GUNN COUNSELING COLLEGE UPDATE
11th GRADE - SPRING
We hope this finds you in good health! With everything going on, we'd like to provide you with a quick update. Gunn counselors continue to offer one-to-one Junior Conferences to each student. During this meeting, in addition to our typical agenda, we are updating students on recent developments and answering any questions they may have.
For students with aspirations of attending a 4-year college, we have summarized some information below to resource you as parents and to keep you up-to-date on everything that has unfolded in college admissions.
Above all, we want to reassure you that we remain available to support students and ensure each student has the information and resources to pursue their post-high school goals.
COLLEGE RESPONSES
Many colleges, including the University of California (UC) system and California State University (CSU) system, have eased admissions requirements to help students and families in the wake of COVID-19.
- The UC system response can be viewed HERE.
- The CSU system response can be viewed HERE.
CREDIT/NO CREDIT GRADING
As you may know, Don Austin, PAUSD’s superintendent, recently announced that all current coursework will move to a credit/no credit grading system for final second semester grades. Rather than thinking about credit/no credit grading in terms of points, percentage cut-offs, or letter grade equivalents, teachers were strongly urged to think of student learning in the context of demonstrating mastery of the remaining concepts for the course this semester. We understand this is a change in thinking, and encourage you to reach out directly to teachers if you have any questions about how this impacts your student’s classes.
STANDARDIZED TESTS
The May administration of the SAT has been cancelled. The June 6, 2020 SAT administration is not yet canceled, and College Board will continue to assess its status with the health and safety of students and educators as the top priority. For the most up-to-date information from College Board, click HERE.
The April administration of the ACT has been cancelled, and tentatively rescheduled for June 13, 2020. For the most up-to-date information from the ACT Board, click HERE.
In response to standardized test cancellations, a growing list of colleges have announced they're going test-optional for the class of 2021, meaning the SAT or ACT will not be required for admission. Fairtest.org has a comprehensive list of test-optional colleges and universities.
Here are a few articles to learn more, including access to lists of schools that have gone test optional:
AP EXAMS
We would like to give you the following updates regarding the changes to AP exams this year.
AP is providing free remote learning resources to students
Beginning on Wednesday, March 25, students can attend free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. Click HERE for free remote learning resources and specific exam topics
AP is providing optional at-home testing:
The exams will be 45 minutes and free response questions only.
For students who registered by March 6, students will have two exam dates to choose from.
College Board will have more information for students with approved accommodations at a later date.
The full exam schedule will be available by April 3.
Students will be able to take the exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. Taking a photo of handwritten work will also be an option.
Students already registered for an exam can choose to cancel at no charge.
Students may cancel exams by logging into Total Registration and cancelling their exam(s). A full refund will go back to the original payment method.
For the most up to date information from AP, please click HERE.
COLLEGE VISITS/TOURS
This is the time of year we typically encourage students to step foot on college campuses to get a sense of how they look and feel. With so many campus closures, colleges and universities are finding creative ways to provide tours and information. Many schools now offer virtual walking tours directly on their websites.
In addition, the following resources will help you learn more about various campuses:
TITAN PLANNING GUIDE
NAVIANCE RESOURCES
WELLNESS
During these unnerving times, it is normal to feel anxious and uneasy. Here's an article we hope will help guide you through conversations with your children:
EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP?
GUNN COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Email: gunn-counselors@pausd.us
Website: https://gunn.pausd.org/wellness-counseling
Location: 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Phone: 650-354-8212