Steps to Follow When Applying to a 4-Year University

STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN APPLYING TO A 4-YEAR UNIVERSITY

(California State University-CSU, University of California-UC, Private University or Out-of-State University)

CLASS OF 2013

Students and Parents of the Class of 2013,

Students have many options for post-secondary education. Included in these options are attending a

California State University-CSU
University of California-UC
Private University or Out-of-State University

It is very important that students do their research and apply only to universities that will provide them an opportunity to pursue their college degree and to enjoy and be happy with their college experience. Procedures must be followed and deadlines must be met so it is very important that students spend some time planning the entire application process.

REPORT ALL GRADES WHEN COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATIONS. EVEN IF YOU REPEATED A COURSE YOU STILL NEED TO REPORT ALL GRADES: FOR EXAMPLE:

YOU TOOK BIOLOGY AND EARNED A SEMESTER 1 (C) AND SEMESTER 2 (D)+

YOU REPEAT THE COURSE AND EARN A SEMESTER 2 (A). YOU MUST REPORT ALL (3) GRADES ON YOUR APPLICATIONS! THE UNIVERSITY WILL CALCULATE YOUR GPA BASED ON THEIR GPA POLICIES. THE UNIVERSITY WILL CALCULATE YOUR WEIGHTED GPA AS WELL!

California State University-CSU

The California State University-(CSU) is a great option for many of our students. CSU prepares about 60% of the teachers in the state, 40% of the engineering graduates, and more graduates in business, agriculture, communications, health, education and public administration than all other California universities and colleges combined. Altogether, about half the bachelor's degrees and a third of the master's degrees awarded annually in California are from the CSU.

Steps to follow for a CSU Applicant:

Create an account via the CSU online application center: CSU MENTOR . View the online tutorial for the CSU Mentor online application.
When completing your application, use your legal name and don’t use nicknames. Your name should be the same on your college applications, SAT/ACT documents, and your high school transcript.
When taking the SAT, have your scores sent to your prospective CSU campuses. All CSU campuses you apply to will receive your SAT scores when you use the code (3594) on your Collegeboard SAT application!
Use the ACT Scores Manager feature on your newly created CSU Mentor account to ensure all campuses receive your ACT scores.
Provide the CSU with your email address for important correspondence with the CSU. You may want to review your email address prior to submitting and ensure that it is an address that is representative of a young adult preparing for university life-translation-keep your email address professional and avoid “cute” email addresses. You may consider creating a new email account exclusive for your college applications.
Attend the CSU Application workshop on the DBHS campus in early Fall-listen to and read the school bulletin for announcements regarding this date. DATE STILL TO BE DETERMINED!

CSU Continued…

Apply ONLINE during the application period: October 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012.
The deadline of November 30th must be met! Do not rush to submit your application thinking that if you apply early you have an advantage. Take your time and ensure that you are correctly completing the CSU application; however, do not delay and wait for the last week or two in November. We suggest you work on your application online, save the information and return at a later time to review for accuracy prior to submitting the application.
Be honest and accurate when completing the application. You will “self-report” the courses you have taken, the grades earned, courses being taken during senior year, test scores etc. so please have a copy of your academic transcript and test scores available when completing the application.
Once your CSU application has been submitted, check your CSU Mentor account and email often for important status updates. Failure to comply with a CSU request for admission will delay and even prevent admission.
The CSU system DOES NOT REQUIRE OR NEED LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION!
DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS, DO NOT SEND A COPY OF YOUR ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT TO A CSU CAMPUS UNLESS AN INDIVIDUAL CAMPUS HAS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED A TRANSCRIPT TO BE SENT! AN OFFICIAL COPY OF YOUR ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT MAY BE REQUESTED BY YOU, THE STUDENT, VIA THE ONLINE PROCESS CALLED (PARCHMENT) AVAILABLE ON THE DBHS WEBSITE. IN MOST CASES YOU WILL ONLY NEED TO USE THIS PROCESS WHEN YOU REQUEST YOUR FINAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT TO BE SENT TO THE “ONE” UNIVERSITY YOU WILL ATTEND. THIS WILL BE DONE BY YOU, THE STUDENT, AT THE END OF OUR SCHOOL YEAR.

DBHS SCHOOL CODE: 050748

AP Scores-Pay for them to be sent to the (1) school you will attend.

University of California-UC

Steps to follow for a UC Applicant:

The campuses of the University of California provide exciting environments that foster world-class educational and research opportunities and generate a wide range of benefits and services that touch the lives of Californians throughout the state. The UC family includes more than 234,000 students, more than 207,000 faculty and staff, 50,000 retirees and more than 1.6 million living alumni.

