NEXT STEP: BHS SENIOR BROOKINGS HIGH SCHOOL ARE YOU READY? What - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

NEXT STEP: BHS SENIOR BROOKINGS HIGH SCHOOL

ARE YOU READY?  What Are My Options?  The College Selection Process  College Entrance Exams  Application Process  Paying for College  Apprenticeship  Military  Workforce

THIS PRESENTATION IS FOR ALL STUDENTS!

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?  College  T echnical School  Military  Apprenticeship  Workforce

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ME?  Interests  Abilities  Hobbies  Previous Jobs  Personality  Work Values  SD MyLife can help!

WHERE SHOULD I APPLY? PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE!!  Majors and Educational Programs  Type of school (2 or 4 year) and degrees offered  Admission Requirements  Location  Size & Setting  Academic Reputation  Cost  Athletics  Campus Activities and Support Services

WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS  Academic Record  GPA  Class Rank  Standardized Test Scores  Extracurricular Involvement  Recommendations  Essays

USING THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH  SD MyLife College Selector Tool  Educational Opportunities in South Dakota www.dacac.com  CollegeBoard: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search

THE CAMPUS VISIT  Plan your visit in advance (Avoid dropping in!)  Visit when school is in session  Bring your parents!  Meet with an instructor in the area you want to study  Sit in on a class  Eat in the cafeteria  Examine the following -surroundings, library, departments of interest, student life, extracurricular activities, cafeteria, housing, fitness facilities, etc. Visiting a school is one of the best ways to determine whether it is the school for you!

TAKE ALONG SOME QUESTIONS! BE SURE TO TALK TO OTHER STUDENTS!  What are the best reasons to go to this school?  What is there to do in your free time or on the weekends?  What are the average class sizes?  What percentage of students receive scholarships and financial aid?  Where do most freshmen live?  How easy is it to meet with faculty?  What are the biggest safety and security issues on this campus?  College placement rate (Especially at a 2 year technical school)  GOOGLE “Questions to Ask on a College Visit”

HOUSING  Deadlines!  Is there freshman housing? (Technical Schools)  How do I find off campus housing?  How is my roommate assigned?  Can I have my own room?  Visitation guidelines?  Laundry service?  What is furnished in my room and what do I need to bring?  Security?

TACKLING THE TESTS  4 Year School SAT/ACT  Technical Schools-Accuplacer, Compass, TABE  Check the specific requirements at the school you are interested in!  SD MyLife has preparation tools for these assessments  BHS offers an ACT preparation class

ACT & SAT • When should I take it! • Online registration – Watch deadline! – BHS Code:420-170 • Cost: – ACT= $36.50; writing = $52.50 • www.act.org – SAT=$51 – Fee Waiver • Practice makes perfect ! (Follow ACT’s question of the day on Facebook or Twitter!) – BHS ACT Test Prep

ACT SAT  English, Math, Reading & Science  Math, Critical Reading & Writing  Optional Writing Component  Required Writing Component  Most widely accepted  Selective/coast schools  Some colleges require writing  Some colleges require SAT subject tests  Points for correct answers  Penalized for wrong answers

SCORING  SAT  *Range is 200-800  *The 3 scores are added for your total score (2400 highest)  ACT  *Range is 0-36  *Composite score is the average of the 4 tests combined.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS  Narrow your choice to 5-7 schools  Apply to a range of schools  Review college admission requirements  Be aware of admission deadlines and application fees  Submit all application materials by deadline (Application, transcripts, standardized test scores, recommendations and essay if required.)  Timeline: Before Christmas for sure!  Technical Schools: Some programs fill up VERY QUICKLY! Apply early!

WHICH ADMISSION OPTION IS BEST FOR YOU?  Early Decision: Apply by October; Requests that the college decide on acceptance early (Nov.-Jan) and agrees to enroll if accepted (BINDING). Used for 1 st choice.  Early Action: Apply by November; Similar to early decision, but if the student is accepted they can choose whether or not they will attend (NONBINDING)  Regular Admission: Most common option used. A deadline is set for the application to be received and all notifications are sent out usually around April.  Rolling Admission: A college accepts students who meet admission requirements on a first come, first serve basis until a freshman class fills. Applicants usually find out admission status within a couple of weeks of applying.

