Welcome to Westview's Counseling blog.  You will find information here on a range of topics.  The most recent items posted will be listed at the top, with older items listed below in alphabetical order. 

WEEKLY COUNSELING NEWSLETTER:  MARCH 8-19

COURSE REGISTRATION FOR 2010-2010 SCHOOL YEAR [grades 9-11]
During the past week, counselors and administrators visited contact classes to provide students with information on the course selection process, which will occur March 15-31. While our staff is not able to meet with each student and/or parent individually due to limited resources, all the information is available online to assist in making course selections. During the class presentations, each student received:

• A copy of their transcript and instruction on how to read it

• Their Family Connection username (on the sticker placed on their transcript)

• 4-Year Planning Guide and instruction on how to develop the 4-year plan

• List of all the course offerings for the 2010-2011 school year

• Instruction on how to access the course catalog, which describes each class in detail

• Instructions on how to register for their classes online via Family Connection and how to research college information within the program

If any students missed the presentation or parents are interested in viewing the information, go to the Westview website and click on the course registration link for current Westview students located at the top of the screen or on the counseling page. All of the posted documents are provided to aid in selecting courses. If questions arise for students during this process, they may stop by to see their counselor during Wolverine Time, lunch or after school for assistance. Computers are available in the Wolverine Center to use for course registration. In addition, we will have an open lab available on Wednesday, March 24th from 8:00-9:00 am in Room A104 for those with no computer access.

PALOMAR COLLEGE TESTING [12th grade]
If you will be attending Palomar College in the fall, they will be on campus this coming Friday, March 12th, to conduct placement testing in English and Math. You may also participate if you are not sure where you will be attending community college in the fall since community colleges accept testing results taken elsewhere. Students must pre-register to participate and space is limited. To do so, click on the Palomar link available on the front page of the Westview website, on the counseling page or by typing the following link into your browser: http://www.powayusd.com/pusdwvhs/Counseling/Palomar%20Testing.htm

ELECTIVE FAIR [grades 9-11]
On Monday, March 15th, the counseling department will be hosting an elective fair during lunch near the theatre. The purpose of this event is to allow students the opportunity to learn more about the courses they will be selecting for next school year. Participating teachers will be available to speak with students and answer questions they may have. This is also the first day of course registration, so it may be helpful to learn more about a potential class directly from the teacher.

EXPLORE SDSU – OPEN HOUSE 2010 [all grades]
If you are considering attending SDSU, their open house event may help you make your decision. Information for admitted and prospective students and parents will include:

• Academic presentations

• Campus tours

• Financial Aid and scholarship opportunities

•  On-campus housing

• Student life workshops

For detailed information and to RSVP for this free event on March 20th, go to: www.sdsu.edu/exploresdsu.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT? [all grades]
Quite a few students and parents have mentioned hearing about a mandatory requirement of performing community service to graduate from Westview. To clarify, the completion of community service hours is NOT a Westview graduation requirement. Some courses may require community service as part of their curriculum. For example, Civics, which is taken in the senior year, does have a small community service component. Some colleges do look at how well-rounded a student is and that may include asking about any community service, volunteering, or other extracurricular activities that students may have participated in during high school. If you would like to download a form to help you track your community service hours, log into your Family Connection account and click on the Document Library link available on your home page.

PROBLEMS LOGGING INTO FAMILY CONNECTION [all grades]
If you are not able to log into your Family Connection account, send an e-mail request to Kathy Bloomfield at kbloomfield@powayusd.com and be sure to include your student ID number. You will be e-mailed user login information. As a reminder, action cannot be performed in parent accounts. They allow for viewing of student information, but things such as course registration, resumes, assessments, etc. may only be completed in student accounts.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES [all grades]
Several opportunities are available for internships, volunteering and summer college. Westview does not necessarily endorse these programs, but they are provided to you as a resource. Some are free while others have a fee. To access the information for the items below, log onto your Family Connection account, click on the Colleges tab and then click on the Enrichment Programs link. Once there, scroll down to the bottom of the screen for the programs currently available.

• Barnard College – Summer in New York City, 11th-12th graders Fall 2010, fee unknown

• University of Alabama – Capstone Business Leadership Academy – business leadership program, fee of $350

• University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music – summer music camps for various grade level students, fee of $595-$750

• University of Southern California Summer Program – summer college for various grade level students, fee unknown

SCHOLARSHIPS [all grades]
The scholarships below have recently been posted in Family Connection. To access all scholarship details, log into Family Connection, click on the Colleges tab and then click on the Scholarship List link.

