Next Steps: Finishing Strong @ SC4 & Applying to College - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Next Steps: Finishing Strong @ SC4 & Applying to College Friday, September 11, 2020

BWMCA Grad: This could be you next year! Friday, September 05, 2014

Goals of this session • Know what you need to do to achieve your SC4/BWMCA goals: HS diploma, college degree, transferable credits, certificate, etc. • Provide information for taking your next academic steps • Inspire you to start the college application process now • Help you submit quality university applications

News and Announcements • Early Alert grades available October 5 th . • Winter registration opens on Monday , November 2 nd . BE READY!! • “Paying for College” Session – early November via Zoom; Parents will be invited to join.

High School Graduation –Know what you need; check your audit –13 th year math (all students) • SC4 math or math ‐ related class • Online Personal Finance class • Check your college audit sent from Ms. Whymer for your status –High school diploma in May 2020

This is a BIG year! • You are doubling the number of credits you earned during the first 2 years. • You should complete two important goals: – High school diploma – College associate degree • You begin the transfer to your next academic and/or career steps. • It is time to lean in, not lay back. * In program all 3 years

Time to Lean In Let’s look at some data from our graduates: •At time of BWMCA graduation, approximately 57% of students earn their SC4 degree. •2 years after graduation about 2/3 (67%) of BWMCA grads have a degree. That is good, but… * In program all 3 years

Time to Lean In …. Over 40% do not receive degree at end of grade 13, and …. About 1/3 don’t have a degree 2 years after leaving the middle college. That is too many! WHY??

Time to Lean In Why don’t student earn degree on time?? – Some change their program – A few focus only on earning credits that will transfer to four ‐ year school – Most do not earn their degree on time due to withdrawing from or failing classes.

Withdrawing 51 Blue Water Middle College 2019 graduates withdrew from 1 or more class. Of those 51, only 18 (35%) earned an associate degree. Of 21 students who withdrew from 2 or more classes, only 10% earned a degree. 80% of the 88 students who earned a degree on time withdrew from 0 classes! Conclusion: Do not withdraw! Earn your degree!

Withdrawing Withdrawing from a college class is costly: – It will likely lead to a delay in earning your degree – It will likely result in you having to pay for an additional college class in the future. ($500 - $2,000) – It will result in a “W” on your college transcript – It may impact financial aid in the future – It will cost you the opportunity to learn how to face a difficult challenge and overcome it.

Withdrawing • If you start thinking about withdrawing from a class, contact one of us. • A “Withdrawal Permission Form” must be completed and approved before a student is allowed to withdraw from a course.

Withdrawing Steps to take prior to withdrawing: • Meet w/ BWMCA staff member • BWMCA staff will communicate w/ parent • Student must get academic help: – Meet w/ your instructor – Get tutoring help • Learn future consequences of withdrawing • Student and parent must confirm desire to withdraw • BWMCA staff may then approve withdrawal (may not)

Achieving Current Goals 1. Meet w/ SC4 advisor soon to be sure you are on track for your Associate Degree or you know exactly what you still need. Discuss options. (Advising sessions are remote now.) 2. Meet w/ SC4 advisor to discuss transferability of credits to future colleges and degree programs. 3. BWMCA staff can help with topics above, but we don’t issue degrees . See a college advisor!

Complete your degree! • On time • Or with a summer 2020 class • Or by transferring courses from a new college back to SC4. An associate degree has value. You never know what is going to happen over the next few years on your way to a bachelor’s degree.

Steps in the College Application Process:

Steps in the College Application Process: 1. Identify colleges or universities you want to attend: – Do they help you achieve your goals? – Do they meet your other criteria? • Location, size, cost, private/public, etc. – Will your credits transfer? mitransfer.org, the college web site, or SC4 advisor – Do you meet their criteria? • GPA, SAT, other factors

Steps in the College Application Process: 1. Identify colleges or universities you want to attend: – Sites that can help: • BigFuture.org • Petersons.com • Parchment.com • Google

Steps in the College Application Process: 2. Prepare to apply: – Know deadlines for applying: • Write deadlines and to-do’s on your calendar – Learn how to apply: • Online through college website • Via Common Application site: commonapp.org

Steps in the College Application Process: 2. Prepare to apply: –Application fees? ($0 - $50) (Fee waivers are available) – Apply as a freshman – The Blue Water Middle College Academy is your high school.

Steps in the College Application Process: 3. Apply: –Follow steps carefully –Keep records: • Write down usernames & passwords • Save emails

Steps in the College Application Process: • Apply: (Continued) –Request transcripts • BWMCA (your high school) –Know your HS GPA –Your BWMCA transcript was mailed home this summer –Keep your GPA strong!! • Parchment.com for your HS transcript

Parchment For requesting your transcript And College research

Steps in the College Application Process: • Apply: (Continued) –Request transcripts • SC4 for college transcript (Order online from WAVE; $5.25) [sc4.edu/transcript] • You will need to send a final SC4 transcript to the school you decide to attend in June, 2020.

Steps in the College Application Process: • Apply: (Continued) –Communicate with the colleges • Visits (Virtual?) • Call or email with questions during the process • Build a relationship with an individual if possible • Respond to requests promptly • Check your email! Keep contacts formal!!

Steps in the College Application Process: • Apply: (Continued) – Application Essays • Sometimes required; sometimes optional • Find an opportunity to mention your middle college experiences • Tell them why you want to attend; what you can bring to their campus. • Get your essay(s) proofread!!

Steps in the College Application Process: 4. After acceptance: –Financial aid • Research web sites for information • Complete FAFSA!! • FAFSA opens in October –“Paying for College” Success Session • November • Parents invited