Fresno
CSU Fullerton
CSU East Bay
Humboldt State Univ
CSU Long Beach
CSU Los Angeles
California Maritime Acad
CSU Monterey Bay
CSU Northridge
Cal Poly Pomona
CSU Sacramento
CSU San Bernardino
San Diego State
San Francisco State
San Jose State
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
CSU San Marcos
Sonoma State
CSU Stanislaus
Phone
(661) 664-3036
(805) 437-8500
(800) 542-4426
(310) 243-3645
(559) 278-2048
(714) 278-2300
(510) 885-3000
(707) 826-3011
(562) 985-5471
(323) 343-3901
(800) 561-1945
(831) 582-5100
(818) 677-3700
(909) 869-3210
(916) 278-3901
(909) 880-5188
(619) 594-5000
(415) 338-1113
(408) 924-1000
(805) 756-1111
(760) 750-4848
(707) 664-2800
(209) 667-3070
14
URL
admissions@csub.edu
prospectivestudent@csuci.edu
info@csuchico.edu
finaid@csudh.edu
www.csufresno.edu
admissions@fullerton.edu
adminfo@csuhayward.edu
hsuinfo@humbolt.edu
www.csulb.edu
admission@calstatela.edu
admission@csum.edu
admissions@csumb.edu
admissions.records@csun.edu
finaid@csupomona.edu
outreach@csus.edu
moreinfo@mail.csub.edu
admissions@sdsu.edu
ugadmit@sfsu.edu
contact@sjsu.edu
admissions@calpoly.edu
apply@csusm.edu
student.outreach@sonoma.edu
outreach_help_Desk@stan.csustan.edu
APPLICATIONS to the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Database Opens: August 1 Submit: November 1-30
The application, including an item to check if you are interested in financial aid and scholarships, will be available at UC’s
website, www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions in the fall. Students seeking admission as undergraduates to any of the nine
general campuses of the University of California will be able to have their applications considered simultaneously at more than one
campus. Each student will submit one application to the University of California indicating the campus or campuses at which he
or she wishes to be considered and paying a fee for each campus. The applications will then be sent to the appropriate campuses.
Students may have their applications considered at as many campuses as they wish. The open filing period for applications is from
November 1 to November 30. FILE YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DURING THE OPEN FILING PERIOD. The system is
always overloaded during the last few days of November. Be sure to complete SAT or ACT with Writing and SAT Subject Tests
by the December test date and send scores. No recommendation or official transcripts are required.
Locations
★ Undergraduate Campuses: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa
Cruz. (UC San Francisco is devoted to the health sciences and is not open to freshmen.)
★ Web Addresses:
UC Berkeley: www.berkeley.edu
UC Davis: www.ucdavis.edu
UC Irvine: www.uci.edu
UC Los Angeles: www.ucla.edu
UC Merced: www.ucmerced.edu
UC Riverside: www.ucr.edu
UC San Diego: www.ucsd.edu
UC Santa Barbara: www.ucsb.edu
UC Santa Cruz: www.ucsc.edu
15
16
THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM*
The California Community College System is the largest system of higher education in the world serving 2.6 million students on
110 campuses throughout California. Community colleges offer a smooth transition to a four-year institution. Sixty percent
of students who received their bachelor’s degree at a California State University and thirty percent of students
who graduated from a UC school started their education at a California Community College. Eighty percent of the
students who attend a community college also work at the same time. Fees are a bargain at about $30/unit.
Most community college campuses, like four-year institutions provide a large variety of services to assist students in pursuing
their educational and career goals. Such services include: academic advising; disabled student services; honors programs;
learning and tutoring programs; scholarships; child care and career center.
For many students, the community college offers a quality lower-division academic or vocational college education at a value
prices while living at home. Programs include:
o Associate degree programs in arts and sciences (lower division requirements)
o Certificate programs in arts, sciences, technical and occupational fields such as health, business and finance,
electronics, computer sciences, agriculture, police and fire science, food science, and building and landscaping trades
o Credit and non-credit classes
o English training
o Citizenship classes
o Remedial or “catch up “classes
From a consumer’s standpoint, students would be well advised to see if programs are offered at community
colleges before enrolling in a costly two-year private technical or occupational school.
