Post on 26-Dec-2015
Presented by the
Briar Woods High School
Guidance Department,
Fall 2011
Juniors:Planning for LifeAfter High School
Juniors:Planning for Life After High School
Why plan?
What are colleges looking for?
What should I be doing right now?
Why Plan?
Life After High School: Why Plan?
Post-secondary education opens doors Post-secondary education gives you options Post-secondary education can help you
make a difference Post-secondary education creates earning
power
Life After High School: Why Plan?
Median Earnings by Level of Education (2008):– High School Diploma: $37,349/year– Associate Degree (2-years): $47,405/year– Bachelor’s Degree (4-Year): $68,201/year– Master’s Degree: $82,278/year– Doctoral Degree: $106,768/year– Professional Degree: $133,116/year
Options for Life After High School
College– Associates Degree: 2-year degree (typically
earned at a community college or a junior college)– Bachelor’s Degree: 4-year degree– Master’s Degree: Typically 2 additional years after
earning a bachelors– Doctoral Degrees & Professional Degrees: PHD,
JD, MD, DC
Options for Life After High School
Community College– Students can earn an Associates Degree, or
students can complete the first year or two of a Bachelors Degree
– NOVA has guaranteed admissions agreements with 56 four-year colleges and universities, and programs
Options for Life After High School
Benefits of community college– NOVA is one of the best community colleges in
the country– Relatively inexpensive– Close to home– A “small step” into higher education– Usually “open” admissions
Options for Life After High School
Trade-schools/Apprenticeships– Many “trades” have more earning potential than careers that
require a 4-year degree
Military– Enlisting in the military and earning a college degree are not
mutually exclusive– Enlisting in the military can help pay for college– Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is available at many
colleges– Military Schools and Academies– Recruiters can provide more information
What are CollegesLooking For?
“The College Admissions Funnel”
Students that enroll Students that enroll (700)(700)
Inquiry Pool (PSAT, Inquiry Pool (PSAT, Search pieces, Search pieces, campus visit, college campus visit, college fairs, HS visits)fairs, HS visits)
31,000+31,000+Thousands of Thousands of applicationsapplications
2,800+2,800+
Accepted studentsAccepted students
1,800+1,800+
Students who pay a Students who pay a depositdeposit
1,000+1,000+
National Association of College Admission Counseling, Survey 2010
Percent of all colleges rating specific factors in the college admissions decision as being of
“considerable importance”
Factors of “Considerable Importance”
Grades in College Prep Courses, 87% Strength of Curriculum, 71% Standardized Admissions Tests, 58% Grades in All Courses, 46% Essay or writing sample, 26% Student’s Demonstrated Interest, 21% (five years ago: 7%) Teacher Recommendation, 17% Counselor Recommendation, 17% Class Rank, 16% Extracurricular Activities, 9% (however…)
What are colleges looking for?
“There is no secret to getting in...Stop looking for a gimmick.
Tune out the hype.Study hard.
Take the toughest curriculum that you can.The heart of the application is
– and has always been –One’s academic preparation.”
-- UVA Magazine
Standardized Testing
SAT Reasoning Test (aptitude; predicts success the freshman year in college)
– Critical Reading– Math– Writing
ACT (achievement)– English– Math– Science– History– Optional Writing section
Standardized Testing
SAT Subject Tests– Usually used for placement– Not used for admissions– Subject test requirements vary among colleges
What should I be doing now?
The Junior Year Goal!
A great college planning goalfor juniors:
Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to
college!
What Should I be Doing Now?
1. Stay on track using checklists & calendars
2. Concentrate on your academics
3. Plan & prepare for the admissions tests
4. Participate in extracurricular activities
5. Research colleges & narrow your list
6. Behave appropriately online
Stay on Track UsingChecklists & Calendars
Use the a monthly checklist Use the resources available on
CollegeBoard.com
ACTION: Print-out a monthly checklist – BWHS website or CollegeBoard.com
ACTION: Create a CollegeBoard.com account and look around the site
Concentrate on Your Academics
Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle.
Work Hard! You can’t “make up for” poor academics
ACTION: Set goals for the grades you plan to earn this year
Plan and Prepare for the Admissions Tests & Take them in the Spring
Hard copy registrations materials are available in the Career Center, or
Register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com
Register for the ACT at www.act.org
Register early!
See the BWHS Guidance website for details
2011-2012 SAT Dates
October 1 November 5 December 3 January 28 March 10 - BWHS May 5 June 2
2011-2012 ACT Dates
September 10 October 22 December 10 - BWHS February 11 April 14 June 9
Preparing for the Tests
Long-term v. Short-term preparation Get free practice tests for the SAT & ACT in
the Career Center – Don’t just take it… have a “dress rehearsal”
Free online CollegeBoard SAT course BWHS SAT course
Free SAT Prep at CollegeBoard.Com
Official SAT Question of the Day SAT Skills Insight My SAT Study Plan SAT Essay strategies Math and Writing reviews
SAT/ACT Prep – Private Sources
Books – look for materials created by the testing companies themselves
Private courses (PTSO)
Plan and Prepare for the Admissions Tests & Take them in the Spring
ACTION: Register for the SAT and/or ACT exams
ACTION: Register for the SAT Online Prep Course through the BWHS website
Participate in Extracurricular Activities
Participate in the extracurricular activities that are meaningful to you – not what you think others want to see.
Extracurriculars include activities inside and outside of school! Community activities are important too!
Don’t be tempted to spread yourself too thin. Be a leader!
ACTION: If don’t participate in an activity, sign-up for one. Get into a leadership position.
Research Colleges & Narrow Your List
There are over 4,000 colleges in the United States!
“The Student Admissions Funnel”
The best college for you!The best college for you!
Inquiry pool (public, Inquiry pool (public, private, size, cost, private, size, cost, majors, religious majors, religious affiliation, athletics)affiliation, athletics)
4,000+4,000+After research, After research, narrowing the field is narrowing the field is key!key!
8-10-15 schools?8-10-15 schools?Applying to collegeApplying to college
4-6 schools?4-6 schools?
Narrowing your final Narrowing your final decisiondecision
1-3 schools1-3 schools
Research Colleges & Narrow Your List
College search programs– CollegeBoard– Family Connection
Research Colleges & Narrow Your List
Mail from colleges Books/magazines Internet resources, college websites Family, friends, teachers, counselors
Research Colleges & Narrow Your List
College visits to BWHS The BWHS Career Center College Fairs
– LCPS College Fair, every September– Diversity In Education College Fair, March 2012
Visit Colleges
Classes Students Campus Dorms Dining Halls Surrounding Neighborhoods Extracurricular Activities Take notes!!!
Research Colleges & Narrow Your List
ACTION: Complete an online college search using CollegeBoard or FamilyConnection
ACTION: Schedule a visit on your family’s calendar
ACTION: Contact a college or two about tours and programs
Behave Appropriately Online
Appropriate email address Facebook, Youtube, forums, etc. If you wouldn’t put it on a resume, job
application, or college application – don’t post it online!
ACTION: If you need to clean anything up, do it now
What Should I be Doing Now?
1. Stay on track using checklists & calendars
2. Concentrate on your academics
3. Plan & prepare for the admissions tests
4. Participate in extracurricular activities
5. Research colleges & narrow your list
6. Behave appropriately online
What Should I be Doing Now? – Actions you can take this week
Print-out a monthly checklist Create a CollegeBoard.com account Establish goals for your grades Register for the SAT and/or ACT Register for the SAT Online Prep Course Sign-up for an extracurricular activity Complete a college search Schedule a college visit Clean-up your online presence
What’s Next?This Year
“Life After High School” classroom presentations Every junior will be emailed an “e-index” Scheduling & post-secondary student/counselor
conferences in the Spring “Making the College Search Count” assembly in
the Spring Diversity in Education College Fair, March Spring College Information Night for Juniors
What’s Next?Senior Year
Fall College Information Night for Seniors Classroom presentations in early Fall Individual student/counselor conferences in
the Fall Financial Aid Night in December
The Junior Year Goal!
A great college planning goalfor juniors:
Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to
college!