Patrons of Palomar College (Ref. #233) – 12th graders, $500: Applicants must be graduating from high school in Spring 2010; be planning to enroll full-time at Palomar College in Fall 2010; have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA; and, have financial need (self-determination). Requirements: Patrons of Palomar Scholarship Application and one-page essay indicating career and/or educational goals. To apply, download an application from the scholarship listing in Family Connection. Deadline: March 16

Westview PTSA Senior (Ref. #313) – 12th graders, $750: Applicants must be seniors at Westview and planning to attend a 4-year college in the fall of 2010. Requirements: Application, including four short-answer questions (no more than 7 sentences each). IMPORTANT NOTE: Your homeroom teacher must sign your application, so plan accordingly. To apply, pick up an application from Miss Bloomfield. Deadline: April 16

Scott Ehlers Memorial (Ref. #284) – 12th graders, $1,000: Applicants must graduate of Poway Unified School District; have any athletic involvement (school, club, recreational); be of Christian faith; and, accepted at an accredited 2- or 4-year college (transfer students may apply). Requirements: Scott Ehlers Memorial Scholarship application; transcript; and, two letters of recommendation. To apply, pick up an application from Miss Bloomfield. Deadline: April 15

California Coast Credit Union (Ref. #250) – 12th graders, $500: Applicants must be a member of California Coast Credit Union or the son/daughter/legal ward of a member in good standing; have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; and, be accepted by or plan to attend an accredited college or university on a full-time basis. Requirements: California Coast Credit Union Scholarship Application, essay up to 500 words and official transcript. To apply, download an application from the scholarship listing in Family Connection or pick one up from Miss Bloomfield. Deadline: March 31

Palomar Council PTA (Ref. #421) – 12th graders, $400: Applicants must be graduating Poway Unified School District and planning on attending an accredited educational institution that provides up to two years of college-level academic, technical and vocational instruction with emphasis on career preparation. Requirements: Palomar Council PTA Scholarship Application and short-essay question responses (responses limited to no more than 8 sentences). To apply, download an application from the scholarship listing in Family Connection or pick one up from Miss Bloomfield. Deadline: April 21

Jessica Romag Memorial (Ref. #272) – 12th graders, $500: Applicants must be a senior at one of the Poway Unified School District high schools; and, must be planning to attend a 4-year college in the fall of 2010. Requirements: Jessica Romag Memorial Scholarship Application and short-answer essay questions. To apply, download an application from the scholarship listing in Family Connection or pick one up from Miss Bloomfield. Deadline: April 21

Youth Automobile Safety (Ref. #274) – 12th graders, $1,000: Applicants must be a California, Arizona or Nevada resident; attending senior year of high school; have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; accepted to an accredited two- or four-year college or university or trade school in the U.S. with the intent to enroll as a full-time freshman by the Fall 2010 session; parent or legal guardian must be a public employee in one of the following categories: peace officer, firefighter, educator, postal employee, military personnel or federal, state and local government worker. Requirements: Scholarship Application, essay up to 500 words; letter of recommendation according to the guidelines on the application; letter of acceptance from the post-secondary institution you will be attending; and, official transcript. To apply, download an application from the scholarship listing in Family Connection or pick one up from Miss Bloomfield. Deadline: April 5

A-G REQUIREMENTS
If students are planning to attend a 4-university after completing high school, they will often hear the term A-G.  Just what does that mean?  Being A-G eligible ensures students have taken a course of study providing them preparation to enter college.  Below is an outline of the required A-G eligibility course of study for the University of California (UC) system:

"A" - 2 years History (U.S. & World History)
"B" - 4 years English
"C" - 3 years Math (Algebra 1-2, Geometry, Algebra 3-4)
"D" - 2 years Lab Science (1 Biological and 1 Physical)
"E" - 2 years Language Other Than English (same language)
"G" - 1 year Elective

While the majority of colleges require A-G eligibility is met by high school graduation, some schools have different requirements.  However, most have some form of course requirements very similar to the listing above.  If you are planning to begin at a community college or technical school, requirements will be different but you may want to prepare accordingly since things sometimes changes.  Planning ahead and being as prepared as possible will assist students in keeping their college options open.

ACT/SAT
Preparing for taking the tests
For many students, the last thing they want to do early on a Saturday morning is to take a test, let alone one as important as the ACT or SAT. However, it is a fact that most colleges or universities require these tests for admissions entrance. To prepare for these tests, consider the following methods:

• Use a test prep book. These books will provide strategies for you in test taking as well as give you an idea on content. They will provide you will sample questions. Some even include actual tests from previous years.