There are five ways to be eligible to attend a community college:
1. GED or diploma or eighteen years of age.
OR
2. Apply.
OR
3. Take Math/English Test.
OR
4. See counselor at that site for two-year plan implementation.
You will be tracked more closely. You can be dropped if you fail classes more than once.
* © 2009 Getting Ready for Life After High School
17
18
18
TRANSFERRING to a CSU, UC CAMPUS,
or OTHER FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS*
Each year thousands of students transfer to four-year institutions from California Community Colleges. It is extremely
important for students who are considering transferring to a CSU, UC, or other four-year institutions to work closely with their
community college counselors at the time of admission to discuss this goal. If you know the specific campus or major you want
to target, you will be more successful in transferring courses. Students should balance their course load by taking both general
education courses and lower division courses in their proposed major. In addition, many community colleges offer written
transfer guarantee programs for specific universities.
You should also refer to the college catalog of the institution you wish to attend to double-check transfer requirements. A tool
which you are strongly advised to use is ASSIST. It is a web-based student transfer information system where you can
explore transfer information for California public two-year and four-year institutions (www.assist.org). All of these resources
will ensure that classes you might take will be transferable.
To transfer from a California Community College to a CSU campus, admission officers look at several factors:
o High school requirements (courses which you took in high school, grades, test scores, if you are a high school graduate).
o A minimum college GPA of 2.0. Some high-demand majors and campuses may require a higher GPA (for example, all
majors at CSU, San Luis Obispo and most majors at San Diego State are impacted or overcrowded as is a major in
architecture at Cal Poly, Pomona).
o Whether or not you are in “good standing” at you last college (eligible to re-enroll).
Some CSU campuses also require you to complete certain English composition and mathematics courses with a grade of “C” or higher.
The CSU system recommends that if you are a lower-division student and do not meet the eligibility index from high school,
you can enroll at a California Community College and complete 60 or more transferable semester units before attempting to
transfer. Each year, over 80,000 students transfer to CSU campuses from California Community Colleges.
The University of California gives California Community College students first priority to transfer over all other
transfer over all other transfer applicants. More that 90% of transfer students offered admission are California
Community College students. In 2007, 84% of all California Community College applicants were admitted. About one-third of
all UC bachelor’s degrees are awarded to students who start at a community college. Two-thirds of all students who transfer
from a California Community College graduate from a UC campus within three years. Academically, community college transfer
students perform equally as well as students who started at a UC campus as a freshman.
Since UC admits a limited number of transfer student each year (about 16,500 students from California Community Colleges),
this means that most community college students should complete 60 semester units prior to transferring. Initially, transfer
students are evaluated to see if they meet minimum eligibility requirements (minimum GPA of 2.4 in transferable courses).
Then, if a campus or program has more applicants than they can admit, a comprehensive review is made for a prospective
student. Factors which are considered in this review process include:
o Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that meet breadth/general education requirements.
o Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that provide continuity with upper division courses in the
student’s major.
o Grade point average in all transferable courses.
o Participation in academically selective honors courses or programs.
o Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, special skills, special interests, demonstrated
leadership, significant participation in community service or student government, and significant life experiences.
o Completion of college special projects.
o Academic accomplishments in light of life experiences.
o Location of the student’s college and residence.
Students who wish to transfer to other four-year institutions should consult the respective college catalogs and
talk to admission officers about specific requirements.
* © 2009 Getting Ready for Life After High School
19
V. Applying to Private and Out of State Colleges
THE APPLICATION
The Application
★ For Public Out-of-State Institutions
o Standard biographical information supplied by the applicant
o SAT I or ACT and/or SAT Subject test scores, sent at your request, directly to the admissions office from the testing
service
o Transcripts of grades and credits earned, sent at your request, directly to the admissions office from Gunn's Registrar
(see the College Packet)
o Record of extracurricular activities and honors
o Request for non-refundable application fee
★ For Private Colleges and Universities: The Common Application is used by most.
o Standard biographical information supplied by the applicant
o SAT I, ACT and/or SAT Subject test scores, sent at your request, directly to the admissions office from the testing
service
o Transcripts of grades and credits earned, sent at your request directly to the admissions office from Gunn's Registrar
(see the College Packet)
o If a letter of recommendation is required from your counselor, the transcript is included with it (College Packet)
o Record of your extracurricular activities and honors
o Letters of recommendation from two teachers sent directly to the college
o Your essay
o Request for non-refundable application fee
o Supplementary materials may be required (portfolio, tape, audition, letters or phone calls from coaches, etc.)
