Griswold High School Senior Post-High School Planning Guide

Post-High School Common Misperceptions……. My Parents didn’t need to go to college, why should I? My future spouse will take care of me, it doesn’t matter what I do….. I can’t afford college/ I don’t want to be in debt…. Tools: Net Price Calculator Cost of Community College vs. no further education My Parents didn’t need to go to college, why should I? My future spouse will take care of me, it doesn’t matter what I do….. I can’t afford college/ I don’t want to be in debt…. Tools: Net Price Calculator Cost of Community College vs. no further education

U.S. Median Weekly Earnings of Full- Time Wage-and-Salary Workers, 2013 $1421 $ 1370 $1129 $937 $699 $653 $583 $409 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, (March 2014) U.S. Median Weekly Earnings = $696 $126/week - $500/month

Options For After Graduation Four Year College Community College/Four Year College Community College (2 years) Vocational Training/On the Job Training/1 year certificate Military

Career Selection Many of the fastest growing occupations are in career areas that only require a technical school or two year college education For students without defined career goals or significant academic motivation, it is often better to begin at a two year college and than continue at a four year school once receiving an associates degree Three Rivers Community College, Quinebaug Valley Community College and the Community College of Rhode Island have articulation agreements with four year colleges so that the credits that a student takes at these schools will transfer to a four year college should they decide to continue their education. Many of the fastest growing occupations are in career areas that only require a technical school or two year college education For students without defined career goals or significant academic motivation, it is often better to begin at a two year college and than continue at a four year school once receiving an associates degree Three Rivers Community College, Quinebaug Valley Community College and the Community College of Rhode Island have articulation agreements with four year colleges so that the credits that a student takes at these schools will transfer to a four year college should they decide to continue their education.

Future Employment It is better to have received an associates degree or technical school certificate than to have “attended” a four year university but never received a degree Only 58 % of students who are accepted as freshman to a four year college graduate within 6 years.* *The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2012

4 Year College Preparation  4 years English at the CP or Honors/Advanced Level  4 years Mathematics (through CPAlgebra II or higher)  3-4 years Social Studies (CP or Honors Level)  3-4 years Science (CP or Honors Level)  2-4 years World Language (preferably the same language)  Students should take both PSAT’s & SAT’s their Junior year & then retake SAT’s October or November of their Senior year

4 Year College Admission  Factors in Admission High School courses taken and grade point average Standardized test scores (SAT and/or ACT) Extra-curricular & Community Service Activities Leadership Activities Character

United States Service Academies Students wishing to apply to West Point, or the Air Force or Naval Academies need to obtain a nomination from their State Senator or U.S. Representative during the fall of their Senior year (10 applicants compete for each space). Students applying to the Coast Guard Academy submit an application directly to the academy Candidates for the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point compete with nominees from throughout Connecticut for the 5 spaces at the Academy given to Connecticut

United States Service Academies Criteria for Nominees to Service Academies –High Academic Performance –Leadership Potential –Motivation –Performance on SAT’s & ACT’s –Demonstrated Athletic Ability

Post High School Preparation For students undecided as to their future plans, meeting the requirements for four year college admission allows for any of the options to be considered after graduation.

Senior Timeline Attend College Open Houses Narrow down your list of colleges to apply to so that your 5-6 schools include a reach, several middle, and at least one safety school. Request recommendations from teachers if needed Register for and retake SAT’s &/or ACT’s -October or November test dates recommended Complete college applications and request transcripts from the school counseling office Attend Financial Aid Night Complete FAFSA (and PROFILE if required) for financial aid. Also check with individual colleges for financial aid deadlines and forms. Make final college decision and submit housing deposit. Request final transcript for NCAA. Sept. Oct.. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Ready for College!!!!

College/Technical School Visits Colleges & Tech Schools often post “open houses” on their websites and will send reminders if you are added to their mailing list –Check the GHS Website for an Open House list & links to many schools A school can be visited at any time during the year by contacting the admission office –This is an excused absence from school –May schools also have opportunities on weekends –It is best to visit a college first for an open house for an overview then for a second visit when classes are in session for schools that you are interested in

College/Technical School Information You can often request more information or to be added to a school’s mailing list through their website All schools photograph their view books and film their videos on beautiful sunny days with blue sky You need to visit each school to get a true “feel” of what it will be like

CAMPUS VISIT CHECKLIST Arrange an interview through admissions if possible – try not to ask questions already answered through their website or literature Ask if housing is guaranteed the length of your education Find out what is available for entertainment nearby for the weekends Try the food served in the dining hall Check out the safety of the campus and ask students regarding any safety issues Write down your impressions from each school that you visit as soon as you leave – After a few visits they all start to “blend” together!!

