Items to Discuss:

Options after Graduation.

Career Search.

Educational Options.

College Board Opportunity Scholarships.

College Search: Finding Your Fit – Safety, Match, Reach.

Senior Year Month by Month Planning Timelines with Summer Suggestions.

Resources – refer back to this presentation at https://www.gusd.net/cvhs

Identifying Your Options after

Graduation

Attend a Community College.

Attend a 4 year college or University.

Attend a trade, technical, vocational, or art school.

Join the military.

Get a job and enter the workforce.

Take a gap year.

Career Search Basics

Create an account on these websites:

Bigfuture.org – College Board

Californiacolleges.edu

Xello.gusd.net

Californiacareers.info

Cacareerzone.org

Mappingyourfuture.org

Whodoyouwant2b.com

Learnhowtobecome.org

Take the online career interest

surveys to find careers that match

your interests and strengths.

Link those careers with college

majors recommended for those

careers.

Link those college majors with

colleges that offer those majors.

Community Colleges in California

Explore interests before attending a 4 year university or college.

It’s a fresh start for your academic record and activities.

Certificate Programs and 2 year Associate degrees are offered. You will receive a Career-focused education.

Save $$$$ - An AA degree costs approx. $1200. a year, tuition and fees.

If you transfer to a UC, preference is given to transfers from California Community Colleges.

Choosing to Attend Community College

https://www.kqed.org/perspectives/201601138272/opting-out-of-a-four%e2%80%90year-college

California 4 Year Public Universities

9 UC Campuses

Minimum 3.0 G.P.A., meet a-g requirements, take the SAT or ACT with essay.

The focus is more research based.

The average yearly expense, including living expenses is $34,700.

https://admissions.universityofcalifornia.edu/applicant/login.htm

23 CSU Campuses

Minimum 2.0 G.P.A., meet a-g requirements, take the SAT or ACT, meet the eligibility index.

The focus is on practical application of knowledge.

The average yearly expense, including living expense is $25,000.

https://www2.calstate.edu/apply

Private 4 Year Colleges, Universities &

Art, Tech, or Trade Schools

Private 4 year Colleges

Vary in strength, focus, price tag & expectations.

Admission requirements differ, including G.P.A.

Application deadlines vary – some have rolling admissions (no cut off date).

There are more than 2,000 private colleges in the United States!

Art, Tech, or Trade Schools

Learn a specific set of skills for a career. Examples: web design, make-up artist, visual and performing arts, culinary arts, automotive technician, dental assistant, cosmetology, construction.

These schools are usually more expensive than the same certificate at a community college, but may be a quicker path to full time employment in your field of choice.

New for the

class of 2020

College Board Opportunity What?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CPku32bj5I&feature=youtu.be

Let’s Review the 6 Steps

Six Scholarships

1. Build your college list

2. Practice for the SAT

3. Improve your SAT score

4. Strengthen your college list

5. Complete the FAFSA

6. Apply to colleges

Deadline to enter for $$ Consideration

6/30/19

10/31/19

12/31/19

10/31/19

2/29/20

2/29/20

What do I need to do?

1. Build By 6/30/19

Log into Bigfuture using your College Board account.

Bigfuture.collegeboard.org

Build your college list.

Note: You must be logged into your Big Future account.

2. Practice By 10/31/19

Log into SATpractice.org and study for

the SAT through Khan Academy.

Satpractice.org

You must log at least 12 total practice

hours before 10/31/19.

Remember: cb.org/opportunity

3. Improve By 12/31/19

Improve your SAT score by more than

100 points after practicing on Khan

Academy.

The 100+ score increase can be from the

PSAT to the SAT or from one SAT to

another.

Your College Board and Khan Academy

accounts must be linked and you must

be logged in when practicing.

4. Strengthen By 10/31/19

Strengthen your college list.

Create or edit your college list.

You must be logged into your bigfuture.collegeboard.org account.

You must have 1 “Safety” 2 “Match” and 3 “Reach” colleges on your list

You must save the list.

Scholarship Winners After Each Step

5. Complete By 2/29/20

Complete and submit the FAFSA with your parent or guardian.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/FAFSA

You will need to provide confirmation that you submitted your FAFSA if you win this scholarship.

6. Apply By 2/29/20

Apply to at least 2 colleges

You will need to provide proof of

submitting at least two college

applications if you win a scholarship.

