1. PLAN YOUR FUTURE NOW

2. Name ONE reason it is important to attend college? POSSIBLE ANSWERS:  Get a better job  Live a better life  Have more opportunities  Develops your mind/intellect further  Develops your skills further  Gives you more options/career advancement

3. Name ONE reason people DON’T attend college? POSSIBLE ANSWERS:  Cost too much  Need to work  More studying; need a break  Hard to get into a good college  Low GPA  Not sure what to do for a career

4.  What are the steps:  Staying in school; getting good grades  Researching for the “right fit” Top 5 Rule Long shot [1]; Possible [2-3]; Sure thing [1-2]  Applying The application The recommendation/s The ESSAY or PERSONAL STATEMENT OBJECTIVE OF THIS UNIT: COMPLETE COLLEGE PLANNER AND COLLEGE DRAFT/s

5.  BRAINSTORM  NARROW IDEAS  IDENTIFY THE TOPIC THAT BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS OR RELATES TO THE PROMPT  DRAFT  EDIT/RE-READ/RE-WRITE  SUBMIT

6. Take a look at some samples: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/

7.  BRAINSTORM topic ideas and WRITE or RE-WRITE your college essay; TRY 2-3 topics and see what works best or fits the option of your college of choice [REQUIRED]  Once you have a concept or prompt, DRAFT YOUR COLLEGE ESSAY or PERSONAL STATEMENT  LINKS:  http://www.quintcareers.com/college_application_essay.html http://www.quintcareers.com/college_application_essay.html  http://www.goodessaytopics.com/college-application-essay-topics.html http://www.goodessaytopics.com/college-application-essay-topics.html  http://www.princetonreview.com/opinionAdvice.aspx?type=college http://www.princetonreview.com/opinionAdvice.aspx?type=college  http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9405.html http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9405.html

8.  COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING IF YOU HAVE FINISHED YOUR COLLEGE DRAFT/S [THIS IS OPTIONAL, YET FUN TO DO]  ANSWER THIS QUESTION: WHAT WILL YOU BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? [make the effort to identify at least 1-2 possible career paths]; Take at least ONE test and see what results you are given to help you identify a possible career. Complete your career sheet and submit when completed.  LINKS:  quiz1: http://quiz.ivillage.co.uk/uk_work/tests/career.htm http://quiz.ivillage.co.uk/uk_work/tests/career.htm  quiz2: http://www.dreamit-doit.com/content/toolkit/quiz.php http://www.dreamit-doit.com/content/toolkit/quiz.php

9.  When you complete the REQUIRED activity [and maybe the optional one], take some time for further enlightenment.  LINKS:  [more career testing/searching]: http://www.careerplanner.com/Career-Test- Career-Search/Career-Test-for-Highschool- Students.cfm http://www.careerplanner.com/Career-Test- Career-Search/Career-Test-for-Highschool- Students.cfm  [top 10 things to know]: http://www.quintcareers.com/high- school_critical_issues.html http://www.quintcareers.com/high- school_critical_issues.html  [free account to search for scholarships]: http://www.collegetoolkit.com/ http://www.collegetoolkit.com/

10. AM CLASS  COMPLETE COLLEGE PLANNERS: 9.26  FIRST DRAFT OF COLLEGE ESSAY: 9.28-29  TEACHER CONFERENCE: 9.29-30  PEER CONFERENCE: 9.29-30  2DRAFT [FINAL]: 10.3 PD 5  COMPLETE COLLEGE PLANNERS: 9.23  FIRST DRAFT OF COLLEGE ESSAY: 9.27  TEACHER CONFERENCE: 9.29  PEER CONFERENCE: 9.29  2DRAFT [FINAL]: 10.3

11. EXCELLENT VERY GOOD ADEQUATE WEAK POOR 5 4 3 2 1 Responds fully to the PROMPT. Presents a clear statement of topic, thesis or dominant impression Displays originality and creativity Expresses its purpose clearly and persuasively throughout Invokes and uses relevant facts correctly; SEQUENCE of writing is logical Provides adequate supporting arguments with reasons, evidence and/or examples Uses direct language appropriate for the audience; Is free of errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling and format OPTIONAL: Identifies and evaluates sources as appropriate. Correctly documents and cites sources, as needed TOTAL POINTS EARNED: