Junior Meeting Class of 2019

Objectives: What do I need to know NOW about planning for the future? How can I explore my options? What are the next steps if I want to go to a four-year college? Take SATs or ACTs Plan for letters of recommendation and essays Explore my options and decide priorities Begin a list of colleges of interest

What to do now??? START THINKING! Career? Majors? College? Community college? Military? Technical School? Vocational School? Apprenticeship? Employment?

I’m Lost… Launch an Investigation Online! O*net Online: Search for Careers www.onetonline.org College Board Big Future bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search Virginia Wizard Career Exploration – www.vawizard.org Career One Stop - http://www.careeronestop.org I am the One - http://www.i-am-the-one.com

Community College Reasons to a consider community college: Reduced cost for the first two years A chance to attend your dream school through Guaranteed Admissions Student’s career choice only requires two years of community college work Undecided about program of study Not ready to leave home

2+2 Guaranteed Admissions STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE FROM ONE OF VIRGINIA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND A MINIMUM GRADE POINT AVERAGE MAY OBTAIN GUARANTEED ADMISSION TO MORE THAN 20 OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. https://www.vawizard.org/wizard/guaranteed-admission-agreements

Military http://todaysmilitary.com Army Navy Air Force Marines Coast Guard The U.S. Military consists of five active-duty service branches and their respective Guard and Reserve units. Together, they offer a broad variety of ways to serve with an extensive selection of careers. http://todaysmilitary.com

Considering the Military? GI Bill: College tuition, room & board, and books could be paid for after service The military offers training programs in multiple career paths to prepare you for life beyond military service ROTC programs: Apply to colleges for Fall 2018 to receive tuition assistance and graduate as an officer You must serve a commitment to the military upon college graduation

Take a College Tour Take advantage of being on campus ASK QUESTIONS! http://www.i-am-the-one.com/downloads/va-college-university-map/IAmTheOne_VACollegeUniversityMap.pdf

Make a List of Priorities What are YOU looking for? degrees offered location (rural or urban setting) OR distance from home size of the student population public vs. private costs (tuition, room and board, etc.) financial assistance packages campus resources (labs, libraries, computer access, etc.) class size faculty contact degree of pressure to excel student body (diversity, gender, etc.) social life (Greek organizations, sports, school spirit, etc.) religious affiliation/independent housing options (dorms, apartments, living at home) realistic entry expectations (based on typical student admitted): CHECK OUT PRINCETONREVIEW.ORG

Develop a LIST of Schools based on your interests Reach Schools – apply to 1-2 of these School where your academic credentials fall below the school's range for the average freshman. Reach schools are long–shots, but they should still be possible Match Schools – apply to 1-3 of these School where your academic credentials fall well within (or even exceed) the school's range for the average freshman. There are no guarantees, but it's not unreasonable to be accepted to several of your match schools. Safety Schools – 1-2 of these School where your academic credentials fall above the school's range for the average freshman. You can be reasonably certain that you will be admitted to your safety schools.

If you want a four-year college as an OPTION… PREPARE NOW!

What Do Colleges Look For? FIRST, explore the college website or check their profile on Princetonreview.org! HOW CAN I IMPRESS A COLLEGE? Making the best grades possible in rigorous classes Scores on SATs and ACTs Letters of Recommendation Extracurricular Involvement Volunteer work Involvement in athletics Dedication to clubs at school Summer jobs

When Do I Apply? EARLY DECISION – BINDING: IF ACCEPTED, YOU MUST ATTEND THAT COLLEGE. YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSIONS STATUS (USUALLY) BY DECEMBER. IF DEFERRED TO REGULAR ADMISSIONS – YOU ARE RELEASED FROM CONTRACT TO ATTEND. EARLY ACTION – NOT BINDING, BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EARLY RESPONSE (JAN/FEB), YOU TYPICALLY HAVE UNTIL MAY 1ST TO COMMIT. ROLLING ADMISSIONS – YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSION STATUS 4-6 WEEKS AFTER MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED. REGULAR ADMISSIONS – YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSIONS STATUS IN APRIL.

SAT vs. ACT The SAT has 5 sections which include Writing and Language, Reading, 2 Math, and Essay. Total testing time is 3 hours and 50 minutes which includes the essay. The ACT . Has 5 sections which include English, Math, Reading, Science and Writing. Total testing time is 3 hours and 35 minutes which includes the essay. THE TESTS DO ASSESS DIFFERENT INFORMATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS, SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO DO BETTER ON ONE EXAM THAN THE OTHER. MOST COLLEGES WILL ACCEPT EITHER TEST FOR ADMISSIONS.

The NEW SAT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eju5tU526BY

SAT DATES SAT Test Date Registration Deadline March 10, 2018 May 5, 2018 February 9, 2018 April 6, 2018 June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018 Register online at collegeboard.org

ACT Dates ACT Test Date Registration Deadline February 10, 2018 January 12, 2018 April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 June 9, 2018 July 14, 2018 May 4, 2018 June 15, 2018 Register online at ACT.org/register

Can I Get a Fee Waiver? Fee waivers to take the SAT or ACT are available for low income students. This is typically determined by students receiving free or reduced lunch. Once the test has been taken with a fee waiver, the student can receive up to four fee waivers for college applications. Not every college accepts the waiver, but most do. SAT: Your fee waiver will be available on your collegeboard account after you have taken the test. ACT: If you used a fee waiver to take the ACTs, you can see your counselor to get a form for a college admissions application fee waiver.

Resume/Activities List Prepare a resume/activities list prior to your senior year. This resume/activities list is what needs to be given to your School Counselor and any teachers you will ask to write you a letter of recommendation. GIVE PLENTY OF NOTICE! To be included in your resume: All school activities – clubs, sports, leadership positions held Any honors and awards received Any volunteer work at a church or in the community Any programs attended such as HOBY or Boy’s or Girl’s State, Summer Arts or Academic Enrichment Programs Employment (summer jobs, count!) ANYTHING YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH IN HIGH SCHOOL! ***Note: You will enter this information on EVERY application. It pays off to keep it updated, organized, and easy to access.***

STAY INFORMED! Read e-mail at least 3 times a week. Visit Windsor High School website to keep updated on events such as scholarships, college visits, college nights, reminders, etc. Make an appointment with your counselor!

Stay tuned for… Junior Conferences Each counselor will mail letters to invite parents to junior meetings with students CHECK YOUR SNAIL MAIL! What will we do??? Discuss YOUR own PERSONAL plan for the future (yay!) Schedule your courses for senior year! BEFORE YOUR MEETING! Discuss with parents and think CAREFULLY about what courses you are interested in taking and how they will help you prepare for the future!