What’s NEXT After

High School?Exploring the Postsecondary Options…

Nicole Hairston, Graduation Coach

PARENT NIGHT 2013

TOPICS COVERED

1. Postsecondary options2. Student Profiles3. Financial Aid4. Transcripts5. College Application Week

What are your child’s plans following high school?

• No matter the goal, they must start planning now

• Better planning now = better opportunities• Poor planning now = limited opportunities• No idea where to start? Totally lost? You’re in

the right place!• Counselors are here to walk with you through

this process!

WORLD OF WORK

• Most jobs require additional training within the first year

• Students should prepare a resume NOW• Begin looking for jobs and talking with people

in that job to get a better idea of what it will be like

• Consider completing an internship this year to gain practical experience

JOINING THE MILITARY

US Military

Army

Navy

Air Force

Marine CorpsCoast Guard

National Guard

Air National Guard

• Talk with recruiters NOW• Ask about:• Different jobs they can offer

when your child enlists• Educational opportunities and

funding they can provide• Taking the ASVAB –

determines whether your child is qualified to enlist & is a career inventory tool

• 10th & 12th students will take on March 5th

TRADE/TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

• Offer certifications or licensure in specialized programs (generally taking 2 years or less)

• Professions such as plumbing, auto mechanics, electrician, hair styling, culinary arts

• Research schools now: campus tour, costs, job placement rate

• Consider an internship this year, job shadowing, interviewing someone already in the profession

(i.e. The Art Institutes, Kaplan, ITT Tech, Southeastern, ECPI, DeVry, Capella)

COMMUNITY COLLEGES/2-YEAR INSTITUTIONS

• Generally accept all students with a high school diploma or equivalent

• Cost is often significantly lower than 4-year institutions

• Earn an Associate’s degree after two years or prepare to transfer to a 4-year university

• “College Transfer” program• Applying to CPCC

Central Piedmont Community College

Key Dates2.6 unweighted GPA= no accuplacer test

April 2014– Accuplacer given @ MCHS

April 2014– CPCC on campus to pick classes for Fall 2014

4-YEAR UNIVERSITIES

• Find out about the admissions process at each school and deadlines

• Colleges may not have flexible deadlines – encourage your child get in everything days or weeks before it is due

• If needed, your child should already be registered for the November or December SAT/ACT

• Visit CFNC.org to apply to several schools at once

FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE

• Don’t give up when you see the price tag!• Research which scholarships are available to

you:– MCHS Scholarship Newsletter– www.scholarshipplus.com/charmeck/

MCHS Financial Aid NightJanuary 30th @ 6:00pm in Auditorium

FINANCIAL AID continued…

• Beware of scams! We recommend you:– Never pay an application fee for a scholarship– Never respond to emails requesting for your or

your child’s social security number– Never pay anyone to help your child obtain

scholarships

TRANSCRIPTS

• Students must request transcripts from Guidance (see Ms. Hunsucker)

• Turnaround time is a few days (same day service is not available)

• 1st transcript is free, each additional is $3.00• Payment due at time request is turned in• CPCC only requires Final transcript

COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK

• Some schools waive the application fee for ALL students during the week of Nov. 18-22, 2013

• Sign up to apply at MCHS on Nov. 20th• Some students may be eligible for fee waivers

at other times – see Ms. Hunsucker in guidance

Questions?

• Planning for after high school can be exciting, frustrating, and scary for students and parents!

• Ask lots of questions and seek help from the MCHS counselors!

Guidance Office: 980-343-0085MCHS Main Office: 980-343-1341