  

• Take a course if you feel you need instruction. Courses are available throughout the community, with prices ranging from about $300 to $1,500. Brochures are available in the Wolverine Center for more information.

• If you are self-motivated, online test prep is also available. We have a link in Family Connection to a website providing free ACT and SAT preparation.

• Sign up for the “Question of the Day” through College Board or other online services. This will provide you with daily practice throughout the year.

• We know you are busy with school, sports, work and more, but you must the time in your schedule to study. As a suggestion, schedule an appointment for yourself in your planner 2-3 times per week.

Whatever methods you employ to get some study time in, realize that the rewards are worth it. An increased score may mean more college choices and more scholarship money!

Timeline for taking the tests
A big dilemma for students and families is attempting to stay on track for the many deadlines coming up in high school preparing for college.  Chief among them is when to take the ACT or SAT. Should it be taken as soon as possible? Should you wait until senior year?

If it is in your plans to attend a 4-year college or university after graduation, you will be required to take either the ACT (with the optional writing) or the Reasoning SAT to be eligible for admittance. If you attend a community college first and transfer, these assessments are not required. Depending on the college you select, you may also need to take Subject Tests. 

Generally speaking, we recommend students spend their freshmen and sophomore years preparing to take the ACT or SAT during their junior year. They may do things such as take the PSAT in October of the 9th, 10th and 11th grade year. They can supplement that with a possible prep course, self-study using a practice booklet, or a number of other aids. Then, in the Spring, they should start taking the actual test. 

During fall of the senior year, students will have a couple of opportunities to increase their scores if they so choose. Of course, if students are prepared to take assessments earlier, they are always welcome to do so. For example, suppose you felt confident, after taking a related AP course, to take the World History subject test but you were only in your sophomore year. Nothing is stopping you from taking that exam. We would caution you to determine if you are fully prepared beforehand by checking with College Board.

Colleges always take the best score, whether that is through an ACT or SAT. Please plan ahead. If you decide to wait until your senior year to take one of the tests in November or December and fall ill the day of testing or your car breaks down on the way there, you will simply have no second chances available.

Scores are not sent to school automatically
If you are planning to take an ACT or SAT, please remember that you must send your scores to Westview (school code 052986) if you want them included in your official records.  This is by no means a requirement, but it is the process you must complete to see your scores on your transcript and also on Family Connection.  In addition, we cannot accept scores that you print from your College Board or ACT account  they must officially come from those sources.  While it takes three weeks for you to receive your scores online, it takes usually 4-6 weeks for us to receive them in the mail. 

ASSESSMENTS

Two assessments are available in Family Connection to assist you with planning for a career after high school.  The "Do What You Are" assessment is a series of questions aimed to learn more about your personality.  The results come back in a report format that highlight your strengths, blindspots, potential careers and colleges offering related majors.  To access this assessment (usually takes about 20 minutes to complete), click on the "About Me" tab in Family Connection and then click on the Personality Type link.

The other assessment is the "Career Interest Profiler".  This assessment allows you to view occupations based on your interests.  You can then obtain information on careers, such as job descriptions, education required, pay range and even a video.  Related careers are also available.  To access this assessment (usually takes 30-60 minutes to complete), click on the "Careers" tab in Family Connection and then click on the Career Interest Profiler link.

CAMPUS TOURS
The season is upon us when many families will be piling in their cars to take a road trip to college campuses. Whether that may be a senior who is trying to shorten his or her list of possibilities or a younger student attempting to put a list together, everyone has the same goal in mind – finding a school with the right fit. In thinking about the list of schools, does it matter what type of college you attend as long as it has your major? Ask yourself some of these questions:

• Do you want your classes to be about the size you have at Westview or would you prefer lecture halls with 400 other students? That would be the difference between a small private college and classes at a UC campus during the freshman and sophomore years.

• Are sports important to you? A big difference exists between Division I, II and III sports as well as intramural and club level sports.

• Are you a social butterfly? Some campuses have that rah-rah feel, while others are quieter and much more subdued. If the social scene is important, you will need to find a campus that meets your needs.

• Is it important for you to be near the beach or up in the mountains? If the physical surroundings matter, consider this very important aspect. Some campuses may be located in a very rural area where others offer many activities beckoning you off campus on the weekends. In addition, the weather may be too extreme for your tastes if you are surrounded by snow or in a very hot location. Given that, consider opening yourself up to new experiences. San Diego is a beautiful place to call home, but there is also a world of opportunity available to you when you go to college.

