THE COLLEGE APPLICATION HANDBOOK
A resource guide to help students plan and prepare
for the college application and admission process
El Cerrito High School 540 Ashbury Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 231-1437
ECHS Website: elcerritogauchos.net
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction To The Handbook………...3 Choosing A College……….4-7 Graduation Requirements………....8 A-G Requirements………...….9 Understanding Higher Education in California: The Four Segments………...10-12 The University of California (U.C.) System……….13-14 Campuses of the CSU (California State Universities)……….15-16 Community Colleges in California………...17-20 Applying to Private/Independent Colleges and Universities: The Common Application...21-22 California Private Colleges and Universities: A Selected List………..23 Decision Plans: Breaking Down the Various Application Decision Plan Options………...24-25 Testing: College Entrance Tests………...26-28 The Personal Statement Essay………..29-32 College Recommendations: Teacher, Counselor, Other, and Etiquette……….33-34 Senior Profile for the Common Application……….35 Resume Template: Academic and Extracurricular………36 Financial Aid and Scholarship Information and Resources………37-40 Intercollegiate Sports……….41-44 Attending College with a Learning Difference or Physical or Emotional Challenges…………...…45-46 Freshman Preparation and Checklist……….47 Sophomore Preparation and Checklist………..48-49 Junior Preparation and Checklist………...…50-54 Senior Preparation and Checklist………..55-58 Selected Resources for Students Applying to College………..59-61 Historically Black Colleges: A Selected List………...62 Colleges Offering Strong Programs in the Arts: A Selected List………..……….63-64 Selected California Colleges for Dance: Tips for Applying to Dance Programs…….………..65 Colleges With Strong Engineering Programs: A Selected List.……….….66 Transcript Request Form……….………...67
This handbook drew inspiration from a variety of college-application handbooks from high schools throughout California. The 2014 El Cerrito High School handbook was developed by ECHS parent and college advising consultant, Leslie Cohen, with invaluable support and input from a dedicated group of individuals: Principal, David Luongo, Counselors Mallory Martin-Neuman and Celia Alaniz, College and Career Counselor Bobbi Griggs, IT Academy Teacher Melody Shah, and numerous members of the ECHS staff.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HANDBOOK
Dear Students:Welcome to the ECHS College Application Handbook! This handbook was created in response to a growing need from our school community for accessible information and helpful advice about the often complex college application process. This handbook is not intended to replace the many college guides on the market. Instead, it contains a synthesized version of the key steps, advice and resources to help make the application and admission process more accessible to students and families. The handbook, in its entirety, can also be viewed and downloaded on the ECHS website at www.elcerritogauchos.net.
Approaching the college application process for the first time may seem overwhelming. The process requires planning and research. However, if you take the necessary steps to prepare and organize your steps, the experience will be much more manageable. Additionally, don’t feel as if you are alone in this process. ECHS has experienced counselors, a fully resourced College and Career Center as well as dedicated teachers, administrators and volunteers, each of whom want you to be successful in achieving your goals. Our school is fortunate to offer junior/senior college information nights,
financial aid workshops, standardized test review sessions, afterschool tutoring, and many visits by individual college representatives. College-related information is also posted on the ECHS website, on the email E-tree and in flyers in the Career Center.
Another important thing to understand is that even though you do not have control over which college or university may offer acceptance, you do have a great deal of control over the application and admission process. You control where you will apply, what kind of high school academic path you want to pursue, what extracurricular activities you want to be involved with, and how much effort you put into preparing for standardized tests. And, once a school accepts you, you have control over which college you want to attend.
The creation of this handbook was a collective effort by a dedicated group of individuals including: Counselors, Celia Alaniz and Mallory Martin-Neuman, Career Center Director, Bobbi Griggs, IT Academy teacher Melody Shah, and ECHS parent and college advising consultant, Leslie Cohen. Going to college is an important step in your adult life. It not only opens up a new world of ideas and interests but it also prepares you for our rapidly changing job market and economy. You will have the opportunity to engage with people from all around the world, develop skills and obtain knowledge that will enable you to broaden your experience and make your mark upon the world.
I hope this handbook helps to make your college application process an enjoyable and satisfying experience. Go Gauchos!
David Luongo, Principal El Cerrito High School, 2014
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CHOOSING A COLLEGE
Choosing to go to college is an important decision! It is key to think about the following criteria while you create your college list and work towards finding schools that best fit and match your academic, social and emotional needs.
ACADEMICS
What colleges offer the kind of education or training that interest you?
If you do not know what you want to study, does the school offer a wide range of academic choices? Are there required “core” classes or are there more options to create your own course schedule? How academically challenging is the school? Will you be satisfied with the level of rigor?
What is the average class size?
Do professors and/or graduate student teachers teach classes?
Are my GPA, test scores and academic profile in line with acceptance rates at these colleges? Are undergraduates able to become involved with research opportunities? Internships? What are the graduation rates at schools you are interested in?
SIZE
Colleges range in size from 150-80,000 students. Think about where you might feel most comfortable.
What percentage of classes will have fewer than 50 students? What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
Do you prefer larger lecture style classes or smaller seminar style classes?
Do you want to be at a school with only undergraduate programs or at a university with both undergraduate and graduate offerings?
Are you the type of person that likes to be in a small, medium or large setting? ATMOSPHERE & STUDENT BODY
Do you want to have access to a variety of clubs and activities? How serious about academics are students at various institutions?
Do I want a single sex or co-ed college? Religious-based? An historically Black college? What are the housing, dining, health, and athletic offerings at the school?
Are fraternities or sororities important to you?
What cultural and community options are available (concerts, museums, festivals, volunteering, etc.)? What are the study abroad opportunities?
What career advising options are available to students? Is work-study available?
LOCATION:
How close---or sometimes more importantly—how far away from home do you want to be? How important is the climate and the weather?
Do I want to be in an urban, suburban or rural setting? Small town or big city? COST
A major factor to be considered is the cost of attending college. Find out early on: How much can my
family and I afford for a college education? The total cost for a year as computed by the college financial
aid office, includes: tuition, fees, room-and-board, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. While cost is important, DO NOT limit your choice of colleges to only those you can afford without financial assistance. MANY of the more expensive private colleges have extensive
financial aid programs, which may cover anywhere from 20% to the full cost, depending on your need. Often, private colleges can beat the costs of attending public universities. Do your research and look at individual college websites’ financial aid sections. Contact individual financial aid offices at colleges that interest you---they are eager to help you. Also, many college websites have financial aid
calculators where you can plug in financial numbers and come away with a fairly good idea of what kind of financial award you may qualify for. Fin-Aid is a very helpful website for financial aid
information: www.finaid.org.
Do additional research on finding scholarships to help offset college costs. The Career Center and your Counselor have a lot of information on scholarship opportunities. Also, consult the Financial Aid
and Scholarship section of this manual for further resources. Attend a WCCUSD-sponsored
Cash-For-College Financial Aid Information Night for assistance with FAFSA forms. DO YOUR RESEARCH:
Creating a college list takes time and thoughtful research. The more information you have, the better decisions you will make about what colleges are right for YOU! There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States and more than one of these is bound to have what you are looking for. Do not focus on where your friends are applying, or which colleges have the highest ranking or buzz.
Instead, spend the time to find the right schools that match your interests, needs, and qualifications and ones where you will be happy and thrive. Here are some tips to begin the search:
TALK to your counselor about your academic profile, your interests, and future goals and get some
feedback about what kinds of schools to look at. Go over your course selections and make sure you are on-track for graduation and for college acceptance requirements. Consider the rigor of your academic plan and decide if you are challenging yourself enough.
Talk to your teachers, ECHS alumni, family and friends and find out what they know about particular colleges or what college they are attending or have attended.
Talk to your parents or guardians about finances and what your family will be able to afford and what you may need to look for in terms of financial aid or scholarships. Do not wait until the last minute for this discussion---it is important to know what is feasible and available to you.
CONSULT one or more of the suggested guidebooks listed in the Resource section of this
handbook. Research colleges, in books and online, that interest you and compare their offerings and requirements with your own interests and academic profile. College websites are filled with
information about academics, student life, admissions, and financial aid. Visit the ECHS College and Career Center and take advantage of its many helpful resources, including: college handbooks, college brochures, scholarship materials, schedules of college visits and much more.
ATTEND a college fair during sophomore, junior and senior year. These free fairs are a great way to find out about a wide variety of colleges in one place. See the Resource section of this manual for local college fair information and to get on their mailing lists and look for college fair announcements from the ECHS College and Career Center. At a college fair, you can pick up brochures, meet admissions representatives, and get your name on college mailing lists (so they will mail you additional information about their school).
VISIT one or more college campuses. There is no better way to find out if a college is a “good fit” than physically being on a college campus. Try to visit a few colleges---of varying sizes, locations, and
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bus or train. If you go on vacation with your family, find out if there are colleges in the area and set up a campus tour. Visits, tours and information sessions are FREE, but often require advanced registration (online or by phone). Go to a particular school’s website and find their “visit” section. Find a date that works for your schedule and sign up for a campus tour and information session. Tours are usually led by current students and are informal in nature. Tour leaders are great sources of information about their campus so come prepared with questions. Information sessions are often led by an Admissions Counselor and will involve an overview of the college, their admission
requirements, what they look for in an applicant. Often, there is time to ask questions at the end of the session. Make sure to get the full name or business card of the person who leads the information session so that you can email them with any follow-up questions.
If you cannot visit a college, make sure to visit college websites. Most colleges offer “virtual tours” and YouTube videos on a wide range of topics such as: residential life, campus involvement, and academic offerings. Spend time researching not only the admissions information but also the sections on Campus Life, Financial Aid and Academics. If you have a specific academic interest, search for course offerings and faculty information. Through the websites you can also contact admissions counselors with questions about a particular school.
BUILDING A COLLEGE LIST
Building a list of colleges is much like building a house. You need to make sure you have a strong foundation to support you (these are your safety or good-bet schools), and then build your walls (these are your match or likely schools) and finally, add that roof (these are your reach or wildcard schools). If you want to end up with a variety of options in March and April, you should be both thoughtful and thorough in your research. To create a balanced list, you should have at least 3-4 safety/good-bet schools, perhaps 1-2 reaches/wildcards, and 3-4 match/likely schools. Applying to 6-10 colleges is a good number to consider (the UCs and CSUs all count as one because the application is unified, but make sure to check off a range of options among those systems as well). Your college list could also include at least one non-binding early admissions or rolling admissions college that is either a good bet or likely school for you. Locking in an acceptance early in the application process will help you relax a bit while you wait for results from other colleges in the spring. When you create
your college list, make sure that EACH school on your list is somewhere you would like to attend for four years and which you feel would be a good fit—academically, socially, and financially.
When should I begin creating a college list?
During your sophomore and junior years, you should begin to research colleges, visit campuses (either in-person or online), attend information sessions and college fairs, and begin to ask yourself what you are looking for in a college experience. You should have a balanced preliminary menu of schools by the summer after junior year. This list may change a bit, but it is good to begin your senior year with a well thought out list of options.
How can I determine if a college is a safety (sure bet), match (likely) or reach (wild card)?
Refer to college websites and college guides to familiarize yourself with national admission data from colleges’ current freshman. Pay particular attention to:
a) The SAT or ACT score ranges for the middle 50% of accepted freshman. This means that some who were accepted had lower or higher scores but the middle range is what they release. How do your scores mesh with a particular school? If your scores are “in range” then that school is a
potential match for you. However, scores are only one piece of the “fit” puzzle. Consider all aspects of each school’s admission data before adding it to your list, including:
b) The percentage of admitted students with your GPA (unweighted) and scores. c) The admit rate (the percentage of applicants admitted in a given year).
d) Colleges, on their websites, often post the admissions data of the current freshman class. This is a good gauge to refer to when considering if you will be an academic match for a particular college.
Additional Criteria:
SAFETY (Good Bet): If an applicant’s scores exceed the mid-range (50%) of scores and the GPA for
the prior year’s freshman class AND the college’s admit rates were above 50%, these colleges can be considered a safety (good bet). This means that this school seldom rejects candidates with your credentials and is a solid choice. You should have at least 3-4 safety or sure-bet schools on your list.
MATCH (Likely): This means that if your scores and GPA fall into “range” but the school has a
lower admit percentage (50% or lower) than your chances of acceptance into this more selective school are considered probable or a likely match, but not as solid as a safety or good-bet option. You may opt to have 3-4 match or likely schools on your list.
REACH (Wild Card): This is a school where your chances of being rejected are higher than your
chances of being accepted. Most of these colleges have admitted rates of less than 20%. For example, Stanford, MIT or Harvard generally accepts 6-8% of applicants each year. No matter what your
qualifications, these schools would go in the reach or wildcard column for all applicants. You may opt to include 1 or 2 reach or wildcard options.
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GRADUATION REQUIRMENTS:
Required Credits for High School Graduation
Requirement
Required Credits
History/Social Science Social Science World History United States History American Government 35.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 5.00 English 40.00 Math 30.00 Laboratory Science Life Science Physical Science 20.00 10.00 10.00 Foreign Language 10.00 Visual/Performing Arts 10.00 Other Economics Physical Education Electives 80.00 5.00 20.00 55.00
a. Students must accumulate a total of at least 225 credits in the required subject areas in order to
graduate.
b. If a student fails a class, that student must make up that credit deficiency in order to graduate on time.
c. Make sure to check subject requirements and course recommendations from each college and college system (U.C. and CSU) that you are applying to. Some colleges want additional courses in particular subjects, which go beyond the WCCUSD/ECHS graduation requirements.
d. Be aware that grades below a “C” may preclude you from applying to UC & CSU schools. *If you have any questions about any of the above information, please contact your Counselor in Student Services or email them through the school website.
A – G REQUIREMENTS
For the University of California (U.C.) and California State University (CSU) systems:
History/ Social Science (“a”): Two years required of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and historical geography, and one year of U.S. history, and one-half year of American Government or civics.
English (“b”): Four years required of college preparatory English, that includes frequent and regular writing, reading of classic and modern literature, and practice listening and speaking. Can include not more than one year of ESL/ELD courses.
Mathematics (“c”): Three years required of college-preparatory mathematics (algebra I and II, and geometry). Four years recommended.
Laboratory Science (“d”): Two years required of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of the three core disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics. Three or four years recommended.
Language Other Than English (“e”): Two years required of the same language other than English or equivalent to the second-level of high school instruction. Three-four years recommended. Visual & Performing Arts (“f”): One year required, including dance, drama/theater, music or visual arts.
College Preparatory Elective (“g”): One year chosen from the “a-f” courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely for use as “g” electives.
Important Considerations:
a. In order to be a competitive candidate, use the above guidelines to plan your high school academic plan. You should also consider taking an additional course in foreign language, science, math and/or social sciences/history.
b. You must have a grade of “C” or above in each of your sophomore and junior A-G courses in order to apply to U.C. and CSU campuses.
c. Meet the examination requirement by taking the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Plus Writing by December of your senior year. The U.C. system does not require the SAT Subject Tests, but certain programs on some campuses recommend them. Do your research. d. If you are a state resident who has met the minimum requirements and are not admitted to
any U.C. campus to which you apply, you will be offered a spot at another campus if space is available if:
-You rank in the top 9% of California high school students, according to the U.C. admissions index (grades and ACT Plus Writing or SAT Reasoning Test scores) OR
-You rank in the top 9% of your graduating class at a participating high school. This is know as “Eligible in the Local Context” or ELC.
e. As the number of applicants to U.C. and CSU continue to increase, students should consider
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UNDERSTANDING HIGHER EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA:
THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCES AMONG THE FOUR SEGMENTS
Colleges and universities in California are organized into four different segments (excluding the for-profit colleges). Three of these segments are public----that is, they are supported by public tax money distributed by the California Legislature. The three public segments are:a. California Community College System b. California State University System c. University of California (U.C.) System
The fourth segment consists of private colleges or universities within California. These private institutions often prefer to be called “Independent” colleges/universities because they are independent from public funding. Each independent college establishes its own minimum admission requirements, admission policy and application procedures.
d. Independent (or private) colleges and universities in the state.
These four segments of California higher education differ in two major ways. The first of these is admission policy. That is, the percent of the state’s high school graduates that a particular segment admits, as specified in the California Master Plan for Higher Education. The University of California, for example, has admission requirements that are designed to yield the top 9% of the state’s high school graduates. The California State University System (Cal State) accepts the top 33.3%. California community colleges have an open enrollment policy, which specifies that anyone who is a high school graduate, who has passed the GED, or who is 18 years of age, may attend. Independent colleges and universities do not set admission policies in the same way that the three public segments do and they vary in their degree of selectivity. The most competitive independent colleges---for example, Stanford, California Institute of Technology, Pomona College— are highly selective, while many of the other independents admit a larger percentage of their applicants.
The second major difference is cost. California community colleges have the highest degree of
Legislative financial support of the public systems and remain relatively low cost to students. The California State University System is also strongly supported by the Legislature but not the same degree as community colleges. The U.C. system has the lowest proportion of public funding from the state, so its fees are approximately double those of the CSU system. The independent colleges and universities receive no public funding. Because they depend heavily on tuition for their operating budgets, they are much more expensive than even the most expensive segment of the public system.
Note: consult the Financial Aid and Scholarship section in the Resources Section of this handbook for information on financing your education.
Naming: How to Determine Which College Belongs to Which System
Figuring out the differences among these four segments is often easier than figuring out what college belongs to which system. These naming rules will help clarify the confusion.
California Community Colleges
Most of the 112 California community colleges originally called themselves “junior colleges.” Some years ago, “City College” or “Community College” in their official names replaced that phrase. Now, most California community colleges use only the word “College” in their official names, for example:
College of Marin Santa Monica College
Laney College Diablo Valley College There are, however, some holdovers from earlier practice: City College of San Francisco Los Angeles City College Glendale Community College Riverside Community College Modesto Junior College Santa Rosa Junior College
California State Universities (CSU)
In general, the names of twenty-three California State University campuses begin with “California State University”, followed by the name of the city where the campus is located. “California State University” is often shortened (“Cal State”) or abbreviated (“CSU”):
Cal State East Bay Cal State Long Beach
In the case of long established and well-know campuses, the name of the city is followed by “State” or, more properly, “State University”:
Chico State University San Francisco State University San Diego State University San Jose State University Exceptions:
California State Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) California State Polytechnic University at Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) California Maritime Academy
Humboldt State University (named for its county rather than its city).
University of California
The ten University of California campuses all begin with “University of California” in their official names (usually abbreviated “UC”) followed by the name of the city where they are located:
UC Berkeley (or Cal) UC Davis UC Irvine UC Los Angeles (UCLA)
UC Merced UC Riverside UC San Diego UC Santa Barbara (UCSB)
UC Santa Cruz (UCSC)
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Independent Colleges and Universities:
Independent colleges and universities almost always say “University of XXXX”, or “XXXX University”, or “XXXX College”” in their titles. You can also identify them by default: They do not say “City College”, “CSU” or “UC” in their titles:
University of Redlands Stanford University Occidental College University of the Pacific Loyola Marymount University Mills College
University of San Francisco Whittier College Claremont McKenna College Pepperdine University Pitzer College University of San Diego
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (U.C.) SYSTEM
Application Dates: November 1 to November 30
The Application:
The application to the U.C. system becomes available each fall, usually in early October and
applications are available online at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions. Each student submits one application to the University of California, checking off which campus or campuses for which they wish to be considered and then pay a fee for each campus. Once you submit your application, it is electronically sent to the campuses that you have indicated on your application. You do not need to send separate applications to each U.C. campus. It is recommended to file your application as soon as possible during the open filing period of November 1 to 30. The computer system often gets overloaded during the last few days or November.
Testing:
Make sure to complete all SAT or ACT with writing and SAT Subject tests (if required by a particular department or major) by the December test date of your senior year. It is YOUR responsibility to have all of your test scores sent to the U.C. You can have them sent via the www.collegeboard.org or www.act.org websites where you have your account. You can have a score report sent to one campus and it will be shared with all the campuses to which you apply. SAT Subject Tests are not required for admission. However, you may submit scores if you want to show proficiency in a particular subject and/or if you plan to apply for competitive majors (check specific campuses and majors for requirements). All testing must be completed by December of your senior year. Transcripts:
Transcripts are not required at the time you apply to the U.C. system. If accepted and if you commit to attend a U.C. campus, you will be asked to submit a final transcript at the end of your senior year. Recommendations are not required for the U.C. system.
Special Programs Requirements:
Some departments have additional application requirements (art, theater, dance, etc.) so make sure to consult the departmental requirements at each of the campuses you are applying to.
Fee Waivers:
U.C. will waive application fees for up to four campuses for qualified students. You can apply for a fee waiver within the online application and be notified immediately whether you have qualified.
Web Addresses for the Nine Undergraduate U.C. Campuses: UC Berkeley: www.berkeley.edu
UC Davis: www.ucdavis.edu UC Irvine: www.uci.edu
UC Los Angeles: www.ucla.edu UC Merced: www.ucmerced.edu UC Riverside: www.ucr.edu UC San Diego: www.ucsd.edu UC Santa Barbara: www.ucsb.edu UC Santa Cruz: www.ucsc.edu
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U.C. Resources for High School Students:
For more information about academic preparation, pathways to the U.C. system, costs, and tips about the application process, the following link is an excellent resource:
http://www.ucop.edu/education-partnerships/programs/resources-for-preparing-for-college.html
U.C. Application Tip:
Although you cannot officially submit your application until the filing period begins, November 1-30, you can begin to fill out the application---make sure to “save” as you go and do not attempt to submit before the filing period begins. You can also get a head start on your U.C. Personal Statement essays. The two prompts stay the same from year-to-year. Refer to “The Essay” section of this handbook for more information about the prompts and tips on writing the essays.
**Note: Please refer to the A-G Requirements section of this handbook (page 9) for a detailed breakdown of requirements needed for entrance into the U.C. system.
CAMPUSES OF THE CSU
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES
The California State University system is the largest state university system in the country, containing 23 campuses and serving 426,534 students. Each campus is unique and has distinct student
populations and programs. The CSU campuses are: Northern California: a. Humboldt b. Chico c. Sonoma d. Sacramento e. Maritime Academy f. San Francisco g. East Bay h. San Jose i. Stanislaus j. Monterey Bay Central California:
a. San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) b. Bakersfield c. Fresno Southern California: a. Northridge b. Channel Islands c. Los Angeles d. Dominguez Hills e. San Bernardino f. Fullerton g. Long Beach
h. Pomona (Cal Poly) i. San Marcos
j. San Diego
CSU Resources: each campus is unique in size, location, student population, course offerings, and majors. Use the following online resources to research CSU campuses:
www.calstate.edu www.csumentor.edu www.csusuccess.org
Preparation is Key! CSU Tips:
-Explore and research campuses via the web and take a virtual tour of the campuses that interest you. Some campuses have “impacted” majors (engineering, computer science, math, etc.), which may require higher admission standards. The CSU website at www.csumentor.edu has the most up-to-date campus information and recommendations for students. Visit campus preview days in 10th and 11th grade and Fall Open Houses in 12th grade.
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-Complete the minimum 15 A-G courses with a grade of “C” or higher. Review A-G Requirements on page 9 of this handbook. To be a more competitive candidate, it is suggested to take additional courses than the minimum fifteen.
-The CSU uses a calculation called an eligibility index that combines your weighted high school GPA (10th and 11th grades) with the composite score you earn on the ACT or the SAT Reasoning (Critical Reading + Math) scores.
-Many CSU campuses utilize local admission guarantee policies for students who graduate from high schools and community colleges that are historically served by a CSU campus in that region. -Many CSU campuses have higher standards for particular majors or for students who live outside the local admission area. Because of the number of students who apply, several campuses may require supplementary admission criteria for all applicants. Do your research.
-Apply as early as Oct 1st. The application period is Oct 1-November 30. Keep in mind that it is advised to submit prior to the final date of November 30, as the computer system can get overloaded.
-Research ways to pay for college and attend a Cash-for-College-Workshop with your parents or guardians during your senior year. These are usually offered in January or February at ECHS and throughout the WCCUSD.
-Submit ACT/SAT/AP test scores to all campuses you apply to. You can indicate the CSU Mentor Code 3594 to have your SAT/ACT scores sent to any CSU. All CSU campuses will be able to access your scores through CSU Mentor. Be aware that many CSU campuses require that all SAT/ACT testing be
completed no later than the October test date of your senior year.
