Archbishop Mitty High

School
Junior Year
College Planning Book
Archbishop Mitty High School Counseling Department

Department Chair
Mrs. Elaine Calamba

Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Lisa Hansen

Counselors
Mrs. Katie Benford
Mrs. Janie Falcone
Ms. Alisa Guglielmo
Ms. Aracelli Janini
Mrs. Hoa Le
Mrs. Leela McDonald
Mrs. Tien Menor
Mr. Tiger Niravong
Mr. Dominique Wise
Ms. Guadalupe Yanez
College Planning Tips for Parents
● Remind your student to take advantage of the junior year college guidance sessions in
the classroom. Much of the general college information and scheduling of senior classes
will be reviewed during these classes.

● All parents should begin scheduling a college planning appointment with their student and
counselor during the second semester, prior to May 2023. Please call (408) 342-4217 or email
Mrs. Hansen.

● At every opportunity, visit colleges in which your student has a serious interest. You can
visit the college website to schedule a virtual campus visit. When possible, visit the campus
in-person or schedule an interview for your student. Visiting college campuses and
experiencing these environments will be helpful in choosing the best college for your
student. Sample college visit questions can be found in the back of this handbook.

● Explore out-of-state colleges. Often these colleges are no more expensive than California
colleges. An out-of-state education provides a unique opportunity for those students who
are looking forward to a new and different environment. Research the Western
Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). The Western Undergraduate Exchange is a program for
students who are residents of certain states to enroll at four-year college programs outside
of their home state at a reduced tuition rate.

● Students will have the opportunity to take the SAT on a school day in the spring of junior
year and again in the fall of senior year. Students with an interest in applying to selective
private schools are highly encouraged to check each college website for testing
requirements. Many schools have moved to test optional or test blind. California public
universities, University of California and California State Universities, no longer accept SAT
or the ACT scores.

● Encourage your student to take a challenging curriculum during the senior year. Colleges
expect the senior year to demonstrate continued achievement at a high level. Athletes must
be prepared to take science or math their senior year to meet NCAA eligibility.

● Assist your student in building a list of six to eight college campuses that best match
his/her/their educational extra-curricular and financial needs.

● Start early! … Consult your Counselor often! ... Develop a complete college list including
your major and career profile.
Grade Point Average
Every college system will compute your grade point average (GPA) differently. Below are the
most commonly used GPA computations:

Weighted Cumulative
● Used by most private and out of state colleges
● Computes all grades given in 9th, 10th and 11th grades
● Uses pluses and minuses
● Gives an extra point for every honors and AP class (C- or better)

Unweighted Cumulative
● Used by some private and out of state colleges
● Computes all grades in 9th, 10th and 11th grades
● Uses pluses and minuses
● Does not give an extra point for any honors or AP class

Grading Scale

A = 4.0 C+ = 2.3

A- = 3.7 C = 2.0

B+ = 3.3 C- =1.7

B = 3.0 D+ = 1.3

B- = 2.7 D = 1.0

State (CSU/UC) GPA

● Computes grades 10th and 11th only
● Excludes pluses or minuses
● Excludes P.E., 10th grade religion, and athletic grades
● Only awards extra points for certain honors and AP classes
● Caps the extra points it will award at 8 semesters (4 year-long classes)
● A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point

Useful Links:
● UC/CSU GPA Calculator: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/eligibility-index

● AMHS UC Approved Courses: https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/details/3511/

California State University (CSU)
The California State University is one of the largest university systems in the country with 23 campuses.
Each campus has its unique identity, distinct student populations and programs.

ENROLLMENT BY CAMPUS: Fall 2022 (2023 not available)

Bakersfield 9,261 Long Beach 38,270

Channel Island 5,633 Los Angeles 26,027

Cal Maritime Academy 880 Monterey Bay 6,539

Cal Poly Pomona 27,173 Northridge 36,123

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 21,778 Sacramento 30,883

Cal Poly Humboldt 5,858 San Bernardino 19,467

Chico 13,840 San Diego 36,637

Dominguez Hills 15,530 San Francisco 25,046

East Bay 12,080 San José 32,432

Fresno 23,929 San Marcos 13,469

Fullerton 39,729 Sonoma 6,483

Stanislaus 10,028
CSU Requirements
Examination Requirement

California State Universities no longer accept SAT or ACT scores.