Create an application account with the UC via
When completing your application, use your legal name and don’t use nicknames. Your name should be the same on your college applications, SAT/ACT documents, and your high school transcript.
Use the “How To Apply” link for important tips on completing the UC application.
Provide the UC with your email address for important correspondence with the UC. You may want to review your email address prior to submitting and ensure that it is an address that is representative of a young adult preparing for university life-translation-keep your email address professional and avoid “cute” email addresses. You may consider creating a new email account exclusive for your college applications.
Continue to work on your UC Personal Statement making final revisions.
Attend the UC Application workshop on the DBHS campus in early Fall-listen to and read the school bulletin for announcements regarding this date.
Apply ONLINE during the UC application period:
November 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012.
The deadline of November 30th must be met! Do not rush to submit your application thinking that if you apply early you have an advantage. Take your time and ensure that you are correctly completing the UC application; however, do not delay and wait for the last week or two in November. We suggest you work on your application online, save the information and return at a later time to review for accuracy prior to submitting the application.
Be honest and accurate when completing the application. You will “self-report” the courses you have taken, the grades earned, courses being taken during senior year, test scores etc. so please have a copy of your academic transcript and test scores available when completing the application.
Submit all of your SAT and ACT Plus scores to one of the UC campuses you are applying to and these scores will be shared with all other UC campuses to which you apply per UC policy.
Once your UC application has been submitted check your UC application account and email often for important status updates. Failure to comply with a UC request for admission will delay and even prevent admission.
The UC system DOES NOT REQUIRE OR NEED LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION!
DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS, DO NOT SEND A COPY OF YOUR ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT TO A UC CAMPUS UNLESS AN INDIVIDUAL CAMPUS HAS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED A TRANSCRIPT TO BE SENT! AN OFFICIAL COPY OF YOUR ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT MAY BE REQUESTED BY YOU, THE STUDENT, VIA THE ONLINE PROCESS CALLED (PARCHMENT) AVAILABLE ON THE DBHS WEBSITE. IN MOST CASES YOU WILL ONLY NEED TO USE THIS PROCESS WHEN YOU REQUEST YOUR FINAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT TO BE SENT TO THE “ONE” UNIVERSITY YOU WILL ATTEND. THIS WILL BE DONE BY YOU, THE STUDENT, AT THE END OF OUR SCHOOL YEAR.
UC APPLICATION WORKSHOP WITH UC REPRESENTATIVE: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 7:00 pm in the DBHS THEATER. Work on application prior to the UC Workshop.

Private and/or Out-of-State Universities

Steps to follow for a Private and/or Out-of-State University Applicant:

Once you decide to apply to a private university, you will discover that you will need to spend more time on the application process. When applying to a private or out-of-state university, the student must research the details of the application process for each campus being considered. 488 of these private or out-of-state universities use the online COMMON APPLICATION and you need to utilize the online Common Application when available! If a private or out-of-state university does not use the Common Application, you must go directly to the college admissions website for that particular university and follow the application procedures listed.

THE COMMON APPLICATION

As mentioned above, always use the online Common Application when available for the university to which you are applying! This makes the application process much easier for you, your GLC and teachers when they are asked to provide additional information to the university about you including Letters of Recommendation.

Why Use The Common Application?: Once completed online, copies of the Common Application for Undergraduate Admission can be sent to any number of participating colleges. The same is true of the Common Application’s School Report, Optional Report, Midyear Report, Final Report, GLC and Teacher Evaluation forms and/or letters of recommendation. This allows you to spend less time on the busywork of applying for admission, and more time on what's really important: college research, visits, essay writing, and senior year coursework.

Steps to follow for a Common Application Applicant:

Log on to the Common Application website Specifically use the following website to learn more about how to use the Common Application. This website will provide you with an opportunity to view the
Common Application Demo for Students
Create your Common Application account. Keep your username and password in a safe place.
When completing your Common Application, use your legal name and don’t use nicknames. Your name should be the same on your college applications, SAT/ACT documents, and your high school transcript.
Keep accurate records of application DUE DATES for each university to which you are applying via the Common Application. It is your responsibility to know the application due date for each university.
Provide the universities with your email address for important correspondence with them. You may want to review your email address prior to submitting and ensure that it is an address that is representative of a young adult preparing for university life-translation-keep your email address professional and avoid “cute” email addresses. You may consider creating a new email account exclusive for your college applications.
Be honest and accurate when completing the Common Application. You will “self-report” the courses you have taken, the grades earned, courses being taken during senior year, test scores etc. so please have a copy of your academic transcript and test scores available when completing the application.

