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Seniors: Planning for Life After High School!

Agenda Life After High School: Why Plan? Options for Life After High School The College Selection Process The College Application & Briar Woods High School College Application Procedures Communication & Advice

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 (2003): – High School Diploma: $30,800/year – Associate Degree (2-years): $37, 600/year – Bachelor’s Degree (4-Year): $49, 800/year – Master’s Degree: $59,500/year – Doctoral Degree: $79,400/year – Professional Degree: $95,700/year

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 – Recruiters can provide more information

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 – Make sure the community college knows what your goals are! – If you plan to transfer after a year or two, do your homework!

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

The College Selection Process Ideally, students should begin their senior year with three or more colleges in mind Consider what you are looking for in a college – Location – close to home or far away? – Setting – rural, suburban or city – Size of the college – Majors available – Sports – collegiate or intramural – Social opportunities – Unique opportunities – overseas programs, honors programs, etc.

The College Selection Process There are many college search tools available – Family Connection : Every senior has an account; accessed through the internet – CollegeBoard website The BWHS Career Center Your counselor & career specialist

The College Selection Process College representative visits to BWHS – Sign-up in the Career Center or electronically using Family Connection – Limit visits to 5 – Avoid missing the same class twice – Your teacher is not obligated to release you from class There is no substitute for a campus visit as a way to assess a school

The College Selection Process College testing – SAT Reasoning Test (admissions) – ACT (admissions) – SAT Subject Tests (typically for placement) Register now!!! The Loudoun test sites fill up quickly CollegeBoard SAT Course Online

The College Selection Process Traditional advice – Pick three to six colleges: – “Dream” schools – “Good chance” schools – “Back-up” schools Balancing “Going for it!” with “Being realistic” – Apply to colleges that are a “good fit” – Look at GPAs, test scores, high school courses, admission rates

The College Selection Process What about the cost? – Talk to your family – Financial Aid College funds – this is the most common source of the “full-ride” scholarships you often hear about Loans & grants from the government Scholarships and awards from community and private sources

The College Selection Process – Financial Aid Night will be in December or January – Focus on college first; then focus on the finances

The Application “Packet” Application Essay Student Resume Secondary School Report Test Scores Transcript Letter of Recommendation

The Application Most applications are submitted electronically over the internet Print and review before submitting it! Seniors are responsible for completing and submitting their own applications (not mom & dad!) Seniors should make copies of all applications they submit

The Application Seniors are responsible for being aware of application deadlines – Early Decision – binding – Early Action – non-binding – Regular Admission – traditional deadline; some colleges have a priority date – Rolling Admission – applications accepted based on space availability until the institution is “full”

The Essay Most essays are submitted electronically along with the application Seniors should make sure they are understand the essay topic Not all colleges require an essay Seniors are advised to print out and review (with help!) their essays before sending them English teachers are more than happy to help students with essays; some teachers incorporate this into their curriculum Seniors should save all essays because they may be modified and reused Essay resources – BWHS library, BWHS Career Center, public library, book store, internet

Student Resume Many colleges accept student resumes Resumes can highlight your accomplishment both in and outside of school An effective resume is EASY TO READ! Resumes are usually sent to the college electronically along with the application and essay Use resume templates and samples to format your own Information on resumes must be 100% accurate

Secondary School Report Some colleges provide the student with a Secondary School Report form for the counselor to complete and send in

Test Scores Seniors are responsible for determining the tests needed for the colleges they are applying to – SAT Reasoning Test (typically for determining admissions) – ACT (typically for determining admissions) – SAT Subject Tests (typically used for placement) Seniors are responsible for having their test scores sent to the colleges they are applying to Requests are made directly through the CollegeBoard or ACT Seniors can request their scores be sent when they take the tests; or they can have their scores sent after the test date by contacting the CollegeBoard or ACT

The Transcript Seniors must submit a Transcript Release Form signed by a parent Forms can be obtained in the guidance office and online Seniors must submit the form in person to the counselor (along with the Secondary School Report if required) We ask that seniors submit transcript requests a minimum of two weeks before the college application deadline We track the process date and send date

Transcripts We include a school profile with transcript We send colleges a postcard to be returned Transcript requests must be made before December 1 st in order to be sent before winter break The first three transcripts are processed and sent at no cost. Beginning with the fourth transcript, students are charged $3.00 per transcript Please only request transcripts for colleges you are sure you are applying to

Letters of Recommendation If a senior needs a letter of recommendation from the counselor, he/she can request it when he/she requests the transcript Every senior will be provided with a Senior Information Packet to be turned into the counselor to receive a letter If a letter of recommendation is requested from a teacher, the senior should make the request directly to the teacher and provide the teacher with a postage-paid envelope addressed to the college In both situations, seniors should allow a minimum of two weeks

The Application “Packet” Application Essay Student Resume Secondary School Report Test Scores Transcript Letter of Recommendation

The Application “Packet” - Summary Senior submits application and essay electronically to the college Senior may submit the resume electronically to the college Senior has test scores sent directly to the college Senior meets with counselor directly to request transcript by submitting a Transcript Release Form Senior may submit Secondary School Report (if provided by the college) Senior may request letter of recommendation (if needed)

Communication Every senior will meet with his/her counselor individually Every senior will receive a NACAC Guide Every senior will be provided with a Senior Information Packet to be turned into the counselor Students and parents can log onto Family Connection to view transcript send dates We automatically send mid-year transcripts to the colleges our students apply to (no cost) Final transcripts are sent to the colleges our students plan to attend (no cost) The infamous “we didn’t get your transcript” postcard

Some Advice Complete applications one at a time – One by Halloween – One by Thanksgiving – The rest by Winter Break Use a checklist – copies are online! Pay attention to deadlines! HAVE FUN!