10th Grade: Graduation and Beyond

Teri Owen, College CounselorAubrey Pasmyn, Counselor

LAUSD GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Subject Requirements / Credits Required English 40 credits College Prep Math 20 credits College Prep Biology Science 10 credits College Prep Physical Science 10 credits Social Science 30 credits Visual/Performing Arts 10 credits Physical Education 20 credits Health 5 credits Applied Technology 10 credits Electives 75 credits = total of 230

credits

In addition: CAHSEE Math/ELA, Computer Literacy, Service Learning

Credit Recovery Options

Summer School LAUSD: one 5 credit course at Chatsworth or Grant

HS (enrollment form from counselor to replace Fs only)

OFL: two-three 5 credit courses at OFL Center (enrollment form from counselor)

OFY: two 5 credit courses at OFY Center(enrollment form from counselor)

Adult School: various courses available (see counselor)

Community Colleges: accepted courses on handout

ROP: Check Counseling Office in May WVOC: Check with WVOC for available classes

Credit Recovery Options

During school year Adult School: one course at a time when

student 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 notified if and when other options available

What’s Ahead: Counseling for Juniors

Counselors adjust schedules during first several weeks of fall/spring semesters to ensure on track for graduation

Counselors meet w/ juniors in spring to review remaining graduation requirements and credit recovery options

Honors/AP meetings held during spring for applications

“Graduation and Beyond” parent meeting scheduled during student’s junior year

All juniors called to College Office for individual meetings

Life After High School… Students choose different things after high

school Depends on personal situation

Options include: College/University Employment Vocational School Military Gap Year

College Name Game How many colleges can you think of?

3,000+ schools in the United States alone…

What’s in a name???

DON’T FALL INTO THE NAME TRAP! Just because you haven’t heard of it, doesn’t

mean it’s not an excellent school!

California’s Higher Education System Community Colleges – 2 year colleges

(i.e. Pierce, Valley, Santa Monica, Moorpark, Glendale)

California State Universities – 4 year universities (i.e. CSUN, CSULA, San Diego State, Cal Poly San Luis

Obispo)

University of California – 4 year universities (i.e. UCB, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, UCI, UCD, UCSC, UCR, UCM)

Private Universities – 4 year colleges and universities (i.e. USC, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Cal Lutheran)

UC/CSU A-G Eligibility Requirements A-Social Studies: 2 years required (3-4

recommended) B-English: 4 years required C-Math: 3 years required (4 recommended) D-Lab Science: 1 year biological, 1 year physical

(3-4 years recommended) E-World Language: 2 years required (3-4

recommended) F-Visual/Performing Art: 1 year required G-Additional Academic Elective requirement-1 year

min.

Eligible DOES NOT equal competitive!

Standardized Testing Options SAT Reasoning (2400 pt scale) or ACT (36 pt

scale) 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) 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 Take each test more than once to

improve scores Test prep (practice makes a difference)

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 Most schools take holistic approach Academics:

Grades (Cs or better, Ds not accepted for college) Challenging coursework Concurrent enrollment in community college classes

Test scores: SAT/ACT, Subject Tests (if required)

Extracurricular activities at school: Sports, clubs, music, drama, leadership, etc.

Community service / Volunteer work outside school: Find your passion! Make a commitment!

College Admittance Criteria Personal Essays (if required)

Leadership Life experience Personal qualities (what makes student unique and a

good fit) Awards / recognition

Letters of Recommendation (if required or optional; students must give counselors/teachers advanced notice)

Participation in special programs Summer programs, internships, employment, etc.

Special factors Talent, legacy, first in family to attend college,

diversity, etc.

GPAs/Class Rank Every Taft student has 3 unique GPAs LAUSD: 9th – 11th grade marks on 4.0 scale,

with ¼ pt. weighting for all AP classes (senior ranking determined with this GPA, recalculated after 12th grade fall final

marks) UC/CSU: 10th -11th grade marks on 4.0 scale, with full pt. weighting for all AP classes and

applicable honors courses (see flyer) Financial Aid: 10th-11th grade unweighted marks on

4.0 scale (excludes PE)

Deciding Factors: 4-year vs. 2-year Housing Location Cost/Financial aid package Degrees offered Weather

Extracurricular activities Size (small vs. big) Special programs Unique college life

aspects Academic focus

What is the best fit for student?Take a tour/virtual tour

Community College Option Eligibility

18 years old or high school diploma Placement exams in Math and English

Accelerated programs Honors Programs College credit for AP tests (scores of 3 or higher) Transfer agreements with certain 4 year colleges

and universities Technical / Specialized programs

Less expensive than private technical school Skills for job placement (nursing, culinary arts, fire

science)

Choosing Community College Over 4-Year 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! Safety schools

must have AT LEAST ONE safety school Competitive schools

likely to be accepted, not guaranteed Reach schools

very competitive, may not be accepted Pick schools in each category UCLA, UCB, UCSD, and UCSB are

COMPETITIVE/REACH schools for everyone!

Paying for College Forms of financial aid

Grants Scholarships

fastweb.com finaid.com scholarships.com

Loans Work study

Sources of financial aid Federal government State government University grants Private organizations

for scholarships Lending institutions

Sophomore Timeline (remainder of year) March: Plan next year’s classes April: Think about SAT / ACT May: AP exams June-August:

Have summer activities (volunteer, job, etc.) Increase GPA through college classes/summer

school Explore possible career choices/educational goals College research

Junior Timeline (prep for senior year) Aug/Sept: Check A-G requirements w/ counselor October: Take PSAT January-March: Standardized test prep Spring: AP/Honors meetings, senior class

planning

SAT Reasoning/ACT May: AP exams June: SAT/ACT or SAT Subject tests

Athletes file w/ NCAA Eligibility Center

Summer: College research and visits Work on essays/personal statements (sample prompts online) Final GPA boost through college classes/summer school Scholarship search

College Office Services/Assistance Peer College Counselors Junior meetings Catalogs and brochures Application workshops College application help College rep visits

Scholarships Financial aid

information Concurrent Enrollment Test prep materials Recommendations Senior Rank/GPAs

Contact Information Teri Owen, college counselor: teri.owen@lausd.net

(818) 227-3636 Aubrey Pasmyn, counselor: atp1616@lausd.net

(818) 227-3619

Counseling Office: (818) 227-3610 Website: www.tafthigh.org “College Corner”

THE END…or just the beginning?

Questions?