Foothill Technology High School

Junior Parent College Night

2008-2009College Application

Timeline and Process

Foothill Technology High School

Grade 11 Begin the college search process if not started already. Use spring break/summer vacation to visit

colleges/universities and take campus tours. Attend the National College Fair at Seaside Park on April

22nd, 09. Take SAT and/or ACT tests in spring of junior year. Take

SAT Subject tests in June 2009 if you are applying to UC campuses.

Keep grades up. College GPA’s are based on grades from sophomore/junior years only.

Talk to your counselor immediately if you have below a C in any of your A – G requirements.

Use your summer wisely: take a college class, volunteer, attend a summer program, travel, work.

Foothill Technology High School

Grade 12September:

Finalize the list of colleges that you will apply to. Register for and retake additional SAT and/or ACT tests if necessary. All

testing must be completed no later than December of senior year. (Impacted schools may require tests to be completed by November).

Sign and return Cal Grant and Transcript release form distributed to students by Ms. Nordin in the Registrar’s Office.

October: Check www.commonapp.org, www.csumentor.edu,

www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions to start application forms. Part of the Common Application Form for private universities is the “Secondary School Report.” Give this to your counselor ASAP!

If you are applying to private colleges/universities, identify staff who will be writing your letters of recommendation. Give your brag sheet to those individuals at least TWO WEEKS before applications are due.

Work on personal statements for UC and private universities. Attend Senior Parent Night (usually mid October) Use fall break to make any last minute visits to colleges. Do not miss SAT and/or ACT registration deadlines for Nov./ Dec. test Dates

Foothill Technology High School

Grade 12November:

Attend UC, CSU, and private university application workshops offered in the Media Center.

Attend Personal Statement feedback workshops (new next year!) Last month to take SAT/ACT for some schools. Submit application forms for any private colleges to which you are

applying “Early Decision/Early Action”. Submit application forms to UC’s and CSU’s no later than November

30th… we recommend completing them before Thanksgiving!

December: Continue working on applications to private colleges/universities.

(Most due by Jan. 1st) Last month to take SAT/ACT for most colleges and universities.

Have scores sent directly to the places that you have applied. Use Winter Break to finish the application process.

Foothill Technology High School

Grade 12January:

Attend Foothill’s Financial Aid Night (early January) Begin filling out the FAFSA. Attend free workshops at VC for

additional assistance. Pursue scholarship opportunities (ongoing). Register to take AP exams.

February: Finish FAFSA and file no later than March 2nd.

March: FAFSA Deadline: March 2nd. Begin to receive notifications of admission from

colleges/universities.

April: Take placement exams at VC if attending in the fall. Return intent to register forms to your chosen college by May 1st.

Grade 12

May: Notify Mrs. Kapala of scholarships and awards

to be included in awards assembly. Take AP exams.

June: Graduation! Begin life after high school!!!

Foothill Technology High School

Factors to consider in choosing a college of university Location (in-state vs. out-of-state, rural vs. urban setting,

weather considerations) Size (Colleges range in size from 40,000 students to under

1000) Cost (in-state vs. out-of-state tuition, private vs. public) Selectivity (do you meet the admissions criteria for

college/university, how competitive is admission?) Type of College (private, public, community, parochial, etc) Major/Academic Dept. Housing

Foothill Technology High School

Useful Websites for College Searches www.californiacolleges.edu

Provides college information and search engine for California private and public institutions www.princetonreview.com

great place to start the college search www.usnews.com

Provides college rankings, college majors, and college planning tools www.campustours.com

Offers virtual tours, campus maps, webcams, videos, general information, tuition costs, enrollment statistics, admission requirements and majors

www.petersons.com Helps students with a timeline starting in 9th grade

www.collegeview.com Provides college search with key facts

College Application Websites

www.csumentor.edu Helps students plan for attending a Cal-State Univ.

www.commonapp.org Over 300 colleges/universities

www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions Provides information about all UC’s (requirements, deadlines, campus life, etc.)

Foothill Technology High School

College Options Entrance Requirements

Ventura College High School Diploma

University of California 9 campuses Designed to accept top 12.5% of CA graduates

A – G RequirementsSAT Reasoning and Subject Tests or ACT Minimum GPA: 3.0

California State University 23 campuses Designed to accept top 33% of CA graduates

A – G RequirementsSAT Reasoning or ACTMinimum GPA: 2.0

Private Colleges/UniversitiesVaried depending on institutionLetters of Recommendation from teachers and counselor

Foothill Technology High School

Foothill Technology High School

Counselors: Mr. Boyd – Last Names A – F, ext.

1011 Ms. Freeman – Last Names G – N,

ext. 1013 Mrs. Hillis – Last Names O – Z, ext.

1014Your counselors are here to assist you with college planning and admission, fulfilling you’re A – G requirements, graduating from high school, academic issues AND any personal, social and/or emotional issues you may encounter.

Media Center Specialist: Mrs. Kapala, ext. 1033 or 1008

Mrs. Kapala is our college and scholarship coordinator as well as the community service coordinator. Mrs. Kapala works closely with students on career and college planning.

Textbook/Records Coordinator: Ms. Nunley, ext. 1008 or 1034

In addition to assisting with Media Center operations, Ms. Nunley also offers assistance with the FAFSA and college application forms.

Registrar Ms. Nordin, ext. 1005

Ms. Nordin is the point person for official transcripts, VC transcripts, Cal Grant Submissions, and multi-site enrollment forms. Ms. Nordin can also answer many counseling related questions in the event of the counselors’ absence.