Power point available at www.marinavikings.org
Counselor Corner

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PSAT Score Interpretation
SAT and ACT comparison
College Readiness and EAP
Testing Timelines
Community College
CSU/UC Admission Requirements
Private School Admissions
Financial Aid Overview
NCAA

Your Speaker today is:
Racquel Reber
Director of Outreach
You can reach me at:
949-836-5539
Racquel.reber@review.com
Or visit us at
PrincetonReview.com.

 The PSAT
 National Merit/Merit-
Based Aid
 Improving Test Scores
 Testing in College
Admissions
 Your Testing Timeline
 Q&A

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It’s a predictor of how you will do on the SAT.
It’s good practice for the “experience” of taking standardized exams
It determines your eligibility for a National
Merit Scholarship
At some high schools, your junior year PSAT score goes on your transcript

Your Scores
The PSAT has 3 sections: Critical
Reading, Math, and Writing. Each section is scored on a 20-80 scale.
An average score in each section is
50.
Selection Index
The sum of all three scores. (158)
Get an estimate of your SAT score by adding a zero to your selection index number. (1580)

Major differences between PSAT and SAT o SAT is much longer and requires more endurance – takes almost 4 hours o SAT has harder math than the PSAT o SAT has a mandatory essay included in the
Writing Skills section

Your Scores
Score
You can see your projected SAT score online in My College
QuickStart
(www.collegeboard.com/quickstart).
Score Range
Percentile
If you are a junior, your scores are compared to those of other juniors.
If you are a sophomore or younger student, your scores are compared to those of sophomores.

Section Math
Score Range 20 – 80
Avg Jr Score 47.6
Avg Jr Score (CA) 48.4
Avg Jr Score (NY) 46.4
Avg Soph Score 42.6
Critical
Reading
20 – 80
48.3
47.3
45.2
43.5
Writing
20 – 80
45.6
46.1
42.9
41.2
• California National Merit Qualifying Score: 223
Total
60 - 240
141.5
141.8
134.5
127.3

A “good” score is the score that helps YOU get into
AND PAY FOR your top-choice college.
National
Average
Solid High Score
Highly Selective
SAT
1500
(500 per section)
1800
2100+
ACT
21
26
31+
10

School
Boston University
Columbia University
Georgetown University
McGill University
New York University
Northwestern University
UCSB
UCLA
USC
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina
Average SAT
1970
2230
2220
2070
1950
2160
1840
1950
2080
2030
1940
Average ACT
32
27
29
32
30
30
29
33
33
31
29
University of Texas at Austin 1860 28
Washington University (St.
Louis)
2230 33
Scores are not just about getting in. High scores can help you get $ for college.
11

Your Scores =
Money
Strong PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores can turn into money for college.
Most scholarship, grant, and merit-based aid awards include test scores as part of their decision making process.

National Merit
Scholarship Corporation
Information
The Selection Index is the sum of your critical reading, mathematics and writing skills scores.
If it has an asterisk, you do not meet all of the eligibility requirements for the competition.
The Percentile compares your performance to that of other college-bound juniors.
The Entry Requirements section displays information you provided on your answer sheet.



National Merit ® $2500 Scholarships
Every Finalist competes for these single payment scholarships, which are awarded on a state representational basis. Winners are selected without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans.
Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards Corporate sponsors designate their awards for children of their employees or members, for residents of a community where a company has operations, or for
Finalists with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage. These scholarships may either be renewable for four years of undergraduate study or one-time awards.

College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards Officials of each sponsor college select winners of their awards from
Finalists who have been accepted for admission and have informed NMSC by the published deadlines that the sponsor college or university is their first choice.
These awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Your Skills
See how you did on each skill. The same skills are tested on the SAT.
You can try hundreds of practice questions, organized by skill, online in My College QuickStart
( www.collegeboard.com/quickstart ).

Your Answers
You will get your test book back with your PSAT/NMSQT results, so that you can review the questions.
You can also review each test question in My College QuickStart.

