Is College Worth It?
Like most complicated questions, the answer is "It Depends." The median bachelor's degree has a net return on investment of $306,000 (which is the increase in lifetime earnings minus the cost of college). Some degrees are worth millions of dollars, while others have no net financial value at all.
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What Do Colleges Look For?
First, the college admissions specialists will evaluate your academic record. They will consider the rigor and variety of the courses you took. They will note the grades you earned in various subjects, your grade point average, and your cumulative academic grade point average. Your academic record is almost always the most important factor in college admissions. It is never too late to improve it. Senior year grades are very important.
Second, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT are also important. Before taking the test, most students familiarize themselves with the kinds of questions they will face and practice their test-taking skills.
Third, your leadership in various organizations and/or community service is also a factor in college admissions.
Counselor and teacher recommendations are often important factors. Some colleges do not ask for teacher recommendations, and a few do not require any recommendations. It is important that you follow the college instructions. Due to high volume, the counselors and the registrar request that any and all applications that require a letter of recommendation and/or transcripts requests be presented to the counselor or registrar by the end of October at the latest.
The application form you submit may help or hurt your chances substantially. A sloppy, ill-composed application may end your candidacy at a given college. Most students apply online. Your essay/personal statement should be written by you in your best prose — no grammatical, spelling, punctuation, or stylistic errors.
Again, your nonacademic activities and accomplishments, both in school and out, can be a significant factor in college admissions. This tends to be true more often with selective colleges and definitely with the University of California. Be sure to let the colleges know about your participation in clubs, sports, athletics, leadership roles, community service, notable achievements, and jobs — both volunteer and paid. Colleges look for well-rounded, motivated, energetic leaders. Intensive participation in a few activities or projects usually is more significant than lesser involvement in a larger number. Be specific and detailed about important activities.
California Colleges
California Colleges is an online platform designed to help Santiago students to plan and prepare for college and their future career. It allows you to explore various college majors and careers through interest inventory questionnaires, access financial aid information and apply to various colleges and universities.
University of California (UC)
Explore information on all nine University of California Campuses. This site allows you to access various information on each campus as well as apply to them. Be sure to check out the deadlines. Local campuses include: UC Riverside and UC Irvine.
California State University (CSU)
Explore information on all twenty three CSU campuses. This site allows you to access various information on each campus as well as apply to them. Be sure to check out the deadlines. Local campuses include: CSU San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona and CSU Fullerton.
California Private Colleges and Universities (AICCU)
Explore all of California's private nonprofit colleges and universities affiliated with the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universitites (AICCU). Local campuses include: Cal Baptist University, La Sierra University, Loma Linda University, University of Redlands, The Claremont Colleges, University of La Verne, Hope International University, and Chapman University.
California Community Colleges (CCC)
Access information on the local community colleges and find out what types of programs they offer. Local colleges include: Santiago Canyon College, Norco College, Riverside Community College, Chaffey College, Moreno Valley College and Mt. San Antonio College.
DREAM (Disability Rights, Education Activism and Mentoring)
This website provides resources and information for students with disabilities interested in post secondary education.
HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities)
This website lists colleges and universities identifying as Hispanic-serving institutions.
Campusprideindex.org
This website provides resources, information, ally groups and support for LGBTQ students seeking to navigate the college world.
California Colleges is an online platform designed to help Santiago students to plan and prepare for college and their future career. It allows you to explore various college majors and careers through interest inventory questionnaires, access financial aid information and apply to various colleges and universities.
University of California (UC)
Explore information on all nine University of California Campuses. This site allows you to access various information on each campus as well as apply to them. Be sure to check out the deadlines. Local campuses include: UC Riverside and UC Irvine.
California State University (CSU)
Explore information on all twenty three CSU campuses. This site allows you to access various information on each campus as well as apply to them. Be sure to check out the deadlines. Local campuses include: CSU San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona and CSU Fullerton.
California Private Colleges and Universities (AICCU)
Explore all of California's private nonprofit colleges and universities affiliated with the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universitites (AICCU). Local campuses include: Cal Baptist University, La Sierra University, Loma Linda University, University of Redlands, The Claremont Colleges, University of La Verne, Hope International University, and Chapman University.
California Community Colleges (CCC)
Access information on the local community colleges and find out what types of programs they offer. Local colleges include: Santiago Canyon College, Norco College, Riverside Community College, Chaffey College, Moreno Valley College and Mt. San Antonio College.
DREAM (Disability Rights, Education Activism and Mentoring)
This website provides resources and information for students with disabilities interested in post secondary education.
HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities)
This website lists colleges and universities identifying as Hispanic-serving institutions.
Campusprideindex.org
This website provides resources, information, ally groups and support for LGBTQ students seeking to navigate the college world.