SENIOR BULLETIN #3
Scholarship and College Information
November, 2013
UC/CSU
· Online applications are now open for both the CSU at www.csumentor.edu and UC at www.universityofcalifornia.edu. You can work on applications and submit any time within the month of November, but, again, we always recommend submitting before Thanksgiving. Students who wait until the November 30th deadline run the risk of something going wrong and missing the chance to apply to the UC or CSU. They don’t give second chances. Put down the cranberry sauce and fill out that application!
· The Personal Statement is a great way to show the UC more of who you are. You don’t need to list your academic achievements because those are evident in your transcript, and you don’t need to itemize your extracurricular experiences because those are listed in another part of the application. Take your time, revise and proofread, and above all, be honest and sincere in your response. Don’t waste time trying to write what you think someone wants to read, and don’t get too overwhelmed trying to follow someone else’s rules for these essays. If you truthfully share thoughts about your world and your life experiences, you’ll provide the UC admissions counselors with exactly what they want – a better sense of the person behind the application.
· ELC or Eligibility in Local Context is a program from the UC which guarantees the Top 9% of every high school’s graduating class admission into the UC System. While these students are offered a spot in the UC System, there is absolutely no guarantee of an offer of admission from any particular UC school. The UC sent a letter to approximately the Top 15% of our senior class in September or October, and ELC status will be determined using self-reported grades after students submit their applications. Students can log in on the My UC Application website about six weeks after they have submitted their applications to view their ELC status.
· You do NOT need to send official transcripts to the UC or CSU. You only need to send one to the school you’ll be attending, and that isn’t sent until after graduation. Have your transcript next to you as you fill out your online application because all the grades you put in must match exactly with the final transcript you’ll be sending. Remember, as we cautioned in the last Senior Bulletin with your self-reported extracurricular activities, if the UC determines anything has been falsely reported, you will NEVER be allowed to enter the UC system for the rest of your life.
· Foreign Transcripts – If you transferred in the last three years to DBHS from a school outside of the country, the UC’s will need to have your official transcript from your former school. It may take a while to get them so they suggest that you begin ordering them now.
· Choose a major that’s right for you. Even if it’s an impacted major, if that’s truly what you want to study, you should apply to that major. A UC admissions counselor said at this year’s UC Conference, “There’s no secret way to get in like choosing an easier major. If you are admitted as a less selective major and try to transfer to an impacted major, you probably won’t be able to transfer unless you’re a great student. And if you were a great student, you should have applied directly to that impacted major anyway.” While it’s good to apply to the major of your dreams, many universities encourage you to list an alternative major as well.
SAT/ACT
· SAT and ACT scores need to be sent directly to all schools to which you are applying through www.collegboard.org or www.act.org respectively. DBHS does NOT send any scores. To send the SAT to multiple Cal States, use the CSUMentor institution code of 3594 so any CSU campus can retrieve your score. For the UC’s, if you report your scores to one campus, they will be shared with every campus to which you’ve applied.
· December scores can be rushed to schools for a fee. If the schools to which you are applying say they’ll accept December scores, you should be fine with the regular process, but you’ll probably feel better if you rush them. San Jose State and San Diego State stated on their websites that they are NOT accepting December SAT scores.
· Your SAT/ACT score is just one of many pieces that admissions officers consider when looking at your application. If you’re disappointed with your scores, remember that they won’t necessarily hold you back from your goals. We have a tendency to fixate on certain numbers in this community, but most of that unhealthy anxiety is self-induced and not a real reflection of the college admissions process. As many admissions officers acknowledge, what you’ve done in the classroom for three years is a much better indicator of your success on a college campus than what you did in a three hour test. You did your best, and now you need to move on and finish well in the classroom.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
· Do NOT send reminders to your GLC’s or teachers about deadlines for letters of recommendation. Worry about your own deadlines and make sure your pieces to your applications are turned in on time, and trust your GLC’s and teachers to take care of their respective parts.
