The College Advisory Newsletter 3

March 2015

Helping Hand College Guidance

Presents

The College Advisory Newsletter

Update on UC Admissions

All freshman applicants to UC schools should receive admission decisions by March 30^th, 2015. Transfer applicants should have their decisions by April 30th, 2015. This includes waitlist offers. Most campuses will complete freshman decisions by mid-March, but UCLA and UC Berkeley are not due until late March. For transfer students, UCLA and UC Berkeley will complete their decision process in late April.

Financial Aid Priority Deadline Approaching
Every student should fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) https://fafsa.ed.gov/ or a California Dream Act Application http://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp in order to ensure that you are considered for all financial aid. The deadline is March 2, 2015. The FAFSA is used for making decisions on federal, state and school aid money. The Cal Grant GPA Verification Form http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=1177 is also due on March 2^nd, 2015. Schools should submit this form to the California Aid Commission.

Remember to check email and online portals from UC schools often for financial aid award letters and requests for additional documents, responding quickly. If you experience a change in circumstances or budget changes, you can file an appeal for additional financial aid. Financial aid packages should be available before May 1^st, 2015 when the Statement of Intent to Register is due. Students need to reapply each year for financial aid. If appealing, do so as soon as possible and check with each individual campus for their deadlines and correct procedure to follow. Contact Helping Hand College Guidance if you desire assistance with the appeal process.

Test Scores
Make sure to send your official ACT, SAT, or TOEFL scores directly from the testing agency to at least one UC campus where you filed an application. (UC campuses share test score information) Do not send transcripts unless you are asked to do so by a UC campus.

SAT and ACT Upcoming Dates
March 3^rd, 2015 – Late registration deadline for 3/14 SAT

March 13^th, 2015 – Regular registration deadline for 4/18 ACT test

March 14^th, 2015 – SAT test date

March 27^th, 2015 – Late registration closes for 4/18 ACT test

April 6^th, 2015 – Regular registration deadline for 5/2 SAT test

April 18^th, 2015 – ACT test date

April 21, 2015 – Late registration closes for 5/2 SAT test

May 2^nd, 2015 – SAT test date

Free College Workshop Seminars
March 21^st, 2015 (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) – Presenting “Navigating the College Application Process” at Woodland Hills Public Library, 22200 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills

April 25^th, 2015 (1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.) – Presenting “Navigating the College Application Process” at the Westwood Public Library, 1246 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles

Acceptances So Far (for fall 2015)

University of Michigan Ohio State University University of Delaware Tulane University University of Texas at Austin UC Riverside Chapman University San Diego State University University of Portland Santa Clara University

Otis College of Art and Design School of Visual Arts (NY) Arizona State University Cal State Northridge Northern Arizona University West Virginia University CSU Channel Islands CSU East Bay CSU Bakersfield North Carolina State University

One student is being honored at “UC Santa Barbara’s Chancellor’s Reception” for their top applicants.

I will report a complete list at the end of April. Most universities have not rendered decisions yet.

Newest Blogs

• Hit The Road For a Spring Break College Tour
• Are You Confused as to What a Deferral Letter Really Means?
• Advice From a College Transfer Guide on Navigating the Perilous Road of Transferring Colleges

 

Attention 10^th and 11^th Grade Students and Parents

Now is the perfect time to start your college journey. Starting early gives you the greatest chance of achieving your goals, but it is never too late to start. Helping Hand College Guidance of Pacific Palisades offers comprehensive college counseling packages (includes up to 40 hours of college application assistance), 5 and 10 hour packages, and single hour options. Pam Ohriner, private college consultant, is available to take on a limited number of new students and offers one-on-one personalized services. Contact us today for more information.

Current Seniors

Current seniors should be receiving admission decisions in the coming weeks. Contact us if you need help comparing offers of admission, financial aid decisions, or need help writing a letter of appeal for admission or financial aid.

Initial Consultations

Helping Hand College Guidance offers a free 1 hour initial consultation by phone or Skype. A free in-person consultation may be available if you are in our local area. Contact us for more information today about our college counseling services.