A campus tour is an excellent way to get a feel for what each college may offer. Go on one of the guided tours if you so desire, but also make a point of walking around on your own. Ask current students about their experiences there. If you are planning on going during the holidays when no one will be on campus, also realize what you see will not be a true sense of what life is like on campus. To illustrate, think about UC Davis. This university currently has nearly 30,000 students on campus, between undergraduate and graduate students. Known as the bike capital of the United States, it is bustling with activity when classes are in session. However, if you visit during their break, you will find a significantly different scene that may be misleading. If you plan on visiting a campus during the holidays, keep this in mind and consider visiting again when classes are in session and when the season has changed. A campus tour is an important component of selecting a college. It will be your home away from home for at least four years – it should be a great fit for you.

CAREER GUIDANCE
Assistance for students unsure of future plans
Did you know that about one quarter of each graduating class went on to continue their education in a community college? Everyone has a different path in life, whether that is attending a 4-year university, 2-year community college, technical school, obtaining employment, entering the military or something else. There is a place for every student. If you are not sure where to begin, please stop by Miss Bloomfield's office to schedule an appointment. We can work on things such as a vocational assessment, career exploration, developing a plan for your goals or whatever might be appropriate for your particular situation.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Impact on local California State Universities
As most of you know, the lack of funds in the state budget has impacted not only K-12 education but colleges as well.  All colleges statewide in the California State University (CSU) system have been ordered to reduce enrollment.  Below is the impact for incoming freshman applications for San Diego State University (SDSU) and Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM):

• SDSU  We are not within the local service area for SDSU.  Therefore, students wanting to submit applications must have a higher grade point average and eligibility index score to gain admittance.  In addition, new this year, all students will be required to submit their application under a pre-major and will be required to live on campus.  If a student wants to live at home while going to college, they must realize that this will not be possible at SDSU.  The Admissions and Housing Departments have confirmed this.  However, a student may appeal if extenuating circumstances exist.

• CSUSM  We are within the local service area for CSUSM.  However, students will not be able to take more than 13 units at a time at this university.  That means that unless a student plans on taking summer courses, has credit for AP courses taken or supplements their education at a local community college, they will not be able to finish their undergraduate degree program within four years.  A typical four year program requires 15 units taken per semester.

If you would like more information, please contact the admissions office of the college you are interested in attending.  What does all of this mean to a student wanting to submit an application?  You may need to look at all available options, including schools outside of California and private colleges.

Semester system

Students, as you are completing your college applications, please ensure that you are selecting “semester” for the type of courses you have taken at Westview and not “quarter.”  Yes, we are on a quarter system at school.  However, by definition, colleges consider courses semester-based if two grades are reported for a course.  For example, let us suppose you took Spanish 1-2.  Since you earned two grades (one for Spanish 1 and one for Spanish 2) for the course, you will need to list it as a semester.  If you choose to list your courses as quarters, you will find yourself ineligible. 

PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTING RECOMMENDATIONS AND TRANSCRIPTS ONLINE [12^th grade]

If you are applying to college and want to have your letters of recommendation, Secondary School Report and transcripts sent electronically, the following procedures must be followed:

• Go to your Family Connection account, click on the Colleges tab at the top of the screen and then click on the “Colleges I’m Applying To” link

• Complete the FERPA form that appears at the top of the screen, which includes inputting your Common Application username and password.  This is very important.  If not completed correctly, your information will not sync with Family Connection.  (The Permission to Release Records form, which is part of the Letter of Recommendation packet, must also be turned in to your counselor.

• Click on the submit button.

• Add in all the colleges in which you will be submitting an application.

Once you have completed these steps, you will need to order your transcripts for the schools that need them now (typically just private schools).  Schools in the CSU and UC systems do not require transcripts at this time, unless they specifically request them from you.  Please do not order transcripts from the Docufide system if you are having recommendations and transcripts submitted electronically through Family Connection.  To order the transcripts, please complete a Request for Transcript form.  Only one form is needed for all of your schools, just use the back side and number each item.  Each official transcript costs $4 and must be paid in the Finance Office.  Then take the completed form to the registrar for processing.  This is a very important step, since transcripts are required if letters of recommendation are being sent electronically.

If your counselor is writing a recommendation (known as a Secondary School Report) for you and you have not already contacted her to get started on the process, you must do so as soon as possible.  This year, each counselor has a caseload of about 600 students each, which means they will all be writing many more letters this year than ever before and need an ample amount of time to do so.

Well-Rounded Student

Many students ask what sort of things they can do to make their college applications look good.  Rather than approaching it that way, we advocate students find activities they are passionate about and really get involved.  One of the things many colleges look for in a prospective applicant is someone who is just more than their academics.  Yes, grades and tests are very important, but what characteristics can you bring to the campus that would aid to a diverse learning community?  Those are things you should focus on and, as a result, you will have some great things to add to your application when the time comes.  A word of caution:  do not take on everything at the last minute – colleges are well aware that some students do that merely to put the items on their application.  Here are some suggestions for getting involved:

• Join a club or two on campus and participate in their activities.  This does not mean you need to join five clubs; quality is much more important than quantity.  Perhaps as a sophomore, you can become a member and then take on a position with more responsibility as a junior or senior.  If there is no club that sounds good to you, consider starting a club. 

• Get a part-time job or participate in an internship.  This will display your level of responsibility and commitment, especially if you remain with the same company for a good period of time.

• If you are athletically inclined, join a sport on or off-campus.  If you can, eventually consider taking on a leadership position, such as captain or mentoring a younger student.

• Do some service in the community by volunteering.  There are always events available throughout the school year and in the summer.  If you are able to show consistency over time, that is even better. 

What to Do After College Applications Have Been Sent

After you have sent in your applications, you may think there is nothing more you can do except to wait for answer. That may or may not be true. Consider the following:

• You may always log back into your account through the CSU or UC system or private colleges to determine your status. This is important because your application may be incomplete.

• Have you sent your ACT or SAT score reports? You must send them as soon as possible to the various colleges.  Some have deadlines as early as November, so check with the admissions office for up to date information. Remember that scores are available online 3 weeks after the test has been taken.

• If you applied to a major requiring supplemental materials or an audition, check with your college or department to ensure you have met all requirements.

• The application evaluation processes begins at the end of December for UC campuses and varies for CSU campuses. Sometimes students are selected randomly to provide documents verifying the information they included on their application. This may include things such as community service hours, awards and honors, work experience, etc. If you are contacted by one of the campuses, ensure you comply with all requests in a timely manner. Otherwise, this may be cause for withdrawal of your application.

• Do not send your official transcript to CSU or UC campuses until the end of the school year. However, if you are contacted by any of the campuses requesting your transcript, comply with this request as soon as possible.

• If you are considering making a change to your course schedule during Term 2, contact the admissions office at each of the colleges in which you submitted an application to let them know. Failure to do so may be cause to revoke admittance since all admissions decisions are conditional. Making even just one change may affect your admissions decision.

• Maintain your grades for the remainder of the school year. It is a common misconception that your admission cannot be revoked once it has been offered to you. Not true!  Unfortunately, some former students have found this out the hard way.

Do senior classes really affect admissions?

Yes, your senior year really does matter! Many seniors, and students in general, are under the impression that classes they take senior year or grades they earn in these classes really have no bearing on their college applications. While it is true that most colleges use just sophomore and junior year courses to calculate the grade point average, all coursework attempted is reviewed and considered in the admission process. Colleges want to see that students are challenging themselves based on the rigor available in high school. In addition, admission is always provisional. What this means is that if anything changes from the time you were admitted – such as lower grades, a change in your academic plan, etc. – you may be subject to revocation. If your academic schedule changes at all during the senior year, you must notify each college in which you have submitted an application and let them know. This change is always important, but especially when the rigor of your academic program has been reduced.

USING PSAT RESULTS

Now that PSAT results and score reports have been returned to students, how will you begin using the data?  Taking the PSAT was a wonderful opportunity to gauge how you may do on an actual SAT.  If your scores were lower than you preferred, you can now focus on practicing more in those areas or even developing a study plan to increase your score.  The report you received does detail some things you may consider doing through the online program available in College Board.  You will need your access code from your printout to get into the website, but you may find some valuable tools to help build skill.  In Family Connection, all PSAT scores have been posted so now you will be able to use the scattergram feature completely.  You may have noticed before, if you were a student who had not taken an ACT or SAT, the scattergram could not give you complete information since testing information was missing.  Now the system is able to project how you would perform on the SAT given your PSAT scores and can plot your information more accurately.  Each time you take either a PSAT, ACT or SAT, those scores will be inputted into Family Connection giving you a more up to date picture of where you stand in regards to college admissions.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
A Great Option!
Did you know that we had over 140 students from the Class of 2008 go on to a community college?  That amounts to about a quarter of our graduating seniors from last year.  For some students, a community college is a place to receive some training for a job, but not necessarily for a degree.  For others, it is a place to take their general education coursework in preparation for transferring to a four-year college or university.  We would like to dispel some of the myths about community colleges and show you that a community college is a worthwhile and viable option for many.

Truth #1:  Contrary to beliefs held by some, a community college is not a place for a student who was not smart enough to get into a regular college (something I hear quite often from students).   In fact, many students who ended up going to a community college received acceptances from 4-year colleges and had high grade point averages, but made the choice to attend Palomar or Miramar.  Some of the staff right here at Westview began their education at a community college.  The coursework for any transferrable class is being taught at the college level.   You will find that some of the community college professors are also teaching at area 4-year colleges and may even be using the same textbook!

Truth #2:  Think about your reaction to this statement:  I did not work so hard in high school just to go to community college.  Do you find yourself agreeing with this statement?  We commend all students who work hard in high school.  It is very difficult to maintain your grades while also being involved in so many other activities.  Making the choice to attend a community college does not void all of that hard work.  If you took AP exams and received a score of 3 or higher, you will probably receive college credit for them, even at community college, and be able to bypass some classes.  You will still be able to take classes that challenge you and prepare you for your next step.

Truth #3:  Students from community colleges transferring into a CSU or UC have first priority for admission, even over high school students.  That seems hard to believe, but it is true.  Whether a community college student participates in a guaranteed admission program or not, they always have priority.  In fact, if you are going to a 4-year public college and think it is easy to transfer to another 4-year public college, think again!  You will find it is difficult to do so.  A community college student not only has priority, but can enter into that 4-year setting with a lower GPA.  Suppose your goal was to attend UCSD.  Coming straight from Westview, the average accepted GPA is 4.11 but it would only need to be around a 3.0 coming from Palomar College.

As you can see, there are great reasons to consider attending community college.  From small class sizes to a significant cost savings, as well as the reasons listed above, it is no wonder many students choose this option.  If you are not sure what your pathway will be, whether 2-year, 4-year, vocational or training programs, please see me or your counselor for assistance.

COURSES
Repeating a course
Some students, at one time or another, find they have desire to repeat a course. It might be because they would like a better grade or perhaps it is needed for graduation. Thankfully, if you have received a D or F in a course, the opportunity is there for you to improve your grade. What about the student who received a C in a course and would like to improve it for a better grade? Below are the policies for repeating a course at Westview in terms of high school credit or admissions for a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) campus.

• For high school credit: Courses may only be repeated if the repeated course is exactly the same course with exactly the same course number. For example, let us suppose you received a “D” in both Algebra 3-4. You decide to repeat the courses and take Algebra 3-4 Extended to increase the possibility of a better grade. Can you replace the previously attempted courses if you receive a grade of “C” or better? The answer is no. Algebra 3-4 Extended are not the same courses as regular Algebra 3-4. They have different course identification numbers and have some different course content. However, if you do take the same course, the better grade will count in your GPA and a repeat notation will be placed on your transcript.

• For CSU admissions: The best grade will be used in the GPA calculation. There is no restriction on the number of times a course may be repeated. The repeated course must be an equivalent subject and level. Occasionally, some courses attempted in the second semester (quarter) where a grade of “C” or better was received will validate a “D” in the first semester. If you have this type of situation, see your counselor for more guidance.

• For UC admissions: A course in which a grade of “C” was earned cannot be repeated. There is no limit to the overall number of repeated courses an applicant may present, but each course can only be repeated once. A course in which a “D” or “F” is earned can be repeated with a course that has the same curriculum, even if the course title is not identical. If a “C” or better is earned, the original “D” or “F” will not be included in the GPA calculation. Only the new grade will be used in the GPA calculation.

FINANCIAL AIDE
Paying for college
The question of how to pay for college is on many minds this time of year.  Many people contact us on a daily basis asking for help in maneuvering through the financial aid waters.  The first step in the process is to file the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  Hopefully you have already done that.  If not, the absolute deadline to do so is June 30.  The earlier deadline of March 2nd made all persons eligible for maximum aid.

After filing, you should have received communication via e-mail or letter that includes your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution).  The EFC number, which is calculated based on the information you supplied on the FAFSA, is a gauge for the federal government to determine how much financial aid you may receive.  They take into account things such as income, assets, benefits and family size.  From that, you may be offered assistance based on cost of attendance minus your EFC number.  For example, if the cost of attending college is $20,000 and your EFC is $13,000, then the amount of possible financial aid would be $7,000.  This does not mean you will be guaranteed financial aid, but it is possible.

Typically, the average person will think of financial aid as free money but that is not always the case from the college perspective.  Financial aid consists of grants, scholarships, work study and, yes, loans.  If a college has said, Eighty percent of our incoming freshmen receive financial aid, what they really mean is that those eighty percent are not necessarily receiving free tuition, room and board  it means that some are while others are possibly paying for college through loans, working on campus, etc.

