Advice
Who will be your go-to staff when applying to college next year?
Mrs. Espinosa, Mrs. Hurtado, Mrs. Olivos, Ms. Nguyen, Ms. Storms
What type of extra info will help you be more competitive? (at least 2)
extra-curricular activities, awards, experiences, community services, internships
tip for organization: special binder with different folders to organize different papers
What are different opportunities to obtain fee waivers(2)?
SAT Fee Waivers. College Bound, Financial need, NAC, etc.
What does a reach school mean?
Reach schools are schools that admit very few students or have requirements you may not meet.
What is the most important thing you should avoid your senior year?
Procrastination
How much time should you give your recommender to complete your letter and what should you give your recommender?
2-3 weeks; student info or self assessment
What are two types of “free money” you can get to pay for college?
Grants (federal, state, institutional, outside scholarships) and Scholarships
What is a mandatory task and a good suggestion to do before submitting ANY college applications?
Check application with Espinosa, a college counselor, AVID tutors, etc
What are at least three things you should take into consideration when choosing a major?
Interests, Passions, Happiness, Projected Earnings/Salary, Career Outlook, Difficulty, Etc.
What is the word requirement for your personal statements?
350 max
What is the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans?
Subsidized loans do not accrue interest while you are in school, while unsubsidized loans do.
What is the difference between early action and early decision?
Early action is applying early to get a faster response from the school (nonbinding). Early decision means that once you have been accepted to the school you applied early decision for, you have to attend the school no matter the circumstances (binding).
What are at least five things you should consider when choosing a college?
Gut feeling, Financial aid/need, Living situation, Academics, Student life, Proximity,/Location, School size, UC vs Cal State vs Private, Sports, Prestige, Etc.
Think about touring some universities during the summer or go with your family.
Which application site has a variation of deadlines?
Common Application
What is Net Cost when viewing your financial award letters?
Net Cost is the amount that is not covered by any scholarships and grants that your family and yourself have to come up with.
Why shouldn’t you wait to the last minute to file FAFSA?
The sooner you file, the more money you will get. It serves as a first come, first serve basis.