Introduction: Here are 15 tips for completing the UC’s newly revamped application system. Remember, while the UC application opened on October 1, you cannot submit your application  until November 1-30.  

But remember-this is a tough year for University of California (UC) admissions. More students than ever are applying, the November 30 application deadline for freshmen and transfers is fixed, and you need to make sure your application is correct and complete.

You only need to complete and submit one application for the 10 campus UC system. Unlike the CSU system, you get to submit your application to all the campuses you select at once. You also pay one total application fee (by number of campuses) to a centralized payment system.

Please let us know if you need help convincing your family of the value of letting you attend a UC, even one a few hours away from home.

1. Have a working email address: Create an email address if you don’t have one. Gmail and hotmail are free and easy to use. Your high school may provide you with an email as well. YOU MUST CHECK YOUR EMAIL OFTEN. The UC campuses will only communicate with you via email. Please save your user name and password.

2. Investigate how the UCs evaluate applications. The UCs look at several factors when evaluating applications: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/how-applications-reviewed/index.html  Also see how each campus admits students: The UC campuses use different methods of reading and evaluating applications. Check the right side of this site to see how the UC campuses you are applying to evaluate applications. http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-residents/index.html

3. Collect high school and college transcripts: Get a copy of your high school and/or college transcripts. Make sure all your transcripts are correct as you need these transcripts to complete the UC application. Remember, the UCs use your self-reported grades to make admissions decisions.

4. Determine your UC eligibility- a.       California (CA) residents-

Those applying as freshmen qualify for UC admissions if you will have completed your A-G courses with at least a 3.0 GPA (3.4 for non-residents) and no grade lower than a C- by the end of 12^th grade. You must also take the required tests (see below in number 5). Here is a way to check your eligibility:

There are state-wide (top 12.5%), local (top 4% of a school), examination, and admissions by exception ways to qualify. Check to see if you qualify… http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-residents/index.html

Transfers need to check the academic requirements for transferring by checking whether you have 60 semester or 90 quarter transferrable units. You need to have completed the majority of the IGETC and major requirements for your campus.

               b.       Non CA residents

Out of state, international and home-schooled students must provide other materials.  http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/other-applicants/index.htmlhttp://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/other-applicants/index.html

     5. Make sure to have taken the required tests: The UCs require current 12^th graders to take the SAT or ACT w/writing AND two SAT Subject Tests. The UCS will accept December test scores.   They count your highest overall test date score.

6.  Send your test scores to UC campuses. Send your SAT, SAT Subject Test, and ACT scores to only one UC campus. Then the UCs will send your scores to the other UC campuses to which you apply for free. Remember, the UCs only use your highest overall one-day test score.

7.  Send other test scores: If you have taken AP tests, you must send your test scores to the UC campuses to which you apply. Contact the College Board to do this.  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/exgrd_rep.html. You must also sent IB, TOEFL, or IELTS scores.

8.  Collect required and optional identification numbers. If you were designated eligible in the local context after 11^th grade, include the 12-digit identification number that was included in your notification letter from UC. This is called your ELC ID number. Optional: Each K-12 student in California public schools is assigned an ID number. If it’s not printed on your transcript, ask your counselor or registrar.

9. Gather family personal and financial information: You will need your family’s educational backgrounds and income for the past two years if you want a fee waiver for the UC applications and want to be considered for each campus’ great support programs for low-income students.

10.  Determine residency status: You need to know your residency status. Ask your parents or family members. You do not need a SSN number but you need to know how long you have been in the California as the UC system calculates your tuition based on how long you have lived and attended school in California. Remember, AB 540 student can get admitted to the UC system but you cannot qualify for formal financial aid.

11. Prepare to check interest in scholarships. The UC application allows you to select 16 scholarships to be considered for without completing any additional paperwork. Go through each category and apply for as many as 16 scholarships that fit your qualifications and background.

12. Collect information on all of your activities, jobs, honors, specialized programs, and non-A-G courses. The UCs look for special talents, achievements, and awards in particular fields-in and out school and academic and non-academic. The application provides room for 5 examples within each of the following six categories:

• Coursework Other Than A-G
• Educational Preparation Programs
• Volunteer & Community Service
• Work Experience
• Awards & Honors
• Extracurricular Activities

You need to provide the hours per week and weeks per year and provide short descriptions of each activity. Focus on your leadership and initiative. Prepare to enter 160 character or less descriptions for each item you list. Remember that working for your family, including childcare counts.

13. Draft the two mandated UC essays: The UCs require you to write two essays (totaling no more than exactly 1000 words) that you paste into the application. It only gives you 30 minutes on the actual pages so prepare your essays in advance. You can write the essays now and make sure you reveal unique information and qualities about you that are not evident elsewhere in your application. Be brave and describe who are really are as this is the only way the UCs can learn about your life and the powerful ways you will enrich their campuses. Some tips:  http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html

• Here are the UC prompts: “Respond to both prompts, using a maximum of 1,000 words total. You may allocate the word count as you wish. If you choose to respond to one prompt at greater length, we suggest your shorter answer be no less than 250 words.”
• You can no longer go over the 1000 word limit.
• 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 #1 (transfer applicants): What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field — such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities — and what you have gained from your involvement.
• 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
• Additional information. If you wish, you may use this space to tell us anything else you want us to know about you that you have not had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in the application (no more than 550 words)

14. Pay for applications via fee waivers, credit cards, or check and apply for specialized program for low-income students. Provide household size and income for 2009 and 2010: To qualify for application fee waivers and to be considered to special programs for low-income students, you need to provide your family’s household size and income for the past two years. You can get fee waivers for four UC campuses if you qualify. Additional campuses are $60 a piece.

