1. Junior Jumpstart What juniors need to know for post-secondary planning

2. Day 1 High School Finale (Jr./Sr. Year)  Status  GPA  Credits  Requirements for admission to post-secondary options  Senior Schedule Post-Secondary Options Apprenticeships Military Trade, Technical and Business Schools Community and Junior Colleges College and Universities TYPES OF DEGREES Certificates Certificates Licensure Licensure Associates Associates Bachelor’s (Majors/Minors) Bachelor’s (Majors/Minors) Master’s Master’s Ph.D Ph.D Graduate/Professional Graduate/Professional

3. Post-Secondary Testing ACT/SAT The ACT is America's most widely accepted college entrance exam. The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. Practice tests are available for students at www.ACT.org.www.ACT.org ****College testing requirements vary. Be sure to check the specific requirements for each school

4. ACT Testing Dates

5. Other Post-Secondary Testing Compass ASVAB Advanced Placement (AP) CLEP

6. Day 2  Log on to www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov  QUICKLINKS –Online Test Preparation Online Test PreparationOnline Test Preparation –Scholarship Search Scholarship SearchScholarship Search –Colleges & Universities Colleges & UniversitiesColleges & Universities –Career Exploration Career ExplorationCareer Exploration –Job Search Job SearchJob Search

7. Other Helpful Websites   www.icansucceed.org www.icansucceed.org – –College Visit Information – –Entrance Essay Helpful Hints – –College Search Criteria – –Financial Aid/Scholarship Information – –Recommendation Hints   www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org – –ACT Test Registration & Prep   www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com – –SAT Test Registration & Prep – –College Matchmaker   www.pleasval.k12.ia.us high school---guidance www.pleasval.k12.ia.us   www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com – –Scholarship search   www.cappex.com www.cappex.com – –College Planning Info & Tracking

8. Agenda Day 3 Day 3 I’ve made my choice… Now what? I’ve made my choice… Now what? Scholarships and Financial Aid Scholarships and Financial Aid NCAA Clearinghouse NCAA Clearinghouse Important Dates Important Dates Helpful websites Helpful websites

9. Agenda Day 4 Day 4 Closing the Achievement Gap Closing the Achievement Gap Wrap Up Wrap Up

10. Day 2 – I Have a Plan  Colleges and Universities –COLLEGE MATCHING ASSISTANT  Consider your ranking of the following criteria when searching for a school –LOCATION –SIZE –COST –PROGRAM OF STUDY –CAREER EXPLORATION  Apprenticeships, Military Careers, World of Work

11. What to do? When? Post-Secondary SearchPost-Secondary Search VisitsVisits Testing/Retesting/Retesting…Testing/Retesting/Retesting… NCAA ClearinghouseNCAA Clearinghouse www.ncaaclearinghouse.orgwww.ncaaclearinghouse.orgwww.ncaaclearinghouse.org Important DatesImportant Dates October 18th – Junior Night 7:00pmOctober 18th – Junior Night 7:00pm May 21, 2012 - ?????????May 21, 2012 - ?????????