Senior Night for Parents

1. Senior Night for Parents September 3, 2013

2. God’s Word • Ecclesiastes 3: 1-7 There is an appointed time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: • A time to plant and a time to uproot • A time to tear down and a time to build • A time to weep and a time to laugh • A time to be silent and a time to speak • Ephesians 5:15-16 “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity …”

3. Jostens Dan Grobeck Yearbook Emily Dutton Senior Lunches Jesse Ramon Moms in Prayer Mrs. Cantrell E-script Register to Vote Handouts DVC CSU/UC Private Schools Essays Applications Financial Aid Grad Night Wendy Randolph Tonight’s Topics

4. Handouts • UC Campus 2012 admission statistics • CLEP example • Letter of recommendation guideline • Request for Transcript • Personal Data form • Choosing a College / Dollars and Sense • FA hand-outs • Alcohol abuse • Selective Service requirements • Coupon • Transcript

5. Register to Vote • To register to vote in California, you must be: • A United States citizen, • A resident of California, • 18 years of age or older on Election Day, • Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction • Not found by a court to be mentally incompetent. • You can pick up a voter registration form at your county elections office, library, or U.S. Post Office. • Must be postmarked 15 days before the election Online at www.sos.ca.gov

6. Choosing a College • Academic • Reputation, kept in perspective • Variety of majors • Liberal Arts v. specific course of study • Career Direct (online assessment) • Retention • Graduate schools that graduates have attended • Acceptance rate of pre-professional students • Mentors

7. Choosing a College • Public v. Secular Private v. Christian Private www.liveabove.com www.indocrinate-u.com • Size • Geographic location • Familiarity • Cost • Campus Visit • Student (not parent) ask questions • Limit choices (reach, probable, sure-thing)

8. Community Colleges Diablo Valley Los Medanos Contra Costa Cuesta

9. DVC & LMC • Submit FAFSA (after January 1 and before March 2) • Complete college application (February - March) • Take assessment test at DVC (February - March) • Enroll in DVC Counseling 095 (April) • Be eligible for priority registration (late May)

10. Cal State Universities • Application period Oct 1 to Nov 30 • SAT or ACT required • No essay • Classes & Grades self-reported • CSU’s definition of “elective” • CSU app workshop Oct 2 during lunch • Eligibility Index • Highly competitive campuses

11. University of California • Application period Nov 1-30 (online Oct) • SAT or ACT and check majors/campuses for SAT Subject • Essay (Personal Statement) • Classes & Grades self-reported • UC’s definition of “elective” • UC app workshop Oct 3 during lunch

12. Essays • Start early • Supplement application • Answer prompt – stay on topic • Be yourself • Be honest • Don’t be modest or boastful • No clichés or slang • Each word counts

13. Essays • Include the correct institution name • Personalize the reason why you want to attend • Facebook page is read and reviewed at some private colleges/universities • Revise for organization, clarity and meaning • Draft, edit, proofread, edit, proofread • Get feedback

14. Applications • Obtain application www.dvc.edu www.CSUMentor.edu www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/ www.commonapp.org • Apply early • Rolling Admissions • Early Action/Early Decision • Apply broadly • Apply completely • Read and re-read directions • Sign the application • Deadlines!

15. Common App • www.commonapp.org • Schools that use Common App include: • Seattle Pacific University • Stanford • Westmont College • Whitworth University • When completing the Common App, you will invite Ms. Romjue to complete the Secondary School Report • kromjue@berean-eagles.org

16. Application Errors • “I’ll start the application next week.” Don’t run out of time to complete the application. Give yourself at least two weeks to find mistakes. • “I already ran a spell-check on my computer.” Words can be spelled correctly but used incorrectly. After your editing, ask a counselor, teacher or family member to proofread the application to catch any errors or poor phrasing. • “One copy is enough.” Print out any online forms and keep copies of all paperwork. • “I will send my application as soon as I finish this sentence...” Before you seal the envelope or click “Submit” on your computer, double- and triple-check that you have included all necessary materials. • “I assume this is right.” If you’re confused by a question or any part of the application, ask someone. A quick email to your guidance counselor or a college admission counselor can save you from making an embarrassing error. FastWeb Student Bulletin

17. Applications - Interviews • Think about what you want to achieve • Dress neatly • Body language Firm handshake, good eye-contact, smile • Be polite and friendly • Have questions ready • Know your strengths and weaknesses • Write a thank-you note

18. Applications • Make copies of everything you submit or mail in • Get a certificate of mailing for everything that is not an online submission • Check for email responses • Check online or call to determine if application is complete • May 1st is National Candidate Reply Date

19. Must be given to teachers, counselors, pastors with a three week lead time before the app deadline The personal data sheet/resume should be attached to any request. Transcript requests emailed to Mrs. Shafer No Cost SendEDU Letters of Recommendation & Transcript Request

20. Senioritis • Importance of GPA throughout senior year • All acceptances are tentative until final grades are received • Verify transcript now • May exam week procedures • Senior privileges

21. Reducing Cost • College Level Examination Program (CLEP) • 34 subjects • $70 plus test center fee, usually $15 • Accepted at many private schools • www.collegeboard.com - link to student and then CLEP • Concurrent enrollment • Advanced Placement

22. Financial Aid • Gift Aid v. Self-help Aid • Scholarships, grants • Loans, work-study • Free Application for Federal Student Aid • SAR sent to you stating EFC • COA – EFC = Financial Need • Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines! • Filing period for FAFSA is Jan 1 – March 2 at www.fafsa.ed.gov • FAFSA workshop is January 14, 2014

23. Financial Aid • Cal Grant • Automatically apply with FAFSA submission • Entitlement grant requires 3.0 GPA • BCHS sends in GPA Verification Forms if parent has signed permission form • www.fastweb.com • www.finaid.org • Financial aid calculator available on www.finaid.org • Beware of scams • F.A. package offered only after acceptance

24. Student Finances • Checking Account • ATM • Credit Cards • Security – Identity Theft “It won’t happen to me!” • Parental help: Set specific parameters that are right for your family Tuition, room and board, books, fees, spending money, phone calls home, travel home, safety issues

25. Expectations • Emotions • Communication • Academics • Freedoms • Godly living • Biblical standards • Choices – from sleep patterns to substance abuse

26. Advice • Put God first • Read Bible • Pray for wisdom and courage • Go to church • Use your gifts • Be diligent (including studying) • Learn to budget – time and money • Be a good roommate

27. Advice “Whenever you meet with difficulties, whether they are intellectual, circumstantial, or physical, remain loyal to God. Don’t compromise.” The Place of Help, by Oswald Chambers