Admissions Requirements for Freshman

● Students who earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 will be eligible for admission. Campuses will use a
combination of students' “A-G" courses, GPA, and supplemental factors to determine admission
eligibility. Supplemental Factors that campuses may use include:
● Number of courses exceeding minimum “A-G” requirements
● GPA in math and or science courses
● Household income
● Extracurricular and leadership involvement
● Educational program participation in high school
● Other available information that would inform the campus admission decision.

Applications/Transcripts

All students should apply during the priority-filing period Oct. 1st- November 30th. The application fee for
2023-24 is $70 per campus. CSUs do not require transcripts to be sent at the time of application. Students
will receive instructions from each CSU campus to create an individual account. This account is how the
college communicates with the student by providing a“to do list.” Some CSU campuses will request that
your current transcript be sent while others will request your first semester senior year transcript.

Impacted Majors and Campuses

● The CSU system designates major programs and campuses as impacted when more applications are
received in the initial filing period from CSU eligible applicants than can be accommodated by the
campus. The impaction designation means that more selective admissions criteria are being used in
making decisions.
● Suggestion: Research information on impacted campuses and majors on calstate.edu/apply Choosing
a Campus then Impacted Majors & Campuses then apply to a second choice campus or major that is not
impacted. Please refer to each campus website regarding Engineering major GPA calculation.
● If a student is not admitted to any CSU to which they applied, there is a chance the campuses applied
to do not have the capacity to admit more students. Students will then be redirected to an alternate
CSU campus (www2.calstate.edu/apply/redirection).
Average Cost of Attendance
Residents of California pay an annual total price of $29,432 to attend San Jose State University on a full time
basis. This fee is $7,852 for tuition, $21,580 for room, board, books and supplies. Many CSU students
receive some assistance to help cover costs. Visit the CSU website, click on Apply, then Paying for College
for more information regarding costs.
University of California (UC)
Each of the nine general UC campuses -- Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced,
Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz offer a strong academic foundation and a
wide range of learning opportunities. The tenth campus, San Francisco, is devoted to the
health sciences. Students may not enroll at this campus until they have completed a minimum
of two, and usually three or more years of college-level work at some other institution of
higher education.

UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT BY CAMPUS:

Fall 2022 (Fall 2023 not available at time of publication)

Berkeley 32,479 Los Angeles 32,423 San Diego 33,096

Davis 31,532 Merced 8,342 Santa Barbara 23,459

Irvine 28,662 Riverside 22,911 Santa Cruz 17,502

UC Requirements
Examination Requirements:

UC campuses no longer accept SAT or ACT scores.

Criteria to Select Freshman:

Freshmen will be selected based on a comprehensive assessment of their academic and personal
accomplishments and the context in which those accomplishments have been achieved. A minimum
GPA of 3.0 is required with no grade lower than a C.

● Academic Factors Considered: High school GPA calculated on UC "A-G"

courses completed in grades 10 and 11, breadth of academic preparation including
AP and honors courses, coursework in the senior year; and number of courses
completed beyond the minimum UC eligibility requirements.

● Personal Factors Considered: Demonstrated leadership, disabilities affecting

educational and life goals, perseverance in overcoming life challenges and hardships,
significant volunteer or community service, marked improvement in a consistently
challenging academic program, and honors and awards in recognition of academic
achievement or special talents.

Application/Transcripts

Submit only one application and indicate all campus choices on it. The application fee is $70
for each campus application. The application opens August 1st. The filing period for the UC
system begins October 1st and ends November 30th. Students are also urged to research the
UC campuses at www.universityofcalifornia.edu prior to submitting their application. UCs do
not require transcripts to be sent at the time of application. In rare cases and for
scholarships, UC campuses may request your transcript be sent with first semester senior
year grades.

Average Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost for the 2024-25 academic year for undergraduate students enrolling
and living on campus is $42,236. This includes fees and estimates for books/supplies,
room and board, and personal expenses. Many UC students receive some assistance to
help cover costs. Visit Tuition & financial aid | UC Admissions for information regarding
costs and to view the UC Financial Aid Calculator.
Requirements for Both UC and CSU

“A-G” Course Requirements

With the exception of Physical Development (PD), Athletics, 9th and 10th grade religion
courses, all AMHS academic classes are CSU and UC approved. All students must complete
high school coursework with a “C” or better to meet basic UC/CSU eligibility. The
UC-Certified (“A-G”) Course List for AMHS can be found at
https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/guide.

