Frequently Asked Questions - Counseling

When should I start thinking about college?

It is best to begin thinking about college no later than junior high or middle school. A student who decides to go to college before high school is able to use all four years to help reach his or her goals. If you know the courses you need to take in high school, you can start satisfying college admission requirements as early as the 8th grade. The decisions you make about your high school studies can influence whether the college you choose will also want you.

Suppose I know that I want to go to college, but I am not sure what I want to study?

You can begin thinking about your choices early to consider all the different aspects of a job. Do some research, find out what jobs are available, and talk to people who work in an area that you think sounds interesting. It may not be necessary to decide on a specific career immediately, but it is a good idea to narrow your choices as much as possible.

What high school courses do I need to take to help me get into college?

Animo Inglewood follows the University of California A-G requirements. Computer science courses or courses that require students to use computers in research and project preparation are often essential for college performance. Participation in extracurricular activities is also a good idea in high school. Courses that require study and time outside the classroom (like speech and debate, band, communications, and drama) indicate a willingness to cooperate with others and to put forth the effort needed to succeed. You should be participating in some sort of summer enrichment program throughout your high school career. Your grades are important. However, the difficulty of your coursework can also be a significant admissions factor. In general, most colleges prefer students with average grades in tougher courses than students who opt for an easy A.

What else can I do to improve my chances of being accepted?

Class Rank
College admissions counselors usually consider class rank. By doing so, colleges are looking at the grades you get in relation to those of your peers. The University of California will provide guaranteed admission to one of its campus ( There is no guarantee to being admitted to your first choice.) if you are within the top 4% of your class.

Standardized Tests
In addition to coursework, grades, and class rank, scores on standardized tests (such as the SAT and ACT) can be included among the criteria for admission to some colleges and universities.

College Credit Before You Start
Often high school students are eligible to receive college credit while they are still enrolled in high school. Advanced Placement and test-preparation courses offer students who prepare early and take more difficult courses during their junior high and high school years the chance to earn college credit and save on tuition.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available in over 20 subjects. Students scoring high enough on AP exams can receive college credit and thus save time and money by taking fewer college courses. Ask your high school counselor if AP courses are available in your school.

Does it help to take both the ACT and the SAT I?

Some students do choose to take both the SAT I and the ACT, and some test takers do perform better on one than the other.. There really isn't any way to know whether you will do better on one or the other until you take them. You should definitely take both!!

What if I get a terrible score? Can I take the test a second time?

Yes, both the ACT and the SAT allow students to take the test several times. And sometimes scores do improve enough to make the difference for a particular student. But there is no guarantee that a student's scores will improve. If you want to improve your scores, you should see about doing some things to prepare first. Grab that test prep book and start studying!!!

What is student financial aid?

Student financial aid is money that is provided to help students and their families pay for college expenses. College can be expensive and many students and their families cannot afford to pay for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and the living expenses associated with attending college. Federal and state governments, colleges and universities and various organizations attempt to ensure that college is affordable for all students, by providing student financial aid to help meet the college costs for students who do not have sufficient resources. The federal government provides 75 percent of all financial aid awarded to students across the country. Nationally, states provide 6 percent of all aid, and institutions provide 19 percent. Of all federal financial aid, three quarters come in the form of student loans.

Who is eligible for financial aid?

While eligibility for financial aid varies somewhat between programs, the basic requirements for major student aid programs are as follows:

have financial need, except for some scholarship and loan programs
have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or pass an independently administered test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, or meet other standards your state establishes that are approved by the U.S. Department of Education
be enrolled as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at an eligible institution
be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
have a valid Social Security number
make satisfactory academic progress
sign a statement of educational purpose/certification statement on refunds and default (found on the Student Aid Report)
register with the Selective Service System if you are a male between 18 and 25 years of age.

Who is considered a citizen or eligible non-citizen?

You must be one of the following to receive federal student aid:

U.S. citizen
U.S. national (including natives of American Samoa or Swain's Island)
U.S. Permanent Resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Permanent Resident card)

If you do not belong to one of these categories, you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) showing one of following designations:

Refugee
Asylum Granted
Aliens paroled into the United States for at least one year
Aliens who have been granted a stay of deportation pursuant to 8 USC section 1253(h) due to fear of persecution on account of race, religion, or political opinion
Conditional Entrant valid if issued before April 1, 1980

Citizens and eligible noncitizens can receive loans from the FFELP and the Direct Loan Program at participating foreign schools. Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Palau are eligible only for Federal Pell Grants, FSEOG and FWS. These applicants should check with their financial aid administrators for more information.

How can I make up credits he or she has failed?

Summer School and Night School are available options. Students may retake a course at Animo Inglewood summer school or at another school site. It is your responsibility to provide Animo Inglewood with your transcript. Another option is to take evening classes at the Inglewood Community Adult Education Center (310) 330-5225 or at the Centinela Valley Adult School http://www.centinelaschool.org/. Visit the counseling office for more information.

What Is "Dual Credit"?

A dual credit course is a college course taken by a high school student for which the student earns both college and high school credit at the same time. Some courses are taught online, or via television while others are taught at the Junior College Campus during the day, evenings, and weekends. By participating in the dual credit program, it enables you to make substantial progress toward your college degree before finishing high school. Students who begin taking courses in their junior year can earn thirty or more college credits by the time they graduate from high school if they also take summer classes at the college. You can earn sophomore status even before you start college full time.

How can a student obtain a work permit?

Work permits may be obtained from the main office. A work permit is needed for each job held by a student until they reach the age of 18. Students should have the promise of a job before requesting a work permit. Animo Inglewood can revoke the permit if your grade point average falls below a 2.0.

If a student fails courses for the year, is he or she retained?

Students are promoted to the next grade based on the total number of credits earned.

To be promoted to 10th grade, students must have 60 credits.
To be promoted to 11th grade, students must have 120credits.
To be promoted to 12th grade, students must have 180 credits.

*** You receive 5 credits for every course that you complete with a D or above grade.

If I get a D in a course, do I need to retake the class?

The answer is yes and no. You do not need to retake the class for Animo Inglewood class credit. However, most universities will not accept a D grade as fulfilling their admission requirements. If you are interested in going to college you may want to retake the class.

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Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions - Counseling