College Planning Overview – For Students & Parents 

 

Sophomore Year

• Grades count for college admission this year. (NOTE: colleges may drop grades for PE – students should not count on those A’s to keep their GPA up, but make sure even their PE grade is high for overall GPA qualifications.)
• Grades count for Cal Grant qualification. 
  
  • Depending on funding, Cal Grant requires a certain GPA (this fluctuates, so keep it as high as possible) 
  • Look up the Cal Grant qualifications online (www.csac.ca.gov) 
• Go online to look at different colleges (even if your student does not know where they want to go) 
• Familiarize yourself with the admission qualifications for Junior College, State Universities, Christian/Private Universities. 
  
  • Write down the SAT/ACT requirements 
  • Write down scholarship requirements (GPA, SAT score, class ranking) 
  • Know which assessment tests are required and when 

• Have your student take the test twice. This will give your student an idea of the test and it is good practice. Most likely they will score higher in their senior year, the second time they take this test.
• If you sign them up early, they can take it locally. If not, they will have to drive to other schools outside the area. They normally do better locally. 
• If the scores are lower than desired, they will have plenty of time to study and take the test over before college admission requirements in the senior year. 
• Talk with the college counselor at BCS regarding the SAT or ACT tests. 
  
  • ACT test is also another type of college admission test acceptable to most schools. (again be familiar with what you need for the school of your choice) http://act.org
  • Some students do better with one type of test versus the other test. Just familiarize yourself with both. 

Senior Year: 

Encourage your student to NOT GET SENIORITIS! - Senior grades count too and will affect their scholarships

 

SUMMER BEFORE: 

• Sign up for the SAT and/or ACT test dates in November/December (try to sign up in August)
• Download all admission requirements 

 

AT BCS: 

• Sign your student up for the BCS College Algebra class (this class requires a 2nd SAT Test) 
• Discuss Honors classes with BCS counselor – see if this is a good fit for your student
• In January & February – get the FAFSA GPA Verification Form 
• In April, call MSJC for a May appointment for the College Algebra Clep test
• If your student takes College Algebra at BCS, they are required to take a Clep test at MSJC. If they pass, they will not be required to take College Algebra at the college level. Make this test appointment in May before the Hawaii trip but later in the month because they review for this in class. 

 

IN FALL: 

• Download all admission requirements for your choices 
• In BCS Senior English: 
  
  • A student profile sheet is required (go to the profile you started in their freshman year) 
  • Practice college essays are required (know the questions your schools want answered) 
• Apply to colleges and universities (WATCH DEADLINES CLOSELY) 

1. Complete an application (watch deadline) 
   
   • Applications require organized essays (give this process plenty of time & check for errors) 
2. Complete reference forms (from either a pastor, mentor, and friend – watch deadlines) 
   
   • Distribute reference forms at least 3 weeks prior to deadlines! 
   • Give the person a stamped envelope with school address completed 
   • Give them a profile of your high school GPA, desired college major, honors, and activities (just so they can refer to this if necessary) 
   • Remind them to send in the form – unless the college requires otherwise. 
3. Interview (some schools might require this…especially for honor programs/specific majors/specific university) 
4. Follow-up: Call school a week prior to deadline and check if all forms needed are in. 

• Apply for ALL scholarships (watch deadlines) 

 

IN JANUARY: APPLY FOR FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) 

• After January 1st, you may apply. This has a specific deadline! DO NOT MISS THIS DEADLINE!
• Schools still require this form (even if you think you don’t qualify or if you plan to go out of state – apply!) 
• Go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov 
• Familiarize yourself with the Cal Grant - http://www.csac.ca.gov/ 
  
  • Get a GPA verification form (online or at BCS) 
  • Have BCS complete and YOU send it in (before the deadline) 
  • Apply for the FAFSA (use the worksheet beforehand to practice) 
  • You will not see a response until mid-April. 
  • (You may also check your status online at http://www.webgrants4students.org/. If the grant has been declined, but you know you qualify, call your school’s financial aid office and discuss the problem. Changes can easily be made and most schools are very willing to verify all your information and help you make those changes online. Be proactive!) 

 

IN SPRING: 

• Visit schools (check for the college preview days) 
• Apply for all scholarships/grants/athletic scholarships available (these you do not have to pay back) 
• Be in contact with your school’s admissions counselor
• After you receive your letter of acceptance and award letter of grants or scholarships 
  
  • Make an appointment with your college admission counselor and financial aid office to clarify specifics
  • Follow the school’s specific instructions carefully
• Make the BIG DECISION (usually by May 1st). Parental note: your student will be stressed with this decision and may not be able to communicate this properly – keep the lines of communication open

Important On-Line websites: 

http://www.collegeboard.com/ (SAT Testing) 
http://www.act.org/ (ACT Testing –more Math and Science related) 
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ (Cal Grant/Pell Grant/Financial Aid) 
http://www.webgrants4students.org/ (check online status of state grants) 
http://www.csac.ca.gov/ (Cal Grant qualifications) 
http://www.msjc.edu/ (Clep Testing, Headstart program) 

(Helpful hint: keep all passwords in a safe place, ready to access – you will need them often)