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presents:Mercer’s Foolproof Guide

to

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Doug Mercer - resident guru College, financial aid, career

counselor 765-5150, ext. 282 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday -

Friday (fully awake after 10:00 AM)

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OUR MISSION :

To maintain student / parent / counselor sanityTo maintain student / parent / counselor sanity To provide an overview of all the opportunities To provide an overview of all the opportunities

availableavailable To discuss admission requirements, procedures, To discuss admission requirements, procedures,

deadlines, and costs for California collegesdeadlines, and costs for California colleges To facilitate the college shopping and To facilitate the college shopping and

application processapplication process To help students bridge the gap between HHS To help students bridge the gap between HHS

and their chosen careerand their chosen career To help HHS students make the world a better To help HHS students make the world a better

place for our retirementplace for our retirement

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COLLEGE COUNSELING SERVICES AT HHS-your tax dollar$ at work…

Information (Career Center / Eureka) Campus visits (Fut. Coll. Grads Club) Forms and applications Workshops: student/ parent College testing info & apps (SAT, ACT) Interest, aptitude testing Sage advice from the guru & others

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Workshops Student:

during school - 1st or 2nd period (theatre) advance sign-up & permission form

required Parent (students ok, too):

weeknight from 7:00 - 8:30 PM (theatre) or

Saturday morning 9:00 - 10:30 (Rm. 747)

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College Planning TIMELINES: Freshman year:

Take college prep classes in core subjects Get good grades Get involved in school and community

Sophomore year: Continue curriculum, grades, & activities October - take PSAT test Informal college shopping

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Timelines... Junior Year:

Continue curriculum, grades, & activities

Serious college shopping & campus visits

October - take PSAT again April - take SAT prep class May / June - take SAT I and / or II (ACT

for BYU)

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Timelines... Senior year: (avoid “senioritis”!!!)

Sept./ Oct. - sign up for testing Oct. / Nov. - review for & re-take SAT I /II Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 – CSU & UC app’s due December - workshops on financial aid Jan. 1 - Mar. 2 - file FAFSA & GPA verif. Feb. - finalize HHS local scholarship file Feb. - June - college & fin. aid paperwork

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OPPORTUNITIES FORHIGHER EDUCATION California Community Colleges:

106 colleges plus satellite campuses 2 year university transfer program Associate Degree Program (2 years) Vocational Certificate Program (1-2

years) Cost: Approximately $400/ yr. Tuition,

plus books and living expenses

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Private Vocational & Tech Schools Specialized training programs with

rapid preparation for the job market Certificate, Associate Degree, & some

B.A. degree programs Cost: $4,000 - $20,000 / year tuition

plus books and living expenses

Opportunities...

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Calif. State University (CSU) System: 23 campuses + 9 off campus centers Bachelor’s, Master’s and credential programs

in a wide variety of majors (some PhD programs)

Cost: average $12,580 / year for all expenses (living on campus)

Practical, “hands on” education –preparation for careers in the “real world” -the largest producer of certificated teachers in Calif.

Opportunities...

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University of Calif. (UC) System: 9 campuses Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD. Programs

in a wide variety of majors Cost: average $16,810 / year for all

expenses (living on campus) Well-rounded, research based education

-theoretical emphasis -strong preparation for future study at the graduate level

Opportunities...

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Private / Independent Colleges and Universities: Approximately 100 different schools in

California, hundreds more across the U.S.

Cost: $15,000 - $38,000 / year for all expenses (living on campus)

Smaller classes, more personalized education than many public colleges / universities

Opportunities...

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Out of state Public Colleges and Universities: Programs and expenses vary a great

deal -beware of non-resident tuition costs

and residency requirements -current bargains for out of state

residents: Utah, Idaho, New Mexico

Opportunities...

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COLLEGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: UC / CSU 1 year U.S. History / Government 1 year World History (or approved Soc.

Sci.) 4 years English 3 years math: Alg. I, II, Geometry 2 years Lab science (life / physical) 2 years Foreign Language 1 year of Visual & Performing Arts 1 year of College Prep Electives

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ADMISSIONS TESTING SAT I: UC, CSU, & most 4 year

colleges SAT II: UC & some private colleges

3 tests: writing, math, + 3rd subject ACT: BYU & some out of state (also

accepted as equivalent to SAT I)

When? May / June of Jr. year Re-take in Oct., Nov. of Sr. year

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FACTORS IN COLLEGE ADMISSION DECISIONS Grade point average (GPA) SAT or ACT scores Quality of high school courses Activities / leadership / community

service / work experience Essay (UC, private) Recommendations (private, some UCB

only) Interview (private only)

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CHOOSING A COLLEGE

Factors to consider: Program / majors Location Size Comfort Co$t

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Choosing a college... The Shopping Process:

Do your homework Make the connection with reps Network with grads, professionals

Visit campuses on “normal” school days

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Choosing a college... Prioritizing and Planning:

Plan A: “dream school” Plan B: 2nd choice - easier

admission and cheaper price tag Plan C: next choice - softer

admission and cheaper yet Plan D: “safety net” - 2 yrs.

Community College and transfer

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS UC & CSU:

HHS app. workshops in Oct. App. period: Nov. 1 – 30 UC, Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 CSU Response by March 31 (Don’t forget housing applications

and deposits!) Letter of intent to enroll by May 1

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Application process...

Other colleges and universities: Deadlines and procedures vary Check with each campus HHS workshop on private schools & applications in November

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FINANCIAL AID SOURCE$

Public sources- government-based: Federal programs

Pell Grant FSEOG Grant Stafford, Perkins, & PLUS loans Work study

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Financial aid...

State Programs: Cal Grants Governor’s Scholarship Program

Work study, etc.

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Financial aid...

Special entitlement / needs programs: veterans disabilities minorities

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Institutional (campus based) funds: academic athletic performing arts alumni / regents, etc. major related

Financial aid...

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Financial Aid… $$$$ Local Sources: HHS & area

service clubs, businesses, and individuals

Private sources: companies, charities, foundations, etc.

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APPLICATION Proce$$ FAFSA between Jan. 1 and Mar. 2 List all possible colleges on FAFSA Calif. GPA Verification by Mar. 2

(Sept. 2 allowed for CC students) Campus required forms (in house

app’s or CSS Profile) HHS Scholarship folder by mid-

February Private scholarships (fastweb.com)

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MERCER EDITORIALS Education is your most important

investment! Go somewhere and do something! Work & save, then school = bad idea! If student is ready...

Academically (grades, GPA, skills) Emotionally (maturity, responsibility) Financially ($$, financial aid), THEN.....

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Mercer editorials... Go to 4 year college away from

home Live on campus for at least 1 year

If not ready in all 3 categories: Jr. college (home or away)

Don’t go crazy selecting major generic or undeclared majors are ok at

most colleges (exc. CSUCI, MA, & SLO) a B.A. degree is possible in 4 years

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Mercer editorials... Apply for financial aid (Dec.

workshop) Get organized, seek help, and

don’t be afraid to ask questions and finally...

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Mercer editorials…

Follow your dreams...the possibilities are endless!!

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YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Try the “Higher Education Quiz” Review all handouts Discuss college possibilities &

plans with family and others Attend future workshops Make it happen!