JUNIOR PARENT CONFERENCE:Post-Secondary Options

JUNIOR PARENT CONFERENCE

This power point will provide an introduction to post secondary options. Please take notes and be ready to ask questions when we have our individual

meeting.

Career Choices

First, carefully consider what you want to pursue as a career as this will determine the amount of education or training needed. Not everyone needs to attend a four-year college.

Although four-year schools get all of the media hype, many high school graduates head right to a two-year college or vocational program. Looking at the facts, it’s no surprise why. Cheaper, quicker, and highly vocational, two-year/vocational schools offer students the chance to start their careers sooner and with less (or no) debt. You can also use a two-year school as a launching point to start earning your bachelor’s degree.

Career Exploration

Think about what excites and energizes you Consider what you are good at – what are your strengths and

what are your weaknesses Take a career assessment (websites on next slide) Engage in an internship or volunteer work Explore unconventional careers Ask people Use the G + P + V formula – Gifts + Passions + Values

Reso

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Websites

Bureau of Labor Statistics - http://www.bls.gov/home.htm

Virginia Wizard - https://www.vawizard.org/vccs/Main.action

O*Net Online - http://www.onetonline.org

Career One Stop - http://www.careeronestop.org

I am the One - http://www.i-am-the-one.com

PSAT Quick Start – http://collegeboard.org

CHOICES

Which option will you choose?

◆Trade/Career and Technical school

◆Community college – associates degree or certifications

◆Community college - 2 + 2 guaranteed admissions

◆Apprenticeship

◆Military

◆Work

◆Gap Year

◆Four-year school

Trade and Vocational SchoolsWhen you know what you want but just need a way to get there, vocational schools are the answer! Earn your degree in less time (and usually a lot less money) than your typical four-year college while learning skills in the specific field that you want! It’s hands-on and, in many cases, in-demand!

While students at four-year schools have a varied list of core subjects to complete before college graduation, at a vocational school, you won’t just read out of your college textbook, you will get in there and get dirty. You will take classes that are directly related to your field of study.

Vocational careers have become increasingly popular over the past years for a series of reasons: most of them only require completing a two year (or less) college course, the pay is, often times, better than expected, and many more industries are increasing their demand for vocational workers, meaning that there are numerous opportunities for growth.

Bookkeeper Dental hygienist Computer Repair

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

◼Reasons to a consider a community college:▪Reduced cost for the first two years▪Student has been denied admission to college of choice. Instead, student attempts to get into college of choice through Guaranteed Admissions (discussed on next slide)

▪Student’s career choice only requires two years of community college work

▪Undecided about program of study▪Not ready to leave home

VIRGINIA’S COMMUNITY COLLEGES OFFER STUDENTS MORE THAN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE. THEY PROVIDE A GATEWAY TO THE COMMONWEALTH’S FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THROUGH SYSTEM-WIDE AGREEMENTS, STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE FROM ONE OF VIRGINIA'S 23 COMMUNITY COLLEGES WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND A MINIMUM GRADE POINT AVERAGE MAY OBTAIN GUARANTEED ADMISSION TO MORE THAN 20 OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

IN ADDITION, INDIVIDUAL COLLEGES HAVE EVEN MORE TRANSFER AGREEMENTS TO CHOOSE FROM, SO CHECK WITH YOUR COLLEGE GUIDANCE OFFICE, OR HTTPS://WWW.VAWIZARD.ORG/VCCS/TRANSFER.ACTION

2 + 2Guarantee

d Admission

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Apprenticeship It’s a job and school. 

Mostly, it’s a great career opportunity. Apprenticeship training is an excellent way to prepare yourself for the future with on-the-job training in high demand jobs.  An apprenticeship is a paid job. Someone who is new to the field (the apprentice) learns the skills needed for the job. Apprentices are trained by journeymen and master craftsmen who are experts in their field. They share their skills and knowledge to help the apprentice become an expert too.

An apprenticeship is also school.  Apprenticeships include classroom  lessons to make sure the apprentice masters all aspects of the job.

Military

Army

Navy

Air Force

Marines

Coast Guard

The U.S. Military consists of five active-duty service branches and their respective Guard and Reserve units. Together, they offer a

broad variety of ways to serve with an extensive selection of careers.

http://todaysmilitary.com

Concurrent Admission with US Army

The Concurrent

Admissions Program is a program for Army enlistees. This progr

am aims to link future soldiers to a college when they enlist in t

he army or army reserve. The army and army reserve recruiters

refer the future soldiers to ConAP colleges in the places where t

hey live. This program has created a partnership between over

1,975

participating colleges, Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (S

OC) and the army recruiting command. It is devised to encoura

ge future soldiers to receive a college

education

http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/apa/conap.htm

Please check with recruiters to determine if this program or similar programs are offered in other branches of the military.