College Search https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search

Summer Ideas: https://collegewise.com/resources

For Seniors and Parents: yourteenmag.com

CSU: Guide to College Success

Gap Year Ideas https://guides.teenlife.com/gap-year-programs

ACT Publication:

https://pages.act.org/eBook-Prepare-For-Whats-Next.html

Testing Timeline – SAT and ACT

Senior Year

Junior Year

College Application Websites

Community Colleges

• GCC – www.glendale.edu

• PCC – www.pasadena.edu

• All California community colleges:www.cccapply.org

4 year Colleges & Universities

• CSU – https://www2.calstate.edu/apply

• UC –http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/

• Private schools www.commonapp.org

• Check individual school websites

UC Comprehensive Review

Includes: Academic:

• Grade-point average.

• Test scores.

• Performance in and number of courses beyond minimum a-g requirements.

• UC-approved honors courses and advanced courses (max 8 semester honors/AP points).

• Eligibility in the Local Context.

• Quality of senior-year program of study.

• Academic opportunities in California high schools.

• Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas.

Non-Academic:

• Achievements in special projects.

• Improvement in academic performance.

• Special talents, achievements and awards.

• Participation in educational preparation programs.

• Academic accomplishment in light of life

experiences.

• Geographic location.

*

Note: No single

factor determines admission

UC Personal Insight Questions: 350 words maximum each, write to 4 of the 8 prompts

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve

disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in may ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking,

and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational

barrier you have faced.

5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has

this challenge affected your academic achievement?

6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of

the classroom.

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate

for admission to the University of Southern California?

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application

would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when

you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was

the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research

query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to

you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new

understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it

captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a

different prompt, or one of your own design.

2019-2020 Common Application Essay Prompts --- 650 words maximum

Financial Aid:

FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid: www.fafsa.gov

Student and Parents submit FAFSA online between 10/01/19 – 03/02/20

CV uploads your Cal Grant GPA for you: www.csac.ca.gov/

College Scorecard estimated college cost: www.collegescorecard.ed.gov

College Board Opportunity Scholarships: www.cb.org/scholarship

Free Scholarship search: www.fastweb.com

Parents and

seniors are

invited to a

Financial Aid

information

meeting

10/09/19

6:30 PM at

CVHS.

College Athletics – NCAA Eligibility

• Register with NCAA at the end of your junior year.

• Register whether you hope to play at a community college or a 4 year university.

• Check all course work and be sure you have all 16 core courses.

• Visit this website to register and get additional information:

http://eligibilitycenter.org/

Letter of rec packet

https://www.gusd.net/cms/lib/CA01000648/Centricity/Domain/130

4/Letter%20of%20Rec%20request%20packet%202019-20.pdf

May/June: Decide how to spend your time during the summer – volunteer, earn community

service, intern, or get a job. Be sure to plan time to relax.

Research your career interests, what college majors and educational degrees, credentials, or certificates are required to achieve your career goals.

Begin to research colleges and universities. Create an electronic or hard copy folder for each college of interest. Gather information about academics, financial aid, and campus life.

Develop a preliminary list of colleges that interest you. Take virtual tours of the campuses and contact admission offices if you need more information. Build your college list at cb.org/opportunity by 6/30/19 deadline for the “Build” College Board Opportunity Scholarship.

Begin planning to visit colleges that are near you - include a large, medium size, and small campus.

Make a list of adults you might ask to write a letter of recommendation – teachers, counselor, and employer.

Register for the NCAA and submit an end of junior year official transcript (if you plan to participate in an athletic program at college).

Take or retake the SAT or ACT and plan whether you will take additional tests in the fall – SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject tests.

July: Volunteer, get a job, intern. Plan time to relax.

Draft your resume - include your high school activities, clubs, awards and honors, leadership positions, community service, and employment.

Refine your college list. Start thinking about your college “fit” and what that will mean for you. Visit campuses that interest you.

Review the freshman profile for colleges of interest. Compare the profile to your own transcript and test scores.

Create an email account that is more professional than silly, and that you will use for your college applications. Save your password!

Look at the CSU, UC, and Common App application websites. Create your accounts and begin to gather the information you will need for your applications.

Begin drafting your PIQ’s (Personal Insight Questions for the UC’s) personal statements and Common App essays.

Prep for the SAT or ACT if you plan to take it in the summer or fall. Use Khan Academy. Log your practice hours at SATpractice.org for the “Improve” College Board opportunity scholarship.

August Register for the SAT and/or ACT (see your counselor for fee waivers).

Continue to work on or create your CSU, UC, and Common App applications.

Complete the CV Senior Questionnaire (distributed in your English class). Be sure to include any questions you have for your counselor.

Review your transcript and make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.

Create a spreadsheet, checklist, or calendar to chart:

a) Standardized test dates, registration deadlines, and fees.

b) College application due dates.

c) Your log in information and passwords for your applications.

d) Other materials you will need for your college applications (ex. recommendations,

transcripts, essays, etc.)

e) Letter of Recommendation packet submitted before due date.

f) Financial aid application forms and deadlines. Private colleges may require the CSS

Financial Aid Profile in addition to the FAFSA.