Your Answers:
Student-Produced
Responses
Some of the math problems required you to grid in answers instead of selecting an option. For these questions, you will see the correct answer(s) written out.

Next Steps
What’s next?
Use the access code on your report to log in to My College
QuickStart, a personalized college and career planning kit.
There you can:
• Search for colleges
• Get a personalized SAT study plan
• Take a personality test to find majors and careers that fit you www.collegeboard.com/quickstart

This is YOU .
You STAND out from the crowd
You have unique TALENTS
You are a DIFFERENCE MAKER
You are NOT A NUMBER

What is your dream school?

Everyone is in love with the same schools!
The point? it’s never been easier to get into college than it is now because there are thousands of colleges out there.
But it’s never been more difficult to get into college because we are all applying to the same 30 schools!

UC
Berkeley
UCLA
UCSD
UC Davis
UCSB
UC Irvine
UC Santa
Cruz
UC
Riverside
UC Merced
Applications
Received
41,190
52,254
48,300
42,543
46,181
47,508
29,647
27,677
12,489
Students
Admitted
9,348
9,263
15,514
18,922
18,930
15,955
18,265
17,053
9,551
Percent
Admitted
22.7%
17.7%
32.1%
44.5%
41.0%
33.6%
61.6%
61.6%
76.5%
GPA
4.20
4.20
4.15
4.06
4.00
4.07
3.79
3.71
3.56
SAT
2035
2008
1988
1893
1892
1831
1734
1701
1586
ACT
29
24
22
29
29
28
28
26
25

Have passionate pursuits rather than many
Show Interest in the
University
Have an upward trend in grades
High test scores

 Test Scores
 Grades
 Strength of Schedule
 Academic Curiosity

Academic
Credentials
Class rigor
GPA
HS transcript
HS profile
Rank
Trend
College credits
Standardized Test Scores
SAT/ACT
SAT Subject Tests
Non-academic credentials
Outside the classroom
The individual
College
Applicatio n



Frequency?
SAT ACT
Seven times per year Six times per year
What is tested?
Math, Reading,
Writing, Essay
What is the test structure?
Ten sections with a masked experimental
Math, Reading, Writing,
Science, Optional Essay
Four sections. Optional experimental clearly marked
Length (w/o breaks)
Penalty for wrong answers?
3 hours, 45 minutes
Yes
How is it scored? 800 per section,
2400 total
Average Scores Math: 516
Critical Reading: 501
Writing: 492
3 hours, 25 minutes (With
Essay)
No
36 per section, 36 total
English: 20.5
Math: 21.1
Reading: 21.3
Science: 20.9

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SAT tests vocabulary
ACT has a Science section
SAT essay is required. ACT essay is optional
 SAT essay is philosophical
 ACT essay is high school friendly
SAT is trickier but tests easier concepts
ACT is harder, but straightforward
SAT is more technique-based (easier to learn)
ACT is more content-based (harder to learn)
Easier to improve SAT score b/c it’s a sum of 3 sections
Harder to improve ACT score b/c average of 4 sections
*If you have a PSAT and PLAN score, we can determine the better test for you.
30


PSAT / SAT I
◦ This is the big one that everyone talks about. It was changed because of criticism from the UC’s and it is longer than ever. You will likely take this once or twice in your junior year and then again in your senior year.

SAT Subject Tests (Formerly SAT IIs)
◦ These are subject based tests that are similar to the curriculum you learn in school. Many students take 2 or 3 of these in May of their junior year, but might also take 1 or 2 in their sophomore year.

ACT
◦ This is an alternative to the SAT I and has been very popular in the Midwest and the South historically.
It is given on alternate Saturdays from the SAT. It is accepted by every 4 year school in the U.S. in place of the SAT.

