College Information Night
Katy Cardoza, MHS College Counselor
[email protected]
569-2879
Preparing for College
9th – 10th Grades
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Keep grades up, C or higher, aim for 3.0 or
higher.
Enroll in challenging, rigorous courses on
the A-G list.
Try out clubs, sports, community service
activities.
Use Naviance to help focus on future
career.
Preparing for College
11th – 12th Grades
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Keep grades up, C or higher, aim for 3.0 or higher.
Enroll in challenging, rigorous courses on the A-G list.
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Math all 4 years!
Take on leadership roles in clubs, sports, community service
activities.
Create a resume with all activities, awards, work experience,
and community service.
Take the PSAT in fall of junior year.
SAT and/or ACT in spring of junior year and fall of senior
year.
Use Naviance to focus on future career, find colleges that
meet your needs, and COMMUNICATE WITH COLLEGE
COUNSELOR!!
General Timeline of Senior Year
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August-September: SAT and/or ACT
October-November: College Apps
January-February: Financial Aid
March-April: Puzzle pieces fit together
April-May: Decision Time
All year, but mostly in spring: Scholarships
California Colleges
Community Colleges – 108
Public Universities
 24
CSU’s
 10 UC’s
Private Universities – 60+
Community Colleges
 Spring enrollment for Fall
 Enroll Senior year to get ahead.
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Save money
Priority Registration at CC
Most classes will transfer to universities
Transfer plan:
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Plan to transfer after 2 years, apply to university based on
college work only. No SAT or ACT 
 CC offers:
 Vocational Certificates = 3-45 units
 Associates Degrees (AA/AS) = 60 units
 Fully Transferrable Units to 4 year schools
University Admission Requirements
 A-G Coursework
 Grades of “C” or better
 SAT or ACT
 Some require 2 SAT Subject Tests or ACT + writing
 GPA
 Activities (sports, clubs, music, etc.)
 Community Service
 UC’s and Private require essays
 Private require letters of recommendation
University Admission Requirements
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
History/Social Science
English
Math
Lab Science (no 9th grade)
Foreign Language
Visual Performing Art
College Prep Elective
2 years
4 years
3-4 years
2-3 years
2-3 years
1 year
1 year
College Athletics
 Is
your child a talented athlete who
wishes to participate in D1 or D2
collegiate sports?
 Register with the National Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA).
 Very rigorous, more requirements than
simply A-G.
 www.ncaastudent.org
Remediation of D’s or F’s
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Retake the class or comparable class in the
regular day schedule
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Summer School
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Often not room in classes
Cannot fit in to an already packed schedule
PACE and other computer based courses may not be
accepted by universities and NCAA.
ESS
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Limited availability
Not all classes offered at our site
For-Profit Schools
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High tuition schools that have the highest share of students
with debt
Highest student loan default rate
Too many students do not get high quality training or do not
graduate. As a result, students do not get a job and have high
debts to repay
MOST for-profits in CA can no longer participate in the Cal
Grant program (list of these schools on College Counseling
link and includes U of Phoenix, ITT Tech, Kaplan, Heald, etc.)
Financial Aid
January 1-March 2
https://fafsa.ed.gov/ or
https://dream.csac.ca.gov/
 Never pay to apply, use correct website.
 Workshops on campus.
 Will require parental income and financial
records.
 File each year your student(s) are in school.
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Types of Financial Aid
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Pell Grant (Federal)
Cal Grant (State)
 District office files GPA electronically/automatically
 Be sure student name and address are correct in
Powerschool and match what student lists on
financial aid/college apps.
Work Study – jobs on campus that provide income
towards school expenses.
Student Loans – lower interest through government,
begin repayment after graduation; debt remains with
you until paid off, even if you declare bankruptcy.
Scholarships
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Scholarships are ongoing and posted in the College &
Scholarship monthly bulletin.
Local Scholarships (specific to MHS) will be available
in the spring in a special bulletin given out in English
classes to all seniors.
List of “Safe Scholarship Websites” is available on
MHS College Counseling Website.
Scholarships awarded from colleges may require
FAFSA or other additional applications.
“Free Ride” scholarships very rare, most range from
$100 - $1000.
Out of State Colleges
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Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Private colleges
May offer more merit based financial aid
May require CSS Profile (pay fee to file)
College Application Costs
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SAT (4 free reports)
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$ 54.50
$ 26 per subject test
Add’l reports $ 11.25
ACT (4 free reports)
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$ 39.50
w/writing $ 56.50
Add’l reports $ 12
SAT/ACT fee waivers in
college counseling office for
free/reduced lunch and
AVID
CSU App
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$ 55 each campus
Eng/Math Placement tests
$16 ea. (no waiver)
UC App
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$ 70 each campus
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CSU/UC fee waivers part of
application
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Private and Out of State
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Varies by school
Fee waiver process varies
Naviance
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Colleges
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Careers
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Research colleges and universities.
Download/print scholarship applications.
Sign up to attend college presentations & workshops.
Help find careers based on interests, and more
information about careers.
About Me
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Create resume.
Make sure email is up to date to receive information
from college counselor.
Specific Questions?
Call or email for an appointment
Katy Cardoza, MHS College Counselor
[email protected]
569-2879