Junior Meeting Class of 2017

Objectives: O What do I need to know NOW about planning for the future? O How can I explore my options? O What are the next steps if I want to go to a four-year college? O Take SATs or ACTs O Plan for letters of recommendation and essays O Explore my options and decide priorities

What to do now??? START THINKING! -Career? -Majors? -College? -Community college? -Military? -Technical School? -Vocational School? -Apprenticeship? -Employment?

I’m Lost… Launch an Investigation Online! -O*net Online: Search for Careers -College Board Big Future bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search -Virginia Wizard Career Exploration – -Career One Stop I am the One - one.comhttp:// one.com

Community College Reasons to a consider community college: ▪Reduced cost for the first two years ▪A chance to attend your dream school through Guaranteed Admissions ▪Student’s career choice only requires two years of community college work ▪Undecided about program of study ▪Not ready to leave home

2+2 Guaranteed Admissions STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE FROM ONE OF VIRGINIA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND A MINIMUM GRADE POINT AVERAGE MAY OBTAIN GUARANTEED ADMISSION TO MORE THAN 20 OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

Military Army Navy Air Force Marines Coast Guard The U.S. Military consists of five active-duty service branches and their respective Guard and Reserve units. Together, they offer a broad variety of ways to serve with an extensive selection of careers.

Take a College Tour Take advantage of being on campus ASK QUESTIONS!

Make a List of Priorities What are YOU looking for? degrees offered location (rural or urban setting) OR distance from home size of the student population public vs. private costs (tuition, room and board, etc.) financial assistance packages campus resources (labs, libraries, computer access, etc.) placement success/internship and co-op programs accreditation class size faculty contact degree of pressure to excel safety (campus, community) student body (diversity, gender, etc.) social life (Greek organizations, sports, school spirit, etc.) religious affiliation/independent housing options (dorms, apartments, living at home) realistic entry expectations (based on typical student admitted): CHECK OUT PRINCETONREVIEW.ORG

Develop a LIST of Schools based on your interests Safety Schools – 1-2 of these School where your academic credentials fall above the school's range for the average freshman. You can be reasonably certain that you will be admitted to your safety schools. Match Schools – apply to 1-3 of these School where your academic credentials fall well within (or even exceed) the school's range for the average freshman. There are no guarantees, but it's not unreasonable to be accepted to several of your match schools. Match Schools – apply to 1-3 of these School where your academic credentials fall well within (or even exceed) the school's range for the average freshman. There are no guarantees, but it's not unreasonable to be accepted to several of your match schools. Reach Schools – apply to 1-2 of these School where your academic credentials fall below the school's range for the average freshman. Reach schools are long–shots, but they should still be possible

If you want a four-year college as an OPTION… PREPARE NOW!

What Do Colleges Look For? O FIRST, explore the college website! HOW CAN I IMPRESS A COLLEGE? O Making the best grades possible in rigorous classes O Scores on SATs and ACTs O Letters of Recommendation O Extracurricular Involvement O Volunteer work O Involvement in athletics O Dedication to clubs at school

When Do I Apply? EARLY DECISION – BINDING: IF ACCEPTED, YOU MUST ATTEND THAT COLLEGE. YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSIONS STATUS (USUALLY) BY DECEMBER. IF DEFERRED TO REGULAR ADMISSIONS – YOU ARE RELEASED FROM CONTRACT TO ATTEND. EARLY ACTION – NOT BINDING, BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EARLY RESPONSE (JAN/FEB), YOU TYPICALLY HAVE UNTIL MAY 1 ST TO COMMIT. ROLLING ADMISSIONS – YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSION STATUS 4-6 WEEKS AFTER MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED. REGULAR ADMISSIONS – YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSIONS STATUS IN APRIL.

SAT vs. ACT O THE SAT IS MORE OF AN APTITUDE TEST, TESTING REASONING AND VERBAL ABILITIES. O THE ACT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT TEST, MEASURING WHAT A STUDENT HAS LEARNED IN SCHOOL. THE TESTS DO ASSESS DIFFERENT INFORMATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS, SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO DO BETTER ON ONE EXAM THAN THE OTHER. MOST COLLEGES WILL ACCEPT EITHER TEST FOR ADMISSIONS.

The NEW SAT O 26BY 26BY

SAT DATES SAT Test Date Registration Deadline March 5, 2016LATE FEE by Feb. 23, 2016 May 7, 2016 April 8, 2016 June 4, 2016 May 5, 2016 Register online at collegeboard.org

ACT Dates ACT Test DateRegistration Deadline April 9, 2016March 4, 2016 June 11, 2016May 6, 2016 Register online at ACT.org/register

Can I Get a Fee Waiver? Fee waivers to take the SAT or ACT are available for low income students. This is typically determined by students receiving free or reduced lunch. Once the test has been taken with a fee waiver, the student can receive up to four fee waivers for college applications. Not every college accepts the waiver, but most do. YOU MUST GET THE FEE WAIVER FROM YOUR COUNSELOR.

Resume/Activities List Prepare a resume/activities list prior to your senior year. This resume/activities list is what needs to be given to your School Counselor and any teachers you will ask to write you a letter of recommendation. GIVE PLENTY OF NOTICE! To be included in your resume:  All school activities – clubs, sports, positions held  Any honors and awards received  Any volunteer work at a church or in the community  Any programs attended such as HOBY or Boy’s or Girl’s State  Employment  ANYTHING YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH IN HIGH SCHOOL!

 Read at least 3 times a week.  Visit Windsor High School website to keep updated on events such as scholarships, college visits, college nights, reminders, etc.  Make an appointment with your counselor!

Stay tuned for… Junior Conferences O Each counselor will mail letters to invite parents to junior meetings with students O CHECK YOUR SNAIL MAIL! O What will we do??? O Discuss your own PERSONAL plan for the future (yay!) O Schedule your courses for senior year! BEFORE YOUR MEETING! Discuss with parents and think CAREFULLY about what courses you are interested in taking and how they will help you prepare for the future!