Junior College Night October 15, 2009 Presented by the Voorhees Guidance Department

Begin Now STAY FOCUSED & FINISH STRONG STAY FOCUSED & FINISH STRONG DEVELOP A COMPETITIVE SENIOR YEAR COURSE OF STUDY DEVELOP A COMPETITIVE SENIOR YEAR COURSE OF STUDY EXPLORE APPROPRIATE POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS EXPLORE APPROPRIATE POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH DEVELOP A PLAN TO ACHIEVE GOALS DEVELOP A PLAN TO ACHIEVE GOALS

Consider the Options Four-year colleges and universities Four-year colleges and universities Two-year colleges Two-year colleges Specialized Schools Specialized Schools Trade, Technical, Business Schools Trade, Technical, Business Schools Employment Employment Military Service Military Service

Search and Decision-Making Use a variety of resources to develop a list of potential post-secondary schools Use a variety of resources to develop a list of potential post-secondary schools Research all options thoroughly using Catalogs, College Guides, “Naviance” & Internet Websites Research all options thoroughly using Catalogs, College Guides, “Naviance” & Internet Websites Attend Open Houses Attend Open Houses Schedule Campus Visits Schedule Campus Visits Attend Local Career & College Programs Attend Local Career & College Programs Check Voorhees’ Website Check Voorhees’ Website

Things to Consider in the Search Location Location Campus Setting Campus Setting Size (VHS = 1100) Size (VHS = 1100) Student Body Student Body Available Majors Available Majors Academic Atmosphere Academic Atmosphere Financial Aspects Financial Aspects Facilities Facilities Special Services Special Services Athletic Program Athletic Program Cultural Opportunities Cultural Opportunities Flexibility to design programs Flexibility to design programs Special Opportunities - Study Abroad, Internships Special Opportunities - Study Abroad, Internships Competitiveness Competitiveness Personal Expectations Personal Expectations Social Environment Social Environment Activities available Activities available Transportation Transportation

What College Admissions Officers Look For Comprehensive Curriculum/Breadth of Program Comprehensive Curriculum/Breadth of Program Depth of academic program (Honors, AP) Depth of academic program (Honors, AP) Grades & GPA Grades & GPA Honors & Awards Honors & Awards Test Scores Test Scores Recommendations Recommendations Essay/Interview Essay/Interview Activities/Jobs/Community Service Activities/Jobs/Community Service

Be Aware of Minimum Entrance Requirements English4 years English4 years Mathematics3 years Mathematics3 years Science (lab)3 years Science (lab)3 years Social Studies3 years Social Studies3 years World Language2/3 years World Language2/3 years Academic Electives 3/5 years Academic Electives 3/5 years ***Requirements will vary – research carefully!***

Testing Plan dates wisely for optimum results PSAT PSAT SAT I: Reasoning Tests SAT I: Reasoning Tests SAT II: Subject Tests SAT II: Subject Tests ACT ACT AP EXAMS AP EXAMS “Prep” Courses-Many options including VHS “Prep” Courses-Many options including VHS Afterschool Classes by Math & English Depts Afterschool Classes by Math & English Depts

Important Details to Consider Read the fine print and know the terms “Regular Decision” “Regular Decision” “Rolling Admissions” “Rolling Admissions” “Early Decision” “Early Decision” “Early Action” – restrictive vs Non- restrictive “Early Action” – restrictive vs Non- restrictive “The Common Application” “The Common Application” “Electronic vs Paper Applications” “Electronic vs Paper Applications”

ATHLETICS & COLLEGE Divisions I, II, III, IIIA have different regulations and requirements Divisions I, II, III, IIIA have different regulations and requirements Students and parents must comply with NCAA Regulations and Core Standards including approved High School courses Students and parents must comply with NCAA Regulations and Core Standards including approved High School courses Minimum GPA and SAT/ACT Scores ARE ALSO DEFINED and must be met Minimum GPA and SAT/ACT Scores ARE ALSO DEFINED and must be met Visit the NCAA & Clearinghouse Website at Visit the NCAA & Clearinghouse Website at

Financing College Education Discuss Financing of College NOW Discuss Financing of College NOW Investigate financing options Investigate financing options Preview the current FAFSA & CSS Profile Preview the current FAFSA & CSS Profile Look into Scholarships Look into Scholarships Senior Financial Aid Seminar: Senior Financial Aid Seminar: Dec. 2, 2009 Dec. 2, 2009

CALENDAR OF EVENTS START A CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES: College Fairs College Fairs Open Houses Open Houses Course Selection for Senior Year Course Selection for Senior Year Testing Testing Visit/Tours Visit/Tours Special Events like Senior College Nights Special Events like Senior College Nights

SUMMATION Use all resources available to explore all post-secondary options Use all resources available to explore all post-secondary options Use Teachers’ Convention Days, Spring Break and Summer Vacation – for researching, visiting & developing an action plan Use Teachers’ Convention Days, Spring Break and Summer Vacation – for researching, visiting & developing an action plan Take advantage of summer to participate in pre-college programs, community service, or employment Take advantage of summer to participate in pre-college programs, community service, or employment