Welcome to College Information Night 1 15 2014 Up-coming Events

Welcome to College Information Night 1/15/2014 Up-coming Events NCAA Night @ West HS, We. 1/29 @6 pm TUSD College Fair @ South HS, Sat. , 2/22 10 -2 pm All Grade Level Parent Mtg, Wed. , 2/19 @6: 00 pm Did your student miss the PSAT? Free Practice SAT tests:

PSAT • Purpose of the PSAT – Help assess academic skills necessary for college-level work – Prepare for the SAT – Enter Competitions for National Scholarships – Receive information from colleges – Begin college and career planning • What is tested? – Critical Reading – Math – Writing Skills

PSAT Scoring • Score range in each section – 20 -80 • How are points assigned? – – Correct answers = plus one point Omitted answers = no points Wrong answers = minus ¼ point Wrong answers to Student produced responses in Math = no points • Questions 29 -38

College Readiness Benchmark New Last Year (2012) Rather than post “averages” College Board is using this measurement Critical Reading Math Writing NMSQ Composite 11 th 45 47 45 142* 10 th 42 44 42 133* Students meeting or surpassing the scores listed above would be considered “on track for being college ready” by College Board. *Only juniors can qualify for NMSQ scholarships.

My Scores Are High! • Juniors may be eligible for NMSQT – Top 5% of 1. 4 mil. students qualify (est. 210+) – You may hear from colleges interested in you. • Sophomores should take it again next year. • Freshmen need to take the test in jr. year. • Work on improving your scores! – Go to “My College Quick. Start” – Go to “My Road” – www. Collegeboard. com – Online Access Code is located at the bottom of your test results

My Scores Are Low! • Test Scores can be improved – – – More & more difficult course work Prep programs** Conditions that may affect test scores Go to “My College Quick. Start” Set a goal. Go to “My Road” • Review your test results – Be aware of your strengths & areas where you need improvement • Remember tests are one piece of admissions • This one test is not a predictor of your college admission or college success

My College Quick Start & My Road & Big Future My Road • Personality Profile • Explore Majors • Research Colleges • Research Careers • Access • Establish an account by completing a questionnaire • Need “Online Access Code” located at the bottom of your score report My College Quick Start • Personalized College & Career Planning • Online Score report—review each test question, their ans. & correct answer • SAT Study Plan—customized SAT study plan • My College Matches—matching list based on PSAT results • My Major & Career Matches—list of majors & careers based on majors chosen at time of the test. • Access—use “Online Access Code” at the bottom of your score report

New!! Big Future by College Board • • • Free!! Set College Career & College Major Goals Find Out About Colleges & Admissions Paying for College Step by Step Process for 9 th— 12 th Graders

What Happens Next • Juniors (Class of 2015) should plan to take the SATs and ACTs beginning in spring • Sophomores (2016) & Freshmen (2017) should plan on taking the PSAT & the PLAN test next year. – Sophomores and freshmen should stick with the PSAT & PLAN rather than jumping to the SAT • • PSAT may open scholarship opportunities PSAT is designed for 11 th graders PLAN is designed for 10 th graders Lower cost and Convenience (on THS campus)

Who Must Take SAT or ACT? • Students planning to attend a four year college right after high school • Some scholarship programs require tests • Some Community College Honors Programs use it for admissions

Remember !! • Please don’t be discouraged with low scores – There is time to make improvements • You have the most control over your grades – UC & CSU use 10 th & 11 th grades + summers before, between & after. – Many schools use all four years (esp. privates) • Set goals – Where do you want to be after graduation? – Use “My College Quick. Start” & “My Road” – Make a list of schools & adjust as needed or as interests change • Check with your counselor if you have questions

Torrance High School Counselors Present College Planning A Step by Step Process

College Choices in California • Community College— 2 years – – Classes, Certificate, AA/AS Degree, Transfer 119 campuses (some offer housing!) Community College is “college” Community Colleges use placement tests • Four Year College Options – California State Universities • 23 campuses – Universities of California • 9 campuses that admit freshmen – Private Colleges & Universities • 75 campuses

Things to Consider When Choosing a College • • • Cost Size Location Admissions standards Average class size Private/public Majors In-state/Out-of-state 4 -year/2 year Other?

