COLLEGE PLANNING

ANNE COCHRAN, COLLEGE COUNSELOR, will meet individually with students and parents/guardians to discuss college planning. To schedule an appointment, send an email to college.champs1@gmail.com or call 818-994-7614.

CHAMPS offers college planning workshops pertinent to the student’s grade level.
Families will be notified when they occur.

The College Board web site offers comprehensive information on planning for college, standardized tests, finding a college, applying to college and paying for college:   http://www.collegeboard.com/ .

The Los Angeles Public Library offers free seminars on college admissions and financial aid as well as free practice PSAT, SAT and ACT tests at various branches throughout the city:
http://www.lapl.org/ya/events/studentsmart/programs.html

WEB SITES FOR COLLEGES

University of California campuses: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/
California State Universities: http://www.csumentor.edu/
Community Colleges in California: http://www.cccco.edu
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities: http://www.aiccu.edu/
College search by location, major, cost and more: http://www.collegeboard.com/
College rankings and search by majors: http://www.princetonreview.com/
Art, Dance, Music and Theater programs: http://www.petersons.com/vpa/vpsector.asp

A-G REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Official University of California Subject Requirements website

A. History/Social Science – 2 years required
Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and geography; and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.

B. English – 4 years required
Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.

C. Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 years recommended
Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.

D. Laboratory Science – 2 years required, 3 years recommended
Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement, as may the final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects.

E. Language Other than English – 2 years required, 3 years recommended
Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in languages other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

F. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – 1 year required
A single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.

G.  College Preparatory Electives – 1 year required
One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).

**PLEASE NOTE:  The above-listed requirements are those that make any given applicant minimally admissible to UC campuses.  Keep in mind, however, that they do not necessarily make that same applicant competitive.  In order to be as competitive as possible within the UC applicant pools, you are advised to enroll in a minimum of five “solids” every year of high school (includes English, math, foreign language, science and social studies).  Honors and AP classes will also improve your competitive standing. 

TIMETABLE FOR APPLYING FOR COLLEGE

In order to receive a grade-appropriate college admissions timetable, please email the Champs College Counseling Office (Anne Cochran) at college.champs1@gmail.com. 

FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Cal Grants: http://www.calgrants.org/
CSS Financial Aid Profile: http://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp
FastWeb internet scholarship resource (requires registration): http://www.fastweb.com/
FinAid: http://www.finaid.org/
Free Application for Federal Student Aid: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Funding Education Beyond High School: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/sitesources/FundingEduBeyondHighSchool_0910.pdf
The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid: http://www.finaid.org/

ADMISSIONS TESTS

PSAT/SAT:  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees.html
ACT: www.actstudent.org  
Kaplan free practice tests and links to purchase test prep books: www.kaplan.com
Test Prep Review free online practice tests:  www.TestPrepReview.com
Peterson’s free practice tests: http://www.petersons.com/testprep/default.asp?id=877

COLLEGE ESSAY TIPS

Carleton College: http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions_old/essay/
Typical Essay Questions: http://college-essay.com/typquestions.html

CHAMPS TRANSCRIPTS

Request for Transcript forms are available in the Counseling Office.
Upon receipt of request, transcripts will be issued and mailed within 3 business days.