1. Junior Parents Night: Navigating the Senior Year Southwest High School September 27, 2010 6:15 pm

2. Junior Parent Agenda 6:15 Lisa V. Ávila, EducationQuest Foundation 6:35 LSW Counseling Staff - Junior Information 7:00 Meeting for Parents of Gifted Juniors in the A118 Forum

3. LSW Counseling Staff Dr. Joyce Lehn: 9-12 SPED Dr. Dolores Simpson-Kirkland: 9-12 A-G Eric Feeken: 9-12 H-K Peggy Volker: 9-12 L-P Colleen Finkhouse: 9-12 Q-S Tim Ernst: 9-12 T-Z Janene Way: Secretary

4. Planning For The Future Allow your child to make his/her own decisions –Create an atmosphere of mutual trust & respect Explore options together –College (4 Year or 2 Year) –Vocational/Trade Schools –Military –Work Adapted From: College & Career Choices

5. Making An Educated Decision Explore career options –Identify career fields that match your student’s interests Get a good academic fit –Find a college that matches academic preparation Consider GPA & ACT or SAT scores of previous freshmen Adapted from: Careers & Education in Nebraska

6. Types Of Education Universities –Made up of colleges or schools that teach specialized areas –Usually offer graduate degrees at the master’s & PhD level Four-year colleges –Offer wide range of programs Liberal arts colleges –College studies consist of fine arts, natural sciences, social sciences & humanities –Utilizes understanding of past & concern for the future

7. Types Of Education Continued Community colleges –Prepares students for immediate employment –Many feature academic transfer programs Vocational or specialty schools –Usually specialized to a specific occupation or career cluster –Credits seldom transfer to a 4-year school On the job training & apprenticeships –Training provided by employer or labor union Military service –Provides educational opportunities that transfer to civilian occupations

8. Resources for College Information LPS Post High School Planning Guide http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/PlanningforafterHi ghSchool.html http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/PlanningforafterHi ghSchool.html College Catalogs/View Books Web Sites for LSW Counseling Dept & Colleges College Representatives Campus Visits

9. College Visitations Call admissions office in advance Talk to as many students as you can who attend the colleges of interest Prepare for admissions interviews, if applicable Take time to look around on your own Inquire about acceptance of Common Application Adapted From: Associated Colleges of the Midwest

10. College Visitations: Questions To Ask

11. PSAT - Junior year The PSAT measures verbal reasoning, critical reading, math problem-solving and writing skills developed both in and out of school. We encourage all college-bound students to take the PSAT. The PSAT is the only way to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program The test is Saturday October 16 th and registration and $20 fee is required at the LSW Counseling Center. Please make checks to LSW and fee waivers are available. Register between September 29 th and October 13th

12. College Admission Tests Check with admissions office about ACT or SAT preference. Many schools now accept both test scores –Harvard, Yale, & University of Pennsylvania Inquire if SAT II subject tests or ACT writing test are required Southeast Community College COMPASS Placement Test –At LSW on Tuesday, October 12th and again on April 18 th 2011. Registration is required at the LSW Counseling Center. Adapted From: Wall Street Journal

13. ACT vs. SAT: How do the tests compare? SAT: 7 times per year –Recent changes include Critical reading passages, essay, & more challenging math –Ten-section exam –Penalty for wrong answers –Scores range from 200-800 per section –2400 highest possible combined score –All scores will be sent to requested schools www.collegeboard.com ACT: 6 times per year –Recent changes include Optional writing section –Four-section exam –No penalty for wrong answers –Scores range from 1 to 36 for each score –36 highest possible composite –Score choice option of which scores schools will receive www.act.org Adapted From: The Princeton Review www.princeton.com

14. Financial Aid All scholarship with Nebraska ties are managed at Education Quest with ScholarshipQuest (http://www.educationquest.org/) Fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1 st of the senior year. www.FAFSA.ed.gov (not.com)www.FAFSA.ed.gov EducationQuest is available to assist, and presents a presentation each fall at LSW. This year it is November 9th at 6:30 PM

15. Don’t Get Scammed On Your Way To College Look for warning signs that a scholarship may be a scam –“This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.” –“You can’t get this information anywhere else.” –“May I have your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.” –“We’ll do all the work.” –“The scholarship will cost you some money.” –“You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship.” –You’re a finalist in a contest that you didn’t enter.

16. Military Scholarships Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) www.armyrotc.com Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) www.afoats.af.mil Opportunities for both Navy http://www.navy.com & Marines http://www.marines.com http://www.navy.com http://www.marines.com Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) administered at LSW on Tuesday February 8 th

17. Military Opportunities Military representatives visit during the lunch period in the commons area to offer information: US Air Force - 2 nd Tuesday of each month US Army- 3 rd Wednesday of each month US Marines – 3 rd Tuesday of each month This presentation will be available on the LSW Counseling Center website on Tuesday morning. http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/

18. Thank You The LSW Counselors would like to thank you for attending tonight’s presentation. Also, special thanks to the Lisa Ávila, EducationQuest Foundation