Selection of 4 Year Colleges “Reach” is a school that one is not “guaranteed” acceptance to (this will vary by student) – Student SAT scores and grade point average are at the lower end of their “average”. –The “Ivy League”, service academies and other highly competitive colleges are reach schools even for the top students in the class Harvard can now fill their freshman class with students with perfect SAT scores –UConn - Storrs is a “reach” for many 3-4 years of a world language Mostly Honors/AP Courses with A’s & B’s Challenging schedule senior year Had 31,000 applicants in 2013/14 Boston University University of Connecticut

Selection of Colleges “Middle” is a school that one has a good chance of getting in to –The “average” SAT scores and grade point average are similar to your own. –HOWEVER, this can sometimes change from year to year based on the applicant pool for the college Southern Eastern Central Western

Selection of Colleges A “safety” school is a school that you are guaranteed acceptance to if everything else “falls through” –Just as much research should go into the selection of this school because this may be where you are spending 2-4 years of your life –There are many schools with higher acceptance rates Three Rivers CCRI

College Applications All colleges want on-line applications –Over 600 colleges are now on the common application web site ( –Including all CT State Universities Parts of the college application: –Personal data –Transcript (grades and all courses taken throughout high school) –Extracurricular, work & community service activities (can upload resume) –Leadership roles –Standardized test scores: SAT’s & ACT’s –Essays

SAT’S through January 2016 Scholastic Aptitude Tests are comprised of three sections –Critical Reading –Math (through Algebra II) –Writing This section is further broken down into a multiple choice and essay sub-score Colleges have access to a students actual essay once the college is designated as a score recipient

SAT’s -Free test preparation help is available on the CollegeBoard website and through Khan Academy (khanacademy.org/sat) -SAT Scores may also be used as a part of the placement decision by Community Colleges in addition to 4 year schools -REGISTER NOW for the NOVEMBER 7 th SAT (DEADLINE OCTOBER 9 TH ) OCTOBER 24 th ACT (DEADLINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 TH )

SAT’s Students must designate the colleges that they are applying to as score recipients when applying to college (4 recipients are included with the SAT registration) –Students can request additional score reports to be sent directly to the schools by going to collegeboard.com There is a $11.25 charge per school The NCAA will also need SAT Scores sent in order to be eligible to play college level sports at the Division I or Division II Level –WE CANNOT SEND YOUR SCORES!!

Career School/2 year College or Military Preparation Students must meet minimum graduation requirements but courses can be taken on a level 2 or CP level in certain areas if appropriateStudents must meet minimum graduation requirements but courses can be taken on a level 2 or CP level in certain areas if appropriate For some programs, students need to be at a CP level or higher to be successful (or pay for remedial courses at the college level that do not count towards a degree)For some programs, students need to be at a CP level or higher to be successful (or pay for remedial courses at the college level that do not count towards a degree) For math/science oriented programs (such as Health Sciences or Engineering), students need to take 4 years of math (at least through Academic Algebra II ) & 4 years of science (including Physics)For math/science oriented programs (such as Health Sciences or Engineering), students need to take 4 years of math (at least through Academic Algebra II ) & 4 years of science (including Physics)

Career School/2 year College or Military Preparation It is important to note that most career schools or two year colleges and the military require placement tests in writing and mathematics before beginning these programs (Accuplacer or ASVAB)It is important to note that most career schools or two year colleges and the military require placement tests in writing and mathematics before beginning these programs (Accuplacer or ASVAB) Students who do not meet the minimum standards in these areas at a two year college may be required to pay for and complete courses at a lower level that will not count towards future graduation.Students who do not meet the minimum standards in these areas at a two year college may be required to pay for and complete courses at a lower level that will not count towards future graduation.

