Georgetown High School Guidance and Counseling High School Graduation… and Beyond! and Beyond!

Georgetown Guidance Counselors for CounselorAssignmentPhone (512) Sheila Lehmann Lead Counselor and Testing Coordinator ext 7548 Steven Schoelman A-G ext 7198 Karen French H-O ext 7111 Laura Ottun P-Z ext 7508 Amy Beran Academic Advisor ext 7250 Debra Bean CounselorSecretary ext 5102

Agenda Post-secondary options Testing and other requirements Application procedures Scholarships and financial aid Individual meetings

WHY BOTHER? CAREER PLANNING IS ONE OF LIFES MAJOR DECISIONS CAREER PLANNING IS ONE OF LIFES MAJOR DECISIONS KNOWING HOW TO MAKE DECISION IS IMPORTANT KNOWING HOW TO MAKE DECISION IS IMPORTANT Clearly state a goal Clearly state a goal Make a commitment of time Make a commitment of time Generate alternative Generate alternative Collect information Collect information Estimate consequences Estimate consequences Re-evaluate Re-evaluate Make a tentative decision Make a tentative decision Leave some options open Leave some options open

A DECISION THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU Planning gets you in the right ballpark. Planning gets you in the right ballpark. Later decisions get you into the right seat and section Later decisions get you into the right seat and section Planning gives purpose Planning gives purpose

Factors to Consider: INTEREST Measurable--transitory--based on exposure (actual or vicarious). Measurable--transitory--based on exposure (actual or vicarious). ABILITIES/APTITUDE ABILITIES/APTITUDE Measurable--can be enhanced with training. Measurable--can be enhanced with training. HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT Not an absolute, but does show types of courses attempted and pattern of achievement. Not an absolute, but does show types of courses attempted and pattern of achievement. MOTIVATION MOTIVATION Intangible--deciding factor. Intangible--deciding factor.

Lets Define Post-Secondary Education Certificate/License programs Certificate/License programs Apprenticeship/ OJT Apprenticeship/ OJT Military Military Technical/Trade Schools Technical/Trade Schools 2 year college 2 year college 4 year college or University 4 year college or University

AFTER GRADUATION WHAT????? THE COLLEGE WHY: If your career plans call for it. If you want to enlarge your intellectual growth. If you want the status that goes with being a college graduate. College is not for everyone. Only about 25% of all jobs require a college degree. College is more demanding than high school. You are more on your own. You need good study habits. Entrance exams are required for most. Admission requirements vary

How is a student supposed to know what a college requires to gain entrance? Glad you asked! User Name: Georgetown User Name: Georgetown Password: Careers Password: Careers Click on Schools Click on Schools Click on Search for Schools Click on Search for Schools

Entrance Exams SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST (SAT I) SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST (SAT I) Widely used by the more selective schools. Widely used by the more selective schools. Divided into VERBAL and MATH parts. Divided into VERBAL and MATH parts. Approximately 4 hours. Approximately 4 hours. Annual test dates will normally occur on Saturdays in October, November, December, January, April, May and June. Annual test dates will normally occur on Saturdays in October, November, December, January, April, May and June. Register at Register at AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING PROGRAM (ACT) AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING PROGRAM (ACT) Widely used by junior colleges as well as universities. Widely used by junior colleges as well as universities. Divided into English, math, natural sciences, and reading. Divided into English, math, natural sciences, and reading. Approximately 4 hours. Approximately 4 hours. Annual test dates will normally occur on Saturdays in October, December, February, March and June. Annual test dates will normally occur on Saturdays in October, December, February, March and June. Note: Test dates do not conflict with SAT. Note: Test dates do not conflict with SAT. Register at Register at

Other Possible Testing SAT II ACHIEVEMENT TESTS SAT II ACHIEVEMENT TESTS College Board College Board Same test dates as SAT Same test dates as SAT Used for course placement or credit Used for course placement or credit APTITUDE TESTS APTITUDE TESTS Used for assessment of vocational or trade/technical skills Used for assessment of vocational or trade/technical skills

College Placement Testing Criteria for exempting College Readiness Exams (Asset, Compass, THEA) Criteria for exempting College Readiness Exams (Asset, Compass, THEA) ACT ACT Composite score of 23 with at least a 19 on English and Math Composite score of 23 with at least a 19 on English and Math SAT SAT Critical Reading and Math Combined score of 1070 with a 500 on each section. Critical Reading and Math Combined score of 1070 with a 500 on each section.

APPLICATION Student must file a formal application. Be aware of deadlines. Be aware of application fees. Have high school transcript sent to the college at the appropriate time. How do I find out about deadlines and scholarships and other stuff?

APPLY ONLINE Texas public and selected private four year and two year schools: Texas public and selected private four year and two year schools: Private colleges and universities: Private colleges and universities:

PARTS OF THE APPLICATION: Personal Information Personal Information Directory information Directory information What you have studied and are currently studying in high school What you have studied and are currently studying in high school Resume Resume Extracurricular Extracurricular Service Service Work Work Essay Essay

COLLEGES USE TWO SCORES TO DETERMINE ADMISSION Academic score: Academic score: Rank Rank GPA GPA Quality of preparation Quality of preparation Test Scores Test Scores Personal Score Personal Score Resume Resume Essay Essay Letters of recommendation Letters of recommendation

THE RESUME Many college use the resume as 60%-70% of a students personal score All activities besides sitting like a lump on the couch watching TV should be on your resume. This includes such things as being responsible for younger siblings or an older relative, trips in the summer with your family, tutoring, babysitting, or anything else that is productive, educational, and contributes to who you are and your determination. Especially include activities that further your goals and build leadership and character.

THE ESSAY Once a person determining college admissions, admission to a particular program, scholarship recipients, or hiring for a job has reached the essay, it becomes the most important part of the application! It should be: 100% technically correct 100% technically correct Interesting Interesting Giving information not somewhere else on your application Giving information not somewhere else on your application Not another list of activities Not another list of activities

HOUSING Advance Application for housing is not the same as application for admission. Advance Application for housing is not the same as application for admission. File a housing application. File a housing application. File the required deposit. File the required deposit. Be aware of refund policies. Be aware of refund policies. Understand whether or not on-campus housing is required of freshmen. Understand whether or not on-campus housing is required of freshmen. Where can I find this stuff: Where can I find this stuff:

PAYING! COLLEGE IS EXPENSIVE COLLEGE IS EXPENSIVE KINDS OF FINANCIAL AID: KINDS OF FINANCIAL AID:ScholarshipsGrantsLoans Work Study

FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS #1 SOURCE OF SCHOLARSHIP MONEY IS THE SCHOOL YOU ARE ATTENDING: Fill out all scholarship supplements on applications for admission Fill out all scholarship supplements on applications for admission Go to the school website to check for others. Go to the school website to check for others. #2 check the counselor page on GHS website #3 check with employers, organizations, financing and insurance companies of yourself and your parents (even sometimes grandparents) #4 National Scholarship searches (Fastweb, Zinch, Career Cruising)

Summary Post-secondary options Testing and other requirements Application procedures Scholarships and financial aid Individual meetings

REMEMBER… We are confident your parents dont want to feed you forever. More importantly, More importantly, WE HOPE YOU DONT WANT THAT EITHER! WE HOPE YOU DONT WANT THAT EITHER!