College Planning
College doesn’t just happen… it takes
planning.
Mary Beth Buttweiler
mbuttweiler@rocklinacademy.org
Chip Kling ckling@rocklinacademy.org
Cindy Cutts ccutts@rocklinacademy.org
Week 1 - September 23
College Basics
 California
higher ed system
 Private colleges
 Out of state colleges
 Understanding a – g, academic
requirements, etc.
 Realistic goals –
 Reach schools, safety schools
 Tools and resources of Naviance.
Week 2 – October 1st
 Be








Prepared!
SAT & ACT
Activities, service, awards, employment,
Does it matter and how much?
How maximize your personal history
How to create your own opportunities.
The college essay
High school resume
Letters of recommendation
Financial Aid
Scholarships

How to find them
How to win them
California Legislature’s Plan for
Higher Education
 University
of California
 California State University
 Community College
Western Sierra Collegiate Academy
prepares students to enter a four year
college immediately after high school
 We



recognize:
The value of a community college opportunity
There are good reasons for families to choose
community college
Not all students thrive in a university
environment
California Community Colleges
 113
Community Colleges
 California residents have access to all of
them
Community College
 Equal Access








for All
No high school diploma
No SAT or ACT scores
Discounted tuition
Wide variety of educational options
Guarantee transfer with many state & private colleges
Excellent back up plan if applying to top tier schools.
Great place to challenge yourself academically
Well respected and credits are valid
Sierra College

Great choice IF you go with a plan
Pros
Top Degree awarding community college in the state
Top 10 in Athletic academic success in the nation!
Many 2 year programs – some take less than 2 years
Guarantee Transfer Program
#1 Priority for upper division transfer to both
CSU and UC is California Community College applicant
Cons
Expect to spend at least 3 years at a community college to transfer
Community College
Transfer Agreements

UC & CSU gives California Community College transfers
top priority

Sierra College has transfer agreements with schools
across the state and U.S. (No Guarantees)

Bachelor’s degree is the same as 4 year grads.

Transfer agreements must be approved by the
RECEIVING school – not the community college
Community College
Career/Tech Prep Program
 Not
just for transfer.
 Launch a career



Certification
A.A., A.S. R.N.
Journeyman degrees etc.

Options that allow students to enter the industry without
transferring to a 4 year school.

Sierra College Career & Tech Ed Exploration Day
Oct. 2 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sierra College
 Ranked
first in Northern California in
transfers to the University of California and
California State University systems.
 BYU
receives more transfers from
Sierra College than any other college in
California.
California Public 4 Year Schools
 CSU
& UC academic requirements for
admission are the same
 Called
the A - G
California’s A – G Course List
Search yours at UC Course List Search

College Prep courses in six areas







Social Studies
Math
English
Science
Foreign Language
Visual & Performing Arts
Elective
Sometimes most challenging course might not be college prep
What is A – G?
A
History and Social Science (including 1 year of U.S. history or
1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American
government AND 1 year of social science)
2
B
English (4 years of college preparatory English composition
and literature)
4
C
Math (4 years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry,
Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year)
3
D
Laboratory Science (including 1 biological science and 1
physical science)
2
E
Language Other than English (2 years of the same language;
American Sign Language is applicable -
2
F
Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama or theater, music,
or visual art)
1
G
College Preparatory Elective
1
Total Required (more recommended)
15
A-G
 Meeting A –
G will make you eligible at:
 CSU
 UC
 Most
Private Colleges
 Most Out-of-State Colleges
Taking Transferrable College Classes
During High School
 Can
 Be
replace an A - G requirement
sure to have official transcript from the
community college sent when you send
your high school transcript.
California
Public University Systems
 University
of California
 California
State University
Difference between UC & CSU
 Strategies
of education are different
California State University
 23
campuses, one university
 Hands on learning
 Internships
 Start classes specific to major at freshman
level
 Experience, license, training, knowledge
upon graduation to enter the industry
University of California







Nine undergraduate universities
Research based education
Nearly all majors have common general ed
classes at the freshman level
Comprehensive application
Personal Statement
Highly competitive & more expensive
Sometimes considered the Ivy League of the
West Coast
Differences
If you plan to study to BE something
CSU might be your best choice
If you plan to study ABOUT something,
UC might be your best choice
Transfer Agreements
 Community
College transfer agreements
can provide a solid plan
Transfer policies at the CSU require all
transfers to be “clean” upper division only.
(Minimum 60 units)
Both CSU and UC now accept only junior
level transfers (Minimum 60 units)
California State University
 The
CSU is a leader in high-quality,
accessible, student-focused higher
education.

Nearly a half million students
Nearly 50,000 faculty and staff
Largest educational systems in the U.S.

Highly respected across the nation


CSU
 We
prepare graduates who go on to make
a difference in the workforce. We engage
in research and creative activities leading
to scientific, technical, artistic and social
advances.
CSU Requirements
 File
an application during the initial filing
period.
 Graduate from high school.
 A - G courses minimum grade of C
 Earn a minimum 3.0 g.p.a. (10-11)
 Submit Official SAT or ACT score
 Earn a qualifying eligibility index.
CSU Application is simple
prep courses (a – g) and grades
 SAT or ACT scores
 College



No essay
No letters of recommendation
No activities/awards/service/ etc.
 (Except

CalPoly)
All high school levels can begin application now on CSU Mentor.
CSU Admits By Selection Index







Calculate with weighted 10-11* g.p.a.
A-G Courses from 10-12 Weighted g.p.a.
X 800
+ SAT Math
+ SAT Reading
= Your Selection Index
*CalPoly uses 9-11 grades
ACT Selection Index Formula
A–
G Courses weighted G.p.a. x 200
 + 10 X ACT Composite
 = Selection Index
2900 Minimum Selection Index
For Eligibility with SAT
694 Minimum Selection Index
For Eligibility with ACT
Being eligible does not mean
being admitted
Many CSU campuses are Impacted
 More
applicants than spaces
 Out
of service area often has much higher
selection index
 Some
admit all eligible applicants within
the service area
CSU Majors


Some majors are impacted
Most colleges welcome Undeclared majors



(Except CalPoly)
Most CSUs have a broad range of majors
Changing majors is common
 (Even at CalPoly!)
University of California
 “If
you want to be educated in the heart of
where knowledge is created… then UC is
for you.”
 “The
point of a UC education isn’t just to
earn a degree, it’s to do something
amazing with it.”
University of California






Nine Undergraduate Universities
Research based education
Nearly all majors have common general ed classes at
the freshman level
Requires more information on application than CSU
Requires Personal Statement
More expensive than CSU*
UC Admission is
HIGHLY Selective

The UC admits based on comprehensive review

Even top students are frequently denied admission
UC Looks Beyond Academics
14 Factors














GPA wieighted A-G courses from grades 10 - 11
Test scores – No power scoring – highest from best sitting
Number of courses beyond the minimum "a-g" requirements
Number of and performance in honors and AP courses
Top 9 percent of your high school class
Quality of your senior-year course work
Quality of your academic performance relative to your high school
Outstanding performance in academic subject areas
Outstanding work in special projects in any academic field
Recent, marked improvement in academic performance
Special talents
Completion of special projects
Academic accomplishments in light of special circumstances
Location of your school and residence
UC Davis Profile

Admit Rate — Overall: 38.2%
Admits: 24,670
Applicants: 64,626

Averages
High School GPA: 4.07
ACT Composite Score: 29
SAT Critical Reading: 618
SAT Mathematics: 670
SAT Writing: 636
UC Berkeley
Admit Rate — Overall: 16.9%
Admits*: 13,330
Applicants: 78,923
Averages
High School GPA: 4.19
ACT Composite Score: 31
SAT Reading : 686
 SAT Math: 710
 SAT Writing: 698

UCLA


Admit Rate — Overall: 17.3%
Admits: 16,027
Applicants: 92,722
Averages
High School GPA: 4.18
ACT Composite Score: 31
SAT Reading: 675
 SAT Math: 702
 SAT Writing: 687
UC Merced

Admit Rate — Overall: 64.6%
Admits: 12,178
Applicants: 22,904

Averages
High School GPA: 3.67
ACT Composite Score: 24
SAT Critical Reading: 529
SAT Mathematics: 556
SAT Writing: 531
UC Riverside

Admit Rate — Overall: 56%
Admits: 21,582
Applicants: 38,515

Averages
High School GPA: 3.78
ACT Composite Score: 26
SAT Critical Reading: 566
SAT Mathematics: 604
SAT Writing: 576
Private Schools
 Private
or Independent Colleges
Viable options for a quality education.
 Many
are highly regarded
Independent or Private Colleges

More expensive than public schools
 Often offer more financial aid than public schools
 Some accept all applicants/some are highly selective
 Some are faith based
 Some are not accredited
 Do your homework – check for undergraduate
admissions requirements
 Be careful of schools where there are no requirements
Highly Selective Private Colleges
Western Sierra Students are competitive
 Apply WELL
We support their applications
Common App
Naviance
Stanford

Applicants
42,497

GPAPercent of Applicants Admit Rate Percent of Admitted
Class 4.0 and above 58%

SAT Critical Reading
Percent of Admitted Class 800 10%; 700–799 35%; 600–699
36%

SAT Math Score
Percent of Applicants Admit Rate Percent of Admitted Class
800 18%
700–799 41%



Admits
2142
Admit Rate
5%
Matriculants
1,732
SAT Writing
Percent of Admitted Class 800 5% 700–799 28% 600–699 32%
Ivy League Acceptance
Brown
Columbia
Cornell
Dartmouth
Harvard
Penn
Princeton
Yale
8.7%
6.9%
18%
9.7%
6.2%
12.3%
8.4%
7.4%
University of the Pacific


2010 Academic Profile Admitted Freshmen
Average GPA (Unweighted, Grades 9-12)
All Freshman: 3.6
Pre-Health*: 3.8

Average SAT (Combined Verbal and Math)
All Freshman: 1800
Pre-Health*: 2000

Average ACT Composite Scores:
All Freshman: 25
Pre-Health*: 30
Naviance
 Log


in with your Power School ID
User Name ID
Password is Power School Password with
leading zero
• If password is 999 use 0999
 Enter
your college choices (or applying)
 Update email address
 Update Career Interests (scholarships!)
 Search scholarships
Placer County Foothills High Schools Consortium
College Night
October 8
6 – 8 p.m.
Rocklin High Gym
Over 100 colleges have been invited!
This is YOUR event!
Next Week Homework

HOMEWORK

Log in to Naviance

Enter a college of interest

Find a scholarship
Next Week
THURSDAY
Be Prepared!
Activities, Community Service, Awards, Leadership
Scholarships, Grants, SAT, ACT, Essays, Resume’s
Questions

ckling
rocklinacademy.org - Counselor
 mallen
rocklinacademy.org - Registrar
 mbuttweiler
rocklinacademy.org – Career Tech
 ccutts
rocklinacademy.org– College Planning
Consultant

www.wscacollege&careercenter.weebly.com