Gap Year

A gap year is an opportunity to gain professional or personal experience, accomplish goals, and/or explore one’s interests in the year or two following high school graduation. Gap years can range from a number of different experiences, including a career-oriented position within a company to expand career development, a year of travel abroad to build cultural knowledge, or a financed research project of one’s own design. Gap year programs typically include work in the U.S. or abroad in a wide variety of fields such as teaching, advocacy, community development, health care, immigrant services, social work, or sustainable development.  Programs frequently emphasize philosophies of service to others, peace and justice, enhancing international relationships, and/or “the road less traveled.” 

http://www.americangap.org/about.php

Who should go to a four-year college/university

Four-year colleges allow you to study an array of subjects while still preparing you for a career. Four-

year colleges are schools where you earn a bachelor's degree. However, it may take more or less than four years to complete your degree depending on your course load, major, and other factors. Most of these colleges also offer some type of advanced degree such as a master's or doctoral degree. By

earning a bachelor's degree, you will be more likely to get paid more than people who have not earned

their bachelor's degree. You will also have the opportunity to be prepared for a wide variety of

careers.

BENEFITS OF COLLEGE

You may know or be able to think of individuals who are successful but have never gone to college. However, your odds of success are much higher if you attend college.

BE HAPPY People who attend college:

Report they have have more job satisfaction than those who did not attend Typically live healthier lifestyles, and are more likely to have access to employer-provided health

insurance Are more involved in their communities through higher levels of volunteering and voting

EDUCATION PAYS Statistics show that unemployment rates drop in direct relationship to how much education you receive. In addition, the more education you get, the more money you are likely to make.

MAKE MONEY Going to college costs you money, but not going can cost you even more. Statistics show that the more education you get, the more money you are likely to make. A 2011 study by the U.S. Census Bureau reported that over an adult’s working life, average total earnings were as follows:

High school graduate = $1.3 million Bachelor’s degree = $2.4 million Master’s degree = $2.8 million

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◼ degrees offered

◼ location (rural or urban setting)/distance from home

◼ size of the student population (from small at 1,000 to large at 35,000+)

◼ public vs. private

◼ costs (tuition, room and board, etc.)

◼ financial assistance packages

◼ campus resources (labs, libraries, computer access, etc.)

◼ placement success/internship and co-op programs

◼ accreditation

◼ class size

◼ faculty contact/classes taught by full-time doctoral qualified faculty

◼ degree of pressure to excel

◼ safety (campus, community)

◼ student body (diversity, gender, etc.)

◼ social life (Greek organizations, sports, school spirit, etc.)

◼ religious affiliation/independent

◼ housing options (dorms, apartments, living at home)

◼ realistic entry expectations (based on typical student admitted)

COLLEGE VISITS

◼College visits are important – like test driving a new car.

◼If possible, set up an overnight visit.

◼While on campus, talk to as many people as possible. Speak with college admission staff, professors and students.

◼Tour the whole campus including dining hall, bookstore, fitness center, etc.

◼Ask lots of questions.

WHAT ARE MY CHANCES?

Safety Schools – apply to 1-2 of these School where your academic credentials fall above the school's range for the average freshman. You can be reasonably certain that you will be admitted to your safety schools.

Match Schools – apply to 1-3

of theseSchool where your academic

credentials fall well within (or even

exceed) the school's range for the

average freshman. There are no

guarantees, but it's not unreasonable

to be accepted to several of your

match schools.

Reach Schools – apply to 1-2

of these

School where your academic

credentials fall below the

school's range for the average

freshman. Reach schools are long–

shots, but they should still be

possible

Please don’t be upset with School Counselor if it is

suggested that one of your choices is a reach or maybe even a dream.

WHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?

THE FIVE P’s:Program – How challenging is the coursework?Performance – How well has the student done?Potential – Indicated by standardized test scores.Participation – What commitments outside the classroom? Job? Activities? Community service?Personality – Essay and teacher/counselor recommendations. Interviews. Can explain a bad year.

KEEP THE FAITH.

◼There is a place for every student after high school.

◼Need to look for “Best Fit” not “Best School” – a place where your child can be successful both academically and socially.▪Admissions committees have your child’s interests at heart.

▪College admissions can be unpredictable – situations and needs change yearly.

Resume/Activities List

Prepare a resume/activities list prior to your senior year. This resume/activities list is what needs to be given to your guidance counselor and any teachers you will ask to write you a letter of recommendation.

To be included:

All school activities – clubs, sports, positions held Any honors and awards received Any volunteer work at a church or in the community Any programs attended such as HOBY or Boy’s or Girl’s State Employment

PAR

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As parents you have many roles in the college admissions process:

Listener

Advocate

Advisor of deadlines

Assistant time manager

College trip organizer

Researcher

CheerleaderOpen, honest communication between you

and your child is critical to the success of the

process.

EARLY DECISION – Binding: if accepted, you must attend that college. You will be informed of admissions status (usually) by December. If deferred to regular admissions – you are released from contract to attend.EARLY ACTION – Not binding, but you will receive an early response (Jan/Feb). You typically have until May 1st to commit.ROLLING ADMISSIONS – You will be informed of admission status 4-6 weeks after materials are received.REGULAR ADMISSIONS – You will be informed of admissions status in April.

