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THE ROAD TO COLLEGE
STARTS HERE
A College: Making It Happen presentation for Middle School students and their parents,
sponsored by Cal-SOAP.
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Subjects to be discussed
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The student role
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The parent/guardian role
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Support and resources
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The five systems of higher education in California
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Choosing a college that is right for you
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Making middle school coursework count
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The transition to high school
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Financial aid resources
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THE ROAD TO COLLEGE…
IN PERSPECTIVE
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Why go to college?
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Greater and more diverse career options
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Personal and educational growth
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It pays off…
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TIPS: The student role
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1. Crack the books
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2. Set your goals
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Strong grades and a competitive GPA are habits that must begin in
middle school.
Which colleges interest you?
What majors will you consider?
Do you have any career objectives in mind?
3. Make a plan
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How will you reach your goals?
 What kind of GPA do you need?
 What classes will you take in high school?
 What kind of extracurricular activities will you pursue?
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TIPS: The student role
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4. Do your research
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5. Stay motivated
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Explore possible college and career choices:
 Online research: www.collegeboard.com (to be discussed)
 Support at school: counselors, teachers, outreach organizations
 Advice at home: parents, siblings, extended family
It’s never too early to prepare for college. It will keep you motivated!
Choose friends that share the same goals.
6. Talk to your parents
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Discuss your goals and plans with your parents– they can help!
Consider possible high school, college, and career choices together.
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TIPS: The parent/guardian role
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TIPS: The parent/guardian role
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1. Prioritize your child’s education
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2. Celebrate achievements
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Create a family calendar in order to schedule homework, study,
extracurricular, and recreational times.
 Be aware of school deadlines in order to keep your child on track.
Regularly check report cards and discuss progress with your child’s
teachers so you can celebrate good grades and consistent effort.
Remember, your child’s motivation is the most important guide on the
road to college.
3. Be involved
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Help choose and plan your child’s extracurricular activities.
Be aware of your child’s circle of friends.
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TIPS: The parent/guardian role
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4. Encourage good habits
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5. Talk
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Calendars, planners, schedules
A designated study time…everyday
Extracurricular activities
NOW is the time for the college talk.
 Remember, colleges will consider your child’s work from day one of high
school to graduation day.
Ask questions:
 What are your child’s career interests? Favorite subjects? Weakest subjects?
Seek resources
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Look for school and community resources in order to build a support network
for your child’s success…
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The college talk begins…NOW!
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We will now take a 30 second break…
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PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Turn to your students and ask them one or
all of the following questions:
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1) Where do you want to go to college (i.e. possible campuses,
cities, states)?
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2) What careers are you interested in?
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3) What are your strongest and weakest subjects in school?
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Building a support network
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The College Team: Who’s in it?
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The student, of course!
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Family matters: parents/guardians, siblings, extended family
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Good friends– with shared goals
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School staff: teachers, counselors
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Local outreach organizations…like Cal-SOAP!
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Seek resources…because we all
need a little help
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Encourage your child to join an after school program that
supports a college-going culture.
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Finding a program:
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School: talk to teachers, counselors, and principals
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Community organizations– i.e. libraries, recreational centers,
religious institutions
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Research programs and advice online with the After School
Alliance: www.afterschoolalliance.org (Click on “After School in
My Community”)
Seek the services of educational outreach organizations that
may be present in your middle schools or high schools.
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Cal-SOAP, TRIO, UPWARD BOUND, GEAR-UP, EAOP, etc.
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DISCLAIMER: The times, they
are a-changin’
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The most important tip of all for students and parents:
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Do your research and remain up-to-date with college requirements.
Recent changes (announced in 2009) have affected:
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The UC testing requirement
The UC Eligibility in the Local Context GPA range
The impaction of majors in select CSU campuses
The Transfer Agreement Guarantee program at the CSU
Tuition fees at all California public campuses, including community
colleges
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Disclaimer: All requirements discussed today, apply only today.
It is your responsibility to remain aware.
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Let’s learn about some colleges…
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THE 5 SYSTEMS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA
AND THEIR REQUIREMENTS
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Requirements: A cheat sheet for
college acronyms
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GPA- Grade Point Average
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AP- Advanced Placement
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Optional courses in high school that offer college credit, if students pass a final examination
“A-G”
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Colleges will ask for either the student’s weighted (extra points for honors/AP courses) or
unweighted GPA
A curriculum of University of California (UC) approved general education courses, listed
A-G, that must be completed in high school for college entrance
Standardized Tests:
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SAT- Scholastic Aptitude Test (a.k.a. SAT Reasoning Exam)
ACT- American College Test
 Most universities require scores from either the SAT or ACT
 What’s the difference?
SAT Subject
 Subject-specific exams that some private universities may require or recommend (i.e.
Spanish, US History, Literature, etc.)
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University of California
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Stats:
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10 campuses
Research-based
Approximately $27,000 per year for total fees
Basic admission requirements:
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A-G coursework
3.0 GPA
SAT or ACT
 SAT Subject Update: Beginning with the senior class of 2012, the
SAT Subject exams are no longer required (but recommended)
“Comprehensive/Holistic Review”
 Important factors: extracurricular activities, leadership roles,
community service, etc.
Transfer Agreement Guarantee for CA Community College students
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California State University
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Stats:
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23 campuses
Traditional university setting
Approximately $15,000 per year for total
fees
Basic admission requirements:
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A-G coursework
Meet minimum eligibility index (a
number derived from an equation that
considers both GPA and SAT/ACT
scores)
SAT or ACT
Transfer Agreement Guarantee for CA
Community College students
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California Community College
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Stats:
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112 campuses
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Transfer, Associate’s Degree, vocational, and certificate programs
available
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Approximately $2,000 per year for total fees
Basic admission requirements:
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High school diploma or GED or
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18 years old
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(Note: High school students can enroll in community college
classes with high school’s approval.)
