Volume 4, Issue 3
November 2017
Peter Johansen High School
School Code: 051994
641 Norseman Dr.
Modesto, CA 95357
Phone: 209-576-4702
Fax: 209-576-4752
College Counselor
Mrs. Hildebrandt
E-mail:
209-576-4948
College and Scholarship Newsletter
Deadlines! All CSU and UC applications are due on NOVEMBER 30th - NO
exceptions! MJC has rolling admissions meaning you can apply at any
time and private or out-of-state campuses have varying application
deadlines.
All SAT/ACT testing must be completed by the December test
dates. Don’t forget to send your score reports when you register for the
tests! You get 4 free reports at the time of registration. If you wait - the
cost is around $15 per report per school!!!
This is not the time to procrastinate! Be sure to complete and submit
your college applications a week before the due date. Waiting until the
last minute, might mean you end up dealing with websites that shut
down due to traffic. Don’t miss out on a college opportunity because
you waited until the last minute.
Some reminders:
> Sign up for Remind to get updates and reminders throughout the
year. Senior Remind text: @joho2018 to 81010.
> Refer to the information handed out during your government class
the first month of school for dates, deadlines, websites, etc.
> Check your transcript for accurate information! Obtain a copy of
your transcript from your academic counselor or any teacher. Make
sure your personal information is accurate: full name (if you don’t
use multiple last names but they are all listed on your transcript, you
need to get it changed), address, phone and date of birth. It is vital
that the information you list on your college and financial aid
applications matches exactly the information on your transcript. If
any of your personal information on your transcript needs to be
changed, have your parents contact Ms. Saxton in data entry as soon
as possible!
> Make sure to update your college application list in Naviance.
Transcripts and letters of recommendations cannot be sent unless
your colleges are listed in Naviance.
Scholarship search engines to check
out:
www.fastweb.com
www.cappex.com
www.scholarships.com
**Create a separate email account for
these scholarship searches!
Page 2 October Newsletter
CSU and UC:
> Check your email and/or mail for instructions on how to set up your portal for each campus. You may also have to set up an email account specific to each university. Keep track of your user names, passwords and ID# for each university.
> Check your portals and/or emails weekly! Read the “To Do List” to see what each school needs and when they need it.
> If your list shows “transcripts” check the deadline.
> If the deadline is in January/February, see the registrar, Mrs. Welch, after winter break to submit transcripts that include your 1st semester grades.
> If the deadline is June/July, your transcripts won’t be sent until after graduation showing your final senior grades.
> If the deadline is earlier than January, see Mrs. Hildebrandt now.
> If your list shows ACT/SAT scores, make sure you have sent your scores to 3594 for all CSU campuses or to any one UC for all UC campuses. If you’re taking the tests in December, make sure you send your score reports before you take it.
> AB540/Dream Act students: watch for the letter from CSU asking for residency verification. You will need to complete the appropriate forms and submit your transcripts. This is to verify that you have been attending school in California for at least three years. Contact the individual campuses if you have questions.
> IF you applied for EOP (Educational Opportunities Program) make sure you’ve spoken with your recommenders to let them know to look for the email. Also make sure you have given them a copy of your LOR form.
> Keep your grades up! You don’t want to be one of the stories of a students who had their admission rescinded because you earned a D or F in your senior year.
> Be on the look out for special instructions. Do NOT listen to your friends—this is where things become very individualized. What they need will likely differ from what you need. Some students are asked to submit a 7th semester transcript, while others are not. Don’t miss your deadlines because a friend didn’t have the same ones.
> Start looking at scholarships to apply for. Most start becoming available in January, but there are many that have deadlines in December.
Private Universities:
> Check your email daily! Some schools require you to set up a portal or university email, others do not.
> Make sure you have sent your SAT and/or ACT scores to each school you’ve applied to. Scores must be sent from College Board and ACT directly to the school.
> Check the university’s financial aid webpage for university and/or major related scholarships which you can apply. Also find out if they require you to fill out the CSS profile or if they accept the FAFSA or if they need both.
> Mid-year reports are sent at the end of January once your 1st semester grades are posted to your transcript. See Mrs. H in January to send mid-year reports.
> Most students begin receiving acceptance notifications in March and April. Some may be earlier.
Page 3 October Newsletter
Seniors if you haven’t started your applications, you are behind. Get an unofficial copy of your
transcript and get started! CSU and UC application deadline is NOVEMBER 30th!! No exceptions!
