10th Grade College Guidance
BHHS Class of 2017
SEPTEMBER 4, 2014
MRS. AHYOUNG CHI
D EAN OF COLLEGE A DMISSIONS
ACHI@ BHUSD. ORG
Agenda
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 College guidance overview for Sophomores
 College admissions process
 Post-secondary options with college systems & types
 College entrance requirements & selection process
 Extracurricular involvement
 College admissions testing
 What Sophomores should be doing
 Explore interests and get to know yourself
 Get to know colleges
 Naviance tasks for Sophomore year
 Upcoming events summary
 Q&A
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
College Guidance Overview for Sophomores
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 Theme: Exploration and Self Discovery
 Goal: Continue to get to know yourself and
invest in yourself as well as your future.
Building upon the Freshman year, continue to
explore interests and get involved in extracurricular
activities, continue to challenge yourself in areas that
you are strong in and have an interest in, prepare for
rigorous classes in 11th grade, learn about what
colleges are looking for, learn about different types of
colleges and universities, learn about college
admissions testing and its role in college admissions.
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
College Guidance Activities for Sophomores
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 Evening programs
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Almost once a month including College Connections Fair
Most are already scheduled and on the website calendar
 Classroom guidance lessons: once a semester
 College admissions testing
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PSAT: October 15, 2014
College Admissions Testing Night (Feb) with practice ACT (March)
 College Tuesday Workshops: every Tuesday during lunch
 Small group meetings with counselors: second semester
 Coffee with the Counselors (parents only): once a month
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
GPA Game
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I need 8 volunteers.
Please come to the stage!
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
College Admissions…
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 Is usually never predictable.
 Has lots of limitations like:
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Factors you have no control over (some applicant’s last name is on
the library and that’s no coincidence).
Getting the “best” grades does not always lead to acceptance.
 Is not just about the numbers (numbers are important!)-
what you do in and out of the classroom matters. Find
balance with passion.
 Let YOU drive the college search process.
 Find the best college for YOU.
 Don’t conform to what you think colleges want you to be;
just be YOU.
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Getting to know YOU
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 The better you know yourself, the easier it is to make
the right choices about your future.
 It is never too soon to start planning for your future:
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What do I like/dislike? (Interests)
How do I describe myself? (Personality)
What am I good at? (Skills)
What am I truly passionate about? (Values)
 What are some ways to get to know yourself?
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Getting to know YOU
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 Naviance Family Connection (more on this later)
 Take interest and personality inventories (Naviance)
 Take a class that interests you
 Volunteer in a field you find interesting
 Find an internship or a job in a career you want to
learn more about (great way to spend your summer!)
 Get to know different types of colleges
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Post Secondary Options
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 Four-year college or university (Bachelor degree)
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Public: UC or CSU
Private: over 75 in California
Out of state public and private: over 3,000
 Community college
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Associate degree
Career training
Transfer to 4-year school (no longer called “2-year college”)
 Career technical training (varying degrees & certificates)
 Gap year (concrete plan with a college in mind for 2nd
year)
 Military or employment
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
University of California
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 10 campuses but San Francisco is graduate only
 Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees
 Research & theory based curriculums
 Competitive admissions with many highly selective
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campuses
To be eligible: 3.0 GPA, A-G courses, SAT or ACT with
Writing, personal statements, list of activities & honors
Not required/accepted: SAT Subject exams (some majors
“highly recommended”), recommendation letters,
transcripts
Application filing period: Nov 1–Nov 30 (available Aug 1)
To apply: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
California State University
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 23 campuses
 Bachelor and Master degrees
 First institution of higher education established by the
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State of California, originally created to train teachers
To be eligible: 2.0 GPA, A-G courses, SAT or ACT (no
Writing)
Not required/accepted: SAT Subject exams, essays,
recommendation letters, transcripts
Application filing period: Oct 1–Nov 30
To apply: www.csumentor.edu
Many CSU’s are impacted and very difficult to get into!
Like… Cal Poly SLO, San Diego State, Long Beach, San
Francisco State
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Private Colleges & Universities
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 75+ private colleges and universities in California
 3,000+ in US (including public schools)
 All vary in admission requirements and application
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deadlines
Application requirements: official transcript, official test
scores, essays, activities & honors, recommendation
letters, interview, portfolio/audition
Use Common Application or Universal College Application
Early Admission Plans: Early Decision vs. Early Action vs.