Grade Point Average

All campuses use the same method of calculating a preliminary grade point average to determine
eligibility. The GPA is calculated based on all "A-G" subjects completed in grades 10 and 11,
including summer after 9th grade. An A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point and F=0
points. Students can calculate their GPA on https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/eligibility-index.
Courses taken in the ninth grade can be used to meet the “A-G” Subject Requirement, if you
earned a grade of “C” or better, but are not used to calculate your CSU/UC GPA.

“D” and “F” Grades

“D” and “F” grades in subject requirement courses must be repeated. Consult your counselor to
determine how these grades can be improved. If you repeat a course in which you initially earned a
grade of “C”, the improved grades will not be used towards your GPA.

Honors/Advanced Placement Courses

The CSU/UC systems assign extra points for up to four year long, UC-certified, honors and
advanced placement courses taken in the last three years of high school. A maximum of two
yearlong, UC-certified, honors and/or advanced placement courses taken in 10th grade are assigned
honors points. A grade of “D” in an honors or advanced placement course does not earn extra
points.

Majors

You can explore majors in MaiaLearning (under the Character or Careers tabs) or through
http://degrees.calstate.edu/

SENIOR YEAR COUNTS!

● Both the CSU and the UC system will verify eligibility!

● When accepted, the CSUs and UCs offer early provisional admission based on your work
completed through your junior year of high school and planned courses for your senior year. A
transcript showing final grades and graduation from high school is required prior to attendance to
verify that you meet all admission requirements.
Independent Colleges and Universities
There are 77 independent colleges and universities in California and hundreds more around the country
with a wide range of characteristics, programs, and majors.

How to Find Information

● Do a general college search on Maia Learning or College Board Big Future.
● Plan to meet admission representatives virtually or when they are in our area or on our campus.
● Visit college campuses in person or virtually and talk to students and admission representatives.

How to Apply
● The Common Application will be available by August 1st. Students can begin completing the
application as soon as August 1st to get a head start on the application process.
http://www.commonapp.org/
● Colleges that are not members of the Common Application will often have their applications online.
Check the individual websites and download the appropriate forms for your teacher
recommendation(s), counselor reports and transcripts.

Other Requirements
● Check college admissions testing policy for up-to-date information
● Most require teacher and/or counselor recommendations
● All require an essay and a list of your activities and achievements
● Most require an additional supplemental essay
● Some require or highly recommend personal interviews
● All require official transcripts, sent with the Counselor Secondary School Report and Mid-Year Reports

Common Application

What is the Common Application?

The Common Application (Common App) is a not-for-profit organization that serves students and 900
member institutions by providing an application for admission.

Why use the Common Application?

The Common Application may be sent to any number of participating colleges. The same is true of the
Counselor School Report, Midyear Report, and Teacher Evaluation forms. This allows you to spend less
time on the busywork of applying for admission, and more time on what is really important: college
research, visits, essay writing, and senior year coursework.

Is it widely used and treated the same way as the regular application?

Almost every AMHS senior who applied to an independent college last year used the Common Application.
All listed members give equal consideration to the Common Application. Many colleges use the Common
Application as their only undergraduate admission application.
Highly Selective Universities
Highly selective schools typically have acceptance rates of less than 25%. Fewer than 45 U.S. colleges and
universities are considered highly selective.

Admission Factors
● A rigorous college preparatory curriculum that includes Honors and AP courses
● A strong grade point average weighted and unweighted
● Strong scores on admissions tests. Check college admissions testing policy for up to date information.
● Very effective admissions essays
● Strong teacher and counselor recommendations
● Activities, demonstration of unique qualities, and/or special talents
● Geographic location, personal interview, and major

Recommendations
● Research as much as you can about the highly selective universities prior to applying.
● Visit the campus virtually or in-person or meet with the College Representative whenever possible.
● If college interviews are an option, schedule an interview.
● Notify your counselor that you are planning to apply to highly selective universities.

Is a Highly Selective College Right for You?

● Highly selective colleges are not for everyone. The competition does not end after admission. Other
top-achieving students, many of whom enjoy the pressure, will surround you. Professors will expect
you to master challenging course material without much additional tutoring. The extracurricular
activities at a highly selective college can be just as demanding.
● Campuses vary in size and geographical location. Some colleges emphasize academic achievement
and some highly value participation in real-world experiences. Some focus on applied sciences or art
performance. Some attract serious high-minded students and some boast about their “wacky”
student cultures.
Out-of-State Colleges and Universities
There are hundreds of out-of-state colleges and universities that are comparable to the California University
Systems and which may also be comparable in cost. For some of these colleges and universities, it can be
comparable to attend out-of-state than to remain in California. Students are highly encouraged to explore
beyond California and expand their college choices and research the “Western Undergraduate Exchange
Program.”

Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (WUE)

What is WUE?
● The Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (pronounced “woo-wee”) is a collaboration of the
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) that was created to facilitate
resource sharing among the higher education systems of the West. It serves as a regional
tuition-reciprocity agreement that enables students to enroll in approximately 160+ participating
public institutions. WUE is the largest program of its kind in the nation.
● http://www.wiche.edu/ has general information about the program and a list of participating
colleges. However, the most updated information is found on the individual college website. Students
and parents should refer to the college website as the main resource.

Why explore WUE?

Students who are residents of the WICHE states are eligible to request a reduced tuition rate of 150% of
resident tuition at participating two-and-four-year college programs outside of their home state.

Additional Information

● The WUE tuition rate is not automatically awarded to all eligible students.
● Read the WUE profile for each university to determine eligibility requirements.
● Not all majors are offered through WUE.
● Many institutions limit the number of new WUE awards each academic year, so apply early!
● WICHE states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New
Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington & Wyoming and U.S. Pacific
Territories and Freely Associated States.
SAT and ACT
What is the SAT?

Originally, SAT was an acronym for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Now known simply as the
SAT, this test is usually taken by juniors and seniors interested in including standardized
testing in their application file. A multiple-choice examination designed to test a student’s
college readiness, the SAT is divided into two sections: evidence-based reading and writing
and math, each worth a maximum of 800 points for a total possible composite score of
1600. SAT exams are typically offered in March, May, June, August, October, November,
and December. Registration information and study materials from the College Board are
often available in the counseling office and online at sat.collegeboard.org. Mitty offers two
SAT School Days (March of the junior year and October of the senior year) which do not
require student registrations.

What is the ACT?

The ACT, originally an abbreviation of American College Testing, is usually taken by juniors
and seniors interested in including standardized testing in their application file. The test
includes four curriculum-based tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science. Each
section is scored on a 36-point scale; the four tests are then averaged to provide a composite
score out of 36. The ACT also has an optional writing component. ACT exams are typically
offered in February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. Registration
information is available online at act.org.

2023-2024 SAT and ACT Testing Dates

Digital SAT Test Registration ACT Plus Writing Registration

Dates Deadline Dates Deadline

March 9, 2024 Feb 23, 2024 February 10, 2024 January 5, 2024

March 20, 2024* Taken at Mitty April 13, 2024 March 8, 2024

May 4, 2024 April 19, 2024 June 8, 2024 May 3, 2024

June 1, 2024 May 16, 2024 July 13, 2024 June 7, 2024

August 24, 2024 TBA

October 5, 2024 TBA

November 2, 2024 TBA

*SAT School Day

Digital SAT vs. ACT: What’s the Difference?

DSAT* ACT

Administration Format Computer-adaptive exam Paper booklet, pencil

Length of exam 2 hours 14 minutes 2 hours 55 minutes

Total # of 215 questions, 216
98 questions
questions/tasks with optional essay
● English
● Reading and Writing Module 1 ● Math
● Reading and Writing Module 2 ● Reading
Sections
● Math Module 1 ● Science
● Math Module 2 ● Writing (optional essay)

● English: 75
● Reading and Writing: 54 ● Math: 60
Questions per section (27/module) ● Reading: 40
● Math: 44 (22/module) ● Science: 40
● Writing: 1

● English: 45
● Math: 60
● Reading and Writing: 32/module ● Reading: 35
Time per section (in ● Math Module: 35/module ● Science: 35
minutes) ● Writing: 40

Time per question Approximately 65 seconds Approximately 45 seconds

Guessing penalty None None
Score range 400-1600 1-36
● Built into digital testing
application: graphing calculator,
countdown clock, question Provided by test taker: graphing
flagger, annotator, math calculator, scratch paper and
What you can use on reference sheet pencil, watch, snacks
the exam ● Provided by test taker: Scratch
paper and pencil, snacks