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION  Can complete online!  Make a copy of the application to use as a worksheet before completing the final application  Use a professional sounding e-mail address  PROOFREAD!  Make copies of all submissions!  Common App

RECOMMENDATIONS  Give your teacher or counselor at least 2 weeks notice  Give them a resume that includes your goals, academic record, accomplishments and involvement in extra-curricular activities.  Check back with them

JUNIOR RESUME • Why: – Sent with student transcript – Use with scholarship applications – @ jr. mtg. – How: See green sheet OR http://www.sdmylife.com/

SENDING TRANSCRIPTS & SAT/ACT SCORES  Fill out transcript request form in the BHS Counselor’s Office SAT/ACT Scores You must submit your SAT/ACT scores electronically through College Board or ACT for some schools. They will not accept your scores off your transcript.

HELP! I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WANT TO MAJOR IN!  See your school counselor!  Revisit the results of your interest, ability and personality assessments on SD MyLife  Retake the interest assessment on SD MyLife.  Try out different classes at BHS your senior year!  Make sure to check demand!  Job Shadow

HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST?  Determine College Costs  Financial Aid (Scholarships, Grants, Loans)  Attend the Financial Aid Workshop at BHS in February of 2015 (FAFSA.ed.gov; Everyone Should!)  Do your taxes early next year  DON’T eliminate any college based on cost before receiving the financial aid package from that school. Financial aid makes it possible for everyone to go to school!

$ SCHOLARSHIPS $  Apply! Apply! Apply!  No scholarship is too small to apply for!  Watch the deadlines!  Keep copies of your applications  Apply for scholarships at the schools you are applying to.  BHS Local Scholarship Application

$ SCHOLARSHIPS $  BHS Scholarship Listings  SDOS  Dakota Corps  Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program  SD MyLife Scholarship Selector  Online Scholarship Tools (Fastweb)

PAYING FOR COLLEGE  RECIPROCITY  WUE-Western Undergraduate Exchange

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS  Demand in South Dakota for graduates in technical fields!  High $ in those high demand fields

COLLEGE BOUND STUDENT ATHLETES  Complete the NCAA Clearinghouse Application at www.elegibilitycenter.org; Cost is $70  If you are being actively recruited, the NCAA eligibility center will certify the academic and amateur credentials of all college bound student athletes wishing to compete in NCAA Division I and II athletics.  If you are being recruited by a junior college/community college, NAIA has a separate clearinghouse you must register with. Fee also required.

MILITARY  www.todaysmilitary.com  Step 1; Do your best on the ASVAB! (BHS October)  Step 2: Recognize your interests and find relevant jobs in the Military  Step 3: Consult with a recruiter with a parent.  Step 4; Consult with a military career counselor.

WORLD OF WORK  Earn a National Career Readiness Certificate. (offered at BHS in the Spring of the year)  The NCRC is an industry-recognized, evidence-based credential that certifies essential skills needed for workplace success. The Certificate complements other credentials such as a high school diploma.  Some employers use it as a screening tool to find a good fit employee. (Bel Brands)

 http://dlr.sd.gov/workforce_training/apprenticeship_benefits.aspx  Earn while you learn!  Receive formal on-the-job training from a qualified worker  Acquire a skill which allows for more effectively competing in the labor market.  Searchable apprenticeship database  In Brookings County: carpenter, electrician, line-installer, line maintainer, line repairer. In Minnehaha County: boiler operator, dental assistant, heating and air conditioning, plumber, sheet metal worker, etc.

BHS RESOURCES  BHS Website- Student Services Link  Newsletters  E-Mails  Announcements  Junior 1-1 Meeting with School Counselor  Senior 1-1 Meeting with School Counselor

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE  Youth Business Adventure  Boys/Girls State  SD Remedial Coursework  Finish your senior year strong!

QUESTIONS  Questions?  Optional: SD MyLife Mini Tour

THANK YOU FOR COMING!  BHS SCHOOL COUNSELORS  Ms. Coble (A-He)  Mrs. Johnson (He-P)  Mr. Mork (P-Z)