Types of CollegeApplications

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION

◼Be perfect.

◼Everything you need to know about the application process can be found on the college website under admissions. Please read this information in detail to ensure your application has all the necessary components.

◼Colleges may ask for essays, teacher recommendations, test scores, transcripts, and application fee.

The College Application

Recommendations – Ask two teachers/counselor for recommendations. If you want the teacher/counselor to write a solid, well thought out recommendation, ask three weeks in advance. DO NOT ask at the last minute.

For transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, counselor report, allow at least one week when requesting information be sent.

If you have “things” due over Christmas break or the beginning of January, it must be given to the appropriate person by the first week in December. If requests are submitted at this time, they may not be completed on time.

KEEP INFORMED!

Read e-mail at least three times a week.

Visit Smithfield High School’s GUIDANCE website to keep updated on events such as scholarships, college visits, college nights, reminders, etc.

THE ACT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT TEST, MEASURING WHAT A STUDENT HAS LEARNED

IN SCHOOL.

THE SAT IS MORE OF AN APTITUDE TEST, TESTING REASONING AND VERBAL ABILITIES.

THE TESTS DO ASSESS DIFFERENT INFORMATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING

SKILLS, SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO DO BETTER ON ONE EXAM THAN THE OTHER. MOST

COLLEGES WILL ACCEPT EITHER TEST FOR ADMISSIONS.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, A HANDOUT IS AVAILABLE IN THE GUIDANCE OFFICE WHICH

OUTLINES THE DIFFERENCES WITH THE TESTS.

SAT and/or ACT

SAT/ACT

◼These tests are not the determining factor for admissions – just part of the package.

◼These tests do not measure creativity, motivation, imagination, intellectual curiosity.

◼Grades in rigorous courses are better predictors of success in college than SATs… but together they improve that prediction.

◼Online prep tools are available on the SAT and ACT websites.

SAT/ACT FEE WAIVERS

◼Fee waivers to take the SAT or ACT are available for low income students. This is typically determined by students receiving free or reduced lunch. Once the test has been taken with a fee waiver, the student can receive up to four fee waivers for college applications. Not every college accepts the waiver, but most do.

SAT TEST DATES

Registration is online at collegeboard.org.

SAT Test Date Registration Deadline

Jan. 24, 2015 Dec. 29, 2014

Mar. 14, 2015 Feb. 13, 2015

May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015

June 6, 2015 May 8, 2015

ACT Test Date Registration Deadline

February 7, 2015 January 9, 2015

April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015

June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015

ACT TEST DATES

Registration is online at act.org.

NCAA

◼NCAA Clearinghouse

▪If your child plans on participating in NCAA athletics at the Division I (VT, UVA, Radford, VMI, Liberty, etc.) or Division II (VUU, VSU, UVA – Wise, etc.) level – they must be cleared as eligible by the NCAA.

▪Go to NCAA clearinghouse website and register.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial Aid Information Program will be offered in November or December of your child’s senior year

▪Financial Aid is based on MERIT and NEED.

What can you do now? Get tax information together as soon as possible.

Get FAFSA pin number – apply at www.pin.ed.gov.

Can use 2014 tax return info – but will need to update your FAFSA financial aid pages once you have filed your 2015 taxes.. Look at College Cost Calculators online at each school’s website. This will give you a rough estimate of what it will cost to attend this school.

FINANCIAL AID

All students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine their eligibility for all federal

student aid.

Virtually every student is eligible for at least one type of federal student aid.

Most states have financial aid programs, and many of these programs use the data from the FAFSA to determine if you are

eligible for state aid.

Many colleges use the data from FAFSA to determine if you are eligible for financial aid the college may offer – typically known as

institutional aid.

FINANCIAL AID

Complete the FAFSA on-line as soon as you can, starting January 1st of the senior year. Most colleges encourage you to have it completed by February 15th to maximize the amount of your award.

The FAFSA must be completed every year.

The FAFSA does not include space for you to explain special financial circumstances unique to your family. If you need to communicate special circumstances, contact the financial aid office of the colleges in which you are seeking assistance.

www.fafsa.gov

HONOR

GRADUATES

◼SELECTION OF HONOR GRADUATES

Grade Point Average (GPA) at the

completion of the first semester

of the senior year will be used to

determine honor graduates. A student

with a minimum 3.5 average is considered an honor graduate. GPAs will not be recalculated to determine honor graduate status based on second semester senior year grades.

CIVICS SEAL

The *Board of Education’s Seal for Excellence in Civics Education will be awarded to students who earn either a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma:

(i) complete Virginia and United States History and Virginia and United States Government courses with a grade of "B" or higher; and,

(ii) have good attendance and no disciplinary infractions as determined by local school board policies and,

(iii) complete 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities. (*Must complete the IWCS Board of Education’s Excellence in Civics Education Seal form to document 50 hours of service.)

Form to document volunteer work available in counseling office