THE COMMON APPLICATION Continued…

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU LIST YOUR SENIOR COURSES BEING TAKEN FOR BOTH SEMESTERS ON YOUR COMMON APPLICATION!
HOW DOES THE ONLINE PROCESS LOOK FROM THE APPLICANT/STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE?
When an applicant/student creates an account in the Common App Online, the applicant/student must first identify a secondary school/your high school (Diamond Bar High School’s CEEB Code is 050748). When this is done, the student can then access the School Forms section of the Common App Online where he or she will identify one counselor and one or more teachers. After a teacher or counselor is added to a student's list of school officials, an email is sent to that school official with instructions about using the online system. Applicants are then able to monitor when individual teachers and counselors have submitted their various forms.
We recommend you check the “I do waive my right to access” box to ensure that a university will have confidence in the recommendation.
Your Grade Level Coordinators will access your request for information via email: Kevin Patterson: Jack Galeener:
Copies of your Academic Transcript will be sent electronically via the Common Application by your GLC.
Complete and submit your SENIOR PROFILE to your GLC by the deadline below!
DEADLINE TO REQUEST LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM YOUR GLC IS:

October 5, 2012

IMPORTANT Common Applicaton NOTES:

Don’t INVITE GLC until you have completed all parts of your part of the Common Application and you are ready to hand us your ENVELOPE.
For Early Decision Applicants: Student and Parent MUST SIGN prior to you inviting GLC!
When listing your courses-include GRADUATION DATE IF IT ALLOWS YOU TO. May 30, 2013.
You must list all of your SENIOR COURSES. You must list them in both the first and second column for first and second semester. List them exactly as they are titled on your schedule-exact wording and order.
Early Decision is BINDING1

FINANCIAL AID:

Possibly 2 Applications: #1 FAFSA-Start submitting January 1, 2013 and #2 CSS Profile-Required by some Privates-Deadlines Vary by University

WHAT TO DO IF A PRIVATE OR OUT-OF-STATE UNIVERSITY DOES NOT USE THE COMMON APPLICATION PROCESS??

Some private or out-of-state universities may not use the Common Application process. In this case you must gather all of the required documents from each university and provide your GLC with the documents he will need to complete. These documents will include the Secondary School Report.

Complete the Secondary School Report Form-You must complete ALL student sections completely prior to giving these documents to your GLC. This includes providing your senior year courses for both semesters and signing the report where requested.
We recommend you check the “I do waive my right to access” box to ensure that a university will have confidence in the recommendation.
Complete and submit your SENIOR PROFILE with your Secondary School Report to your GLC by the deadline below!
Your GLC will provide a letter of recommendation and your academic transcript for each secondary school report submitted.
DEADLINE TO REQUEST LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM YOUR GLC IS:
October 5, 2012

HOW TO PACKAGE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION REQUESTS FOR YOUR GLC

For all private or out-of-state universities that require documents to be prepared by your GLC, you must follow specific steps in packaging your requests.

DEADLINE FOR THESE REQUESTS IS OCTOBER 5, 2012
Prepare your Senior Profile-See Attached. The Senior Profile is also on the DBHS website on the Class of 2013 site. You may use any format you choose, please make sure it is computer generated or if handwritten it must be legible. Use the headings on the Senior Profile as your guide. Provide us with accurate and complete information so that we, as the letter writer, can write a complete, detailed and personal letter of recommendation. The Senior Profile provides you with an opportunity to promote yourself to “brag” about your accomplishments. You will need to print a hard copy of the Senior Profile and include it in your Letter of Recommendation envelope.
Remember! You do not need to complete the Senior Profile unless you are requesting a Letter of Recommendation.
Purchase a large brown envelope (10 x 13 size is recommended). Personally hand the envelope to your GLC. Never leave it in his office or mailbox or ask someone else to give it to your GLC!
PLACE THE FOLLOWING INSIDE YOUR (10 x 13) ENVELOPE:
Secondary School Reports: As mentioned previously, the paper copy of the secondary school report is only to be given to us if the university is not part of the Common Application process. The secondary school report needs to have all student sections completed and signed where appropriate.
If using the paper copy of the secondary school report, you must provide your GLC with an addressed business-sized white envelope with (2) stamps placed on it for each university. Address each envelope with the university’s full name and address. The return address on the envelope should be your home address.
DO NOT INCLUDE THE MID-YEAR REPORT AT THIS TIME: Hold on to your mid-year reports until January.
Provide your GLC with a copy of your Personal Statement prepared for the UC application. If you are not applying to a UC then you do not have to provide us with this document.
Provide your Senior Profile.

Label the outside of the (10 x 13) brown envelope with the following: