1. This Powerpoint will be available online on the high school website! JUNIOR NIGHT

2. MS. CHRISTI KREIGH HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR ckreigh@triton.k12.mn.us - Email 507-374-6305 – Office Phone MsKreigh_PSC - Website: Go to Triton District Website, Click on High School Tab, go to Office, then Counselor’s Office

3. DECISION MAKING IS A PROCESS, NOT AN EVENT. TRUST IN THE PROCESS. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PANIC. IT IS THE TIME TO PLAN!

4. TONIGHT’S AGENDA What should we be doing… this school year? this summer? next fall?

5. REMAINDER OF JUNIOR YEAR Ensure you’re on track for graduation & beyond Take ACT test February 8 th, April 12 th or June 14 th February deadline Jan 10 th, April deadline Mar 7 th, June deadline May 9 th Prep class for April test (sign up in January with Mr. Schreiber) Free Practice test on mcis.intocareers.orgmcis.intocareers.org Register online at: www.actstudent.org $36.50 ACT, $52.50 ACT + Writingwww.actstudent.org Fee Waivers Available (if on free/reduced lunch) Fill in ALL FOUR COLLEGE SPOTS (will send your scores there for free, later have to pay $12) Start thinking about Senior Project Consider taking CLEP examsCLEP If you’re considering playing D1 or D2 Sports in College, sign up online at the NCAA Eligibility Center BEFORE the end of your Junior year!NCAA Eligibility Center start now Military Service Academy/ROTC start now…ROTC Explore post-secondary options…

6. TRY THIS RESOURCE: Minnesota Career Information System www.mncis.intocareers.org Username: triton Password: cobras Inventories Career, College, Military & Scholarship Searches FREE PRACTICE tests: ACT/SAT/CLEP/ASVAB FREE online prep class for ACT/SAT *Students will be using this in Ramp Up beginning in December

7. OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL Post-Secondary Education 2 yr community college 2 yr technical college 4 yr (public or private) college Military Service Academies/ROTC Apprenticeships (trades) Military Employment

8. WHY CONSIDER EDUCATION BEYOND HS? Gain independence & skills Greater options & opportunities Ability to achieve your goals and dreams More Pay – Less Unemployment Associates degree - $400,000 more Bachelors degree - 1.2 million more In the past decade, high school graduate annual wages have fallen by 12% to $19,400. That is below the poverty line for a family of four. By 2018, 63% of all jobs will require some sort of postsecondary education, in Minnesota it will be even higher at 70% of all jobs. HS grad is 4X more likely to be UNEMPLOYED than a college grad

9. WHY A COMMUNITY COLLEGE? Undecided on college major or career path Stepping stone to 4 year for those who need to raise GPA or do not want to take ACT Lower tuition costs Obtain Associates Degree or at least some of the “general education requirements” for transfer Admission requirements: HS Diploma Two Year Colleges: Benefits & Challenges

10. WHY A TECHNICAL COLLEGE? Preparation for a specific career Hands on experience Take very few “generals” Usually one English & one Math Diploma/Certificate/AAS degree Admission Requirements: HS Diploma

11. WHY A FOUR YEAR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY? Advantages to beginning and ending education at the same school College Experience Bachelor’s degrees + Broad education in arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences Admission requirements: most are top ½ of class or ACT of 21+ Student Clips: Community

12. WHY A FOUR YEAR PRIVATE COLLEGE? Awards bachelor’s degree + Smaller class sizes Smaller campuses Potential for religious affiliation Admission Requirements: in general…top ½ of class and ACT of 24+ Typically include an essay in college application

13. RECIPROCITY Public colleges/universities in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Manitoba (Canada) You MUST submit an application for reciprocity…you won’t “automatically” get it! MN Office of Higher Ed – around April 1 st MN Office of Higher Ed Midwestern Student Exchange Program (MSEP) w/some schools in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska Midwestern Student Exchange Program Lower tuition than out-of-state, not all schools participate

14. HOW DO I LEARN MORE ABOUT MY OPTIONS? Meet with recruiters that come to Triton Talk with important adults in your life My website: www.triton.k12.mn.uswww.triton.k12.mn.us HS > Office > Counselor Make college visits (3 per year…and this SUMMER!) http://www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org http://www.mncis.intocareers.org Username: triton password: cobras Utilize College Transitions Coordinator:

15. College Transitions Coordinator Chellyne Hoeppner In Career Center on Thursdays from 8-10am In Career Center on Thursdays from 8-10am She can help with: She can help with: PSEO PSEO College Planning College Planning College Applications College Applications Scholarships Scholarships Financial Aid Applications Financial Aid Applications Accuplacer Testing Sign-up Accuplacer Testing Sign-up And more! And more!

16. WHAT SHOULD WE DO THIS SUMMER? Take ACT in June if not taken in April (or retake?) Do NOT wait until fall of senior year Figure out your “must haves” & preferences for your ‘Right Fit College’ Explore options for colleges Visit Schools Narrow schools and decide which you want to apply for Decide on a topic for Senior Project

17. HOW TO CHOOSE A SCHOOL… CONSIDER COLLEGE CHARACTERISTICS Majors and educational programs Type of school and degrees offered Admission policies Location and size Costs and financial aid College affiliation and accreditation Campus activities Support services Starting the College Search process Helpful Resource: ACT Choosing a College

18. HOW DO THEY CHOOSE ME? COLLEGES LOOK AT… PROFESSIONALISM of application!! Class Rank & Cumulative GPA ACT scores (if 4 year college) Rigor of coursework (ie honors/college prep classes) Extracurricular activities (including leadership roles) Community service activities (start the list NOW!) Letters of recommendation Essays What do Colleges Want?

19. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS Apply online to your top choices (including Reach, Mid-Level and Base options) Request transcript from Ms. Kreigh for every application Work with Ms. Kreigh to get a Fee Waiver if eligible Apply late summer/early fall ( Nov 1 st ) Pay attention to when MSNSCU Free College Application Week is next fall (was late October this year) Apply to more than one school & make decision later!! Shoot for at least 4! Wait to hear…earlier you send them in, quicker response you will get!

20. A LITTLE NOTE ABOUT COLLEGE COSTS… Don’t eliminate any college because of costs BEFORE receiving financial aid information Parents go with on “final college visits” as decisions are being made! Ask Questions! Determine college costs Investigate all possible resources Secure necessary forms and note deadlines Apply for financial aid as early as possible (1/1-3/1 preferred)

21. Triton Financial Aid Night Wednesday, December 11, 2013 7:00pmPAC Get a Head Start on Learning about FAFSA & Financial Aid Options

22. SENIOR YEAR Sept: Individual Senior Meeting with Ms. Kreigh Oct: take/retake ACT; go on final college visits Nov 1 st : have ALL applications completed & sent in (pay attention for Free College Application Week in later October) Dec: begin scholarship searches Jan: pull together info for FAFSA & complete by March 1st Winter/Spring: Observe housing & decision deadlines, follow up with colleges you applied to May: request final transcript for college/university you’ve decided to attend

23. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PANIC. IT IS THE TIME TO PLAN! Please feel free to contact me with questions/concerns!