Restrictive Early Action (more info click HERE)
National Candidates Reply Date: May 1
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Out of State Public Institutions
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 3,000+ colleges and universities in US (including private
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schools)
Many operate on rolling admissions plan
Many offer non-selective or slightly selective admissions
with non-impacted majors
Many have low out-of-state tuition
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): tuition
discount for California students
Don’t forget about Honors programs/colleges at public
schools: rigorous academics in large, research universities
that offer small liberal arts college experience
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
California Community College
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 112 campuses in California
 Associate degrees (many lead to careers)
 Transfer to 4-year school (to obtain Bachelors degree)
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CSU or UC: must complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units
(equivalent to 2 years of full time studies)
Most private schools: 30 semester units or 45 quarter units okay to
transfer (check with each college and major)
 Articulation agreements or TAG are available for most
schools- use www.assist.org
 VERY important to plan for transferring- it is NOT an
automatic 2 year plan!- use UCTAP
 Apply to community college by February/March of Senior
year- use www.cccapply.org
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
College Entrance Requirements
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 Required subjects/A-G courses
 GPA & passing grade of C in required courses
 Standardized tests
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SAT or ACT (both accepted at all schools)
SAT Subject exams
TOEFL for English learners
 Extracurricular involvement and/or job experience
 Essay or personal statement
 Interview, portfolio, or audition
 Recommendation letters from counselor & teachers
= “HOLISTIC” review of application (except for Cal States)
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
But What Are Colleges REALLY Looking For?
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Succeed in college’s curriculum
1.
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Success in challenging curriculum at high school
Have you taken advantage of the opportunities at your school?
Thrive in the college’s environment
2.
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Extracurricular involvement
Leadership experience, dedication, long term commitment
Challenge the faculty while you’re there
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Intellectual engagement and curiosity
Do you like to learn for learning’s sake?
 Institutional priority: legacy, athletics, diversity, other
special talents, money, well rounded class
 Meet other entrance requirements
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Subject/A-G Requirements
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 (a) History/Social Science: 2 years (3 years for BHHS)
 (b) English: 4 years
 (c) Math: 3 years (4 years recommended)
 (d) Lab Science: 2 years (3-4 years recommended)
 (e) Language other than English: 2 years of same
language (3-4 years recommended)
 (f) Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year of same genre
 (g) College prep elective: 1 year
= 15 units
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Subject/A-G Requirements
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 UC/CSU minimum eligibility  15 units
 UCLA average for Fall 2014 admits  27.5 units
(applicants: 26 units)
 UCLA average for Senior year courses for Fall 2014
admits  6 units (applicants: 6 units)
Source
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Extracurricular Involvement
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 School related: ASB, yearbook, journalism, sports, music,
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theater, clubs, academic decathlon, robotics, etc
Community service
Work experience, paid or unpaid
Internships, paid or unpaid
Summer programs and activities
Remember…
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Quality over quantity
Take LEADERSHIP roles
Plan summer activities wisely- do SOMETHING
You don’t have to cure cancer to be admitted to college! (But it
definitely doesn’t hurt.)
Start your resume now
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
College Admissions Testing
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 SAT or ACT with Writing required for most colleges
 The new SAT…
 SAT Subject tests
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Required for some highly selective schools:
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Ex: Harvard, Brown, MIT, Yale, Princeton
Stanford & Georgetown: “strongly/highly recommended”
Best way to prepare: take an AP course in the same subject
Recommended test date: May or June
 www.fairtest.org  list of schools with testing optional or
flexible policies
 College Admissions Testing Night: February 17, 2015
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
October 15, 2014: PSAT
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 PSAT = Preliminary SAT
 PSAT = NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying
Test) only when taken during Junior year
 Why take the PSAT as a Sophomore?
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Practice for the SAT
Practice for next year’s PSAT which is NMSQT
Receive information from colleges
AP Potential
 To sign up:
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Go to House B and sign up in the PSAT binder
Go to Student Store (in person or online) and pay
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$39 until September 5 (that’s tomorrow!)
$49 from September 8-September 19
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
What Should STUDENTS Be Doing Now?
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 Do well in your classes: #1 goal
 Your transcript (grades and coursework) is the most important factor
in admission decisions
 Nothing replaces the importance of your transcript
 Make up all D and F grades
 Get connected to College Center: emails via Jupiter Grades,
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like on Facebook, subscribe to Mrs. Chi’s page
Sign up for and take PSAT
Attend evening events and College Tuesday Workshops
Explore interests and careers; get to know yourself!
Get involved in extracurricular activities
Get familiar with Naviance Family Connection
Get to know different kinds of colleges
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
So Many Different Types of Schools
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 Private or public (refers to funding source)
 Liberal arts colleges or research university
 Size
 Location
 Selectivity
 Specialty: academic, gender, religion, culture
 Services: learning differences, transportation, special
housing, dietary restrictions
 Raw-raw!
