| The following year-by-year course selections, admissions tests, and college preparation activities are recommended for students planning to attend the University of California (UC), the California S tate University (CSU), or other highly selective private and independent universities. While admission requirements are not the same for all colleges and universities, a strong academic program, along with focused extracurricular activities and community service always give students the best chance of being admitted to the school of their choice. Also see the Half Moon Bay High School Planning Guide for a suggested course of study. |
The "a-g" Subject Requirements
The college preparatory course pattern is also known as the “a-g subject requirements”. The University of California is responsible for reviewing high school courses in the state of California to certify that they meet the college preparatory standard. To satisfy the UC subject requirements, students must complete 15 units of UC-approved high school coursework. (A unit is equal to an academic year, or two semesters, of study - which would be a total of 30 semesters or 150 credits in the HMBHS system.) Beginning with the class of 2012, 11 units of coursework must be completed by the end of junior year. Check out the site below for the “a-g” Subject Requirements link for more information, as well as to view the list of courses at HMBHS that fulfill them. www.ucop.edu/doorways/ |
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FRESHMEN
Should focus on academics and extracurricular activities. The 9th grade is a critical year in terms of social and academic adjustment. Encourage students to get involved at school in whatever activities they are interested. These activities will pay off not only in the socialization process but can lead to some excellent community service and leadership opportunities that will be critical later on in the college application process.
Don’t push college visits, and testing at this stage. Many well-intentioned parents who have been frightened by publicity about the competitiveness of the admission process actually do more damage than good by passing their anxieties on to their 13 and 14 year old freshmen. Kids can be demoralized by being forced to take advanced college preparatory classes along with the PSAT this year. |
Campus Clubs
As mentioned above, freshman should go out of their way to pursue school-related extracurricular activities. Campus clubs provide students with a wide range of interests to meet other like-minded students, as well community service & leadership opportunities. |
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SOPHOMORES
Continue to focus on academics and extracurricular/volunteer activities. |
| | SAT Subject Tests
The class of 2012 and beyond will not be required to take SAT Subject Tests for admission to the UC.
Currently, the UC system requires two additional tests as part of their admissions requirements. These tests are known as the SAT Subject Tests. Since they are “subject specific”; the best time for students to take them is at the end of the year in which they are taking that course in High School. For example, most sophomores are taking some version of Biology and World History. These two categories are both available as Subject Tests. So, if a student is doing reasonably well (at least a “B” grade), they should continue taking these tests in either May or June. The good news is that students only have to send their best scores when they apply to the UC when they are seniors. www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATII.html |
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The PSAT
Please remember it’s a practice test designed for juniors! Please don’t pressure your sophomore to take the exam; this is especially true for sophomores who have not yet started Algebra II, since the PSAT Math section tests up through Algebra II. For more detail on the PSAT visit: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html |
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Honors/AP Courses
10th grade is the year that most students can begin to access AP and Honors courses. |
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JUNIORS
Continue to focus on academics and extracurricular/volunteer activities. This is perhaps the most important year in terms of the college application process. For most colleges (i.e. the UC and CSU systems), the grades from this year will be the last ones that can be used for the GPA calculation on the admissions application! This is also the critical year for students to insure that they complete all of their admissions testing requirements; students may continue to re-take these exams until December of their senior year. |
| | The PSAT
Juniors should take the PSAT in October. When taken in the junior year, students become eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program. It is excellent preparation for taking the SAT I for real in the spring of the junior year.
Students should also consider enrolling in some form of test preparation program prior to taking the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT in the spring. At the very least, students should work through one of the many test prep books or CDs that can be purchased at any bookstore. The SAT Reasoning Test and/or the ACT should definitely be taken at least once during the spring semester of the junior year.
For the classes prior to 2012, consider taking some additional SAT Subject Tests. For example, most students will probably be their most prepared to take the History, Math, and Chemistry tests in the spring of their Junior year. Note: it is possible to take as many as 3 of these Subject Tests in one sitting! |
| www.fairtest.org Schools that do not use SAT or ACT scores for admission decision. You should know that there are about 900 institutions for whom SAT & ACT are optional and not used in admission decisions. For more information visit www.fairtest.com |
Test Preparation
Options for test preparation include online test practice, enrolling in a local Community college course, or a commercial service. Below are three free online practice test sites. |
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www.collegeboard.com Take the practice test to reinforce your test-taking skills and to be more comfortable when you take the SAT. This practice test will give you a good idea of what to expect on the actual test. www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/newsat/prep/practice_test.html
TestPrepReview.com is a free service of a nonprofit group of educators. This website was created to provide free practice test questions for students in a variety of career situations. The site contains a modular approach to learning the content on these exams. They include the information that will help you get maximum value from your testing experience. This service can be accessed at: www.testprepreview.com/sat_practice.htm
Number2.com online tests http://number2.com
This site requires registration to keep track of test performance, but seems legitimate. The varied approaches to test preparation and knowledge thereof; are good overall in spite of commercialism. |
Average SAT & ACT Scores
The Princeton Review has published a list of the “Average SAT & ACT Scores” scores of incoming freshmen at 345 leading colleges. To view the list click: www.princetonreview.com/college/testprep/testprep.asp?TPRPAGE=295&TYPE=SAT-ACT-HOME) |
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College Web Resources
The summer between the Junior and Senior year is the most important time to seriously research which colleges you might be interested in. There are several outstanding Search Engines and College Matching Assistants available to assist you. To access a list of valuable web sites visit: College Web Resources
Many college fairs are scheduled throughout the year, be on the watch for them. This is a great way to meet admissions representatives and pick up free materials. Check the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) website for upcoming fairs: www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/Pages/default.aspx |
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SENIORS
Still focus on academics! Grades do count in the senior year.
