Carmel High School

The

Senior Packet

CLASS OF 2011

Carmel High School

Fall, 2010

School Code: 050475

senior calendar

September

ADMISSIONS TIPS:

1. Colleges want students who demonstrate ability and willingness to work throughout their senior year.

2. Study for the ACT and/or SAT. At this point it is difficult to improve your applying GPA but there is

alwaysroom to improve you standardized test score, considered to be one of the most vital criteria

when applying to colleges.

3. Identify potential college majors. Many universities will require freshman applicants to select a first and

second-choice major. Remember, selecting a major requires due diligence; you are strongly

encouraged to research course requirements for each major you are considering.

1stBack to School Night

10th Registration deadline for October 9thSAT

11th ACT Test Date

15thLast Day to signup for BRIGHT HORIZONSACT Test Prep

17thRegistration Deadline for October 23rd ACT

14th - 16th Senior Classroom Presentations

21stBRIGHT HORIZONSACT Test Prep Classes Begin (for 10/23 ACT)

22ndSENIOR PARENT NIGHT (6pm library)

25thREVOLUTION SAT Test Prep Classes Begin (for 11/6 SAT)

25th - 26thCROSSWALK SAT Test Prep Bootcamp

26thREVOLUTION Test Prep start date for Nov 7thSAT

28thUC Personal Statement Writing Workshop (6pm library)

29thCollege Sports 101 Seminar (6:30 pm library)

30thDEADLINE to register for CATALYST Bootcamp SAT Test Prep

During September:

Prepare a college application and testing schedule
Identify ALL application deadlines
Complete a Brag Sheet and ask teacher(s) and counselor to write letters of recommendation (private schools only)
Sign up in the College & CareerCenter to hear college representatives
Research prospective colleges
Identify potential college majors. Many universities will require freshman applicants to identify a first and second choice major.
Compile necessary materials needed by private colleges for Early Decision and Early Action
If planning on participating in college athletics, register with NCAA

October

ADMISSIONS TIPS:

1. CSU Application opens on October 1st. For those intending to apply, create an account and review the

application.

2. For those applying to private universities using the Common Application, create an account and begin

reviewing the application requirements AND supplemental requirements for each school to which you

are applying.

1stCSU Application priority filing period begins

8thQuarter Ends

8thDeadline to Register for November 6thSAT

2nd & 3rd CATALYST Bootcamp SAT Test Prep

9th SAT test date (SAT and SAT II Subject Tests)

16th & 17thBRIGHT HORIZONS ACT Boot Camp (for 10/23 ACT)

20th Financial Aid Workshop (“How to Pay for College”)

23rd REVOLUTION SAT Test Prep Classes Begin (for 12/4 SAT)

23rd ACT Test Date

30th Recommended deadline to submit CSUApplication

During October:

Plan to attend College Application Workshops
Private School Applicants: Complete a Brag Sheet (REQUIRED for Letters of Recommendation)
Begin or continue first draft of college essays
Compile list of prospective schools for Senior Conference
Submit Early Decision / Early Action applications
Begin working on UC / CSU application

November

2nd CHSCollege Fair

5th Deadline to register for Dec 4thSAT(last time for UC/CSU)

5th Deadline to Register for December 11thACT

7th SAT test date

30th UC / CSU Application Deadline (11:59 pm)

During November:

Review your UC Personal Statement with BOTH your English teacher and Counselor
Send UC/CSU applications NO LATER than November 30th (preferably earlier)
Attend appropriate college rep visits

December

4th –SAT test date

11th ACT test date

17th End of 1st Semester

18th End of 1st Semester (official grading period)

23rd Deadline to register for January 22nd SAT(private universities only)

During December:

Submit private college Regular Decision applications by deadline dates
Plan holiday visits to colleges
Work on college scholarship applications, if applicable (Check NAVIANCE or visit College & CareerCenter)
Request an identification PIN from FAFSA Online & use the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet

January

3rd First day of 2nd Semester

7th Deadline to register for February 12thACT(private universities only)

22nd SAT test date

During January:

Submit Mid-Year Reports to counselors for colleges NOT associated with the Common Application
Counselor submits Common Application Mid-Year Reports by the 3rd week in January.
Finalize FAFSA forms – send as early as possible, but do not send before January 1st.
Submit private college Regular Decision applications by deadline dates
Work on college scholarship applications, if applicable (Check NAVIANCE or visit College & CareerCenter)
Complete Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (counselors will distribute and collect in the classroom)
Notify colleges in writing or by phone if you drop a class

February

During February:

