Senior Visits

The academic advisors will be visiting senior social science classes on September 22^nd to go over college requirements, applications, testing, graduation requirements, finical aid, and scholarships.

Physical Fitness Test

The 2014-2015 Physical Fitness Test (PFT) results are available through Aeries Portal. It can be accessed under the Test Scores tab and then clicking on Physical Fitness Test Results. There are two views; detailed and summary. More information about the PFT is available on the California Department of Education PFT Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/. Ed Code requires districts share PFT results with students.

College Fair! Meet College Reps from more than 100+ institutions!

CUSD and the Capistrano Council of PTSAs is hosting a College Fair with college planning information sessions on Monday, October 19, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at Aliso Niguel High School. CUSD high school students can show their school ID cards and be admitted between 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., all high school students will be admitted between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m.

Meet with representatives from more than 100 universities, colleges, technical and art schools, and military academies and learn about the many outstanding programs and options available across the country. Attend breakout sessions with experts to help with your search and planning. CUSD students can use Naviance software to help with planning after high school for FREE! To view a list of participants, please visit cucptsa.com. For more information: capocollegefair2015@gmail.com.

CSU (California State University) Application Window for fall 2016 Opens October 1!

Seniors planning to apply to one of the 23 California State University (CSU) campuses for fall 2016 admission may begin working on their applications through CSU Mentor starting October 1st.  The window for application submission will be open from October 1, 2015, until November 30, 2015.  CSU encourages students to apply early!

To apply to CSU students must:

SCHS High School CEEB Code 052-814

1. Obtain an unofficial copy of your high school transcript from the student or parent portal to be used to self-report your classes and grades on your CSU application. https://abi.capousd.org/
2. Complete CSU application and application fee for each CSU campus online at www.csumentor.org.  Application window opens on October 1 and closes on November 30. Application fee is $55.00 per campus. Don’t delay, apply early! 
3. Contact College Board or ACT to have your SAT I or ACT test scores sent to the CSU campuses to which you've applied.
4. Contact College Board/AP Central to have our AP scores sent to all CSU campuses to which you've applied.
5. Take the required ELM (Entry Level Math) and EPT (English Placement Test) by the university posted deadline.  For more information please log onto www.csumathsuccess.org  or www.csuenglishsuccess.org
6. Send official transcripts ONLY when directed to do so.  CSU will determine your grade point average based on the classes and grades you self-report during the application process.  The CSU campus which you commit to attend will prompt you to send an official transcript upon graduation from high school.
7. CSU does not require letters of recommendation or a college essay.

UC (University of California) Window for fall 2016 opened August 1 for students to begin working on their applications.  The application submission window opens November 1!

Seniors planning to apply to one of the 9 University of California (UC) campuses for fall 2016 admission should begin working on their applications now.  Although students can begin to work on their application, the window for application submission will be open from November 1, 2015, through November 30, 2015. 

To apply to UC students must:

SCHS High School CEEB Code 052-814

1. Obtain an unofficial copy of your high school transcript from parent portal to be used to self-report your classes and grades on your UC application. https://abi.capousd.org/
2. Complete UC application, college essay and application fee online at http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/apply-online/index.html
3. Complete one UC application for all campuses applying to.   Application fee is $70.00 per campus.  Application window will be open from August 1 through November 30.  You can start your application now, but cannot submit it unit Nov. 1.
4. Contact College Board or ACT to have your SAT I or ACT, and your SAT II test scores sent to all UC campuses to which you've applied.
5. Contact College Board/AP Central to have our AP scores sent to all UC campuses to which you've applied.
6. Send official transcripts ONLY when directed to do so.  UC will determine your grade point average based on the classes and grades you self-report during the application process.  The UC campus which you commit to attend will prompt you to send an official transcript upon graduation from high school.
7. UC does require college essays.  The prompts will be presented as part of the application.
8. UC does not require letters of recommendation

Need Help with your CSU or UC Application?

Academic Advisors will be available to assist students with their CSU or UC application during the following application workshops.  Students are encouraged to start their application at home and come prepared to the workshop with a copy of their unofficial high school transcript and any questions they need answered.  The workshop will take place during tutorial on the following date:

Applying to a Private/Independent University?

To apply to private/independent University students must:

SCHS High School CEEB Code 052-814

1. Note that application deadlines for private universities will vary by institution –student must research and follow deadlines per institution.
2. Complete application for specific private or out of state university online by accessing the university website
3. Complete application and supporting documents by specified deadlines; this includes campus specific scholarship deadlines
4. Submit your OFFICIAL transcript by ordering is through Parchment via the SCHS website http://www.sctritons.com/ ~ Front page quick links; select How to Order Transcript.
5. Contact College Board or ACT to have your SAT, AP or ACT test scores sent to campuses to which you've applied

Common Application

Be sure to check the Common Application network to see if the private/independent universities you are applying to are members.  If so, you only complete one application online at www.commonapp.org for all colleges that you are applying to.  Please note that if you do use the common application, Academic Advisors prefer that students complete their application online send the request or invitation to complete that the secondary and mid-year report be sent to us via our email address.  Failure to record the correct email will result in your Academic Advisor not receiving the email invitation.  Academic Advisors can be reached by email as follows:

Academic Advisors:

Applications to California or out of state private/independent universities

Applications to California or out of state private/independent universities often require the submission of letters of recommendation, secondary school reports and mid-year reports to be completed by Academic Advisors and teachers.  If your child plans to apply to a private college/university please pick up the “Private College Packet” from your student’s academic advisor.  This packet is REQUIRED!!!  Student should set up their own individual college e-mail for communication and check for e-mails from colleges at least twice a day.