15. Research Blue and Gold Plan: Most low-income students than ever are attending a UC campus because the UCs have the Blue and Gold Plan.. If your family makes less than $70,000 per year, you may qualify for the UC’s Blue and Gold Opportunity, which covers the majority of your tuitions, fees, and living expenses. http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/paying-for-uc/financial-aid/grants/blue-gold/index.html

This is a tough year for CSU admissions. More students than ever are applying, the November 30 application deadline for freshmen and transfers is fixed, and you need to make sure your application is correct and complete. Here are ten tips for getting readying for the October 1 launch of the application system for the Cal State’s 23 campuses.

1. Have a working email address:  Check your email often as the CSU campuses will only communicate with you via email.
2. Collect high school and college transcripts: Get a copy of your high school and/or college transcripts.  Make sure they are correct. You need these forms to complete the CSU application.
3. Make sure you have completed the Cal State Golden Four classes by the end of spring 2011.  To transfer, you need to complete your golden four classes (College English, College Math, Critical Thinking, and Speech). There are no waivers for these four classes so make sure you finish them with high grades by spring 2011.
4. Know your schedule for the rest of the year. You need 60 transferrable units. You need to have completed the majority of your GE classes and the classes required for your major. So look at your transcript and pick your classes for winter term and spring so you can complete all your classes by then. Go meet with a counselor now to double-check. You will need to put these classes into your application.
5. Investigate impacted majors and programs:  Many campuses have too many students in particular programs so you may need to find out which ones are limiting enrollment. Here is a link to the list of impacted programs by major and campus. http://www.calstate.edu/sas/publications/documents/ImpactedProgramsMatrix.pdf
6. Use the CSU Planner: Use the planner under Planning for College. You can fill it out anytime and it will transfer right into your application when you are ready.
7. Gather financial information: Collect your family’s financial information. You will need your family’s income if you want a fee waiver for the CSU applications and plan to apply for EOP, a great support program for low-income students.
8. Share your residency status:  Remember, AB 540 student can get admitted to the CSU system but you cannot qualify for a fee waiver or formal financial aid. You need to state your residency status honesty.
9. Follow all deadlines: The Cal States are no longer flexible with deadlines. They will not count any classes you take next summer before transferring, they will not waive registration and transcripts deadlines, so develop a list of deadlines and keep to them.
10. Start looking for scholarships: There are many scholarships out there for transfer students. Look at the Hispanic College Fund. Look at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Campuses have scholarships for AB540 students.

 Introduction:

The 2011-2012 California State University (CSU) system application is open. You have been now and November 30 to submit your application. Go to http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/

 Remember, this is a tough year for CSU admissions. More students than ever are applying, the November 30 application deadline for freshmen and transfers is fixed, and you need to make sure your application is correct and complete.

Here are 15 tips for completing the 2011-2012 application system for the Cal State’s 23 campuses.

1. Have a working email address: Create an email address if you don’t have one. Gmail and hotmail are free and easy to use. Your high school may provide you with an email as well. The CSU campuses will only communicate with you via email and will send your user name and password once your register for CSU Mentor. Check your email regularly or you will miss key deadlines about placement tests, accepting admissions, housing, and more.
2. Collect high school and college transcripts: Get a copy of your high school and/or college transcripts. Make sure they are correct. You need the transcript(s) to complete the CSU application. It takes patience to enter your grades but you do so by school attended and then subject area.
3. Calculate CSU GPA: Calculate your 10th and 11th grade CSU GPA. Ask your counselor if you’re not sure. Add up your honors and AP classes taken in 9-12th grade. You need to input your CSU GPA and number of honors and AP classes onto the application.
4. Calculate Eligibility: If you are a California resident and your CSU GPA is higher than a 3.0, you are eligible for admissions without the SAT or ACT for most campuses but still must submit your scores. Impacted colleges will use SAT or ACT scores as supplemental information to help make admissions decisions. You need to submit your test scores for placement purposes as well. If your GPA is below a 3.0, you need to submit SAT or ACT scores to determine your eligibility. You can take these tests through January. Here is the link to the eligibility page. http://www.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/eligibility_index.asp
5. Send test scores: All students need to send in SAT or ACT test scores. The Cal States will take tests taken through January 2011. SAT: Send your SAT scores to CSU Mentor and all CSU campuses to which you apply will receive your scores. If you are taking the tests later this fall, use CSU mentor as one of your four free score reports. ACT: Send your ACT scores to one CSU campus. Then go onto the CSU Mentor website and use the free ACT scores manager to send the rest of your ACT scores to additional CSU campuses. Additional campuses are free. Confused…get more info at the www.actstudent.org/scores/send/index.html. TOEFL and AP test scores must be sent directly to individual campuses.
6. Find EAP score: If you took the EAP in 11th grade, find out your score as it can help you waive English placement requirements.
7. Determine residency status: You need to know your residency status. Ask your parents or family members. You do not need a SSN number but you need to know how long you have been in the California as the CSU system calculates your tuition based on how long you have lived and attended school in California. Remember, AB 540 student can get admitted to the CSU system but you cannot qualify for a fee waiver or formal financial aid.
8. Explore CSU mentor: Go to the CSU mentor site-csumentor.edu. Explore the great info on different CSU campuses, exploring majors, planning for college, and the application and financial aid process. It will show you each campus that has the majors that interest you. It has a great planner under Planning for College that you can show younger siblings and relatives.  They can fill it out anytime and it will transfer right into their future applications whenever they are ready.
9. Investigate impacted majors and programs:  Many campuses have too many students in particular programs so you may need to find out which ones are limiting enrollment. Here is a link to the list of impacted programs by major and campus. www.actstudent.org/scores/send/index.html
10. Gather financial information and plan to apply for fee waivers and EOP: Collect your family’s financial information. You will need your family’s income if want a fee waiver for the CSU applications and plan to apply for EOP, a great support program for low-income students.
11. Plan to pay for the applications. Each CSU campus has a $55 application fee. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you can apply to four campuses for free. AB540 students do not qualify for fee waivers. Applicants pay by credit card or check.

 Bonus Tips

12. Plan to fill out your EOP application. The 2011-2012 EOP application is online now. You need complete one application but each campus has different deadlines. Here is more info about qualifying http://www.csumentor.edu/finaid/steps/eop.aspYou need to

• provide your family’s financial information
• submit two recommendations using the EOP form. Recommenders can be counselors, teachers, employers, community members, and/or anyone other than a family member who know your potential to succeed in college.
• write several short responses to these questions using several complete sentences for each question.
  • List any volunteer, extracurricular activities, or work experience in which you are or have been involved in the past two years.
  • Why would you like to attend college? Discuss your career and personal goals. Are there any particular circumstances, school experiences, or persons that influenced your preparation or motivation to attend college (e.g., cultural/financial background, family, teachers, schools you attended)? Please explain.
  • Briefly discuss your academic background. Did you utilize any additional support at your high school, such as tutoring? Do your grades in high school and/or college reflect your academic ability or potential?
  • Briefly describe your family’s economic background. Include information about your financial challenges.
  • Please tell us more about yourself. Is there any additional information you would like EOP to consider in determining your admission to the program?

13.  Begin applying for scholarships now.  It is not too early to apply for scholarships. Below are some links to scholarships sites:

• § Latino College Dollars:  http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/
• § Black College Dollars: http://www.thesalliemaefund.org/smfnew/scholarship_directory/index.html
• § Hispanic Scholarship Fund: http://www.hsf.net/
• § Maldef Scholarship List…includes scholarships for AB540 students and all Latino students: http://maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/2010_Scholarship_List.pdf
• § The Asian and Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund: http://www.apiasf.org/
• § College Scholarships with information for athletes and minorities (by ethnicity). http://www.collegescholarships.org/
• § Fastweb is for all around scholarship information: http://www.fastweb.com/

14. Begin to prepare to apply for financial aid. Applying for financial aid is mandatory if you cannot afford to pay for college. The process is safe and confidential. The CSU Mentor website has great information about financial aid and can ever help you begin to calculate different costs and ways to pay for college.  http://www.csumentor.edu/FinAid/.  

15. Start talking to your family now about letting you to a four year college. The Cal States offer a great four year education. Financial Aid covers so much that attending a CSU can be as affordable as a community college. Sometimes the best CSU campuses may be a few hours away from your house. Start talking to your family now about letting you go away and help them understand the benefits of a four year education. If you need help with speaking with your family members–in any language-let us know.

Early Action (EA)- Early Action (EA)- Many colleges enable you to apply Early Action in early to mid November, and you receive a decision by mid-December (or January). Early Action is NOT binding. You can apply to as many Early Action schools as you like. You have until May 1 to accept.

• Pros- 1. You can get an early acceptance to a great college before the winter holidays and eliminate some colleges from your list. 2. You don’t have to accept the EA college.
• Cons- 1. Colleges don’t see your fall senior grades or late November-December test scores. 2. Early Action doesn’t really offer any increased chances of admissions.

Early Decision (ED)- Many private colleges offer Early Decision which is an early BINDING route to college admissions. You apply in early to mid November to ONE college, and you find out by mid-December. Some schools even offer Early Decision II which means you apply in January and find out in February. You should really investigate this college in person by visiting it or meeting with college representatives in your city. You should contact admissions officers, alumni, and classmates who attend this college. Take this decision very seriously.

• Pros- 1. If accepted, you know where you will go to college by mid-December. 2. Colleges deny it but there are distinct advantages to applying early especially if you have a connection to the college or a true passion.
• Cons- 1. You must go. You cannot accept another college if you are accepted Early Decision.2. You cannot always get the best financial aid package as financial aid forms aren’t due until January. So Early Decision is not for those students whose financial resources are iffy. 3. Early Decision colleges don’t see your first semester senior year grades or late November to December test scores.

Early Response- Many public colleges are now offering Early Response, which is very similar to Early Action. You submit your application in the fall and find out within a couple of months whether or not you are accepted.

• Pros- Same as Early Action
• Cons- Same as Early Action

Guaranteed Admissions- Many public universities offer automatic admissions to students who meet certain academic and/or test scores requirements. Students must still apply but get admissions offers earlier than other students. Some state colleges accept all students who meet certain guidelines. Some guarantee admissions to schools in local service areas or at certain sets of colleges.

• Pros- You know early on where you can go to college.
• Cons- Because of the economy, some universities cannot guarantee admissions to all students who qualify.

Priority Applications- Some private universities send priority applications to highly qualified students reducing some application requirements and guaranteeing earlier admissions. They reduce or waive application fees.

• Pros- You can get a great scholarship to such a college.
• Cons- These schools may be too easy for you.

Priority Deadlines- If you apply before this deadline, you have a higher chance of getting admitted and/or receiving a scholarship to a public university. Many state and/or public universities use priority deadlines to encourage early applications. They do not guarantee admissions to those who apply afterward the priority deadlines but do accept some of those applications. The University of Maryland, for example, has a November 1 Priority Deadline.

