1. Junior Meeting
Class of 2019

2. Objectives: What do I need to know NOW about planning for the future?
How can I explore my options?
What are the next steps if I want to go to a four-year college?
Take SATs or ACTs
Plan for letters of recommendation and essays
Explore my options and decide priorities
Begin a list of colleges of interest

3. What to do now??? START THINKING!
Career?
Majors?
College?
Community college?
Military?
Technical School?
Vocational School?
Apprenticeship?
Employment?

4. I’m Lost… Launch an Investigation Online!
O*net Online: Search for Careers
College Board Big Future bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
Virginia Wizard Career Exploration –
Career One Stop -
I am the One -

5. Community College Reasons to a consider community college:
Reduced cost for the first two years
A chance to attend your dream school through Guaranteed Admissions
Student’s career choice only requires two years of community college work
Undecided about program of study
Not ready to leave home

6. 2+2 Guaranteed Admissions
STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE FROM ONE OF VIRGINIA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND A MINIMUM GRADE POINT AVERAGE MAY OBTAIN GUARANTEED ADMISSION TO MORE THAN 20 OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

7. Military http://todaysmilitary.com Army Navy Air Force Marines
Coast Guard
The U.S. Military consists of five active-duty service branches and their respective Guard and Reserve units. Together, they offer a broad variety of ways to serve with an extensive selection of careers.

8. Considering the Military?
GI Bill: College tuition, room & board, and books could be paid for after service
The military offers training programs in multiple career paths to prepare you for life beyond military service
ROTC programs: Apply to colleges for Fall 2018 to receive tuition assistance and graduate as an officer
You must serve a commitment to the military upon college graduation

9. Take a College Tour Take advantage of being on campus ASK QUESTIONS!

10. Make a List of Priorities What are YOU looking for?
degrees offered
location (rural or urban setting) OR distance from home
size of the student population
public vs. private
costs (tuition, room and board, etc.)
financial assistance packages
campus resources (labs, libraries, computer access, etc.)
class size
faculty contact
degree of pressure to excel
student body (diversity, gender, etc.)
social life (Greek organizations, sports, school spirit, etc.)
religious affiliation/independent
housing options (dorms, apartments, living at home)
realistic entry expectations (based on typical student admitted): CHECK OUT PRINCETONREVIEW.ORG

11. Develop a LIST of Schools based on your interests
Reach Schools – apply to 1-2 of these
School where your academic credentials fall below the school's range for the average freshman. Reach schools are long–shots, but they should still be possible
Match Schools – apply to 1-3 of these
School where your academic credentials fall well within (or even exceed) the school's range for the average freshman. There are no guarantees, but it's not unreasonable to be accepted to several of your match schools.
Safety Schools –
1-2 of these
School where your academic credentials fall above the school's range for the average freshman. You can be reasonably certain that you will be admitted to your safety schools.

12. If you want a four-year college as an OPTION…
PREPARE NOW!

13. What Do Colleges Look For?
FIRST, explore the college website or check their profile on Princetonreview.org!
HOW CAN I IMPRESS A COLLEGE?
Making the best grades possible in rigorous classes
Scores on SATs and ACTs
Letters of Recommendation
Extracurricular Involvement
Volunteer work
Involvement in athletics
Dedication to clubs at school
Summer jobs

14. When Do I Apply?
EARLY DECISION – BINDING: IF ACCEPTED, YOU MUST ATTEND THAT COLLEGE.
YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSIONS STATUS (USUALLY) BY DECEMBER.
IF DEFERRED TO REGULAR ADMISSIONS – YOU ARE RELEASED FROM CONTRACT TO ATTEND. EARLY ACTION – NOT BINDING, BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EARLY RESPONSE (JAN/FEB), YOU TYPICALLY HAVE UNTIL MAY 1ST TO COMMIT. ROLLING ADMISSIONS – YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSION STATUS 4-6 WEEKS AFTER MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED. REGULAR ADMISSIONS – YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSIONS STATUS IN APRIL.

15. SAT vs. ACT
The SAT has 5 sections which include Writing and Language, Reading, 2 Math, and Essay. Total testing time is 3 hours and 50 minutes which includes the essay.
The ACT . Has 5 sections which include English, Math, Reading, Science and Writing. Total testing time is 3 hours and 35 minutes which includes the essay.
THE TESTS DO ASSESS DIFFERENT INFORMATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS, SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO DO BETTER ON ONE EXAM THAN THE OTHER. MOST COLLEGES WILL ACCEPT EITHER TEST FOR ADMISSIONS.

16. The NEW SAT

17. SAT DATES SAT Test Date Registration Deadline March 10, 2018
May 5, 2018
February 9, 2018
April 6, 2018
June 2, 2018
May 3, 2018
Register online at collegeboard.org

18. ACT Dates ACT Test Date Registration Deadline February 10, 2018
January 12, 2018
April 14, 2018
March 9, 2018
June 9, 2018
July 14, 2018
May 4, 2018
June 15, 2018
Register online at ACT.org/register

19. Can I Get a Fee Waiver?
Fee waivers to take the SAT or ACT are available for low income students. This is typically determined by students receiving free or reduced lunch. Once the test has been taken with a fee waiver, the student can receive up to four fee waivers for college applications. Not every college accepts the waiver, but most do.
SAT: Your fee waiver will be available on your collegeboard account after you have taken the test.
ACT: If you used a fee waiver to take the ACTs, you can see your counselor to get a form for a college admissions application fee waiver.

20. Resume/Activities List
Prepare a resume/activities list prior to your senior year. This resume/activities list is what needs to be given to your School Counselor and any teachers you will ask to write you a letter of recommendation. GIVE PLENTY OF NOTICE!
To be included in your resume:
All school activities – clubs, sports, leadership positions held
Any honors and awards received
Any volunteer work at a church or in the community
Any programs attended such as HOBY or Boy’s or Girl’s State, Summer Arts or Academic Enrichment Programs
Employment (summer jobs, count!)
ANYTHING YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH IN HIGH SCHOOL!
***Note: You will enter this information on EVERY application. It pays off to keep it updated, organized, and easy to access.***

22. STAY INFORMED! Read e-mail at least 3 times a week.
Visit Windsor High School website to keep updated on events such as scholarships, college visits, college nights, reminders, etc.
Make an appointment with your counselor!

23. Stay tuned for… Junior Conferences
Each counselor will mail letters to invite parents to junior meetings with students
CHECK YOUR SNAIL MAIL!
What will we do???
Discuss YOUR own PERSONAL plan for the future (yay!)
Schedule your courses for senior year!
BEFORE YOUR MEETING! Discuss with parents and think CAREFULLY about what courses you are interested in taking and how they will help you prepare for the future!