Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life...

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Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School

Transcript of Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life...

Page 1: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

Presented by the

Briar Woods High School

Guidance Department,

Fall 2011

Juniors:Planning for LifeAfter High School

Page 2: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

Juniors:Planning for Life After High School

Why plan?

What are colleges looking for?

What should I be doing right now?

Page 3: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

Why Plan?

Page 4: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 5: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 6: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 7: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 8: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 9: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 10: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

What are CollegesLooking For?

Page 11: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

“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+

Page 12: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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”

Page 13: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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…)

Page 14: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 15: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 16: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

Standardized Testing

SAT Subject Tests– Usually used for placement– Not used for admissions– Subject test requirements vary among colleges

Page 17: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

What should I be doing now?

Page 18: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

The Junior Year Goal!

A great college planning goalfor juniors:

Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to

college!

Page 19: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 20: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 21: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 22: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 23: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

2011-2012 SAT Dates

October 1 November 5 December 3 January 28 March 10 - BWHS May 5 June 2

Page 24: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

2011-2012 ACT Dates

September 10 October 22 December 10 - BWHS February 11 April 14 June 9

Page 25: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 26: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 27: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

SAT/ACT Prep – Private Sources

Books – look for materials created by the testing companies themselves

Private courses (PTSO)

Page 28: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 29: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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.

Page 30: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

Research Colleges & Narrow Your List

There are over 4,000 colleges in the United States!

Page 31: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

“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

Page 32: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

Research Colleges & Narrow Your List

College search programs– CollegeBoard– Family Connection

Page 33: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

Research Colleges & Narrow Your List

Mail from colleges Books/magazines Internet resources, college websites Family, friends, teachers, counselors

Page 34: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 35: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

Visit Colleges

Classes Students Campus Dorms Dining Halls Surrounding Neighborhoods Extracurricular Activities Take notes!!!

Page 36: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 37: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 38: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 39: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 40: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 41: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

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

Page 42: Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School.

The Junior Year Goal!

A great college planning goalfor juniors:

Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to

college!