UPCOMING EVENTS
Colleges That Change Lives
San Diego CTCL College Fair
Saturday, July 26, 2025
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
44 colleges with student-centered philosophies
CTCL is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. We support the goal of every student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.
INFO & REGISTRATION
https://ctcl.org/san-diego-ca-july-2025/
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Cal-SOAP - College Bound Webinar:
FSA ID/Financial Aid for 12th graders
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
This one-hour webinar will help 12th graders and their families understand what the FAFSA and CA Dream Act are, how to get an FSA ID, and what financial aid they might qualify for (grants, loans, work-study, scholarships.)
INFO & REGISTRATION
https://ucsd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oghcREZlRfmrHHWZpXkadw#/registration
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Cal-SOAP - College Bound Webinar:
UC PIQs and College Essays
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
This one-hour webinar will help 12th graders and their families understand how to write college application essays, including UC PIQs and the Personal Essay for the Common Application.
INFO & REGISTRATION
https://ucsd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_z8UyMxctT8K1xeCz8jRmNg#/registration
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Cal-SOAP - College Bound Webinar: Applying to CSUs and UCs
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
This one-hour webinar will help 12th graders and their families understand how to apply to UC and CSU campuses. Find out what items will be required for the applications and what admissions officers are looking for.
INFO & REGISTRATION
https://ucsd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sEqlmBYgRRCBl434I7sLCg#/registration
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Cal-SOAP - Cash for College: Virtual
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
High school students (12th grade) and families can attend FREE Cash for College workshops for help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act (CADAA) and Chafee Grant for Foster Youth applications. Once you join, you'll be placed in a Breakout Room for one-on-one help. Join any time from 5 pm-6:45 pm.
INFO & REGISTRATION
https://ucsd.zoom.us/meeting/register/OElpsrAbTUSuApCvNqn3Sw#/registration
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Cal-SOAP - College Bound Webinar:
Financial Aid and FSA ID FAQs
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
This one-hour webinar will help 12th graders and their families understand what the FAFSA and CA Dream Act are, how to get an FSA ID, and what financial aid they might qualify for (grants, loans, work-study, scholarships.) Includes Frequently Asked Questions and will allow time for Q&A.
INFO & REGISTRATION
https://ucsd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lazSVd4pTRK2a1hcJc8QnQ#/registration
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Cal-SOAP - Cash for College: Virtual
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
High school students (12th grade) and families can attend FREE Cash for College workshops for help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act (CADAA) and Chafee Grant for Foster Youth applications. Once you join, you'll be placed in a Breakout Room for one-on-one help. Join any time from 5 pm-6:45 pm.
INFO & REGISTRATION
https://ucsd.zoom.us/meeting/register/M6b9ZTRtT52EG01b4OcmaQ#/registration
San Diego Foundation Scholarship Application Opens
January 15, 2026
Website with info
https://www.sdfoundation.org/students/common-scholarship-application/
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Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC)
College Fair
TBD
Scripps Ranch High School
10410 Falcon Way
San Diego, California, 92131
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Practice ACT @ LJHS
TBD
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ONGOING EVENTS
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
Sign up and attend the virtual college fairs sponsored by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC). Get information about colleges, connect with college admissions reps to demonstrate your interest, and get all your questions answered.
Sunday, September 14, 2025
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Sunday, October 19, 2025
10:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Sunday, November 9, 2025
10:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Information:
RECORDED EVENTS
Find more videos and links under
Where to Start ---> Informational Videos
2025 - 11th Grade Spring College Information
May 26, 2025 NEW
Passcode: r8Ak#A&$
2025 - Parent Alumni Panel Discussion
Passcode: S=G6UZ%M
2025 - Student Alumni Panel Discussion
Passcode: ?z6gDk@9
2024 - 12th Grade College Kick Off - Slides
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uoUH0MMmngObPZgZdLhRyN9LTRI4llO_ze9eGHpb0kY/edit?usp=sharing
2024 - 12th Grade College Kick Off - Recording
Passcode: z5*1PDEF
College Essay Writing Workshop for Juniors
Presented by: Elena Wilson, Assistant Director of Admissions & Coordinator of Athletic Recruitment from Trinity University
It was presented during lunch, which is 30 minutes long, so not all the slides were covered.
Video: https://youtu.be/XPCb8JqcsFA
Slideshow: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1B3u2nPhb2mcDeDQd7LIuZLQy5DaL203I3J1Rev-yc1A/edit?usp=sharing
Great recording about the new FAFSA.
NACAC 2024-25 FAFSA Explained
Put on by NACAC (National Association of College Admission Counseling). The speaker was Isaiah Ellis, the awareness and outreach specialist from the Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S. Department of Education. Access to this free recording requires a NACAC account. Those without an account can create one for free.
https://www.nacacnet.org/webinar-2024-25-fafsa-explained/
2024 Parent Panel Discussion
2023 - 12th Grade College Kick Off - Recording
Passcode: K$N^q6eM
Athletic Recruiting - Elena Wilson, Trinity University @ LJHS October 2022
https://youtu.be/eQLfpSulVTc
Lesser Known College Options
Recorded March 23, 2022 is posted on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSu-vsr7CEw
Interesting new videos and articles:
NY Times - Some Students Weigh Leaving the U.S. for College
May 21, 2025
CollegeData.com - 6 COLLEGE ADMISSION TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2025
https://www.collegedata.com/resources/getting-in/6-college-admissions-trends-to-watch-in-2025
"Behind the Curtain of Selective College Admissions"
If you watch one video about college admissions, make it this one! Two independent educational consultants from Estrela Consulting interview:
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Kevin Ramos-Glew, Director of Enrollment Planning and Special Assistant to the Vice President at Dartmouth College
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Rick Barth, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Clemson University
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Sam Prouty, Executive Director of Admissions at Middlebury College
It lasts 55:26 minutes
https://youtu.be/bFs5i6Ya7gk?si=FEG-nyzcBjXDIZ4g
NY Magazine - “The New Trick Families Are Using to Lower College Tuition Bills Many schools are eager for paying students — and ready to offer deals.”
June 25, 2024
LISTEN NOW
Malcolm Gladwell's Podcast episode "Lord of the Rankings" should be required listening for any family using US News or other rankings in their college search: