Kick Off to College Planning Willowbrook Counseling Department

“No one is expecting you”

What are my son/daughter’s options after graduation? Post Secondary Education (College/University, Technical School, Trade School) Post Secondary Education (College/University, Technical School, Trade School) Military Military Employment/Internship/Apprenticeship Employment/Internship/Apprenticeship

Where did the Class of 2011 go after leaving Willowbrook?

Junior Year College and Career Planning Calendar September-January September-January  Begin researching colleges and careers  Meet with college and military representatives  Sign up for ACT Prep Class February-March February-March  Register for National ACT and/or SAT  Choose senior year courses  Continue to meet with college and military representatives in College and Career Center or during campus visits

Junior Year College and Career Planning Calendar April-August April-August  Take PSAE-April 24 and April 25  Interpret ACT and/or SAT with counselor  Meet with counselor for Junior Interview  Take additional ACT and/or SAT if desire additional score  Visit college campuses  Narrow list of prospective colleges

Junior Year (Time to Prepare) Choose challenging senior courses Choose challenging senior courses Choose elective courses in career/major interest Choose elective courses in career/major interest Remain involved in activities or get involved now Remain involved in activities or get involved now Attend Curriculum Showcase on January 26 Deadline for course changes: March 1 Begin creating your resume/brag sheet on Naviance Review College Admission Requirements

College Admission Requirements

Junior Course Registration Course Registration forms mailed home by January 30 Course Registration forms mailed home by January 30 Changes to course requests must be completed by March 1 Changes to course requests must be completed by March 1 There will be NO Changes to course requests There will be NO Changes to course requests

Junior Year Academics More than 1 out of 4 Juniors are currently failing 1 or more classes More than 1 out of 4 Juniors are currently failing 1 or more classes Resources: Resources:  Warrior Time, ARC, MRC, MAC, and teachers Colleges evaluate for admission: Colleges evaluate for admission:  freshman-junior year courses and grades  senior year courses

ACT Exam PSAE-April 24 and April 25 PSAE-April 24 and April 25  Day 1-ACT  Day 2-Work Keys National Testing Dates (Register online) National Testing Dates (Register online)  February 11, 2012  April 14, 2012  June 9, tests-English, Math, Reading and Science 4 tests-English, Math, Reading and Science 5 th Test-Writing (Optional, required at many college/universities) 5 th Test-Writing (Optional, required at many college/universities) Recommend checking to see if the writing is required/recommended at the colleges your son/daughter is considering Recommend checking to see if the writing is required/recommended at the colleges your son/daughter is considering 

ACT Exam continued Approximately 3.5 hours Approximately 3.5 hours Total composite: 1-36 based on average of 4 tests, Writing scored separately (0-12) Total composite: 1-36 based on average of 4 tests, Writing scored separately (0-12) No wrong answer penalty No wrong answer penalty You decide which score is sent to which institution You decide which score is sent to which institution All colleges and universities will accept ACT and/or SAT for admission All colleges and universities will accept ACT and/or SAT for admission

ACT Test Prep ACT Prep Course ACT Prep Course  Registration Deadline-December Visit for online prep Visit for online prepwww.actstudent.org Attend ACT Prep Lunch-N-Learns in April Attend ACT Prep Lunch-N-Learns in April Review practice test answers and prepare for upcoming practice test in February Review practice test answers and prepare for upcoming practice test in February

Who is eligible to take the PSAE? All junior students that have earned 22 credits at the end of 5 semesters, are eligible and must take the requried PSAE (ACT Exam and Work Keys) in April All junior students that have earned 22 credits at the end of 5 semesters, are eligible and must take the requried PSAE (ACT Exam and Work Keys) in April Students that are ineligible, will take a practice ACT Exam. If they are considering applying to a 4-year college/university, it is recommended they register for a National ACT Exam by visiting Students that are ineligible, will take a practice ACT Exam. If they are considering applying to a 4-year college/university, it is recommended they register for a National ACT Exam by visiting

SAT Exam National Testing Dates (Register online) National Testing Dates (Register online)  January 28, 2012 (SAT and Subject Tests)  March 10, 2012 (SAT Only)  May 5, 2012 (SAT and Subject Tests)  June 2, 2012 (SAT and Subject Tests) 10 Sections: 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing and 1 Experimental 10 Sections: 3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing and 1 Experimental Approximately 3.75 hours Approximately 3.75 hours Subject Tests measure knowledge and ability in specific subject areas such as: US History, Biology, Spanish, etc. Subject Tests measure knowledge and ability in specific subject areas such as: US History, Biology, Spanish, etc.

SAT Exam continued Subject Tests may be required by highly selective institutions Subject Tests may be required by highly selective institutions Total score out of 2400: 3 scores of for each section, Writing scored 0-12 Total score out of 2400: 3 scores of for each section, Writing scored 0-12 ¼ point subtracted per wrong answer ¼ point subtracted per wrong answer You choose which score is sent to which institution You choose which score is sent to which institution

Pick a School/Career That Has What You Want! Use Naviance to research schools and careers  Evaluate your interests, values and skills Attend college fairs  Spring 2012-Local high schools and colleges (listed in bulletin)  Fall 2012 (COD and NACAC-at McCormick Place) Visit campuses Talk with college representativ es

Things to consider when exploring colleges/universities Type (Public/Private) Type (Public/Private) Academic Rigor Academic Rigor Admission Requirements Admission Requirements Size Size Location Location Student Body Student Body Alumni Network Alumni Network Housing Housing Field of Study Activities Cost History of School Yearly Calendar Graduation Requirements Student/Teacher Ratio Safe School vs. Dream School Use Naviance for college search

Create the College List First, Find the Funds Later!!!! Don’t pick schools by cost because you don’t know what financial aid money you will receive. Scholarships and Grant money may also lower the cost greatly. FAFSA4CASTER.

Alternative Educational Options Vocational/Technical School Military Apprenticeship

Advantages of a 2-Year School (College of DuPage) Location Location Affordable Affordable ACT Score is not required for admission ACT Score is not required for admission Career/Certificate Programs Career/Certificate Programs Wide variety of majors available for exploration Wide variety of majors available for exploration Small Class Sizes Small Class Sizes Ability to transfer to a 4-year school Ability to transfer to a 4-year school Financial assistance is available Financial assistance is available

Making the Decision on Where to Apply Focus on creating list of colleges interested in applying to Focus on creating list of colleges interested in applying to Begin applications in September of senior year Begin applications in September of senior year Choose dream school, but also choose a safe school Choose dream school, but also choose a safe school VISIT colleges and universities junior year and over the summer VISIT colleges and universities junior year and over the summer Students are allowed 1 college visit junior year and 2 senior year Students are allowed 1 college visit junior year and 2 senior year

How/When to Apply Will review application process at start of senior year Will review application process at start of senior year Encouraged to apply early senior year-Most applications available after September 1 Encouraged to apply early senior year-Most applications available after September 1 Priority deadline: Nov. 1/November 15 Priority deadline: Nov. 1/November 15

Websites  ACT Test Dates and Registration  SAT Test Dates and Registration and college and scholarship search  Direct link to college application used by 450+ colleges  Willowbrook High School Naviance website  Direct link to the FAFSA Application  Direct link to the FAFSA Estimator  List of Test Optional Colleges and Universities  National Scholarship Search Website  Official Website for College Athletics

Review and Finalize Plans Prepare for standardized testing and sign up for additional tests if desire Sign up for challenging senior year courses and review course descriptions Visit college campuses Use Naviance for college search and to perform assessments (interest and personality) Have narrowed college list upon return to school in fall

Upcoming Events Naviance Training for students   March 2012 College Representative visits in the College and Career Center   Students can sign-up on Naviance and read student bulletin for dates and times Practice ACT Exam   February 8 th, periods 1-4

Upcoming Parent Nights “First in the Family” College Parent Night Part 2 “First in the Family” College Parent Night Part 2  Thursday, January 26-during Curriculum Showcase Coffee With the Counselors Coffee With the Counselors  Thursday, February 2  3:00PM-7:00PM, Student Services Office How to help your teen choose a motivating college major How to help your teen choose a motivating college major  Thursday, April 19  6:00PM, Library

Questions???