AP
◦ These will be taken at your school in May. If you do well, you can receive credit for college classes

9 th Grade – grades and extracurricular activities
10 th Grade – grades, tough classes, activities, build relationships, take practice PSAT, try a Subject Test if needed
Summer after 10 th Grade – start prep for PSAT and SAT or ACT, continue activities
11 th Grade – grades, tough classes, activities, take SAT and/or ACT, try a Subject Test if needed, explore colleges
12 th Grade – grades, take SAT or ACT again if needed, apply to college in the fall and for financial aid after January 1.

•
•
•
•
When should I take my test?
 Time to prep properly. Summer before Jr year ideal, if not before end
How many times will you take the SAT and/or ACT?
 Prep for one, Plan for two, Leave time for three
How much prep do you need?
• Depends on your goal so however much is right…FOR YOU!
•
•
•
Are you taking AP tests?
Do you need to take SAT Subject Tests?
Will you be submitting any early applications?

G.P.A.
40%
6,000

20%
15

 Free Options:
• Kahn Academy or
MyCollegeQuickStart via
College Board
• Number2.com
 Lower Cost Options:
• Books
• In-School Courses*
 “Guaranteed” Options:
• 30 hour(+) preparation
• Private, in-home tutoring

Our job is to raise scores on standardized tests
• We are the experts: we know these tests cold
• We have developed testspecific strategies—that other companies copy
• We’ll teach you the content you need to know
• We’ll help you develop an appropriate pacing strategy
• We’ll help you manage test anxiety
• We have options for every schedule and learning style
• We are passionate about what we do and are so confident with our results we actually GUARANTEE them!

Your Speaker today is:
Racquel Reber
Director of Outreach
You can reach me at:
949-836-5539
Racquel.reber@review.com
xxx@review.com
38

th
in English and Algebra 2 (or above)

Measures your English and math “college readiness” skills and lets you know how on track you are now.
You will all get a chance to take the EAP tests this year .
Results mailed home to you in
Summer 2015.
Passing EAP = you earn automatic placement into college-level classes in college – no future placement test necessary!
EAP results are accepted at all
23 CSU campuses and 81
California community colleges; no UC, privates, or out-ofstate universities.

 Students who pass the EAP do not have to take the placement test (in that subject) at the CSU or participating community colleges – no chance of placement in a remedial class.
 Students who are borderline on the EAP (and plan to attend a
CSU campus) are given a chance to earn placement in college level classes by taking and passing a specific “senior year experience” class during 12 th grade, and/or completing EARLY
START program.
 Students who do not pass the EAP only receive an ‘early warning signal’ that they are not on track; nothing negative happens nor does it place them in a remedial class.
 EAP results do not influence admissions in any way – it only has to do with placement test exemption and placing students in college-level courses after they get admitted.

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EAP will be incorporated into the CAASPP designed by Smarter Balanced Assessment
Consortium
EAP will continue to provide an early signal of college readiness to rising seniors
There will be no need to: grid an extra “bubble” have an additional essay exam
For summer 2015, all EAP conditionally-exempt students in mathematics and/or English MUST participate in Early Start unless they have fulfilled the condition by other means including the completion of an appropriate senior-year course or by passing the EPT/ELM

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Seniors entering college have to take mandatory placement tests at the CSU and community colleges (during
of senior year)– many of them do not pass and are placed in ‘remedial’ classes.
What I hear from seniors:
“I didn’t know what the EAP was before I took it! If I knew it could have helped me avoid this placement test (that I now have to take right before prom), I would have tried much harder!”
“Tell juniors to try on the EAP test – it’s a freebie chance to avoid placement tests and possible remedial classes later on.”