*Chart from PrepScholar

ACT-SAT Concordance Table*

*Chart from actstudent.org

ACT SAT Range ACT SAT Range ACT SAT Range ACT SAT Range

36 1570-1600 29 1330-1350 22 1100-1120 15 830-870

35 1530-1560 28 1300-1320 21 1060-1090 14 780-820

34 1490-1520 27 1260-1290 20 1030-1050 13 730-770

33 1450-1480 26 1230-1250 19 990-1020 12 690-720

32 1420-1440 25 1200-1220 18 960-980 11 650-680

31 1390-1410 24 1160-1190 17 920-950 10 620-640

30 1360-1380 23 1130-1150 16 880-910 9 590-610

Test Prep Resources:

CollegeBoard + Khan Academy

(collegeboard.org/sat) + (www.khanacademy.org/sat)

● Review your PSAT answers and free online prep that offers practice exercises,
full length practice tests online, instructional videos, and a personalized
learning dashboard.

Revolution Prep SAT Classes

(http://www.mitty.com/counseling/sat-test-prep)

● AMHS offers on-site prep courses during the summer and the school-year
through our partnership with Revolution Prep.
AMHS Graduation Requirements

State Universities and Highly Selective

AMHS Minimum
Subject Other Selective College
College Preparation
Requirements Recommendations

4 years with emphasis on

4 years at the
English 4 years written & oral
Honors/AP Level
communication literature

3 years including 3 years (4 recommended) 4 years including

Math Algebra, Geometry, including Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and
and Algebra II and Algebra II or higher Pre-Calculus

3 years including: US
3-4 years including: US
History, World 3 years including: US History,
Social History, World History,
History, and World History, and 1-2 years
Studies and 1-2 of other AP
1 year of senior of other social sciences
Social Sciences
electives

3 years of lab science: 3-4 years of lab science:

Biology, Chemistry, 2-3 years of lab science: Biology, Chemistry,
Science and Physics or Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics and 1 year of
Environmental or Environmental Science other Honors/AP lab
Science science

World 2 years of one

2 years of one language 3-4 years of one language
Language language

5 years including: 1
year of
Academic 1 year of Visual/Performing 1 year of
Visual/Performing
Electives Arts Visual/Performing Arts
Arts and 4 years of
Religion

The Senior Year Schedule

● Know the prerequisites for each course. They can be found on Mitty.com, under the “Academics” tab,
in the “Departments” pages.
● If there is a question or concern about a course placement, you should contact the Department
Chair of that subject.
● Athletes must enroll in a math or science course to maintain NCAA Division I/II eligibility.
● AMHS divides the yearlong art requirement into two semesters. Most students complete the first half
during the freshman year and the second half during their senior year.
● Counselors are available in March to review course selections and answer questions.
 Applications Differences by Systems

Private/Independent/
CSU UC
Out-of-State

GPA (Calculation 9-11th (may include 1st

10 & 11th 10 & 11th
includes grades) semester of 12th)

Include +/- for

No No Yes
GPA Calculation

Varies (Test optional for

SAT or ACT No No
most colleges)

Extracurricular
No Yes Yes
Activities

Application Essay No Yes Yes

Most colleges require a

Recommendation No No counselor and at least one
teacher recommendation.

Most Common App

colleges require a “School
Transcript By request only No Report” from the
counselor, which includes
the transcript.

Opens August 1st;

August 1st -
Application October 1st - Deadline varies but Early
November 30th (Filing
Period November 30t deadlines are often Oct.
period Nov 1st-30th)
15th or Nov. 1st

Application https://www.calstate. https://apply.universit

www.commonapp.org
Website edu/apply yofcalifornia.edu/
Useful Admissions Terms*
Demonstrated Interest
Various ways in which a student shows their interest in attending a specific institution prior to the
official application process. Measures of demonstrated interest vary from college to college, but can
include taking a campus tour, contacting the admission office, registering for an overnight program
on campus, and more.

Early Action
Students apply by an earlier deadline to receive a decision in advance of the college’s Regular
Decision notification date. Students will not be asked to accept the college’s offer of admission or
to submit a deposit prior to May 1.

Early Decision
Students commit to a first-choice college and, if admitted, agree to enroll and withdraw their other
college applications. Colleges may offer ED I or II with different deadlines. This is the only
application plan where students are required to accept a college’s offer of admission and submit a
deposit prior to May 1.

First-Generation
College applicants who are the first in their families to apply and attend a postsecondary institution.
Legacy
A student applicant with familial ties to the college or university to which they are applying.

