CSU & UC Application Information

California State University and/or University of California system application:

• CSU and UC applications do NOT require letters of recommendation
• they do not require that you send a copy of your transcript at application time
• UC applications DO require the personal statement and students should begin this early

Application Dates:

CSU’s are October 1st to November 30th at http://www.csumentor.edu. Do not wait to apply! Be sure to meet this deadline; almost ALL campuses will not accept applications for fall 2011 enrollment  after Nov. 30!! Apply early for the best chance, especially at impacted campuses or campuses with impacted majors. Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo continues to be impacted in all majors.

Not sure which CSU campuses to apply to?  Go to http://www.csumentor.edu and read about each campus.  Use their campus match finder to see which campuses might be right for you!

There are 16 “impacted CSU campuses” which means that the minimum “eligibility index” for those campuses might be higher for out of area applicants (not local*) and the actual index will not be defined until this year’s applications are received at those campuses.  The minimum eligibility index for CSU systemwide is 2900.   DVHS students are “*local” for two CSU campuses:  San Francisco State and Cal State East Bay.  This means that DVHS students who meet the minimum eligibility index (2900) and apply to those campuses will be admitted.  See http://www.csumentor.edu for more detailed information on eligibility index calculation and impaction.

To send SAT scores to CSU campuses, list CSU mentor as a score recipient – code 3594 – and score will go to all CSU.

UC’s are November 1st to 30th at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply. The UC application went online, Oct. 1 but cannot be submitted until Nov. 1.

Be sure to use the guides that pop-up while you are entering your information into the on line application.  They provide helpful clarification of the application process!  Be sure to check the box indicating that the UC’s can share information. If you check that box, then the UC’s may share your SAT/SAT Subject test scores (i.e. you only have to pay College Board for your scores to be sent to ONE UC campus.)  Note for ACT,  you must send scores to EACH campus where applying.

The UC application requires two personal statements.  Start those NOW!  go to www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions to view a very helpful video regarding writing the personal statements.

Remember that although there is one UC application, each campus must be designated, and an application fee of $60 per campus is required.

Remember to keep a record of your application ID and a summary of your application for reference. Check your e-mail frequently after applications are sent. Colleges will communicate via e-mail if they require further information, clarification, or a missing piece of the application process.

The CSU and UC application includes a self-reported transcript. Students must report all coursework and grades, including foreign language and algebra taken in middle school, on the application.

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Analysis of SRVHS 2010 Senior Class Post Graduation Plans Data

For students who are thinking about attending a 4-year college, we are aware that this can be a time of great uncertainty as words of enrollment cut-backs and fee increases are showing up often in the media.  Looking at the enrollment data from the graduating class of 2010, we’re encouraged to see that our seniors will be journeying to all parts of the country to continue their educations. The economic uncertainty has become a catalyst for these students, challenging them to rethink what’s available in a broader geographic sense and to explore colleges they might not have otherwise considered. Statistics from the 2010 Senior Class Post Graduation Plans indicate the following changes.

·         Most noticeably, we see a 10% increase in seniors choosing out-of-state schools. Many are opting for public universities that are offering good scholarships or the Western Undergraduate Exchange (see article on p. 4 for more info). Some of this year’s most popular out-of-state campuses have a cost of attendance lower than that of those in the California public systems, yet still maintain that old-fashion college/community spirit that some of our CA campuses have lost, due to athletic budget cuts and the large undergrad populations.

·         Enrollment in CA community colleges, which we expected to rise sharply – did not rise, but in fact dropped 6% below last year’s community college enrollment. Of the 27% of our seniors who have chosen to start their post high school educations at two year colleges, journeying around the state seems to be popular, as students have enrolled at 15 different campuses.

·         CSU enrollment dropped by 9% compared to last year’s stats, with just 18% of our seniors choosing the CSU system. While Cal Poly SLO still tops the CSU chart, and actually adding twice as many seniors as last year, we are seeing more who’ve chosen San Diego State than in past years. As students were required to declare a major at SDSU this year, due to heavy program impaction, we hadn’t expected such an increase in admittance or enrollment. Sacramento State is also attracting more students than in past years. Enrollment numbers at Chico State, SFSU, San Jose State and Sonoma State decreased markedly.