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Getting to Know Colleges
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What do the following colleges have in common?
Amherst College (MA)
Brown University (RI)
Eugene Lang College (NY)
Grinnell (IA)
Smith College (MA)
Open curriculum: no required courses
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Getting to Know Colleges
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What do the following colleges have in common?
Colorado College (CO)
Cornell College (IA)
One-Course-At-A-Time or Block Plan
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Getting to Know Colleges
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What do the following colleges have in common?
University of RedlandsJohnston Center for Integrative Studies (CA)
Vassar College (NY)
Western Washington UniversityFairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies (WA)
NYU- Gallatin School of Individualized Study (NY)
Design your own major!
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Getting to Know Colleges
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What do the following colleges have in common?
Drexel University (PA)
Northeastern University (MA)
Coop Education: internship & other work
experience infused into curriculum
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Getting to Know Colleges
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What do the following colleges have in common?
Barnard College (NY)
Bryn Mawr College (PA)
Mount Holyoke College (MA)
Smith College (MA)
Wellesley College (MA)
Single sex: women only
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Getting to Know Colleges
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What do the following colleges have in common?
Lawrence University (WI)
New York University (NY)
Oberlin College (OH)
University of Rochester (NY)
University of Southern California (CA)
Music conservatory within college/university
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Getting to Know Colleges
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What do the following colleges have in common?
Emmanuel College (MA)
Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MA)
MCPHS (MA)
Simmons College (MA)
Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA)
Wheelock College (MA)
Colleges of the Fenway Consortium
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Searching for the Right School for You
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 Reflect on yourself: your strengths and
weaknesses, likes and dislikes, your values, your
wishlist, etc
 Visit colleges: start now, incorporate visits into
your vacations, visit local schools to see the
differences in college campuses (size, location, etc)
 Read guidebooks and useful websites:
guidebooks available in the College Center and
school library, list of available books and useful
websites on College Center website, use Naviance
Family Connection
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Naviance Family Connection
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Log in: https://connection.naviance.com/bhhs
1.
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Username: 5-digit BHHS ID number
Password: student
If you don’t remember your password, email your counselor
2. Update email address
 Tip: use the same email address for all things related to college
 Make sure your email address is appropriate
3. Tasks appropriate for Sophomores
 Resume (“about me”)
 Game Plan (“about me”)
 Personality type and interest profiler (“about me”)
 Explore career clusters (“careers”)
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
What Should PARENTS Be Doing Now?
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 Stay connected to College Center: emails via Jupiter
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Grades, like on Facebook, subscribe to Mrs. Chi’s page
Allow your students to take the lead (but a little positive
nudge here and there is encouraged)
Stay in touch with their progress, academic and social
Get familiar with Naviance Family Connection
Coffee with the Counselors
Attend evening events hosted by College Center
Take your students to college campuses
Sign your student up for PSAT
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Upcoming Events
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Program/Activity
Date
Early bird deadline to register for PSAT
September 5, 2014 – TOMORROW!
10th Grade Classroom Guidance Lesson
October or November 2014
Coffee with the Counselors (parents only)
Thursday, October 2, 2014
PSAT 101 Workshop ($40 per student)
Sunday, October 5, 2014
PSAT
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Financial Aid Night
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Coffee with the Counselors (parents only)
Wednesday, November 4, 2014
College Athletics Night
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Coffee with the Counselors (parents only)
Thursday, December 4, 2014
College Tuesday Workshops
December 2014 – May 2015
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Upcoming Events
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Program/Activity
Date
Coffee with the Counselors (parents only)
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
10th Grade Classroom Guidance Lesson
February or March 2015
Small group meetings with counselors
Starts February or March 2015
Selective College Admissions Night
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Coffee with the Counselors (parents only)
Thursday, February 5, 2015
College Admissions Testing Night
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Coffee with the Counselors (parents only)
Thursday, March 5, 2015
College Connections Fair
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Practice ACT
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Coffee with the Counselors (parents only)
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Looking Ahead to Junior Year
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 Evening programs
 Classroom guidance lessons: once a semester
 College admissions testing
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PSAT in October
SAT-ACT Strategy Workshop to figure out which test is better for you
 College Tuesday Workshops: every Tuesday during lunch
 College rep visits to BHHS
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September through early November
Over 100 reps come to BHHS!
 Individual conference with counselors: starts in January
 Coffee with the Counselors (parents only): once a month
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014
Questions?
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 Email your question(s) to achi@bhusd.org
 Raffle!
 Should I hire a private/independent college counselor?
 When should my child study for the SAT/ACT?
10th Grade College Guidance Night Fall 2014