3. Agenda Post-Secondary Planning Post-Secondary Planning Timeline Timeline Resources Resources

4. Post Secondary Planning

5. Post Secondary Options Employment Employment Career / Technical School Career / Technical School Military Military College College 4 year college 4 year college 2 year college 2 year college

6. The Job Market Gain work experience before starting school Gain work experience before starting school www.iseek.org career exploration, education and training, and employment information. www.iseek.org career exploration, education and training, and employment information. www.iseek.org www.mnworks.net database of available jobs www.mnworks.net database of available jobs www.mnworks.net MN Work Force Centers –assistance finding jobs and training MN Work Force Centers –assistance finding jobs and training

7. Apprenticeships and OJT 2-4 year paid training in which a person learns a trade from other skilled workers. 2-4 year paid training in which a person learns a trade from other skilled workers. There are 105 occupations that have apprentices There are 105 occupations that have apprentices A High School Diploma or GED is required. A High School Diploma or GED is required. MN Dept of Labor and Industry www.dli.mn.gov/Appr.asp MN Dept of Labor and Industry www.dli.mn.gov/Appr.asp www.dli.mn.gov/Appr.asp

8. Armed Forces Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force Selective Service –ALL males must register when they turn 18. This is the law and also necessary in order to qualify for Federal Financial Aid. Selective Service –ALL males must register when they turn 18. This is the law and also necessary in order to qualify for Federal Financial Aid. www.sss.gov www.sss.gov www.sss.gov

9. College Technical College – specific skills in 3mo- 2 yrs Technical College – specific skills in 3mo- 2 yrs Community College – offers 2 year degrees (AA) which can transfer to MN colleges to 4 year colleges and universities. Community College – offers 2 year degrees (AA) which can transfer to MN colleges to 4 year colleges and universities. Four year Colleges and Universities – offer Bachelor, Master’s and Doctoral Degrees. Four year Colleges and Universities – offer Bachelor, Master’s and Doctoral Degrees.

10. About the College Process Keep the process in perspective Keep the process in perspective Work together as a family Work together as a family Students must take ownership Students must take ownership Discuss finances openly Discuss finances openly Start early and meet all deadlines Start early and meet all deadlines

11. Finding a College Evaluate: Evaluate: 4 year vs. 2 year college 4 year vs. 2 year college Size Size Location Location Campus Culture Campus Culture Majors Majors Academic Credentials Academic Credentials Dormitories Dormitories Cost Cost Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities Special Programs Special Programs

12. Hit the Road Visit school’s websites: Visit school’s websites: General Information General Information Requirements Requirements Deadlines Deadlines Attend open houses and tours Attend open houses and tours Speak to current students Speak to current students Schedule interview (if offered) Schedule interview (if offered)

13. Types of Admission Early Decision - Binding Early Decision - Binding Early Action – Not Binding Early Action – Not Binding Rolling Admission Rolling Admission Regular Admission Regular Admission

14. Application Process Transcript Transcript GPA, Courses & Grades GPA, Courses & Grades SAT or ACT Scores, or Placement Test SAT or ACT Scores, or Placement Test Essay(s) Essay(s) Resume Resume Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities Letters of Recommendation Letters of Recommendation

15. Transcript MSSPA mails these directly to colleges upon your request MSSPA mails these directly to colleges upon your request They contain all your high school courses completed and grades They contain all your high school courses completed and grades There is a $4 fee for each transcript There is a $4 fee for each transcript

16. Transcript Quirks Most colleges require a MINIMUM of two years of foreign language Most colleges require a MINIMUM of two years of foreign language Recent grades are thought to be more indicative of your ability to be successful in college Recent grades are thought to be more indicative of your ability to be successful in college Colleges will likely not see any Senior year grades before they make their admission decisions, so finish out Junior year with strong grades. Colleges will likely not see any Senior year grades before they make their admission decisions, so finish out Junior year with strong grades.

17. College Admissions Testing Students must register to take the ACT and/or SAT and pay required registration fees. Students must register to take the ACT and/or SAT and pay required registration fees. Each test is offered 6-7 times per year at large high schools all over the US. Each test is offered 6-7 times per year at large high schools all over the US. To see dates and register for tests: To see dates and register for tests: SAT www.collegeboard.com SAT www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com ACT www.actstudent.org ACT www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org

18. SAT/ACT Most colleges accept either Most colleges accept either ACT has 4 sections (English, Math, Reading and Science) and an optional writing section Emphasis on HS curriculum ACT has 4 sections (English, Math, Reading and Science) and an optional writing section Emphasis on HS curriculum SAT has 3 sections (Verbal, Math, and Writing). Emphasis on reasoning skills SAT has 3 sections (Verbal, Math, and Writing). Emphasis on reasoning skills

19. SAT Subject Tests A few colleges require SAT Subject Tests. A few colleges require SAT Subject Tests. These test your knowledge of a specific subject such as Literature, United States History, or Chemistry These test your knowledge of a specific subject such as Literature, United States History, or Chemistry Offered only a few times each year. Offered only a few times each year.

