11th Grade PEP Goal Setting

Overview Review importance of goals and pathways in overcoming barriers (5-10 minutes) Review implications of GPA, ACT, Accuplacer, and remediation (5-10 minutes) Draft college essay and/or personal statement in Naviance (15-20 minutes) Review example college essays and learn tips for writing winning college essays (10 minutes)

Map to College Directions: Read all of the obstacles on the road to college (next slide) Instruct students to pick one obstacle that they can picture having to deal with on their path to college Allow students to discuss this obstacle with their neighbor (5 minutes) Discuss whether it’s a bump in the road or a road block Suggest ways to deal with this and move on Discuss who might be able to help

You have fallen far behind in one of the courses that you know is required for college admission. Your friend tells you should transfer to an easier class second semester. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? ___________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? _______________________________ Your parents aren’t sure that college is possible. No one in your family has ever gone. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? ______________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? ____________________ You tried to make an appointment to see your school counselor to see discuss college applications. She doesn’t seem to have the time to see you. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? ___________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? _______________________________ Your mom is a single, working-mom. She has been depending on you to help with your little brothers and sisters. You aren’t sure she can manage if you go away to college. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? ___________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? _______________________ It is time to register for your classes next year. Your counselor looks at your grades to date and suggest that you take less challenging classes than you know you will need for admission to college. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? _________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? _________ You road read in the newspaper that the average cost of a college education in the United States is ______. That is more money than you and your parents could ever save. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? _____________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? _______ You just got your score back from your college admission test (ACT or SAT). They are a disappointment and don’t look good enough for admission to college. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? ______________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? ____________________ None of your friends are planning to go to college. They say that college is too long and hard. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? ___________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on?” Who might help? ________ Your college application requires an essay. Writing is not your strength. You don’t know how to get started. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? _________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? ________________ You have never been on a college campus so you’re not sure you’ll recognize college when you get there. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? ___________________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? _______________________________ A military recruiter has visited your high school. He suggests that you join the armed forces instead of going to college. He tells you that you can get all the educational training that you will need, while seeing the world. Is this a bump in the road or a road block? ___________ Suggested ways to deal with this and move on? Who might help? _______________________

Reaching your Goals There will always be obstacles that try to get in the way of your dreams. To reach your goals, you must learn how to see obstacles as simply “bumps along the road,” which can be overcome through persistence, problem solving, and support from a trusted friend or adult. When there is an obstacle along your way, you must work to create multiple pathways or solutions to get around it and move forward toward your goal(s). Is there anything else you learned from this activity?

Overcoming the ACT/SAT Test Obstacle All Juniors will take the Colorado ACT on Wednesday April 24, 2014! There is no cost for this test. Students register and take the test at their school. Before the test: Work hard in your core courses and don’t be afraid to ask for help Sign up for ACT study group or study session Use free The Princeton Review (TPR), College in Colorado, or other resources to study for the ACT

The Princeton Review Usage Reminders Go to https://www.princetonreview.com Click to Login

Follow directions in the handout provided TPR Usage Reminders Follow directions in the handout provided Step 1: Follow the registration link given to you by your teacher/counselor and fill out some information about yourself. Your email address will be your username.

This tool allows you to… View your test scores Access lessons and drills to help you prepare for the ACT. Save college searches and other information here for easy access.

ACT Goal What is your ACT goal? What should be your ACT goal? Depends on college ready benchmark scores for ACT (required for all credit granting college-level courses) College ready benchmark scores for ACT: 19 Math 18 English 17 Reading Depends on your GPA and the Index Score requirements for the college(s) in which you are interested in applying Use the College Index chart to help set your ACT goal (Keep the minimum college ready benchmark in mind)

Registration Deadline Late Registration (late fee required) 2012-13 ACT Schedule If you are unhappy with your score (and within a few points of your goal) or if you would like to take the test prior to April 24th, you may register for additional test dates below. Be sure to get scores sent to both your high school and the colleges which you are considering Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration (late fee required) February 9, 2013 January 11, 2013 January 12-18, 2013 April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013 March 9 – 22, 2013 June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013 May 4-17, 2013 To register, visit www.actstudent.org Cost: $34.00 Cost with optional writing test: $49.50 Late registration fee: addition $21.00 Fee waivers are available to students who qualify for free/reduced lunch

Overcoming the ACT/SAT Test Obstacle If you still aren’t happy with your score(s), Continue working on improving your GPA to help increase your total Index Score If your scores don’t meet the college ready benchmark, Study for and take the Accuplacer test as an alternative way to meet the college ready benchmark College ready benchmark scores for Accuplacer: 85 Elementary Algebra 95 Sentence Skills 80 Reading If your scores still don’t meet the mark, Plan to work extra hard and try again next year. Or, ask about taking college remediation classes while still in high school. If you pass these classes with a C or higher, you have evidence to show the college that you are ready for college level coursework, without remediation. (Note: You can get into college without these scores, but you will start by taking remedial course (not college level), which means you will not receive financial aid for those courses or any college credit toward graduation)

Overcoming the College Essay Obstacle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9J7AxXHG3Y&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is9KEZ5whX0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8x21ouZT8Y&feature=related To learn helpful tips, play the following college essay video: Other college essay video options, if you are interested Example of DSF student struggle with GPA and how to be real in personal essay and to overcome barriers (10 min) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw7-yhXlo7A&feature=relmfu

Naviance College Essay Open a new tab and log-in to Naviance using the following Username and Password Student ID # mmddyy Click, “Log In”

Naviance dps draft of college essay 1) Click the about me tab 2) Click “dps draft of college essay/personal statement”

Before you start… Think about yourself. What are your best qualities? Think of at least 3 and share with a partner. Choose one of these qualities you want to convey and complete the sentence: “I am a very __________________ person.” Pretend you’re taking an exam in which you must respond to this prompt: Tell a story about an experience or time when you showed you were a very __________________ person (the characteristic selected above) You will have 15-20 minutes to respond. Continue writing until I say stop. Activity adapted from College Board’s Recipe for a Draft at www.collegeboard.com/student/apply

Overcoming the College Essay Obstacle To help you consider how you can improve your college essays, we are going to read and evaluate two real examples of students’ college essays After providing our own feedback, we will read real admissions counselors’ critiques of these students’ college essays

Essay #1 (Topic: Describe a person who has had a significant influence on your life)

Essay #2 (Topic: Describe the environment in which you grew up and how it has shaped your personal goals)

College Essay Feedback What’s your feedback? Admissions Counselors’ Critique: This essay does not work because it lacks depth. The writer just skims the surface and gives the reader vague details about the coach. She doesn’t tell HOW her coach influences her life. The writer needed to take this essay to the next level. The writing also lacks sophistication. The word choice and sentence structure are very simplistic Essay #2 Admissions Counselors’ Critique: This essay is an excellent example of how concrete details can create a vivid story. The writer’s strong observation skills and sensitivity to her family hold the reader’s attention. Her reflections at the end are well supported by the story. The writer uses language well and shows a sense of style. Activity taken from NACAC Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning

Your College Essay Remember, at this point, your college essay is only a draft. You must go back through to edit and revise your essay. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. You should have at least 2 other people help edit and review your essay. Don’t be afraid to ask a parent, teacher, or friend for help.