Happy Halloween From Your SUHI Counselors!

Have a safe Halloween!

How are University of California Applications Reviewed?

At Sweetwater High School, our goal is that all of our students are prepared for 4-year university admissions and success. With proper course placement and intervention programs, we provide the academics students need to be competitive in the admissions process. 

Yet, in addition to grades, A-G courses, and SAT/ACT scores, most University of California campuses use a holistic review process: applicants are assessed in terms of the full range of their academic and personal achievements, viewed in the context of the opportunities and challenges each has encountered. 

We encourage our students to not only excell academically, but take into consideration the 14 points below to be competitive for admissions to any University of California campus.

Taken from: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/how-applications-reviewed/index.html 

1. Academic grade point average in all completed "a-g" courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses.

2. Scores on the following tests: ACT Plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test.

3. Number of, content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum "a-g" requirements.

4. Number of and performance in UC-approved honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Higher Level and transferable college courses.

5. Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of your high school class at the end of your junior year (Eligible in the Local Context, or ELC).

6. Quality of your senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.

7. Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your high school.

8. Outstanding performance in one or more specific subject areas.

9. Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.

10. Recent, marked improvement in academic performance as demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.

11. Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student's promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.

12. Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.

13. Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status.

14. Location of your secondary school and residence.

Compact for Success with SDSU

In 2000, San Diego State University partnered with the Sweetwater Union High School District(SUHSD) to create a program that would bring new educational opportunities to Sweetwater graduates.

The partnership would involve SUHSD teachers working side-by-side with SDSU faculty to examine the rigor and alignment of math and English course offerings and to design a school curriculum that would meet specific requirements for college admissions.

Students participating in the Compact for Success Program would focus on meeting 5 benchmarks. All Sweetwater students meeting these benchmarks would be guaranteed admission to SDSU.

Compact Benchmarks:

• Continuous enrollment in Sweetwater Union High School Disctrict schools from 7th to 12th grade (as of October 2011).

• Attain a CSU GPA of 3.0 or higher by time of application and maintain this GPA through senior year

• Completed all CSU A–G course requirements with a grade of C or higher:

• A – 2 years of US History, Government/World History

• B – 4 years of English (ELD 7-8 may apply)

• C – 3 years, (4 recommended) – Algebra, Formal Geometry, Intermediate Algebra, Math Analysis, Calculus

• D – 2 years, (3 recommended) – Biology, Chemistry, Physics

• E – 2 years, (3 recommended) – Foreign Language (same language)

• F – 1 year of Visual and Performing Arts

• G – 1 year College Prep Elective or additional year of any of the above (e.g., 4th year of math)

• Satisfy the ELM (Entry Level Math Placement Test) and the EPT (Entry Level English Placement Test)

• Take  SAT and ACT exams

Scholarship Opportunity for Female SUHi Students!

National City for Women Information Technology (NCWIT)

NCWIT seeks high-school-level young women to apply for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing! The NCWIT Award forAspirations in Computing honors young women active and interested in computing and encourages them to pursue their passion for technology. 

Winners get cool prizes, gadgets, and scholarships, and can join a community of like-minded technical women. National award-winners are selected from across the country and Affiliate Award competitions are available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.  

All girls at all computing levels are encouraged to apply-we'd like to recognize aspirations, not just accomplishments!

National award-winners receive:

·      $500 in cash

·      A laptop computer

·      An engraved award (for both the student and her school)

·      An expenses-paid trip to the national Award ceremony (for the student and her parent/guardian) on March 10, 2012 (I'm sure they mean 2013)

Application Deadline: November 18, 2012

To apply log on to: http://ww2.ncwit.org/award/award.index.php

Scholarship Updates!

Greetings from the Counseling Center,

The other day I asked a senior what I could do to encourage you all to apply for scholarships more aggressively than you have been. The senior shared that she felt overwhelmed and was extremely busy. I appreciated her honesty.

While I understand the enormous workload some of you are managing, I still say apply to as many scholarships as possible. Trust me on this.

As you may have noticed, the November Scholarship bulletin has been posted. Check out the following scholarships and visit www.suhicounseling.com regularly as I input throughout the month.

Scholarship Name: Holiday Bowl Scholarship

Deadline: Postmarked by November 2, 2012

Eligibility: High school seniors from San Diego County who have excelled academically as well as within his/her community

(school and outside). Citizenship and leadership in extracurricular activities are particularly important. Applicant must have a

GPA of 2.5 or better.

Amount: $10,000

Application Available: http://www.holidaybowl.com/about-us/scholarship.html

Scholarship Name: The 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Deadline: November 6, 2012

Eligibility: Student who is actively involved in and has done community service.

Amount: $1,000 or more

Application Available: http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit

Scholarship Name: “Make The U” (Haz La U) Scholarship Program

Application Period: September 1 – December 31st 2012

Eligibility: Hispanic US citizens or permanent residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA planning to enroll in a two or four year college

during 2012-2013 school year.

Amount: Grand prize of $15,000; ten additional grants of $2,500.

Application Available: http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/CommunityPrograms/Haz-La-U.cvsp

I want to applaud Shehara Seapno for writing a powerful scholarship essay! Concise, well-written, and visceral (great word to learn for college).

Please let me know how I can better support you in your pursuit of free money/scholarships! I'm open to your suggestions. 

-Mr. Smith, Scholarship Counselor

Point of Excellence

Many college and universities base their admissions more than just GPA and SAT/ACT scores. They look at each student as a whole: academics, extracurricular activities, awards, honors, and etc.

It is not a rare occurrence for college admissions representatives to come across students who have earned perfect grades, stellar SAT/ACT scores, exemplary leadership skills, hundreds of hours of community service,and a list of awards and honors that can go on forever.

Stanford University, in their visit with San Diego county counselors yesterday, shared with us the POINT OF EXCELLENCE. The point of excellence a unique, extraordinary characteristic an individual student might possess which would make them stand out above all the other outstanding student hoping for admissions to prestigious universities like Stanford.

A student with excellent academic credentials yet possess a passion in life, an obstacle overcome, and/or unique life experiences that makes them rise above other students is the point of excellence.

Students, you might be asking yourself, "I don't have a point of excellence". Our answer to you is "Yes you do!". All students have a story to tell. You might not realize it but you do have a point of excellence. If is our job to help you find it!

If you are a senior starting to take on your college applications and need help in finding your "point of excellence", see your counselor1 We are were to help!

Upcoming College Presentations

Come check out these lunchtime admissions presentations in the Counseling Center!

Sign up with Ms. Vallejo to be released from class a little early!

Monday, October 22nd - San Diego State University
www.sdsu.edu

Tuesday October 23^rd – CETYS Universidad (Mexico)

http://www.cetys.mx/

Thursday October 25^th – Xochicalco Universidad (Mexico)

http://www.xochicalco.edu.mx/

Friday October 26^th – University of Hawaii Maui College (Hawaii)

http://maui.hawaii.edu/

Tuesday, October 30th - University of California, San Diego
www.ucsd.edu

Past Presentations:

Monday October 15^th – La Sierra University  (Riverside)

http://www.lasierra.edu/index.php

Tuesday October 16^th – Brown University (Rhode Island)

http://www.brown.edu/