11 th grade Parents College Night

1. 11th grade Parents College Night Update on the College Process at Everest Public High School September 8, 2011

2. Don’t Worry…. • We got it covered! Everest will have the same college program as Summit! • 11th grade mentors are on board and have attended trainings • Director of College Readiness at Everest every Wednesday morning from 7:30-10am for help and questions • College Manual and info on Web site • Shared College Events • See Everest Calendar, College Calendar, and Newsletter

3. Goals for College @ Everest 2011-2012 • Students gain an overview of the college process • Students are clear about what they need to do this year for college and how they can improve their chances for admission • Students learn about and identify “right fit” colleges for them • All students have a college testing plan • All students have a meaningful summer plan • All students complete as much of their college applications as possible (essays, resumes, etc). • Parents and mentors understand their roles in the process

4. Overview of Process 11th Grade • Naviance: • All 11th grade students will be entered in September • PLPs • Testing Plan: SAT, ACT, SAT Subject tests • Summer Plans • PSATs: October • College Readiness Course Intersession • All students placed in volunteer sites by mentor • College Visits • Top 25 “SPS” colleges coming in the fall • First SATs: January • Repeated in June • Letters of Rec assigned at the end of year

5. Who is Doing What? • Student Responsibilities • Leader • Parent Responsibilities • Group Member (makes sure following process) • Mentor/School Responsibilities • Group Member • Facilitator • Resource

6. College Readiness Class • REQUIRED of all 11th grade students • January • College and Career Surveys: What do I want to do? Go? • College Research • College process overview • Creation of plan for “meaningful” summer • SAT test prep for January SAT • Volunteer Work • Spring • College lists (very good draft) • Drafts of essays • Activities Resume • Financial Aid and scholarships • Letters of Rec “brag sheet” • SAT test prep, ACT test prep, SAT Subject test prep • Volunteer work

7. HIGHLY Recommended Testing Plan • 11th Grade • January: SAT • June: • Repeat SAT OR SAT Subject tests in science and math, Spanish (if AP or Native Speaker) • ACT • 12th grade (Oct, Nov, Dec test dates) • Repeat SAT • Repeat or attempt ACT • SAT Subject tests in English and History ***Students who deviate from this plan have rarely been successful!

8. Very important things to know • A word about private college counselors • Another word about 4 year schools and Summit’s mission • GPA’s: • Most colleges, especially the UC’s and CSUs ONLY look at 10th and 11th year grades. This is the time to get grades up!

9. The current political and economic climate • “impacted” majors at CSUs and UCs • Budget woes: • Enrollment decreases • Fee increases • Classes or sections cut • UC’s: ~5 years to graduate • CSU’s: ~5 to 6 years • Community Colleges: ~3-4 years to do GE classes in order to transfer to UC/CSU

10. Financial Aid • Financial Aid Night October 18th • Extensive list of scholarships on Naviance • Identifying students • Have a financial safety • UCs/CSUs not necessarily cheapest in the long run • Fill out the FAFSA even if you *might* need money or you think you may not qualify (January of 12th grade) • Its free! • Many schools use it to determine scholarships • CalGrants given this way • You may qualify for some loans • You might need it later…

11. Upcoming College Events • October 18th: Financial Aid Overview • February 15th: PSAT Brown Bag Lunches • April 10th: College Cornucopia Night **All Events will be on the College Events calendar on the Web site.

12. Resources • Naviance: • Researching schools (scattergrams) • Requesting Transcripts • College Board: • SAT and SAT Subject test sign ups • Great research tool • Summitprep.net→Parent or Student Tooklit → College Resources • College Manual: Sections on researching schools, applications, financial Aid and testing • College Events Calendar: all milestones, deadlines and events

13. 11th grade: the “must do’s” School year: -testing plan at PLP -college readiness class in intersession -attend information nights throughout year -increase GPA! -check college Web site often! Summer: -visit schools and interview -start common application -have a “meaningful” summer experience

14. Overview of Process: 12th Grade • Naviance: • Create list and make sure all information is correct • Verify necessary application information • Take or Retake any tests • Prepare and Submit Your Applications • Test scores, essays, recommendations, etc. • Check each school for materials needed • Check your email weekly • verify that your applications were received and are complete • Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships • Decide on a school and accept • Keep checking emails! • Maintain your GPA .

15. Naviance Scattergram: Stanford

16. Naviance Scattergram: UC Davis

17. Questions? • Contact your child’s mentor first • efeinberg@summitprep.net