Computer
Adaptive
Component
Approx 2 hours
Activity
Instruction
30 min
Activity
Performance
Tasks
Approx 2 hours
Computer
Compon en t
Approx 2 hours
Activity
Performance
Tasks
Approx 1.5 hours
Activity
Instruction
30 min

Level
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
*** Applies only to students who matriculate directly from high school to college.
Meaning
• Not Yet Content Ready—Substantial
Support Needed
• K-12 & higher education my offer interventions
• Not Yet Content Ready—Support Needed
• Transition courses or other supports for
Grade 12, retesting option for states
• Conditionally Content Ready/Exempt from Developmental
• Grade 12 requirements for student to earn exemption
• Must take Early Start during summer between high school and college
• Content Ready/Exempt from
Developmental
• K-12 and higher education may set Grade
12 requirements to retain exemption

Accepted at both
CSU
&
CCC
Accepted at CSU only
English
Level 4
Ready for CSU and Participating
CCC College-Level English an additional requirement
Level 3
There will be course requirements for senior year to earn exemption placement
Not Yet Demonstrating
Mathematics
Ready for CSU and
Participating CCC College-
Earned exemption from placement test in math
Level Mathematics
12 th Ready for CSU and
Participating CCC College-
Level Mathematics -completed, student will be placed in college-level
Conditional
Not Yet Demonstrating
Participating CCC College-
Level English
Level 1
Use 12 th grade to improve English skills.
Courses offered during senior year to improve students’ skills.
Participating CCC College-
Level Mathematics
Level 1
Use 12 th grade to improve math skills
Courses offered during senior year to improve students’ skills.

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
Score of 500 or better on SAT Reasoning Test for Exemption
Score 460-500 for Conditional rating
Score 550 or better on SAT Math
Score of 490-549 for Conditional rating
Score of 22 or above on ACT in English for Exemption
Score 19 -22 for Conditional rating in English
Score 23 or better on Math ACT for Exemption
Score 20-23 for Conditional rating in Math
Score of 3 or above on Language/Composition AP or
Composition/Literature AP, a score of 3 or better on Calculus
AB or BC, AP exam
(Always save your test score paperwork for documentation)

If you do not gain an exemption for the EPT/ELM, from:

 passing the EAP test(s),
Getting scores required on SAT, ACT, APs,

Passing Senior Experience class(es) with a C or better, the approximate costs to you:
Early Start Program costs
364.00/both
182.00 per subject,
(http://www.csusuccess.org/earlystart)
EPT/ELM test costs:
36.00/both
18.00 per test,
(Financial aid is available for Early Start program for students who qualify)

 SMARTER BALANCE TEST
Testing Window-
Questions about EAP?
Ask your counselor or call EAP Assistant,
Eric Broberg at (562) 985-4791 or EAP Coordinator,
Valarie Walker at (562) 985-2238.

If your EAP results is
“College Ready”, please keep a copy of your EAP results to show as proof .

Community College
• $46 per unit
• Preview Days
• Admission Requirements:
HS graduate or 18+
English/Math placement test
• NO SAT/ACT Required
• Freshman Priority Registration
• Application
• Placement Test
• Online Orientation
• Education Plan Workshop
• Transfer- TAG, CSUin2
• Career Certificates

The following undergraduate campuses offer a TAG program:

Davis



Irvine
Merced
Riverside


Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz
Benefits of TAG:

Early review of academic records at some campuses

Early admissions notification at some campuses

Specific guidance on major preparation and general education coursework

CSU/UC Admissions Subject Requirements
CSU/UC Requirements https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/
 A. History/Social Science ( World History, U.S. History, Gov’t) 2 yrs. Min.
 B. English- 4 years college-prep
 C. Math- 3 yrs. Min. and 4 yrs recommended (Algebra 2 minimum)
 D. Science- 2 yrs Lab (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
 E. Foreign Language- 2 yrs
 F. Visual/Performing Art- 1 year
 G. College Prep Elective- 1 year



SAT or ACT + Writing
SAT Subject Tests in two different subject areas recommended only by some departments/majors
* math level 2 accepted by UC


Community College
No SAT or ACT
 SAT or ACT
 No SAT Subject Tests required
Independent/Out of State
 SAT or ACT
 See each college website for writing and subject exam requirements

