Post-High School Planning Liberty High School Class of 2015

 Four-year college  Two-year college  Trade/Technical school  Hands on experience  Job placement  Military  Free education (college and technical)  Employment Options after High School

 Total of twenty-five (25) credits  Including 4 credits senior year  Four years of attendance after grade 8  Seventy five (75) service learning hours  55 hours by the end of this year  Pass all of the HSA’s  Algebra, English, Biology  Check the letter you receive in June! Double Check Your Graduation Requirements!

Specific Graduation Requirements Academic AreaCredits  English 4  Social Studies 3 Govt., U.S. Hist., World Hist.  Science 3 Physics, Chemistry, Biology  Mathematics 4 Algebra, Intermediate Alg, Geometry, Algebra II (unless you did a completer program- then you need 2 credits of Algebra and 1 credit of Geometry) Academic AreaCredits  Fine Arts 1  Technology Education 1  Physical Education 1  Health ½  World Language 2 (AND Algebra II) OR Advanced Technology 2 (AND Algebra II) OR Completer Program 4 – 9  Financial Literacy ½

 Senior year courses should be rigorous.  Keep your grades up. Although senior year courses (and sometimes quarter grades) appear on your transcript, this semester is the last to factor into your cumulative GPA before January  Use websites to explore colleges, majors, and careers.  Register with NCAA Clearinghouse and Service Academies (if applicable).  Think about application essays and who to ask for letters of recommendation.  Take the tests!  SAT, SAT II (Subject Tests), ACT, ASVAB, AP College Planning: To Do During Your Junior Year

ACTSAT An achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. An aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities. 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. Tests more advanced math concepts- basic arithmetic, algebra I, II, geometry & trig. Math through Algebra II. Stronger emphasis on vocabulary. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing. The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. Each section and composite score max is 36.Each section max score is 800, 2400 total. National average is 20-21, a “good” score depends on the college. National average is 1500, a “good” score depends on the college. SAT vs. ACT

How To Get More Information About Colleges  Online Searches   Use your PSAT code for My College Quickstart   (password protected, access from School Counseling section of LHS website or your Blue Handbook)  College Visits & Open Houses (excused absence for 3 days with pre-approval)  College Information Sessions at LHS during PAWS- sign up in counseling office  College Fairs- Carroll County college fair in October  Montgomery County Ag Center, Thursday, April 10 th 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm  Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex, Friday, April 11 th 9:30 am to 1:30 pm For more information and to view the most current list of participating colleges, go to

Things to Consider When Looking at Colleges  Size  Small: under 3,000  Medium: 3, ,000  Large: 10, ,000  Largest: over 20,000  Location (city, state, distance from home)  Public or Private  Cost  Majors offered  Academic and Social Atmosphere  Teacher to Student ratio  Campus Setting  Urban, Suburb, Rural

 Academic Record: GPA, class rank, consistency, improvement, difficulty of classes  Testing: SAT, SAT II, ACT, AP  Extracurricular Activities: Sports, clubs, leadership roles  Letters of Recommendation: At least one person who has background knowledge of your academic ability  Honors and Awards: Special recognition for skill or talent  Essay/Personal Statement: How are you unique?  The Common Application Essay topics are in the LHS April Newsletter.  Interview: Personal presentation, questions to demonstrate knowledge of the college What Colleges are Looking For

CollegeAverage GPA SAT range (math and reading only) ACT rangeApplied/ Accepted Frostburg / 2340 James Madison ,648/ 14,392 McDaniel / 2283 Salisbury / 4676 St. Mary’s of MD / 1430 Stevenson / 3267 Towson ,128/ 9462 UMBC / 5138 UMD- College Park ,255/ 11,825 West Virginia , 521/ 14,060 Starting Your College Search- Know your GPA and SAT scores

 Provides time to explore options and improve your GPA  Offers significant cost savings  Simple application process  Begin a bachelor’s and prepare to transfer credits  If your GPA is competitive, consider the Hill Scholar’s program at Carroll. Is Community College Right for Me?

 Get organized with your list of schools and what is necessary for applications and to track deadlines.  Create a spreadsheet, whiteboard or dedicated notebook  Internships – see Ms. Linfield ASAP (you must be working on a completer or career major to do an internship)  Dual Enrollment – see your counselor ASAP  FAQ on the LHS School Counseling Website  Parent meeting required Planning For Your Senior Year

 Junior Year Spring/ Summer  Visit Colleges  Narrow your choices  Finish your college essay/personal statement  Look at applications and deadlines  Schedule senior meeting with your counselor  Fall  Take SAT and/or ACT one last time  Start sending out your applications (early deadlines begin in October)  Request Official Transcripts from School Counseling Office  Ask for Teacher/Counselor recommendations  Keep your grades up. Colleges will still review quarter one and mid year grades. Senior Year Timeline

 College search resources  Career search resources  Testing information : SAT v. ACT, SAT II, AP  College Application Process Please sign up! During the senior year, we like to students important information, such as upcoming college visits and college deadlines and scholarship information. We asked students to provide their or their parents’ address. Need More Information? Upcoming Paws Sessions

Questions?  Counselors presented this information during Advisory. Students received a copy of The Get in 2 College Handbook.  Counselors have or will be meeting individually with all juniors to discuss senior year and post secondary plans.  Visit the LHS School Counseling Website  We recommend having a senior meeting over the summer if you are looking at schools with early deadlines. We are also hoping to offer “summer bootcamp” sessions for more individualized application assistance.