1. How to thrive, not just survive after high school:
Post-secondary planning
March 12, 2014
Lanny should share that no matter which counselor shares the topic, your student’s counselor has this information and will be able to share more about every topic. Welcome and introductions. Explain note cards and we will answer questions at the end.

2. Post-High School Options
Four-Year College
Bachelors Degree
University vs. College
Public vs. Private
Two-Year College
AKA Community College
Associates Degree
Certificate/Diploma Programs
Technical College/Specialty School
Military
Apprenticeship
Employment
Lanny

3. I Have a Plan Iowa Develop Guideways and four-year plan
Understand how career planning can help achieve goals
Expand on how educational achievement relates to career opportunities
Learn how individual interests, values, and skills connect to careers
Research career opportunities and educational institutions
Prepare for college admissions exams
Erin - All students required to complete guideways all four years.

4. College Transfer Credits
Dual-credit class:
classes taught at the high school for both high school and DMACC credit
Advanced Placement (AP):
college-level courses taught at the high school - students will need to take a test at the end of the semester to attempt college credit
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO):
college courses taken through a college or university
Erin - note that all of these types of credits transfer only at the discretion of the college or university the student attends.

5. Transcript Information
Cumulative GPA - weighted vs. unweighted
Class Rank
ACT Scores-will not appear on official high school transcript
Check Infinite Campus:
Reports
HS Unofficial Transcript
Amy - GPA on transcript is weighted; if anyone asks for unweighted, please see counselor. Some scholarships and applications request unweighted.
Make note that semester (term) GPAs are separate from cumulative GPA - students must always use cumulative GPA

6. Transcript Example
Amy - Point out where GPA and class rank are. Explain difference between term GPA and cumulative GPA.

7. Transcript Release Form Example
Amy - students and guardians have the option of authorizing each transcript sent or they can check the line that states they give blanket permission for the registrar to send a transcript anytime a student or guardian requests.

8. Testing Options PLAN (will be replaced in 2014-15) PSAT ACT SAT
eCompass
ASVAB
Rosemary:
PLAN - currently administered in 10th grade to all SEP students, ACT predictor with good interest inventory, this will be replaced in with a similar exam.
PSAT - 10th and 11th grades, predictor for SAT and in 11th grade the tool needed to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship competition.
ACT - should be taken in the spring of the Junior year (June test at SEP) and Oct. is a great last chance - DO NOT wait until your senior year to test for the first time. Most common with midwestern colleges.
SAT - similar to the ACT, includes more math. You do not need to take both the SAT and ACT. ACT is more common for the Midwest colleges. Some colleges with more selective admissions requirements may also request that applicants take an SAT Subject test.
eCompass is for community college students, not a entrance exam, but more of a placement exam. Can be taken in place of the ACT - but community colleges will also take the ACT. Offered at SEP 6 times a year
ASVAB - skills and career assessment. Often associated with the military because they use it for job placement, but doesn’t have to be released to the military. Offered once a year at SEP.

9. ACT National Exam with set testing dates
Create an account online at
Students should begin preparing for the ACT at the start of their junior year and take the exam in April or June
ACT scores must be sent directly to the college of the student’s choice - some colleges do not accept scores from the high school.
Rosemary - October and June exams given at SEP HS. If your student has taken Algebra II earlier they may want to consider taking the test before the spring of junior year. Reference PLAN test score to determine which route to take. As of this years sophomore class, al students should have a PLAN score. ECompass is offered 6 times throughout year - need social security #. ECompass is computerized. If you plan to transfer from a 2-year to 4-year, you must complete the 2 full years in order to be admitted to a 4-year w/out ACT. Scores are good for 5 years.

10. NCAA ……. NAIA NCAA: www.eligibilitycenter.org NAIA: www.playnaia.org
If the student plans to play Division I, Division II, or NAIA athletics, he/she needs to register during the fall of junior year.
Lanny - Our graduation requirements fit NCAA and NAIA, with exception of Yearbook, Comp for Pub & Production, Communications for Technicians

11. College Visit Protocol
1. Students may take six (6) total visits during their high school career
2. Schedule visit online or call admissions - visit completed by 12/1 and 5/1 for Ram Plan
3. Guardians excuse the student through attendance center - call ahead
4. College Visit Card signed by admissions
representative and turned into the student’s counselor to be Ram Plan excused
Michelle - Encourage kids to visit - being on the campus itself will help you know if you want to be there or not. Be sure the school is a good fit for you.

12. College Visit Card Example
College Visitation Form
The following form should be completed and returned to your counselor to be excused for a post secondary school visit:
Date_______________
___________________________ visited ______________________
(Name) (School)
in__________________________ at ____________________.
___________________________ _________________________
(Admissions Counselor) (SEP Counselor)
Michelle - Please see your counselor to receive a college visit card. Bring something that signifies you were actually at your visit.

13. College Admissions Reps
Several colleges have admissions representatives coming to the high school
Notifications posted: outside the Counseling Office, in the Announcements, on bulletin boards around the school
If a student would like to see a rep, ask Pam in the Counseling Office for a pass
Michelle- You need to come to check and follow announcements to be sure you do not miss opportunities to meet with representatives. Admission reps are really meant for early exposure, will not be super helpful for a seniors.

14. Supplemental Resources
Letters of Recommendation
Essays
Activities Resume
Leadership
Extracurricular activities
Volunteer experience
Work experience
How do students make themselves marketable?
Kari - give advanced notice for letters of rec. Make sure you plan ahead for all of these things. Think outside the box and be creative when writing essays.

15. Paying for College Scholarships Grants Loans FAFSA - www.fafsa.gov
Available January 1st of senior year
Iowa College Access Network (ICAN)
Provides individual support
Kari -view as a vocabulary lesson and include brief description for each item.

16. Self-Reflection Questions
Does the student’s post-secondary plan “fit”?
Why are you pursuing college, vocational training, military, apprenticeship, or employment?
Do you have effective study skills?
How have you prepared for college academic work?
Are you ready to live independently? Have you considered the distance from home?
Have you planned for the cost?
Amy

17. Resources Iowa College Aid Network - www.icansucceed.org
I Have A Plan Iowa -
ACT -
College Board-
Point out ICAN timeline handouts. This is a great base for parents to know what to do when.

18. Southeast Polk Counselors
Lanny Brand (A-C):
Michelle Feldmann (D-I):
Amy Daugherty (J-M):
Kari Fast (N-Sk):
Rosemary Freel (Sl-Z):
Erin Lane (TAG):
Jessica Nolting (Harbor):