ACADEMIC SUPPORT

OVERVIEW

Students who are in need or want support in courses are offered a variety of help through the office of Academic Support. Those students who are identified by teachers, parents or themselves are able to: Utilize the Extended Learning Center after school everyday until 4:00 pm Meet with teachers after school for remediation or help Request individual adjustments through our STEP/MAP program

When students are identified as needing additional academic support, whether or not related to a disability, a Support Team Educational Plan (STEP) or Minor Adjustment Plan (MAP) may be implemented. The support team may recommend minor educational adjustments based upon a student’s testing history, classroom work and teacher observations. Parents have the responsibility of providing all relevant history and data to provide best possible outcomes for the student and to properly assist in the STEP/MAP team evaluation.

STUDENT TRACKing FOR GRADUATION AND COLLEGE ENTRANCE:

FRESHMAN year:

    • Set yourself up for success! Be in class, on time every day!

    • Challenge yourself in your classes

    • Learn to self-advocate! Speak with your teachers often about your progress.

    • Get phone numbers of classmates to form study groups

    • Get involved! Join clubs and sports

    • Attend College Fair

    • Attend college rep visits

    • Make a file to record your extracurricular activities, community service, leadership experiences, awards, and any involvement in school.

    • Prepare for the PSAT

    • Check your 1st semester grades. Meet with counselor to make sure you are on track for graduation and college admissions

    • Make adjustments to your schedule if needed

    • Review your PSAT score. Read, read, read! Best way to improve your score.

    • Link your PSAT results to the Khan Academy for personalized SAT preparation

    • Begin compiling your college list. Your list should include a variety of colleges you are interested in

    • Attend college rep visits

    • Attend college campus tours

    • Maintain involvement in clubs on campus

    • Maintain classwork, GPA, & work ethic!

    • Meet with counselor to review transcript

    • Monitor your grades. Meet with teachers

    • Make plans for summer school

    • Continue to volunteer and participate in extracurricular activities to enhance your academic resume

    • Explore Cal State Apply/UC websites to research various campuses/majors/deadlines/requirements www.calstate.edu/apply and www.ucop.edu/pathways

    • Explore California Career Zone and Career Café for personality and interest assessments. This will guide you when selecting a college major.

    • Explore colleges at www.bigfuture.org. Search colleges by location, major, cost & more

    • Attend all college opportunities on campus

    • Meet with counselor to discuss sophomore year courses

    • Ask questions about AP courses & their requirements

    • Continue to build your college list!!

    • Visit college campuses

    • Attend summer school to remediate any classes you need for graduation or college eligibility

    • Continue to record and track your service hours and extracurricular activities to build your academic resume.

    • Read! Does your schedule next year require summer reading/assignments?

    • Rest up for Sophomore Year!

    • Enjoy your summer!!

 

SOPHOMORE YEAR:

    • Assess your course schedule. Your courses should be challenging but not overwhelming. The key is to take rigorous courses AND do well in them

    • September 1st Junior Parent College Night 6:00 PM

    • September 28th Financial Aid Night 6:30PM

    • Explore colleges at www.bigfuture.org. Search colleges by location, major, cost & more

    • Continue to compile your college list. Good balance of reach, good matches, and safety schools. Refer to How to Compile a College List handout

    • October-13th- PSAT. Juniors are able to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program

    • Attend college rep visits during lunch and Flex Period. Even if you are not interested in the school, attend to learn about the opportunities, scholarships & programs available to you. Introduce yourself to the Admissions Counselor.

    • Grad Check—meet with your counselor to review your transcript to ensure you are on track for graduation & college

    • Take college courses to enhance your transcript for college. Check with counselor for campuses & acceptable courses

    • Make a file to manage your college search/ testing/application data

    • Continue to record activities/sports/awards for your resume and brag sheet

    • Research scholarships (list on PC website)

    • Explore Cal State Apply/UC websites to research various campuses/majors/deadlines/requirements www.calstate.edu/apply and www.ucop.edu/pathways

    • Check your semester grades. Meet with counselor to make sure you are on track for graduation and college admissions Junior year is one of the most important academic years for college admission

    • Special Admit Dual Enrollment application opens—add a college class!!

    • Continue compiling your college lists

    • All juniors create a College Board account with counselor to register for the SAT

    • Attend college rep visits during lunch and Flex Period

    • Explore cb.org/opportunity to earn scholarships

    • Junior College Night-preparation for Senior year

    • Register to take the May 2 /June SAT

    • Attend Scheduling Fair to learn about senior year AP and Honors courses

    • Meet with counselor to determine senior year courses

    • Check the college information board for fee waiver info and SAT/ACT registration deadlines

    • Transcript check-in with counselor

    • Make plans for summer school

    • Consider which teachers you would like to write a letter of recommendation for your applications

    • Visit college campuses over Easter Break

    • Explore Cal State Apply/UC websites to research various campuses/majors/deadlines/requirements www.calstate.edu/apply and www.ucop.edu/pathways

    • Explore California Career Zone and Career Café for help on selecting a college major

    • Explore colleges at www.bigfuture.org. Search colleges by location, major, cost & more

    • May-take all AP exams

    • Visit college campuses

    • Attend summer school to remediate any classes you need for graduation or college eligibility

    • Begin drafting your college essay/personal statements. Visit www.commonapp.org and www.ucop.edu/pathways for the Essay Prompts & UC Insight Questions

    • Explore Cal State Apply/UC websites to research various campuses/majors/deadlines/requirements www.calstate.edu/apply and www.ucop.edu/pathways

    • Explore California Career Zone and Career Café for help on selecting a college major

    • Work on resume and brag sheet

    • Enjoy your summer!

 

JUNIOR YEAR:

    • Assess your course schedule. Your courses should be challenging yet not overwhelming. The key is to take rigorous courses AND do well in them

    • August 26th—11th Grade College Night 5:30 PM

    • Explore colleges at www.bigfuture.org. Search colleges by location, major, cost & more

    • Continue to compile your college list. Good balance of reach, good matches, and safety schools. Refer to How to Compile a College List handout

    • September 9th—College Fair

    • September 14 & 21- SAT Prep Classes

    • September 25th—Financial Aid Night 6 PM

    • October-16th- PSAT. Juniors are able to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program

    • Attend college rep visits during lunch and Flex Period. Even if you are not interested in the school, attend to learn about the opportunities, scholarships & programs available to you. Introduce yourself to the Admissions Counselor.

    • Attend Junior Transcript Check-In with counselor

    • Take college courses to enhance your transcript for college. Check with counselor for campuses & acceptable courses

    • Make a file to manage your college search/ testing/application data

    • Continue to record activities/sports/awards for your resume and brag sheet

    • Research scholarships (Visit information board outside of the cafeteria)

    • Explore Cal State Apply/UC websites to research various campuses/majors/deadlines/requirements www.calstate.edu/apply and www.ucop.edu/pathways

    • Check your semester grades. Meet with counselor to make sure you are on track for graduation and college admissions Junior year is one of the most important academic years for college admission

    • Continue compiling your college lists

    • All juniors create a College Board account with counselor to register for the SAT

    • Attend college rep visits during lunch and Flex Period

    • Explore cb.org/opportunity to earn scholarships

    • March-College Application Admission Process Workshop

    • Junior College Night

    • Register to take the May 2 /June 6 SAT

    • Attend Scheduling Fair to learn about senior year AP and Honors courses

    • Meet with counselor to determine senior year courses

    • Check the college information board for fee waiver info and SAT/ACT registration deadlines

    • Transcript check-in with counselor

    • Make plans for summer school

    • Consider which teachers you would like to write a letter of recommendation for your applications

    • Visit college campuses over Easter Break

    • Explore Cal State Apply/UC websites to research various campuses/majors/deadlines/requirements www.calstate.edu/apply and www.ucop.edu/pathways

    • Explore California Career Zone and Career Café for help on selecting a college major

    • Explore colleges at www.bigfuture.org. Search colleges by location, major, cost & more

    • May-take all AP exams

    • Visit college campuses

    • Attend summer school to remediate any classes you need for graduation or college eligibility

    • Begin drafting your college essay/personal statements. Visit www.commonapp.org and www.ucop.edu/pathways for the Essay Prompts & UC Insight Questions

    • Explore Cal State Apply/UC websites to research various campuses/majors/deadlines/requirements www.calstate.edu/apply and www.ucop.edu/pathways

    • Explore California Career Zone and Career Café for help on selecting a college major

    • Work on resume and brag sheet

    • Enjoy your summer!

 

SENIOR COLLEGE PLANNING GUIDE 2021-2022:

    • August 1st-Begin Common Application (www.commonapp.org) and UC Applications online (www.ucop.edu/pathways) Review the Quick Reference Sheet for College Applications for details requirements & deadlines

    • August 1st-Begin Common Application (www.commonapp.org) and UC Applications online (www.ucop.edu/pathways) Review the Quick Reference Sheet for College Applications for details requirements & deadlines

    • The College Essay Guy Workshop:

      o Monday, August 9th | Brainstorming

      o Wednesday, August 11th | Outlining & Writing

      o Friday, August 13th | Revising & Up-leveling

    • August 28th SAT. Registration deadline July 30th. Late Registration deadline August 17th

    • Finalize your list of colleges you plan on applying to. Make sure you have a balanced list of reach (1-2), good matches (3-4), and safety schools (2-3).

    • August 31-college essay workshop during Flex

    • Finalize your resume and brag sheet

    • Organize yourself! Set up a college application master calendar that includes test dates/registration deadlines, financial aid forms/transcripts/letters of recommendation

    • Attend a Graduation Check to ensure you have completed all requirements for graduation and college admission

    • Register for future SAT/ACT. October testing at PC. Email Mrs. Sultany to register. Submit documentation for fee waivers (within the testing window)

    • Search for scholarships-handout posted on school website, College Information Board, & Counselor’s office.

    • Attend university rep visits during lunch and Flex Period

    • CHECK YOUR EMAILS. I send numerous updates, scholarship opportunities and announcements daily.

    • September 2nd-Senior Parent College Night 6PM

    • 11th - ACT (registration deadline August 6th)

    • September Mandatory How to Compose a Compelling College Essay Workshop during lunch

    • Letters of recommendation request window! Meet with teachers in person (or virtually) with your brag sheet/resume. Allow a minimum of 3 weeks for teachers to write letters.

    • Work on college essays/personal statements. Have someone review them!! Email them to me!

    • Continue searching/applying for scholarships

    • Attend university rep visits during lunch and Flex Period

    • Attend Graduation Check

    • Prepare Early Decision applications

    • September 28th-Financial Aid Night 5:30PM

    • October 1st -Cal State applications open (www.calstate.edu/apply)

    • October 1st-FAFSA application opens. Begin completing the application (www.fafsa.gov)

    • Cal Grant-submit your current address to counselor

    • October 2nd SAT (registration deadline September 3rd)

    • October 13th-SAT School Day on PC Campus testing at PC-email Mrs. Sultany to register

    • October-How to Build a Resume-Chaffey College workshop during lunch. Date to follow

    • October 23rd - ACT (registration deadline September 17)

    • Prepare Early Decision/Action applications. Deadlines Nov-15. Colleges may require test scores for Early Decision/Action admissions.

    • Have someone review your essays/personal statements

    • Attend all Application Workshops with counselor for help

    • Continue searching/applying for scholarships

    • Attend campus rep visits during lunch and Flex Period

    • November 1st- UC Application submission window opens( www.ucop.edu/pathways )

    • November 6th - SAT (registration deadline October 6th)

    • November 30th- ALL UC & CSU Applications are DUE

    • Check-in with teachers who are writing your letters of recommendation

    • Private school deadlines-as early as November. Some have rolling admissions.

    • Early Decision /Action applications are due

    • Research campus housing

    • Apply for scholarships

    • Stay organized! Keep copies of documents/applications

    • December 4th -SAT (registration deadline November 4th)

    • December 11th-ACT (registration November 5th)

    • Send official SAT/ACT test scores to colleges. Early January is the deadline

    • If admitted Early Decision, notify other colleges

    • Study for final exams! Senior year grades COUNT!

    • Write ‘Thank You’ letters for teachers who wrote a letter of recommendation for you

    • Notify colleges of any changes in your schedule

    • Keep photocopies of your applications/essays you submit on Common App or private portals

    • Monitor your FAFSA account. Keep up with deadlines.

    • Submit official SAT/ACT test scores to college. Early January will be the deadline.