★ Your application will not be considered until the college has received all items requested. The student, not
the parent or friends or counselor, is responsible to initiate and complete applications belongs to the student.
Hints in Completing the College Application
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Read the application carefully. Follow directions and make sure to answer the questions asked.
Answer truthfully and concisely. Be prepared to verify anything you write in your application.
Explain any acronyms or duties that are not self-explanatory.
Prioritize your applications.
Do a rough draft of essay questions before the polish and type phase. (See “Sole Authorship” next page)
Submit the application online.
For online applications, be sure to get a verification of receipt.
20
Sole Authorship
(Excerpt from Randy Giarraputo, Director of College Guidance at Metairie Park Country Day School and Peter Caruso, Associate
Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Boston College.)
“The college admission’s process has recently been barraged with cottage industries to ‘help’ students through the process. Some of
these are legitimate and do serve a purpose for counselors who are asked to advise more and more students or students who don’t
have access to a college counselor. Others border on the unethical and are scams. One area of concern to all of us is ‘sole authorship’
of the application and essay.
In the Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities published by NACAC, students are told, ‘When you apply to colleges
and universities you have responsibilities…As You Apply…You should be the sole author of your application.’ (II.B.1.) And in
The Statement of Principles of Good Practice a statement that ‘counselors will encourage students to be the sole authors of
their applications and essays and will counsel against inappropriate assistance on the part of others’ (II.B.9.) What is
appropriate and what is not appropriate? This is difficult to define. Easily having someone else write any or all of your essay or
application is inappropriate. But, how about the teacher or counselor evaluating an essay and discussing it with the student?
How about having someone type your application or essay?
In secondary schools it is a regular occurrence to have a teacher read over the student work (essays, reports, papers, etc.) in
draft form for input. The student then rewrites the draft using these suggestions and hands it in for a grade. This is no different
than a college student going to the writing center or professor for help. The problem arises when this input is in the form of rewriting all or part of the student work.” Be sure you, the student, are the sole author of your essay(s)!
LETTERS of RECOMMENDATION for
PRIVATE COLLEGES / SCHOLARSHIPS
Many private colleges and scholarship organizations require recommendations from teachers or a school report from your
counselor. Good, well-written recommendations describing your strengths - and weaknesses - are of great help in supporting
your application. Gunn teachers and counselors pride themselves in helping with a student's transition from high school to
college by providing thoughtful and informative recommendations. Asking teachers early is a good plan. They may have a
limit to the number of students they can write for.
The Recommendation Request Form must be completed online when a letter of recommendation is requested. Take time to
carefully fill in the details and answer questions. Have a parent/relative fill in the appropriate brag sheet information online.
MANY COLLEGE APPLICATIONS NOW ASK THE STUDENT AND COUNSELOR WHETHER THE APPLICANT HAS EVER BEEN
SUSPENDED OR TAKEN AN EXTENDED LEAVE. IF THE STUDENT OR WE ARE ASKED SPECIFICALLY, ALL WILL RESPOND
TRUTHFULLY.
Select your recommenders well in advance of the deadline, and choose people who can be counted on to write an intelligent,
detailed, very positive letter, and get it done on time. It's usually better to choose a current reference than one from someone
who knew you in the ninth grade, and it's much better to get a recommender who can testify to your fitness for the area of
contribution you've selected. If you're highlighting your talent as a musician, a music teacher should attest to the quality of
your playing.
Gunn teachers have accepted the task of writing recommendations as part of their professional responsibilities. But you as a
student should remember that a teacher's writing for you should result not only from professional responsibility but from a
close knowledge of you and an appreciation of your strengths. Some teachers prefer not to write if they have not had a student
21
in class a full semester or a year. If a teacher prefers not to write for you and tells you so, give thanks! That teacher has spared
you a weak recommendation that could jeopardize your chances in the college admission process.
It takes considerable time to write a recommendation. The person who writes for you has taken a personal interest in you and
in the success of your applications. When you hear from colleges, be sure to tell the teacher and the counselor where you were
accepted and where you will go to college.
THE ESSAY
When You Write Your Essay
★ Do write lean! A cardinal rule put forth by former Cornell University professor William Strunk, Jr., is for the writer to omit
needless words. Strunk, with noted author E.B. White, wrote The Elements of Style, a concise and practical "carry along"
handbook on the art of writing. The two men believe that "vigorous writing is concise… A sentence should contain no
unnecessary words, and paragraph no unnecessary sentences for the same reason that a drawing should have no
unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts."
★ Do start early. Leave plenty of time to revise, reword, and rewrite. You can improve on your essay.
★ Do read the directions carefully. You need to answer the question as directly as possible, and you'll want to follow
word limits exactly. Express yourself as briefly and as clearly as you can.
★ Do focus on an aspect of yourself that will show your best side. You might have overcome some adversity, worked
through a difficult project, or profited from a specific incident. A narrow focus is more interesting than are broad-based
generalizations.
★ Do feel comfortable in expressing anxieties. Everybody has them, and it's good to know that an applicant can see them
and face them.
★ Do write about your greatest assets and achievements. You should be proud of them! But…
★ Don't repeat information given elsewhere on your application. The committee has already seen it - and it looks as
though you have nothing better to say.
★ Don't write on general, impersonal topics.
★ Don't sacrifice the essay to excuse your shortcomings.
★ Don't use clichés.
★ Don't worry about trying to come across as an extremist. Don't force being overly witty, opinionated, or an
intellectual.
★ Always reread before you hit the “send” button.
Remember:
1. A "gimmick" essay rarely goes anywhere. The committee may be amused, but unimpressed with your candidacy.
2. Write a serious essay, from the bottom of your heart, in the most mature manner possible.
3. A college is interested in getting more information about you! This is NOT the place for a creative writing piece of fiction.
Think more in terms of autobiography style. Only two pages, double spaces are allowed. They will not send a third page
with all your additional accomplishments.
4. Read the supplemental letter request and answer that question. This is not the time for a rehash essay.
22
WHAT DOES A GOOD COLLEGE VISIT INCLUDE?
Most importantly, a productive visit depends upon your being able to schedule enough time to absorb something of each
campus, especially if you are travelling a great distance. Be sure to contact the Admissions office in advance to make these
arrangements. The ingredients of a successful visit include the following:
o A personal interview (when allowed)
o A visit to at least one class in an academic area of interest
o A conversation with a professor in that area – must plan in advance
o At least one meal in a campus dining hall or an overnight stay at a dormitory – must plan in advance
o A thorough study of college information
o Reading a recent copy of the student paper
o Plenty of free time to stroll the campus, observe all ongoing activities, and talk with random students
SNAPSHOT of the CAMPUS VISIT and INTERVIEW
When you call to request information and an appointment, you will be able to do the following:
1. Learn if the day and time you would like to visit are convenient.
If you have scheduled an interview, ask for a written confirmation of your appointment day and time.
2. Find out if a separate reservation is needed for a campus tour.
If it is, be sure you know when the tour begins and if your name is included on the list.
3. Have information about the college mailed to you in advance of the trip – use Naviance to do this.
You will use this (along with any other information you may have put together) to make a list of important points you
wish to convey about yourself and questions you would like to ask the people you meet at the institution.
4. Ask if you need to bring anything with you.
Some interviewers would like you to bring a resume or unofficial copy of your high school transcript and test scores.
5. Find out what special accommodations might be available.
Such as dining hall meal tickets, and overnight dormitory facilities. If the school does not provide dorm space, ask about
other overnight accommodations.
6. Ask about driving distances and times between your home, the college, and other institutions that
may be one your tour.
You might also ask what attractions may be worth seeing while you are in the area. Sometimes, other attractions give
younger members of the family something to do while you are scrutinizing the college.
A successful campus visit and interview requires a great deal of advance planning. You need enough time to visit each college
and make certain that a personal appointment will be available to you when at each college. Generally two per day is enough.
If you do not think you will be able to make it to a campus for an interview, contact the admissions office to see if they offer
alumni or officer interviews locally.
23
THE INTERVIEW
Where and When to Interview
If the website "suggests" or "recommends" an interview, then the statement should be taken seriously, and every effort should
be made to comply. If it's "optional" then you have a choice to make. It is very important to interview at "reach" schools. It’s
important, but not as important, as "target school", and much less important as a "safety school." Be sure to find out where to
meet and dress accordingly. Know how long the appointment will be.
