1. College Planning for Sophomores
24 Months & Counting…
College Planning for Sophomores

2. High School vs. College High School College Credits per semester 3.5
12-15
Credits Required for Graduation 24
Type of Diploma/Degree
Diploma
2-yr degree = Associates
4-yr degree = Bachelor’s
Hours of Week in Class 35
Amount of Homework
Varies by class
24-30 hours per week
Number of Tests
1 every 2-4 weeks
2-3 per semester
Amount of Reading
1-3 chapters per week for each class

3. College Admissions Timeline
Junior Year
Research colleges
Research possible majors & careers
Start making college visits –
you are allowed 2 excused visit days
Take the ACT
Senior Year
Apply to colleges by November 1st
Apply for scholarships through your college, & local, state, metro, & national awards
Fill out a FAFSA by as early as October

4. ACT
FREE ACT FOR JUNIORS PROBABLY WILL NOT BE OFFERED DUE TO STATE BUDGET CUTS
English, Math, Science, & Reading
Writing Portion is optional
Fees: $42.50 or $58.50 for ACT + Writing
Fee waivers are available!!
ALL colleges will accept the ACT
Given 6 times per year South
Colleges will take your best composite score
Can take as many times as you choose
Registration packets available in the Counseling Office or register online at

5. Should I take the SAT? ALL colleges will accept the ACT
Some colleges, especially the elite schools, will want you to take a couple of SAT subject tests
Hour-long, content-based tests
Allows you to showcase achievement & interest in specific subject areas where you excel
Allow you to differentiate yourself to colleges & show readiness to study specific majors or programs
Recommend you take a certain subject test immediately after completing an AP course
Courses in English, Math, History, Science, & Foreign Languages

6. Test Prep Opportunities
ACT Prep class offered each semester for ½ credit
ACT Prep Days – 3 per year
ACT Academy
2 Saturdays of review prior to the test
Taught South
DeVry, Northwest MO State, and Sylvan Learning Centers sometimes offer prep days
On-line prep on

7. PSAT
Pre-SAT
Measures critical reading, math problem- solving, and writing skills
Qualifying test for the
National Merit Scholarship
Program
Wednesday, October 11th here
@ South

8. National Merit Scholarship Program
Extremely select program based on test scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, classes taken, activities & leadership
Top 3% of students who take the PSAT will move on in the competition
Commended Scholars
September of senior year – notification to Semi- Finalists
February of senior year – notification to Finalists
Winners are announced in March – June
$2500 National Merit Scholarships
Corporate-sponsored merit scholarships
College-sponsored merit scholarships

9. Bright Flight Merit-based awards that can be used at Missouri colleges
Top 3% (31+ ACT) = Possible $2500/yr renewable
Funding can change from year-to-year depending on the state budget
No application; MO Dept. of Higher Ed will send you a letter spring of senior year if you qualify
**Encouraged to always list at least 1 Missouri college on your ACT

10. Elite Colleges
VERY selective – Many highly selective schools only accept around 10% of their applicants
Admission Criteria:
Grades / Class Rank
Test Scores
Rigor of classes
Activities, Volunteer Experience, Leadership Positions
Essays
Letters of Recommendation
Personal Interviews
**Connection to alumni

11. Early Decision vs. Early Action
Allows you to apply early (usually in Nov.)
Receive admission decision well in advance of the usual spring notification date; normally by Dec. or Jan.
Sometimes you have a better chance of acceptance than via regular admissions process.
Early Decision – You agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package.
Can apply to only 1 college for Early Decision, but can apply to others for regular admission
If accepted by 1st choice college, you must withdraw all other applications
Early Action – similar to Early Decision, but non-binding
Can choose to commit right away or wait until spring
Can apply to other colleges as Early Action

12. Common Application / CSS Profile
Common Application is used by almost 400 colleges –
Application
Secondary School Report
Mid-year Report
Final Report
Teacher Evaluations (may be required by colleges)
CSS Profile – form used by some colleges to award aid
Used in addition to FAFSA
Can file as early as October 1 of senior year
$25 for 1st college; $16 for additional colleges

13. Military Academy Appointments
Air Force, Naval, Military (West Point)
Application process starts
in spring of junior year
Very competitive
Grades & Test Scores
Rigorous Course Load
Physical Aptitude
Activities & Leadership Experience
**Must commit to 5+ years of service after graduation
Congressional Nomination
REQUIRED to be admitted to an academy
Contact your local congressional representative

14. Want to Play Sports in College??

15. NCAA Eligibility Need to take 16 CORE classes
English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language
NCAA Clearinghouse looks at:
CORE GPA & ACT score sliding scale
The lower your GPA, the higher your ACT must be
Must have at least a 2.3 CORE GPA
Register at
Send a transcript & your ACT scores

16. Compass Cord Extra cord worn at graduation
100 hours of community service
Log sheets available in the Counseling Office
Return logs to your assistant principal by May 1st of each school year
You can start logging hours now!!

17. Boys State & Girls State
Leadership opportunity during summer before senior year
Mock government
Participants from around the state of Missouri
Applications available in the spring in the Counseling Office
Great résumé builder!!

18. Financial Aid & Scholarships
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Aid is awarded based on income & family size
FAFSA not available until October of your senior year
Most scholarship money comes from merit scholarships offered through colleges (GPA & ACT)
Over 150 scholarships available through the Counseling Office
Most are for seniors; some are for juniors
Check Guidance Announcements for information & deadlines!

19. Scholarships for Underclassmen
Check the Guidance Announcements on South’s website

20. A+ Program 2.5 cumulative GPA by graduation
95% attendance by graduation
50 hours of tutoring
Available during the summer & school year
Sign up with Mr. Baier in the Main Office
The earlier you sign up, the earlier you can get started!!

21. Job Shadows Spend the day with a professional
Great way to see first-hand what a certain job is really like
Talk to family members, family friends, or neighbors
2 job shadow days allowed per year
Job Shadow Permission Form in Counseling Office

22. Guidance Announcements
The single BEST way to access information
New newsletter every Friday
Copies posted in classrooms and available in Counseling Office
Available on South’s website under Guidance Dept.
Scholarships
ACT & SAT test dates & Test Prep opportunities
Internships, Job Postings, & Volunteer Opportunities
Summer Camps & Leadership Retreats

23. Follow Us on Twitter @BSSCounselors Important announcements
Upcoming Deadlines
Scholarship & college info
Shout-out’s to Jags doing great things!!

24. Speaking of Social Media….
College admissions officers are watching you!!!
A record 40% of college admissions & recruiting offices now visit applicant’s social media pages
That number climbs each year!

25. Social Media Tips Does this post make me look like college material?
Are you dressed appropriately?
Do you appear level headed?
Do you use proper grammar and spelling?
Would I say this on television?
Be careful not to trash talk another college or a person
Does this post lead to excessive commenting?
Rethink posts that are likely to trigger a barrage of crazy or controversial comments that you’ll have to edit out of your timeline.
Is this funny? Is it offensive? Does it require too much explanation?
Does everyone need to read this?
Choose your words carefully. What might be intended as inspirational can be interpreted as bragging.

26. In Summary… Start EARLY Plan to take the ACT next year Explore careers
Research colleges
Start making college visits
Plan to take the ACT next year
Explore careers
Job Shadows
Talk to friends & family
Use Missouri Connections –
Start a basic résumé
Activities
Honors
Awards
Volunteer and/or job experience

27. Questions??