Post-Secondary Options for High School Students

Military Options The U.S. Military consists of five active-duty Services and their respective Guard and Reserve units. Service Academies ROTC

Air Force Focused on air, space and cyberspace superiority The US Air Force includes the following: Air Force Air Force Reserve Air Guard U.S. Air Force Academy U.S. Air Force ROTC

Coast Guard The Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and under the Navy during wartime, or by presidential order. The US Coast Guard includes the following: Coast Guard Coast Guard Reserves US Coast Guard Academy

Navy Today’s Navy is equipped to handle operations on and under the sea, in the air, and on the ground. US Navy options include the following: Navy Navy Reserves US Naval Academy Navy SEALS and Divers

Marine Corps The core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment influence everything a Marine does. They play a major role as the first force on the ground in most conflicts. US Marine Corps options include the following: Marine Corps Marine Corps Reserves US Merchant Marine Academy

Army Members of the Army defend our nation by air, sea and land. US Army options include the following: Army Army Reserves Army National Guard Army ROTC US Military Academy at West Point

Career Colleges Trade Schools —a secondary school that offers instruction in skilled trades designed for immediate application. Technical Schools —a school teaching mechanical and industrial arts and the applied sciences. Proprietary Schools —a privately owned educational institution offering instruction in business, trade, technical, industrial, or related areas.

Community College 2 year degree programs Certificate programs MACRAO Transfer Agreement Advantages: Lower cost Smaller class sizes Broad course offerings with quality instruction

MACRAO Transfer Agreement Many community college programs have articulation agreements with other colleges and universities that allow students to transfer courses to a bachelor’s degree program without loss of credit.

4 Year Colleges & Universities Public schools Private schools All-male schools Women’s colleges Religious colleges Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU’s) Professional Colleges Colleges outside of the United States

Earning College Credit in High School Advanced Placement Program (AP) Dual Enrollment CLEP—College Level Examination Program Early & Middle Colleges ECA – Early College Alliance

13 th Year Programs Americorps ANDEO International Homestays Carpe Diem Education City Year Council on International Educational Exchange Dynamy LEAPNOW Rustic Pathways

13 th Year Websites

Freshman Year 1. Create a four-year high school plan. 2. Start thinking about careers. 3. Take part in extracurricular activities. 4. Meet with the school counselor. 5. Start saving money for college. 6. Obtain a social security number.

Sophomore Year 1. Meet with the school counselor–again. 2. Take the PSAT/NMSQT. 3. Request a pre-candidate questionnaire and complete it if interested in the military. 4. Attend college and career fairs. 5. Continue to participate in extracurricular activities and volunteer in your community. 6. Tour college campuses.

Fall of Junior Year List things you want to study and do in college. Learn about colleges and features that interest you. Figure out what resources are available to you through your counselor. Sign up early to take the PSAT/NMSQT. Make a file to manage your college data. Start to gather material for a portfolio. Start to learn about financial aid.

Winter of Junior Year Discuss ways to improve your college-prep and selection processes with your counselor. Sign up to take the SAT &/or ACT at least once in the spring and again next fall. Begin a search for FA sources. Ask about taking the SAT Subject Tests. Register for AP Exams, given in May.

Spring of Junior Year Visit local colleges and college fairs. Start a file of local organizations offering FA to seniors. Develop a list of colleges that attract you. Request info for FA and academic programs that interest you. Visit some colleges over your spring break. If considering military or ROTC, contact counselor before leaving for the summer.

Summer of Junior Year Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Begin the application process for the military or ROTC scholarships. Find a job or participate in a camp or summer college program. Visit colleges. Create a resume. Download applications from colleges to which you’ll apply—check application dates.

College Planning Calendar for Seniors September Narrow your list of colleges to Create a master calendar of important deadlines and dates. Request fee waivers, if needed. Contact the College Board or ACT to have scores sent to the colleges to which you are applying.

October Try to finalize your college choices. Prepare Early Decision, Early Action or rolling admissions applications asap. Ask for counselor or teacher recommendations. Write first drafts of essays and have them proofread. College Planning Calendar for Seniors

November Nov. 1-15: For ED, colleges may require test scores and applications btw. these dates. Complete at least one application by Thanksgiving. Make sure your counselor has sent your transcripts to colleges. Give them the proper forms at least two weeks in advance. College Planning Calendar for Seniors

December Keep copies of applications and essays as you finish and send them. Give the form for seventh semester grades to your counselor. January If you apply to college online, have your high school send a transcript. College Planning Calendar for Seniors

February No senioritis—colleges look at second semester grades. March Keep active in school. April You should receive acceptance letters and FA offers. Notify your counselor of you final choice. Talk to your counselor or college about housing questions. College Planning Calendar for Seniors

May May 1: Accept or decline acceptance and FA offers by this date. Send deposit to one college only. Work with a counselor to solve any problems. June Ask your high school counselor to send a final transcript to your college. College Planning Calendar for Seniors