Senior Advising
Session 2015-2016
Senior Advising Agenda
 Review Advising Materials
 Important: Download the e-version of the Power
Point and the Senior Advising Guide from the
GBHS Counseling website or Naviance
 Presentation
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The new graduation requirement
Graduation Status & Transcript Review
A-G (4 yr. college course requirements)
Post-secondary Options
College Timelines & Requirements
College Application Tips
UC/CSU Application and Personal Statement Support
Financial Aid
The New Graduation
Requirement
 Introduction to Personal Finance Course
MUST be passed to graduate.
– Most are reporting that it takes from 5-10
hours to complete
– This is a no credit course but must be passed
– Complete no later than April 30th
– Access course through Blackboard
• All Seniors should be pre-enrolled
Graduation Status
(transcript review)
A-G’s: Do you got em?
A.
B.
C.
D.
History/Social Science
2 years
English
4 years
Mathematics
3 years
Lab Science
2 years
1. Life Science (Biology)
2. Physical Science (Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics)
E. World Language
2 years
F. Visual/Performing Arts
1 year
G. College Prep Elective
1 year
***C- minimum grade required in each course
Post-secondary Options
 Workforce
 Military
 Trade/Tech Schools
 2-year community college
 4-year college
Military
 Enlisting? Contact recruiter / liaison
through Career Center
 Be sure to have a parent/guardian present
before you sign anything
 Consider ROTC (Reserve Officer Training
Core)
Community College
 Applications online – recommended to apply by Feb.
• Sierra College http://www.sierracollege.edu
• American River http://www.arc.losrios.edu
• Watch for Sierra and American River College reps in the Career Ctr.
(Dates TBD)
• Assessment required for placement in English and Math and need to
be taken prior to registration
 Transfer agreements
– UC Transfer Agreement Guarantee (TAG) is available online at
https://uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu/students/
– AD-T (AA-T or AS-T) available at all CA. Jr. Colleges for
transfer to CSU’s use www.adegreewithaguarantee.com
 Transfer requirements – differ by major
– Use www.assist.org for California colleges
 Keep in contact with counselor at Community College
and make sure they are aware of plans
University Bound
What colleges are looking for:
 Strength of curriculum (maintain thru Sr. yr.)
– Must complete Algebra 2 minimally
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Grades/GPA: “C-” or better minimally required
Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
Activities
Leadership
Community Service
Essays (if required)
Interviews (some private schools)
CSU (California State University)
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Are you eligible?
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Satisfy a-g requirements
If your “a-g” GPA is 3.0 or higher, ANY SAT/ACT score will qualify
you
If your “a-g” GPA is below 3.0, you still could qualify (see CSU
Eligibility Index at www.csumentor.edu)
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Example: a 2.5 GPA with a 900 SAT score (out of 1600) would qualify!
What do they look for?
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GPA
Test Scores: ACT or SAT (1600)
Exception: Cal Poly SLO
Application
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Application available online beginning Oct. 1 at www.csumentor.org
Submission period is from Oct. 1 through November 30th
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30th
Print a copy of your online application(s) prior to sending.
DO NOT send an official transcript along with your initial
application! Only send one if prompted to do so after applying!
CSU Application Assistance
 CSU application tutorial
• https://secure.csumentor.edu/admissionapp/
• https://secure.californiacolleges.edu/college_planning/
california_state_university/applying_for_admission/ap
plying_for_admission.aspx
 Where to Apply
– www.csumentor.edu
 CSU Mentor support:
• phone: 800-468-6927
• email: support@CSUMentor.edu
UC (University of California)
 Are you eligible?
• Satisfy “a-g” requirements
• Minimum “a-g” GPA of 3.0 or higher
 What do they look for?
• Comprehensive Review of application
• GPA
• Strength of Curriculum
• Test Scores: ACT w/ Writing or SAT 1 (out of 2400)
• Personal Statement
• Extracurricular
 Application
• Submission window is from November 1 through November 30th
• Application available now at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
• DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30th
• Print a copy of your online application(s) prior to sending.
• DO NOT send an official transcript along with your initial application!
Only send one if prompted to do so after applying!
UC Application Assistance
 UC Personal Statement tutorial
• http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-
apply/personal-statement/index.html
 UC application tutorial
• Take the Pathways Virtual Tour (available Aug. 1) of the
application which allows you to walk through each step
BEFORE you start your official application at
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applyonline/index.html
• http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu
 UC Outside Support
• Online Application: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
• UC Application Center: phone: 800-207-1710
• email: ucinfo@applyUCsupport.net
On-campus Application Assistance
Support for UC and CSU application:
• Thursday, Oct. 22nd: during both lunches in
Library
• Tuesday, Nov. 3rd during both lunches in the
Library
• Thursday, Nov. 19th: 2:45-3:30 in the Library
Private Schools
 Requirements vary – if you fulfill “a-g” requirements, you likely will
meet most private school admission requirements.
 Deadlines are specific to each school
– Make sure you pay attention to separate Financial Aid deadlines also
 Carefully read all directions prior to completing application and
essays
 Many schools have similar profiles so don’t apply “just because.” Be
sure to research and pay attention to those features or programs that
separate schools apart from one another.
 If applying through Common Application, be aware that many
schools have additional “supplemental” documents that need to be
completed.
Handling Letters of
Recommendation
 Be sure to download important instructions on the counseling website
or through Naviance
 Access the Personal Profile/Resume Template on the GBHS
Counseling website or through Naviance (click “About Me” tab)
 Allow a minimum of two weeks for person to write it AFTER
submitting a personal profile/resume – a month is preferred!
(minimum of 10 school days)
 If you are applying through Common Application or SENDedu, you
may need a letter from your counselor and two teachers. You will be
prompted to enter our contact information and then we receive an
email prompt from them.
