SENIOR NEWSLETTER
LAUNCH VIRTUAL ACADEMY CLASS OF 2024
CONGRATULATIONS!
You've made it! This is your last year of high school! With it will come special memories, as well as responsibilities and deadlines. The more you stay focused, the more opportunities you will have to enjoy your senior year, while keeping your options after high school open.
Important Reminders
At the start of your senior year, make sure to:
- Check your transcript for any errors, including credits, GPA and community service hours
- Make sure you know what the plan is to meet all graduation and college application requirements
- Plan out all important dates and deadlines for your personal college and career plan
- Contact your counselor if you need to make up any classes!
Ms. Christine Araki, Head Counselor
Alpha: A - Lopez, J
Grades: 7th-13th
Email: christine.araki@sweetwaterschools.org
Calendly: https://calendly.com/ms-araki
Ms. Yumi Saiki, Scholarship Counselor
Alpha: Lopez, K - Z
Grades: 7th-13th
Email: karen.saiki@sweetwaterschools.org
Calendly: https://calendly.com/ms-saiki
FOUR YEAR COLLEGE INFORMATION
APPLICATION DEADLINES
California State University (CSU)
Filing period is October 1 – November 30 (priority deadline)
University of California (UC)
Filing period is November 1 – November 30
Private Colleges
Deadlines will vary, so check with each school
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY (CSU) SYSTEM
There are 23 campuses in the CSU system, from as far south as San Diego State University to Humboldt State in northern California.
Interested in applying to a CSU? Review the admissions requirements to make sure you are eligible.
Unsure which campus you're interested in? Explore the 23 campuses and programs they offer.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (UC) SYSTEM
There are 9 campuses in the UC system, from UC San Diego to UC Davis.
Interested in applying to a UC? Review the admissions requirements to make sure you are eligible.
Unsure which campus you're interested in? Explore the 9 campuses and programs they offer.
Planning on Applying to a Four-Year College or University?
Take a moment to review the Class of 2024 College Application Workshop presentation. This will help guide you through the college applications for the CSU, UC and Common Application platforms. When in doubt, always reach out to your counselor before submitting your application!
ADDITIONAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE (WUE)
Thinking about going to a college or university outside of California? Check out the Western Undergraduate Exchange program! WUE is America's largest regional interstate tuition savings program.
HISPANIC SERVING COLLEGE INSTITUTIONS (HSI)
Explore the 569 HSIs in 28 different states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico
HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCU)
Explore the 79 HBCU's by location, cost and ranking
United States Military Academies
Interested in going to college and serving your country as a military officer? Find out more about the military academies, their admissions requirements and programs:
IVY LEAGUE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Explore the Ivy Leagues, some of the most competitive colleges and universities
SEVEN SISTERS COLLEGES
Explore the colleges known as the Seven Sisters to the Ivy League colleges
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES
There are 116 community colleges in California offering different options from certificate programs to four year college or university transfer pathways. In order to be admitted to a CA community college, students must have a high school diploma or be 18 years old.
Explore the California Community College system!
Ready to apply? Start your application here.
COLLEGE VISITS, TOURS AND FAIRS
Cal-SOAP College Fair 2023
RSVP here.
Find out more information from a wide variety of colleges and universities, including:
- California Community Colleges
- California State Universities
- University of California
- Private and Vocational Colleges
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023, 06:00 PM
San Diego Mesa College, Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA, USA
SUHSD College Fair and Career Expo
Wednesday, Sep 6, 2023, 05:30 PM
3250 Palm Avenue, San Diego, CA, USA
VIRTUAL EVENTS
NACAC Virtual College Fair - September
Register to attend here
Sunday, Sep 10, 2023, 10:00 AM
NACAC Virtual College Fair - October
Register to attend here
Sunday, Oct 15, 2023, 10:00 AM
NACAC Virtual College Fair - November
Register to attend here
Sunday, Nov 12, 2023, 10:00 AM
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are available to all Launch Virtual Academy students, grades 7th-12th, but the majority of scholarships will target students in their 11th and 12th grade years.
Stay up-to-date on local scholarships by accessing the Launch Virtual Academy Scholarship Bulletin. This is a live document that is updated on an on-going basis.
Most scholarships will require letters of recommendation. Please use the Request for Letter of Recommendation form and give your recommender at least two weeks notice before a scholarship or college application deadline.
You are also welcome to use any of the national scholarship search engines like Fastweb, Niche or Big Future. Always remember to use a critical eye when reviewing scholarship requirements. You should never pay to apply to a scholarship. When in doubt, reach out to your counselor!
FINANCIAL AID
All students planning on attending a four-year, two-year or vocational college should plan on completing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
Did you know that first-time community college students may qualify for the California Community Colleges Promise Grant, which waives all enrollment fees, including tuition? Find out more!
Priority deadline is April 2, 2024
Cal-SOAP College Readiness Coaches
Need assistance completing your financial aid application? Launch Virtual Academy is excited to continue our partnership with Cal-SOAP to provide virtual one-on-one financial aid support for all of our seniors. Effective December 11, 2023, each senior will be assigned a College Readiness Coach, who will be available to answer any college or financial aid questions via email and/or Zoom appointment.
