1. Life After High School Median Annual Earnings For Single Wage-Earner By Level Of Education High School Dropout $18,344 High School Graduate $25,935 Some College $30,250 Associate Degree $31,910 Bachelor’s Degree $41,800 Master’s Degree $51,244 Doctorate Degree $71,050 Professional Degree $82,007

2. High School Graduation Requirements Required Courses CAHSEE Service Learning Computer Literacy

3. Required Courses You must meet specific state and local graduation requirements. Meet with your counselor to determine your 4-year Individualized Graduation Plan You need a total of 230 credits

4. California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) You can begin taking the CAHSEE in 10 th grade IF you have 55+ credits. English Language Arts and Mathematics If you do not pass…you can retake. CAHSEE will be proctored March 8 & 9, 2011 No time limit (approx. 2 hours)

5. Service Learning Outreach Project (15 hours of community service in 9 th grade Health) History/Social Science Department (10 th, 11 th and 12 th grade) Seniors who have not met this requirement have until May 15 th.

6. Computer Literacy Computer Literacy is the ability to communicate using appropriate and accurate terminology and basic computer skills. To meet this requirement: –Complete a computer education course

7. 2-year vs. 4-year A community college (2-year) offers an Associate’s Degree A college or university (4-year) offers Bachelor's Degrees Often community college credits can be transferred to a college or university (articulation agreements)

8. Vs  of Community College Cheaper than 4-year schools Live at home Credits may transfer to a 4- year No HS diploma or SAT required  High drop out rate  Live at home  Requires very careful planning  Placement test required

9. 2-Year Admission Application –They do fill up, so be sure to apply early! Placement test –The higher you place the less classes you take! –You may have to pay for high school classes ~ which don’t count towards your 2-year

10. College vs. University Both are 4-year institutions offering undergraduate degrees (BA, BS) Universities also offer graduate degrees (Masters, PhD, etc)

11. 4-Year Admission Application –Many due before Thanksgiving! –Most require an essay, transcripts, references and test scores…start early! Tests = SAT and/or ACT

12. PSAT Total Test Time = 2 hours 10 minutes You can take the PSAT in October of your Freshman, Sophomore or Junior Year It is a mini-version of SAT Reasoning test The PSAT does not include a written essay (which is part of the SAT reasoning test) If you do well, you may qualify for participation in the National Merit Scholastic scholarship competition (NMSQT) Approximately $15. This year LAUSD paid for all 10 th graders to take the PSAT.

13. PSAT Format Critical-reading section (approx. 50 ?’s) –Sentence completion –Passage based reading Mathematics section (approx. 40?’s) –Multiple choice –Student produced responses Writing section (approx. 40 ?’s) –Multiple choice

14. SAT Reasoning Total Testing Time = 3 hours 45 minutes You can take the SAT in your Junior or Senior Year Offered 7 times per year 200-800 points per section 2-12 points for the essay Approximately $40 (you can have fee waived IF you qualify for the meal program…See Ms. Sagardia in the College Office)

15. SAT Format Just FYI…there IS a penalty for wrong answers ● Critical Reading –Sentence completions –Multiple choice Mathematics –Multiple choice –Student produced responses Writing –Multiple choice –Essay

16. SAT Subject Test Total Test Time = 1 hour A student may take up to 3 Subject Tests in 1 day Subject tests are offered the same dates and times as the SAT Reasoning. You can take EITHER the SAT Reasoning OR the SAT Subject test in one day

17. SAT Subject Test Format Just FYI…there IS a penalty for wrong answers Subjects: Science, History and Social Studies, Foreign Language, Literature and Mathematics –Primarily multiple choice questions

18. American College Test (ACT) Total Test Time = 2 hours 55 minutes + 30 minutes for writing test The ACT and SAT are compatible…I suggest that you take BOTH to provide the College/University with the highest score. The ACT is language based…so if you are not strong in Mathematics you may want to consider. Offered 6 times per year 1-36 points per subject 2-12 points for the writing test Approximately $40 (you can have fee waived IF you qualify for the meal program…See Ms. Sagardia in the College Office)

19. ACT Format J ust FYI…there is No penalty for wrong answers English Mathematics Reading Science Optional writing test

20. Testing Tips Get a good night sleep Eat a well balanced breakfast Dress in layers Bring a sharpened, #2 pencil (1+) Bring a photo ID Leave ALL electronic devices off! Better yet leave them at home or in the car.

21. Vocational Options Military Service Trade School Training programs