Please note the following deadlines for packet submission:

Letter of Recommendation Packet and Policy

The ”Private College Packet” is to be completed for college or scholarship applications, which may be picked up in the guidance office from your students’ academic advisor.

 Most private university and scholarship applications will require that students submit letters of recommendation.  Some will specify who the recommender should be (teachers, employers, coaches, community and church leaders); others simply indicate how many recommendations are required.  Letters of recommendation give evaluators and selection committees' alternate information about you the person.  Keep in mind that these individuals will already have objective information - your grades, classes and test scores - they want to know about your character and who you are outside of the classroom, more appropriately, how others see you!!  

Tips for letters of recommendation

• Aspire to make good connections with teachers and other adults on campus so that when it comes time to request a recommendation, you have many options.
• Choose adults who know you well; those who can write about not only your academic skills, but also your talents and abilities.
• Choose recommenders who will write specific statements about you - not remarks that could apply to any student.

Steps to securing letters of recommendation

1. Ask teachers, coaches, administrators, academic advisors, counselors, employers, community and church leaders who know you well and who will write you a personalized and postitve letter of recommendation.  If this person is a teacher, it is preferable that you are currently in his or her class or were a student of theirs the previous year. See “Letter of Recommendation from Teachers” http://www.sctritons.com/guidance
2. PLAN AHEAD!  Make an appointment to speak with the person you are asking for a recommendation from no less than 3 to 4 weeks prior to the deadline. 
3. Provide your recommenders with important information that they may need to write a letter that truly represents your good qualities, character and outstanding skills.  Providing your recommender with a copy of your student resume, student profile and college essay will assist them in writing a more precise and thorough letter.
4. Provide your recommenders with the following: 1. Name and address of the school or scholarship you are applying to/for and a stamped addressed envelope if the school or scholarship committee requires that the letter be sent directly to them by the recommender (be sure to provide a manilla envelope if the recommender is required to send additional documentation such as a copy of your transcript, etc.  2. DEADLINE or date that the letter needs to be submitted 3. A copy of your high school transcript, student resume, and a student profile (if available). 
5. Follow-up by thanking the person(s) who provided you with a recommendation.

Being PREPARED AND ORGANIZED will allow your recommenders to write an outstanding letter of recommendation!!

Need to Order an Unofficial or Official Transcript?

1. Unofficial Transcripts are available via the parent portal for free. https://abi.capousd.org/
2. Official Transcripts must be ordered online through Parchment.  To order an official transcript log onto the SCHS website http://schs.schoolloop.com/ and select “How to Order Transcripts” under Quick Links.

College Testing Dates for 2015-2016

SCHS High School CEEB Code 052-814

College Admissions “Practice Tests” at San Clemente High School PSAT (Practice SAT - Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test – recommended for grades 11)

Test Date:  Wednesday, October 14, 2015.

Deadline to Register:  Friday, September 18, 2015. 

Please note:  Limited seating. (Juniors will have priority.  Sophomores will have an opportunity to sign up on a waitlist located in the ASB office.) https://webstores.activenetwork.com/school-software/san_clemente_high_sc/

Cost: $25.00

The “Real” College Admissions Tests for College Bound Juniors and Seniors

All of the information below can be found on the San Clemente High School website at http://www.sctritons.com/ under “Guidance.”

Students planning to apply to a four-year college/university must take either the SAT I or ACT.  It is recommended that either one or both tests be taken in the spring of the student’s junior year.  These tests can also be retaken in the fall in the senior year if needed by the December test date deadline.  Students planning to apply to the University of California system have the option to take the SAT Subject tests.  Students applying to private universities may also need to take the SAT Subject tests, depending on the specific requirement of the university.   For more information regarding ACT, SAT and SAT subject test please visit our website at http://www.sctritons.com/college

College Board National Test Dates: SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests

• (SAT Reasoning Test recommended for Grades 11 and 12)
• (SAT Subject Test – no longer required by UC, but you can submit results as an extra measure for evaluation of your application)
• Please note that many private/independent colleges may still require the SAT subject tests.  Please check with the college(s) you plan to apply to.
• For more information regarding the SAT and to REGISTER ONLINE visit https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-us-dates
• SCHS High School CEEB Code 052-814

Additional fees apply if you register late or make changes to your test type, center or date after registering.

Sunday administrations usually occur the day after each Saturday test date for students who cannot test on Saturday due to religious observance.

ACT National Test Dates for the ACT Exam

• Recommended for grades 11 and 12
• For more information regarding the ACT or to REGISTER ONLINE visit  http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html
• SCHS High School CEEB Code 052-814

*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.
**See Non-Saturday testing for information related to this test date.