• Pros-You get a greater chance of receiving a scholarship and getting admitted to competitive majors and programs.
• Cons-None.

Regular Admissions- This is a set deadline for applying to a college. You apply by one date-usually January 1-February 1 for freshmen and February-April for transfers. You find out in March-April whether you get admitted. You must let the college you accept of your decision by May 1. Some major public universities have fall regular admissions deadlines. The University of California and the Cal States have a November 30 deadline for freshmen and transfers. The University of Texas has a December 1 deadline.

• Pros-1. You get to submit your fall grades and all fall test scores. 2. You get to apply for Financial Aid and compare offers.
• Cons- You have to wait until March-April to find out.

Restrictive Early Action- This is the same as Early Action-early deadlines and not binding. ONLY, you CANNOT apply to another other school Early Decision or Early Action.

• Same pros as Early Action.
• Same cons. One additional Con. You can’t apply to another other private college Early Action or Decision.

Rolling Admissions- Many public universities and some private colleges offer Rolling Admissions. You apply as soon as you can and within a few weeks you can find out whether or not you get in. This goes on throughout most of the admissions cycle for a college.

• Pros- 1. You can apply often as early as September or October and find out whether you got accepted by October or November. 2. Rolling is not binding.
• Cons- 1. You can’t submit early senior year grades or later test scores. 2. You can get deferred and should submit additional materials later on.

Withdrawn Admissions- WARNING–If you get into a school and then let your senior year grades drop, especially if you are accepted Early Action or Early Decision, the colleges may WITHDRAW their offer of admissions. Please, keep your grades up!!!

• Pros- Colleges want students who take their senior years seriously.
• Cons- You cannot relax after getting accepted. You must continue to do your best.

1.      Organize your applications as each state has its own application system and requirements. If you plan on applying to two or more states whose applications are on the common application, we recommend you use the common application to save time. Use this chart to help you get started: State University Application and Essay Chart-All 50 States

2.      Keep track of each user name and password you create onto this chart so you can return to each application system easily.

3.      Save all emails from colleges into a college application folder on your computer and email server.

4.      Bring home a copy of your high school and any college transcripts and make sure they are correct. Use these transcripts to complete applications as the majority of state universities ask you to self report your classes, grades, and AP/honors classes. You cannot afford to make mistakes here as they use your self-reported grades to determine admissions.

5.      Send your test scores. The majority of states require the SAT or ACT and require official test scores. Not all require the writing section of the ACT. Most states allow you to submit scores to one central site but make sure as they will not necessarily contact you when you fail to submit scores

6.      Develop a stand alone resume of your core activities, employment, service, interests, and more. Highlight leadership and initiative in the resume. Each state has its own way of collecting activity information. Some allow detailed resumes. Some just allow simple lists. Use your resume to help you prioritize and organize your activity presentation and be consistent across states.

7.      Before you start writing your essays, please collect the essays you must write and develop a strategic approach. Follow these tips:

• Find ways to use essays more than once as many essay topics overlap.
• Look at the prompts and the word length. Each state collects and enforces essay lengths in different ways: paste, upload, mail.
• Remember, most states universities are large and seek diversity. In your essays, describe how well you work have worked with diverse communities and demonstrate how you will make a difference on each campus.
• Make sure to show, not just tell, your demonstrated leadership and initiative.
• Read the entire prompt and make sure you answer the entire question. Some university essays may want a true conclusion.

8.      Make sure to meet all deadlines as top universities are accepting applications earlier and earlier and their deadlines are strict.

9.      Keep track of the online systems for notifying you as many will email you or post on their secure serves, their admissions decisions.

10.  Consider public colleges in states and locations you may not have considered and more and more states want out of state students. Their education systems are wonderful and less expensive than private colleges.

College is definitely not the same as high school! You might’ve thought you got away with putting in half the effort in high school, but college will take 200% of the effort. These are some tips that will help in this transition from high school to college. Some of these I’m sure you’ve heard, and some you probably haven’t, but either way pay attention!

1. Attend a summer bridge program! These are programs during the summer before your freshman year that help under-represented students like us get ready for college. Just about every college has them. Once you get accepted, you may automatically be accepted into one. If not, contact the admissions office and ask about them. The lengths and activities of them vary and some colleges have more than one, but just go to one. Summer bridge programs help you familiarize yourself with your future college: some offer academic classes, college readiness and study skill workshops, and social activities. If THAT doesn’t convince you, at least go so you can get a head start on making new friends. THAT’S A BONUS. Oh, and don’t worry most colleges offer some type of financial aid for them.

I personally did not go to a summer bridge program, and I regretted it all through my first quarter and still do! The worst part was that many of the people I met already had a lot of friends since they had attended a summer bridge program. Also, some programs allow you to earn units so you can get a head start. If I had a second chance, I would definitely want to attend a summer bridge program.

2. Choose first quarter or semester classes wisely. Make sure that you’re careful when choosing your 1stquarter or semester classes. REMEMBER this is your transitioning quarter or semester, so don’t try to jump into college head first! Try to make sure your schedule is evenly rationed in reading, writing, math, etc. and don’t’ think you HAVE TO start your quarter off by taking all major requirement classes as those are usually intense.

I made the horrible decision of taking all intense classes my first quarter thinking I didn’t want to waste any time and this resulted in me having a horrible and stressful first quarter. All of my classes were intense and rigorous, and I was not yet ready for that much so my attitude towards the school and my grades reflected that.

