PREPARING FOR COLLEGE November 2nd, 2016 7:00 pm Butler Senior High School

Preparing for College Success in the New Economy YouTube Video College Assessments Career Cruising Timeline for 9-12th grade Financial Aid Overview

Success in the New Economy https://vimeo.com/67277269

College Assessments PSAT SAT SAT II ACT

PSAT: Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test “Practice” for SAT given every October Provides starting range for future SAT scores Identifies areas that need improvement Indicator for future AP coursework Recommended for juniors, scholarship opportunities Optional PSAT preparation courses available on-line Register in fall of 11th grade

SAT or SAT I www.collegeboard.org Required for 4 year college applications Taken in the 11th grade, ~ 3 hours & 50 min Re-tests are available in fall of 12th grade Recommended to take in the spring of 11th grade Critical Reading Reading comprehension and sentence completion Math sections Algebra, Geometry, Probability & Statistics Writing (optional) Grammar usage and essay

Redesigned SAT

SAT II Required for admission at select colleges (in addition to SAT or ACT) Tests knowledge in specific subject areas (colleges will indicate which tests to take, if required) 20 Tests in 5 areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science. Recommended to be taken in spring of Junior Year or fall of Senior Year

**Writing portion is optional, but some colleges (PSU) require it!!! ACT www.actstudent.org Alternative to SAT, accepted equally by colleges & universities Includes 4 subtests: Reading, Math, English & Science Approximately 3 ½ hours in length Recommended testing in spring of Junior Year **Writing portion is optional, but some colleges (PSU) require it!!!

Differences between the SAT & the ACT No “practice” course for the ACT SAT has 2 subtests plus writing, while the ACT has 4 subtests plus writing

Which test to take… SAT & the ACT are accepted by colleges & universities Take the PSAT & compare your results to scores that colleges recommend If doing well on the PSAT, stick with the SAT If not, or in doubt, take both the SAT and ACT on different months Re-tests are available Superscore: the best scores are used by colleges

SAT/ACT Scores sent directly to Colleges Free if prior to test (will take 3 weeks) Small fee if test has been taken already Some colleges require scores be sent directly from College Board or ACT for example: Pitt, PSU & NCAA…so check with your school. Others accept it from our transcript Takes time to appear on transcript

The Most Employable Degrees Computer Programming, Specific Applications Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies Network and System Administration Information Technology Computer Software Technology Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy Business/Commerce, General Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Business Administration and Management General Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance Information Science/Studies Computer Programming, General Marketing/Marketing Management, General Computer and Information Sciences, General Dental Hygiene Management Information Systems, General Diagnostic Medical Sonography Accounting and Finance Accounting and Business/Management Computer Systems Analysis

2- Years or Less Trade Schools & Technical Schools Pittsburgh Technical College New Castle School of Trade Bidwell Training Center Bradford School ITT Tech Pennsylvania College of Technology Rosedale Tech Triangle Tech

2- Years or Less Apprentice Programs Builders Guild of Western PA (18 Trades) www.buildersguild.org Contacts with emails and phone numbers Major voice for construction industry in western PA Sheet Metal, Plumbers, Iron Workers, Operating Engineers, Steamfitters, Electrical Engineers, Carpenters apprentice.org

2- Years or Less Community Colleges Resources: No SAT or ACT required Resources: http://discoveryourskills.com/

Butler County Community College Top 10% of class goes free Job Corps Open house in fall and spring SAT can act as placement test Optional bachelor completion program Partner Universities: RMU, Clarion, Penn State, Chatham, La Roche, etc.

Career Cruising www.careercruising.com Username: bashs Password: tornado Internet-based program to be used from 8th-12th grade Students can access and save their material in their own portfolio at school or at home

Important Features Interest and Skills Assessment Career Profiles Multimedia Interviews Post-Secondary Education & Financial Aid Information Electronic Career Portfolio Resume Builder

Freshman Year Priorities… Challenging academic schedule Grades Extracurricular activities Example: music, sports (NCAA), clubs

Sophomore Year Priorities… Create a resume listing school achievements & school participation. Ex: job/volunteering See Counselor for career interview (scheduling, college testing & school information) Use Career Cruising program

Junior Year Priorities… Increase level of difficulty of classes Ex: Academic to Honors, Honors to A.P. Review credits and scheduling with Counselor Continue resume (list of activities, both curricular & extra-curricular, including leadership positions)

Junior Year Priorities… Attend College Fair in September Take the PSAT in October & discuss scores with counselor Schedule SAT and/or ACT & SAT II, if required. NCAA eligibility www.eligibilitycenter.org $80

Junior Year Priorities… Research colleges noting their admissions requirements including SAT/ACT, GPA, & language requirements Ask tough Q’s (retention rates, job outlook, # of openings, % of placement in field) Have a “family discussion” about schools size, location, distance from home, cost, majors check out mysmartborrowing.org

Summer before Senior Year… Make appointments with admissions offices to interview & tour campuses Send “thank you” letters to interviewer Begin to complete applications Finalize resume using Career Cruising to format & print professionally included with your applications use if requesting a letter of recommendation

Letters of Recommendation Required by more selective schools Ask two of the following: teachers, manager, counselor or coach and provide them a copy of your resume Give a minimum of 2 weeks notice Write thank you note

Senior Year Priorities… Take a full “academic”and challenging schedule Attend the College Fair in September Register for the SAT, ACT and/or SAT II

Senior Year Priorities… Complete college applications Most completed online fees charged, essays uploaded, transcripts uploaded - Student must sign a transcript request form and provide postage fee if necessary

Senior Year Priorities… Confirm college choices by May 1st & notify declined colleges Miscellaneous: Register for Advanced Placement (A.P.) exams that will be given in May Final transcript will be sent to college of choice

Financial Aid Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after October 1st. income tax & asset information is necessary Filing deadline is May 1st This financial aid info determines “Expected Family Contribution” (same regardless of college selection) This EFC is deducted from the total cost of attendance to determine financial (net price calculator) Attend FAFSA workshop at Senior High in November

Financial Aid cont. A financial aid package may consist of grants & scholarships, work study & low interest loans Each college offers their own financial aid package Students graduating in the top 10% of their class can go to BCCC tuition free!

Financial Aid There are 3 sources of aid: Institutional: identified through FAFSA, awarded by colleges or universities in the form of a financial aid package Scholarships - local & national Local: available in guidance office after February, bulletins will be sent to senior homerooms announcing the different scholarships, also on Edline National: online, start fall of Senior Year or sooner Educational Loans: Through financial aid office of college, after FAFSA completion Through private lenders (banks & credit unions)

Financial Aid Information Suggested websites: www.fastweb.com www.fafsa.ed.gov studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/estimate www.collegeboard.com www.pheaa.org www.baecu.com (Butler Armco Employee Credit Union)

Mrs. Shannon McGraw College Tech Prep Coordinator Guidance Counselor to students with last names beginning with: A & B, and all College Tech Prep students 724-214-3208 shannon_mcgraw@butler.k12.pa.us

Mrs. Sarah Beneigh Guidance Counselor to students with last names beginning with: C-H 724-214-3209 sarah_beneigh@butler.k12.pa.us

Mrs. Sheila Walter Guidance Counselor to students with last names beginning with: I-O 724-214-3210 sheila_walter@butler.k12.pa.us

Mr. Mark Maloy Guidance Counselor to students with the last names beginning with: P-Z 724-214-3141 mark_maloy@butler.k12.pa.us