    • You should begin to hear from colleges about the status of your application

    • February 12th-ACT (registration deadline January 7th)

    • Monitor your student portals/email

    • Submit official SAT/ACT test scores. Check deadlines (varies per school)

    • Manage your Cal Grant status

    • Continue to apply for scholarships

    • March 2nd-FAFSA deadline

    • March 12th-SAT (registration deadline February 11th)

    • Watch for acceptance letters

    • Research housing applications

    • Visit college campuses

    • Apply to schools with rolling admissions

    • You should receive most acceptance letters and financial aid offers

    • April 2nd -ACT (registration deadline February 25th)

    • Monitor student portals, To Do Lists, emails

    • Waitlist status check-in

    • Visit college campuses during Easter Break

    • Apply to schools with rolling admissions

    • May 1st-National College Decision Day! Deadline to notify the 4-year college you will attend. Submit your deposit and intent to register.

    • May 7th -SAT (registration deadline April 7th)

    • Study for final exams! College acceptances can be rescinded!

    • Take all AP exams

    • Complete Clearance Form to indicate where you want your final transcripts to be sent. Have the Office of Admissions address ready!

    • Apply for housing

    • Register for Freshman Orientation or Campus Preview Day

    • Graduation!!! Congratulations!

    • Monitor student emails or university portal to ensure campus has received your transcripts. Most schools require official transcripts by mid-July

    • Set up appointment with your university counselor to help you register for first semester classes.

    • Attend Orientation

 
 

IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY + INFORMATION FOR SENIOR STUDENT

  • Early Decision- Binding; a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college.

  • Early Action- non binding; students receive an early response.

  • EOP- Educational Opportunity Program-financial assistance to 1st generation college students

  • Fee waivers- For Cal States & UC’s available on the application.  You must submit your income and family size for approval. For Common App-you will request a fee waiver on the application.

  • Federal Student Aid FAFSA-Application opens October 1st

  • Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)- Students can attend out of state colleges within this group of schools for in-state tuition prices. May have a separate application. Check deadlines per school.

  • Letters of recommendations- 1. Ask the teacher in person at least 3 weeks prior to deadline  2. Give them a resume or brag sheet  3. Follow up with them.

  • Impacted Majors/Campuses- When the number of applications received from qualified applicants is greater than the number of available spaces. An impacted campus/major can use additional criteria to screen applications. It is important to look at your own student profile and examine the major you are declaring.  Do you fall within range of the profile of admitted students?  Consider a different major for admission and change it later.

  • Senior year coursework-You must submit your senior year courses on all applications. Any changes to your schedule throughout the year must be submitted to your college. You must complete all classes required for graduation with a C or higher.  Absences exceeding the 15 allowed in the handbook will result in a No Credit (NC) given for courses.

  • College List

  1. Reach School- (1-2) Colleges you think may be more difficult to be admitted.

  2. Good matches- (3-4) Colleges you feel you have a very good chance of getting admitted.

  3. Safeties- (2-3) Colleges you are almost certain you will be admitted.

  • Collegedata.com-Helpful guide when compiling a college list. Generates a Freshman Profile that includes the average GPA & SAT/ACT score of an admitted freshman. Ask yourself, “Do I look like the typical freshman this school accepts?”

How to Build a Well-Balanced College List

Your college list should include the following:

  1. Reach School- (1-2) Colleges you think may be more difficult to be admitted.

  2. Good Match- (3-4) Colleges you feel you have a very good chance of getting admitted.

  3. Safety- (2-3) Colleges you are almost certain you will be admitted.

Determining if a school is a Reach, Good Match or Safety school, consider 3 main factors:

  1. The school’s general acceptance rate

  2. Average weighted GPA for last year’s incoming freshman

  3. Average SAT/ACT scores for last year’s incoming freshman

Explore these websites to search a school’s Freshman Admission Profile.

This will generate the average GPA & test scores of admitted students. Ask yourself, “Do I look like the typical student this college accepts?” Use this information to guide you throughout the school year. Set goals to improve your GPA by attending tutoring. Read, read, read to improve your PSAT/SAT score.

www.collegedata.com

www.californiacolleges.edu

www.cappex.com

www. bigfuture.collegeboard.org

A School may be a good match but a poor fit. Each college on your list should meet these criteria:

  • Good Academic Fit

  • Good Financial Fit

  • Good Social Fit

ASK FOR HELP!
I am available to assist you complete college applications daily!

Happy Applying!!

 

KELLY GUERRERO
COUNSELOR

PH 909.623.5297 x 307
kguerrero@pomonacatholic.org