1. SENIORS “Post-Secondary Planning 101” Mrs. Oyer (A – L) Mr. Burns (M – Z) Counseling Center Website

2. Senior Year Important decisions about your future (Only 8 months left until Graduation!!!) Step 1: Know yourself Step 2: Research your options - College or Tech school - Military - Work Step 3: College application process

3. Step 1 - Know Yourself What are your long-term goals? Interest survey/inventory Talk to parents, teachers, adults in careers that interest you Research careers (online info) College needed to pursue goals? OK to be undecided

4. Step 1 - Know Yourself - Target your strengths and interests - Discover your values - Be open-minded - Average college grad changes jobs once every 3 years and changes career 2 or 3 times over a lifetime - Expand your knowledge - Research, talk with people in the field (shadow?)

5. Step 2 - Research your Options Typical Options - College/Tech School - Military - Work Force

6. Step 2 - Research (College) Entrance Exams: - ACT ACT - SAT SAT - Selective colleges like to see both - Can test more than once - Check dates and registration deadlines

7. Step 2 - Research (College) A school that is ideal for your friend may not be for you! Campus visits!!! Visit college reps here at PBL!college reps Have you completed the required high school courses? Do you know how long you’ll need to be in school to meet your goals? 2 years? 4 years? 6 years? 8+ years?

8. Step 2 - Research (College) Do I meet typical entrance requirements? Should you take ACT/SAT again? Costs (“sticker” price vs. actual price) Scholarships? Do they offer my major?

9. Step 2 - Research (College) Big School/Small School or big town/small town Extracurricular activities/Student Life Distance from home Live on/off-campus?

10. Step 2 - Research (Military) ASVAB – entrance exam ASVAB Consider which branch will fit your needs Schedule meetings with recruiter(s) Recruiters visiting PBL H.S. Meet with your counselor to get resources!

11. Step 2 - Research (Work Force) Resume Interview skills Applications Networking Skill-level required for job field?

12. Step 3 – Application Process Consider applying to a variety of schools: - Fall back(s), good fit(s), dream school(s) Know deadlines (priority vs. general admit) If you can, apply online (rolling admission) Apply for admission, apply for scholarships Let us know when you apply!!!  Transcripts and other supporting documents need to be sent

13. Step 3 – Application Process Send test scores Div I or II athlete? NCAA Elgibility Center Letters of recommendation required? Portfolio? Essay?

14. Step 3 – Application Process Factors considered in accepting students  Grades and class rank  Courses taken  ACT or SAT score  Recommendations (ask early!)  Extra-curricular activities  Community service/volunteer work  Essay

15. Step 3 – Application Process (College Essay Tips) 1. Don’t recycle essays 2. Captivate your audience 3. Be yourself 4. Accentuate the positive 5. Write in the active voice

16. Step 3 – Application Process (College Essay Tips) 6. Don’t overextend 7. Ask people for input 8. Leave time for rewriting 9. Revise, reword 10. Pursue perfection

17. Common Errors Waiting too long to get started Relying on spell-check and not proofreading Not following directions Not completing every portion of the application Being too generic with essays Facebook (reps are looking!!) Inappropriate emails: partygirl99@yahoo.com...

18. Financial Aid notes Begin search early senior year Watch out for scholarships scams! Local, national, & college-specific scholarships Request fin. aid/scholarship info from colleges Complete the FAFSA  www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov  No fee to apply  Fed’l govt. uses this to determine eligibility for aid  ASAP after January 1

19. What Illinois schools are saying: - “Especially looking at rigor of high school courses” - “Apply early, apply online” - “Get your apps out before the turkey hits the table” - “Holistic review” - “Campus visits are critical” - “Personal statements for extenuating circumstances” - “Fill out your FAFSA as soon after January 1 st as possible” - “If borderline student, it’s even more important to apply early”

20. Resources PBL Guidance Website (This PowerPoint will be posted)

21. Summary Step 1: Know yourself Step 2: Research your options - College or Tech school - Military - Work Step 3: Complete the application process

22. Closing Comments Schedule Senior Interview Listen to announcements for college reps visiting PBL Take ACT again?!?! Go on campus visits Talk with your parents, teachers, counselors NOW!