· Transcripts are sent with the School Report. If you asked your GLC to fill out the School Report through Common Application, that covers the letter of recommendation, official transcript, and school profile, and you don’t need to request transcripts from the registrar for that school. If you have any questions, contact your GLC.
FINANCIAL AID
· The Financial Aid Workshop will take place on Tuesday, December 17th at 6:00 in the Theater. This informative evening will help you understand how the financial aid process works and how you’re going to pay for school so you and your folks should plan on attending.
· You never know what kind of financial aid package you’ll be offered from each school that accepts you. After you’re accepted, each school will look at your financial information from the FAFSA (more on this whole process in next month’s bulletin) and their financial aid office will tell you what they can offer you. Sometimes schools can offer much more than you would guess, so we always tell students to apply to the schools they love and hope for the best.
· CSS (College Scholarship Service) Profile – Don’t forget the CSS Profile mentioned in last month’s bulletin - this is a form provided by College Board for high school seniors who are looking for financial aid, and it’s required by many private colleges and universities. The UC and CSU systems use only the FAFSA (more info on that later) and don’t need the CSS, but several private schools want this form prior to the FAFSA to determine the level of financial aid they will offer you. The CSS Profile is available beginning October 1st at https://profileonline.collegeboard.org/prf/index.jsp, and the sooner you fill it out the better.
· A free College and Career Convention will take place Wednesday, November 6th from 5:30-9:00 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. For more information visit www.cashforcollege.org.
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
· The ASVAB Test will be offered in the LINC on Thursday, November 21st. The ASVAB “measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military,” but taking the test does not in any way sign you up for the military. Many students take the test to get an idea of potential careers and majors they may pursue outside of the military. Interested students should sign up with Mrs. Carson in the Career Center or email her at [email protected] by November 14th!
SCHOLARSHIPS
· National Security Agency – Stokes Educational Scholarship – This is a very unique scholarship. Scholarship winners receive up to $30,000 per year for tuition and mandatory fees paid to the college of their choice, reimbursement for books, and a year-round salary. In exchange, Stokes recipients work summers for the NSA, and upon graduation agree to work for the NSA for at least 1 ½ times the length of study. Apply at www.NSA.gov by November 30th, 2013.
· California Association of Collectors – This scholarship is based on an application and an essay on the “importance of establishing and maintaining good financial credit during your college years.” Awards are $2500 for first place, $2000 for second, and $1500 for third place. See Mr. Desmond for an application. Applications must be postmarked no later than January 15th, 2014.
· Boston University Trustee Scholarship – Each winning scholar receives a renewable scholarship covering full undergraduate tuition plus orientation and undergraduate student fees for four years. Essays and applications must be submitted by December 1, 2013 at www.bu.edu/admissions/trustee. A nomination form is also required by 12/1/13 so see Mr. Desmond by 11/15 if you are applying for this scholarship.
· Cal State Long Beach President’s Scholars Program – This is a tough one to qualify for – students must be either ranked #1 in their class, National Merit Semifinalists, National Achievement Program Semifinalists, or National Hispanic Recognition Scholars. Recipients are awarded full tuition and fees, priority registration, meal plan, book allowance, and even parking. To apply, you must submit an application to CSULB by November 30th, 2013 and submit a President’s Scholar application at www.csulb.edu/presidents-scholars by January 2nd, 2014.
· Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship – This scholarship provides up to $6,000 a year for four years to attend a university! Also each March, Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars travel to New York City for four days of developmental workshops, career exploration seminars, meetings with key public and private sector leaders, cultural and recreational outings and practical life skills classes. Applicants must be “minority high school seniors,” who show leadership potential, demonstrate a dedication to community service, present evidence of financial need, and have a minimum SAT of 1,000 (math and reading). For more information and applications, go to www.JackieRobinson.org. Applications must be submitted online by February 15th, 2014.
· GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship – “Exceptional student leaders” are invited to apply for this scholarship honoring the legacy of President Ronald Reagan. The program awards up to 20 college bound students with $10,000 renewable scholarships (up to $40,000 per recipient). For more information and applications, go to www.reaganfoundation.org/GE-RFScholarships.aspx. Applications must be submitted online by January 9th, 2014.
· Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarship – The RMHC scholarship program features four separate scholarships, including awards for students with at least one parent of Asian-Pacific heritage, African-American heritage, or Hispanic/Latino heritage. For more information, go to http://www.rmhc.org/rmhc-us-scholarships. Application deadline is January 21st, 2014.
· The Es El Momento Scholarship – Univision has begun this “approximately $5000” scholarship “open to all students of Latino/Hispanic heritage regardless of whether they are US citizens or undocumented.” Applicants must also have a 3.0 minimum GPA, be first generation college students, and write three essays. For more information, go to https://www.scholarshipaid.net/app/univision/ . Application deadline is November 18th, 2013.
· Jefferson Scholars Foundation – The Jefferson Scholarship “is a merit-based, fully-funded scholarship to the University of Virginia worth… $200,000 for non-Virginians.” If you are applying to the University of Virginia and want to be nominated for the Jefferson Scholarship, see your GLC by November 15th, 2013. We can only nominate one student for this scholarship.
· Miss Teenage California – The California Scholarship Foundation has sponsored this pageant and program for the past 35 years for “young women who are active in school and/or community, and who have a desire to continue their education at the college level.” Their program “stresses education, and encourages personal development, leadership, and scholastic achievement” and they don’t have a swimsuit or talent competition. Miss Teenage California wins a $10,000 college scholarship, and the four state runner-ups receive $4000, $3000, $2000, and $1000 respectively. For more information, go to www.Missteenageca.com, and to be nominated, give your name to your GLC by November 8th, 2013.
· Miss any scholarships from the last Senior Bulletin? Go to the Guidance Office – all past scholarships will remain on display until their deadlines have passed.
· Don’t forget that you can research scholarships on your own!
NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED STUDENTS
· The following students just missed the cut-off index selection score on the PSAT to qualify as National Merit Semifinalists. They scored approximately in the 96thpercentile and have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as Commended Students. Congratulations to:
Brian Ahn
Zainab Ali
Jeffrey Antoine
Ziheng Bai
Aric Chang
Tiffany Chang
Eric Chen
Lucy Chen
Natalie Chen
Tiffany Cheng
Eric Cheung
Jeewoong Choi
Joseph Chou
Jesse Chow
Shiny Chu
Teresa Chu
Jonathan Feng
Frank Fu
Stella Gu
Sylvia Guan
Dan Ho
Andy Hsu
Jasmine Hsu
Claire Huang
Matthew Huang
Isaac Jeon
Scott Jew
Alexander Jiang
Kristie Kao
Elizabeth Kim
Irene Kim
Sunwoo Kim
Keerit Kohli
Bill Kwai
Tertius Lam
Christopher Lao
Erica Lee
Jeseok Lee
Alan Li
James Liang
Stanley Liu
Theresa Luk
Austin Ma
Benjamin Ma
Joseph Maa
Shhoik Mukherjee
Jamie Ni
Aaron Oh
Angela Park
James Phan
Richard Ren
Yingjie Ren
Vrajesh Shah
Grant Shao
Oscar Shaw
Sophie Shay
Ezra Shih
Akruti Singh
Andy Su
Nicole Sugiono
Kerry Sung
Cassidy Takeuchi
Kevin Tan
Savannah Tan
Kevin Thai
Sachin Verma
Edward Wang
Fangxia Wang
Aimee Wong
Allen Wu
Jane Wu
Matthew Wu
Wesley Wu
Lucy Xiao
Cameron Yang
Jocelyn Yang
Andrew Yeh
Jason Yu
Angie Zhang