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Presented by the
Briar Woods High School
Guidance Department,
Fall 2009
Juniors:Planning for LifeAfter High School
Juniors:Planning for Life After High School
Why plan?
What are colleges looking for?
How do I find the best college for me?
What should I be doing right now?
Why Plan?
Life After High School: Why Plan?
Post-secondary education opens doors Post-secondary education gives you options Post-secondary education can help you
make a difference Post-secondary education creates earning
power
Life After High School: Why Plan?
Median Earnings by Level of Education (2006):– High School Diploma: $31,885/year– Associate Degree (2-years): $41,115/year– Bachelor’s Degree (4-Year): $53,160/year– Master’s Degree: $63,935/year– Doctoral Degree: $85,260/year– Professional Degree: $88,120/year
Options for Life After High School
College– Associates Degree: 2-year degree (typically
earned at a community college or a junior college)– Bachelor’s Degree: 4-year degree– Master’s Degree: Typically 2 additional years after
earning a bachelors– Doctoral Degrees & Professional Degrees: PHD,
JD, MD, DC
Options for Life After High School
Community College– Students can earn an Associates Degree, or
students can complete the first year or two of a Bachelors Degree
– NOVA has guaranteed admissions agreements with 31 four-year colleges and universities
Options for Life After High School
Benefits of community college– NOVA is one of the best community colleges in
the country– Relatively inexpensive– Close to home– A “small step” into higher education– Usually “open” admissions
Options for Life After High School
Trade-schools/Apprenticeships– Many “trades” have more earning potential than careers that
require a 4-year degree
Military– Enlisting in the military and earning a college degree are not
mutually exclusive– Enlisting in the military can help pay for college– Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is available at many
colleges– Military Schools and Academies– Recruiters can provide more information
What are CollegesLooking For?
“The College Admissions Funnel”
Students that enroll Students that enroll (700)(700)
Inquiry Pool (PSAT, Inquiry Pool (PSAT, Search pieces, Search pieces, campus visit, college campus visit, college fairs, HS visits)fairs, HS visits)
31,000+31,000+Thousands of Thousands of applicationsapplications
2,800+2,800+
Accepted studentsAccepted students
1,800+1,800+
Students who pay a Students who pay a depositdeposit
1,000+1,000+
National Association of College Admission Counseling, Survey 2008
Percent of all colleges rating specific factors in the college admissions decision as being of
“considerable importance”
National Association of College Admission Counseling, Survey 2008
The Top Four: Grades in College Prep Courses, 79.9% Strength of Curriculum, 63.8% Standardized Admissions Tests, 58.5% Grades in All Courses, 51.6%
National Association of College Admission Counseling, Survey 2008
Essay or writing sample, 25.8% Class Rank, 23.4% Student’s Demonstrated Interest, 22.0% Counselor Recommendation, 21.1% Teacher Recommendation, 20.8% Extracurricular Activities, 6.5%
Most of the factors are products of ACADEMIC EFFORT
Grades in College Prep Courses, 79.9% Strength of Curriculum, 63.8% Standardized Admissions Tests, 58.5% Grades in All Courses, 51.6% Essay or writing sample, 25.8% Class Rank, 23.4% Student’s Demonstrated Interest, 22.0% Counselor Recommendation, 21.1% Teacher Recommendation, 20.8% Extracurricular Activities, 6.5%
What are colleges looking for?
“There is no secret to getting in...Stop looking for a gimmick.
Tune out the hype.Study hard.
Take the toughest curriculum that you can.The heart of the application is
– and has always been –One’s academic preparation.”
-- UVA Magazine
Standardized Testing
SAT Reasoning Test (aptitude)– Critical Reading– Math– Writing
ACT (achievement)– English– Math– Science– History– Optional writing section
Standardized Testing
SAT Subject Tests– Usually used for placement– Not used for admissions– Subject test requirements vary among colleges
How do I find the best college for me?
“The Student Admissions Funnel”
The best college for you!The best college for you!
Inquiry pool (public, Inquiry pool (public, private, size, cost, private, size, cost, majors, religious majors, religious affiliation, athletics)affiliation, athletics)
4,000+4,000+After research, After research, narrowing the field is narrowing the field is key!key!
8-10-15 schools?8-10-15 schools?Applying to collegeApplying to college
4-6 schools?4-6 schools?
Narrowing your final Narrowing your final decisiondecision
1-3 schools1-3 schools
Research Colleges & Narrow Your List
College search engines– CollegeBoard– Family Connection
Family Connection
Every student will be provided with an individual account
Conduct college searches Compare colleges Students can build a resume Interact with the guidance department Receive email notices & reminders
Research Colleges & Narrow Your List
Mail from colleges Books/magazines Internet resources, college websites Family, friends, teachers, counselors
Research Colleges & Narrow Your List
College visits to BWHS The BWHS Career Center College Fairs
– LCPS College Fair, every September– Diversity In Education College Fair, March 24
Campus Visits
Take notes!!! Classes Students Campus Dorms Dining Halls Surrounding Neighborhoods Extracurricular Activities
What should I be doing now?
Fall College Information Nightfor Juniors
A great college planning goalfor juniors:
Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to
college!
What Should I be Doing Now?
1. Stay on track using checklists & calendars
2. Concentrate on your academics
3. Plan & prepare for the admissions tests
4. Take the admissions tests in the Spring
5. Participate in extracurricular activities
6. Research colleges & narrow your list
7. Visit colleges
8. Behave appropriately online
Stay on Track UsingChecklists & Calendars
Use the a monthly checklist Sign-up for the CollegeBoard electronic
monthly newsletter
Concentrate on Your Academics
Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle.
Work Hard! You can’t “make up for” poor academics
Plan & Prepare for the Admissions Tests/Take the Admissions
Tests in the Spring
College testing– SAT Reasoning Test– ACT
Register now!!! The Loudoun test sites fill up quickly
2009-2010 SAT Dates
October 10 November 7 December 5 January 23 March 13 - BWHS May 1 June 5
2009-2010 ACT Dates
September 12 October 24 December 12 - BWHS February 6 April 10 June 12
Preparing for the Tests
Long-term v. Short-term preparation Free practice tests for the SAT & ACT PSAT – My CollegeQuickstart Free online CollegeBoard SAT course BWHS SAT course Books – look for materials created by the testing
companies themselves Private courses (PTSO)
Participate in Extracurricular Activities
Participate in the extracurricular activities that are meaningful to you – not what you think others want to see.
Extracurriculars include activities inside and outside of school! Community activities are important too!
Don’t be tempted to spread yourself too thin. Be a leader!
Research Colleges &Narrow Your List/Visit Colleges
Research colleges Visit colleges Take notes!
Behave Appropriately Online
Appropriate email address MySpace, Facebook, Youtube, forums, etc.
If you wouldn’t put it on a resume, job application, or college application – don’t post it online!
What Should I be Doing Now?
1. Stay on track using checklists & calendars
2. Concentrate on your academics
3. Plan & prepare for the admissions tests
4. Take the admissions tests in the Spring
5. Participate in extracurricular activities
6. Research colleges & narrow your list
7. Visit colleges
8. Behave appropriately online
What’s Next?This Year
“Life After High School” classroom presentations Every junior will receive a planning folder Scheduling & post-secondary student/counselor
conferences in the Spring “Making the College Search Count” assembly in
the Spring Diversity in Education College Fair, March 24 Spring College Information Night for Juniors
What’s Next?Senior Year
Fall College Information Night for Seniors Classroom presentations in early Fall Individual student/counselor conferences in
the Fall Financial Aid Night in December
Fall College Information Nightfor Juniors
A great college planning goalfor juniors:
Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to
college!
