Students have been reviewing their 1st Semester grades, updating their 4 Year Plans, and exploring the Course Catalog in preparation for Course Selection.

Course Selection

February is Course Selection Month. Students will be logging in to their Infinite Campus accounts and making course requests for next year. Remember that our Master Schedule is built around the choices students make at this time. Please choose thoughtfully, there will not be a lot of room for schedule changes when the new year starts. If students have questions about which classes are appropriate as we move into Course Selection, they will have time to discuss their options with their TA. Current teachers are also a good resource for choosing an appropriate class as they know a student’s work habits and their understanding of subject material. To help guide students as they complete their course selection for next year, see the links below:

Course Catalog

Honors/Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment Agreement

Important Dates for Course Selection:

9th Grade

• Feb 10th - Begin Course Selection in Advisory
• Feb 24th - Turn In Signed Course Selection Sheets and H/AP/DE Agreement (if applicable) to TA in Advisory & Individual meeting time

10th Grade

• Feb 3rd - Begin Course Selection in Advisory
• Feb 13th (Mon) - Turn In Signed Course Selection Sheets and H/AP/DE Agreement (if applicable) to TA in Advisory & Individual meeting time

11th Grade

• Feb 10th - Begin Course Selection in Advisory
• Feb 13th (Mon) - Turn In Signed Course Selection and H/AP/DE Agreement (if applicable) to TA in Advisory & Individual meeting time
• Feb 24th - Turn In Signed Course Selection Sheets and H/AP/DE Agreement (if applicable) to TA in Advisory & Individual meeting time

If needed for 9th & 10th grades -Advisory on March 3rd can offer more time for Individual meetings

9th & 10th Grade Parent Night

Thank you for taking some time to join us last Wednesday 1/18/23 for our combined Parent Night. Here is the slide presentation for those who couldn’t join us. Please reach out via email if you have any questions.

Seniors

Application Status Reminders & Admissions Decisions for Seniors

While many seniors might not receive admission results until April, others will learn of acceptances earlier (often online through the application status portals). Some seniors have already heard good news and a few of the CSU campuses have started releasing admissions decisions; congratulations! Be aware that there are deadlines to meet even after students are admitted.

Some colleges host events for admitted students to help them gain more information to make matriculation decisions. While many of these events will be hosted virtually, students are entitled to miss 5 days of school senior year to visit colleges, providing they complete and submit the approval form to the Attendance office, in advance. While teachers are supportive of students missing class to visit colleges, missing class during Spring can be challenging. Students need to demonstrate responsibility by planning ahead with their schoolwork and turning it in/planning to take quizzes/tests in advance and use Tutorial to meet with teachers--ahead of college visits--to create agreement.

If students want to live on campus, it is suggested they visit the campuses' housing websites to sign up--even before they learn an admission decision--as requests to live in residence halls will fill up fast at large, public colleges like the CSUs and UCs. A deposit might be required so research deadlines and cancellation policies.

Watch for deadlines for next steps: (a) intent to enroll, (b) signing up for required summer bridge programs (like the Early Start Program at the CSU)--if applicable, and (c) signing up for orientation. It is fair to wait until April 1--by which students should learn their application decisions (and financial aid packages--again, often online through the application status portals) from all campuses--before deciding where to accept admission. Typically the deadline for these important tasks is May 1--but orientation dates fill up quickly. At orientation, an advisor will help students register for classes, so attending an early orientation session gives students a better shot at signing up for the classes they want. In addition, many colleges and universities will require up-to-date immunizations before students matriculate to campus; if needed, schedule these in advance of orientation.

Upcoming Events

In-Person Gap Year Fair - Mon., Feb. 13 in at Gunn High School 6-8:30pm; registration required.

You might want to get an overview of Gap Year information by reading that section on www.paly.net/college .

And, check out other events from USA Gap Year Fairs. There are also many resources available from Gap Year Association.

Those off-campus college fairs, information sessions, and virtual events Paly is aware of are listed on the calendar on paly.net/college. Please click on the event name to expand the entry for registration information as you will register with an external contact, not Paly (nor Naviance).