• Your College/Career Center is working hard to make things happen!

• We are in deep with the one-on-one advising meetings with Juniors and will continue to support our Seniors as they navigate their important upcoming decisions.

• Project Reaching Bigger Goals (RBG) recently completed class presentations in Sophomore English classes to discuss college knowledge.

• Unfortunately, Ms. Savage, our "bouncer" and your BFF in the CCC, will be unavailable for the remainder of the semester. We ask for your patience and understanding as we do our best to support everyone.

Spring break is just around the corner! Take this time to relax, have fun, recharge, and maybe even get a little productive.

• Seniors, this is a great opportunity to visit the colleges you've been accepted to and explore your options.
• Juniors, consider taking a road trip to check out local schools and start thinking about where you might want to apply.
• Sophomores and Freshmen, while it’s a good idea to visit colleges, keep in mind that things can change over the next few years, so don’t stress too much about making decisions just yet!

Count down 42 days until graduation! WOW!!!

What are you doing after you graduate? College? Work? Gap year? Keep in mind somethings you should be on top of:

• Open your portals
• Pick a college
• Commit and register
• Check out the housing portal
• Finish your financial aid

If SMC is it, did you?

• Apply to SMC
• Do the online orientation
• Create your ED Plan
• Talk to a counselor

Did you fill out the FAFSA/CADAA? (This is mandatory to get the SMC promise grant)

• The deadline is April 2

Remember, senior year grades matter! Even if you've been accepted to colleges, admission offices expect you to finish strong. Failing to do so could result in your acceptance being rescinded. Stay focused, finish the year on a high note, and build a strong momentum into next year!

Be sure to follow the College/Career Center Instagram account as yet another way to receive important information. Current social media campaign: "Day in the life" videos for Samohi alumni attending colleges all over the country! See what it's like to be a student at UC Santa Cruz, CSU Fullerton, USC, Stanford, and more to come!

We are fortunate to have colleges and universities visiting our campus this semester. Please be sure to register through your Naviance account and don't forget to get a call slip from your College/Career Counselor before school, during lunch, or after school prior to the visit.

If you haven’t opened your college portals yet, now is the time to do so. They contain important information, including admission decisions, potential missing requirements, financial aid award letters, and more.

If a college asks you to create an account, make sure to do so by setting up a username and password. Be sure to store this login information in a secure place to avoid forgetting it later.

Seniors who wish to be considered for federal (Pell Grant), state (Cal Grant & SMC’s Promise Program), and potentially institutional aid must submit the FAFSA or CADAA. Some colleges also require the CSS Profile. Be sure to check each college's financial aid website for specific requirements and deadlines.

April 2, 2025 is the FAFSA/CADAA priority deadline for California colleges. To be eligible for the Cal Grant, you must submit the FAFSA/CADAA, and Samohi will submit your GPA on your behalf.

The CSS Profile is now open. Please review the [CSS Profile Participating Institutions and Programs list] to determine if any of the institutions you're applying to require it. Deadline: Varies by institution.

Approximately 56% of seniors have completed FAFSA/CADAA!

Don't wait! Do it now!

Here are recourses the Department of Education are hosting. Please take advantage of them if you have any questions, worries, or wonderings. If you want to learn what you need to do to get started filing out the FAFSA, how to submit FAFSA, what happens after you submit the FAFSA, please click this link Federal Student Aid Web Series and check it out.

Quick and easy access to the most up to date information go to the FAFSA Twitter page.

Financial aid award letters will be made available by colleges that accept you between February and April. Once they are ready, you can access them through your individual portal. Be sure to carefully review all of your award letters to compare which institution offers the best financial aid package.

Need help understanding your financial aid award letter? Please click on links below to get more information.

How to read your financial aid award letter

How to View Your Financial Aid Awards Cal Poly

Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Letter Dartmouth Admissions

Financial Aid Overview UCSB

Scholarship search engines:

• Unigo.com
• Scholarships.com
• Fastweb.com

Seniors!!!! Check it out!

Our mission is to assist young, motivated students in their quest to obtain a higher education by awarding four one-time scholarship awards of $1000 each. These scholarships are open to HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS who have been accepted by a college or educational institution.

Download, fill application and send to them by May 5.

Submit your SMC application and complete all necessary steps by Friday, March 28 to receive priority enrollment. Do not miss out on the opportunity to register for classes EARLY!

College/Career Center field trip

Samohi SAT Day

AP Testing

Senior Award and Scholarship Night (by invitation only)

Graduation

Things to think about!

• What do you have planned for the summer?
• What colleges are you thinking about applying too?
• Brainstorming on what to write your PIQ's or Common App Essay.
• Who will write your letters of recommendation?
• Have you started or finished your Brag Sheet?

The College Admissions Survival Guide will help you stay on task.

Put some words of wisdom from seniors here

The Survival Guide is here to help! It's your go-to resource for everything you need to stay on track, from deadlines and applications to milestone checks. If you haven't already, be sure to check it out. It’s designed with you in mind—print it, pin it to your wall, or bind it for easy access whenever you need guidance during the college application process. Inside, you'll find key dates and deadlines that are essential to keep you moving forward.

• Keep your grades up! Academic performance is always at the top of an admission evaluation.
• Stay involved on/off-campus! Join school clubs and organizations to develop valuable soft skills.
• Summer break is around the corner! Seek out summer opportunities, take an SMC class, do something fun or that you love, and/or find a passion project.
• If you have time, explore college options via campus visits, "Day in the life" student videos on YouTube, or social media posts.

If you can’t visit colleges in person, be sure to check out their virtual tours! They’re just a click away and a great way to explore campuses from the comfort of home. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a feel for the schools you’re interested in! Check out the ones below.

We’re here for you! We’ve got your back. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s always best to clarify things before submitting your applications. You can make an appointment with us, or feel free to drop by before school, during lunch, or after school. We’re eager to help you succeed!

College app season has turned our kids into hangry hangry little kiddos! Unfortunately, our wallets cannot handle their insatiable appetite.

To help meet this need, we are collecting donations of non-perishable snacks. Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Here are some examples of popular items that students enjoy:

• Granola Bars
• Fruit Snacks and Fruit Leathers
• Chips Ahoy Cookies
• Any Type of Chips
• Rice Krispies Treats
• Cheez-Its
• Pop-Tarts
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Gummy Bears and similar snacks

Your support will make a big difference, and we truly appreciate your generosity. Donations can be dropped off in the College Career Center before/after school.

Thank you for helping us provide students with the nourishment they need to succeed!