-You do NOT need a teacher recommendation for CSU
-Remember that when you are admitted it is PROVISIONAL---you must continue to do well in your ENTIRE senior year to meet the admissions requirements! At a minimum, you must maintain at C- or above grade point average in order to keep your admission to CSU.
Costs of Attending a CSU
2013-2014 Estimated Budgets: Keep in mind that CSU maintains one of the lowest fee structures among comparable institutions. Nearly 3.6 billion dollars is distributed in financial aid and more than 70% of the student population receives some form of financial aid. To qualify for aid, make sure to file a FAFSA during the priority filing period, between January 1-March 2.
2013,2014!Estimated!Budget! Live!at!Home! ! Live!on!Campus! Live!Off!!
Fees! ! ! ! ! $6,611!! ! $6,611!! ! $6,611!
Books/Supplies! ! ! $1,678!! ! $1,678!! ! $1,678!
Room/Board! ! ! ! $4,453!! ! $11,695! ! $11,798!
Transportation! ! ! $1,348!! ! $1,184!! ! $1,338!
COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN CALIFORNIA
www.cccco.edu and www.cccapply.orgComprised of 72 districts and 112 colleges, the California Community Colleges make up the largest higher education system in the nation—providing a gateway to higher education for nearly 3 million students per year. Community colleges offer associate's degrees, prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions, provide opportunities for lifelong learning, and train the workforce that sustains California’s economy.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM -You need to be a high school graduate OR
-Have passed the GED (General Educational Development) test or California High School Proficiency Test (CAHSEE) OR
-Be at least 18 years of age.
Note: There are special requirements for certain two-year career programs. Testing and personal interviews are the prerequisites for programs such as dental assistance, marketing management, nursing, auto mechanics, etc.
If you meet the requirements above, you are eligible to attend any of the 112 community colleges in California.
Community College is a Good Choice If:
a. You wish to attend, for one or two years, a college that will give you training needed to enter a vocation.
b. You wish to begin college while remaining in your home community.
c. You are not sure of the academic field you wish to pursue and want to explore varied subject areas.
d. A four-year college is too costly. Community colleges are much less expensive than 4-year or CSU.
e. You plan to complete a 4-year college program; however, for financial or other reasons you plan to live at home for the first to years.
f. You want to attend a 4-year college, but your grades and/or subjects you took in high school do not qualify you for admission without further preparation.
Transfer Programs:
Community Colleges offer a full range of academic courses, covering the first two years of college, that enable a student to prepare for transfer to a UC or CSU campus or to a private college. Transfer students who plan carefully can enter a four-year college as a junior. Each community college has Transfer Admission Agreements with specific UC and CSU campuses and private colleges. Check with community college counseling offices or with the ECG representative at ECHS to determine which programs have the best transfer track records. Otherwise, a community college counselor will help you organize your program so that it will be accepted, especially by a UC or CSU campus, and you will not lose credits when you transfer. Information about California community college courses that do receive transfer credit is available at www.assist.org.
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Note: When applying to the UC and CSU systems, students from California community colleges have
admissions priority over all other prospective transfer students, including those from 4-year colleges. If you plan well and stay on track, this is a great way to go!
Vocational-Technical:
An Associate of Arts (AA) degree is awarded in many two-year, vocational-technical programs. A one-year certificate program is also available in certain fields. Students receive training in skills that qualify them for employment in semi-professional and technical areas. Examples of vocational-technical programs leading to an AA degree are: accounting, automotive mechanics, banking and finance, data processing, electronics, technology, real estate, and travel industry. Check the community college you are interested in for availability and course offerings.
Admission Tests:
No college admission tests (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, etc.) are required. If, however, you are considering transferring to a four-year college, it is highly recommended that you take your SAT/ACT tests in high school. Additionally, a high enough score on your ACT or SAT can sometimes qualify you to skip the first level English or Math requirements.
Online Information:
Learn more about the California Community College system at www.ccco.edu Applications to Community Colleges:
Application Dates: April onwards for summer or fall entry for general courses
Applications for admission to community colleges are available online at www.cccapply.org. California residents may attend any community college in the state. All California community colleges are open to all students who are at least 18 or have a high school diploma or a GED. Contra Costa College (CCC) counselors often come to ECHS to explain registration procedures. Ask in the Career Center for dates that CCC representatives will be on campus and the date(s) when the community college assessment test will be given at ECHS.
NOTE: If you wish to enter a special career program, there are special requirements and earlier application dates. Make an appointment in November of your senior year to see a community college counselor if you are interested in two-year programs such as: dental assisting, marketing management, nursing, x-ray technology, law enforcement, and auto mechanic.
Financial aid is available at the community college level. You must complete the FAFSA (the federal government form) and the GPA verification form available in the College and Career Center in January. Check with the Financial Aid Office of the community college in which you are interested for further information. Consult the Financial Aid and Resource sections in this handbook for more information on financial aid/scholarships.
Community College Application Process:
1. Get application online at www.cccapply.org or at the specific community college website. 2. Complete and submit application online
Other Steps:
1. Take placement tests before registering for Math, English, ESL and Chemistry IA courses at the Community College.
2. Visit the Career Center and your ECHS Guidance Counselor to make sure you are on-track with your course requirements and graduation timetable.
California Community Colleges – Campus Locations
http://www.foundationccc.org/!
California Community Colleges: Facts and Figures
Note: This information was taken from: http://www.cccco.edu/The largest system of higher education in the country
· California Community Colleges have the highest rate of public attendance of all community college systems in the nation.
· One-quarter of all community college students nationwide are enrolled in a California Community College.
· Three out of every ten Californians age 18-24 are currently enrolled in a community college. The primary gateway to higher education, serving all Californians
· Over 60 percent of community college students are people of diverse ethnic backgrounds and over 55 percent are female.
· Community Colleges enroll the state’s lowest-income students. Full-time students have an annual median income of $16,223, with one-fourth having incomes of less than $5,544 per year.
· Over half of California veterans receiving GI Bill educational benefits attend a Community College.
· Over half of community college students are age 25 or older and are already working adults. California’s largest workforce training provider
· Serving nearly 3 million students annually, California Community Colleges offer more than 175 degree and certificate programs at 112 colleges in every area of the state.