MJC Application at www.mjc.edu
CSU Application at www.csumentor.edu
UC Application at www.ucop.edu/pathways
Common Application for most private and out-of-state college at www.commonapp.org
Check out college virtual tours and videos at www.youuniversitytv.com
Do you need a letter of recommendation for your college application? Only private and some out-
of-state college request letters of recommendation from teachers and a secondary report which
includes a letter of recommendation from a counselor. UCs, CSUs and Community Colleges do
NOT accept letters of recommendation. If you are applying to a private or out-of-state college and
have not attended a Common App workshop or spoken with Mrs. H, you must do so ASAP.
College News and Info
Letters of recommendation
Pick up a Personal Profile for Letters of
Recommendation form in the Career Center.
PLEASE give teachers, counselors, bosses, etc. at
least 3 weeks to write your letters. Fill out the
form as completely as possible and then
photocopy it to give to your letter writers. If you
are applying to EOP you will need to give one of
these forms to the two people you have asked to
recommend you for EOP and make sure you
have their correct email addresses.
IMPORTANT
***The last day to request LORs for any deadline
prior to January 19, 2018 is Monday, December
4, 2017 in order to have everything submitted
prior to winter break.***
Students accepted to a CSU must
demonstrate the ability to take college level
coursework in English and Math. There are 5 ways to
do this:
1. Earned a READY status on the EAP test taken your
junior year.
2. Earned CONDITIONALLY READY on the EAP test
AND complete accepted course work with a C or
high in both semesters.
3. Earned an SAT score of 500+ on the Critical Ready
section or 550+ on the math section. Earned an
ACT score of 22+ in English or 23+ in math.
4. Score 3+ on appropriate AP exam.
5. CSUs will no longer give placement exams. They
will place students in the appropriate level classes
based on SAT/ACT, EAP or AP tests along with the
grades you earn in Math and English.
Page 4 October Newsletter
MJC News
Scholarships for MJC - http://www.mjc.edu/studentservices/
finaid/mjcscholarships.php Deadline is December 10th at 5pm
Apply at www.mjc.edu
You may enroll in classes at MJC while still in high school:
Go to www.mjc.edu, under student services select “apply to MJC” and follow the
instructions for “Special Part-Time Students.”
Tuition is waived for students still in high school, fees are approximately $30, plus
books if required.
AB540/Dream Act Students: Make sure to visit the International Student Office in
the East Campus Student Center to receive a lot of support, answers to your questions
and meet other students with similar backgrounds. They also have a student club and
other ways for you to get involved while at MJC.
COMPLETE your FAFSA or Cal
Dream Act Applications NOW
All seniors began their FAFSA or Cal Dream Act
applications during government class at the
end of October. This application is absolutely
necessary in order to receive financial aid for
college. This includes Junior Colleges, CSUs,
UCs and Private/Out-of-state schools.
DO NOT wait too long to complete your
application! If you or your parents have
questions, make sure to contact Mrs. H as soon
as possible. Even though the deadline is March
2, 2017, there are scholarships and grants
(including Work Study) that are on a first come,
first serve basis. If you wait until March to
submit your FAFSA/Dream Act Applications you
may lose out on opportunities to receive
financial aid!!!
Page 5 October Newsletter
Juniors:
□ Continue to research colleges: Naviance, representative visits to Johansen, school websites, virtual tours, campus tours, etc.
□ Plan to visit campuses over Winter Break if you’re going to be traveling near a campus.
□ Check transcript for A-G course completion.
□ Sign up for ESS for any D or F grades in A-G classes.
□ Study for finals! Remember this year’s grades are the last the colleges will see when you apply.
□ PSAT results coming soon. Listen for an announcement on when/how to pick them up.
□ Begin putting together your list of activities, awards, volunteer, work experience, etc. starting in 9th grade. You will need this for next year.
Sophomores/Freshmen:
□ Begin thinking of what academy/pathway and classes that you’ll ballot for Sign up for ESS to make up any D or F grades.
□ Freshmen - complete your 4-year plan to make sure you’re on track for your post high school goals.
□ Spend time in Naviance researching careers you’re interested and learning what school/training you’ll need.
□ Study for finals! Grades now COUNT!
Seniors:
□ SUBMIT UC AND CSU APPLICATIONS!
□ Send SAT/ACT scores NOW!
□ Set up a Portal for EACH school to which you apply. This is how they will communicate with you all the needs for your application.
□ Check your college email and/or portal daily!
