Class of 2027: College Overview

1. Join Ms. Gambill’s Google Classroom “Class of 2027 College Counseling” 
   1. Class Code:  2fywoswz
   2. There will be many resources available for parents & students in the “Class Materials” section, and new materials will be added throughout the year
      1. To contact Ms. Gambill: CGambill@BoscoTech.edu
      2. To contact Mr. Ortiz: portiz@boscotech.edu

1. Log in to your Scoir Account
   1. If you don’t have a Scoir account – email Ms. Gambill
   2. Make sure your Awards & Activities are up to date
      1. Be sure to include any jobs & volunteer experiences you have
      2. You can list any Academic Excellence Awards you got from Bosco in the “Bio” section
   3. On your Home Page – review / complete Assignments, including the Brainstorming / Essay Prep
   4. Set your College Preferences & Do some research! 
   5. Update your  “My Colleges” lists
      1. Sort your schools – Not Interested, Following, Applying
   6. Search for colleges, explore majors, and keep track of schools you might be interested in by “Following” them
   7. PARENTS:  Ask your studentto invite you to Scoir to help him search for colleges & to keep track of due dates and application materials. You can suggest schools on his “My Colleges” tab. You can also contact me to add you to his account. 

1. Create your Common App Account:  https://www.commonapp.org/
   1. The Common App is for out of state public and private colleges and universities, and California private schools. 
   2. You may log-in & begin filling out your application now EXCEPT for the writing/essay portions.  
      1. Everything BUT the writing / essay will roll over on August 1, so please do all essay writing in a google doc
   3. USE THIS GUIDE

1. Create an account on the CalState application portal
   1. You may log-in and begin filling out the application August 1
   2. Applications can be submitted October 1 - November 30  

1. Create an account on the UC application portal
   1. You may log-in and begin filling out the application August 1
   2. Look at the Personal Insight Questions & begin brainstorming
   3. Applications can only be submitted October 1- November 30

Tips for deciding where to apply

• Use Scoir’s College Preferences & Career Discovery quizzes to find schools that fit your interests & goals.
• Decide what characteristics are most important to you.
  • Size?
  • Location?
  • Cost?
  • Academic Programs / Majors?
  • R1 Research Institution?
  • Athletic Programs?
  • Extracurricular Activities? 
  • Religious Affiliation?
• Do your research.  
  • Visit their website  
  • View the school on Scoir  
  • Go on campus visits – in person, virtually, or using The College Tour
  • Attend lunch visits in the library
  • Attend the WACAC LA County College Fair on Saturday Sept. 12  
  • Attend Bosco Tech’s College Fair on Thursday October 8, 6-8pm 
• Be open to colleges you’ve never heard of before.  
  • Not everyone can go to Caltech, USC, or UCLA! 
  • Just because you haven’t heard of a school before doesn’t mean they don’t have exceptional programs! 
• Discuss cost with your parents/family. 
  • What is your budget? 
  • What kind of financial aid will you need to secure? 
  • Are loans an option? 
• Which decision plan is right for you? 
  • Know the differences between Early Action, Early Decision, Restrictive Early Action, and Regular Decision
  • Weigh the pros and cons & discuss with your family 
• What’s your personality & learning style? 
  • Will you be comfortable in a 100+ person lecture class? 
  • Are you more comfortable in smaller classes? 
  • Are you comfortable asking questions & attending office hours? 
  • How independent are you? Can you set deadlines for yourself & meet them?
  • Are you comfortable asking for help? 

QUESTIONS TO ASK ADMISSIONS COUNSELORS AT INFO SESSIONS, COLLEGE FAIRS, OR TOURS

1. What are your application & financial aid deadlines? 
   • Do you take Common App? Scoir/Coalition App? Or is there another application required? 
   • Are there special requirements (ex: portfolios, auditions) for my major?
   • Do you require supplemental essays?
2. What kinds of merit and need-based financial aid are available? 
3. Do you require the CSS Profile?
4. What is the average GPA for an admitted freshman? 
   • Do you admit by major? 
     • If so, what majors are impacted?
5. Is the SAT or ACT required? 
   • What is the average SAT/ACT score of an admitted student?
6. What is your school’s total enrollment? 
   • What percentage of your students come from out of state? 
   • What’s the male/female ratio?
   • How diverse is your student population?
7. What’s your student-to-faculty ratio? 
8. What’s your average class size?
   • Are large lecture-based classes common for underclassmen?
9. What are your most popular majors?
10. What is campus life like on the weekends? 
    • Do most students dorm or commute? 
    • Do most students go home on the weekends?
    • Are there weekend activities and events planned? 
11. What kinds of extracurricular activities are available?
12.  Are athletics a big part of campus culture? 
13. What percentage of your students are involved with Greek life? 
14. Do you guarantee housing for all freshmen? 
    • What are your housing options?
    • Do you guarantee housing for all four years?
    • Do freshmen have to live on campus?
15. Can students have a car their first year?
16. What kinds of public transportation are available?
17. What is the closest airport, Amtrak, or train station to campus? 
    • Are there shuttles or public transportation available to/from campus?
18. What kinds of freshmen transition programs do you have? 
    • How do you support First Generation College students? 
    • What support do you have for students with learning differences? 

Pick Me! Pick Me! 

How to submit an outstanding application

• Know what you need & when it’s due. 
  • Seriously. Organization & time management is half the battle. 
  • You must adhere to deadlines & make sure all required materials are submitted on time.  
• Carefully read & follow all instructions.
• Give yourself plenty of time.
  • Don’t rush or wait until the last minute.
• Proofread all work. 
  • Grammar, punctuation, spelling are important.
  • Avoid careless mistakes – ask Ms. Gambill or a teacher to help proofread. 
• Be original in your essay, and make sure you follow directions. 
  • This is your chance to tell admissions officers about you – show off your unique qualities, your personality & your personal story
  • If you must write multiple essays (ex: UC PIQs), make sure each essay showcases a different/unique aspect or experience
• Be detailed & descriptive in your list of activities & awards.
• Be yourself.  Highlight what is unique about you. 
• Show off your Tech!  
  • What have you learned to do in your years at Bosco?

Here are some other useful websites & quizzes:

• What’s Your College Personality? 
• Colleges That Change Lives
• Big Future College Search
• Unigo
• Appily