3. Use campus tutoring programs. Make sure to make use of your campus’s tutoring programs! All colleges have them. All you have to do is ask around or google it! The tutoring sessions are usually free, and professors and teaching assistants offer free tutoring as well. Even if you’re confident in a subject, it never hurts to review!

I have been using the free tutoring program since day one at this school and it has been a huge help! The tutoring program even offers extra classes to go over lectures and more and many give final review sessions which definitely come in handy!

4. Make a schedule. Keep a schedule of all important dates regarding school including: pass times, last day to change grade options, fee deadlines, FAFSA, office hours, last day to drop classes, etc. Remember if you miss deadlines, and withdraw from a class, a W goes on your record forever

I do this by putting reminders on my calendar in my cell phone but planners and post- it notes work too just make sure it’s somewhere you will pay attention to. This is really helpful because most of the time you will be super busy and you might not remember deadlines or office hours because time flies so make sure to do this. You don’t want to regret forgetting a deadline to something important.

5. Choose class times wisely. If you were not a morning person in high school, don’t think you can’t be in college! Choose your class times very carefully. So maybe your mom got you to high school at 8 a.m. for 4 years but your mom will not be there to wake you up in the college dorms. Try not to take 8 a.m. classes if you know you have a hard time waking up unless it is completely necessary (some classes offer different hours a day).

I thought that even though I’ve never been a morning person, since I usually made it on time to school in high school I could do it in college. I mean why not right I’ve been doing it every day since elementary school. Well I enrolled in two 8 a.m. classes and I learned it was a very bad decision. Since no one was there to push me to wake me up I would over sleep, or be half asleep in class, or sometimes not make it at all. I have definitely learned my lesson.

6. Get involved. Remember, college is about academics but it is also about broadening your horizons by making new friends and networking. Join clubs, attend events, and visit the endless amount of centers (women’s center, health center, student resource, career services). This will make your first quarter or semester much more enjoyable and will help you meet some of the older students who can give you advice on classes, professors, assignments, etc.

I joined an organization a couple weeks into my first quarter, and at first I was shy but finally I decided to attend a meeting and I loved it! The girls were a great support system when I was having a hard time academically and socializing helped to have something to do to get my mind off stressful things. Sometimes you might not be as lucky and love an organization on your first meeting, but there are many diverse clubs at every campus. You’re bound to love at least one!

7. Set boundaries. Make sure to make your boundaries clear with your roommate or roommates within the first week. This means making sure they will know what they can and can’t borrow, how to handle visitors, study and bedtime expectations, etc.

My roommate and I had this discussion in the beginning of the year and even though we still have to have many discussions it is a lot easier to do after the first one.

8. Keep family ties. Make sure to stay in contact with your family. You may think you want to be independent from your parents but you will soon learn that you will miss their support and comfort so make sure to stay in contact. They can visit you. You can visit them. They are still there for you.

I talk to my parents everyday sometimes for a minute and sometimes for about half an hour depending on how my day I going. I love being able to have someone who I know loves me listen to me.

9. Use office hours. Visit your teacher’s assistant’s and/ or professor’s office hours! These are one of the least used resources. I already talked about this a little but this is very important because you can learn a lot at office hours and ask questions that you would not be able to ask in a lecture hall. Also, you can gain an advantage over other students because if you have a more familiar relationship with T.A.’s and professors they will usually offer you more help of give you more of any idea of what’s going to be on exams.

I don’t always follow this tip, but I know that when I have visited office hours I never regret it. Whenever I have visited office hours, I have never had to wait to see the professor of t.a. because there is usually no one there! Once a teacher’s assistant actually told me what I should focus my studying on for a midterm.

10. Make friends with your hall mates. As first years you’re bound to have some of the same classes so it will help you to have people in your residence halls to study with.

I made good friends with my hall mates and found it really helpful to study in groups and to bounce ideas off of each other when writing papers. Lastly, HAVE FUN! College is what you make of it. So go in with an open mind and ready to work hard and have fun.

Fall 2010 Diversity College Visits.

Fall 2010 Diversity College Visits

This is a list of the many colleges that host diversity college visits for high school seniors this fall. Thanks to Johanna Villanueva, U Penn. Class of2015, a first generation college goer for researching this list as well as Latinos in College for some of the college names. The second is a list of open houses at diversity friendly colleges with no travel funds available.

*(D)= A diversity weekend that covers all costs for all students who are accepted. These programs are competitive and require applications.

(D) (TG) = A diversity weekend that can offer travel grants for some students.

(TG)= Traditional Weekends with some travel grants available.

You can go to getmetocollege.org/hs and see a expanded list that also includes open houses at schools friendly to diverse students but which do not offer funded or specialized weekends.

Amherst College-*(D)

Amherst, Massachusetts 

Program: Diversity Open-house Weekend

• Two Weekends Available. September 25-27, 2010 & October 23-25, 2010
• Application deadlines: Priority- August 2. Regular- August 20.
• To get application: email Dale Hendricks, Associate Dean of Admission/Director of Diversity Outreach
• dhendricks@amherst.edu; 413-542-2328
• For more information, visit https://www.amherst.edu/admission/diversity/divoh

Barnard College-(TG)

New York, New York, All Women’s College

Program: Barnard Bound, Oct 24-25

• Application deadline: September 28th
• Students must be nominated
•  For more info/To get application: contact Rebeca Palacio
•  rpalacio@barnard.edu/212 854 2014
•  Please call Rebeca for questions on travel aid.

Bates College-(TG)

Lewiston,Maine

Program: Prologue to Bates: Two Weekends available

• Application deadline: September 10 for October 10-12 Visit.
• Application deadline: October 8 for November 14-16 Visit.
• To get application: email Luis C.  Martinez, Assistant Dean of Admissions for application
• lmartinez@bates.edu; 207-786-6000
• Scholarships are offered to students who need travel assistance.

