HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS TIME LINE COLLEGE INFORMATION

SENIOR PRESENTATION

11th and 12th Counselors

A – Ha: Brooke Valot He – Rios: Betty Valenzuela Rivas – Z: Laurie Hurl AP Incentive Program: Clayton

Ballard

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

EARN A CUMULATIVE 2.00 GPA (9TH - 12TH) EARN A 2.00 GPA IN CITIZENSHIP TO

PARTICIPATE IN GRADUATION AND SENIOR ACTIVITIES

COMPLETE A SENIOR PORTFOLIO AND EXHIBITION

COMPLETE ALL REQUIRED CLASSES NO SUSPENSIONS YOU MUST PASS THE HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM

(CAHSEE)!

H.S. Graduation CSU UCEnglish 4 years 4 years 4 years

Math 3 years 3 years (Alg.,Geo., Int. Alg.) (Alg.,Geo., Int. Alg.)

3 years (4+)

History3 years

U.S., World, Gov/Econ.

2 years, including

U.S. History

2 yearsU.S. and

World Hist.

Science 3 years 2 years w/ lab 2 years w/ lab(3+ recommended)

ForeignLang.

1 year (options) 2 years

2 years

(3+ recommended)

VAPA 1 year of the same course

3 years (4+)

H.S. Graduation CSU UC1 year of the same course

Option A or B

College-prep elective

1 full year of a a college prep course; could be Science or Math

Work with English teacher on college essays Check scholarships for Seniors on Naviance College night at PLHS- October 22nd

Senior activity sheet/Parent brag sheet Use Naviance for college information Apply to CSU/UC on-line Finalize college campuses/majors CAL SOAP representatives in Media Center College Application Workshop: Wednesdays in

Library 2:30 – 3:30 “Senior Year 101” : Tuesdays in Library during

Advisory period

Submit college applications Submit transcript requests on Naviance Last opportunity to register for SAT Reasoning

& Subject Exams and ACT Writing Test Letters of recommendations to counselors &

teachers by November 20 for Jan. 1 deadline; otherwise 2 weeks notice

On-line applications to CSU/UC due by Nov. 30 (Print for your records)

Visit colleges you have applied to Last month for college entrance

examinations ACT Test – Dec. 12 SAT – Dec. 5

Register PIN for FAFSA Classroom presentations re: Financial

Aid

Financial Aid Night January 7 @ 6:00 P.M.

See Registrar regarding mid-year reports for private schools

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Apply on line

GPA verification form-PLHS will submit for you

CSS Profile (private colleges)

Apply for scholarships (PLHS Scholarship packet) on Naviance

Community college orientation at PLHS College acceptance letters sent out NO SENIORITIS! Maintain senior grades Senior portfolio/exhibition due Mid-year reports to counselors

Enrollment period in the spring of the Senior year Availability of classes will be harder this year! Enroll on time!

Do not need to take the SAT or ACT No letters of recommendation or essay required

In California only $26 a unit/financial aid available Most four year schools take transfer students first Many great job-training programs Good athletic programs Many have housing available (College of the

Redwoods, Marymount, Mt. Saint Mary’s, Santa Monica, Shasta, etc.)

College search Naviance Your level of achievement in math and English

determine the level of college courses, 2 years of world language often satisfies the general ed requirement, prepare for placement tests.

TRANSFER to a 4-yr. ASSOCIATE DEGREE “FYE” Freshman Year

Experience CERTIFICATES OF

COMPLETION: MIRAMAR

public safety Business transportation biotechnology

MESA COLLEGE Architecture health care, early

childhood education Fashion design, hotel

management, travel & tourism

Study Abroad CITY COLLEGE

nursing, computer tech, media, biotechnology

Apply now thru Nov. 30 Must take the SAT or ACT (SAT

Subject tests not required) No essay or letter of

recommendation Cal Poly SLO and Pomona, Long

Beach, San Diego, Fullerton, Sonoma are impacted

apply on www.csumentor.edu must do a separate application

for each school CSU Mentor code-3594 test

scores will go to all schools you apply.

EOP Program – extra financial aid if you qualify for free or reduced lunch

STATE SCHOOLS LOOK AT: GPA, required

classes taken (no D’s accepted)

SAT or ACT score Must have a year of

fine art Take the ELM/EPT EAP Scores

Decisions sent out in March Will not consider race, ethnicity

or gender SAT Reasoning test or ACT

Assessment Plus Writing Two SAT Subject Tests: 2 tests

in different subject areas (English, history, languages, math, or science).

