College Applications: Making Sense of it All How to Showcase Your High School Experience

1. College Applications: Making Sense of it All How to Showcase Your High School Experience Prospect High School Guidance & College and Career

2. OVERVIEW • FACTS • TIPS BEFORE YOU GET STARTED • HIGH SCHOOL YEARS • USE OF EXTRA TIME • DEFINING “FIT” COLLEGES • RESPONSIBILITY • TYPES OF COLLEGE APPLICATIONS • FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS • MANAGING STRESS • RESOURCES

3. LIST OF DEGREES OVERVIEW https://study.com/list_of_degrees.html

4. 4,000 colleges in the US • You do not need to attend one of the top 50 schools to be successful • If you pass all of your high school classes, you qualify for admittance to a 4-year college • California Community Colleges are FREE for 1st year, full-time students FACTS

5. HARDEST COLLEGES TO GET INTO #1 Harvard University 5% 1430-1600 #2 Stanford University 5% 1380-1580 #3 CalTech 8% 1510-1600#4 Yale University 6% 1420-1600#5 Princeton University 7% 1400-1590#6 MIT 8% 1460-1590 #7 University of Chicago 8% 1450-1600 #8 Columbia University 7% 1410-1590 #9 Vanderbilt University 11% 1420-1590 #10 University of Pennsylvania 9% 1380-1570#11 Brown University 9% 1370-1570 #12 Duke University 11% 1380-1570 #13 Northwestern University 11% 1400-1560 #14 Dartmouth College 11% 1350-1560#15 Pomona College 9% 1340-1540 #16 Harvey Mudd College 13% 1420-1580 #17 Minerva Schools 2% --- #18 Johns Hopkins University 13% 1400-1570 #19 Claremont McKenna Coll 9% 1320-1490 #20 Rice University 15% 1410-1570 TOP RANKED US COLLEGES #1 Harvard University $69,600 Private #2 Yale University $71,290 Private #3 Stanford University $69,109 Private #4 MIT $67,430 Private #5 Princeton University $66,150 Private #6 CalTech $68,901 Private #7 University of Pennsylvania $71,715 Private #8 Brown University $71,050 Private #9 Dartmouth College $71,827 Private #10 Duke University $71,764 Private #11 Williams College $70,650 Private #12 Georgetown University $71,580 Private #13 Cornell University $70,321 Private #14 University of California, Berkeley $65,003 Public#15 Columbia University $74,199 Private #16 Amherst College $71,300 Private #17 Bowdoin College $68,070 Private #18 University of Chicago $75,735 Private #19 Pomona College $69,725 Private #20 Northwestern University $72,980 Private Source: https://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/#tab:rank https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/hardest-to-get-in/

6. COLLEGES WITH MOST APPLICATIONS School Number of applications rankUC—Los Angeles 102,242 19 (tie)UC—San Diego 88,428 41UC—Irvine 85,102 33 (tie)UC—Berkeley 85,057 22 (tie)UC—Santa Barbara 80,319 30 (tie)UC—Davis 70,214 38 (tie)New York University 64,007 30 (tie)CSU—Long Beach 61,806 Boston University 60,825 42 (tie)San Diego State University 60,697 127 (tie) https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/colleges-that-received-the-most-applications

7. TIPS BEFORE YOU GET STARTED • Agree to only discuss college applications or search just once a week • Establish a college budget and stick to it (cost of applications, visits, testing, and attendance)* • Visit as many schools as reasonable and possible • Use resources available through high school’s college & career center • Enjoy the experience! *fee waivers are available for testing and college apps

8. 8th Grade Some students take HS level classes their 8th grade year & those should be mentioned on college app, but otherwise what you do in middle school is just for fun Freshman Develop study excellent habits, opt to take honors courses, play on a team, not all colleges look at freshman grades Sophomore Limited AP courses are available, join a club, consider having a job, visit local colleges and walk on campus to get a “feel” for college life Junior Most important year - want to have have examples of rigorous coursework, community involvement, and clearly expressed interest in what you hope to study in college Senior Maintain rigorous course load, enter year with college list complete and essays written over summer, sustain GPA until graduation (some college rescind offer if grades dip)

9. History/Social Science - 2+ years including 1 of World, 1 of US and/or Government • English - 4 years of college preparatory English • Mathematics* - 3+ years including topics covered in basic and advanced algebra and two-and three-dimensional geometry • Laboratory Science - 2+ years of laboratory science in at least 2 of the 3 disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics • Language Other than English - 2+ years of the same language (other than English) • Visual/Performing Arts - 1+ years of dance, music, or visual arts. • College Preparatory Elective - 1+ years (additional year of any requirement above or other elective) UC/CSU Application Requirements (consistent with most college admission & high school graduation requirements) Resource:http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/a-g-requirements/index.html * CSUs are adding a 4th year of math requirement (for Class of 2025)

10. Colleges know and understand the rigor of classes offered at each school and what is required to graduate • UCs/CSUs only look at 10th and 11th grade years • Most privates look at 9th, 10th, 11th • UCs/CSUs limit GPA bump consideration to 8 AP classes • UCs/CSUs will only use A-G classes to calculate GPA • Besides rigor & grades, testing is part of application review (SAT &/or ACT) • Extracurriculars are considered for most schools • Essays/PIQs are opportunities to piece everything together

11. SUMMER/EXTRACURRICULARS Think about ways Leadership, Initiative, Community Involvement, and Dedication have been experienced. How has your FREE time been spent? Reflect on ways this has moved you toward your collegiate/career goal. • More school • Enroll in community college for FREE • Academic Camps • Volunteer • Great for students too young for paid positions • Gain experience in a field of interest • Work • Opportunity to test financial freedom • Develop work experience • Measure your potential for success in different environments • Internship • Gain useful experience in your field of interest • Make professional connections • Travel • Exposure to various cultures • Unique situations • Family responsibilities • Any responsibility is valuable • Contribute to success of family Parents are tremendous assets of support during this time! For a majority of students, parents are source of transportation and professional connections.

12. WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN HIGH SCHOOL MATTERS When you apply to college, admission officers look at more than just your grades — they also take note of what you have done outside the classroom. Your extracurricular activities, such as jobs, sports, clubs and volunteer work, give colleges a better sense of who you are and show them what you can bring to their campus community. Your school counselors and CCC specialist are great resources when you are unsure if an activity counts or need help brainstorming ideas. Resource: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/your-high-school-record/what-you-do-in-high-school-matters

13. USE FACTS TO FIND “FIT” COLLEGES • Application season is fall senior year, plan ahead & make use of summer • GPA for college applications is determined Freshman-Junior years • Testing (SAT/ACT) is usually done spring of junior year (test before application is due) • Do you know what you want to study? • Location, location, location • Colleges have similar deadlines, know each and mark calendar clearly • Average GPAs of incoming students are reported for each college • Test scores margins for colleges can easily be found • Research university or liberal arts college? • Know how close or far you want to be from home

14. USE SELF-ASSESSMENT TO FIND “FIT” • Disability Considerations • Atmosphere • Student Body • Facilities • Housing • Clubs, extracurriculars https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/questions-answers/how-do-i-know-if-a-college-is-a-good-fit/ https://www.petersons.com/blog/college-admission-requirements-and-tips-for-students-with-disabilities/

15. THE COLLEGE LIST A well-rounded college list has ~10 schools • Safe (2-3 schools) • Schools you know you will be admitted to and happy attending • Target (~4 schools) • One in which your academic credentials make you competitive for admission. Your GPA, standardized test scores, and class rank fall within the average range for that particular school. You have a very reasonable chance of gaining admission to a target school, but there are no guarantees. • Reach (2-3 schools) • Colleges that are unlikely to offer you admission. A particular college qualifies as a reach school if your high school GPA and standardized test scores are significantly below those of the college's average student. • Also, consider a college a reach school if it is one of the most selective colleges. For example, MIT, Stanford, and Ivy League colleges are reach schools for everyone due to their extremely low acceptance rates. https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-many-colleges-should-i-apply-to https://blog.prepscholar.com/target-school-how-to-find-yours

16. COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTING The importance of test scores in the admission process varies from college to college and depends on an institution’s admission approach and policies. Each college has its own policy. Some colleges, including more-selective colleges, may place a high level of importance on test scores — within the context of the other parts of your application. Other colleges, including many community colleges, may not require a test or use your scores at all. If you have questions about how a particular college uses test scores, check its admission website or contact the admission office. UCs ask for either test with writing. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/testing/the-real-role-of-tests-in-your-college-application

17. RESPONSIBILITY Students are responsible for making sure applications are complete! • Plan ahead with testing (including subject tests) • Know deadlines & requirements of each college application • Ask for letters of recommendation weeks (months!) in advance (make sure to write thank you notes!) • Plans enough time to write PIQs/essays AND have them reviewed (do not make your procrastination someone else’s emergency!) • Make accounts/portals with each school (this is how schools communicate with you and measure your interest) • Confirm all supporting documents are prepared, sent, and received (school report, letters of recommendation, transcript, test scores, etc) “A student about to leave home should be able to manage their college applications on their own.”

18. COLLEGE ADMISSION OPTIONS Regular Admissions - This is the most common option for four-year colleges and universities. All students must submit their applications by a specific date, usually between November and January. The admissions board then reviews all the applications and sends out acceptances and rejection letters on the same date. Rolling Admissions - Common at large state universities, schools that provide rolling admissions allow students to apply at any time during their admissions period; typically, September through July. The school then evaluates each college application as it’s received and sends acceptance letters to students who meet their requirements. Since admission is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis, you’ll want to submit your application as early as possible. Early Decision - Under this admissions program, you agree to attend this school if accepted, and you can’t apply to any other college or university. If you receive an acceptance letter, you must withdraw any other applications to other schools. Since this option is binding, you need to be sure about your choice and realistic about your application. Make sure you get your guidance counselor’s opinion before you submit an application with early decision. Early Action - Like early decision, you are applying only to your top-choice school. However, unlike early decision, you are not bound to attend if accepted and you can apply early action to more than one university. You can accept an offer as soon as you receive it or wait to make your final selection in the spring after you’ve found out where else you’ve been accepted. https://www.campusexplorer.com/college-advice-tips/FC3F1C62/College-Admissions-Options-Early-Decision-Early-Action-Rolling-Regular/

19. COLLEGE APPLICATION PREP WORK • Essays - who are YOU outside of academics? This is what you will be spending the bulk of your essays writing about. • Know the platform of applications (i.e. UC, Common App, Coalition) and how much writing is required for each school. • Know how to report grades, keep copy of transcript handy. • TIP: have 4 or 5 personal descriptors (i.e. compassionate, nature-lover….) • Your writing should be concise, yet eloquent. Essays are meant to piece together your GPA, extracurriculars, and interests in a COMPELLING way. • Essays are longer and can have more narrative than UCs Personal Insight Questions which are meant to be more direct. • UCs/CSUs have you self-report grades on application, most others require transcripts. • TIP: as you prepare for ACT/SAT, make a habit of becoming familiar with new words and have them become a part of your everyday vernacular.

20. FINANCING COLLEGE • Know your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) before applying to college • This is a good time to have a family discuss about who is paying for college and what is expected from the student • Every college has a Net Price Calculator - use it to determine your cost before applying • Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)fall senior year (open Oct 1 - Mar 2) • Federal aid is distributed on a first come, first served basis • Even if you do not think you will qualify, many colleges consider your application incomplete until they received your FAFSA information • Having a FAFSA on file with school each year is beneficial in case of catastrophic family change (layoff, death, injury) • CSS Profile - required by many private schools, similar to FAFSA • Scholarships!!! • Merit scholarships can make a private school more affordable than a state school • Need scholarships - Many scholarships are awarded based on Financial Need. These scholarships require completion of the FAFSA. All Need-based scholarships are awarded for one year only, but students may reapply each year • Colleges and high schools are excellent resources https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/paying-your-share/expected-family-contribution-calculator

21. CONSIDER WUE SCHOOLS WUE stands for the Western Undergraduate Exchange, a program through which students can attend participating institutions in other states for reduced tuition. Instead of paying full out-of-state tuition, a WUE participant pays the regular in-state tuition plus 50 percent of that amount. https://www.wiche.edu/about-wue Often students are able to attend out-of-state public universities at a lower cost tan a UC or CSU and easily graduate within four years.

22. OTHER EXPENSES While tuition, room & board is public knowledge for every institution, there are many additional expenses to consider. • Books and lab fees are always underestimated • Travel to and from school each semester (will you come home for break?) • Gas and parking permits (speeding tickets, parking violations) • “Fun” money - students should not be expected to stay exclusively on campus only dining on cafeteria food for the entirety of college ADDITIONAL SUPPORT: Work study, loans, summer jobs Try this game at home! https://www.timeforpayback.com/

23. Stress • AP/Honors Classes • Keeping pace with GPA • Peer Pressure • Cost of testing and applications • High Expectations from parents and students • Viewing college applications as process, not experience Already teens face an enormous amount of stress. Typically, the college application experience only adds to their anxiety. This may be the most stressful time of a teen’s life. Parents role is to be a resource to ease stress, not the cause of it.

