Seniors

WHAT SHOULD SENIORS BE DOING NOW?

STAY INFORMED

Check these sources regularly for important information, upcoming events and news from me:

1. This website

2. My emails

3. College & Career Center posts on Instagram (@camporedc)

QUESTIONS?  MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

The College & Career Center can help you with college applications or career training in pursuit of your post-grad plans.  Simply make a one-on-one appointment with one of us here.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO A 4-YEAR COLLEGE

1. Attend my Academies throughout the Fall for help with your college applications.  Space is limited, so register early.  Teachmore > Batcheller.

2. Sign Up for 7th Period College Essay Help.  Space is limited so that we can offer individual help. Sign up here. 

3. Sign up for Lunchtime College Essay Help with Mr. Petrocco.  Sign up here.

4. Attend college visits on our campus.  Register in Naviance > Colleges > College visits.  Keep checking because colleges are signing up every day!

5. Learn about the UC application process.  Register for either event on the Upcoming Events page.

   1. • UC Santa Barbara Admission Rep will talk generally about how to write your best UC essays, list activities, and complete the application. Oct. 11, lunchtime.  Registration required.

      • Mr. Magno will talk about writing the UC PIQ Essays.  Sep. 20th Academy > Batcheller.

6. Take the SAT or ACT this fall (if you have not already) if you are applying to colleges that require it.  (The UC’s and CSU’s do not require it.) 

7. Explore college majors and careers using the tools in College & Career 101 and Naviance.

8. Finalize your college list.  The College & Career Center can review it during my Academies or schedule a 1-on-1 meeting.

9. If a college you’re applying to requires a Letter of Recommendation from a teacher (UC’s and CSU’s do not require one), request one in-person and in Naviance.  Then complete the Letter of Rec survey in Naviance under your account tab > Surveys from your school.  Through that survey, you’ll be providing information to inform that teacher about things that represent who you are.

10. Complete your Naviance tasks outlined in the Senior Roadmap.

11. Begin your college essays.  See College Essay Tips.  We can edit your essays during my Academies.  

12. Parents:  attend the Senior Parent Webinar to learn about the college application process, on September 5 at 6:30-7:30pm over Zoom.  See link on Upcoming Events.

12. Attend the Naviance Workshop for Senior Parents/Students on September 7, 2:00-3:30pm in E13. Learn how to use Naviance to research colleges, build a college list, and complete the required tasks for college applications.  Signup here.

13. Attend the “Understanding Financial Aid” webinar.  Stay tuned for date, time and zoom link.

14. Find more information about your cost of college and the financial aid process here.  

15. Use College & Career 101 to answer the majority of your questions.

16. If you need further assistance, you can schedule a meeting with one of us.

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO A 4-YEAR COLLEGE…

• Review “Explore your Options” and “Alternative After High School” on College & Career 101.  We can help you strategize the best community college or career pathways if you schedule a meeting with one of us.

• Consider this:  Tesla Manufacturing Development Program - DVC launched a new START robotics training center with Tesla and has been working with Tesla’s team to update their Manufacturing Development Program (MDP), high school pipeline initiative.  Their updated MDP program is designed to hire students right out of high school and have them take classes at DVC during the fall semester before working at the Tesla factory; they are still working for Tesla from the get-go, but the new hires can concentrate on taking classes at DVC that are paid for by Tesla. These MDP students will also earn DVC's Robotics Certificate of Accomplishment. Learn more here.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INTERVIEW ADVICE

For most admissions counselors, interacting with students who are interested in their college is a high point in their day. Being able to meet students who are considering the school that they represent is rewarding and provides the counselor with a chance to help guide students in their college application process. Here are some of the top suggestions that might help you succeed in your next interview.  

FINANCIAL AID

As students finalize their college applications and prepare for what’s next in the financial aid process, help them stay on track and finish the year strong with these resources:

• • • With the FAFSA® Complete, Get Ready for Your Next Financial Aid Steps: What comes next after completing the FAFSA? Share this article to help your families prepare for the next phase of the college financial aid process.

    • A Breakdown of the Student Aid Report: Share this simple, downloadable resource with your students and their parents to help them understand the SAR and know what information to review.
      
      

    • Behind on Applications? Here's What to Do:    This helpful guide and checklist simplifies how to get organized and put together a standout college application before the deadline.

Financial Aid Applications

College Aid Pro is offering a FAFSA Survivor Kit for families that are comfortable completing the financial aid forms on their own but could use some additional resources. 

Notes From Recent Financial Aid Webinar

On September 29, financial aid expert, Matt Mulhearn of College Aid Pro, gave a presentation to Campo families on Understanding Financial Aid, including how to avoid common mistakes to maximize your aid. For those of you who missed it, here are notes from that talk.

5 Reasons You Should Consider Submitting The FAFSA

Your family may be thinking, “Why submit the FAFSA? We are concerned about paying for college, but we won’t qualify for financial aid.” The short answer is— there are reasons you should! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the official form that students and their families use to apply for college funding from the federal government. States, individual colleges and universities, and private scholarship programs also rely on the application’s information for federal aid. The FAFSA opens October 1st, and must be prepared annually by current and prospective applicants to determine eligibility for federal need-based aid. Yet, there are advantages to filing a FAFSA, no matter your income level.

Never Assume:  There is a common misconception that financial aid is only for families with high financial need. The truth is that the eligibility for financial aid is complex and considers a multitude of factors besides income and assets (amount of dependents, students in college, etc.) Contrary to popular belief, there are no set cut-offs or financial thresholds. Families who think they won’t qualify for need-based financial aid can be surprised. 

Gatekeeper to Merit Aid: Merit aid is financial aid awarded to students based on academic or extracurricular achievements. How schools choose to award merit aid varies by institution. There are colleges where filing the FAFSA is required for merit awards. In other words, the school only awards merit aid to students who have filed the FAFSA. So, depending on the school’s policy, your student could be missing out on free money based on their hard work by not filing the FAFSA.

Gatekeeper to Merit Aid:  Merit aid is financial aid awarded to students based on academic or extracurricular achievements. How schools choose to award merit aid varies by institution. There are colleges where filing the FAFSA is required for merit awards. In other words, the school only awards merit aid to students who have filed the FAFSA. So, depending on the school’s policy, your student could be missing out on free money based on their hard work by not filing the FAFSA.

A Form of Demonstrated Interest?:  To guard their yield, colleges want to admit students they believe will enroll. Because colleges know students who submit a FAFSA are serious about attending, some schools may see submitting a FAFSA as demonstrating interest. Also, suppose you are a family without financial need. In that case, submitting a FAFSA enables a school to know you are full-pay and provides the school with information they sometimes use to balance their enrollment needs and financial health.

Access to Federal Student Loans:  Federal student loans are loans provided by the federal government, with terms and conditions set by law each summer. They include many benefits such as lower fixed interest rates and income-driven repayment plans not typically offered with private loans. These loans are only available by submitting a FAFSA. The FAFSA also allows students to participate in work-study programs. We always recommend exploring federal options before looking at other types of loans. 

Better Safe than Sorry:  If 2020 taught us anything, it is that you never know what the future may hold. While your family may not currently have financial need, circumstances can change. Filing the FAFSA is the best protection against future need because the school already has the FAFSA on file and it is easier to make adjustments or ask for aid mid-year. 

Regardless of your family’s financial circumstances, consider submitting a FAFSA. It keeps doors open and can show colleges you are serious about attending!

Cal State Apply Freshman Application Guide for 2023-24

Click here for a step-by-step instructions to apply to any of the 23 California State Universities (CSUs).