CUSD Honors Courses Added

For the 2015-2016 school year we have added three Honors Courses to our course offerings:    Honors English I, Honors English II and Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry.  These courses have been approved by the University of California system as district level honors courses which means that they are considered honors courses for our own Grade Point Average calculations.  Each of these courses will be weighted by CUSD but this weighted grade is not recognized as a UC Honors weighted course.  Even though the weighted grade would not be counted by UCs there are many other universities that would recognize this grade bump.  If you have any further question please speak with your child’s Academic Advisor.

Need to see or speak with an advisor?

In order to provide a systematic and organized way of serving our students and parents in the quickest and most efficient way possible, the Guidance Office has developed the following procedure for Academic Advisor visits and appointments:

Students:

• Students who need to see their advisor should stop by the Guidance Office and place their name in the appropriate request notebook for their advisor; the notebooks are located on the counter in the Guidance Office. 
• Advisors will then work their way down the list of names each day in systematic order, calling students in as quickly and efficiently as possible. 
• It is our goal to see as many students as possible each day, and we will make every effort to ensure that students are seen within 1-2 school days of their request – and sometimes even sooner! J

Parents:

• Parents who wish to see their student’s advisor or hold a phone conference should email the advisor in advance in order to make an appointment.
• Advisors will make every effort to respond to a request to meet/talk within 1-2 business days, and we will then do our best to provide an appointment/phone conference for a time within the following 3-4 business days whenever possible.
• With the high volume of requests, we respectfully ask parents to avoid “drop in” visits without a prior appointment.
• For quick questions or routine requests (i.e. dropping a class, quick advice, etc.), we recommend that students use the process outlined above. 

Thank you for your understanding and assistance.

Students/Parents:  To meet with your academic advisor please sign in the appropriate academic advisors request book located in the guidance office.  The academic advisor will call your student or the parent as soon as she/he is available.

SCHS COLLEGE VISITS

As of 09/02/2015

Check school website for an updated list, changes frequently

UC Santa Barbara Wednesday 09/09/2015 Tutorial

University of Chicago Wednesday 09/09/2015 2:15pm

Oregon State University Thursday 09/24/2015 Tutorial

Columbia University Thursday 09/24/2015 Lunch

University of Oregon Monday 09/28/2015 2:15pm

Concordia University Tuesday 09/29/2015 Lunch

University of San Francisco Monday 10/05/2015 Lunch

Portland State University Tuesday 10/06/2015 Lunch

Montana State University Wednesday 10/07/2015 2:00pm

CU – Boulder Thursday 10/08/2015 Tutorial

University of Montana Tutorial

Ohio State University Thursday 10/08/2015 Lunch

University of Arizona Lunch

Chapman University Friday 10/09/2015 Lunch

Boston University Monday 10/12/2015 Lunch

Colorado State University Lunch

NYU Monday 10/12/2015 1:45pm

Pont Loma Nazarene and USC Monday 10/19/2015 Lunch

Northern Arizona University Thursday 10/22/2015 Tutorial

University New Hampshire Tutorial

Arizona State University Thursday Lunch

Texas Christian University Tuesday 10/27/2015 Lunch

University of San Diego Thursday 11/05/2015 Tutorial

September-November various college and university admission counselors visit SCHS. The college representatives that visit are usually responsible for reviewing the applications that come from SCHS. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about their academic programs and admission requirements. Most visits will take place in the Little Theater. If you do not see your school of interest, check the college’s website for regional informational sessions that take place in the evenings or on the weekends in Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles or the Inland Empire.  

Is your “senior” on track to graduate?

To ensure your senior student is on track to earn their high school diploma in June, you may view your child’s current graduation status via the Parent Portal by selecting “Graduation Status” under the “Grades” tab.

The Graduation Status is comprised of five columns.  The first and second columns list the subject requirements and maximum number of credits needed per subject to earn a diploma.  The third column, “Credit’s completed,” lists the credits your child completed by the end of their junior year.  The fourth column lists the credits that your child is currently enrolled in and needs to complete for the fall 2014 semester, and the fifth column represents the credits that will need to be completed during your child’s final semester, spring 2015.

By the end the fall semester of senior year, seniors should have completed 195 credits to be considered “on track” to earn a diploma at the end of the spring semester.  Students who have fewer than 195 credits are considered “at-risk.”   Students “at-risk” of earning their diploma will most likely be enrolled in one or more of the following:  6 or 7 classes, the Academic Intervention class or the CUSD Online Credit Recovery Program.   

Please note that the Graduation Status reflects graduation requirements only, not college admissions requirements. To ensure that your child is meeting college admission requirements please refer to the “Grades” tab and select “College Entrance Requirements.”

Please be advised that your child must pass all required courses indicated in the fourth and fifth columns under “Graduation Status” in order to earn their diploma and participate in the commencement ceremony on June 19, 2015.  We encourage you and your child to monitor grades via School Loop to ensure success.  If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s graduation status or college admissions status, please contact your Academic Advisor.

Thank you,

The San Clemente High School Guidance Team