Whether you plan to continue your education, enter the military or the working world after high school graduation, this bulletin is designed to assist you. When specific questions arise, please see your counselor to discuss them. Refer to this bulletin frequently for updates and new information.

DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS: It is extremely important to listen to daily announcements to give you important information regarding colleges and testing such as PSAT, SAT, ACT and AP.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: In order to receive a diploma and participate in the graduation ceremonies, students must pass all graduation requirements and proficiency tests by the day of graduation of their senior year. Go online to www.calabasashigh.net to read the Course Catalog for exceptions.

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD: If you have not already done so, obtain a Social Security Card. Most colleges, scholarship programs, and employers require that you have one (usually to be used as your I.D. number). Applications are available at your local Social Security Office. Bring your birth certificate and school I.D. card.

EMAIL: Most colleges communicate with you through email so be sure to check your email frequently because you may receive questions and/or updates regarding your college applications. You may want to set up a separate email account for college application purposes.

NAVIANCE: If you haven’t already begun to research colleges, start now! The Naviance program will come up with such lists as the www.echoices.com website funded by our ROP. The free website of all California colleges is www.californiacolleges.edu. If you want to go to college in another state, then you can use either NAVIANCE or echoices websites to search for colleges geographically.

Many factors are involved when choosing a college. Some students set up a check list or chart using the excel software, for example, listing all factors under each college to which they want to apply.

PSAT/NMSQT: If you intend to go to a four-year college, you are strongly encouraged to sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). It is excellent practice for the upcoming college entrance exams. Juniors’ scores will automatically be placed in competition for various prestigious scholarships.

MILITARY SERVICE: If you are considering entering the military service after graduation, local recruiters’ names and information are available in the College & Career Center. When males reach their 18th birthday they must register with the Selective Service. Forms are available in the College & Career Center or the post office or online at www.sss.gov.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS: Most colleges/universities require that you submit scores from either the SAT Reasoning Test or the American College Test (ACT). Some, such as the University of California, will also require you to take SAT Subject Tests. It is your responsibility to check each college website to determine which test(s) the college or university requires. It is strongly recommended that you take either the “ACT Plus Writing” and/or the SAT Reasoning Test.

• For juniors preparing to take AP exams in May, it is suggested that you also take the SAT Subject in May (if the colleges to which you’re applying require SAT subject tests) then the SAT Reasoning Test and/or the ACT Plus Writing in June.

• However, if juniors are not taking AP tests in May, but the colleges in which you are interested still require subject tests, then it is suggested that you take your SAT Reasoning Test in May and your SAT Subject Tests and/or the ACT Plus Writing in June.

• You may repeat the SAT Subject, SAT Reasoning Tests and/or the ACT in September, October, November and/or December of your senior year. Most colleges will accept these fall test scores, but there are some exceptions. For example, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo prefers that the ACT be taken by October of your senior year. San Diego State, Sonoma State, Long Beach Sate require the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT to be completed by November of your senior year.

• Registration forms for these tests are available in the College & Career Center or online (SAT’s website www.collegeboard.com and ACT’s website www.actstudent.org). Colleges will see all SAT scores. However, you may choose which ACT test score to send with your college applications. Check the deadlines for registering for these tests. “Standby” registration is available, at an additional fee, for either the SATs or the ACTs. “Standbys” are accepted on a first come, first served basis, if extra test booklets are available. You are encouraged to register in advance online to take these tests in the spring of your junior year. Free SAT and ACT prep can be accessed online at www.uccp.org.

• College entrance exams are not required for admission to community colleges.

NCAA APPLICATIONS: If you want to play your sport in college, at the end of your junior year you must register online with the NCAA at www.ncaaclearninghouse.net. You should start contacting college coaches. You can research what colleges offer which sports at which athletic division by using NAVIANCE and/or echoices online.

Work permits are available in the Counseling office. See Mrs. Tobor.
COMMENT: Make the most of this year. . . make use of resources available to you at Calabasas (your teachers, counselors, the College & Career Center, tutoring resources). You may see your counselor during Support Period, Nutrition or Lunch.