20. Testing Accommodations Students with disabilities may qualify for testing accommodations Students with disabilities may qualify for testing accommodations www.actstudent.org/regist/disab/ www.actstudent.org/regist/disab/ www.actstudent.org/regist/disab/ www.sat.collegeboard.org/register/for-students- with-disabilities www.sat.collegeboard.org/register/for-students- with-disabilities www.sat.collegeboard.org/register/for-students- with-disabilities www.sat.collegeboard.org/register/for-students- with-disabilities See Mrs. Ernst or Ms. Carlson with questions See Mrs. Ernst or Ms. Carlson with questions

21. Accuplacer Placement Exam- required by many 2-year schools Placement Exam- required by many 2-year schools Reading, English and Mathematics Reading, English and Mathematics Contact the 2-year school for registration information, test prep and accommodations Contact the 2-year school for registration information, test prep and accommodations

22. Test Prep Classes www.advantageprep.net Classes www.advantageprep.netwww.advantageprep.net Practice Booklets (available for free) Practice Booklets (available for free) Test Prep Books Test Prep Books Online Practice Online Practice www.act.student.org www.act.student.org www.act.student.org www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.org www.princetonreview.com www.princetonreview.com www.princetonreview.com

23. Teacher Recommendations Choose a teacher who “knows you”, not just one whose class you got an “A” in. Choose a teacher who “knows you”, not just one whose class you got an “A” in. Ask teachers for letters early so they have time to create a well-written letter. Ask teachers for letters early so they have time to create a well-written letter. Provide a stamped, addressed envelope and list of activities. Provide a stamped, addressed envelope and list of activities. Check back with teachers to verify that they have mailed the requested letters. Check back with teachers to verify that they have mailed the requested letters.

24. Timeline

25. April - June Take the ACT or SAT Tests Take the ACT or SAT Tests Start making a list of colleges Start making a list of colleges Research –do they match your wants and needs Research –do they match your wants and needs Visit schools Visit schools Select teachers who you will ask to write recommendations Select teachers who you will ask to write recommendations

26. Early Summer Narrow your list of schools to a manageable number (3-5) Narrow your list of schools to a manageable number (3-5) Take a look at last year’s application to see what kinds of items were required – Essays? How many? Letters of recommendation? Porfolios? Inteviews? Take a look at last year’s application to see what kinds of items were required – Essays? How many? Letters of recommendation? Porfolios? Inteviews?

27. August Register to retake ACT/SAT/Subject Tests Register to retake ACT/SAT/Subject Tests ** The last ACT that will return scores in time to meet most deadlines is offered in September. Finalize list of colleges & application deadlines Finalize list of colleges & application deadlines Finalize teacher/counselor recommendation requests Finalize teacher/counselor recommendation requests Start working on your application essay Start working on your application essay Research scholarships Research scholarships

28. September Senior Parent Meeting Senior Parent Meeting Prepare Early Decision/Early Action applications and turn them in well in advance of deadlines Prepare Early Decision/Early Action applications and turn them in well in advance of deadlines Polish your application essay Polish your application essay Visit with College Representatives at MSSPA Visit with College Representatives at MSSPA Attend College Receptions Attend College Receptions Make strong connections with Admission Reps Make strong connections with Admission Reps

29. October Continue submitting applications – rolling deadlines: the earlier you submit an application, the less competition your application will face. Continue submitting applications – rolling deadlines: the earlier you submit an application, the less competition your application will face. ACT/SAT re-takes ACT/SAT re-takes National College Fair National College Fair Performing and Visual Arts College Fair Performing and Visual Arts College Fair Groves Academy LD/ADHD College and Post Secondary Options Fair Groves Academy LD/ADHD College and Post Secondary Options Fair

30. November Thanksgiving—finish applications Thanksgiving—finish applications Keep searching for scholarships Keep searching for scholarships December  Apply for a FAFSA pin number www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov

31. Resources & Upcoming Events Financial Aid Night—Jan 15, 2013 at 7pm Financial Aid Night—Jan 15, 2013 at 7pm College Reps Visiting MSSPA— Listen to announcements and sign up for a pass College Reps Visiting MSSPA— Listen to announcements and sign up for a pass National College Fair—October National College Fair—October Performing and Visual Arts College Fair – October Performing and Visual Arts College Fair – October

32. Resources Where to find resources: Where to find resources: Handouts Handouts Most Frequently Used Resources: Most Frequently Used Resources: www.CollegeBoard.com www.CollegeBoard.com www.CollegeBoard.com www.bigfuture.org www.bigfuture.org www.bigfuture.org www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org www.actstudent.org www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com NCAA - www.ncaa.org NCAA - www.ncaa.orgwww.ncaa.org Common Application -www.commonapp.org Common Application -www.commonapp.orgwww.commonapp.org FAFSA - www.fafsa.ed.gov FAFSA - www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov

33. Other Resources Listen to Announcements! Listen to Announcements! Talk to Ms. Carlson or Ms. Soskin Talk to Ms. Carlson or Ms. Soskin Talk with Teachers/Family/ Friends Talk with Teachers/Family/ Friends