1. PREPARING FOR COLLEGE November 2nd, 2016 7:00 pm Butler Senior High School

2. Preparing for College Success in the New Economy YouTube Video
College Assessments
Career Cruising
Timeline for 9-12th grade
Financial Aid Overview

3. Success in the New Economy

4. College Assessments
PSAT
SAT
SAT II
ACT

5. PSAT: Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test
“Practice” for SAT given every October
Provides starting range for future SAT scores
Identifies areas that need improvement
Indicator for future AP coursework
Recommended for juniors, scholarship opportunities
Optional PSAT preparation courses available on-line
Register in fall of 11th grade

6. SAT or SAT I www.collegeboard.org
Required for 4 year college applications
Taken in the 11th grade, ~ 3 hours & 50 min
Re-tests are available in fall of 12th grade
Recommended to take in the spring of 11th grade
Critical Reading
Reading comprehension and sentence completion
Math sections
Algebra, Geometry, Probability & Statistics
Writing (optional)
Grammar usage and essay

7. Redesigned SAT

9. SAT II
Required for admission at select colleges (in addition to SAT or ACT)
Tests knowledge in specific subject areas (colleges will indicate which tests to take, if required)
20 Tests in 5 areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science.
Recommended to be taken in spring of Junior Year or fall of Senior Year

10. **Writing portion is optional, but some colleges (PSU) require it!!!
ACT
Alternative to SAT, accepted equally by colleges & universities
Includes 4 subtests: Reading, Math, English & Science
Approximately 3 ½ hours in length
Recommended testing in spring of Junior Year
**Writing portion is optional, but some colleges (PSU) require it!!!

11. Differences between the SAT & the ACT
No “practice” course for the ACT
SAT has 2 subtests plus writing, while the ACT has 4 subtests plus writing

12. Which test to take…
SAT & the ACT are accepted by colleges & universities
Take the PSAT & compare your results to scores that colleges recommend
If doing well on the PSAT, stick with the SAT
If not, or in doubt, take both the SAT and ACT on different months
Re-tests are available
Superscore: the best scores are used by colleges

13. SAT/ACT Scores sent directly to Colleges
Free if prior to test (will take 3 weeks)
Small fee if test has been taken already
Some colleges require scores be sent directly from College Board or ACT for example: Pitt, PSU & NCAA…so check with your school.
Others accept it from our transcript
Takes time to appear on transcript

14. The Most Employable Degrees
Computer Programming, Specific Applications
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
Network and System Administration
Information Technology
Computer Software Technology
Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
Business/Commerce, General
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
Business Administration and Management General
Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance
Information Science/Studies
Computer Programming, General
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Dental Hygiene
Management Information Systems, General
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Accounting and Finance
Accounting and Business/Management
Computer Systems Analysis

15. 2- Years or Less Trade Schools & Technical Schools
Pittsburgh Technical College
New Castle School of Trade
Bidwell Training Center
Bradford School
ITT Tech
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Rosedale Tech
Triangle Tech

16. 2- Years or Less Apprentice Programs
Builders Guild of Western PA (18 Trades)
Contacts with s and phone numbers
Major voice for construction industry in western PA
Sheet Metal, Plumbers, Iron Workers, Operating Engineers, Steamfitters, Electrical Engineers, Carpenters
apprentice.org

17. 2- Years or Less Community Colleges Resources:
No SAT or ACT required
Resources:

19. Butler County Community College
Top 10% of class goes free
Job Corps
Open house in fall and spring
SAT can act as placement test
Optional bachelor completion program
Partner Universities: RMU, Clarion, Penn State, Chatham, La Roche, etc.

21. Career Cruising www.careercruising.com Username: bashs
Password: tornado
Internet-based program to be used from 8th-12th grade
Students can access and save their material in their own portfolio at school or at home

22. Important Features Interest and Skills Assessment Career Profiles
Multimedia Interviews
Post-Secondary Education & Financial Aid Information
Electronic Career Portfolio
Resume Builder

23. Freshman Year Priorities…
Challenging academic schedule
Grades
Extracurricular activities
Example: music, sports (NCAA), clubs

24. Sophomore Year Priorities…
Create a resume listing school achievements & school participation. Ex: job/volunteering
See Counselor for career interview (scheduling, college testing & school information)
Use Career Cruising program

25. Junior Year Priorities…
Increase level of difficulty of classes
Ex: Academic to Honors, Honors to A.P.
Review credits and scheduling with Counselor
Continue resume (list of activities, both curricular & extra-curricular, including leadership positions)

26. Junior Year Priorities…
Attend College Fair in September
Take the PSAT in October & discuss scores with counselor
Schedule SAT and/or ACT & SAT II, if required.
NCAA eligibility
$80

27. Junior Year Priorities…
Research colleges noting their admissions requirements including SAT/ACT, GPA, & language requirements
Ask tough Q’s (retention rates, job outlook, # of openings, % of placement in field)
Have a “family discussion” about schools
size, location, distance from home, cost, majors
check out mysmartborrowing.org

28. Summer before Senior Year…
Make appointments with admissions offices to interview & tour campuses
Send “thank you” letters to interviewer
Begin to complete applications
Finalize resume using Career Cruising to format & print professionally
included with your applications
use if requesting a letter of recommendation

29. Letters of Recommendation
Required by more selective schools
Ask two of the following: teachers, manager, counselor or coach and provide them a copy of your resume
Give a minimum of 2 weeks notice
Write thank you note

30. Senior Year Priorities…
Take a full “academic”and challenging schedule
Attend the College Fair in September
Register for the SAT, ACT and/or SAT II

31. Senior Year Priorities…
Complete college applications
Most completed online
fees charged, essays uploaded, transcripts uploaded
- Student must sign a transcript request form and provide postage fee if necessary

32. Senior Year Priorities…
Confirm college choices by May 1st & notify declined colleges
Miscellaneous:
Register for Advanced Placement (A.P.) exams that will be given in May
Final transcript will be sent to college of choice

33. Financial Aid
Complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after October 1st.
income tax & asset information is necessary
Filing deadline is May 1st
This financial aid info determines “Expected Family Contribution” (same regardless of college selection)
This EFC is deducted from the total cost of attendance to determine financial (net price calculator)
Attend FAFSA workshop at Senior High in November

34. Financial Aid cont.
A financial aid package may consist of grants & scholarships, work study & low interest loans
Each college offers their own financial aid package
Students graduating in the top 10% of their class can go to BCCC tuition free!

35. Financial Aid There are 3 sources of aid:
Institutional: identified through FAFSA, awarded by colleges or universities in the form of a financial aid package
Scholarships - local & national
Local: available in guidance office after February, bulletins will be sent to senior homerooms announcing the different scholarships, also on Edline
National: online, start fall of Senior Year or sooner
Educational Loans:
Through financial aid office of college, after FAFSA completion
Through private lenders (banks & credit unions)

36. Financial Aid Information
Suggested websites:
studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/estimate
(Butler Armco Employee Credit Union)

37. Mrs. Shannon McGraw College Tech Prep Coordinator
Guidance Counselor to students with last names beginning with: A & B, and all College Tech Prep students

38. Mrs. Sarah Beneigh
Guidance Counselor to students with last names beginning with: C-H

39. Mrs. Sheila Walter
Guidance Counselor to students with last names beginning with: I-O

40. Mr. Mark Maloy
Guidance Counselor to students with the last names beginning with: P-Z