College Planning for Sophomores World Lit Classes

High SchoolCollege Credits per semester Credits Required for Graduation Type of Diploma/Degree Diploma2-yr degree = Associates 4-yr degree = Bachelor’s Hours of Week in Class Amount of HomeworkVaries by class24-30 hours per week Number of Tests1 every 2-4 weeks2-3 per semester Amount of ReadingVaries by class1-3 chapters per week for each class

 Junior Year ◦ Research colleges ◦ Research possible majors & careers ◦ Start making college visits – you are allowed 2 excused visit days ◦ Take the ACT  Senior Year ◦ Apply to colleges by November 1 st ◦ Apply for scholarships through your college, & local, state, metro, & national awards ◦ Fill out a FAFSA by as early as October

 ALL JUNIORS WILL TAKE A FREE ACT HERE AT SOUTH NEXT SPRING!!  English, Math, Science, & Reading ◦ Writing Portion is optional  Fees: $39.50 or $56.50 for ACT + Writing ◦ Fee waivers are available!!  ALL colleges will accept the ACT  Given 6 times per year South  Colleges will take your best composite score  Can take as many times as you choose  Registration packets available in the Counseling Office or register online at

 ALL colleges will accept the ACT  Some colleges, especially the elite schools, will want you to take a couple of SAT subject tests ◦ Hour-long, content-based tests ◦ Allows you to showcase achievement & interest in specific subject areas where you excel ◦ Allow you to differentiate yourself to colleges & show readiness to study specific majors or programs  Recommend you take a certain subject test immediately after completing an AP course  Courses in English, Math, History, Science, & Foreign Languages 

 ACT Prep class offered each semester for ½ credit  ACT Prep Days – 3 per year  DeVry, Northwest MO State, and Sylvan Learning Centers sometimes offer prep days  On-line prep on

 Pre-SAT  Measures critical reading, math problem- solving, and writing skills  Qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program  Wednesday, October 19 th South

 Extremely select program based on test scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, classes taken, activities & leadership  Top 3% of students who take the PSAT will move on in the competition  Commended Scholars  September of senior year – notification to Semi- Finalists  February of senior year – notification to Finalists  Winners are announced in March – June ◦ $2500 National Merit Scholarships ◦ Corporate-sponsored merit scholarships ◦ College-sponsored merit scholarships

 Merit-based awards that can be used at Missouri colleges  Top 3% (31+ ACT) = Possible $2500/yr renewable ◦ Funding can change from year-to-year depending on the state budget  No application; MO Dept. of Higher Ed will send you a letter spring of senior year if you qualify **Encouraged to always list at least 1 Missouri college on your ACT

 VERY selective – Many highly selective schools only accept around 10% of their applicants  Admission Criteria: ◦ Grades / Class Rank ◦ Test Scores ◦ Rigor of classes ◦ Activities, Volunteer Experience, Leadership Positions ◦ Essays ◦ Letters of Recommendation ◦ Personal Interviews ◦ **Connection to alumnae

 Allows you to apply early (usually in Nov.)  Receive admission decision well in advance of the usual spring notification date; normally by Dec. or Jan.  Sometimes you have a better chance of acceptance than via regular admissions process.  Early Decision – You agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. ◦ Can apply to only 1 college for Early Decision, but can apply to others for regular admission ◦ If accepted by 1 st choice college, you must withdraw all other applications  Early Action – similar to Early Decision, but non-binding ◦ Can choose to commit right away or wait until spring ◦ Can apply to other colleges as Early Action

 Common Application is used by almost 400 colleges – ◦ Application ◦ Secondary School Report ◦ Mid-year Report ◦ Final Report ◦ Teacher Evaluations (may be required by colleges)  CSS Profile – form used by some colleges to award aid ◦ Used in addition to FAFSA ◦ Can file as early as October 1 of senior year ◦ $25 for 1 st college; $16 for additional colleges

 Air Force, Naval, Military (West Point)  Application process starts in spring of junior year  Very competitive ◦ Grades & Test Scores ◦ Rigorous Course Load ◦ Physical Aptitude ◦ Activities & Leadership Experience ◦ **Must commit to 5+ years of service after graduation  Congressional Nomination ◦ REQUIRED to be admitted to an academy ◦ Contact your local congressional representative

 Extra cord worn at graduation  100 hours of community service  Log sheets available in the Counseling Office  Return logs to your assistant principal by May 1 st of each school year  You can start logging hours now!!

 Leadership opportunity during summer before senior year  Mock government  Participants from around the state of Missouri  Applications available in the spring in the Counseling Office  Great résumé builder!!

 FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid  Aid is awarded based on income & family size  FAFSA not available until October of your senior year  Most scholarship money comes from merit scholarships offered through colleges (GPA & ACT)  Over 150 scholarships available through the Counseling Office  Most are for seniors; some are for juniors  Check Guidance Announcements for information & deadlines!

 Check the Guidance Announcements on South’s website   

 2.5 cumulative GPA by graduation  95% attendance by graduation  50 hours of tutoring ◦ Available during the summer & school year  Sign up with Mr. Baier in the Main Office  The earlier you sign up, the earlier you can get started!!

 The single BEST way to access information  New newsletter every Friday ◦ Copies posted in classrooms and available in Counseling Office ◦ Available on South’s website under Guidance Dept.  Scholarships  ACT & SAT test dates & Test Prep opportunities  Internships, Job Postings, & Volunteer Opportunities  Summer Camps & Leadership Retreats

◦ Important announcements ◦ Upcoming Deadlines ◦ Scholarship & college info ◦ Shout-out’s to Jags doing great things!!

 College admissions officers are watching you!!!  A record 40% of college admissions & recruiting offices now visit applicant’s social media pages  That number climbs each year!

 Does this post make me look like college material? ◦ Are you dressed appropriately? ◦ Do you appear level headed? ◦ Do you use proper grammar and spelling?  Would I say this on television? ◦ Be careful not to trash talk another college or a person  Does this post lead to excessive commenting? ◦ Rethink posts that are likely to trigger a barrage of crazy or controversial comments that you’ll have to edit out of your timeline.  Is this funny? Is it offensive? Does it require too much explanation?  Does everyone need to read this? ◦ Choose your words carefully. What might be intended as inspirational can be interpreted as bragging.