Transcript First Generation 4-year College Workshop

First Generation
4-year College Basics
Workshop
Mrs. Olszewski – Class of 2018 Counselor
Mrs. Campo – Class of 2017 Counselor
September 17, 2014
Significance of being 1G
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You will be the first in your family to earn a 4-year college
degree.
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You will open the door for younger siblings, for your
children and their children.
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Completing college will make you a
stronger and happier person.
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You will have more opportunities in
your lifetime if you go to college.
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ImFirst.org
“a-g”: Minimum Courses for College
Entry
► “a” 2 years of History
“b” 4 years of English
► “c” 3 years of Math
(Including Alg1, Geometry, Alg2)
► “d” 2 years of Lab Science
► “e” 2 years of Foreign Language
► “f” 1 year of Visual/Performing Arts
► “g” 1 year of College Prep Elective
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Testing Requirement
► SAT
Reasoning Test with Writing and/or
► ACT with Writing
► Sign up online
► Fee Waivers available
► Juniors: Take at least once in Spring of 11th
► Seniors: December is deadline
► 9th/10th: PSAT is a great practice test for
SAT. Offered in October.
SAT or ACT
The Short Answer…
►Better at vocabulary and reading? The SAT may be the test for you.
►Better at science and graphical thinking? The ACT may play to your
strengths
►SAT II tests are specialized, one-hour-long tests, each of which focus
on a specific subject area – Chemistry, American History, etc.
Free SAT Test Prep: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice
Free ACT Test prep: http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/
Grade Point Average (GPA) – It Matters
►California Public Universities will only use grades earned in College
Preparatory classes for GPA calculation.
►College applications are filed in Fall of 12th grade, this means colleges
will make admission decisions based on grades earned in 9th-11th.
►How to calculate GPA:
Sample:
▪ A grade = 4 points
English
A (4 points)
▪ B grade = 3 points
Geometry
B (3 points)
▪ C grade = 2 points
AP World Hist*
B (4 points)
▪ F grade = 0 points
Biology
C (2 points)
Spanish 1
B (3 points)
►Add the number of points and divide by the number of classes.
▪ 16 points divided by 5 classes = 3.2 GPA (Academic)
*Advanced Placement (AP) classes get 1 extra point on GPA
Make Yourself College Material
► “Package”
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yourself for admissions officers:
Take challenging classes
Practice taking the SAT (PSAT)
Compelling extra-curricular activities
Volunteer Work (start now!)
Excellent grades
Effective use of free time
to advance future goals
Get The Support You Need
► Counselors:
Mrs. Olszewski (class of 2018) &
Mrs. Campo (class of 2017). Take advantage of
on-campus workshops. Students—visit us during
our office hours.
► Family: Talk frankly and often about your college
plans. Come to agreement and make plans
together.
► School & Community: Use teachers, coaches,
alumni and community members as resources for
information, help and support.
Why Go to College?
► More opportunities (jobs) will be available due to the
knowledge, skills and experience you will gain in college.
► College work will challenge and inspire you.
► College helps students develop into mature, responsible,
and independent adults.
► Choosing your own classes gives you the opportunity to
explore courses in many different subjects.
► Explore outside the classroom through extracurricular
activities and internships.
► Invest in your future.
Types of Colleges:
Factors to consider when making
your college list
► Public Institutions: Cal States & UCs
► Our local Public Schools: Cal State San
and UC Riverside
► Private institutions
► Local Colleges in Southern CA
► Out-of-State Schools including WUE
► Small Colleges
► Large Colleges
Marcos
Undergraduate Degrees
► BS
degree: Bachelors of Science
► BA degree: Bachelors of Arts
► With
undergraduate degrees, students:
▪ Complete general education requirements
▪ Complete major specific requirements
Where will you be in 10 years?
Will your college major be the
determinate?
► Naviance
surveys to help you decide:
▪ Interest and Career Profiler
▪ 9th grade – October 2014
▪ Career options based on your responses
▪ Skills, tasks, salaries
►ASVAB – Measures career interests & aptitude
▪ 10th grade – September 18th
“In Demand” College Majors
Biomedical Engineering
► Biometrics
► Forensic Science
► Computer Game Design
► Business
► Public Health
► Robotics
► Petroleum Engineering
► Study dealing with law, medicine, technology, science
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More Factors to Consider with your
College List
► Safe
Schools
► Likely Schools
► Reach Schools
► Determine
your “fit” based on GPA and
SAT/ACT test scores
► Know the competitive factor with schools on
your college list
► Continue to revise
Cost of College
► Types
of Costs: Tuition & Fees, Housing &
Food, Books & Supplies, Transportation &
Other
► Two types of Aid:
▪ Merit Based Aid (GPA)
▪ Need Based Aid (family income)
► Many
students will get aid from various
sources (gift aid and/or loans)
► These costs may seem overwhelming, but
there are ways to keep expenses down.
Process for Financial Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid:
https://fafsa.ed.gov/
► CSS Profile: http://student.collegeboard.org/cssfinancial-aid-profile
► Private Scholarships such as Dollars for Scholars
► Cal Grants A, B, C
► California Dream Act
► Every college will provide
family with Financial Aid
Package that will determine
how funds will pay for college.
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What to do Right Now
► Do
well in your current classes!
► Read, read, read
► Find a mentor
► Make some like-minded friends
► Join a club or a sport
► Explore and identify career interests
► Make a portfolio (Naviance resume)
► Summer activities (volunteer, first job, visit college
campuses, etc.)