Complete and submit all federal financial aid forms
Some college acceptance letters may arrive. Inform your counselor when you hear from a college
Consider visiting prospective colleges during February break (2/15 – 2/19)

March

1stBeginning of UC acceptance notification period

2ndDeadline for FAFSA submission

18thEnd of 3rd Quarter

During March:

Complete and submit all federal financial aid forms
Some college acceptance letters may arrive. Inform your counselor when you hear from a college.
Watch for Student Aid Report (SAR) to arrive, giving the amount of student aid for which you are eligible
If applying to any community college, go to school website for application and sign up for community college placement tests in Math and English
Contact colleges with any new information, if you’ve had a schedule change, or if you earned a D or F grade

April

1stBeginning of acceptance notification period for most private colleges

29th Contact any college you have yet to hear from

During April:

Communicate continued interest to university if wait-listed
Revisit colleges if necessary before making a final decision
Some college acceptance letters may arrive. Inform your counselor when you hear from a college
Check AERIES to ensure completion of community service hours.

May

1st Postmark deadline to submit “Statement if Intent to Register” (SIR) to the one

college you plan toattend. Mail in deposit. Sign and return financial award

letters. Notify those colleges you will not attend

During May:

Request from the Registrar for official transcripts to be sent to planned college of attendance
Make a copy of Student Aid Report (SAR) and send original to the college you will be attending
Fill out loan applications
Take UC, CSU, or Community College placement exams if required
Fill out housing forms, if available

June

3rd Last day of school

During June:

Attend all advising days, open houses, orientation programs, and registration meetings offered by your college
Mr. Lopez and Mrs. Galuppo will be visiting all senior classrooms to identify where FINAL official transcripts are to be sent. Generally, transcripts are sent by June 15th, after official grades have been submitted by teachers.

Testing dates

ACT / Test Dates / RegistrationDeadline / Late Registration (Fee Required)
September11,2010 / August 6, 2010 / August 7 – 20, 2010
October23,2010 / September 17, 2010 / September 18 – October 1, 2010
December11,2010 / November 5, 2010 / November 6 – 19, 2010
February12,2011 / January 7, 2011 / January 8 – 21, 2011
April9,2011 / March 4, 2011 / March 5 – 18, 2011
June11,2011 / May 6, 2011 / May 7 – 20, 2011
SAT / Test Dates / Registration / Late Registration (Fee Required)
October 9, 2010 / September 10, 2010 / September 24, 2010
November 6, 2010 / October 8, 2010 / October 22, 2010
December 4, 2010 / November 5, 2010 / November 19, 2010
January 22, 2011 / December 23, 2010 / January 7, 2011
ACT / OLD SAT / NEW SAT
36 / 1600 / 2400
35 / 1560-1590 / 2340
34 / 1510-1550 / 2260
33 / 1460-1500 / 2190
32 / 1410-1450 / 2130
31 / 1360-1400 / 2040
30 / 1320-1350 / 1980
29 / 1280-1310 / 1920
28 / 1240-1270 / 1860
27 / 1210-1230 / 1820
26 / 1170-1200 / 1760
25 / 1130-1160 / 1700
24 / 1090-1120 / 1650
23 / 1060-1080 / 1590
22 / 1020-1050 / 1530
21 / 980-1010 / 1500
20 / 940-970 / 1410
19 / 900-930 / 1350
18 / 860-890 / 1290
17 / 810-850 / 1210
16 / 760-800 / 1140
15 / 710-750 / 1060
14 / 660-700 / 1000

SAT vs. ACT

What is the difference between the SAT and ACT? They’re both standardized tests, they both factor into the college admissions process, and they are both equally validated assessments accepted by most colleges and universities. To learn about the differences between the two tests and how they compare, take a look at the chart below.

/
SAT /
ACT
What is the test structure? / Ten-section exam: Three Critical Reading, three Math, three Writing, and one Experimental. The Experimental section is masked to look like a regular section. / Four-section exam: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. An Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates only, and is clearly experimental.
What is the test content? / Math: up to 9th grade basic geometry and Algebra II. Science: none.
Reading: sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, reading comprehension.
Writing: an essay, and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice. / Math: up to trigonometry. Science: charts, experiments. Reading: four passages, one each of Prose Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science.
English: stresses grammar.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers? / Yes / No
How is the test scored? / 200-800 per section, added together for a combined score. A 2400 is the highest possible combined score. / 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score. A 36 is the highest possible composite score.
Are all scores sent to schools? / No. There is a "Score Choice" option. Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see. / No. There is a "Score Choice" option. Students can choose which schools will receive their scores AND which scores the schools will see.
Are there other uses for the exams? / Scholarship purposes. / Scholarship purposes. Certain statewide testing programs.
Best time to register? / At least six weeks before the test date / At least four weeks before the test date
Need more information? / Educational Testing Service (ETS)
(609) 771-7600

The College Board
/ ACT, Inc.:
(319) 337-1000

Average test scores

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA / SAT / ACT
UC Berkeley / Read:665 Math:696 Writing:674 / Composite Score: 30
UC Davis / Read:614 Math:644 Writing:614 / Composite Score: 28
UC Irvine / Read:594 Math:639 Writing:606 / Composite Score: 27
UCLA / Read:653 Math:686 Writing:664 / Composite Score: 29
UC Merced / Read:537 Math:577 Writing:540 / Composite Score: 23
UC Riverside / Read:536 Math:576 Writing:544 / Composite Score: 24
UC San Diego / Read:630 Math:671 Writing:642 / Composite Score: 29
UC Santa Barbara / Read:606 Math:633 Writing:616 / Composite Score: 27
UC Santa Cruz / Read:583 Math:602 Writing:587 / Composite Score: 26
CALIFORNIASTATEUNIVERSITY / SAT / ACT
Cal Poly, SLO / Read and Math: 1278 / Composite Score: 28
Cal Poly, Pomona / Read:430–540 Math:450-590 / Composite Score: 17-23
Chico / Read and Math: 1050 / Composite Score: 18-23
Fresno / Read:400–530 Math:420-550 / Composite Score: 16-22
Long Beach / Read:450–560 Math:470-580 / Composite Score: 17-23
Sacramento / Read:410–530 Math:430-550 / Composite Score: 17-22
San Diego / Read:460–570 Math:480-590 / Composite Score: 18-25
San Francisco / Read:440–560 Math:440-560 / Composite Score: 18-23
San Jose / Read:420–540 Math:440-570 / Composite Score: 16-23
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES / SAT / ACT
Claremont McKenna / Read:630–730 Math:640-730 / Composite Score: 28-30
Santa Clara / Read:560–650 Math:560-670 / Composite Score: 24-29
St. Mary’s / Read:480–590 Math:480-600 / Composite Score: 22-26
Univ. of San Francisco / Read:510–620 Math:500-620 / Composite Score: 19-26
USC / Read:630–720 Math:650-740 / Composite Score: 28-32
Loyola Marymount / Read:520–620 Math:540-640 / Composite Score: 23-27

Test Prep programs

BRIGHT HORIZONS

$150: “Boot Camp” $299: 4 – Week Prep Course

Signup online at or call 831.601.6145

Contact: Jenny Kovitch

OCTOBER 23rdACT: Classes begin Sept. 21Tuesdays 6pm- 9pm and Saturdays 9am – 1pm

OCTOBER 23rdACT:Boot Camp on Oct 16 – 17 Saturday and Sunday 9am – 1pm

CATALYST

$165:8 hour weekend “Boot Camp”

Signup online at or call 1-800-235-0056

Contact: Jared Friedland (1.800.235.0056)

OCTOBER 9th SAT: Boot Camp on October 2 – 3: Saturday and Sunday 9am-1pm

DECEMBER 5thSAT: Boot Camp on November 14 – 15:Saturday and Sunday 9am-1pm

CROSSWALK

Contact for current pricing information

Signup online at or call 831.70-TUTOR

Contact: Brooke Higgins

OCTOBER 9th SAT: Boot Camp on September 25 – 26: Saturday and Sunday 8:30am-1:30pm

REVOLUTION

$4996-week Prep Course (Scholarships available based on need – essay required)

Signup online at or 1-877-REV-PREP

Contact: Brooke Malik (415.734.8491)

OCTOBER 9th SAT: Classes begin August 28: Wednesdays 6pm- 9pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm

NOVEMBER 6thSAT: Classes begin Sept. 25Wednesdays 6pm- 9pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm

DECEMBER 4th SAT: Classes begin October 23Tuesdays 6pm- 9pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm

*** There are additional test prep options available, please contact the college and career center for more information.

College application information

CaliforniaStateUniversity (CSU):

Applications open: October 1st

Deadline to apply: November 30th

***Carmel Counselors recommend submitting by October 30th***

Needed to apply:

Copy of your high school transcript (available on AERIES)
2.0 minimum GPA
SAT I or ACT

University of California (UC):

Application open: November 1st

Deadline to apply: November 30th

Needed to apply:

Copy of your high school transcript(available on AERIES)
Personal Statement: 1000 word maximum (combined total)
3.0 minimum GPA
SAT I or ACT with Writing
SAT II Subject Tests (2 tests from different subject areas)

University of California Personal Statement:

1000 words combined total

(see page 15 for assistance)

Prompt #1 (freshman applicants)

Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Prompt #2 (all applicants)

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

Private universities:

the common application

Applications Open: varies, add universities to your account to indentify deadlines.

