For the Class of 2015, the finish line is coming up fast and they are about to face decisions about their future. Their first step involves applying to college, and the application window starts this month.

College Awareness Month kicked off Friday, September 26 with an AVID held rally during lunch. The rally informed the audience about important dates, college facts, and also had an amusing game where students competed against their teachers to prove who knew more about college. AVID Coordinator Renee Rice, who organized the rally, says that promoting the event is important because, “Not all students have teachers who are aware of the most current college application information, so it is important that all students have access to the information.”  She hopes that students understand the information they need to apply for college because, “the time to apply for college is right around the corner.”

The first step for applying to college would be to choose a school. Students who qualify for college fee waivers have to keep in mind that they are only given four waivers, so they need to choose their schools wisely. Imagine yourself in your dream school. Think about what you like and what you don’t. Maybe you are an individual who prefers cold weather over warmer weather, so maybe schools located in places higher temperatures are not for you. Maybe you are an individual who prefers smaller classes over large, auditorium filled courses, so it would be better to go to a school that fits your learning environment. Do you have a chance to be accepted into the school? Counselor, Ms. Mariscal says, “Be honest with yourself.” It is obvious where you are able to apply, and she believes you should know where you are capable to get accepted, and if you are really not sure, an easy way to check in the CSU mentor website, where they offer an eligibility index that helps you know where you stand. The little things we don’t think about are of quite importance. Remember that this is the school where you are going to spend about four years in. Choose the school for you, the one that fits all your criteria.

After making your choice, you will start the application process. An application is filled with requirements, which not everybody is aware of.  “They need to have their transcript, they need to know where they are going to apply, they need to know their parents annual income and how many people live in the household, they need their SAT/ACT scores and they need all of their personal information (address, social security number, etc.),”  Rice stated.  All CSU applicants need to turn in their application before November 30 on the CSU Mentor website (www.csumnetor.edu). The UC applicants start their applications in the beginning of November through the end of the month and their application needs to be filled out on the UC site (www.universityofcalifornia.edu). Getting your information ready before time is helpful. Students need to know that applying is not the only step, it’s a process that needs to start early, a process that can change your chances. The UC’s let you know when if you are accepted in March, but it wouldn’t hurt to get all your paperwork ready. The CSU get back to you accordingly to when you turn in your applications. “You’ll have more options,” said Ms. Nava. Having the time in your hands gives you the power to have options.

Students do not have to go through this process alone. Workshops will be offered towards the end of October during the US Government or Economics classes (Mr. Trujillo classes on Monday, October 20, Mr. Kirker on Tuesday, October 21, Mr. Barclay on Wednesday, October 22, and Mr. Pizarro).You will have to bring an official transcript, your SAT/Act scores, if you plan to retake them, and your Social Security Number or Permanent Residency Number. Then, in the beginning of January, the career center will offer workshops for FAFSA applications. It is best that you apply early for FAFSA and the workshops will be a great aid for questions and complications that may come up. To apply you will need your Social Security and your parents’ recent tax returns, so get your paperwork ready. Additionally, AB 540 or the Dreamers now have the same chances, but they have to meet certain requirements. “If the student is AB 540, they can still apply to college and for financial aid!” Rice states. These which you can check online, at the California Dream Network ( http://www.cadreamnetwork.org/ab-540).   Furthermore, if you are planning to attend Hartnell the career center will be offering a college orientation workshop afterschool on the 3^rd and 4^th of November and then take a mandatory assessment test in March 17^th and 18^th.

Colleges and universities want to know you, and the application process is an important step on your journey to college, so don’t wait until the last minute and take advantage of every workshop you can.