the college admission process sharon travers true north college advising a perfect fit
TRANSCRIPT
THE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS
SHARON TRAVERSTRUE NORTH COLLEGE ADVISING
a perfect fit
Before We Start…
Fill out an Essay Coaching Raffle SlipTake a copy of the Steps in the College
Admission/Decision ProcessPresentation will be available on CVHS
website
Next…The Basics
Different College Options
California Community College System
California State University (CSU)
University of California (UC)Public Out-of-State Private Colleges
112 in California, 19 in Bay Area Diablo Valley College Ohlone College Berkeley City College Laney College Chabot/Las Positas
Use this as a path to: Obtain an AA or AS degree Transfer to a UC or CSU Advantages and drawbacks Importance of planning and
advising
Community College System
California State University (CSU) More “applied” learning Less competitive admission
than most UCs* Tuition lower
University of California (UC) More “research” oriented More selective admission
than most CSUs* Tuition higher
* except Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State University
CSU and UC Systems
Private Colleges Small to large in size Some have specialties
(religious affiliation, single gender, race)
Not “all” exclusive or expensive
Many have generous financial aid
Out-of-State Public Colleges Expense as out-of-state
resident Western Undergraduate
Exchange (WUE)
Other 4-Year College Options
Application Process
Different systems have different applications
CSU Oct. 1-Nov. 30 No essay
UC Nov. 1-Nov. 30 Application has 2 essays, no teacher or
counselor recommendations No “Early Decision” (binding)
Out-of-State Publics Applications vary in complexity Deadlines vary
Private Colleges Individual School Application
Requirements and deadlines vary Common Application
Counselor evaluation, teacher recommendations, 7th semester grades, 1 essay, 1 short answer + supplemental questions (very important)
Deadlines vary: Early Decision vs. regular admission
What goes into finding the college that’s right for you?
3 Things… Academic Fit Social & Environmental Fit Financial Fit
Academic fit: what it is, why it matters, and how to research
Many factors go into admissions decisions
Grades and test scores – a MUST Essential to know if you’re competitive Look at 25%/75% range Make sure list includes Safety/Fit/Reach Schools
Research Tool #1 www.nces.ed.gov
Example: Sonoma State University
Academic fit: your major
Know your major? Great!
Don’t know your major? Don’t worry! Explore which CA public colleges
have your major Explore different flavors of your
major Transfer path tools
Research Tool #2 www.assist.org
Example: Bioengineering Example: UC Berkeley
Academic Fit
Community College Option: AA-T or AS-T
Complete new AA-T or AS-T and be guaranteed admission to CSU system
Opportunity to complete 2 degrees (Associates and Bachelors) with only 120 units
Selected majors connect with specific colleges
http://adegreewithaguarantee.com/
Research Careers & Majors
Follow your interests and aptitudes
6 Smart Ways to Research Careers and Majors
Visit the Career Center (re-)take Career Cruising or other
assessment Reflect on what you’re passionate about Talk to people in the field Use connections – job shadow, work,
intern this summer Read, listen to the news: what is
interesting to you and where is it happening?
Research Tool #3 Career Cruising (or other assessment)
Career Cruising
id: castrovalley
pw: trojans
Social/Environmental Fit
Research Tool #4Visit colleges and universities
Many 4-year colleges within 90 minutes of Bay Area
Even more 2-year, technical, and vocational colleges
Research Tool #5
www.youniversitytv.com
Financial Fit
Grants Cal Grants Board of Governors Fee
Waiver (Comm. College) Scholarships
“Institutional” scholarships (merit and need) – know if you need to file the CSS Profile
Private scholarships Do not have to be repaid, but
there are conditions (scholarship, units) – need to be aware of whether “renewable” or not
Loans Student
Secured Unsecured
Parent Parent Plus
Work Study Awarded after filing
FAFSA Must be repaid (or work to
receive)
And, work.
Financial Fit: Things to Know
Research Cost of Attendance (COA)Understand Expected Family
Contribution (EFC)Learn what constitutes Financial AidUnderstand risks of student loansConsider schools where you might
receive merit or need-based aid
Financial Fit: Things to Do
Apply for scholarships in your senior year! From your college (some automatic, some you must
search out) Your high school, local Ed Foundation, parent
workplace, service organizations, cultural organizations Other major scholarships (e.g. PGE) Deadlines come up early!
Be realistic: consider your options
Research Tool #6 Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Priority Deadline: March 2
What is FAFSA?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
First step in receiving financial aid, grants, work study, loans
Need Social Security #, tax returns to complete
Student and Parent(s) must file if student is “dependent”
Parents need to share financial information with students
Make sure to use this site:
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Do NOT pay for online help with FAFSA
Financial Aid
Parents: Take the time to learn about types of financial aid.
Begin early. Talk to a tax advisor or financial planner.
Read Wall Street Journal online article “How Not to Blow It with Financial Aid”.
Research Tool #7 Net Price Calculators
Financial Fit
So, What’s Next?
College Fairs WACAC College Fairs: wacac.org/fairs Sat. May 11 from 1-4 p.m. at St. Mary’s in Moraga
Other days/locations available Specialty Fairs
Exploring College Options (Duke, Harvard, Penn, Georgetown, Stanford) May 12-17 – register now Colleges That Change Lives (July 29-30)
Focus on academicsPrepare for the SAT/ACT
Correlation between GPA/scores and admissionsExtracurricular activities – depth, leadershipExperiences that add dimension to your life
Summer programs on my Facebook page
Student Admittances
Brigham Young University California State University
Channel Islands Chico East Bay Humboldt San Jose Maritime Monterey Polytechnic - Pomona Polytechnic - San Luis Obispo San Diego San Francisco San Jose Sonoma
Georgia Institute of Technology Gonzaga University Hawaii Pacific University Lewis & Clark Notre Dame de Namur New York University Occidental College San Francisco Art Institute
Stanford University University of California
Berkeley Davis Irvine Los Angeles Merced Riverside Santa Barbara Santa Cruz San Diego
University of Colorado University of Hawaii, Manoa University of the Pacific University of Puget Sound University of Redlands University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of Utah Villanova University Willamette University
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP
[email protected] .5796
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Thank You!