Deadline to Apply: varies, check individual websites for application deadlines

California Members:

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Cal Lutheran

Cal Tech

Chapman

Claremont McKenna

Dominican

Harvey Mudd

Loyola Marymount

MenloCollege

MillsCollege

Mount St. Mary’s

Notre Dame de Namur

Occidental

Pepperdine

Pitzer

Pomona

Saint Mary’s College

Santa Clara

Stanford

La Verne

University of Redlands

University of San Diego

University of San Fran.

University of the Pacific

WhittierCollege

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CREATE AN ACOUNTfor theCommon Application:The Common Application allows

students to apply to multiple colleges and universities by completing just ONE application, AKA the

Common Application. For many private schools, the common application is all you will need to complete all of your private school applications.

ENTER INFORMATION including courses taken and grades earned. You will need an unofficialcopy of your transcript available on AERIES.
ADD COLLEGESwhere you intend to apply. Adding colleges to your Common Application account will identify deadlines and additional, ‘supplemental’ requirements per college.
School Forms:The Common Application and other private schools require counselors to submit a

‘Secondary School Report’ for EACH student. To request a Secondary School Report (SSR) from your

counselor using the Common Application, go to the “School Forms” section of the Common

Application while logged in. Enter your counselor’s email address to ‘invite’ him to

complete your online SSR.

Letters of Recommendation: Most private schools require students to obtain Letters of

Recommendation from 2 teachers and 1 counselor. You MUST submit the two page BRAG SHEET(see

page 17 & 18) to your counselor BEFORE requesting a Letter of Recommendation.

To request a Letter of Recommendation from your teacher and counselor login to the Common Application and click on “School Forms” on the left hand side. Select which type of recommender you are ‘inviting’ to your account (teacher, counselor, other). Click “YES” to waive your rights to confidentiality. Enter the recommender’s email address and click “invite.” An email will be sent to the recommender who will upload their letter of recommendation and submit the letter ONLINE.

Supplements: Each individual school may require additional “Supplements” to your application. To

view each universities Supplemental Requirements while logged in, go to the “Supplements” section of

the Common Application located on the left hand side of the webpage.

Personal Essay: The Common Application requires a written essay (250 words minimum) one of the

topics of your choice listed below: (see page 15 for additional assistance with your personal essay).

1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced

and its impact on you.

2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

4. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has

had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational

mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that tomorrow illustrates what you would bring to the

diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

6. Topic of your choice.

non-members

of the common application

Applications Open: varied, check individual websites for application dates

Deadline to Apply: varied, check individual websites for application deadlines

Popular colleges who are NOT registered members of the Common Application:

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ArizonaState

Azusa Pacific

BiolaUniversity

BrighamYoungUniversity

Georgetown

OregonState

M.I.T.

PennState

Pt. Loma

Tulane

University of Arizona

University of Colorado

University of Illinois

University of Colorado

University of Florida

University of Maryland

University of Michigan

University of Oregon

University of North Carolina

University of Texas

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin –

Madison

USC

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Needed to apply:

Copy of your high school transcript(available on AERIES)

Online Application: It is imperative that you check EACH individual website of your prospective schools to identify additional application requirements.Each individual university website will require you to create a profile with user ID and password to complete an application.

Print and fill-out ALL of the required Secondary School Report paperwork for EACH university you are applying to. Secondary School Reports are forms (specific to each school) intended for your counselor to fill out and submit via U.S. Mail.

Private School Application Packet Cover Sheet: If your school is NOT a member of the Common Application, you MUST complete the Private School Application Packet Cover Sheet (see page 19).Tape or Glue this Packet Cover Sheet to a large envelope and include all the required materials (as detailed on the packet cover sheet). This packet ensures your counselor has all of the necessary paperwork (Secondary School Report, Mid-Year Report, and Final Report) as well as deadlines, envelopes, and stamps required to apply to your universities. It is the best way to keep your counselor organized and ensure all of the materials get where they are needed in a timely fashion!

Letters of Recommendation: Many private schools require students to obtain Letters of Recommendation from teachers and your counselor.

**You MUST submit the two page BRAG SHEET (see page 17 & 18) to your counselor BEFORE requesting a Letter of Recommendation.