 UC


Highest combined scores per sitting
Use writing section
 CSU


Math and Critical Reading Only
Highest score per section per sitting

Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year

Marina School Code: 051221
ACT Register at www.actstudent.org
$38/$54.50 with writing
February 7, 2015
April 18, 2015
June 6, 2015
SAT Register at www.collegeboard.com
SAT$52.50
*Reasoning tests and Subject tests must be taken on different dates
March 14, 2015 (SAT Only)
May 2, 2015
June 6, 2015
*Recommendation take both ACT and SAT due to different formats

 23 campuses
 Apply Oct 1-Nov 30
 Min. Index 2900 (GPA and SAT or ACT)
 Min. 2.0 College Prep GPA
 3.0 or higher automatically eligible to apply regardless of test scores


Registration fees average $6759 per year (fall and spring)
- excluding housing, books, supplies
$55 application fee.
 Admissions decision based upon




GPA
SAT or ACT scores
Meeting subject requirements (see a-g matrix)
Competitive majors and programs determined by ranking system

 Dance and Music – Auditions
 Competitive Admissions – Impacted campuses and majors
 Raise min. index based on applicant pool
 Nursing & Stem Majors – Most competitive
 Science
 Technology


Engineering
Math

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Chico
Fresno
Fullerton*
Humboldt
Long Beach*
Los Angeles
Monterey Bay
Northridge
Pomona
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
Sacramento
San Bernardino
San Diego*
San Francisco
San Jose*
San Luis Obispo*
San Marcos
Sonoma
• Impacted all programs

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Bakersfield
Channel Islands
Dominguez Hills
East Bay
Cal Maritime
Stanislaus

FALL 2014 FRESHMEN COMPETITIVE ADMISSION
• Selection is competitive
– Minimum Eligibility Index for all students = 3200
– The pool of applicants determines the level of competition in each major
• Four requirements used in selection
– A-G Courses
– Grades (10 th -11 th )
– Test Scores (SAT or ACT)
– High School (Local Area)
Local area students eligible for provisional admission based on minimum
CSULB Admission requirements including 3200 Eligibility Index.
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

 Berkeley
 Davis
 Irvine
 Los Angeles
 Merced
 Riverside
 San Diego
 Santa Barbara
 Santa Cruz
 San Francisco
 10 campuses (San Francisco-Graduate only)

 Application opens August 1
 Apply Nov 1-Nov 30
 Min. GPA in college prep courses 3.0
 Admissions decision based on a UC comprehensive review score.
GPA
Test Scores
Comprehensive Review Factors
Personal Statement
 2014-2015 Fees $13,300
-Excluding housing, books, supplies
-Application fees-$70

• Stay focused on your studies and get good grades.
• Prepare for college entrance exams - take SAT or ACT, pretests PSAT.
• Get involved with various school & community activities.
• Begin the college search - college fairs, visit campuses, web, etc.
• Research Financial Aid/Scholarships (local, state, and federal programs).
• Visit UC campuses, take a tour, talk to the Admissions staff.
Pay attention to deadlines!

CA residents meeting minimum requirements for the statewide or local path who are not admitted to any UC campus to which they applied will be offered a space at another campus if state funding is available:
Statewide Path
You rank in the top 9% of all high school graduates in California according to the UC admissions index or
Local Path (ELC)
You rank in the top 9% of your high school class based on the “a g” benchmark GPA

•
•
Campuses Look For
Strong grades, test scores & course preparation
An inclusive educational experience
•
Assess Student Within Context
• Educational environment
Available resources and opportunities
The Full Application
Not just the personal statement
August 2014 8

14 UC-Approved Criteria

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
Grade-Point Average
Test Scores
Courses Completed/Planned
Honors Courses
Eligibility in the Local Context
(ELC)
Quality of Senior-Year Program of Study
Academic Opportunities in
California High Schools
Performance in Academic
Subject Areas






Achievements in Special Projects
Improvement in Academic
Performance
Special Talents, Achievements, and
Awards
Participation in Educational
Preparation Programs
Academic Accomplishment Within
Life Experiences
Geographic Location

 NO D or F grades accepted in any college prep courses for subject credit
 Grades in all A-G Subject courses taken during 10 th , 11 th and
Summer after 11 th determine initial eligibility
 9 th grade courses used to meet subject requirements, but are not calculated into GPA
 Students must maintain GPA and complete admissions eligibility requirements in senior year

 World language
 Advanced math
 Chemistry (Cal State ONLY)
 Validation is when a student earns below a C in world language or advanced math in the 1 st semester and continues onto the 2 nd semester and earns a C or better.

