Look where our students
have been accepted so far….
U Penn
Northwestern
Indiana
U of Washington, Seattle
Washington U at St. Louis
San Diego State
Oregon
Oregon State
Purdue
Iowa
Miami
Cal Lutheran
Boston
Tufts
Tulane
Chapman
Pepperdine
USC
NYU
Long Beach State
San Francisco State
Sacramento State
U of Texas, Austin
Michigan State
Michigan
Arizona State
U of Arizona
Pace
Emory
Xavier
Penn State
Syracuse
Cal Poly Pomona
Transylvania U
UCLA
UC Berkeley
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Irvine
UC Riverside
UC Davis
UC Santa Cruz
UC Merced
CSUN
CSU Long Beach
CSU East Bay
CSU Channel Islands
Sonoma State
Marymount Manhattan
U of Massachusetts at Amherst
U of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Congratulations Class of 2013!
11th Grade: Graduation and Beyond
Teri Owen, College Counselor
Aubrey Pasmyn, Counselor
LAUSD GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
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Subject Requirements / Credits Required
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English
College Prep Math
College Prep Biology Science
College Prep Physical Science
Social Science
Visual/Performing Arts
Physical Education
Health
Applied Technology
Electives
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In addition: CAHSEE Math/ELA, Computer Literacy, Service Learning
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40 credits
20 credits
10 credits
10 credits
30 credits
10 credits
20 credits
5 credits
10 credits
75 credits
= total of 230 credits
CREDIT RECOVERY OPTIONS
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Summer School
LAUSD: one 5 credit course at Chatsworth or Grant HS
(get enrollment form from counselor for
replacement of Ds and Fs only)
OFL: two-three 5 credit courses at an OFL Center
(get enrollment form from counselor)
OFY: two 5 credit courses at an OFY Center
(get enrollment form from counselor)
Adult School: various courses available (see counselor)
Community Colleges: accepted courses on handout
ROP: Check counseling office in May for options
WVOC: Check with WVOC for available classes
Credit Recovery Options

During the School Year
Adult School: one course at a time when student is
in good standing at Taft
Community College: classes listed on handout, as
approved by College Office
ROP: course offerings vary, see counselor, Fall 2013
WVOC: course offerings vary, check with WVOC
and counselor Fall 2013
Students will be notified if and when any other options
are made available.
Senior Graduation Check
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Counselors meet w/ seniors Sept to review remaining
graduation requirements and options for credit recovery
Parents notified, in writing, regarding student’s graduation
status.
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If student missing any graduation requirements, parent will be
notified and options will be provided
Seniors needing credit recovery have priority for adult
school courses offered at Taft
A senior parent meeting in the Fall to review Taft policies
regarding participation in senior activities
LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL…
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Students choose to do many different things after high
school depending on their personal situation.
Some options include:
Employment
Vocational School
Military
Gap Year
College/University
College Name Game

How many colleges can you think of???
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There are over 3,000 schools in the United States alone…
What’s in a name???
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DON’T FALL INTO THE NAME TRAP!
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Just because you haven’t heard of it, doesn’t mean it’s not an
excellent school!
California’s Higher Education System
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Community Colleges – 2 year colleges
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California State Universities – 4 year universities
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(i.e. CSUN, CSULA, San Diego State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)
University of California – 4 year universities
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(i.e. Pierce,Valley, Santa Monica, Moorpark, Glendale)
(i.e. UCB, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, UCI, UCD, UCSC, UCR, UCM)
Private Universities – 4 year colleges and universities
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(i.e. USC, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Cal Lutheran)
UC/CSU A-G Eligibility Requirements
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2 years required (3-4 recommended)
4 years required
3 years required (4 recommended)
1 year biological, 1 year physical
(3-4 years recommended)
E-World Language: 2 years required (3-4 recommended)
F-Fine Art:
1 year required
G-Additional Academic Elective requirement-1 year min.
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Eligible DOES NOT equal competitive!
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A-Social Studies:
B-English:
C-Math:
D-Lab Science:
Standardized Testing Options:
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SAT Reasoning (2400 pt scale) or ACT (36 pt scale)
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3 ½ hr test; equally accepted
Required by most 4-year universities
SAT Reasoning: Math,Verbal, Writing
ACT: Math, English, Reading, Science, Writing
Can be taken multiple times
SAT Subject Tests (800 pt scale)
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1 hr test in specific subject areas
2 or 3 required by some 4-year schools
Some UC Campuses recommend tests for certain majors
Student chooses which tests to take
Can be taken multiple times
Testing Tips
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Take each test more than once to improve scores
Test prep (practice makes a difference)
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Prep books
Prep courses
Tutors / Practice exams
2 fee waivers for each test available, if eligible (i.e.
school lunch program)
Take Subject Test(s) after completing subject
courses
College Admittance Criteria
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Most schools take a holistic approach
Academics:
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Test scores: SAT/ACT, Subject Tests (if required)
Extracurricular activities at school:
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Grades (Cs or better, Ds are not accepted for college)
Challenging coursework
Concurrent enrollment in community college classes
Sports, clubs, music, drama, leadership, etc.
Community service / Volunteer work outside school:
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Find your passion! Make a commitment!
College Admittance Criteria
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Personal Essays (if required)
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Letters of Recommendation (if required or optional;
students must give counselors/teachers advance notice)
Participation in special programs
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Leadership
Life experience
Personal qualities (what makes student unique and a good fit)
Awards / recognition
Summer programs, internships, employment, etc.
Special factors
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Talent, legacy, first in family to attend college, diversity, etc.
Deciphering GPAs/Class Rank

Every Taft student has 3 unique GPAs
LAUSD GPA: 9th – 11th grade marks on a 4.0 scale,
with a ¼ pt. weighting for all AP
classes
(senior ranking is determined with this GPA,
recalculated after 12th grade fall final marks)
UC/CSU GPA: 10th -11th grade marks on a 4.0 scale,
with a full pt. weighting for all AP classes and
applicable honors courses (see flyer)
Financial Aid GPA: 10th-11th grade unweighted marks on
a 4.0 scale (excludes PE)
Deciding Factors:
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4-year vs. 2-year
Housing
Location
Cost/Financial aid package
Degrees offered
Weather
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Extracurricular activities
Size (small vs. big)
Special programs
Unique college life aspects
Academic focus
What can each school offer?
What is the best fit for student?
Private Schools with a Special Focus
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Historically black colleges
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Liberal Arts colleges
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(i.e. Scripps, Smith, Bryn Mawr)
Fine Arts / Dramatic Arts schools
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(i.e. Whittier, Claremont)
Women’s colleges
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(i.e. Morehouse, Howard)
(i.e. Cal Arts, Berklee School of Music, Julliard, Otis)
Denominational schools
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(i.e. Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, University of Judaism)
Community College Option
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Eligibility
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Accelerated programs
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18 years old or high school diploma
Placement exams in Math and English
Honors Programs
College credit for AP tests (scores of 3 or higher)
Transfer agreements with certain 4 year colleges and
universities
Technical / Specialized programs
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Less expensive than private technical school
Skills for job placement (nursing, culinary arts, fire science)
Choosing Community College Over 4-Year
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Lower cost
Closer to home
Smaller class size
Bridge to a four year school
Programs not offered at 4-year college
Easy entrance requirements
Complete general education requirements before transfer
Opportunity to decide on major
Not accepted to school of choice
Opportunity to transfer to dream college or university
Choose schools wisely!
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Safety schools
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Competitive schools
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likely to be accepted, not guaranteed
Reach schools
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must have AT LEAST ONE safety school
very competitive, may not be accepted
Pick schools in each category
UCLA, UCB, UCSD, and UCSB are
COMPETITIVE/REACH schools for everyone!
Researching a College
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Internet
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College visits
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collegeboard.org
collegedata.com
csumentor.edu
ucop.edu/pathways
Tours/virtual tours
Summer programs
Compare colleges
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Start by visiting local colleges and universities
How to Pay for College
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Forms of financial aid
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Grants
Scholarships
Loans
Work study
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Sources of financial aid
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Federal government
State government
University grants
Private organizations for
scholarships
Lending institutions
College Finances
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Scholarships websites
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File FAFSA before March 2 of senior year
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fastweb.com
finaid.com
fafsa.ed.gov
EFC (Expected Family Contribution): same no matter what
school you attend!
File CSS profile for private schools senior year
Cal Grant GPA verification automatically sent by LAUSD
for Cal Grant eligibility
DON’T FALL FOR SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS!
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NEVER PAY FOR FREE MONEY!
Junior Timeline
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January-March: Standardized test prep
March/April:
SAT Reasoning/ACT
May:
AP exams
June:
SAT Subject tests
Athletes file w/ NCAA Eligibility
Center
Summer:
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College research and visits
Work on Essays / Personal statements (many prompts are
available on-line now including the Common Application)
Last chance to increase GPA through college classes/summer
school
Make good use of time!
Senior Timeline
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Oct.: Applications available for UCs/CSUs
Take SAT/ACT and SAT Subject Tests
Ask for letters of recommendation (EARLY)
Nov. : UC/CSU applications due November 30th
Take SAT/ACT and SAT Subject tests (if app.)
Dec.: Most private school applications due
Last chance to take SAT/ACT (and submit
scores)
Jan.-March 2: File financial aid forms (FAFSA)
April: Decide on college (notify before 5/1)
May: AP Exams
June: GRADUATION!!
College Office Services/Assistance
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Peer College Counselors
Senior meetings
College application help
Catalogs and brochures
Application workshops
College rep visits
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Scholarships
Financial aid information
Concurrent Enrollment
Test prep materials
Recommendations
Senior Rank/GPAs
Contact Information
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Aubrey Pasmyn:
atp1616@lausd.net
(counselor)
(818) 227-3619
Teri Owen: teri.owen@lausd.net
(college counselor) (818) 227-3636
Counseling Office: (818)227-3610
Website:
www.tafthigh.org  “College Corner”
THE END…or just the beginning?
Questions?