Financial service companies
Many families ask us in the counseling department for advice and information on financial service companies that want to assist students on obtaining money to pay for college. Are they scams? Are they worth the money? The way they work typically is they invite students and their parents to participate in an interview, workshop or other type of forum to give them information. The first initial meeting is free, but subsequent meetings and services require a significant fee that is usually annual. While what they are doing is not technically illegal, you will need to gauge whether or not the services they will be providing are worth the money in the end. Some charge $900, some charge thousands of dollars. Everything they claim to do for you are things you can do for yourself for free. However, it is up to you to make that decision. For more information, see an article from the Federal Trade Commission – Ouch! Students Getting Stung Trying to Find $$$ for College at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/ouchalrt.shtm. Here are some very important things to consider:

• They usually charge you, as part of the overall costs, to file the FAFSA (FREE Application for Federal Student Aid). You should never be charged for this since it is free. The filing period is January 1 through March 2 every year.

• The services they will be providing to you are not unique. They are things you can do on your own. We always provide information to families on how to pay for college.

• They can never guarantee that you will be awarded scholarships. There are never guarantees with scholarships. They often times will charge you a fee for a list of open scholarships. At Westview, students are provided with hundreds of resources for scholarships through Family Connection. Last year, we had over 600 scholarships for seniors in the data base – free of charge!

• They can never guarantee your admission to specific colleges. If you are denied admission, there are free steps you can take (such as the appeal process) to be reconsidered. These are processes they will also employ.

Before you get involved with one of these companies, it is suggested you do the following:

• Research the company thoroughly before even going to the first meeting. We researched two companies that have been recently contacting our families and found a vast amount of information, including testimonials from people who have used their services.

• Contact the Better Business Bureau, which can be done online, to obtain a history of complaints that may or may not have been filed within the last three years. If you choose to do this, you will need to contact the Better Business Bureau in their geographic area.

• If you choose to go to the interview or first meeting, take some time to think about it before signing anything or paying any fees. Walk away from the table, go home and have a family discussion about the services. You may be pressured to sign up right then and there, but take the time to walk away and come back to the table if you are interested.

• Ask for a list of local families (with contact information) that have used the services and talk to them about their experience with the company.

• Ask up front about the costs of the entire program, their refund policy and what services exactly they will be performing for you. Ask yourself whether or not you can do the same things on your own.

GRADUATION
Diploma Order Form
The diploma order form is required for correct printing of your name on your diploma.  We ask students to please complete the form (legibly!) by providing your legal name as listed on your birth certificate and social security card.  This form is also used to submit student names for Cal Grant verification.  Therefore, complete social security numbers are required.  Click here to download a copy of the form. 

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
For seniors applying to college
Please ask the teacher you wish to write a letter of recommendation for you in person. Provide a copy of your resume or brag sheet and ask if he or she would like any additional information.  Inquire as to whether or not they will be submitting electronically or would prefer to mail it in.  If they are going to mail it, you need to provide the form (with top information completed) and a large manila addressed envelope with three stamps for each school.  Once the individual agrees to write your letter, go ahead and put their name as teacher recommendations on Family Connections (Colleges tab, Colleges I'm Applying to link, scroll to the bottom). Once you place the name of a teacher in Family Connection, the program generates an e-mail message to them.  It is offensive if an individual receives an e-mail in this manner if the student has not spoken to them directly and automatically assumes they will write a letter on your behalf.  If the preference is to send electronic letters of recommendation, you will want to check with your counselor or Miss Bloomfield to determine if it is possible.  All Common Application schools accept documents electronically, as well as a few other colleges.

If you are requesting a letter of recommendation from your counselor (commonly called a Secondary School Report), you will first need to complete the letter of recommendation packet found in the document library of Family Connection.  Bring all of the completed forms to the counselor to schedule an appointment to talk about the recommendation.  This process must be completed by November 1st to give your counselor enough time to complete all requests.  Remember, a letter of recommendation is a professional courtesy to you and not a requirement.  Follow up with a thank-you card to anyone who has written a recommendation for you.

Reminders

• In Family Connection, list all of your colleges, enter your common application username & password correctly and complete the FERPA waiver.  To send letters of recommendation, evaluations and Secondary School Reports electronically, all of these items must be completed.  Otherwise, we cannot sync your information.

• Most private schools require a copy of your official transcript as part of the application process.  Plan ahead and remember that the transcript turnaround time is four school days (any time we are break, such as next week, does not count in the turnaround time) after you have paid for each official transcript at the finance office.