Deferred Admission
A response to early applications wherein the student is not admitted but retains eligibility in the
regular admission pool.

Financial Aid
Monetary assistance applied toward postsecondary education, which can consist of gift-aid,
work-study, or loans.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Postsecondary institutions established prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for the purposes of
educating African-American students.

Need-Blind
A policy of colleges/universities to extend admission offers regardless of a student’s financial status.

Open Admission
Non-selective admission policy.

Regular Decision
A decision offered during the regular admission cycle. Students submit their applications by a
specified deadline and are notified of a decision within a clearly stated period of time.

Restrictive Early Action

Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted
from applying ED, EA, or REA to other institutions. If offered enrollment, they have until May 1
to confirm.

Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students who continue at that college for a second year of studies.

Rolling Admissions
Students apply at any time after a college begins accepting applications until a final closing date,
which may be as late as the start of the term for which they are applying. Students are notified of a
decision as their applications are completed and are reviewed.

Wait List
Wait lists give students who were not initially admitted another opportunity to be considered for
admission, and they help colleges manage their enrollments. By placing a student on the waitlist, a
college does not initially offer or deny admission but extends to the candidate the possibility of
admission no later than Aug. 1 should space become available.

*https://www.nacacnet.org/useful-college-admission-terms/
College Visits
College fairs and college representatives that visit Archbishop Mitty (virtually or in-person) are both
great opportunities to learn more about colleges you have already researched or discover a college
you knew nothing about. Take the time to talk with the college representatives- they are eager to
meet you and answer any questions you have. If you need ideas of what to ask, we have a list of
suggested questions below.

Before Meeting with the College Representative

● Research general college information ahead of time: size and location of campus, the average
GPA for last year’s admitted class, testing policy, the average SAT/ ACT scores, Subject
Test(s), essay, and letter of recommendation requirement(s), and if they have your major(s).
● Prepare a list of specific questions to ask ahead of time.

Tips for a Successful College Visit

● Plan on visiting campuses and taking a guided tour.

● Look online for information regarding tours or call the Admissions Office ahead of time
for assistance in arranging your visit. Most often, students lead campus tours. If
interested, ask the Admissions Office if they can locate Archbishop Mitty alumni to lead
your tour.
● Speak to students, professors, and/or admissions representatives on
campus.
● Check reports regarding campus safety.
● If classes are in session, see if you can sit in on a freshman class or a class you are
interested in majoring in.
● If possible, eat a meal in the dining hall.
● Be sure to see a dorm room, library, computer center, dining hall, student union,
academic facilities, student services (career guidance, tutoring center, counseling
services), athletic facilities, and performing arts facilities.
● Visit four to five schools that represent different levels of selectivity, size and choice
for you.
● Utilize the four-day weekends and Spring Break during your junior year and the
four-day weekends in the fall that will be available your senior year.
● Look at the questions on the next page and choose the ones that are important to
you in selecting your college.
● After each visit, write down what did and did not impress you.

Questions you might ask College Reps

● If you meet the minimum requirements, ask the representative what other factors will be
reviewed.
● If you do not meet the minimum requirements, ask for specific advice on how to make up
deficiencies.
● Are interviews required? Recommended? Offered? How do I arrange for them?
 ● What are the most important factors in the admissions process? How important are
SAT/ACT scores? Honors/AP classes? GPA? Community service? Activities?
Recommendations?
● What services do you offer students who need extra academic help? (i.e. writing or math labs)
● What is the largest class size I will have during my freshman year and in what subject area? Do
professors or graduate students teach courses?
● What are the most popular majors on your campus? How difficult is it to be accepted into my
major?
● What advice can you give me if I am still undecided or want to apply as an undeclared major?
● What extracurricular activities are available on campus? What do the students do on
weekends?
● Do freshmen have to live on campus? Approximately what percentage of students lives on
campus? Is housing guaranteed every year? When would I apply for housing?
● What kind of financial aid is available? Do you award merit scholarships? Is there a special
application process for merit aid? What percent of freshmen get some form of financial aid?
How will my financial aid package change my sophomore year? What is your financial aid
deadline?
● What is the percentage of students getting jobs after they graduate? How active is the college
in helping students with career planning? What is the percentage of students going on to
graduate study? Does your school offer any special assistance to help me get into graduate
school?
● Whom do I contact for a campus visit? Do you have a “Preview Day”?
● Are courses readily available to the students?
● When must I declare a major? How difficult is it to change my major? What about internships
related to my major?
● Does the college operate on a semester or quarter system?
● Does the college have a study abroad program?
● What is the percentage of freshmen returning for sophomore year? What percentage graduates
in four years?
● Will I be able to see a dorm room on my tour? How are the dorms? What is dorm life like?
● How diverse is the student body?