 Both grades are calculated into the GPA if taken in 10 th thru 12 th .
 The student is considered proficient and receives credit for the entire year of foreign language or math

 Extra grade point for 8 semester courses of
AP/Honors
 2 of these courses may be from the 10 th grade if the course has 11 th grade content and curriculum.
 English 2 Honors is not an approved course for the extra point.
 AP Chemistry and AP World History do receive an extra grade point.
 D grades do not get extra honors point

 www.commonapp.org
 Supplemental application
 Essay
 Short answer prompts
 Secondary School Reports
 Letters of recommendation
 Mid-Year Reports
 Admissions criteria, deadlines and application fees vary
 GPA and Testing Timelines for Private Schools
 Demonstrated interest

 Binding agreements
 Early admissions decision from college
 Students should be certain of college choice
 If accepted, the student agrees to attend the college
 Once accepted, must withdraw applications to other colleges
 All testing must be complete at time of application

 Less binding
 Know the college admission decision earlier
 Allowed to apply to other schools and compare financial offers and other criteria before making a decision
 All testing must be complete at time of application

 The UC system does not have Early Decision or
Early Action
 California Polytechnic State University--San Luis
Obispo has early decision

 Maintain Rigor
 Math highly recommended
 Choose courses to reflect student interests, that show rigor, growth and consistency

 Must repeat the exact same course for the new grade to replace the old for GPA calculation
 All course grades taken at the high school will be reflected on the high school transcript
 During the school year depending on availability
 Concurrent enrollment adult school
 With pre-approval:
 Community College
 External high school programs

Courses need to be CSU/UC approved

 National College Fair-
 Sunday, April 26 th
 1:30 p.m.
– 4:30 p.m.
 Anaheim Convention Center






HBUHSD CA College Night (October)
Senior college information night (October)
Practice tests and test prep - See career Center
Career Center Meetings:
Don Bui, College/Career Specialist
Academic/college counseling:
Diana Miler, Counselor
Workshops: Personal Statement, CSU and UC application, FAFSA






th






FAFSA – January of senior year
 Federal grants, loans
 California Grants
CSS Profile (Participating Private Colleges)
Local scholarships – apply all senior year
Universities will create financial aid packages
Academic and Athletic Scholarships
Bank Loans
 Subsidized and Unsubsidized


Low interest rates
Repayment usually deferred until 6 months after degree earned









Request testing accommodations directly through www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org

Request accommodations or extended time within testing organization timelines

Contact School Psychologist Tom Mushaney at tmushaney@hbuhsd.edu or ext. 4480

Must receive testing accommodation for school site-based exams


Schedule appointment with Diana Miler, counselor
◦ Transcript review
◦ Academic planning
◦ Application assistance

•




UC www.universityofcalifornia.edu
https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/
CSU www.calstate.edu
www.csumentor.edu
Independent www.aiccu.org
www.commonapp.org
Community College www.cccco.edu
www.californiacolleges.edu




College and Career Research www.collegesintheusa.com
http://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ www.bridges.com
 Site ID: 0010466 Password: marina
SAT www.collegeboard.org
Free practice: www.number2.com
www.sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day
ACT www.actstudent.org
Scholarships www.fastweb.com
www.wiredscholar.com
Athletics www.ncaa.org
http://eligibilitycenter.org
 Western Undergraduate Exchange http://wue.wiche.edu
 Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov