Cowboys to College

Your Four-Year Plan  What do you need to be successful in high school and prepare for admission to colleges in which you have a strong interest?  How many AP courses would you like to take in your junior and senior years?  How do AP courses impact your GPA?  What about PSEOP or Credit Flexibility?

Course Planning Guide SELECTING THE RIGHT COURSES Wyoming Minimum Selective Most Selective English For. Lang Math Adv 4 +Adv (Alg 1, Geo, Alg 2) Science Chem & Phys. 4 (Bio & Physical Sci.) Social Studies Total Core Courses Required

TESTING  Grade 9  PARCC  Grade 10  PSAT - October  Ohio Graduation Tests – March (Reading, Writing, Math, Science, History)  PARCC  Advanced Placement – May  Grade 11  ACT – September (in school)  PSAT – October  SAT/ACT – Spring testing (on own)  End of course exam in US History  Advanced Placement - May

Test Prep ???  Most students can be extremely well prepared without a test preparation class/experience.  A disciplined schedule of at-home preparation will serve most students well. Many materials exist for such study.  Sign-up for SAT/ACT word of the day.  Best if the student wants to participate.  Many options from which to choose; although we don’t endorse any one, we can provide a list of providers.

Building Your Resume Quality vs. Quantity  We encourage students to follow their interests and passions.  Colleges (and employers) would rather see a firm, on-going commitment and definite evidence of leadership in a few activities than mere membership in a long list of activities.

BUILDING YOUR RESUME Quality vs. Quantity Activity PositionYears Peer CounselingCounselor9,10,11,12 Student Gov.Treasurer9 Secretary10 Vice President11 President12 Nursing homeVolunteer10,11,12 BasketballCaptain9,10,11,12 ActivityPositionYears Spirit Clubmember9 Rock Climbing Clubmember10,11 Latin Clubmember9,12 Intramural Basketballmember9,10,11 Photo Clubmember11 Diversity Awareness teammember12 Meals on Wheelsvolunteer11,12 Academic Teammember10,11 Cheerleadingmember9 History Clubmember9,11 Visual Art Clubmember12 Track & Fieldmember9, 12 Student A Student B

Activities Academic TeamIcarus (Literary Publication) ALS WalkINTERAlliance Asian WaveLatin Club The AllianceMock Trial BandModel UN Brothers & Sisters UnitedPeer to Peer Color GuardProject Hope Color GuardProject Lead Cowboy CraziesRelay for Life Crew (Courtyard)Robotics Club Dance TeamRound Up (Yearbook) Drama Science Olympiad French ClubSpanish Club Generations TogetherSpeech and Debate Club Horizon (newspaper)Ultimate

Naviance  College Search Tool  Resume Builder  Interest Inventories  Personality Inventories  Place to catalogue your college search process

Your Application: Now and Then  Think about what type of college you might want to attend. What are your goals?  Think about the following components as you are now and as you want to be by your senior year:  GPA  Academic honors/awards  Sports  Work experience  How might your teachers describe you?

How Do Colleges Evaluate Students?  Strength of curriculum - #1  Grades in courses - #1  Weighting is an admission myth  Test scores  Writing(s) – essays, recommendations  Activities  Other (legacy, athlete, first generation,  building diversity)

Current Trends in College Admission Increased college age population through 2016 means increased selectivity Perfect grades and test scores no longer ensure admission Demonstrated interest by student (not parent) Economic decline means shift toward pragmatism and increased interest in financial aid Number of qualified females outpaces the males UC and Ohio State are very selective! Highly sought after Honors and Scholars programs are attracting our students in record numbers Media focuses on 50 of the 3,500 colleges and universities throughout the US

The Parent’s Role  Support your student’s academics every day.  Help students make the connection between high school success and college choices.  Encourage your student to try new things.  Visit some campuses whenever you travel.  Encourage your student to take over some responsibilities to learn life skills for college.

The Student’s Role  This is a FOUR YEAR process! Be an active participant!  Take responsibility for your academics. You don’t get a chance to do 9 th and 10 th grade over.  Get comfortable seeking help.  Learn how to interact well with adults.  Develop at least one STRONG teacher relationship!  Explore your options.

Thank you for attending tonight’s program!