· Community colleges train 80 percent of all California firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical technicians. Thirty-nine colleges have police academies and 64 colleges train firefighters.
· Seventy percent of California nurses received their education at a community college. Nursing programs are offered at 74 colleges, which graduate 7,700 nurses a year. · Approximately 25,000 apprentices are educated by 35 Community Colleges offering
160 apprenticeship programs.
· California Community Colleges offer 160 employee professional development programs that increase the knowledge and skills of 25,000 working Californians each year.
· Over 80 percent of community college students work, many attending college for retraining, skills upgrades, and license retention and renewal.
A pathway to four-year universities
· Almost 60 percent of graduates of the California State University system and 30 percent of the University of California system transferred from a California Community College. · When community college students transfer, they earn grade point averages equal to or
better than students who started out as freshmen at the same four-year universities. · Community colleges are a cost-effective alternative for students who cannot afford to
go to a four-year university all four years.
· Two-thirds of California’s first-time higher education students begin their academic careers at a community college.
APPLYING TO PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
The Common ApplicationMany private (or independent) colleges and universities, and some public universities, use the
Common Application. Over 500 schools utilize the Common Application; see www.commonapp.org for a complete list. It is important to check each school’s website to find out if they require applying through the Common Application, or if they use an alternate application process, such as the
Universal Application (universalcollegeapp.com). Additionally, some colleges have their own individual applications, such as Georgetown and University of Oregon. The Common Application is a one-stop clearinghouse for applying to many colleges. It allows students to submit and track components of their application such as: essays, supplements, payments, school forms, and recommenders. In order to apply to colleges using the Common Application, students will need to set up a free online account at www.commonapp.org. Use the professional email that you want colleges to see and which you will use throughout the college application and financial aid process. Create an email such as: johndoe2014@gmail and not liketoparty@gmail. Once your account and password are set, you may research colleges through the site, find out each school’s application requirements and deadlines, add schools-of-interest to your own personal “dashboard” of schools. The dashboard is a helpful tool as it shows you what schools you are applying to, reminds you when an application deadline is coming up, checks off when a recommender has sent in his/her letter on your behalf, and checks off when your application is complete.
The Common Application is also where you will fill out the general application requirements (personal, family, educational, academic, extra-curricular, awards, etc.) and where you will be asked to write a personal statement of up to 650 words from one of the five prompts offered. *Please refer
to the Common Application site and the Personal Statement Essay section of this handbook for essay-writing tips and prompts. This part of the application and essay prompt is what will be sent to each of the
schools on your personal dashboard, with the same information going to each. Once the application has been submitted to a college online, it cannot be changed for that particular school; the student must contact the college directly if they need to correct an error or request to provide more information.
Many schools also require supplementary application information and writing components from students. These requirements will show up when you click on each school you have listed on your dashboard. The supplementary portions have to be submitted electronically, only after you have electronically submitted (and paid) for the general application portion of the Common Application. You will be asked to pay, by credit card, for each submission and each school has its own set
application fee (they often range from $50.00-90.00 per application). Payments can be done securely through the website and you will receive an email confirmation of payment. If you have a fee-waiver, follow the prompts within the application for instructions on how to submit.
Students will also be able to, electronically, invite counselors and teachers to write and submit a recommendation on their behalf. It is, however, up to you to determine how many
recommendations are required for each school and to invite your recommenders in a timely and courteous manner. Remember, counselors and teachers are asked to write many letters of recommendation so make sure to request and invite with plenty of advance notice. Refer to the
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COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COMMON APPLICATION:
Counselor recommendations are part of the School Report. Counselor letters and the School Report explain your transcript, your role in the ECHS community, as well as highlighting your involvement with on-campus and extracurricular activities. Because each ECHS counselor oversees more than 600
students, it is important for students to take the initiative to meet with their counselors, at least several times each year, email them with questions, drop by to “check in” with them about how things are going with their courses and the application process. When it comes time for them to write a counselor
recommendation, students are asked to complete a Senior Profile (a template can be found in this handbook or from their counselor). The Senior Profile asks the student to elaborate on activities they have been involved in, give words that describe their character and personality, offer examples of academic successes, and descriptions of obstacles they have been faced with. The more detail you provide, the easier it will be for your counselor to compose a detailed recommendation. Counselors are also asked to input information about your GPA and class rank, the rigor of your course
selections, any disciplinary issues, etc. If you are applying Early Action or Early Decision, it is suggested that seniors turn in their Senior Profile by mid-September and for Regular or Rolling Admission, by the beginning of October.
NOTE: Students must turn in their Senior Profiles and invite their counselor to submit a Counselor
Recommendation on their behalf with ample lead-time. All requests for recommendations should be submitted well before the winter break!
Helpful Tip: Try to complete your Senior Profile the summer before senior year begins. Having the
time to think about thoughtful and thorough responses will result in a more complete and comprehensive product for your counselor. Copies of the Senior Profile can be found in this handbook, in the College and Career Center, from your counselor and on the ECHS website. If you have questions as to how to use or complete the Common Application, go to the
www.commonapp.org website, where you can search the “Help” section or view one of the video tutorials. Your counselor and the College and Career Center are also available to you for assistance with the application process.
CALIFORNIA PRIVATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
This is a selected list of private (or independent) California colleges and universities. Visit the websites for the schools you are interested in and learn more about California private colleges and at www.aiccu.edu.
• American Jewish University, Los Angeles • Antioch University Los Angeles
• Art Center College of Design, Pasadena • Biola University, La Mirada
• California College of the Arts, Oakland
• California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech), Pasadena • California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), Valencia • California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks • Chapman University, Orange
• Claremont McKenna College, Claremont * • Dominican University of California, San Rafael • Harvey Mudd College, Claremont*
• Holy Names University, Oakland
• Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach • Loma Linda University, Loma Linda
• Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
• Marymount California University, Rancho Palos Verdes • Menlo College, Atherton
• Mills College, Oakland
• Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles • Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont • Occidental College, Los Angeles
• Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles • Pepperdine University, Malibu
• Pitzer College, Claremont* • Pomona College, Claremont*
• Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga • San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco
• San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco • Santa Clara University, Santa Clara
• Scripps College, Claremont* • Stanford University, Palo Alto • University of Redlands, Redlands • University of San Diego, San Diego • University of San Francisco, San Francisco • University of Southern California, Los Angeles • University of the Pacific, Stockton
• Westmont College, Santa Barbara • Whittier College, Whittier
**Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, Pomona and Scripps are part of the Claremont College Five-College Consortium in Claremont, CA.
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DECISION PLANS:
Breaking Down the Various Application Decision Plan Options
Students not only have to decide which colleges to which they will apply but they also have to consider what type of decision plan they wish to pursue. There are basically five types of admission: regular, rolling, early action, restrictive early action and early decision. Each of the plans will be discussed below but make sure to check the specific admissions options at each of the colleges on your list, as details often vary from year to year.Regular Decision (RD): This is what most students think about when applying to college and most
students apply through this path. Students submit their application materials sometime in late winter and usually hear a decision by late-March or early-April. Remember to check EACH school’s application instructions and make note of specific due-dates. There are three possible outcomes for RD: acceptance, denial, or waitlist. If accepted, students have until the May 1st National Candidates Reply Date to make their decisions. If waitlisted, students should check the waitlist policy for each school and follow their instructions. Often if a student wants to remain on the waitlist, they have to notify the school directly.
Unless you have a compelling reason to apply under a school’s “early” plan, RD is the application path you will follow.
Rolling Admission (RA): Colleges offering rolling admission use RA exclusively. This means there is
no set deadline to apply. As soon as the application for a particular year is available, schools using RA begin accepting applications. Typically, they review applications as they arrive and either notify students within a few weeks or at specifically prescribed dates. Applications continue to be accepted until all the spaces are filled. A possible advantage to applying on the earlier side at an RA school is there may be more options to access scholarships, financial aid, housing or special academic programs. There are two outcomes for RA applicants: acceptance or denial. Occasionally, an RA school may defer your decision until your mid-year grade reports become available.
Early Action (EA): Under this plan, students apply by an early deadline (often in November) and
hear a response by an early notification date (often in early winter). EA plans are nonbinding and students may also apply to the other schools on their list. Note: double check the websites of each school on your list to make note of any specific requirements. With EA, students have until the May 1st deadline to make their final decision. There are three possible outcomes with EA: acceptance, denial and sometimes deferral. With acceptance, students have the benefit of having a college choice early in the application process—this takes some of the pressure off just knowing that you have “gotten in” to a school. With denial, you are no longer in the application pool of the school. With deferral, your application moves to the regular application pool and you will have to wait until the spring notification date as to your status. If deferred, you will want to send the college updated information including first semester grades, updated test scores (if available) and any additional achievements (academic or extra-curricular).
Some schools offer more than one round of EA—again check college websites for specifics.
Restrictive Early Action (REA): Although this is a nonbinding plan, there are restrictions in this
type of application process. As in EA, students apply early to a first-choice school, receive an early – decision, and have until May 1st to decide. NOTE: it is very important to read the fine print of the
REA school to which you are applying. Some allow you to apply early to another school, only if it is not a similar type (private or public) and some ask students to not apply early anywhere else.
There are three outcomes for REA: acceptance, denial and deferral. If accepted, the student has until May 1st to decide. If deferred, the student’s application is moved to the regular decision group for later decision. If deferred, you should make sure to send in updated transcripts (fall grades), updated test scores (if available), and any updates in academics or extra-curricular activities. If denied, you may not reapply for regular decision.
Early Decision (ED): This approach involves careful thought and consideration by students. ED is
a binding contract between the student applicant and the ED school to which they are applying. If you apply ED, you are saying that a particular school is your first choice and if accepted you agree to A) attend that school and B) withdraw all applications to all other schools which were on your list. You must be positive that the school is where you want to enroll and which is the right fit for you. There are three outcomes in ED: acceptance, denial or deferral. If accepted, you must agree to enroll at that school and immediately withdraw all other applications. If deferred, your application will roll into the regular decision pool and you will find out in early spring. If you are denied, your application will not be reconsidered.
An ED path is a great path for students who know, without a doubt, that a particular school is their first choice option. If accepted, you will know in the early winter, have your decision made, and you can relax and enjoy the remainder of your senior year without any further application worries. The problem lies with the fact that many teens do not know definitively what they may truly want in a college, and often students change their minds several times during the course of their senior year. For example, some who thought they wanted a big school in California change their minds mid-year to wanting a smaller school on the east coast.
2013 Note: During the 2013 application cycle, there was a rising trend towards applying early to
colleges and many colleges accepted higher percentages of students in the ED or EA pools than in the RD cycles. Whether that trend continues remains to be seen.
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TESTING: COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS
Many colleges require college admission tests as part of the application process. They are often used in financial aid and scholarship decisions. These tests are seen as helpful to the admissions committee in demonstrating aptitude in academic areas and may give a guide as to how well a student might succeed at a particular institution. It is important to remember that standardized tests are only one part of your application. Your GPA, the rigor of your high school course selection, extra-curricular activities, recommendations, and your personal statement are all extremely important in the
application process. It is advised that students check the testing requirements for each school to which they plan to apply as changes happen regularly. Some colleges do not require any tests (see www.fairtest.org) for a complete list, and some schools offer testing as an option. Do your research! IMPORTANT GENERAL TEST INFORMATION:
1. The school code for El Cerrito High, also known as CEEB is: 050815. You will need this when you register for the tests.
2. You may register online at www.collegeboard.org or www.actstudent.org. Both sites have information about registering, setting up a free account, letting you know what to bring to the tests, when your scores will be available online, as well as offering free test prep and tools to succeed. These sites also offer tools to research various colleges and list schools that require Subject Tests.
3. Remember to register with the professional email you have established for all of your college-related documents: testing, financial aid, and applications. Be consistent.
4. The above websites also list the dates each test is offered. ECHS is a testing site so if you register early enough, you can opt to take the test at ECHS.
5. You cannot take the SAT and SAT Subject tests on the same day, but you may take up to three SAT Subject Tests at one time.
6. The PSAT does not require students to register individually as it is offered for free, once per year, at ECHS in the fall (usually in October) of sophomore and junior years.
7. You will need to bring a valid picture ID on the day of the test and make sure the name on your ID matches exactly with the name you registered under for the test. Bring two or more #2 pencils and you may bring a calculator for math and some science tests. No cell phones are allowed in the testing area. Also, make sure to bring a snack and drink.