When You Interview……
★ Do go prepared! You need to do plenty of advance study on yourself and the college! "Lack of preparation" is the
number 1 complaint of college admission counselors. Be prepared to discuss intelligently exactly why you are serious
about the school. Always state multiple reasons for wanting to attend.
★ Do take an unofficial copy of your transcript along. Don't present the document unless the interviewer asks for it.
★ Don't slouch in your chair, and don't fidget. Eye contact is important. Grooming is relevant.
★ Do take your lead from your interviewer, who might open the session with any number of questions, including some
that are rather audacious: "Tell me about yourself!" "Why do you want to go to college?" "What do you expect to be
doing ten years from now?" "Let's hear about your most valuable experience?" "What do you think about ……. (a
current issue)?” "What are your strengths? Weaknesses?" "How would your friends describe you?"
★ Don't give one-word answers to a question. Give complete responses. Be as concise as possible when the
interviewer is simply trying to clarify a point. The dialogue should flow naturally. The best interviews are really just
conversations.
★ Do open up, pose questions, and do a fair amount of talking.
★ Do be genuinely enthusiastic about particular activities, but beware of a bragging tone.
★ Don't come on too strong or appear overanxious to impress. Practice an interview with an adult. Ask them for
feedback on how you presented yourself.
Need help? Sign up for a practice interview in C&CC. See Mrs. Kirsch’s door for a sign-up sheet with dates and time. If you
need to interview for a job, scholarship, or internship – that is fine too. Make a note on the sign-in sheet.
24
VI. What to Do When the Envelope/Email Arrives
WHAT IF YOU ARE ADMITTED?
Even if you've been accepted at your first choice it is worth a visit to a few other institutions that said yes to you. Before
committing the thousands of dollars and four years, you owe yourself a visit to the prime competitors. That visit might help
you see some things you missed that may be significant enough to change your mind.
Another reason is money. One or more of the colleges that accepted you may be willing to offer you a scholarship or better
financial aid package, guaranteed housing, even a no-closeout guarantee when registering for classes. You may need to ask for
these items. Colleges will make such amenities available to entice students who might choose another college. Your chances
are best if your grades and SAT scores are well above the average student's at the college.
Let your counselor know what is happening with your college choosing. If you know that you will not be attending a college,
please let them know so that your seat can be released.
THE WAITING LIST
What is an "alternate"? What is the "waiting list"? It means that your application received strong enough support from
the Admission Committee to be approved for admission. However, the school's size prevents the colleges from admitting all
such students. As an "alternate" to the class, you are given the opportunity to be placed on the "waiting list".
What are your chances of being admitted from the waiting list? This is hard to predict. Different schools have different
records for the last three or four years. They will not know about spaces availability for alternates until after the first week in
May when the accepted students notify them of their decisions.
Is it fair to accept an offer of admission from another school while waiting to hear from this school? What about
other waiting lists? Certainly. All schools expect students to commit to one (and only one) school by May 1. However,
students may remain on any schools' waiting lists throughout the summer. The only rule is that you must withdraw your
admission from a school once you accept another school's offer (i.e. commit to only one school at a time).
Are financial aid opportunities different for those students admitted from the waiting list? Need based financial aid is
guaranteed for all students who qualify, if all appropriate forms have been filed on time. However, merit-based scholarships
are usually not available to students accepted from the waiting list.
Is housing guaranteed? Students offered admission from the waiting list might be wait-listed for on-campus housing.
What can I do to increase my chances of admission? Let your counselor know! Send the appropriate reply (via the
method they request) when you are sure that you would like to accept a place on the waiting list. If you would like to add
anything else to your file informing the school of your accomplishments or interest in college, mail those in promptly. Check
with your counselor about sending third quarter grades, or other supplemental information. In the same vein, if you have no
interest in attending that college, please let the college know immediately.
25
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET DENIED?
It's hard to deal with a rejection from your first-choice college, but hopefully your list had many other sites that will work well
for you. Consult with your guidance counselor or the CC&C. Remember: Rejection does not automatically mean you were not
good enough. There are many reasons the seat was not given to you.