·         The UC system held steady with the same percentage (18%) of SRV seniors choosing the UC option, but we see the largest increase in the Davis enrollments balancing a similar decrease in those choosing the Santa Barbara campus.

·         CA Independent (private college) enrollments increased to 7% from last year’s low enrollment of only 3%. Many private colleges are marketing their ability to get students out of college within the traditional 4-years timeframe – a prime cost consideration, and their ability to offer generous merit scholarships for academically competitive students has been evident.

Source: San Ramon Valley High School Career Center web page

All You Want to Know About SAT / ACT TESTS

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General Facts

• Most colleges accept either the SAT’s or the ACT’s.
• Juniors typically begin taking SAT’s or ACT’s during the second semester of their junior year.
• Students applying to the UC system and planning to take the ACT must sign up for the ACT with Writing because, unlike the SAT, students have a choice of taking it with or without Writing. The UC system includes the Writing test in their student application review process.
• Tests can be taken more than once.
• The UC and CSU systems will use the highest scores from either the ACT or SAT.
• There are strategies involved when taking these tests that students should explore, either with a prep class, resource book or on-line.
• Each testing company also offers free preparation booklets with sample questions and test content.
• The UC’s will accept college admission tests taken through December of the senior year.
• This is also true for the CSU system with the exception of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and San Diego State, who want them completed by October or November of the senior year.
• Students should check the testing requirements for private and out-of-state schools, as they may differ from the UC or CSU systems.

SAT

• Second semester SAT dates are in January, March, May and June.
• SAT Reasoning test includes Critical Reading, Math and Writing.

ACT

• Second semester dates are in February, April and June.
• ACT Assessment differs because it includes four sections: English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning.

SAT Subject Tests

• UC’s and many private schools also require SAT subject tests.
• The UC’s require two subject tests in two different subject areas. The subject areas include history, literature, math, science and language.
• Students should take the subject tests in May or June when they have almost completed a school year of the subject.
• For example, students enrolled in AP US History who are preparing for the May AP test will find they are well prepared for the May or June US History subject test. The same goes for AP Biology, Chemistry, and Math, etc.
• If a student chooses to take Math as one of the two subject tests, the UC system wants Math Level 2.
• For the Chemistry test, students should at least have taken Honors Chemistry, as it is a “time intensive and difficult” test.
• If Language is used as one of the subject test, the Language with listening for native, fluent speakers is only given in November. Language without listening is given during the other test dates.
• AP European History does not necessarily prepare students for the World History subject test, because the subject test focuses on non-European cultures.
• The UC’s will use the two highest subject test scores in their admission reviews.
• The subject tests take one hour, and students can take up to three on a single test date, although that’s pretty tiring.
• The CSU system does not require the subject tests.

Source: Mary Church, DVHS Career Center, mchurch@calhigh.net
http://www.dvhigh.net/ptsa/DVHSSept08newsletterver2.2.pdf

Last Updated: October 27, 2008

Higher Education in California

Higher education is education that is provided by universities, vocational universities, community colleges, liberal arts colleges, technical colleges, and other collegial institutions that award academic degrees, such as career colleges.

The higher education in California consists of:

• University of California (UC)
• California State University (CSU)
• California Community Colleges system
• Private universities and colleges

UC

The UC system has 10 major campuses located in Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Davis, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Irvine, Riverside, Merced and San Francisco. The UC system is intended to accept students from the top 12.5% of college-bound students, and provide most graduate studies and research. It has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students.

CSU

The CSU system is composed of 23 campuses and has over 450,000 students supported by 47,000 faculty members and staff. It is intended to accept the top one-third (1/3) of high school students.

CCCS

The California Community Colleges System (CCCS) consists of 110 community colleges in 72 community college districts serving more than 2.5 million students.

AICCU

Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU)

Last Updated: October 27, 2008