SEPTEMBER 4 , 2014

MRS. AHYOUNG CHI

DEAN OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

ACHI@BHUSD.ORG

10th Grade College Guidance

BHHS Class of 2017

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Agenda

College guidance overview for SophomoresCollege admissions process

Post-secondary options with college systems & types College entrance requirements & selection process Extracurricular involvement College admissions testing

What Sophomores should be doing Explore interests and get to know yourself Get to know colleges Naviance tasks for Sophomore year

Upcoming events summaryQ & A

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College Guidance Overview for Sophomores

Theme: Exploration and Self DiscoveryGoal: Continue to get to know yourself and

invest in yourself as well as your future. Building upon the Freshman year, continue to explore interests and get involved in extracurricular activities, continue to challenge yourself in areas that you are strong in and have an interest in, prepare for rigorous classes in 11th grade, learn about what colleges are looking for, learn about different types of colleges and universities, learn about college admissions testing and its role in college admissions.

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College Guidance Activities for Sophomores

Evening programs Almost once a month including College Connections Fair Most are already scheduled and on the website calendar

Classroom guidance lessons: once a semesterCollege admissions testing

PSAT: October 15, 2014 College Admissions Testing Night (Feb) with practice ACT (March)

College Tuesday Workshops: every Tuesday during lunch

Small group meetings with counselors: second semesterCoffee with the Counselors (parents only): once a month

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GPA Game

I need 8 volunteers.

Please come to the stage!

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College Admissions…

Is usually never predictable.Has lots of limitations like:

Factors you have no control over (some applicant’s last name is on the library and that’s no coincidence).

Getting the “best” grades does not always lead to acceptance.Is not just about the numbers (numbers are

important!)- what you do in and out of the classroom matters. Find balance with passion.

Let YOU drive the college search process.Find the best college for YOU.Don’t conform to what you think colleges want you

to be; just be YOU.

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Getting to know YOU

The better you know yourself, the easier it is to make the right choices about your future.

It is never too soon to start planning for your future: What do I like/dislike? (Interests) How do I describe myself? (Personality) What am I good at? (Skills) What am I truly passionate about? (Values)

What are some ways to get to know yourself?

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Getting to know YOU

Naviance Family Connection (more on this later)

Take interest and personality inventories (Naviance)

Take a class that interests youVolunteer in a field you find interestingFind an internship or a job in a career you

want to learn more about (great way to spend your summer!)

Get to know different types of colleges

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Post Secondary Options

Four-year college or university (Bachelor degree) Public: UC or CSU Private: over 75 in California Out of state public and private: over 3,000

Community college Associate degree Career training Transfer to 4-year school (no longer called “2-year college”)

Career technical training (varying degrees & certificates)

Gap year (concrete plan with a college in mind for 2nd year)

Military or employment

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University of California

10 campuses but San Francisco is graduate onlyBachelor, Master, and Doctorate degreesResearch & theory based curriculumsCompetitive admissions with many highly selective

campusesTo be eligible: 3.0 GPA, A-G courses,

SAT or ACT with Writing, personal statements, list of activities & honors

Not required/accepted: SAT Subject exams (some majors “highly recommended”), recommendation letters, transcripts

Application filing period: Nov 1–Nov 30 (available Aug 1)To apply: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply

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California State University

23 campusesBachelor and Master degreesFirst institution of higher education established by the

State of California, originally created to train teachersTo be eligible: 2.0 GPA, A-G courses, SAT or ACT (no

Writing)Not required/accepted: SAT Subject exams, essays,

recommendation letters, transcriptsApplication filing period: Oct 1–Nov 30To apply: www.csumentor.eduMany CSU’s are impacted and very difficult to get into!

Like… Cal Poly SLO, San Diego State, Long Beach, San Francisco State

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Private Colleges & Universities

75+ private colleges and universities in California3,000+ in US (including public schools)All vary in admission requirements and application

deadlinesApplication requirements: official transcript, official test

scores, essays, activities & honors, recommendation letters, interview, portfolio/audition

Use Common Application or Universal College Application

Early Admission Plans: Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Restrictive Early Action (more info click HERE)

National Candidates Reply Date: May 1

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Out of State Public Institutions

3,000+ colleges and universities in US (including private schools)

Many operate on rolling admissions planMany offer non-selective or slightly selective

admissions with non-impacted majorsMany have low out-of-state tuitionWestern Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): tuition

discount for California studentsDon’t forget about Honors programs/colleges at

public schools: rigorous academics in large, research universities that offer small liberal arts college experience

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California Community College

112 campuses in CaliforniaAssociate degrees (many lead to careers)Transfer to 4-year school (to obtain Bachelors degree)

CSU or UC: must complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units (equivalent to 2 years of full time studies)

Most private schools: 30 semester units or 45 quarter units okay to transfer (check with each college and major)

Articulation agreements or TAG are available for most schools- use www.assist.org

VERY important to plan for transferring- it is NOT an automatic 2 year plan!- use UCTAP

Apply to community college by February/March of Senior year- use www.cccapply.org

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College Entrance Requirements

Required subjects/A-G coursesGPA & passing grade of C in required coursesStandardized tests

SAT or ACT (both accepted at all schools) SAT Subject exams TOEFL for English learners

Extracurricular involvement and/or job experienceEssay or personal statementInterview, portfolio, or auditionRecommendation letters from counselor & teachers= “HOLISTIC” review of application (except for Cal States)

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But What Are Colleges REALLY Looking For?

1. Succeed in college’s curriculum Success in challenging curriculum at high school Have you taken advantage of the opportunities at your school?

2. Thrive in the college’s environment Extracurricular involvement Leadership experience, dedication, long term commitment

3. Challenge the faculty while you’re there Intellectual engagement and curiosity Do you like to learn for learning’s sake?

Institutional priority: legacy, athletics, diversity, other special talents, money, well rounded class

Meet other entrance requirements

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Subject/A-G Requirements

(a) History/Social Science: 2 years (3 years for BHHS)

(b) English: 4 years(c) Math: 3 years (4 years recommended)(d) Lab Science: 2 years (3-4 years recommended)(e) Language other than English: 2 years of same

language (3-4 years recommended)(f) Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year of same genre(g) College prep elective: 1 year

= 15 units

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Subject/A-G Requirements

UC/CSU minimum eligibility 15 units

UCLA average for Fall 2014 admits 27.5 units (applicants: 26 units)

UCLA average for Senior year courses for Fall 2014 admits 6 units (applicants: 6 units)

Source

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Extracurricular Involvement

School related: ASB, yearbook, journalism, sports, music, theater, clubs, academic decathlon, robotics, etc

Community serviceWork experience, paid or unpaidInternships, paid or unpaidSummer programs and activitiesRemember…

Quality over quantity Take LEADERSHIP roles Plan summer activities wisely- do SOMETHING You don’t have to cure cancer to be admitted to college! (But it

definitely doesn’t hurt.) Start your resume now

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College Admissions Testing

SAT or ACT with Writing required for most collegesThe new SAT…SAT Subject tests

Required for some highly selective schools: Ex: Harvard, Brown, MIT, Yale, Princeton Stanford & Georgetown: “strongly/highly recommended”

Best way to prepare: take an AP course in the same subject Recommended test date: May or June

www.fairtest.org list of schools with testing optional or flexible policies

College Admissions Testing Night: February 17, 2015

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October 15, 2014: PSAT

PSAT = Preliminary SATPSAT = NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship

Qualifying Test) only when taken during Junior yearWhy take the PSAT as a Sophomore?

Practice for the SAT Practice for next year’s PSAT which is NMSQT Receive information from colleges AP Potential

To sign up: Go to House B and sign up in the PSAT binder Go to Student Store (in person or online) and pay

$39 until September 5 (that’s tomorrow!) $49 from September 8-September 19

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What Should STUDENTS Be Doing Now?

Do well in your classes: #1 goal Your transcript (grades and coursework) is the most

important factor in admission decisions Nothing replaces the importance of your transcript Make up all D and F grades

Get connected to College Center: emails via Jupiter Grades, like on Facebook, subscribe to Mrs. Chi’s page

Sign up for and take PSATAttend evening events and College Tuesday WorkshopsExplore interests and careers; get to know yourself!Get involved in extracurricular activitiesGet familiar with Naviance Family ConnectionGet to know different kinds of colleges

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So Many Different Types of Schools

Private or public (refers to funding source)Liberal arts colleges or research universitySize LocationSelectivitySpecialty: academic, gender, religion, cultureServices: learning differences,

transportation, special housing, dietary restrictions

Raw-raw!

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Getting to Know Colleges

What do the following colleges have in common?

Amherst College (MA)Brown University (RI)

Eugene Lang College (NY)Grinnell (IA)

Smith College (MA)

Open curriculum: no required courses

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Getting to Know Colleges

What do the following colleges have in common?

Colorado College (CO)Cornell College (IA)

One-Course-At-A-Time or Block Plan

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Getting to Know Colleges

What do the following colleges have in common?

University of Redlands- Johnston Center for Integrative Studies (CA)

Vassar College (NY)Western Washington University-

Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies (WA)NYU- Gallatin School of Individualized Study (NY)

Design your own major!

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Getting to Know Colleges

What do the following colleges have in common?

Drexel University (PA)Northeastern University (MA)

Coop Education: internship & other work experience infused into curriculum

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Getting to Know Colleges

What do the following colleges have in common?

Barnard College (NY)Bryn Mawr College (PA)

Mount Holyoke College (MA)Smith College (MA)

Wellesley College (MA)

Single sex: women only

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Getting to Know Colleges

What do the following colleges have in common?

Lawrence University (WI)New York University (NY)

Oberlin College (OH)University of Rochester (NY)

University of Southern California (CA)

Music conservatory within college/university

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Getting to Know Colleges

What do the following colleges have in common?

Emmanuel College (MA)Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MA)

MCPHS (MA)Simmons College (MA)

Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA)Wheelock College (MA)

Colleges of the Fenway Consortium

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Searching for the Right School for You

Reflect on yourself: your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, your values, your wishlist, etc

Visit colleges: start now, incorporate visits into your vacations, visit local schools to see the differences in college campuses (size, location, etc)

Read guidebooks and useful websites: guidebooks available in the College Center and school library, list of available books and useful websites on College Center website, use Naviance Family Connection

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Naviance Family Connection

1. Log in: https://connection.naviance.com/bhhs Username: 5-digit BHHS ID number Password: student If you don’t remember your password, email your counselor

2. Update email address Tip: use the same email address for all things related to

college Make sure your email address is appropriate

3. Tasks appropriate for Sophomores Resume (“about me”) Game Plan (“about me”) Personality type and interest profiler (“about me”) Explore career clusters (“careers”)

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What Should PARENTS Be Doing Now?

Stay connected to College Center: emails via Jupiter Grades, like on Facebook, subscribe to Mrs. Chi’s page

Allow your students to take the lead (but a little positive nudge here and there is encouraged)

Stay in touch with their progress, academic and social

Get familiar with Naviance Family ConnectionCoffee with the CounselorsAttend evening events hosted by College CenterTake your students to college campusesSign your student up for PSAT

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Upcoming Events

Program/Activity Date

Early bird deadline to register for PSAT September 5, 2014 – TOMORROW!

10th Grade Classroom Guidance Lesson October or November 2014

Coffee with the Counselors (parents only) Thursday, October 2, 2014

PSAT 101 Workshop ($40 per student) Sunday, October 5, 2014

PSAT Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Financial Aid Night Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Coffee with the Counselors (parents only) Wednesday, November 4, 2014

College Athletics Night Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Coffee with the Counselors (parents only) Thursday, December 4, 2014

College Tuesday Workshops December 2014 – May 2015

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Upcoming Events

Program/Activity Date

Coffee with the Counselors (parents only) Wednesday, January 7, 2015

10th Grade Classroom Guidance Lesson February or March 2015

Small group meetings with counselors Starts February or March 2015

Selective College Admissions Night Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Coffee with the Counselors (parents only) Thursday, February 5, 2015

College Admissions Testing Night Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Coffee with the Counselors (parents only) Thursday, March 5, 2015

College Connections Fair Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Practice ACT Saturday, March 28, 2015

Coffee with the Counselors (parents only) Wednesday, April 29, 2015

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Looking Ahead to Junior Year

Evening programsClassroom guidance lessons: once a semesterCollege admissions testing

PSAT in October SAT-ACT Strategy Workshop to figure out which test is better for you

College Tuesday Workshops: every Tuesday during lunchCollege rep visits to BHHS

September through early November Over 100 reps come to BHHS!

Individual conference with counselors: starts in JanuaryCoffee with the Counselors (parents only): once a month

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Questions?

Email your question(s) to achi@bhusd.org

Raffle!

Should I hire a private/independent college counselor?

When should my child study for the SAT/ACT?