College Ready?..A look at the

California college system.

Presentation GoalsPresentation Goals

Understand the benefits of a college Understand the benefits of a college education.education.

Learn the pathways to college. Learn the pathways to college.

Learn how to prepare for college admission.Learn how to prepare for college admission.

Why Go To College?Why Go To College?

• • To have more job opportunities.To have more job opportunities. -More and more jobs require education -More and more jobs require education

beyond high school. Many jobs rely on new beyond high school. Many jobs rely on new technology and “brainpower.”technology and “brainpower.”

• • To gain more knowledge that will be helpful To gain more knowledge that will be helpful throughout your lives.throughout your lives.

To broaden perspectives - meet new people To broaden perspectives - meet new people from diverse backgrounds, learn to be from diverse backgrounds, learn to be independent.independent.

Why College? Why College? continuedcontinued

A 4-year A 4-year college college graduate (with graduate (with Bachelor’s Bachelor’s degree) earns degree) earns almost $1 almost $1 million more million more over his/her over his/her lifetime than a lifetime than a high school high school graduate.graduate. Source: U.S. Census BureauSource: U.S. Census Bureau

Why College? Why College? continuedcontinued

A 4-year college A 4-year college graduate earns graduate earns about $52,200 about $52,200 annually on annually on average, compared average, compared to $30,400 for a to $30,400 for a high school high school graduate.graduate.

- Source: U.S. Census Bureau- Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Why College? Why College? continuedcontinued

Increased education is also Increased education is also associated with:associated with: Better working conditions;Better working conditions; Longer job tenure;Longer job tenure; More on-the-job training More on-the-job training

opportunities;opportunities; More promotion opportunities.More promotion opportunities.

Degrees

Diploma

High School– 4 years

Community College – 2 years (Optional)

Associate’s Degree

University –4 years

Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor’s of Science or Bachelor’s of Arts)

Degrees after the B.A./B.S.

Master’s Degree

University-2 years or more

Doctorate Degrees-Ph.D, Ed.D, M.D.

Professional Degrees-Law Degree

University –3 years or more

California Community Colleges (CCC)

California State University (CSU)

University of California (UC)

Independent and Private Colleges/Universities

4 Systems of Higher Education4 Systems of Higher Education

High School

OptionsOptions

High School

Tiered SystemTiered System

Community College (CCC)

109 Community Colleges in CA

Prepares students to transfer to a 4 year institution

Associate’s degree

Offers technical training in specific occupations (bookkeeping, culinary arts)

Most are nonresidential; students live off-campus

Students can attend part-time or full-time

To enroll, students have to be 18 + or have a High School Diploma

23 California State Universities

B.A./B.S. and Master’s degrees

Accepts high school Seniors and Community College transfers

Provides broad liberal education and prepares students for professional goals

California State UniversityCalifornia State University(CSU)(CSU)

10 University of California Campuses-Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco (Medical and Graduate School Only), Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz

B.A./B.S., J.D., M.D. and only public system in California that can grant the Ph.D

Accepts High School Seniors and Community College Transfers

Mission of the UC: Research & Teaching

Professional Schools-Law, Medicine, Education, Engineering, Journalism, Social Welfare

University of California (UC)

77 Private Universities/Colleges in CA

Vary in size, prestige, and cost

Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate’s, and Professional degrees

Accepts high school graduates and Community College Transfers

Professional Schools-Law, Medicine, Education, Engineering, Journalism, Social Welfare

Private Universities/Colleges

High School

Review of OptionsReview of Options

How to start preparing now How to start preparing now for collegefor college

READ, READ, READ - READ, READ, READ - Good readers make good thinkers and good Good readers make good thinkers and good

writers. “The more you read, the more you know.”writers. “The more you read, the more you know.”

Promote good study habits.Promote good study habits. Turn off the TV.Turn off the TV. Set aside a homework time and a quiet study Set aside a homework time and a quiet study

space.space.

Meet with your teachers to learn about your Meet with your teachers to learn about your performance.performance. Tell the teachers that you have high expectations Tell the teachers that you have high expectations

for your high school experience. We appreciate for your high school experience. We appreciate this attitude!this attitude!

How to start preparing now How to start preparing now for collegefor college

Learn the college-preparatory course Learn the college-preparatory course requirements:requirements: Push to get into these courses in high schoolPush to get into these courses in high school Push to get into honors and AP courses in high Push to get into honors and AP courses in high

school, if availableschool, if available

What you do outside of class matters:What you do outside of class matters: Sports, Clubs, Work, Church, Honor Societies, Sports, Clubs, Work, Church, Honor Societies,

etc.etc.

Take the PSAT by the 9th or 10th gradeTake the PSAT by the 9th or 10th grade It’s good practice for the SAT!It’s good practice for the SAT!

How to start preparing now How to start preparing now for collegefor college

Visit college campuses!Visit college campuses! Find colleges in your area and schedule a tour.Find colleges in your area and schedule a tour. Make a college visit part of your vacation.Make a college visit part of your vacation. Ask your counselor if your school is planning a Ask your counselor if your school is planning a

field trip to a college you’re interested in.field trip to a college you’re interested in. Check out college websites, many have virtual Check out college websites, many have virtual

tours.tours.

Factors to consider when Factors to consider when choosing a college.choosing a college.

Size - Size - What is the total student population? How big are the What is the total student population? How big are the typical freshman classes?typical freshman classes?

Location Location - How far is the college from home? Is it in a - How far is the college from home? Is it in a rural, urban, suburban setting? What is the area rural, urban, suburban setting? What is the area surrounding the campus like?surrounding the campus like?

People People - Who are the students and where do they come - Who are the students and where do they come from? from?

Academics- Academics- What majors are available? Who teaches the What majors are available? Who teaches the courses? What is the academic reputation of the college?courses? What is the academic reputation of the college?

Social Opportunities: Social Opportunities: What clubs and teams are What clubs and teams are available? Are there fraternities and sororities?available? Are there fraternities and sororities?

Cost : Cost : What is the total cost of attendance, including What is the total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books? What kind of financial aid tuition, room and board, books? What kind of financial aid is available?is available?

College Search ToolsCollege Search Tools

The College BoardThe College Board www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

ACT/College Net ACT/College Net www.act.orgwww.act.org

Peterson’s Guide to CollegePeterson’s Guide to College www.petersons.comwww.petersons.com Also available in paperbackAlso available in paperback

FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide to FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial AidFinancial Aid www.finaid.orgwww.finaid.org