Ask a student during a college visit

● Why did you choose this college?
● What do students do for fun?
● What advice would you give incoming students?
● Are courses readily available to the students?
● How diverse is the student body?
● How easy is it to change my major?
● What is the advising process like for you?
College-Bound Athletes
Requirements
● Register online with the NCAA Eligibility Center during your junior year.
https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/
● The Eligibility Center requests that we mail one transcript at the end of the junior year and
another final transcript at the end of the senior year.
● Send official SAT or ACT test scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center through
www.collegeboard.org or www.actstudent.org. The NCAA Eligibility Center code is 9999.

Recommendations
● Familiarize yourself with the NCAA websites. Links can be found on the AMHS Counseling
and Guidance and Athletics pages on Mitty.com.
● Work closely with coaches and counselors to clarify your academic aspirations and athletic
potential for college.
● Create a sports resume using the “Portfolio” feature in Maia of your athletic experience.
● Produce a skills video with the assistance of your coach.
● Research athletic programs at prospective colleges and do not be afraid to make the initial
contact with coaches. Most scholarships are the result of the student making that initial
contact.

Ask Questions about Academics, Athletics, and College Life

● Does the college offer what you want to study? What are the graduation rates of
student-athletes?
● What is the philosophy of the coach? What is their coaching style?
● Are there restrictions in scheduling classes around practice? (You cannot miss class to
practice-NCAA rules.)
● Must student-athletes live on campus?

Common Terms Defined

● Official Visit: Any visit to a campus during the senior year where expenses are paid for by
the college/ athletic department. Limit five per student-athlete.
● Unofficial Visit: Any visit to a campus paid for by the student, however, the college may
provide admission tickets to a home athletic competition. No limit to the number of
unofficial visits.
● National Letter of Intent (NLI): A binding document between a prospective
student-athlete and a member institution where the student agrees to attend the
college/university and the school agrees to offer financial aid. An NLI is only valid for one
academic year.
● Verbal Commitment: A phrase used to describe a student-athlete’s commitment to a school
before he/she signs (or is able to sign) a NLI. This is not binding, however, the agreement
should only be entered, if the student-athlete plans to attend the college/university.
Financial Aid Process: Junior Year
● Learn about college costs.
● Talk about college costs with your child if you have not done so already.
● Know the key elements of financial aid.
● Explore financial resources.
● Do a free Scholarship Search with your child.
● Athletes are all encouraged to fill out a FAFSA and look at colleges that give money based
on need, merit and athletic scholarships.

Net Price
What does “Net Price” Mean?

The “Price” is defined as the difference between the “sticker” price to attend a specific
institution, minus any grants or scholarships for which students may be eligible. The full cost, or
“sticker” price includes tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation and any
personal expenses.

What is a Net Price Calculator?

In accordance with the 2011 Higher Education Opportunity Act, each college institution that
participates in Title IV federal student aid programs must post a net price calculator on its website.
It uses the institutional data to provide prospective students and parents with estimated net price
information based on a student’s individual circumstances.

How does it work?

● The Net Price Calculator looks at the full cost of attendance (sticker price).
● Using the financial information, you enter, the Net Price Calculator generates an estimate
of the amount of money a family would be expected to contribute to pay for college.
● The Net Price Calculator evaluates a student’s eligibility for financial aid for each
respective institution by matching each student’s financial and personal circumstances to
the criteria used to distribute financial aid.

Why is the Net Price Calculator Important?

The net price is vital to understanding the out-of-pocket expenses of one college to another. It can
greatly help in expanding college choices beyond only the institutions one thinks one can afford. It
is highly probable that a student’s net cost may be lower at colleges with seemingly higher sticker
prices or higher at colleges with lower sticker prices. Students and parents may find institutions that
were originally thought to be beyond their financial means, to be very affordable after all.
Scholarship Search

What type of scholarship should I consider applying for?

