Presented by the Briar Woods High School Guidance Department, Fall 2009 Juniors: Planning for Life After High School

Why plan? What are colleges looking for? How do I find the best college for me? What should I be doing right now?

Why Plan?

Life After High School: Why Plan? Post-secondary education opens doors Post-secondary education gives you options Post-secondary education can help you make a difference Post-secondary education creates earning power

Life After High School: Why Plan? Median Earnings by Level of Education (2006): – High School Diploma: $31,885/year – Associate Degree (2-years): $41,115/year – Bachelor’s Degree (4-Year): $53,160/year – Master’s Degree: $63,935/year – Doctoral Degree: $85,260/year – Professional Degree: $88,120/year

Options for Life After High School College – Associates Degree: 2-year degree (typically earned at a community college or a junior college) – Bachelor’s Degree: 4-year degree – Master’s Degree: Typically 2 additional years after earning a bachelors – Doctoral Degrees & Professional Degrees: PHD, JD, MD, DC

Options for Life After High School Community College – Students can earn an Associates Degree, or students can complete the first year or two of a Bachelors Degree – NOVA has guaranteed admissions agreements with 31 four-year colleges and universities

Options for Life After High School Benefits of community college – NOVA is one of the best community colleges in the country – Relatively inexpensive – Close to home – A “small step” into higher education – Usually “open” admissions

Options for Life After High School Trade-schools/Apprenticeships – Many “trades” have more earning potential than careers that require a 4-year degree Military – Enlisting in the military and earning a college degree are not mutually exclusive – Enlisting in the military can help pay for college – Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is available at many colleges – Military Schools and Academies – Recruiters can provide more information

What are Colleges Looking For?

“The College Admissions Funnel” Students that enroll (700) Inquiry Pool (PSAT, Search pieces, campus visit, college fairs, HS visits) 31, ,000+ Thousands of applications 2,800+ 2,800+ Accepted students 1,800+ 1,800+ Students who pay a deposit 1,000+ 1,000+

National Association of College Admission Counseling, Survey 2008 Percent of all colleges rating specific factors in the college admissions decision as being of “considerable importance”

National Association of College Admission Counseling, Survey 2008 The Top Four: Grades in College Prep Courses, 79.9% Strength of Curriculum, 63.8% Standardized Admissions Tests, 58.5% Grades in All Courses, 51.6%

National Association of College Admission Counseling, Survey 2008 Essay or writing sample, 25.8% Class Rank, 23.4% Student’s Demonstrated Interest, 22.0% Counselor Recommendation, 21.1% Teacher Recommendation, 20.8% Extracurricular Activities, 6.5%

Most of the factors are products of ACADEMIC EFFORT Grades in College Prep Courses, 79.9% Strength of Curriculum, 63.8% Standardized Admissions Tests, 58.5% Grades in All Courses, 51.6% Essay or writing sample, 25.8% Class Rank, 23.4% Student’s Demonstrated Interest, 22.0% Counselor Recommendation, 21.1% Teacher Recommendation, 20.8% Extracurricular Activities, 6.5%

What are colleges looking for? “There is no secret to getting in... Stop looking for a gimmick. Tune out the hype. Study hard. Take the toughest curriculum that you can. The heart of the application is – and has always been – One’s academic preparation.” -- UVA Magazine

Standardized Testing SAT Reasoning Test (aptitude) – Critical Reading – Math – Writing ACT (achievement) – English – Math – Science – History – Optional writing section

Standardized Testing SAT Subject Tests – Usually used for placement – Not used for admissions – Subject test requirements vary among colleges

How do I find the best college for me?

“The Student Admissions Funnel” The best college for you! Inquiry pool (public, private, size, cost, majors, religious affiliation, athletics) 4,000+ 4,000+ After research, narrowing the field is key! schools? schools? Applying to college 4-6 schools? 4-6 schools? Narrowing your final decision 1-3 schools 1-3 schools

Research Colleges & Narrow Y our List College search engines – CollegeBoard – Family Connection

Family Connection Every student will be provided with an individual account Conduct college searches Compare colleges Students can build a resume Interact with the guidance department Receive notices & reminders

Research Colleges & Narrow Your List Mail from colleges Books/magazines Internet resources, college websites Family, friends, teachers, counselors

Research Colleges & Narrow Y our List College visits to BWHS The BWHS Career Center College Fairs – LCPS College Fair, every September – Diversity In Education College Fair, March 24

Campus Visits Take notes!!! Classes Students Campus Dorms Dining Halls Surrounding Neighborhoods Extracurricular Activities

What should I be doing now?

Fall College Information Night for Juniors A great college planning goal for juniors: Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to college!

What Should I be Doing Now? 1. Stay on track using checklists & calendars 2. Concentrate on your academics 3. Plan & prepare for the admissions tests 4. Take the admissions tests in the Spring 5. Participate in extracurricular activities 6. Research colleges & narrow your list 7. Visit colleges 8. Behave appropriately online

Stay on Track Using Checklists & Calendars Use the a monthly checklist Sign-up for the CollegeBoard electronic monthly newsletter

Concentrate on Your Academics Take the most challenging classes you can reasonably handle. Work Hard! You can’t “make up for” poor academics

Plan & Prepare for the Admissions Tests/Take the Admissions Tests in the Spring College testing – SAT Reasoning Test – ACT Register now!!! The Loudoun test sites fill up quickly

SAT Dates October 10 November 7 December 5 January 23 March 13 - BWHS May 1 June 5

ACT Dates September 12 October 24 December 12 - BWHS February 6 April 10 June 12

Preparing for the Tests Long-term v. Short-term preparation Free practice tests for the SAT & ACT PSAT – My CollegeQuickstart Free online CollegeBoard SAT course BWHS SAT course Books – look for materials created by the testing companies themselves Private courses (PTSO)

Participate in Extracurricular Activities Participate in the extracurricular activities that are meaningful to you – not what you think others want to see. Extracurriculars include activities inside and outside of school! Community activities are important too! Don’t be tempted to spread yourself too thin. Be a leader!

Research Colleges & Narrow Your List/Visit Colleges Research colleges Visit colleges Take notes!

Behave Appropriately Online Appropriate address MySpace, Facebook, Youtube, forums, etc. If you wouldn’t put it on a resume, job application, or college application – don’t post it online!

What Should I be Doing Now? 1. Stay on track using checklists & calendars 2. Concentrate on your academics 3. Plan & prepare for the admissions tests 4. Take the admissions tests in the Spring 5. Participate in extracurricular activities 6. Research colleges & narrow your list 7. Visit colleges 8. Behave appropriately online

What’s Next? This Year “Life After High School” classroom presentations Every junior will receive a planning folder Scheduling & post-secondary student/counselor conferences in the Spring “Making the College Search Count” assembly in the Spring Diversity in Education College Fair, March 24 Spring College Information Night for Juniors

What’s Next? Senior Year Fall College Information Night for Seniors Classroom presentations in early Fall Individual student/counselor conferences in the Fall Financial Aid Night in December

Fall College Information Night for Juniors A great college planning goal for juniors: Begin your senior year knowing where you want to apply to college!