• Counselors are working on letters of recommendation, known as the Secondary School Report, in order of request from students.  It is common courtesy to give each recommender at least a two-week time to complete recommendations (not including time when we are not in school).

SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST (SAT)
Choosing a SAT Subject Test
The SAT Subject Test is not required by every college.  If you are planning to apply to a California State University (CSU) campus or to a community college, SAT Subject Tests are not required at this time.  The University of California (UC) and many private schools do require students take at least two.  These examinations are a good evaluation of your educational proficiency of a particular subject area, as well as your ability level as a whole.  In addition, the results will help the college in determining which level you will begin at when you start taking classes at their campus.

Which SAT Subject Test should you take?  You have the opportunity to take up to three separate tests on one day, but you have several choices.  The areas include English, History, Language, Mathematics and Science.  Within each area, you have several choices.  For example, the History section includes U.S. History and World History.  You may want to check with the college in which you will be submitting an application, particularly as it pertains to your desired major.  If you want to major in an Engineering-related field, it is advised that you minimally take Math Level II and a Science SAT Subject Test.  Most students are most successful when they take the Subject Test right after they have completed the AP exam in a related class.  For example, if you are taking the AP U.S. History exam in May, it makes sense to take the U.S. History SAT Subject Test in June.  That decision should be based on what would lead to the most success for you.  For some students, it may be just too much testing at one time.  However, for other students, it is the most logical step for them given the information is still fresh in their minds.  Waiting until the fall to take the Subject Test means months in between, which is an opportunity to forget some of the information.

Status of SAT Subject Tests for UC Admissions
Currently, the University of California requires all incoming freshmen submit scores for a minimum of two SAT Subject Tests to be considered for admission. Beginning with the high school graduating class of 2012, students will no longer be required to submit these tests. However, according to the UC Regents Board, test results may still be submitted for consideration. The regular SAT Reasoning or ACT (with writing) are still required for direct admission from high school. In addition, all applicants must have finished at least 11 of the 15 “A-G” required courses by the end of junior year. Due to the competitive nature of fewer space available throughout the UC system, we recommend students continue taking SAT Subject Tests.

TRANSCRIPTS
Official vs. unofficial transcripts
If you need to order an official transcript, please plan ahead. They take up to four days to process as per District policy, cost $4 and may only be obtained through the registrar. However, you may obtain a copy of your unofficial transcript from either your counselor or Miss Bloomfield. Transcripts are usually requested by either colleges or scholarship sponsors or.

For seniors applying to college
You do not need to send UC or CSU transcripts while you are submitting applications; they use the grades you put on your application for admission consideration and will e-mail you requesting a transcript when they want it. Private and out of state schools often want them early, so check with each admissions office individually. Prior to requesting a transcript, you must enter all of your schools into your Family Connection account (Colleges tab, Colleges I'm Applying To link).  The program allows us to send them electronically for most schools, but must be synced to do so.  When completing the FERPA waiver on the screen, we do suggest that you waive your right to release your student records. When you do not waive your right, we are not allowed to express an opinion, but just give facts like attendance, enrollment, grades, and test scores.

Procedures to request a transcript:

1. Print the transcript request form found in Family Connection (Document Library, Forms).

2. Please use only one form for all schools, using the back side as needed. List each school with the complete mailing address and deadline date.

3. Take the completed form and pay $4 for each transcript requested at the Finance Office.

4. Take the paid form to registrar. If you do not want your testing scores listed on your transcript, you need to write “please remove testing scores” on your transcript request form. Once removed, you will not be able to add them back on. This is an “all or nothing” option.

As per district policy, there is a 4-day turnaround time for transcripts to be sent or printed.

WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE (WUE)
You may have heard the acronym WUE (pronounced woo-wee) before and wondered what it is.  Simply amazing is what it is!  This program allows students who live in one of fourteen states, including California, the possibility of attending a college in another participating state at a significantly reduced rate of up to 150 percent of the regular resident tuition for that school.  For example, if a student wanted to major in Biology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, they would pay just $10,752 for annual tuition.  If the same person did not participate in the WUE program, they would be paying $19,216 for tuition.  Over the course of a four-year program, that is a savings of $33,856! 

How do you participate?  Every college is a little different.  While some have a box to participate in WUE on their undergraduate application for admission, some require a supplemental application.  Many colleges do have limited WUE spots, so you may want to contact the admissions department of the college you may be interested in for more information.  To learn more about the program and to determine whether or not a college is participating, visit http://www.wiche.edu/sep/wue.  There is also a link to WUE in Family Connection.