Choosing a Major • Confused about choosing a major? – Most popular major…”Undeclared” – Research Big Future (College Board) • Most colleges offer “undeclared” option • Does your college admit by major? • Does the college set different criteria for different majors? • Take personality/career interest inventories • Consider taking community college class to try it out • It’s ok not to know. – General ed. classes offer a chance to “shop”

UC/CSU Course Requirements A. History/Social Studies— 2 years Wld. History & US History OR 1 sem. US History + 1 sem. Government English— 4 years Math— 3 years/4 years recommended • Minimum requirement is Algebra 2. Laboratory Science— 2 years/3 recommended • Biology, Chemistry, Physics (PSE counts for CSU) Foreign Language— 2 years/3 recommended Visual/Performing Art— 1 year Elective— 1 additional year of college prep elective • B. C. D. E. F. G. *UC & CSU require a C as a passing grade *UC & CSU use 10 -12 GPA to establish eligibility for admission.

UC versus CSU • UCs are research institutions w/focus on “theoretical” aspects of educ. – State mandate: top 12. 5% – Offer BS/BA, MA, Ph. D & professional degrees • CSUs are more career prep/“practical” educ. – State mandate: top 33. 3% – May admit within “local context” – Impacted campuses admissions may rival UC GPAs. – Offer BS/BA, MA, some Ph. D.

A Word About Private & Out-of-state Schools • Sticker price will be higher • Private schools may have more $ for fin. aid • Housing out of state may be less expensive & help offset “out-of-state tuition” • No Cal Grants for out-of-state schools • Graduation rates at private schools may be better • Average grad in 4 years rather than 5 years?

Community College • • Everyone’s plan B if not plan A Best place if you want to transfer Great for “late bloomers” Honors programs Athletes may want to consider Some have housing State master plan: Transfers from com. Colleges get highest priority to UC/CSU • Remember: Community College is college!

Differences Between Options CC CSU UC Private Ed. options 2 yr 4 yr-Grad 4 yr-Prof. 2 yr-Prof. Admission Size Easy Sm-Lg Selective V. Selective Easy-V. S. Med-V. Lrg Very Large Sm-V. Large Class size 40 -75 40 -100(+) UG 50 -200+ 25 -200+ Cost $ $$ $$$$+ Grad Rate ? 5 -6 yr 5 yr 4 yr Fin Aid $ $-$$$

Top Components Used in College Admissions • Strength of academic program – Taking the minimum requirements may not be enough • Grades (GPA) – Taking AP/Honors classes helps but only if successful (C or higher) • Which grades and from which years? • Test Scores – SAT Reasoning or ACT (w/Writing for UCs) – UC no longer requires Subject Tests – Check which tests are required & how the scores are used

Course Work • • Take the most challenging classes Take honors and/or AP when manageable Go above & beyond the minimum requirements Remember that the “competition” is all the other applicants, not just THS students • Consider taking community college classes • Be realistic about your choices. – Conventional wisdom: 3 H or AP per year Be careful taking more! Ds are not weighted!