THE APPEAL
If you decide you simply must try an appeal, contact the college for advice. The number of College applications have increased
over the past few years. Seats have not risen to meet demand. Even our public college system is feeling the impact and some
have wait lists. In private colleges, admissions decisions are often based on hard-to-change factors: the college must have a
diver or an oboist, it is obligated to big donors, etc. Schools take a minimal number of students on appeal. You must show that
something significant was missed or was in error. If nothing has changed, students usually do not have grounds for an appeal.
Bottom line: Think carefully about keeping your hopes pinned on one school.
26
VII. Financial Aid
SOURCES and PURPOSES of FINANCIAL AID
Financial Aid is available from both the federal and state government and may be supplemented by colleges or universities that
have the resources to do so. Mr. Lang, the College and Career Specialist, is available to answer many of your questions relating
to financial aid.
FAFSA
Families are required to complete a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to demonstrate need and establish
eligibility for aid. All two and four year colleges, public and private require the FAFSA. The FAFSA is also required for
families applying for some of the federal loan programs.
The FAFSA is also available on the web. Both the student and the parent need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to
electronically sign the FAFSA. Having a PIN enables the student or the parent(s) to access their application at any time. This is
true also if the FAFSA was submitted in paper form. Students and parents need separate PINs. You can apply for a PIN today by
visiting www.pin.ed.gov.
GPA Verification Form
The California Student Aid Commission uses the information provided on the FAFSA and the Cal Grant GPA
Verification Form. The College and Career Center will submit Cal Grant GPAs electronically by uploading the GPAs directly to
the California Student Aid Commission’s system. Gunn will submit your GPA electronically to the Commission by the March 2
filing deadline. Students that receive a Cal Grant as a freshman in college will have to return to Gunn to have their GPA
submitted for the following year.
CSS / Financial Aid Profile
Many private colleges and universities use the information collected from a form called the CSS/Financial Aid Profile in addition
to the FAFSA. Some private colleges have their own form in place of the PROFILE. Follow the directions colleges send with
their application materials to be certain you meet their specific requirements and due dates. The PROFILE can be
completed online or in paper form. There is a registration fee for customizing the Profile Application. There is a charge for each
school or program to which information is sent. There are fee waivers available for students with very low income. PROFILE
registration guides are available from the C&CC. The website is www.collegeboard.org
Important Dates
★
★
★
★
★
January 1: FAFSA is available on the web
January 2: Application processing system starts up
March 2: California Grant application deadline (turn in by February 25)
March 2: FAFSA Priority Filing Deadline
June 30: FAFSA deadline
Check with each college or university about that institution’s form deadline.
27
Scholarships
A scholarship listing is compiled and updated weekly to assist students and their parents who are looking for scholarships. The
list is drawn from the scholarships that come through the College Center. Be sure to check your Family Connection account for
the latest available scholarships.
Scholarship applications are filed by due date from your Family Connection under the Scholarship list.
There are several community and school scholarships whose sponsors have asked the Gunn Scholarship Committee to nominate
and /or select students to receive the awards. In many instances, the benefactors ask that the scholarship be given to students
with financial need.
Because the Scholarship Committee doesn’t know student needs, students who wish to be considered for need-based or merit
awards need to let Mr. Lang know by visiting the C&CC.
Student’s interested in applying for the Gunn Foundation Scholarship must complete a Gunn Community Scholarship
Application. Filling out this application is essential if you wish to be considered. The deadline for the application is
usually during the first week in March.
The Gunn Community Scholarship Application form is also available on the Family Connection’s webpage and copies are
available on Gunn’s Foundation websites. The financial information required on this application will, of course, be kept
confidential. The maximum income for a student to be considered eligible for a Gunn Foundation scholarship is around
$90,000. Should your income exceed this amount, feel free to apply, but be sure to explain your circumstances.
We also recommend that students let their counselors, teachers or the CC&C know that they are looking for scholarships. In this
way, we are able to alert those students of special scholarship opportunities. Knowing which students need financial aid is also
helpful when we are called upon to make nominations for scholarships.
Many of you may be receiving mail solicitations from scholarship services. In the past these services have not been worthwhile
and are not recommended. If you have questions about the validity of a scholarship or a Financial Aid program you can call the
Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357 or visit their website: www.ftc.gov
Most of the information they offer can be found on scholarship search programs in the internet. A good web-based search
engine for scholarships is www.fastweb.com.
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