□ Finish your FAFSA/Dream Act applications. The sooner you finish the sooner you will know what financial aid you qualify for.
□ Apply for scholarships! Read the list in each monthly newsletter and make note of deadlines. Apply for as many as you qualify. Sign up for scholarship databases like FastWeb.
□ Ask for teachers, counselor, bosses, etc. to write you a letter of recommendation. Fill out the Personal Profile for the LOR and give a copy to NO LATER than December 4th!
□ Make sure ALL colleges you’re applying to are listed in Naviance. This is how most documents, including transcripts, get sent to your schools. It is also how we will keep track of your acceptances.
□ Bring copies of your acceptances to Mrs. H as soon as you start getting them! Congratulations to those who have already heard back from some of their colleges!
NOVEMBER TO DO LISTS:
Page 6 October Newsletter
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarships - The Jack Kent
Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is available to
high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who
seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year
colleges and universities. Recipients are selected based on
exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need,
persistence, service to others, and leadership. Awards are up
to $40,000 per year. Visit http://www.jkcf.org/scholarship-
programs/college-scholarship/ for more information and to
apply. Deadline: submitted by noon EST, November 14, 2017
Sixt Scholars Program Scholarships - 5 - $5000 scholarships
available to seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.7. Visit https://
www.sixt.com/sixt-scholars/ to apply. Deadline: November 30,
2017.
UOP Powell Scholarship - a $37,000 per year scholarship for
students attending UoP. Need a 3.7 or higher GAP, have taken
a rigorous curriculum (Pre-AP/AP), demonstrate superior
leadership skills, SAT of at least 1350 or ACT composite of at
least 30. Visit http://www.pacific.edu/About-Pacific/
AdministrationOffices/Office-of-Financial-Aid/Types-of-
Financial-Aid/Scholarships/Powell/Powell-Scholarship-
Program.html to apply. Deadline: December 1, 2017.
Central Valley Automotive Player with Drive Scholarship -
scholarships of 2, 3 and $5,000 will be awarded to a seniors
who played varsity football for the entire 2016-17 season. Visit
http://www.modbee.com/sports/high-school/prep-football/
article104713661.html to apply. Deadline: December 1, 2017.
Boston University Trustee Scholarship - 20 students top
students are awarded this four-year, full-tuition scholarship.
Students interested in applying to BU visit bu.edu/admissions/
trustee for more information and to apply. Deadline:
December 1, 2017
CSU Fresno Smittcamp Family Honors - Only 50 students are
selected each year to enter the program. Minimum 3.8 GPA,
top 10% of senior class, minimum 1200 SAT or 27 ACT. Visit
http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/honors/application/
to apply. Deadline: December 7, 2017
AXA Achievement Community Award - Multiple scholarships
from $2500-$25,000 are awarded to students with ambition
and drive, determination to set and reach goals, respect for
self, family and community and have the ability to succeed in
college. A limited number of applications are accepted - Apply
early! Visit https://us.axa.com/axa-foundation/AXA-
achievement-scholarship.html to apply. Deadline: December
15, 2017
Burger King Scholars - Scholarships ranging from $1000-
$50,000 for students attending college. Recipients are selected
based on GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities and
community service. Visit https://bkmclamorefoundation.org/
who-we-are/programs/burger-king-scholars-program/ to
apply. Deadline: December 15, 2017
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education Essay Contest -
5 scholarships totaling $18,000 are available to juniors and
seniors. Students will write an 800-1000 word essay on the
prompt provided. Visit https://www.thefire.org/student-
network/essay-contest/ and following the instructions.
Deadline: December 31, 2017
Unigo $10k Scholarship - applicants must be at least 13 years
old, be a legal resident of the US and submit an online short
(250 words or less) written answer to the following question:
“Weighing the expected investment and return, is college
worth it for you? Why?” Visit https://www.unigo.com/
scholarships/our-scholarships/unigo-10k-scholarship to apply.
Deadline: December 31, 2017.
NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award - is open to any senior
starting college next fall. MUST be running your own business
to be considered for an award. Visit http://www.nfib.com/
foundations/yef/yef-programs/young-entrepreneur-awards/
to apply. Deadline: January 2, 2018
San Joaquin Council of Engineers - multiple scholarships
available for students planning to enroll in an engineering
program in college. Must have a 3.0 GPA and meet minimum
SAT/ACT scores. Visit http://www.sjec-ca.org/downloads.htm
to apply. Deadline: Postmarked January 13, 2018
Scholarship Info