Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2011 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 Colleges Looking For?

“The College Admissions Funnel” Students that enroll (700) Inquiry Pool (PSAT, Search pieces, campus visit, college fairs, HS visits) 31, ,000+ Thousands of applications 2,800+ 2,800+ Accepted students 1,800+ 1,800+ Students who pay a deposit 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 goal for 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 Using Checklists & 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 Register for the ACT at Register early! See the BWHS Guidance website for details

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

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! Inquiry pool (public, private, size, cost, majors, religious affiliation, athletics) 4,000+ 4,000+ After research, narrowing the field is key! schools? schools? Applying to college 4-6 schools? 4-6 schools? Narrowing your final decision 1-3 schools 1-3 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 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 ed 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 goal for juniors: Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to college!