Get Ready, Class of 2016! Junior Career Unit – December Senior Year and Post High School Planning - LHS Graduates Panel

What are your plans for after graduation? Think about your options now, if you haven’t already! -College -Community College -Technical School -Military -Apprenticeship Program -Full-time Employment

If you plan to attend a 4-year college directly after high school, you should: Register for the SAT/ACT for a test in the spring! Attend college recruiter campus visits at LHS. Identify and research 4-5 colleges/universities. Plan fall visits to campuses (ex.“WSU Future Cougar Day” and tours of UW). Register for a rigorous senior schedule!

If you plan to attend a 4-year college directly after high school, you should: Visit a college fair (National College Fair or CC events). (Click this link) Volunteer! Community service is expected by colleges. (Pre-Approval Forms for credit through Ms. Keese) Get applications started early. (UW-Seattle deadline is Dec 1!) Start on essays early---often these are the difference! If you need recommendations, give writer two weeks.

Community College or Technical College These schools provide you options: Vocational/Technical Training for a certificate in 2 years or less. At a community college, you can complete a transfer degree to a 4-year university. Check Out a College.com – Career and training information

A word of caution…. Credit from some great private schools does not transfer to another college or school. Always ask the question if you are not sure. Some students have gotten surprised in the past. ITT, Everest College, PIMA, are some examples.

Military 3 Options: Enlistment: Direct sign up with the branch of the military you want and entry into the service right away. You start with basic training, followed by training for a specific job. ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps): You apply for a military-sponsored college scholarship; join the military; and attend a 4-year university that has this program. You have the college experience with limited military commitment. After graduation from college, there is a multi-year commitment to the military. Graduates enter active service as an officer (which has better pay and benefits) plus a college degree the military paid for. Military Academy: Elite military universities that are very competitive to get into. It differs from ROTC in that you are a military cadet, following a strict military-based college curriculum.

Options Other Than College: Apprenticeships Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related instruction in which workers learn a highly skilled occupation, earning money at the same time. ~ Electrician~ Machinist~ Welder~ Automotive Technician~ Construction Worker~ Carpenter~Diesel Engine Technician~ Boat Builder~ And many more occupations!

Options Other Than College: AmeriCorps AmeriCorps is a national service program that allows people of all ages to earn money for college in return for a year of community service. Examples of projects include: Tutoring and mentoring youth and running after school programs Building affordable housing Teaching computer skills Cleaning parks and streams Helping communities respond to disasters For more information, contact the school you are interested and/or AmeriCorps (you can also contact City Corps, a similar program) Benefits include: Education Award of $4,725 for a year of full-time service, a living allowance, health care benefits, and child care. Eligibility: Must be 17 years old, US Citizen, high school diploma or equivalent.

Options Other Than College: Direct Employment It’s tough out there! Create a good resume. Senior year work habits and attendance. Research! Network, network, network. Have a realistic budget plan.

Think about expenses…

Scholarships Not just for “superstar” students Solid academics Community service Special skills (essay writing) Talk to Ms. Keese in the Career Center Check out the Career Center Web Page Use online resources: Schoolsoup.com Fastweb.com theWashBoard.org Do the FAFSA asap after January 1, 2016.

What can you do now? Push yourself junior and senior year. If a program interests you, look into it. Job Shadow, intern, or volunteer to explore a career of interest. Research careers, colleges, and training programs. Use the summer to visit colleges and do online research.

Important Dates College Planning Night: February 10, 2015 at Meadowdale HS at 7PM This is probably the number one event to attend if you are considering applying to a two or four year college. The information that will be available is vital to have prior to the end of junior year! In previous years, topics have included: Financing a College Education College Athletics and the NCAA Applying to Universities in WA State Advising the Artistically Talented Student Opportunities at WA Community Colleges and many more! Be sure to put this event on your calendar and GO!

Important Dates (cont.) Sign up for SAT or ACT SAT May 2 exam – deadline April 6 SAT June 6 exam – deadline May 8 ACT April 18 exam – deadline March 13 ACT June 13 exam – deadline May 8 Senior College Planning Night LHS – late September-early October 2015 Financial Aid Night LHS – early January 2016 FAFSA application submission ASAP after January 1, 2016

LHS Graduates Panel