24. PARENTS AS RESOURCE to EASE STRESS Additional causes or instigators of stress: • Time management, organization skills • Lack of sleep • Lives not their own, less control, multiple people to report to (parents, teachers, employers, clubs) • Hormones, emotions • Cyber persona and bullying • Fitting in vs Being Unique • Independance • Fear of failure, “Am I good enough” • Perceived expectations • Do not want to disappoint parents • Coping mechanisms (drugs, alcohol) PLANNING HELPS WITH STRESS

25. COLLEGE APPLICATION EXPERIENCE This is the perfect opportunity to teach values and leave student with a lifetime of skills. Prepare your child to leave home confident knowing where the family stands on important issues. Maximize your time together in a positive way. Have a plan - start early, seek help (lots of resources online and at every school). Communication is key - verbally make time to speak together as a team. The environment at home is influential and will help student discover the “right fit” school. Set up a routine of just once a week “college talk.” It’s a great opportunity to reinforce family values and make the application experience less stressful and more meaningful. College is an experience and you will get out what you put into it. So, no matter where you attend, your commitment is the most important factor. One of my favorite memories is our roadtrip to look at 5 schools.

26. WHAT RECENT APPLICANTS WISHED THEY HAD KNOWN: • Had I had access to a mentor, I could have made a much more informed choice and seen college as a means to larger goals. • I wish I had started writing essays earlier. My essays improved with each application so my regular decision essays were much better than my early action ones • Applying early makes you eligible to more scholarships • It’s not easy to write about yourself!

27. COLLEGE FAIRS CUHSD College Fair - September 18 at Del Mar HS NACAC Visual and Performing Arts Fair - September 19 at Santa Clara Convention Center NACAC STEM college fair - October 6 at Santa Clara Convention Center

28. PROSPECT RESOURCES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 • College App Workshop during study hall in the library COLLEGE APP CRACKDOWN, NOVEMBER • Mock College Admissions review of Essays and PIQs, feedback to students provided GUIDANCE COUNSELORS • Maria Aguiniga (alpha caseload A-G) maguiniga@cuhsd.org • Aimie Subaba (alpha caseload H-N) asubaba@cuhsd.org • Shawnee Beeson (alpha caseload O-Z) sbeeson@cuhsd.org COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER • Amy Bencomo (all students) abencomo@cuhsd.org REGISTRAR (OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS) • Renee Ereno rereno@cuhsd.org

29. SUGGESTED READING The College Finder by Steven R Antonoff College Admission by Hamlet and Vandevelde Fiske Guide to Colleges – current year comes out every July Colleges that Change Lives by Loren Pope K & W Guide to Colleges for students with Learning Differences The Academic Athlete by Luther Dickson and Packard Laughrea The College Panda’s SAT Essay by Nielson Phu

30. FOR INSPIRATION #WhyApply Join the American College Application Campaign in telling students why it’s important to apply to a postsecondary institution, whether it’s for a certificate program, a two-year degree, or a four-year degree. Students may have doubts that college is worth it or fears about the application process. But we can help address those fears and celebrate the college application process.

31. RESOURCEFUL WEBSITES Collegeboard.org – SAT, SAT subject tests, AP tests, CSS financial profile, Big Future for college search, majors, financial info Actstudent.org – register for ACT, test prep Naviance Family Connection college and career research, scattergrams, application UC: admission.universityofcalifornia.edu CSUs: Calstateapply - https://www2.calstate.edu/apply CA Community Colleges: cccco.edu WUE – Western Undergraduate Exchange: wiche.edu/wue Colleges that change lives: ctcl.org Collegexpress.com for additional college searches based on Antonoff book Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Fafsa.ed.gov National Center for Education Statistics: nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ Government college scorecard - collegescorecard.ed.gov What to do with a major: myplan.com/majors/what-to-do-with-a-major.php Cappex.com – scattergrams on college acceptance nationwide Virtual campus tours: ecampustours.com Test optional colleges: Fairtest.org Student athletes: ncaa.org/student-athletes Learning and attention issues - understood.org

32. Where the Class of 2019 went….

33. INDEPENDENT EDUCATION COUNSELORS (IEC) While your local high school will provide excellent support and resources to students on their college application journey, some families are comforted by having added support from an IEC. Sue Larminie - suelarminie@sbcglobal.net Shveta Bagade - bagade93@gmail.com Robyn Giffin - nextstep.ec@gmail.com Natasha Bhave - nnbhave@gmail.com

34. Questions?