Seniors should be taking their SAT Reasoning test, Subject tests (if required), or ACT test for the last time during the fall of their senior year. December is the absolute last date to take these tests for most Fall admissions.
May/June are critical months for seniors because last semester grades do count! Spring semester classes (that were listed on the student’s admission application) that are dropped or not passed may result in a college rescinding its offer. Most competitive universities expect seniors to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in the senior year. |
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College Entrance Dates and Deadlines To access this page click here.
This is a link that is dedicated exclusively to the needs of seniors at this critical point in the college admissions process. |
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Application Process For more information click here.
The deadlines for college applications begin early in the fall semester of the senior year, but vary widely from school to school. The application process can essentially be broken out into two categories:
- The (UC/CSU) application process (with deadlines between October 1st and November 30th).
- The (Private/Independent/Out-of-State) application process (with deadlines typically between December 1st and January 15th).
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UC & CSU Admissions For information on UC/CSU Standardized Admission Guidelines click here.
All UC & CSU applications should be filed before 11/30 each year. For many other schools, the deadlines are still in the future, so the process continues. If letters of recommendation are required from counselors or faculty members, students should be giving them at least three weeks advanced notice before the deadline.
Mid-March is when most UC and CSU schools begin notifying applicants of acceptance or denial. Berkeley and UCLA are usually the last to send notices.
April (during Spring Break) is the time to make final visits to schools that have made offers of acceptance. This is also the month students will notify most schools of their decisions – by May 1
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Private Colleges and Out-of-State Colleges For information on admissions click here.
If applying to a Private Institution, seniors should check to see if the school requires a CSS/Profile as part of their Financial Aid process. Individual schools have different deadlines, and students should contact the campus Financial Aid Offices directly if they don’t know the deadlines. (Hint) Most deadlines are listed in the admissions application instructions. More information about the CSS/Profile can be accessed at the following website: http://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp |
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Early Action/Decision
If you are applying to a private school, especially the very competitive ones, consider the Early Action/Decision process! The dates are very early (September or October). So you need to be ready to act quickly! For more detail visit: www.collegeboard.com/parents/apply/college-applications/21342.html |
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Financial Aid: FAFSA - www.fafsa.ed.gov
January is the time to begin the application process for both Federal and State funded Financial Aid. The FAFSA cannot be filed until after January 1st, but it is possible to request your PIN numbers before the 1st. You can go to the online application by clicking on: www.fafsa.ed.gov Spring semester is when locally sponsored scholarships are the most plentiful.
To access Financial Aid Internet Resources and more information click here.
Many colleges, universities, graduate and professional schools, and scholarship programs use the information collected on the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE to help them award nonfederal student aid funds. Students need to check whether the schools they’re applying to require the PROFILE in addition to the FAFSA. The PROFILE can be accessed at: http://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp March 2nd is the deadline to submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification form. |
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Local Scholarships
Each year over fifty individuals and groups in the community contribute to our Local Scholarship Program. Last year one hundred and fifty awards were made to ninety graduating senior recipients, for over $100,000.00.
One application is all that is needed for consideration in a wide variety of awards. Click here to download the application.
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| | Transcripts
The UC & CSU’s do not require transcripts at the time you apply. However, if you ultimately commit to attend a UC or CSU school, you will need to send a final transcript to that school! Most Junior Colleges require an official high school transcript as part of their application process. Many scholarship applications will also require an official transcript. You may submit a paper transcript request. All paper transcript orders must be submitted in writing by completing a “Transcript Request” form available in the Registrar’s office or by clicking here. You can print, complete, and return this form to the Registrar’s office at HMBHS. If you want the transcript mailed, provide a stamped, pre-addressed envelope. |
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Letters of Recommendation Click here to download form.
The UC’s & CSU’s do not require or accept letters of recommendation. Private colleges require both recommendations and transcripts. Most applications for scholarships will also require them. If students want their counselors to do a letter of recommendation for them they must have a completed HMBHS Request for Letters of Recommendation on file with the Counseling Department no later than three weeks prior to the due date for your application. Last minute requests cannot be honored! Please be aware that the Counseling Office is closed over the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday.
If students are requesting a teacher recommendation they must provide the teacher with the Request for Letter of Recommendation at least three weeks in advance. Please provide the teacher a stamped, addressed envelope. Recommendations are supposed to be confidential. Students should not ask the writer for a copy! If students need multiple letters of recommendation, they should use the same teachers/counselors for those letters as well.
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Community Colleges
If you are interested in the junior/community college option check out the web resources for Two-Year Communy Junior Colleges and Local Community Colleges. Junior Colleges can be an outstanding choice to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree or earn two-year professional or technical program and an Associate in Arts (AA) or Science (AS) Degree. |
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