Bryn Mawr-(TG)

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, All Women’s College

Program: Fall Preview, Oct 23 and Nov 13

• Application Deadline: September 23 for both Fall Preview and Travel Scholarship
• Contact: Ms. Nate Hall; nhall02@brynmawr.edu
• For more info: http://www.brynmawr.edu/admissions/fpd_travel.shtml

Bucknell University-(TG)

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Program: Across Extremes/Issues of the 21st Century

• A free Conference for HS seniors, Oct 21-23
• For more info: http://www.bucknell.edu/x21409.xml
• To register: http://www.bucknell.edu/x21411.xml
• Travel aid may be offered upon request.

Carnegie Mellon University-(D) (TG)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Program: Celebration of Diversity Weekend (Nov 13-15)

• Requirements: have at least a 3.3 GPA on an unweighted 4.0 scale and at least a combined SAT score of 1700 or ACT score of 25.
• Registration Deadline is Oct 28.Registration will be available online mid Sept: http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/admission/cod/register.html
• Note: There is a fee of $50 when registering.  If you believe you qualify for a fee waiver, contact the admissions office and ask to speak to the event’s coordinator: (412) 268-2082
• Students with financial need: You may qualify for travel assistance, if you meet the requirements.  Please indicate your need for travel assistance when registering.
• Visit http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/admission/cod/travel.html for further conditions for receiving travel assistance.
• Contact the Admissions Office if you have any questions or visit http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/admission/cod/index.html

University of Chicago-(TG)

Chicago, Illinois

Program: Overnight Visits

• Available only to HS seniors. Thursday of Fridays in Oct, Nov, Jan, and Feb.
• Recommended: make reservations three weeks in advance and before you make travel arrangements: 773-702-8650.
•  For more info and to fill out an overnight waiver: http://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/visiting/campusvisits/overnights.shtml

Colgate University-(D) (TG)

Hamilton, New York

Program: Multicultural Open house (Oct 24-25)

• Application must be received no later than Oct 6
• You can find the application here: http://offices.colgate.edu/admission/Open%20House/Open%20House%20Application%202010.htm and you will be notified of your admission to the event by Oct 13 via email.
• Space is limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply ASAP.
• If you have any questions, visit http://www.colgate.edu/admission/diversityandadmission/openhouse or contact the Office of Admission at (315) 228-7401 or via e-mail at admission@colgate.edu.
• Travel assistance available for a limited number of students who demonstrate need. Indicate need on application. If you have any further questions regarding travel assistance, contact the ALANA Cultural Center at 315 228 7330

Colorado College- (*D)                                                                            

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Program: Multicultural Open House, November 6-8

• Application Deadline: Oct 11
• Application can be found here, https://coloradocollege.edu.185r.net/survey/?c=&id=252
• If you are accepted to attend the event, Colorado College will pay your transportation expenses (airfare or mileage or gas) up to $500. If you travel with one or both of your parents, we offer an additional subsidy, of up to $500, for their transportation expenses and provide complimentary accommodations at a nearby hotel.
• If you have any questions, please contact Anna Jaquez, Assistant Director of Admission at: (719) 389-6944 or Carlos Jimenez, Assistant Director of Admission at: (719) 389-6054.
•  For more info, visit http://www.coloradocollege.edu/admission/visiting/MulticulturalOpenHouse.asp

Connecticut College-(TG)

New London, Connecticut

Program:  Explorer Weekend Nov 6-8

• You can find the application here: http://conncoll.edu/admission/adm_explore.htm on the Explore 2010 Brochure
• Deadline is Oct 8
• For more info, contact: Djiara Meehan, Associate Director of Admission and Coordinator of Multicultural Admissions
• Office of Admission  Tel: 888-553-8760; email: Djiara.Meehan@conncoll.edu
• Contact Dijara also regarding travel assistance. Aid is limited, so call ASAP.

George Washington University-(D) (TG)

Washington, DC

Program: Multicultural Open Houses (Oct 28 & 29)

• To register, visit: https://gwapplication.gwu.edu/login/login.cfm  and create an account, then RSVP to this event.
• If you require travel assistance, please indicate the need when registering. There is a limited number of travel assistance scholarships.
• For more information, visit: http://www.gwu.edu/apply/undergraduateadmissions/visitgw/openhousesevents/multiculturalopenhouses

Grinnell College-*(D)

Grinnell, Iowa 

Program: Diversity Preview Program, Oct 28-30

• Application Deadline: Sept 24
• For more info and for the application, visit http://www.grinnell.edu/admissionvisit/gdlp
• OR call the Office of Admission at 800-247-0113 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.(central).

Hamilton College-*(D)

Clinton, New York

Program: Diversity Overnight (Oct 10-11, Nov 7-8)

• Prospective seniors can apply in the beginning of their fall semester by completing the application, which will be available later this month.
• Contact AssociateDean of Students for Diversity and Accessibility; 315-859-4021
• diversity@hamilton.edu
• email Kyra Young regarding travel aid kyoung@hamilton.edu

Harvey Mudd College-(TG)

Claremont, California

 Program: Future Achievers of Science and Technology, Sept 10-11

• Deadline August 16
• For more information, visit:  http://www.hmc.edu/admission1/fastprogram/fast1/fallfast.html

Illinois Wesleyan University-(D) (TG)

Bloomington, Illinois

 Program: Fall Multicultural, Dates TBD (Thurs-Sat)

• Call Kahair early Sept after Labor day for registration and financial aid for travel: 309 556 1044
• Program: Faculty Open House days, Oct 11 & Nov 13
• Call admissions office to set up your campus visit at 1-800-332-2498 For more information and to register, visit http://iwu.edu/admissions/visit/openhouse.shtml

Kalamazoo College-*(D)

Kalamazoo, Michigan

 Program: Crash the Campus, Nov 14-15

• Application found online: http://kzoo.edu/admission/Crash2010Application.pdf
• Deadline to submit application is Oct25. Send application via email (Hillary.teague@kzoo.edu) or fax (269-337-7390).
• At least half of your travel costs will be subsidized. If you would like to be considered for a full travel subsidy, please have your counselor give you a copy of a college application fee waiver (from NACAC, ACT or similar source), which will then be applied to your Kalamazoo College application.
• For more info, visit http://kzoo.edu/admission/?p=crash

Kenyon College-(D) (TG)

Gambier, Ohio

 Program: Cultural Connections, Nov 13-15

• To register, call 800 848 2468 (ask for Kim Totman)
• Deadline is Nov 3. Register ASAP. Space is limited.
• Also, check out Kenyon’s Trustee Opportunity Travel grant for financial aid: http://www.kenyon.edu/x1697.xml
• Call Kim if you have any questions about this program as well.

Lafayette University (D)

Easton, Pennsylvania

 Program: Multicultural visit day, Nov 10- 8:30am-5pm

• No deadline
• For more information and to register, visit http://calendar.lafayette.edu/node/221

Lehigh University (*D)

• Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• Invitation only. Submit your info now.

 Program: Diversity Achievers Program (DAP), Oct 24 and 25

•  Application Deadline is Wed, Sept 22.
• Students must be invited to the event.
• If you are not on the university’s mailing list already, please join it by submitting your info here: http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/mail
• There is no guarantee that you will be invited. Invitations will be mailed soon with links to downloadable forms that must be completed.
• Required Items to submit:

1. DAP Application
2. (Unofficial) transcript
3. SAT/ACT results
4. Personal Essay (option to submit it in the online application): Describe how you plan to contribute to a diverse campus community
5. Counselor Evaluation
6. Overnight Agreement
7. Student Response Form

http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/visit/dap.aspx                               or call (610) 758-3102.

 Middlebury College-*(D)

Middlebury, Vermont

Program: Discover Middlebury (Multicultural Weekend), Oct 24-26

• Application Deadline is Sept 17.
• Application can be found here: http://www.middlebury.edu/admissions/visit/programs/discomiddapp
• If you have any questions, please call 802-443-3000 or visit http://www.middlebury.edu/admissions/visit/programs

Mt. Holyoke College-*(D)

South Hadley, Massachusetts, All Women’s College 

Program: Focus on Diversity (Nov 7-8)

• Please register here: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/admission/diversity_registration.html
• You can also register for Transportation to the event at: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/admission/diversity_registration.html
• For more information, visit http://www.mtholyoke.edu/admission/diversity.html or contact the Admissions Office at 413 538 2023

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill- D (TG?)    

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Program: Hispanic/Latino Student Recruitment Day, Oct 15-17

• For more information, visit http://www.unc.edu/diversity/prospective/hispanicrecruitmentweekend.html in early Sept. No information is yet posted.
• Please contact the Multicultural Programs Coordinator Josmell Perez, B.A. Email: josmell@unc.edu; Phone: 919-843-5517

Oberlin College and Conservatory-*(D)

Oberlin, Ohio

• Program: Multicultural Visit Program, Oct 7-9 ( SAT date), Nov 11-13, & Dec 2-4 (SAT date)
• Must be a student of color, interested in a liberal arts Education
• Application is due

1. Sept 10 for Oct dates
2. Oct 15 for Nov dates
3. Nov 5 for Dec dates

• The application consists of multiple parts:
• The application form, which can be found here: https://hera.cc.oberlin.edu/coladm/mvp/app.html

1. Completed and signed Counselor Form
2. High School Transcript (unofficial copies are acceptable)
3. SAT / ACT / PSAT Scores
4. Statement of Financial Responsibility

• For more information, visit http://www.oberlin.edu/admissions/mvp/index.shtml  or contact 800-622-OBIE (6243)8:30am – 5pm EST

University of Puget Sound-(TG)

Tacoma, Washington

 Program: Fall Campus Day, Sept 25

• Visit this page for more on campus visits http://www.pugetsound.edu/admission/visit/ .

• To arrange your visit and to register, just look for the date you want to come on this page http://em.422x.com/PugetSound/Admission/
• Travel aid offered upon request. Please call admissions office. 253.879.3211 or 800.396.7191.

Pomona College-*(D)

Pomona, California

 Program: MSAP Weekend, Oct 1-4 and Nov 12-15

• Application Deadlines: for Oct. 1-4–Sept 8
• Application Deadlines for November 12-15–Oct 12
• To access application, email Aurora Ignacio at Aurora.Ignacio@pomona.edu

Reed College-*(D)

Portland, Oregon 

Program: Multicultural Scholars Preview Days (November11-13)

• Application Deadline: Oct 1
• You can find the application form at http://www.reed.edu/apply/mspd/how.html
• You must also turn in:
• Essay     Please write an essay on your desire to attend Reed College’s Multicultural Scholar Preview Days and attach it to your application (250  words minimum).
• High School Transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)
• SAT, ACT or PSAT Scores
• If you have any questions, call 1-800-547-4750

St. Ambrose University-(TG)

