Guidance Counsellors’ Overview of the Graduation Year and Beyond, for Parents Mrs. Sandra Brothers A-K Mr. Gareth Luke L-Z Nov. 14, 2006

ON GRADUATION DAY THERE WILL BE AT LEAST TWO VERY IMPORTANT PIECES OF PAPER PRESENTED TO YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER

Here is the less important one:

This one is much more important:

The High School Transcript Interim versions are used during the school year for applying to post secondary before the final marks are in.

CREDIT CHECK AND GRAD LIST The counsellors have checked the students for graduation status but it remains the responsibility of students and parents to ensure that all graduation requirements are met. The Potential Grad List is the list of all grade 12 students and will be posted at various times of the year. The one posted the day before graduation is the actual Grad List. The list is meant to show what we have on record as the full name in order to prepare graduation diplomas. It must be the correct full legal name.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? Go directly to full-time work Apprenticeship (a formal on-the-job training program) Community College Military Training and Employment Private Career College: Business, Cosmetology, Computer, Services etc. University – public, private (US), religious

GRADUATING, DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT COURSES AND GOOD ENOUGH MARKS FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION? Check the college/university calendar…a book of their programs, courses and information This can be reviewed at any time with a counselor if needed The word “program” refers to a set of courses that leads to a particular certificate, diploma or degree.

REQUIREMENTS FOR POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS

REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE Minimum grade 12 or equivalent for most programs. Some technology programs may require Math12, Physics 12, and/or Chemistry 12 Resumes and Portfolios may also be required. It is important to check the requirements in the NSCC Calendar book. Applications can be received starting September 15th. Course space is limited. Apply now!

Typical Requirements for University Admission in Atlantic Canada English 12 and four other acceptable Grade 12 academic courses (may have to include Math or Pre-Calculus Math and/or other courses depending on desired program) About 70% in each of the required courses and about a 70% average in the five courses with no mark below 60% (Note: these are typical but some cut-off averages can be higher or lower ) Math is not necessarily a requirement for some programs. Check the program for specific requirements. Deadlines typically as late as the summer except for limited- enrolment programs. Much earlier outside the Maritimes and earlier for scholarships (typically March 1)

U.S. and other foreign INSTITUTIONS Should apply before Christmas. Fee required. Outside North America may have deadlines as early as October. Usually require SAT scores: -apply by late October to write in early December or apply in mid November to write in late January  Check

Finding Post-secondary Information Brochures and calendars in the Guidance Office (or call or write for your own) Go on-line to institution sites Attend presentations here at Cole Harbour by visiting representatives Go to Open Houses at institutions throughout our region Visit your counselor and/or guidance website

Applying to University or College (typical procedure) Obtain application form. Complete form and attach admission fee Sign-up to request a Transcript from the Guidance Secretary. Mail or take to the institution prior to deadline.

Completing the Application- following graduation In all cases final marks must be sent to the institution following graduation. Graduates are given three official copies of their transcript at the ceremony. It is the student’s responsibility to deliver the final transcript to the institution. Students pick actual courses and schedules in the summer or in September, on-line or at the institution.

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Typical Fees and Supplies Community College: $2500 to $3000/yr for most programs. 1 or 2 yrs. University: $5000 to $7000/yr (less outside N.S.) Commonly 4 or 5 years for first degree. Add more years for additional degrees, e.g. teaching, medicine, law, dentistry, vet, masters degree. Private Career College: $5000 to over $20,000/yr. 1 or 2 years. Flight College: approximately $20,000/yr. 2 years

Monetary Awards Local awards provided by local service clubs, foundations and businesses (may be based on affinity and/or need as well as marks) Applications usually January to early June. Some are administered by the school. Examples: Kinsmen, Church, Rotary, Masons, Community Awards. Values $100 to $1000. Not always necessary to be an academic student … other factors like community service and involvement. To be considered for certain Local Awards or nominated awards, the student must pass in an In-School Application Form. Students should have a resume and reference letters for award applications. Create and obtain these now.

Entrance Scholarships Awarded by practically all universities, and by some private colleges. Intended to attract the top students Values typically $200 to $8000. May be renewable. At least 80% admissions average needed for smaller ones. Mid to upper-90’s typically for largest.

Entrance Scholarships, continued. Some are guaranteed. A certain average nets a scholarship. Most are competitive. Depends on who applies for what in any given year and their admission averages. A few require a separate scholarship application.

Entrance Scholarships, the end. Scholarships awarded by the institutions are based on marks available by the end of first semester. The marks used for entrance scholarships are usually the same ones required for entrance into the school. For Arts this may include English 12 and the best 4 other academic Grade 12 marks. For Science, Eng 12, Pre-Cal Math and 2 Sciences plus one other. Grade 11 marks will be used after using 1 st semester marks. Differs from school to school, program to program!

Student Loans Two types: government and private

Government Student Loans Commonly called Canada Student Loans but really a combination of CSL and NS Student Loans. Administered by the NS Dept of Education. They determine eligibility. The lower the family income and the higher the cost of the program, the bigger the available loan. Many students are not eligible due to a combination of higher family income and/or relatively low education costs.

Private Student Loans Student line of credit offered by many chartered banks. No government involvement. Useful for families with a medium income, not eligible for a government loan but who would have difficulty in paying for college or university. Based on a student budget and on having a co-signer with an acceptable credit rating (usually a parent, but not necessarily) Student draws funds as necessary. Interest, at a preferred rate, is paid monthly on the amount borrowed. The principal is not paid on until after studies end. Apply anytime, once plans are firm.

The Online Guidance Office

Click here

Check the calendar

What is the best option for my son/daughter?

As the parent or guardian you may want to act as the….. Career Coach

Careers Check out

The Career Page will give access to several excellent career sites:

Try the matchmaker quiz

It will ask questions about likes and dislikes about worksites The 39 answers will generate a list

You can click on a career from the list

Each career has video clips of actual people working at that career…with their likes and dislikes about their job..or you can click on Career Path

It will show typical work conditions and salary for the first 5 years, the second five years and so on…

If you click on “education” then it will show you the schools by province that offer this program

You can also explore careers by index, school subject or by taking another quiz.

Career Cruising is only one of the career and job sites that you can access from the Online Guidance Office. It may be useful to visit a few career sites before deciding if post-secondary education is the path for you.

On this Online Guidance site you can also access Post Secondary Schools

The Scholarships and Awards link is very useful, also under Miscellaneous You will find graduation requirements, post-secondary application procedure, update on program openings, and many other useful bits of information related to this evening.

End of Part I

Part II Presentations by the post secondary schools in attendance Any Questions??? before instructions on Part II