Planning Your Future

What happens after high school?!

Juniors2015

Handouts:

7 Step Process / Check List – orangePost High Planning Day flyer - yellow

Post-High Planning Registration Sheet – pink

Educational Opportunities in SD Booklet

Introduction of Guidance Staff

Counselors Paula Wilson A B C E F G

Melissa Good H I J L M N

Kim Elder O-V

Katie Baskerville D K W X Y Z

Other Guidance Staff Kathryn Sosa Gifted Education

Luke Wenker Lifeways

Marcia Geyer Registrar

Jenny Dragoo Records Secretary

Brenda Sinclair Secretary/Receptionist

It is Important to continue your education – you have options.

College

Technical/Vocational

Military

Work Force –

apprenticeships and on the job training

87% of all jobs in the U.S. require some sort of education/training

Step 1: Career Exploration

Career Information Sites

www.sdmylife.com

www.mappingyourfuture.org

www.bls.gov/oco

(Look online for jobs that may interest you and what you will need to do to accomplish your goals.)

ASVAB – military career assessment March 2nd @SHS during early release

Career ExplorationStep 1 Continued…

Not sure how to narrow down your interests?

Try a Beyond the Books Student Internship!Explore your interests in career related fields.

Decide if it is a right fit for your future.

Gain valuable work experience early.Meet other professionals in the field and gain

networking opportunities. Employers see interns as prospective future employees.

It also looks good on a resume!

Step 2: Academic Preparation

Update your PLP.

Take advanced classes (dual enrollment/AP)

Take classes in your area of interest.

Take 4 years of math and science.

Be involved!

Take Beyond the Books/Student Internship and/or do community service.

Check in with your counselor to make sure you are on track for your future goals.

Work hard!

ACT/SAT College Entrance ExamsStep 2 Continued…

Register for the ACT www.actstudent.org

Register for the SAT www.sat.org/register

Some colleges require writing/subject tests

More practice tests = better score!

ACCUPLACER Used by Technical/Vocational schools

Offered at Western Dakota Tech (by appointment) and at SHS on Nov. 18th and April 27th

ACT Spring Test DatesStep 2 Continued…

2015 Winter / 2016 Spring

ACT Test Dates

Registration Deadline

December 12, 2015 November 6, 2015

February 6, 2016 January 8, 2016

April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016

June 11, 2016 May 6, 2016Ways to prepare for the ACT:• Sdmylife.com• ACT Method Test Prep - TBD

Step 3: Set Goals

The 3 most important goals to consider when looking at schools:

1. Educational (career, major, program)

2. Personal (family, extracurricular)

3. Financial How much you want to spend?

Step 4: Develop a list of colleges

How many schools should I be looking into?

Clear admit/ Probable admit / Reach admit

Research the schools you are interested in. Academics / Admissions / Tuition costs

Narrow choices by considering your goals.

Plan to visit schools (Summer/Fall 2016)

Finalize your list – be ready to apply to schools senior year and know your deadlines!

Step 5: Scholarships & Financial Opportunities

FAFSA – Federal Application (grants, loan, work study) Financial Aid Night: January Senior Year

Web-sites – www.raiderscorner.com

Colleges – general, major, extracurricular, need-based

Stevens Listserv-www.k12.sd.us/Listserv/StevensScholarships.htm

Private Loans – parent/student

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)– 16 states

Reciprocity with Minnesota

Military – ROTC, Academies, Reserve

SD Opportunity Scholarship

Dakota Corp Scholarship

Did you know…

Many senior year competitive scholarships have a deadline of December-February of their senior year.

Start early and pay attention to deadlines!

Most scholarship deadlines are earlier than students expect!

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship $6,500

3.0 GPA unweighted

C or higher on core subjects

4 Math

4 Science (3 lab Science)

2 Foreign Language OR Career Technical Education (can be a combination)

ACT of at least 24 and scores equaling or exceeding 18 for English, 21 for Reading, 22 for Math, and 24 for Science. OR SAT score of 1090 or higher.

Entering a South Dakota College/University/Technical Institution in the fall after graduation.

Dakota Corps ScholarshipStep 5 Continued…

SD HS graduate with a 2.8 or higher GPA

Minimum ACT of 26

Attend a SD institution

Selective – limited number of scholarships.

Incoming freshman in critical need occupation. 2015 critical need areas:Teaching (math, science, special education),

Accounting, Engineering, Information Technology, Registered Nurses

Step 6: Application Process

Online vs. paper applications

South Dakota Common Application

National Common Application (SendEdu)

Send Educational records

What you will need to send:

Completed application

Payment

ACT/SAT scores

Transcripts

Possible – Essays and/or letters of recommendation (allow 2 weeks for letters of recommendation)

SD College Admission RequirementsStep 6 Continued…

Ivy league and competitive colleges usually require extra courses: 4 math, 4 science, and 2-4 credits of foreign language.

Other states/colleges may have different requirements.

It is your responsibility to know the requirements for the schools you are applying to!

English 4 credits

Math 3 credits (Algebra 1 and above)

Lab Science 3 credits

Social Studies 3 credits

Fine Arts 1 credit

Step 7: Decide!

Consider your educational, personal and financial goals.

Compare award letters/consider entire packages.

Notify college of plans

to attend.

Raiderscorner.com

Guidance Staff and Contact Information ACT/SAT Test Dates Stevens High School Profile Senior Planning Junior Planning College Visit Guide Scholarship Search Sites Essay Help On-Line Resources SD Mylife Information Stevens Listserv

Post-High Planning DayOctober 22, 2015 @ the Civic Center

Over 50 in-state and out-of-state post-secondary

schools will be in attendance.

Juniors and Seniors will be excused from 1st and 2nd

period to attend.

Please arrive by 8:00.

Students must be back to Stevens by the start of

3rd periods (10:05).

“Blue Sheet” must be completed and returned

before you leave the Civic Center.

This

THURSDAY

!

Register for Post High Planning Day

Register at:

http://www.sdcollegefairs.com

Print off bar code AND bring that sheet to Post High Planning Day program.

Educational Opportunities in SD

2 Campus Visit Information

3-24 SD Post-Secondary School Info

25-30 School Search by Degree Program

31 State and Federal Financial Aid

32-37 Scholarship Information

38 Military Education Benefits

39 Out of State College Information

40 Planning Questions

Page

The End!

When in doubt about what to do after high school, make an appointment to see your school counselor.

Please keep your handouts for future references!

Paula Wilson A B C E F G

Melissa Good H I J L M N

Kim Elder O – V

Katie Baskerville D K W X Y Z

Kathryn Sosa A – Z (Gifted Education)