8. If you require testing accommodations, make sure to speak with your special education teacher at least three months prior to the tests regular registration deadline!
9. If you think you qualify for a fee waiver, go to the Career Center for more information. Please be aware that the only way to receive a fee-waiver from ECHS is to apply online at www.wccusd.net
for the free or reduced lunch program at the beginning of each new school year. Scroll down the district website and click on “lunch application”. You cannot receive an SAT or ACT fee waiver without FIRST applying to the lunch program---no exceptions. Once you receive your “letter of eligibility” make sure to keep this letter in order to receive your waiver.
PSAT: Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is offered to both
sophomores and juniors each October. Registration is handled by ECHS and there is no fee for students. The PSAT gives students an opportunity to see what kinds of questions one will see on the SAT. The scores are usually available in late winter and will give students an idea of where their strengths and weaknesses are in testing and also what types of schools one might begin considering. If you are unhappy with your scores, consider signing up for an SAT/ACT prep course (both free and fee-based courses and tutors are available) and/or begin your own
scores DO NOT count for college, those who place high enough can qualify for consideration as a National Merit Scholar, which can lead to monetary scholarships for college.
SAT: This test measures Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills. You must pre-register for this
test and there is a fee. The University of California (UC), the California State Universities (CSU) and many private and public universities use it as an entrance requirement, although check each college website for specific recommendations. The test takes approximately 4.5-5 hours to complete. The test is based on a total score of 2400 points, with each of the three sections worth 800 points each. When you receive your scores, you will see a total score and a score from each of the three sections (Critical Reading, Math and Writing). It is advisable to take the SAT during your junior year. By taking the test during your junior year, you will gauge how you do on the test with enough time to decide if you will re-take it in the fall of senior year. Colleges have different requirements for your scores: some allow Score Choice, whereby only your top scores in each section are considered, and other schools want to see all of your testing scores. In order for scores to be sent to colleges, YOU need to have them sent from the www.collegeboard.org site.
Test dates are found online at the www.collegeboard.org site, in the ECHS College & Career Center, and are announced on the E-tree.
SAT SUBJECT TESTS: These tests measure students’ knowledge and college readiness in a
particular subject. They are one-hour multiple-choice tests and are entrance requirements for many (not all) colleges---make sure to check what particular schools require. The Subject Tests are scored like the SAT tests, from 200-800. Students can sign up to take 1-3 tests at one sitting. Students are encouraged to take these tests after they have completed relevant classes. For instance, when you have completed AP U.S. History, Literature, Physics, Chemistry, or Algebra 2/Trig, you could plan to take one or more of these subject tests while the material is still fresh in your mind. Many schools prefer you to take the Math 2 and another test of your choice.
However, if you are going into the sciences or math fields, they may require additional tests. Do your research and know what schools require.
ACT (American College Test): Tests your ability in English, math, reading and science
reasoning. The ACT Writing Test is also offered as a supplement to the main test. The ACT is a college entrance test that is an accepted alternative to the SAT for almost all colleges, including the UC and Cal State systems. Check each college website to see if they accept the ACT and if they also require you to take the writing portion. The test is scored on a 1-36 scale, with 36 being the highest score. Check score ranges at colleges that you are interested in to see if your scores are in range for a particular school. It is recommended that juniors take the ACT during the spring of junior year and, if needed, in the fall of senior year. You must preregister for this test and there is a fee. ECHS is a testing site for the ACT. Go to www.act.org for more
information
Note: Take challenging courses throughout high school. Studies have shown that one of the top
predictors of SAT/ACT success is a rigorous high school curriculum. Take advantage of the Honors and AP-level courses offered at ECHS.
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THE BIG QUESTION: WHICH TEST SHOULD I TAKE?
While most colleges in the U.S. accept both the SAT and the ACT as a qualification for admission, there are major differences between these two tests. It is advised to think carefully about which test to take so that you can most effectively prepare yourself to do your best. Both the College Board, which administers the SAT (www.collegeboard.org) and the ACT, which administers the ACT test (www.act.org) offer full-length practice tests and practice questions so you may want to try out each of the sample tests to gauge how you do on one or the other. You may also
purchase one of the many testing guides on the market, such as Kaplan or Princeton Review, each of which have numerous sample tests and test-taking strategies. These guides are also available to students in the ECHS College and Career Center. Whichever test you choose to take, make time to study and prepare. Make sure to practice testing in a timed setting. Many students are not used to testing within time limits, so it is important to give yourself some practice with this before test day. Use your microwave timer, an egg timer, cell-phone alarm, whatever you need to signal that “time is up”. And, while it is fine to take both tests, it is advised to choose one and focus your preparation on that type of test. Below are some things to consider when deciding between the two tests. These are suggestions for you to think about. The best way for you to decide is to try out a sample SAT and ACT test and see how you do and which test format you feel most comfortable with. Thank you to Dr. Raymond Barglow of U.C. Berkeley for the following tips:
The ACT may be the better test for you if:
a. You like to read and you read quickly with good comprehension. Even the science section of the ACT relies mainly upon reading and reasoning skills, and requires little knowledge beyond that provided by the questions themselves. So even if your science knowledge is more
limited, you can do well on the ACT science section.
b. You do well in school. The ACT is more curriculum-based, and the ACT questions tend to be more straightforward than SAT questions.
c. You do better in your English, history and social studies classes than in your math classes. ACT math is not as difficult as SAT math. There is some advanced math content (logarithms, trigonometry, matrices, imaginary numbers) on the ACT, but that additional content is more basic.
d. You prefer to write essays that deal in a common-sense way with tangible, everyday policy issues, such as those that arise in a high school setting.
The SAT may be the better test for you if:
a. You like solving math puzzles and playing computer games. SAT math involves reasoning tricks and requires that you go beyond the basic formulas and exercises that you have encountered in your school classes.
b. You have a strong vocabulary and do well in school.
c. You find it easier to write essays on abstract, philosophical issues than about policy matters. Free Practice Tests and Test Preparation Resources
--ACT Sample Tests at www.actstudent.org/sampletest/index.html
--SAT College Board Practice Tests at http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/ --Number2: Free online test prep for ACT/SAT at www.number2.com ,,www.majortests.com
-- www.khanacademy.org