Career School Options Most two year or less schools have more of an “open enrollment” policy –Translation: Easier acceptance & shorter application –Students should still complete applications early since some programs may fill up their available spaces – especially for popular programs It is still very important for students to have a solid academic background to be successful in these programs

Military Options Military branches require a high school diploma Training options require taking the ASVAB (sign up in the School Counseling Office to take this 11/16) –Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery –Very little recruitment currently –Focus on TOP students with technical skills

“Gap Year” There are many formal programs available to allow a student to travel/work for a length of time in between high school and starting college – Americorps ( – Student Conservation Association ( – City Year ( ) – Youth for Understanding ( – International Exchange (

Career Selection Upon high school graduation, it is more important to be moving in a career direction than to be absolutely certain of the final destination Many students are unsure of their “major” and most change this selection before they graduate from college Continue doing interest inventories and exploring possibilities but don’t put off continuing your education because you’re not sure what you want to do!! Upon high school graduation, it is more important to be moving in a career direction than to be absolutely certain of the final destination Many students are unsure of their “major” and most change this selection before they graduate from college Continue doing interest inventories and exploring possibilities but don’t put off continuing your education because you’re not sure what you want to do!!

Financial Aid All seniors should complete the FAFSA as soon after January 1 st of their senior year as possible (by Feb 15 th for priority in CT financial aid awards) Information from the previous years taxes is required to complete this form ( The FAFSA is free & estimates can be done on the FAFSA website at any time Some schools also require the PROFILE Check with the individual colleges if this is required This form involves a fee (collegeboard.com) PROFILE deadline is often in the fall NOT 1/1

Financial Aid Once you complete the FAFSA, you will receive a student aid report (SAR) Each college will also send a financial aid award level based on the SAR. The EFC or Expected Family Contribution, is based on family income, number of family members, and assets among other factors BRING YOUR PARENT/GUARDIAN TO FINANCIAL AID NIGHT ON OCTOBER 14 TH AT 6 P.M. IN THE CAFETERIA

Financial Aid Types of financial aid: Grants and Scholarships This is the “free money” that does not need to be repaid. Loans By completing the FAFSA students may qualify for loans at a lower interest rate. If loans are needed, take federal loans before investigating any private loan options. Work-Study Programs This is an on-campus job that will not count against a student for the following years’ financial aid award.

Financial Aid for Technical Schools and Training Programs  Most Post-graduate Technical Schools and other training programs also qualify for financial aid assistance  Check with the individual program and be sure to complete the FAFSA!!!

Scholarships Most scholarship applications are available during the senior year Most scholarship applications are available during the senior year Use websites such as fastweb.com to search for scholarships Use websites such as fastweb.com to search for scholarships Local scholarships applications are available during the spring of senior year Local scholarships applications are available during the spring of senior year Applications that we become aware of will be posted in Naviance & outside the School Counseling Office Applications that we become aware of will be posted in Naviance & outside the School Counseling Office Check deadlines carefully as NO LATE APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED!! Check deadlines carefully as NO LATE APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED!!

Selective Service  All males over the age of 18 must register with selective service to qualify for financial aid and job training –Registration can be done on-line at (or is part of the FAFSA) –There are also other legal ramifications for not registering (such as fines and imprisonment if convicted)

Final College/Career School Selection Once a student has completed applications and has received acceptance letters, another visit should be made to each of the schools Once a student has completed applications and has received acceptance letters, another visit should be made to each of the schools Many schools now hold “accepted student days” Many schools now hold “accepted student days” Include an overnight in the dorm if possible Include an overnight in the dorm if possible Compare financial aid packages Compare financial aid packages Especially consider the amount of “grant” versus “loan” in each package Especially consider the amount of “grant” versus “loan” in each package

The Final Decision Generally, a housing deposit needs to be submitted by May 1 st to the school that a student will attend It is a good idea to send letters to the other schools thanking them for their consideration

CONGRATULATIONS!!!  High School graduation is an important stepping stone!!  Remember that education is the key to having more options in your future!!

IMPORTANT DATES September 25 th – College Fair September 25 th – College Fair October 9 th – deadline for November 7 th SAT Registration October 9 th – deadline for November 7 th SAT Registration October 3rd – SAT’s October 3rd – SAT’s October 14 th – Financial Aid Night & Post-High School Planning October 14 th – Financial Aid Night & Post-High School Planning October 24 th – ACT’s October 24 th – ACT’s October 28 th – ASVAB October 28 th – ASVAB November 7 th – SAT’s November 7 th – SAT’s

Common Application Workshops We will be having mandatory Naviance/Application workshops during English Classes on Thursday & Friday We will be having mandatory Naviance/Application workshops during English Classes on Thursday & Friday We will ‘walk you through’ the entire Common Application and the connection to Naviance We will ‘walk you through’ the entire Common Application and the connection to Naviance Students who are applying to a 2 year college or technical program will have an alternative assignment to research & apply to programs during your English class. Students who are applying to a 2 year college or technical program will have an alternative assignment to research & apply to programs during your English class.

QUESTIONS??