Junior Parent Presentation January 12, 2015

1. Junior Parent PresentationJanuary 12, 2015 Junior information and handouts are also available on the Naviance

2. Presentation Overview: • Planning for the senior year • Academic support/tutoring opportunities • How to make up D and F grades • The ‘a-g’ subject requirements (college prep) • Tests required for university admission • Community college considerations • Financial Aid Planning • College and career search tools • NCAA information • Naviance • Q & A

3. Is your student struggling in a class?Free Tutoring is Available After School (T -Th) 2:45 – 4:00pm WHS Library (Drop in) Contact your student’s teachers for days/ times they are available for extra help and to clarify areas needing improvement Help support your student’s progress by monitoring grades each week on HomeLink.

4. Need to Make Up D or F Grades?(for high school graduation or college admissions) Blended Learning/Credit Recovery D grades may only be made up in the Fall and Spring Terms F grades can be made up in the Fall, Spring and Summer Online classes (with weekly teacher meetings) offered fall, spring and summer at Independence High School: Health World Studies US History Biology Integrated Math 1 Geometry English 9 - 11 Earth Science Bonus: Making up D or F grades helps your g.p.a.!

5. Planning for Senior Year • Take challenging classes • Make up and D/F grades as soon as possible • Explore career possibilities - take an ROP class(class & on-site training; own transportation required) • Take the EAP exam- Given in March. Visit www.csusucess.org • Request information from colleges and schedule campus visits • Register for the SAT or the ACT • Prepare a ‘letter of recommendation’ fact sheet (Form available on Naviance)

6. ‘a-g’ UC/CSU Subject Requirements* Students complete a minimum of 15 courses (grades of C or better) in the following subject areas: (Students applying to competitive schools typically take 23 ‘a-g’ courses.) English – 4 yrs Social Science – 2 yrs Math(minimum through Alg. 2) – 3 yrs Lab Science – 2 yrs (1 life, 1 physical); 3 recommended Foreign Language – 2 yrs; 3 recommended Visual/Performing Art – 1 yr Approved CP Electives – 1 yr THESE COURSES ARE ALSO THE BEST PREP FOR THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE *Refer to the Program Planning Guide for an approved list of WHS ‘a-g’ courses (under quick links): http://whs.rjuhsd.us/

7. Unsure Where to Apply?DO YOUR RESEARCH! • Look for best ‘matches’ on college search websites –use Super Match available through Naviance • Speak with your Counselor • Visit the College and Career Center and sign up College Speaker Presentations • Make Campus Visits • College Fair Fall 2015 Keep Your Options Open! Eligible to apply to a university but leaning toward community college? Why not apply to both?

8. College Application Timelines • CSU– October 1 – November 30 $55 application fee for each application (Notification Jan-March) • UC– August 1 – 30 $70 (Notification generally received in early March) • Private/Out-of-State – Varies(check admissions website) • Community College – Jan-March (to maximize chances of getting courses you want/need)

9. Early Decisionor Early Action? • Early Decision: Apply early to one college and hear around December if accepted. Student commitsto attending university if accepted. (Be certain university is your first choice! You cannot ‘change your mind’ -- even if a better scholarship or financial aid offer comes along.) • Early Action: Similar to early decision, but is ‘non-binding’ in that student is not committed to attending that college.

10. Out of State College Considerations • May have different eligibility requirements (e.g. average test scores, minimum gpa, or subject requirements. Check with university Admissions Office or web site for specifics.) • Out-of-state tuition (Some states/colleges – through the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program – have discounts on out-of-state fees. Check this website or contact the university Admissions Office for details. http://wue.wiche.edu • Students cannot use Cal Grants out of state (if awarded)

11. Community College No SAT or ACT required. Students take placement tests in English and Mathematics. Look into Transfer Agreements for the UC/Private Colleges (see community college websites for more info) and Degrees with a guarantee for the CSU’s.Visit http://adegreewithaguarantee.com Success starts with good preparation and careful planning: Students completing ‘a-g’ requirements are better prepared to handle college work (and avoid remedial classes costing $,time and earning no transferable credit.) Students hoping to transfer to a university in 2-3 years should take 14-18 transferable units per semester; keep in contact with a counselor!

12. Admission Test Requirements University of California(UC): • ACT + Writing or SAT(many students take both) • Subject Tests-no longer required but can still be submitted. UC uses the best total score (single sitting) California State University(CSU): • ACT or SAT(many students take both) CSU uses the best combined score of any test dates Tests must be taken by December of the senior year to be received in time for admission decisions (some colleges want Oct. or Nov. test dates)

13. SAT/ACT Prep information • PSAT Results-My College QuickStart • Kaplan Mock SAT- January31st at Woodcreek High School. Cost-$10 Sign up at the attendance window or Woodcreek webstore • See hand out for additional prep options

14. Additional Test Information • The SAT and ACT are offered on different test dates (allowing student to take both in same month.) • Testing fee includes having scores sent to up to four universities – additional fees are charged for scores sent after the test date. Tip: Use code 3594 to send SAT scores to all CSUs; 9999 for NCAA.) • If your student is eligible for the free and reduced lunch program, he/she will be also be eligible for an SAT/ACT test fee waiver. See Ms. Stockton in the college and Career center.

15. COLLEGE ATHLETICS Students wishing to participate in college athletics at a Division I or II school must register with the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)http://eligibilitycenter.org NAIA playnaia.org (D-III and D-II) Information on NCAA requirements and eligible WHS courses can be found on Naviance.

16. Financing College • Use the Fafsa4caster to determine if you are eligible for Financial Aid. www.fafsa4caster • Check the TOTAL cost of attendance. (Tuition + fees + housing + books + personal expenses) • Scholarships can help but there is no guarantee you will win them • Applications are expensive! $70 ~UC application and $55 ~CSU application. Plan wisely.

17. Scholarships If you haven’t done so . . . START APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! • Updates are posted weekly on the Naviance. • Websites such as Fastweband Finaid are good places to frequent. (Refer to handout for web addresses) Remember: You can’t ‘win’ if you don’t ‘play’!

18. Final Advisements • Establish a ‘clean’ email(e.g. smithjj@yahoo.com) for college and financial aid purposes. Check this email frequently! • Private universities and scholarships may require letters of recommendation. Ask faculty who know you well -- at least two weeks in advance!

19. Now, It’s Your Turn! Questions & Answers