Grade Point Average • TUSD “weights” all honors/AP taken in high school – This is not necessarily the GPA used by UC/CSUs – You will need to recalculate for admissions formula • UC/CSU use grades from S+10+S+11+S • UC/CSU will “weight” the GPA – Each calculates the “weighted” GPA differently – www. ucop. edu/doorways & www. csumentor. edu • Most colleges do not “weight” GPAs • Many use 9 -12 th grade GPA • Remember that a D is not recognized as a passing grade nor is it “weighted”

SAT or ACT? • Recommendation: Take SAT Reasoning & ACT in spring of Junior year. – Repeat the most successful test or the one you liked the best if your scores are the same. • Who should take these tests? – Students planning to attend a four year college right after high school – Some scholarship programs require tests – Some community college honors programs

When Should I Take College Entrance Tests? • SAT Reasoning/ACT – Spring of Junior year – UC: Last test in December of Senior year – CSU: Impacted campuses: October – All others: Contact the campus – Most colleges will take either test—whichever is highest • Recommend that juniors take both the SATR and ACT with Writing. • Repeat testing in your “favorite” test or whichever gives the highest score.

Additional Considerations (not necessarily in priority order) – Essay—UC & private schools – Letters of recommendation—private schools – Interview—private schools – Extracurricular activities—UC, private, out-of-state – Early admission option— private, some CSU

I am going to a Community College • Do I need to take the SAT or the ACT? – Most community colleges do not require SAT or ACT for regular admission – Some community college honors/transfer programs may require an ACT or SAT test. – Remember: Some scholarship programs may require an ACT or SAT. • If you complete your first two years of college at a community college, you will probably not need an ACT or SAT to transfer. – To be safe, check with 4 year campus

Building a College List • Include: – Sure bets • Academically and financially realistic – Reaches • Academically and financially attainable if… – Make sure your schools offer your “major” interests – Do your research now so you won’t have to go through this process more than once. – Have a good back up plan and keep your sense of humor – The perfect college for you? There are lots!

Your “To-do” List • Work hard in your classes • Take challenging classes—AP/Honors, college classes • You will need 4 academic classes in senior year • Get involved in extra curricular activities • Become a leader • Sign up to take your tests by the end of June • Take a prep class or personality inventory—My Road • Do something educational this summer • Visit colleges • Research colleges (College Fair & Career Center) • If you will need letters of recommendation… • Line up your letter writers & get to know your counselor • Research scholarships- www. fastweb. com

Websites to Check Out • Collegeboard. com • My Road & My College Quickstart • SAT Registration • ACT. org • ACT Registration • Help with college & career choices • Fastweb. com • Scholarships • Ths. tusd. org • Financial Aid & scholarships links & college links • College Information • www. csumentor. edu (CSU) • www. universityofcalifornia. edu/admissions/welcome. html UC • www. cccco. edu (CA Community College) • www. aiccu. edu (Pvt. CA colleges/universities) • www. collegeboard. com (national colleges/universities)

Remember !! • Please don’t be discouraged with test scores – There is time to make improvements • You have the most control over your grades – UC & CSU use 10 th & 11 th grades + summers before, between & after. – Many schools use all four years (esp. privates) • Set goals – Where do you want to be after graduation? – Use “My College Quick. Start” & “My Road” – Make a list of schools & adjust as needed or as interests change • Check with your counselor if you have questions

Student Athletes A Word About NCAA Rules • NCAA Requirements are more rigorous than high school grad requirements & some college admission requirements. • NCAA Requirements are different than UC/CSU (selective about online classes) • Must register on the website: – www. eligibilitycenter. org • Student must send test scores • More information about requirements on website

NCAA Requirements Division II English 4 yrs. 3 yrs. Math (Alg. 1 – higher) 3 yrs. 2 yrs. Science (Bio – higher) 2 yrs. Additional classes: English, Math, Soc. Studies 1 yr. 2 yrs. Social Studies 2 yrs. Additional classes in: For. Lang. , or English, Math, Science, or S. S. Addit. Any above or FL (2013) 4 yrs. 3 yrs. Take SAT or ACT X X Meet GPA/Test Requirements See Grid 4 yrs

Sample NCAA Grid* Core GPA SAT (R + M) 3. 550 & above 3. 0 2. 5 2. 0 400 620 820 1020 ACT (combined) 37 52 68 86 *See website for most up to date & detailed eligibility information. Code for sending test scores: “ 9999”

Thank You for Coming!! Questions?