 PLEASE connect with your counselor in person or via email to
provide us your personal profile. Do not assume that just because
you enter our info. on Common App/SENDedu that everything is
taken care of!
Tips for filling out application
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Be honest and accurate (random verification).
Be sure to print out the electronic receipt and
summary page.
Don’t wait until the last minute to apply!
If essay is required, begin early and edit
multiple times and seek feedback from others.
Only grades earned in “a-g” approved courses
taken in 10th-12th grade are used to calculate
your GPA for UC/CSU’s
Tips continued…
• Consult with college admissions office if considering an
academic course change
• Any academic class changes made (after submission of
application) should be reported to colleges in writing
(email works well for this)
Early Action vs. Early Decision
• Early Action is non-binding (you don’t have to go if you
are accepted)
• Restricted Early Action is non-binding but you are
agreeing that you will not apply early to any other
colleges
• Early Decision is binding (you are committed to going if
you are accepted – you should thus never apply to more
than one campus under ED)
• Application timeline is early for these options (usually
during Oct.) and decisions are typically rendered by Dec.
Essay/ Personal Statement
Required for UC’s and some private colleges
 Gives you a voice – goes beyond grades and test scores
 Enables applicant to make the best case possible for
admission
 Gives an opportunity to provide information that supports
and augments the review process
 Part of the UC comprehensive review process
 Start early!! You will go through multiple revisions.
SAT/ACT
• Registration
• Register for SAT I or II www.collegeboard.org
• Register for ACT www.actstudent.org
• **YOU MUST REQUEST TEST SCORES TO BE SENT DIRECTLY
FROM COLLEGEBOARD/ACT DIRECTLY TO EACH SCHOOL YOU
APPLY TO**
• Dates
• SAT 1, SAT 2, ACT can test in Oct., Nov., Dec. with the following
exceptions: San Diego St., Cal Poly SLO, Long Beach St.,
Fullerton St., San Jose St. and Cal Poly Pomona prefer completion
in October or November.
• If testing in Dec. be sure to rush scores
• For non UC/CSU colleges, contact individually to verify testing
deadlines.
SAT/ACT Cont’d
 SAT II Subject Tests
• Some private schools require; NOT REQUIRED for UC’s, NOT
for CSU’s
• Some UC’s majors recommend taking subject tests – check with
each campus
 Sending scores to 4-year schools
• 4 scores sent for free (but only if utilized by test day)
• Extra scores sent for fee (complete on-line)
• CSU code = 3594 (Save $ as this will send to all CSU’s)
• You only need to send scores to one UC - all UC’s will then have
access
• Send scores to NCAA Eligibility Center for Div. 1 and 2 sports –
eligibility code = 9999
Requesting Transcripts
 Be sure to carefully review your transcript for accuracy and alert
counselor if errors
 Both official and unofficial transcripts may be obtained by filling out
the appropriate form available at the front desk
 ** If you apply through Common Application or SENDedu,
counselors will submit an initial official transcript on your behalf at
no cost
 Please allow 3-5 business days for processing
 $3 fee per transcript paid in Student Services
 Unofficial record of grades my be downloaded through Homelink for
free
Financial Aid
 Workshop for parents and students on Dec. 9th at
6:30 pm at Granite Bay High School
 Local Scholarship Program is available early Feb.
(see Career Center for more info)
 College and Career Center a good resource
 Use online scholarship searches (info in Senior
Advising Guide and on counseling website)
 Check parent’s place of employment as they may
offer scholarships
 Check Naviance account “College” tab for
updated scholarship information
NCAA
 NCAA (for Division 1 and 2 sports)
 Students planning on playing college-level
athletics MUST register with the NCAA
Eligibility Center
 If you have not already done so, register online at
www.eligibilitycenter.org
 NCAA has specific academic requirements so be
sure to check that you are on track.
Undecided about Majors / Careers?
 ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
test)
– Given on January 26th at 7:45 am in Library
– Sign up in Career Center
– Be sure to attend the session after the test to review your results
 Use “Do What You Are” on Naviance (info in Sr.
Advising Guide)
 Use online career research tools (info in Sr. Advising
Guide and on counseling website)
 See Career Center for resources
 Occupational Handbook
– www.bls.gov/ooh/
What you should be doing now?
 Utilize Naviance to research colleges and refine your application list
 Attend College Fair at Woodcreek HS on Sept. 23rd
from 6-8 pm (over 120 colleges represented)
 Narrow list to 4-6 potential colleges:
– Reach school
– Safe school
– Fall back school
 Visit campuses (or take virtual tours). Visit College Week Live:
http://www.collegeweeklive.com/
 Create master list of all application and financial aid deadlines
 Take or re-take ACT/SAT
 Send ACT/SAT scores to colleges you are applying to that require them
 Fill out “Personal Profile” if requesting letters of recommendation from
counselor or teachers
 Start draft of personal essay if applying to UC’s and other colleges that
require them
Final Steps in College
Application Process
1. If necessary, update your counselor on private or out of
state school decisions and/or changes so that mid-year
and final reports can be handled accordingly.
2. Update college admissions acceptances in Naviance
3. Request final transcript to be sent to your college of
choice at the end of the year (process will be advertised
and forms provided at the front desk in May).
4. If a final college report is needed, be sure to notify your
counselor
Reminders
 College Applications
– CSU/UC deadline Nov. 30th
 Complete Testing
– No later than December (earlier for some campuses)
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Visit Colleges (or take virtual tour)
Utilize Senior Advising Guide
Don’t wait until the last minute!
Visit College Week Live
 http://www.collegeweeklive.com
 Spring schedule change window: Sept. 23rd
– More info to come on this online one day process
Be sure and share your good news of
admission with your counselor!!!