1. Junior Parent Meeting Navigating the Senior Year Southwest High School September 24, 2008 5 pm

2. Senior Year Preparation Making this year count –Grades matter –6 th Semester GPA/Class rank (College/Scholarship applications) Senior Year Registration –November 18 th & 20 th –Online registration –Graduation /college entrance requirements

3. Planning For The Future Allow your child to make his/her own decisions –Create an atmosphere of mutual trust & respect Explore options together –College (4 Year or 2 Year) –Vocational/Trade Schools –Military –Work Adapted From: College & Career Choices

4. Making An Educated Decision Explore career options –Identify career fields that match your student’s interests Get a good academic fit –Find a college that matches academic preparation Consider GPA & ACT or SAT scores of previous freshmen Adapted from: Careers & Education in Nebraska

5. Types Of Education Universities –Made up of colleges or schools that teach specialized areas –Usually offer graduate degrees at the master’s & PhD level Four-year colleges –Offer wide range of programs Liberal arts colleges –College studies consist of fine arts, natural sciences, social sciences & humanities –Utilizes understanding of past & concern for the future

6. Types Of Education Continued Community colleges –Prepares students for immediate employment –Many feature academic transfer programs Vocational or specialty schools –Usually specialized to a specific occupation or career cluster –Credits seldom transfer to a 4-year school On the job training & apprenticeships –Training provided by employer or labor union Military service –Provides educational opportunities that transfer to civilian occupations

7. Resources for College Information LPS Post High School Planning Guide & LSW Planning Guide at: http://lsw.lps.org/ (both listed under Publications) College Catalogs/View Books Web Sites for LSW Counseling Dept: http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/ & Colleges College Representatives Campus Visits

8. College Visitations Call admissions office in advance Talk to as many students as you can who attend the colleges of interest Prepare for admissions interviews, if applicable Take time to look around on your own Inquire about acceptance of Common Application Adapted From: Associated Colleges of the Midwest

9. College Visitations: Questions To Ask

10. Financial Aid Timeline Ask about financial aid priority deadlines Request supplemental forms from financial aid office (i.e. scholarships) Complete taxes early –Collect tax returns, bank statements, records of income & benefits for parents & students from previous year Request FAFSA pin # at (www.pin.ed.gov) –Fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Check for Student Aid Report (SAR) 4-6 weeks after submitting FAFSA –Submit SAR to financial aid office of schools that have been applied to Confirmation letter for financial aid package will be sent from schools with applications for admissions

11. PSAT ALL college-bound students should take Only way JRs qualify for National Merit Scholarship Program Saturday, Oct. 18 th 8am-12:00pm NO MAKEUP testing Register in Counseling Center – October 1 st -10 th - $18 test fee (limited # of fee waivers)

12. ACT & SAT Tests Check with admissions office about ACT or SAT preference Inquire if SAT II subject tests or ACT Writing are required Many schools now accept both test scores –Harvard, Yale, & University of Pennsylvania Adapted From: Wall Street Journal

13. ACT vs. SAT: How do the tests compare? SAT: 7 times per year –Recent changes include Critical reading passages, essay, & more challenging math –Ten-section exam –Penalty for wrong answers –Scores range from 200-800 per section –2400 highest possible combined score –All scores will be sent to requested schools www.collegeboard.com ACT: 6 times per year –Recent changes include Optional writing section –Four-section exam –No penalty for wrong answers –Scores range from 1 to 36 for each score –36 highest possible composite –Score choice option of which scores schools will receive www.act.org Adapted From: The Princeton Review www.princeton.com

14. Don’t Get Scammed On Your Way To College Look for warning signs that a scholarship may be a scam –“This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.” –“You can’t get this information anywhere else.” –“May I have your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.” –“We’ll do all the work.” –“The scholarship will cost you some money.” –“You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship.” –“You’re a finalist in a contest”-that you didn’t enter.

15. Military Scholarships Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) www.armyrotc.com Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) www.afoats.af.mil Naval Reserve Training Corps (NROTC) Opportunities for both Navy & Marines www.cnet.navy.mil/nrotc.nrotc.htm

16. Thank You The LSW Post-Secondary Counselors would like to thank you for attending tonight’s presentation. Also, special thanks to the College Representatives and guest speakers from: Doane College Nebraska Wesleyan University Southeast Community College University of Nebraska-Lincoln Delmer Esters: Education Quest Pat McBride: University of Nebraska-Lincoln