September

Consider taking a Dual Enrollment class through GCC. Information in the CVHS counseling office and in the bulletin.

Meet with college representatives during snack and lunch at CV. Check the bulletin for dates and times when specific colleges are on the CV campus.

Attend the College and Career fair at the Glendale Civic Auditorium on 09/11/19, from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM.

Narrow down your list of colleges to consider “Safety, Match, and Reach” schools. Find out if you qualify for any scholarships at these schools.

Continue to work on your CSU, UC, and Common App applications.

Continue to prep for the ACT and SAT. Complete twelve hours prep for the SAT at SATpractice.org before 10/31/19 for the “Improve” College Opportunity Scholarship.

Begin or edit your PIQ’s, personal statements, resume, and letter of rec packet.

Finalize who will write letters of recommendation for you. If you are applying Early Action or Early Decision, your timeline will be bumped up. Be careful to meet the deadlines you choose, including dates that you will need letters of recommendation submitted.

October

Finalize your list of colleges. Be sure to include “Safety, Match, and Reach” colleges.

Strengthen or create your college list at bigfuture.collegeboard.org for the “Build”

College Board Opportunity Scholarship by 10/31/19.

Attend the college application workshops 10/16/19 in the CV library. Counselors will

walk you through the CSU, UC, Common Applications and answer your questions.

Complete and file the FAFSA after 10/01/19 but before 03/02/20. Parents and

seniors are encouraged to attend our CVHS Financial Aid information evening at 6:30

P.M. on 10/09/19.

The deadline to log your twelve hours of SAT prep on SATpractice.org is 10/31/19 in

order to be eligible for the “Improve” College Board Opportunity Scholarship.

Finalize your college essays, personal statements, and PIQ’s. Essays or personal

statements are NOT required or submitted with CSU applications.

Attend the Letter of Recommendation workshop during lunch. Check bulletin for date.

You must submit your Letter of Recommendation packet to your counselor at least 3

school weeks before Your application deadline or by 11/21/19 – whichever is earlier.

Remember, if you are applying Early Action or Early Decision, your Letter of

Recommendation packet is due three full school weeks before your college

application deadline.

November/December

Submit CSU and UC applications online before the midnight November 30th deadline. The CSU and UC campuses DO NOT ask for a transcript when submitting your app.

Finalize and submit any early decision or early action applications and any December 1st deadlines (ex. USC for scholarship consideration).

Private colleges will require an official copy of your CVHS transcript. Complete and submit a transcript request form to the CV registrar.

The final opportunity to take the SAT and ACT for most college applications is December 2019.

Make sure the College Board has sent your SAT and AP scores directly to the colleges to which you apply. Same for the ACT.

Private college application deadlines are often Jan 1. Keep track of deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork.

Check your email weekly. Most colleges, including the CSU and UC campuses will email you if you are missing something in your application or if they need additional information.

January/February Your counselor will submit your updated midyear transcript to your Common App

colleges. You must submit a written transcript request to the CVHS registrar for colleges that are not on the Common App.

CVHS community based scholarship applications will be available in the Principals office during January. Complete and submit applications for local scholarships before deadlines.

Read the CV bulletin weekly for scholarship opportunities. Apply for other scholarships: www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.xap.com, www.collegeanswer.com, www.collegenet.com

Don’t slack in the classroom. The college that you attend will want to see your second semester transcript. No senioritis!

Submit applications to at least two colleges by 2/29/20 to be eligible for the “Apply” College Opportunity Scholarship.

Acceptance emails, financial aid offers, and rejections will start to arrive. Review your acceptances, compare financial aid packages, and opt in/out of waitlists.

Begin the community college application process by creating a GCC or PCC account. Sign up to attend the March GCC field trip. Space is limited to the first fifty seniors who sign up in the counseling office beginning in January.

March/April/May Apply to the Scholars Programs at GCC or PCC if you have decided to attend

community college. The GCC priority deadline is in March.

Sign up and attend admit day at the campus where you have been accepted.

Stay focused on your academic grades and prepare for AP and final exams.

If you are “waitlisted” by a college you really want to attend, visit, call or email the admissions office to make your interest clear. Ask how you can strengthen your application.

Submit your community service hours before the deadline.

Continue to check your college emails weekly. You may be encouraged to apply for campus scholarships or receive updated wait list information. Check your emails so you don’t miss out on any opportunities.

Submit your deposit by May 1st to the college you plan to attend. If you’ve been offered financial aid, decide which offer to accept and follow the instructions given.

Make sure you have requested your official final transcript be sent to the school you’ll be attending. Request forms are in the CVHS Counseling office.