Scholarship opportunities extend beyond academic merit and include:

● Community service and leadership awards

● Visual & performing arts, essay, and speech contests
● Specific groups: ethnic backgrounds, cultural heritage, gender, and many more
● Local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations
● Science, math, and engineering
● University/college /major specific
● Corporate sponsored
● Apply for as many scholarships as you meet the criteria for.

What are avenues to find information about scholarship opportunities?

● There are two scholarship bulletin boards on the Mitty campus, one near the Counseling
Center, which posts college scholarships and one in the 100 wing that posts non-university
opportunities (local, regional, corporate, essay contests, etc.).

● There are also a number of online free scholarship search sites:

○ www.finaid.org
○ www.fastweb.com
○ https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
○ www.goingmerry.com
○ www.cappex.com

● Check both the admissions and financial aid websites for each college and university on
your college application list.
Summer… A Time For Enrichment
Think of summer as a time to pursue interests, gain experience through paid or volunteer jobs and
to learn and develop leadership skills. Many colleges look for meaningful summer activities as a
demonstration of commitment and responsibilities.

Sample Listing of Pre-College Programs

● Boston University Summer Experience
● USC Summer Programs
● New York University: Tisch School of the Arts
● Santa Clara University “Young Scholars Program”
● UC Berkeley Summer Programs

Focus on a Specific Area of Study or Research

● California State Summer School for the Arts: www.csssa.ca.gov (February deadline)
● Math camp: www.mathcamp.org (application opens January 15th)
● UC Cosmos Program https://cosmos-ucop.ucdavis.edu/app/main (February deadline)
● Teen Life Summer Opportunities (summer school for Math and Science) by program:
www.teenlife.com

Study in Another Country

● Study at St. Andrews, Scotland
● Cambridge Institute in UK

Gain Experience Outside the Classroom

● Internships and externships provide opportunities to work in a career-related
environment.
○ Research “Enrichment Programs” on Maia Learning
○ Summer Discovery Internships: www.summerdiscovery.com
○ Seek out internships on your own
● Work Experience gives a student the opportunity to earn money, while gaining knowledge
and responsibility involved in maintaining a job.

Learn and Develop Leadership Skills

● Immersion Trips
● Summer Camps
● Community Service

*Check the bulletin board outside the Counseling Office for other summer opportunities and
the Counseling section in the student portal.
Frequently Asked Questions

How many times should the SAT and/or ACT be taken?

Mitty students will take the SAT School Day exam in the spring of their junior year and again in the fall of
their senior year. Students can opt to take additional tests by registering on the College Board or ACT
website. We recommend every junior take the SAT/ACT at least once before the end of their junior year.

When should students finalize their list of colleges?

Applicants should have a working list of schools of interest prior to the summer of their junior year. In early
September of their senior year, students should be prepared to finalize their list of colleges with their
counselor. Finalizing a list will be different for everyone, but should be completed no later than November.

How can students create a balanced list of colleges?

Students should have on their list:
● Three “likely” colleges to which they will almost certainly be admitted.
● Some “target” colleges where their GPA, test scores, and other features look very similar to those of
recent entering classes.
● One or two “reach” colleges where a student meets the minimum criteria for admission but
understands that these colleges will use other factors for selection. All highly selective schools fall
within this category.

Who should apply for Early Decision?

Ideal candidates are students who have researched colleges extensively, visited at least three or four
campuses, and are absolutely sure that College “X” is their first choice. Students should have completed
testing by October. If you are accepted under Early Decision, you must withdraw all other applications, and
consequently will not know the admittance decisions of other colleges.

Is there an advantage to Early Decision (ED) programs?

Your application is reviewed early, and you receive notification in December. Your application is reviewed
against a smaller applicant pool; however, it is usually a stronger pool than the regular pool of applicants.

Is there an advantage to Early Action (EA) programs?

Applying EA demonstrates a strong interest in the college and students will know their admissions decision
earlier.

Do senior classes really matter?

Colleges want to see a challenging curriculum all four years.

Do colleges really care about senior grades?

UCs, CSUs, EA, and ED colleges will not see your senior grades but they will see your list of courses. With
competitive colleges, they may request your quarter grades. If you apply Regular Decision, these colleges will
have your first semester senior grades, also known as mid-year reports. They expect to see performance
indicating readiness for college. The college you enroll in will also ask for a final transcript at the end of
senior year. The admission letter will often state, “Your admission is contingent upon your continued
successful performance.” A college can and will withdraw their offer of admission if your grades drop
significantly or if classes were dropped after being admitted.