Davenport, Iowa

Program: Overnight Visits, Sept 26-27, Oct 24-25, Nov 14-15

• Registration has not opened online. You can register either via online of contacting admissions office in early Sept.
• Admissions office: 563-333-6000
• Program: Fall Open House (Oct 11, 23, 29, Nov 12, 19)
• Online registration available online starting in Sept.
• For more information about visiting the campus, contact Vicki Hruby, our campus visit coordinator, 800/383-2627 or 563/333-6300.
• Travel aid offered upon request. Please contact Vicki Hruby.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-(BUS TG)

Troy, NewYork

Program: Science, Technology, Arts at Rensselaer (STAR), Oct 28-30

•  Apply to this program here: https://apply.rpi.edu/register/?id=ba4b1d0f552f44ad95f0a14e75d6f308
•  For more info (travel, etc), visit http://admissions.rpi.edu/STAR/or call the Admissions Office at (518) 276-6216
•  NOFLY INS. Only bus transportation.

Scripps College-*(D)

Claremont, California, All Women’s College

Program: Multicultural Outreach: Discover Scripps, Sept 26-27

• Deadline to submit online application is September 1.
• Link to application: https://scrippscollege.edu.185r.net/survey/index.php?time=2009-09-21%2009:00:00&filter=&id=124&timeID=151
• Travel Grants are available for students who live more than 150 miles away and who need financial assistance getting to campus. Indicate need for travel assistance on application.
• For more info, visit
• http://www.scrippscollege.edu/admission/discover-scripps.php

Smith College-*(D)

Northampton, Massachusetts, All Women’s College

Program: Women of Distinction, Nov 12-14

• Application must be received by Sept24. Applicants will be notified in writing Oct 8.
• Application can be downloaded here: http://www.smith.edu/admission/wod/download.php
• For more information, visit http://www.smith.edu/admission/wod/

Swarthmore College-*(D)

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Program: Discover Swarthmore! Oct 2-4.

• Note: Applications for this program will be accepted until Friday, Aug 20.
• Follow this link to the http://www.swarthmore.edu/admissions/discovery_app.phpand apply ASAP.
• For more information about this event, visit http://www.swarthmore.edu/x6252.xml.
• School will cover all expenses of students invited to the event.

Tufts University-(D) (TG)                                                                                      

Medford, Massachusetts

Program: Voices of Tufts: The Diversity Experience, Oct 28th -29th

• Registration will be available in early September.
• For more info and to register, visit: http://admissions.tufts.edu/?pid=168&c=180
• If you have any questions and for travel assistance info, please call 617 627 3170

Vanderbilt University                                                                              

 Nashville, Tennessee

Program:  Diverse VU, November 2010-(D) (Some TG)

• Registration for this event will be open in Fall of 2010.
• Please visit http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/diverse-admissions-program.php for more info and for registration
• The university has a Travel reimbursement program. There is only a $200 reimbursement. Please contact Brandi Smith for the form and any questions regarding this program. Email: brandi.smith@vanderbilt.edu

University of Vermont-(TG)

Burlington, Vermont

Program: Discovering UVM, October10–12, October 24–26, & November 7–9

Deadline for application:

• Sept 25 for Oct 10
• Oct 9 for Oct 24
• Oct 25 for Nov 7

Application consists of:

1. Parental Consent form
2. High school transcript signed by guidance counselor
3. Recommendation from guidance counselor or teacher
4. Travel Grant, if applying for one
5. Completed Application

• You can apply for a travel grant in the form for the application.
• If you have any questions, contact John Austin at 802-656-2915
• Or email: John.Austin@uvm.edu
• You can find the application here: http://www.uvm.edu/admissions/undergraduate/visiting/?Page=discover.html
• Application must be mailed to:

       University of Vermont, Office of Admissions

       194 South Prospect St Burlington, Vermont 05401

Washington & Lee University-(D) (Group TG)

Lexington, Virginia

• Email Erin Hutchinson for information on Multicultural events in the fall: ehutchinson@wlu.edu
• Fly-ins only available for groups of minority, low-income students, not individual. 

Wesleyan College-(TG)

Middletown, Connecticut

Program: Fall Open House Oct 11, Nov 11

• Visit http://wesleyan.edu/admission/visiting_campus/open_house.htmlfor more info.
• Make sure to look into the Transportation Assistance Program for travel aid (only for Open House) http://wesleyan.edu/admission/visiting_campus/travel_assistance.html
• If you have questions about the Transportation Assistance Program, please contacttap@wesleyan.edu
• Program: Overnight Stays
• Program operates mid-September through the beginning of December, Sun- Thurs.
• To arrange your visit, call Loreen Carta at (860) 685-2974 or Laura McQueeney at(860) 685-2972. For more info, go to http://wesleyan.edu/admission/visiting_campus/overnight_stays.html

Whitman College-*(D)

Walla Walla, Washington

Program: Scholarship Program, Oct 7-8 & Nov 11-12

• Application Deadline: for Oct 7-8–Sept17
• Application Deadline for November11-12–Oct 8
• The application is available here: http://www.whitman.edu/content/admission/visiting/vsp/vsp_app
• Limited event: approximately 85 students each date
• For more info, contact Alana Kaholokula- 877-462-9448 or kaholoas@whitman.edu

Williams College-*(D)

Williamstown, Massachusetts

Program: Windows on Williams

• Application deadline: August 20 for two possible weekends: September 30-October 2 and October 21-October 23
• To get application, email Sarah Varno, Office of Admission, for application: sarah.j.varno@williams.edu
• You must mail application with transcript-unofficial is okay. Or you can fax it.