a ugust 25, 2015 m s. kayserian nkayserian @ agbumds. org college knowledge class of 2016
TRANSCRIPT
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Agenda
College systems and application typesPersonal statements & essaysWhat should I be doing now?Requesting recommendation letters
Brag Sheet for counselor Common Application schools Non-Common Application schools
Upcoming events
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College Systems & Application Types
California Community CollegeCalifornia State University (CSU)University of California (UC)Private colleges and universities
75+ in California THOUSANDS in United States
Simple Guidelines for Applying to Colleges
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California Community College
112 campuses in CaliforniaAssociate degrees (many lead to careers)Transfer to 4-year school (to obtain Bachelors degree)
CSU or UC: must complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units (equivalent to 2 years of full time studies)
Most private schools: 30 semester units or 45 quarter units okay to transfer (check with each college and major)
Articulation agreements or TAG are available for most schools- use www.assist.org
VERY important to plan for transferring- it is NOT an automatic 2 year plan!- use UCTAP
Apply to community college by February/March of Senior year- use www.cccapply.org
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Pop Quiz on CCC!
What are the qualifications for CCC?
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California State University
23 campusesBachelor and Master degreesTo be eligible: 2.0 GPA, A-G courses,
SAT or ACT (no Writing)Not required: SAT Subject exams, essays,
recommendation lettersApplication filing period: Oct 1–Nov 30To apply: www.csumentor.eduMany CSU’s are impacted and very difficult to
get into! Like… Cal Poly SLO, San Diego State, Long Beach, San Francisco State
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Pop Quiz on CSU!
When is the CSU application due?
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Pop Quiz on CSU!
Which of the following are required for CSU eligibility?
(Choose all that apply.)
1. Successfully completing the A-G coursework2. Minimum GPA of 2.0
3. SAT or ACT4. 2 SAT Subject exams
5. Teacher recommendation letter6. 2 short answer essays
7. None of the above
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University of California
10 campuses but San Francisco is graduate onlyBachelor, Master, and Doctorate degreesCompetitive admissions with many highly selective
campusesTo be eligible: 3.0 GPA, A-G courses,
SAT or ACT with Writing, personal statements, list of activities & honors
Not required/accepted: SAT Subject exams (some majors “highly recommended”), letters of recommendation
Application filing period: Nov 1–Nov 30 (available Aug 1)
To apply: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
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Pop Quiz on UC!
When is the UC application due?
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Pop Quiz on UC!
Which of the following are required for UC eligibility?(Choose all that apply.)
1. Successfully completing the A-G coursework2. Minimum GPA of 3.0
3. SAT or ACT with Writing4. 3 SAT Subject exams
5. 3 AP exams (subjects of your choice)6. Teacher or counselor recommendation letters
7. None of the above- I can just walk into UCLA and become a student. Woohoo!
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Private Colleges & Universities
75+ private colleges and universities in CaliforniaThousands in US All vary in admission requirements and application
deadlinesApplication requirements: official transcript, official
test scores, essays, activities & honors, recommendation letters, interview, portfolio/audition
Use Common Application or Universal College Application
Early Admission Plans: Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Restrictive Early Action
National Candidates Reply Date: May 1
College Knowledge Class of 2015
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How many colleges do I apply to?
Match Schools: one where your academic credentials fall well within (or even exceed) the school’s range for the average freshman. There are no guarantees, but it’s not unreasonable to be accepted to several of your match schools. Many students apply to around 3 match schools*.
Safety Schools: one where your academic credentials fall above the school’s range for the average freshman. You can be reasonably certain that you will be admitted to your safety schools. Many students apply to 2 safety schools*.
Reach Schools: one where your academic credentials fall below the school’s range for the average freshman. Reach schools are long-shots, but they should still be possible. If you have a 2.0 GPA, Harvard is not a reach school — it’s a dream. Many students apply to around 3 reach schools*.
*According to Princeton Review
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Personal Statements & Essays
One of the most important pieces of your applicationOne of the only ways to show your true self and personalityFollow instructions, spell check, have someone look it overNot a typical English paperDon’t procrastinate- doing so will send the message that
you don’t careDo it YOURSELF- your essay must be authentically youAvoid clichés and controversial topics; you never know who
will be reading your essayWrite about WHY and HOW, and it should always be about
YOUEssays that Worked
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What Should I Be Doing Now?
Get organized with application requirements, deadlines, interviews, portfolios/auditions, essays
Request recommendation lettersComplete Brag Sheet for CounselorAttend college related events on and off
campusAttend College Tuesday workshopsTake/retake SAT or ACT Complete applications and write essays
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Requesting Recommendation Letters
Required: Counselor recommendation letter Must complete Brag Sheet for Counselor 1-2 teacher recommendation letters from academic subjects
(English, history, science, math, & foreign language) Okay to include 1 additional letter from coach, employer,
professor, club advisor, program director, etc.UC and CSU do not accept recommendation
lettersSome schools do not require recommendation
lettersYou may need letters for scholarships
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Requesting Recommendation Letters
September 12: Deadline to ask your counselor and teacher(s) for recommendation letters for Early Action and Early Decision schools
October 10: Deadline to ask your counselor and teacher(s) for recommendation letters for regular decision schools
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Common Application: Inviting Recommenders
Create an account: www.commonapp.orgSave your Common App IDCreate a college list using the “College
Search” tabYour college list will appear on your
“Dashboard”Add AGBU MDS to your Common App:
Click on “Common App” tab Click on Education Click on Find School then choose AGBU Manoogian-
Demirdjian School
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Common Application: Inviting Recommenders
Click on “My Colleges” tab then choose one of the schools listed
Click on Recommenders and FERPA and sign the FERPA Release Authorization
You must waive your right to review all recommendations and supporting documents in order for your counselor and teachers to write your recommendation letters
Click on Invite Counselor and enter the requested information to invite your counselor to be a recommender
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Common Application: Inviting Recommenders
Click on Invite Teacher and enter the requested information to invite your teacher(s) to be a recommender
You will need email addresses of your counselor and teachers
Completing these steps will trigger an email to your invited recommenders with instructions on submitting their recommendation letters via the Common App Recommender website
Confirm with your counselor and teacher(s) that they received the invitation
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Non-Common Application Schools
Complete online application on the school’s website
Follow instructions specific to that college to request your counselor and/or teacher recommendations, if applicable (remember, not all schools want recommendation letters)
If letters need to be snail-mailed, then let your counselor and/or teachers know in person and provide them with self-addressed and stamped envelopes
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Upcoming Events
College Tuesday workshops: every Tuesday in the College Center
Essay review sessions: as neededCollege Application Review Sessions:
Thursdays at 12:30 in computer lab – Sign up ASAP!
Financial Aid Night: TBDCollege Rep VisitsCollege & Coffee (for parents only)