Please reach out to your College Readiness Coach (assigned by student last name) to schedule your appointment:
- A - Cosme: Marisela Cota (m2cota@ucsd.edu)
- Cruz - Garcia, D: Isadora Ruiz (ihruiz@ucsd.edu)
- Garcia, E - Lara: Francisco Rodriguez Martinez (fgrodriguezmartinez@ucsd.edu)
- Lewis - Noah, A: Kim Lim (kll003@ucsd.edu)
- Noah, J - Ruiz: Oscar Sanchez (o1sanchez@ucsd.edu)
- S - Z: Josh Paez (j1paez@ucsd.edu)
Financial Aid Update - January 2024
CAREER PLANNING
SUHSD Career Night Series: Health and Mental Wellness
For more information and how to register to attend, please click here
Wednesday, Sep 20, 2023, 05:00 PM
Zoom
SUHSD Career Night Series: Energy, Construction and Utilities
For more information and how to register to attend, please click here
Tuesday, Nov 14, 2023, 05:00 PM
Zoom
SUHSD Career Night Series: Information & Communication Technologies and Digital Media
For more information and how to register to attend, please click here
Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024, 05:00 PM
Zoom
SUHSD Career Night Series: Advanced Manufacturing
For more information and how to register to attend, please click here
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024, 05:00 PM
Zoom
GRADUATION AND END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES
Class of 2024 Cap and Gown Information
Please click here to begin buying your cap & gown and tassel.
Tentatively Launch Virtual Academy graduation date has been set to take place on June 3 at 6pm at Montgomery High School (3250 Palm Ave, San Diego, CA 92154).
You will receive your cap and gown package between the months of April and May. Please do not decorate or write anything on your cap and gown. We do not allow decorated cap and gowns at the graduation.
Launch Virtual Academy/Southwest High School Grad Nite
Launch Virtual Academy will be collaborating with Southwest High School for Disneyland Grad Nite. If you are interested in joining us for Grad Nite, please read and have the forms completed prior to purchasing the ticket at Launch Virtual Academy ASB classroom at 1411 27th St, San Diego, CA 92154. Students must be off the Choices List to participate in the event. Tickets are $339 (cash only) and the deadline to purchase the ticket is February 9.
SENIOR PLANNING CALENDAR
Stay up-to-date on these and other events: LVA Counselor Corner Calendar
August
- Meet with your counselor to review your credits and graduation progress
- Sign up for credit completion if you need to make up any missing credits
- Start applying for scholarships (an ongoing process)
- Attend the Cal-SOAP Financial Aid 101/FSA ID Webinar on Wednesday, August 30th at 6PM
September
- Meet with Ms. Clark-Cadwell to review your college or scholarship essay
- Attend the SUHSD College and Career Expo on Wednesday, September 6th from 5:00PM-8:00PM @Montgomery High School Gym
- Attend the virtual SUHSD Career Night Series on Health and Mental Wellness on Wednesday, September 20th from 5:00PM-6:30PM
- Attend the UC PIQs and How to Write a College Essay Webinar on Wednesday, September 13th at 6PM
- Attend the Senior Year Jumpstart on Saturday, September 16th from 8:30AM-12PM at San Diego City College
- Attend a UC Santa Barbara Virtual Presentation for help with your University of California application
October
- Meet with Ms. Clark-Cadwell to review your college or scholarship essay
- Attend the FutureFest on Saturday, October 7th from 9AM-12PM at Grossmont College
- Attend Senior Year Jumpstart on Saturday, October 1st from 8:30AM-12:00PM at the Scottish Rite Center
- Attend the Financial Aid 101 Webinar on Wednesday, October 5th at 6PM
- Attend the UC and CSU Admissions Webinar on Wednesday, October 19th at 6PM
- Attend the Cal-SOAP College Fair on Wednesday, October 25from 6:00PM-8:00PM at the San Diego Mesa College.
- Begin online CSU Application and submit (priority deadline Nov. 30th)
- Check for SAT and ACT registration deadlines (if needed)
- Start working on UC Application and Personal Insight Questions
- Attend in-person UC/CSU College Application Workshop at Launch Virtual Academy main office (dates TBA)
November
- Attend the Financial Aid FAQ Webinar on Wednesday, November 15th at 6PM
- Attend the virtual SUHSD Career Night Series on Energy, Construction and Utilities on Tuesday, November 14th from 5:00PM-6:30PM
- Attend in-person UC/CSU College Application Workshop at Launch Virtual Academy main office (dates TBA)
- Submit Southwestern College (SWC) applications to peer advisor
- November 30th is the last day to submit CSU and UC applications
December
- Schedule a 1:1 appointment with your Cal-SOAP College Readiness Coach for assistance with your financial aid application.
- Attend the All About Scholarships Webinar on Wednesday, December 13th at 6PM
- Finish your Q2 classes during the Winter Break, if necessary
January
- Start Quarter 3 strong!
- Meet with your counselor to review your grad plan progress. Sign up for credit completion if you need to make up any missing credits
- January 24th: Financial Aid Night @Chula Vista High School, 5PM-7PM
February
- Attend the virtual SUHSD Career Night Series on Information & Communication Technologies and Digital Media on Tuesday, February 6th from 5:00PM-6:30PM
- Saturday, February 24th: Cash for College Workshop @Sweetwater High School
March
- College notifications begin
April
- April 2nd (this year only!): Priority deadline for FAFSA and CA Dream Act Application
- Finish your Q3 classes during the Spring Break, if necessary
- Attend the virtual SUHSD Career Night Series on Advanced Manufacturing on Tuesday, April 16th from 5:00PM-6:30PM
May
- May 1: Deadline for notification of intent to enroll for four year colleges and universities
- Scholarship and Awards Ceremony (TBA)
June
- Request final transcript from Registrar
- Graduation (TBA)