The Nitty Gritty The Nitty Gritty The Nitty Gritty The Nitty Gritty And you are? And you are? And you are? And you are? The Good The Good The Bad The Bad The Ugly The Ugly The Good The Good The Bad The Bad The Ugly The Ugly Let the buyer beware When I When I grow up grow up I want to I want to be….. Graduation Now what? Now what? Let the Let the buyer beware

Why do people continue education after high school? Achievement of a personal goal Career preparation Learning opportunities Influence of family & friends Involvement in extracurricular activities To become more independent Opportunity When I grow up I want to be…..

Your education is just beginning after high school Everyone will be involved in some form of learning after high school Further training is essential in an ever increasing technical world Life long learning When I grow up I want to be…..

What are you options after graduation? Vocational training Apprenticeships Military Work 2 year college 4 year college Graduation Now what?

What are good reasons to consider college? To find more about a particular area of interest To become more independent To get a better paying job Opportunity Career preparation/Earn a degree Graduation Now what?

What are bad reasons to go to college? To play sports Everybody else is going to college So I can party for the next four year Graduation Now what?

Reasons not to count college out Too expensive Nobody in my family ever went to college I won’t be able to keep up academically I can get a job without a college degree There’s too much work involved in applying Graduation Now what?

What criteria do you use to select a college? Major & educational programs Location & Size Academic reputation Cost Campus environment Student activities Social life The Good The Bad The Ugly

Examples of poor selection criteria My friend & family went there and they liked it Great sports teams I hear the parties are awesome I don’t know what else to do, so I’ll go to college The Good The Bad The Ugly

Myths about college You have to be a genius to get into college – False, It is a buyers market out there, there is a college for everyone Most student are rejected from the college of their choice – Fals,e Over 92% of students go to their first or second choice of colleges My test scores are too low – Test scores are not the only criteria that colleges examine when considering your application The Good The Bad The Ugly

Myths about college I can’t afford to go to college – False, College is expensive and does require a substantial commitment but……. Financial Aid Scholarships Grants Colleges will protect, control, and properly guide my student – False, Colleges will offer many services to assist you in reaching your goals but it is up to you to take the initiative to seek help. Once I’m in college everything will be O.K. – False, Over 50% of the college freshmen do not graduate from the college where they begin The Good The Bad The Ugly

College is a possibility for everyone

The admissions interview Questions they will ask: Handout Questions you will ask: Handout And you are?

Quality of academic program you have taken - Have you challenged yourself? Commitment - How committed are you to succeeding in college? Career goal - Are you realistic, are you future minded? And you are? What things admissions counselors look for in students?

What things do admissions counselors look for in students Extracurricular activities - Are you involved? Recommendations - What do people have to say about you? Volunteer experiences? What have you done to separate yourself from other students? And you are?

Procedure on getting a campus visit Call the college admissions department Schedule and interview and campus tour Get unofficial transcripts from your counselor Prepare and be prepared for lists of questions Wear appropriate clothing If you can not make the appointment call the admissions office Let the buyer beware

Things to do during a campus visit Campus tour Talk to students and faculty Meet an admissions counselor - interview Verify requirements and deadlines Meet with a financial aid counselor Ask about sitting in on a class Talk about career success….job placement Meet faculty in your academic area Let the buyer beware

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! College Comparison Checklist Let the buyer beware

Questions to ask yourself after the visit Were the people friendly and did they answer your questions? Did you feel the students were people you would be comfortable with? Did you like the social atmosphere? What do you think about the quality of the instruction? What do you feel about the academic demands? Let the buyer beware

Things you need know about college Time management Supervisions & discipline Safety Career focus & employment Athletics The Nitty Gritty

The habits you establish in high school will follow you….

Where can I get information on careers and colleges? Counselors Internet sites Career Room – College catalogs – College representatives – College guide books Parents, students, alumni The Nitty Gritty

The most important factor in college planning… Know Yourself – Recognize your strengths and weaknesses – Analyze your interests – Identify your values – Learn about you alternatives – Consider all colleges of interests, regardless of cost The Nitty Gritty

Take responsibility for you future