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Private Colleges
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Stats:
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Many, many campuses (i.e. University of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene
University, Stanford University, National University)
Campus settings/focuses vary widely
Costs vary widely
Basic admission requirements:
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Vary, but generally accept courses covered by the A-G curriculum
GPA varies, but generally selective
Testing requirements vary, but generally require SAT or ACT
 (SAT Subject exams may be required or recommended, depending on campus
and major)
Transfer requirements and programs vary
Generally practice Holistic Review
 Extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and community service considered
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Vocational/Technical Institutions
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Stats:
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Many campuses, depending on field of study (i.e. Art Institute of
San Diego, FIDM, Paul Mitchell School, Universal Technical
Institute, Concorde Career Institute)
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Degrees and/or certificates available
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Costs vary widely
Basic admission requirements:
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Admission requirements vary widely. Research application
procedures at each program of interest.
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(Note: Many vocational programs are available at community
colleges for a much lesser cost.)
+ CHOOSING A COLLEGE
THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU…
COLLEGE EXPLORATION BEGINS TODAY
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Make-or-break criteria
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A few, basic factors to consider when researching college
campuses…
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Institution type (public, private, vocational)
Majors/minors offered
Campus/enrollment size (large vs. small classes)
Campus reputation
Geography (urban/rural; in-state/out-of-state)
Distance from home
Housing (available/guaranteed?)
Campus resources (libraries, computers)
Costs (tuition, books, room and board)
Financial aid offered
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Make-or-break criteria
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Some more factors to consider…
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Tips for successful research:
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Religious affiliation
Gender-specific vs. co-ed
Student body diversity
Extracurricular activities offered
Social life (sororities, fraternities, clubs)
Begin to visit campuses as early as possible.
Don’t rely on name recognition/hype. Find your best fit!
Don’t pick campuses just because your friends are applying. Make
your own decisions!
Don’t rule out colleges because of cost. Financial aid is available.
Online research: College Board “Profiles” and “Matchmaker”:
www.collegeboard.com
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MAKING MIDDLE SCHOOL
COUNT:
PREPARING EARLY FOR COLLEGE
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Did you know?
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There are two courses that middle school students can take
for A-G credit NOW:
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Algebra 1
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Foreign Language
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Spanish, French, Cantonese, etc.
…BUT, you must earn at least an ‘A’ or ‘B’ in order to prevent
repeating the course in high school.
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Middle School Checklist
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6th Grade:
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Take challenging classes to help prepare yourself for high school
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Begin the college talk with your parents
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Start a calendar of homework and activities
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Teach yourself good study habits now!
Encourage your parents to start saving for your college education
7th Grade:
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Enroll in Algebra and a foreign language– they count for A-G credit!
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Perform well on standardized tests– they’re good practice for the CAHSEE and SAT/ACT
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If you need help, seek a counselor/teacher/tutor NOW– don’t wait!
8th Grade:
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Ask your parent/guardian to help you research colleges and careers: www.collegeboard.com
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Research financial aid options with your parents: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
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Talk to your parents about choosing a high school
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Become involved in school or community activities that will let you explore career interests
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THE WONDERFUL TRANSITION
TO HIGH SCHOOL
PLANNING YOUR NEXT FOUR YEARS
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The notorious “A-G”
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2 years
a) History and Social Science
4 years
b) English
3 years
(4 years rec.)
c) Mathematics (algebra, geometry, and algebra II)
2 years
(3 years rec.)
d) Laboratory Science (1 year of biological science and 1 year
of physical science)
2 years
(3 years rec.)
e) Foreign language (both years must be in the same language)
1 year
f) Visual and performing arts (art, dance, theatre/
drama, or music)
1 year
g) Elective chosen from the subject areas listed above
or other college preparatory course (2 semesters
or 1 year-long course)
In order to find a unique list of A-G courses approved for your
high school, visit the UCOP Pathways website:
https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/
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Five tips for high school success
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1. Make sure you take a healthy number of A-G courses every year– in addition to
your high school requirements and electives. Passing may mean a “C”
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2. Show progress and diversity in your coursework.
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3. Talk to your counselor every semester!
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The big question to ask: “Am I on track to apply for ____ college(s)?”
4. Work on your “application builders”:
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If you excel in a subject, take its Honors/AP level.
Extracurricular activities: clubs, sports, student government
Leadership roles
Community service
5. Balance your school work and social life with college preparation, i.e.:
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SAT/ACT preparation and examination
College research
Scholarship searches and applications
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FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES
(PARENTS: LISTEN CLOSELY!)
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Money, money, money
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Government grants/loans:
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Campus-based grants and scholarships:
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Apply for the FAFSA by March 2 of your senior year in high school
Apply with your admission application and/or once enrolled in college
Scholarships: You should begin applying in middle school and not
stop till you have a college degree!
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Online search engines: www.fastweb.com ; www.cashe.com ;
www.collegeboard.com ; www.scholarships.com ; www.maldef.org
School/community resources: counselors, teachers, peers, career
centers, public libraries, community organizations, etc.
Financial aid is available for everyone! Undocumented students, foster
youth, and veterans’ dependents should talk to a counselor or Cal-SOAP
representative in high school.
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Money, money, money
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Tips for scholarship success—Start NOW:
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Apply for as many scholarships as possible
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Don’t neglect smaller, local scholarships
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Bridge multiple applications
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Recycle, recycle, recycle
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Paint a strong self-portrait in scholarship essays
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Keep a written personal inventory
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Prioritize school work and class time
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Stick with it
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The road to college…
starts here, today
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When you need directions, contact Cal-SOAP:
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Online: www.sandiegocalsoap.com
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Phone: (858) 569-1866