1. SENIOR RETREAT CLASS OF 2012

2. OBJECTIVES Students will review the options available after high school. Students will receive information on the college admissions process.

3. DECISION MAKING… Know yourself well--your strengths & weaknesses, likes and dislikes, hopes and dreams. Understand and accept the evidence of your grades and test scores. Research your options. Consult people who can help you evaluate the situation. Consider your choices and set a goal.

4. OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL 4 Year College Community College Technical School Trade School Apprenticeship Programs Military Work

5. MILITARY See Lt. Colonel Goggins to take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), a career aptitude test.

6. APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS Training on the job in a particular trade by a skilled worker as part of a planned program. Taking classroom instruction at a community college, or in regular school if on a part time job. Training anywhere from one to six years, depending on the trade.

7. TRADE & TECHNICAL TRAINING Private Trade and Technical Programs Howard County Community College, Baltimore Community College, and Anne Arundel Community College offer postsecondary education programs in: Automotive Technology Network Operations Architectural Design Construction Electricity Hospitality Allied Health Care

8. HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE Prepares students for entry into a 4-year college to complete a bachelor’s program. Prepares students to enter the world of work in a skilled professional or paraprofessional capacity.

9. FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WHAT DO COLLEGES LOOK FOR? Your Academic Record The difficulty and variety of courses you have taken. Cumulative GPA and Weighted GPA. Please note that senior grades are important and can demonstrate improvement!

10. WHERE ARE THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN? Read about colleges and other programs! Fiske, Insider’s Guide, college websites. Talk to your teachers and other adults that you know. Attend the HOWARD COUNTY COLLEGE FAIR in October.

11. Sign up NOW for fall testing! Stop And ThinkSAT ACT ACT NOW!

12. REASONS TO TAKE THE SAT OR ACT! 4 year colleges require entrance exams Community colleges use SAT scores to place students Strong SAT scores may qualify students for $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Information gathered can be used to help plan for future classes The SAT is a strong predictor of student success in college

13. ADDITIONAL TESTS… SAT Subject Tests (required by most competitive schools) ACT Accuplacer

14. NCAA Students interested in participating in Division I or Division II college sports should see coaches, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Mindel, or counselors for information regarding the NCAA Clearinghouse registration.

15. PREPARING FOR COLLEGE: SENIOR YEAR 1.SUMMER: COLLECT APPLICATIONS, CREATE A FILING SYSTEM TO ORGANIZE MATERIALS. WORK ON ESSAYS. SEPTEMBER: SIGN UP FOR FALL SAT’S, ACT’S (OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER) BEGIN SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SENIOR INTERVIEWS W/COUNSELOR REQUEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TEACHERS COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT REQUEST PACKET FINISH ESSAYS

16. CONSIDER YOUR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES! There is a college and/or post-secondary program available for EVERY student. You are in charge of your future. Take advantage of available opportunities !

17. TRANSCRIPT PACKETS! What are they and why do you need them?

18. TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION WE WILL NEED TO RECEIVE THESE ITEMS FROM YOU: Parent Release Form Senior Academic Resume Student Questionnaire and Parent Questionnaire Secondary School Report or counselor section of your college application Envelopes addressed to each college with 2 stamps on each envelope. Envelopes should not have return address $4.00 per transcript packet

21. THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE WILL MAIL: Copy of certified high school transcript  class rank, weighted and unweighted GPA Senior schedule is included on your transcript Howard High Profile Academic Resume Secondary School Report from application  Secondary School Report from Howard Recommendations from counselors and teachers

22. SAT SCORE REPORTING Howard County transcripts no longer include SAT or ACT scores. This is a change from previous policy. Students must order score reports from the College Board and/or ACT organization. www.collegeboard.com www.act.org

23. STUDENT AND PARENT QUESTIONNAIRES Please complete these questionnaires when requesting teacher and counselor recommendations!

24. TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS Select two teachers Requests for letters should be typed Include a resume and input form with your request Some colleges require teacher recommendation forms – you must provide the form Teachers need at least 30 school days advance notice Teachers will submit letters to the Registrar

26. MID-YEAR REPORTS AND FINAL TRANSCRIPT REPORTS Students are responsible for bringing in STAMPED business size envelopes addressed to the colleges. The school will mail mid-year and end of year transcripts at no charge.

27. Towson University Office of Admissions 8000 York Road Towson, MD 21252-0001

28. MEET THE REGISTRARS Mrs. St. John Mrs. Wohlers

29. EARLY DECISION/EARLY ACTION Early decision means early deadlines! Let your counselor know as soon as possible when you are applying early!

30. HOWARD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2012