Free Sample Nursing Recommendation Letter

							College Night
    2010


October 25, 2010
Tonight’s Agenda
 God’s Word
 NCAA Information
 Career choices and post-high school
options
 Overview of Colleges
 Planning Calendar
 Choosing a College
 Entrance Exams
 Application Process
 Financial Aid
 Tips & Resources
God’s Word
 “Teach me your way, O Lord, and
 I will walk in your truth; give me
 an undivided heart that I may
 fear your name.”
                        Psalm 86:11

 “The fear of the Lord is the
 beginning of knowledge.”
                       Proverbs 1:7
Athletics
           NCAA
  www.eligibilitycenter.org

          NAIA
     www.playnaia.org

                        Mr. Craig Lee,
                    BCHS Athletic Director

                        Mrs. Celia Miller,
               Director of Academic Affairs
Career choices
• Career Direct
  – Assessment test: connecting personality, values,
    and skills with suitable careers
  – See Ms. Dishman or Mrs. Sweeris to obtain log-in
    key ($15 fee)

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• PLAN Test Results
• English II Research Paper
• www.collegeboard.com
  (My College Quickstart)
Post-secondary options

  – Missions
  – Military
  – Employment
  – Apprenticeship programs
  – Business, Technical, or Trade
    School
  – Community Colleges
  – Four-year Colleges
Overview of Colleges
 Private Colleges & Universities
 •   Christian private schools
 •   Secular private schools


 California’s Public Colleges &
    Universities
 •   University of California (10)
 •   California State University (23)
 •   California Community College
     (109)
    Christian Private
    Schools
•    Biblical worldview
•    Christian professors
•    Good friendships, role models, and
     mentors
•    Nurturing environment
•    4 years of private college may cost less
     than 5-6 years of public school
•    More institutional aid than public schools
•    Resources in the College & Career Center
•    www.californiacolleges.edu
Secular Private
Schools
•   Academic reputation
•   Smaller class size
•   Relationship with professors
•   More institutional aid than public
    schools
•   4 years at a private school may cost
    less than 5-6 years of public school
•   www.californiacolleges.edu
    www.collegeboard.com
    www.fastweb.com
    www.aiccu.edu
•   Opportunities to share faith:
    www.liveabove.com
California Public
Schools
University of California, California State University,
and Community College



•   May be less expensive
•   May be closer to home
•   May have more resources available
•   Greater selection of majors
•   Opportunities to share faith
    www.liveabove.com
University of California
• 10 campuses serve top 12.5% of
  high school graduates
• Rigorous high school course load
  meeting or, in reality, exceeding
  the A-G list
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• Entrance Exams:
  SAT Reasoning Test or
  ACT Assessment plus Writing
• Senior Year Application period:
  Nov. 1 – 30
• www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissi
  ons
California State
University
 •   23 campuses serve top 33% of
     high school graduates
 •   Grade of C or better in all
     required A-G courses
 •   Entrance exam:
     SAT Reasoning Test or ACT
 •   General information:
     www.csumentor.edu
 •   Senior Year Application period:
     October 1 – November 30
Community College
• DVC, LMC, and CCC serve our
  geographic area
• Non-competitive admissions:
  admits all high school
  graduates
• No entrance exam required
• www.dvc.edu
• Apply spring of senior year
How will I get
   there?
     Planning
     Calendar
        (See Handout)



“Talk does not cook the rice.”
                        Chinese Proverb
Choosing A College
Research:
  - Attend college fairs
  - View websites
     (www.campustours.com )
  - Visit with campus representatives
  - Resource books:
     1. Peterson’s Guide to Four Year Colleges
     2. Peterson’s Christian Colleges and
     Universities
     3. Fisk Guide to College
     4. The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges
     5. Princeton Review’s The Best 361
     Colleges
Choosing A College
• Handout: Questions to Consider
• Handout: College Visits
 “According to a survey by Student
 Poll, visits are the #1 influence on
 final decisions.”
• Make Final Selections:
     • 1-2 “reach” schools
     • 3-5 “probable” schools
     • 1-2 “safety” schools
Entrance Exams
1.SAT Reasoning Test:
   – Critical Reading, Math, and Writing
      sections
   – Register online:
      www.collegeboard.com
2. ACT Test:
   – Reading, English, Math, Science,
      and Writing (optional)
   – Register online:
      www.actstudent.org
Entrance Exams
•   Take SAT or ACT in the spring of your
    junior year
•   Preparation:
    –   PLAN test: mandatory practice ACT
        taken the fall of your freshman and
        sophomore year
    –   PSAT test: mandatory practice SAT
        taken the fall of your junior year
    –   Books, CD’s, classes
•   Many students repeat the tests
•   Check websites for needed test
    materials
•   Use appropriate email address for
    student
Entrance Exams
• Fee Waivers available
• Services for Students with
  Disabilities
   – Must qualify for
     accommodations through
     diagnosis and IEP
   – Must have requested
     accommodations in current
     classes
• Berean school code 053683
The Application Process
Community College – DVC, LMC, & CCC


•   Application: check website (free!)
•   Application Period:   early spring
•   Assessment test: early spring
•   DVC Counseling 105 (six hour class)
    one week after assessment test
•   Register for college classes end of
    May
The Application Process
California State University (CSU)
1.   Application: www.csumentor.edu
2.   Application Period: Oct. 1-Nov. 30
3.   Required A-G courses: C or above
4.   SAT Reasoning or ACT
5.   Use appropriate email address for student
6.   Currently impacted campuses
       Cal Poly - SLO, San Diego, Cal Poly –
       Pomona, Fullerton, Long Beach,
       Sonoma, and nursing programs at all
       campuses.
The Application Process
University of California (UC)


•   Application: www.ucop.edu/pathways
•   Application Period: November 1 - 30
•   Required 3.0 min GPA
•   Eligibility Index: check UC Website
•   SAT or ACT plus writing
•   Personal Statement (Essays)
•   Use appropriate email address for
    student
The Application Process
Private Colleges


•   Application: check website
•   Application Period: varies
•   GPA requirements vary
•   SAT Reasoning or ACT
•   Sample of Christian College
    requirements
       Essays, Letters of
       Recommendation, Transcripts
•   Facebook or MySpace page
The Application Process
•   Organize schools’ requirements
    using a tool such as Excel
•   Keep calendar of deadlines
•   Meet deadlines well in advance
•   Read & follow directions
•   Make copies of all documents
    you submit to colleges
•   Obtain proof of mailing
College Admission
Factors
• High School Record
    –     Competitive G.P.A.
    –     Rigorous course selection
    –     Patterns of improvement

•       Competitive Entrance Exam Score
•       Recommendations
•       Essays
•       Interviews at some private schools
•       Leadership Experience
•       Community Service
The Application Essay
•   Required: U.C.’s & private colleges
•   Provides information that augments
    the application
•   Expect several re-writes
•   Readers want organization and
    clarity, shown through a persuasive
    thesis, analytical topic sentences, and
    well-chosen examples
Letters of
Recommendation
1. Letter of Recommendation Form
2. Ask the teacher
3. Give 3 weeks notice
4. Provide materials in a manila
   envelope or colorful folder:
   - Personal Data form or resumé
   - SASE
   - letter of recommendation form
   - postmark deadline
What is Financial Aid?
Money given, paid, or loaned for
college expenses


• Gift Aid (free money)
  – Grants (CalGrant requires 3.0
    GPA)
  – Scholarships
• Self-Help Aid
  – Work/Study (job opportunities on
    campus)
  – Loans
Financial Aid Categories

Merit-based        Need-based aid

  aid              1. FAFSA
                   2. Federal monies
1. FAFSA
                   3. State monies
2. Grades, test      (CalGrant
   scores            requires 3.0
                     GPA for
3. Institutional     entitlement
   aid               grant)
4. Scholarships    4. Institutional
                     aid
Financial Aid

 Cost of Attendance (COA)
    - Expected Family
     Contribution (EFC)
     = Financial Need
Applying for Financial
Aid
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
  Student Aid)
   – www.fafsa.ed.gov
   – Required for federal and state aid
   – Submit FAFSA online January 1st
     – March 2nd senior year
• PROFILE
• Institutional Aid Application
Beware of …
• Financial Aid Consultants
  – Free assistance is available
  – Don’t pay someone to appeal
    your award offer
• Scholarship Scams
  – Free search engines are
    available
  – Don’t pay money for an
    opportunity to get money
Financial Aid
• Scholarship Bulletin: outside the CCC
• Scholarship search engine:
  www.fastweb.com
• “No Cost” websites:
  – www.finaid.org
  – www.collegeanswer.com/paying
  – www.fafsa.ed.gov
  – NOT www.fafsa.com
Financial Aid

• Online calculators:
  www.finaid.org/calculators
  www.fafsa.ed.gov (4caster)
• Edfund’s “Fund Your Future
  Workbook”
• Berean’s Financial Aid Night
  – January 10, 2011
Tips & Resources
• Summer Programs:
 – Some universities offer summer
   learning programs: UC’s, USC,
   Taylor, Georgetown,
   Cambridge, Harvard, etc.
 – UC Berkeley: Academic Talent
   Development
 – Lawrence Lab camps
 – Chabot’s Space & Science
   Center Teen Internship
Tips & Resources
Enter college with credit
• AP Tests
• College Level Examination
     Program (CLEP)
    Proves college level achievement
    34 subject areas
    Approximately $80
    www.collegeboard.com
    Accepted by many private schools
• Community College courses
Tips & Resources
Additional Handouts:
  – Fastweb - Quick Reference
    Guide
  – Questions to Consider
  – Prime College Connection
  – Christian College Guide 2010
  – College Preparation Checklist
  – CSU Mentor postcard
  – PHD College Funding Solutions
Action Plan

  Freshmen     Sophomores      Juniors            Seniors




• Earn best   • Earn best     • Earn best        • Earn best
  grades        grades          grades             grades
• Meet with   • Investigate   • Visit colleges   • Retake
  counselor     careers         & learn            exams
              • Explore         about            • Apply early
• Explore
                websites        financial aid    • Submit
  websites
                              • Take               FAFSA in
                                Entrance           January
                                Exams
College & Career Center

      Glynes Dishman
   Freshman & Sophomore
  gdishman@berean-eagles.org



       Anne Sweeris
       Junior & Senior
  asweeris@berean-eagles.org