# Of Honors, AP, and Adv. courses, community service, involvement in school & clubs

UC Merced - All UC eligible students admitted.

Apply Nov. 1-30 No letters of

recommendation Discourage letters of

appeal Acceptance may be

rescinded if grades drop If you make changes in

classes, contact UC ASAP 2 Essay prompts Visit www.assist.org to

learn about specific majors/community college coursework used for transferring

Other Types of Colleges… “Work Colleges:” (tuition-free or graduate

debt-free) Warren Wilson, NC College of the Ozarks, MO Alice Lloyd, KY Berea College, KY

Co-operative Colleges: Drexel University, PA Pace University, NYC Rochester Institute of Technology, NY University of Cincinnati, OH

Colleges for B and C Students Complete list inside packet Consider:

Schools with liberal admissions criteria, including test-optional schools (www.fairtest.org)

Location – be flexible High admit rates Apply for Spring semester Women’s, Men’s, and Historically Black Colleges Small, liberal arts colleges (Marymount,

Dean,etc.) 2-year private schools

UC ESSAY PROMPTS

#1 Describe the world you come from-your family, community or school-tell them how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations (write about yourself)

#2 Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

Must respond to 2 questions ~ 1,000 words total. Must be at least 250 words, but one prompt may be greater in length

Essay Tips Combine topics for different applications into as few

of essays as possible; use UC prompts as a basis Provide a context for your grades, scores, activities,

etc. Add to what is already on your application When generating ideas – start with a paragraph and

if you can write more, it’s an essay! Don’t make excuses for low grades or test scores It’s not the topic, it’s how you tell it Should be your own voice – not a parent’s or

teacher’s

More Essay tips…Write to the actual prompt topic

What do you have a passion about?

Thoughtful, insightful reflection of who you are

Volunteer service, sustained level of involvement

Write your own essay & write in your own voice

Proofread and edit Poorly written essays work against the writer

Meaningful activities that enrich the student’s life

Commitment to others, meaningful activities. What has enriched your life?

Do not make up hardships

Respect of differences

No whining Clarity Answer the question

Purpose of the essay is not to elaborate on activities

Illustrate how you think & what you care about

Consider the audience, real people read your essays

Tell a story only you can tell

Entrance Rates 2008GPA SAT %

Admitted UC Berkeley 4.33 2033 29% UCLA 4.35 2000 22% UCSB 4.00 1876 48% UC Irvine 4.00 1834 43% UC Riverside 3.60 1654 78% UC Merced 3.54 1600 91% SDSU 3.33 41% Chico State 3.25 81% San Fran State 3.1 1500 66% U of Colorado 1500 77% Oregon State 3.49 1560 85% Seattle Pacific3.59 1164 85% Evergreen State 1600 94% Arizona State 1610 82%

Schools vary by size, academic programs, majors, reputation and environment

College search: internet, Naviance, catalogs, video, specialty books

Many private schools are interested in seeing:

Strong academic program SAT , ACT & SAT Subject Tests Essay & letters of recommendation

(counselor & teacher report) Some want personal interview at the

college or with alumni Look for the well-rounded student Many schools want the FAFSA &

profile for financial aid Scholarships available Many have study abroad programs College tours and over night stays

available Common application

Applications/letters of recommendations Early decision Organization Scholarships/financial aid/athletic scholarship Fee waivers Community service & clubs Visiting colleges/college options NCAA ** College resources; internet, CD, video, catalogs, specialty

books, college web sites Point Loma High web page www.pointlomahigh.com Common application www.commonapp.org Professional e-mail address; Facebook / MySpace

GradesSpecial Talents

Test scores

EssayCommunityservice

Transcript

Leadershipactivities

WorkexperienceGPA

THE APPLICATIONPACKAGE

SENIOR TIPS Avoid Senioritis! Keep up with rigorous coursework and

grades Colleges can rescind your admission after acceptance!

Final Grades = 66% of colleges Falsification of info. on transcript = 26% of colleges of

colleges Disciplinary issue = 25% Inappropriate website = 2%

Contact Admissions if you drop any classes or have a D on progress reports

Order final transcript in May via Naviance