Junior Parent Meeting Navigating the Senior Year

Southwest High SchoolSeptember 24, 2008

5 pm

Senior Year Preparation

• Making this year count– Grades matter– 6th Semester GPA/Class rank

(College/Scholarship applications)

• Senior Year Registration– November 18th & 20th

– Online registration– Graduation /college entrance requirements

Planning For The Future

• Allow your child to make his/her own decisions– Create an atmosphere of mutual trust &

respect• Explore options together

– College (4 Year or 2 Year)– Vocational/Trade Schools– Military– Work

Adapted From: College & Career Choices

Making An Educated Decision

• Explore career options– Identify career fields that match your

student’s interests

• Get a good academic fit– Find a college that matches academic

preparation• Consider GPA & ACT or SAT scores of

previous freshmen

Adapted from: Careers & Education in Nebraska

Types Of Education

• Universities– Made up of colleges or schools that teach

specialized areas– Usually offer graduate degrees at the master’s &

PhD level• Four-year colleges

– Offer wide range of programs• Liberal arts colleges

– College studies consist of fine arts, natural sciences, social sciences & humanities

– Utilizes understanding of past & concern for the future

Types Of Education Continued

• Community colleges– Prepares students for immediate employment– Many feature academic transfer programs

• Vocational or specialty schools– Usually specialized to a specific occupation or

career cluster– Credits seldom transfer to a 4-year school

• On the job training & apprenticeships– Training provided by employer or labor union

• Military service– Provides educational opportunities that transfer to

civilian occupations

Resources for College Information

• LPS Post High School Planning Guide &LSW Planning Guide at: http://lsw.lps.org/

(both listed under Publications)

• College Catalogs/View Books

• Web Sites for LSW Counseling Dept:http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/

& Colleges

• College Representatives

• Campus Visits

College Visitations

• Call admissions office in advance• Talk to as many students as you can

who attend the colleges of interest• Prepare for admissions interviews, if

applicable• Take time to look around on your

own• Inquire about acceptance of

Common ApplicationAdapted From: Associated Colleges of the Midwest

College Visitations:Questions To Ask

Financial Aid Timeline

• Ask about financial aid priority deadlines• Request supplemental forms from financial aid office (i.e.

scholarships)• Complete taxes early

– Collect tax returns, bank statements, records of income & benefits for parents & students from previous year

• Request FAFSA pin # at (www.pin.ed.gov)– Fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Check for Student Aid Report (SAR) 4-6 weeks after submitting FAFSA– Submit SAR to financial aid office of schools that have been

applied to• Confirmation letter for financial aid package will be sent

from schools with applications for admissions

PSAT• ALL college-bound students should take

• Only way JRs qualify for National Merit Scholarship Program

• Saturday, Oct. 18th 8am-12:00pm NO MAKEUP testing

• Register in Counseling Center – October 1st-10th - $18 test fee (limited # of fee waivers)

ACT & SAT Tests

• Check with admissions office about ACT or SAT preference

• Inquire if SAT II subject tests or ACT Writing are required

• Many schools now accept both test scores– Harvard, Yale, & University of Pennsylvania

Adapted From: Wall Street Journal

ACT vs. SAT:How do the tests compare?

• SAT: 7 times per year– Recent changes include

• Critical reading passages, essay, & more challenging math

– Ten-section exam– Penalty for wrong answers– Scores range from 200-800

per section– 2400 highest possible

combined score– All scores will be sent to

requested schools

www.collegeboard.com

• ACT: 6 times per year– Recent changes include

• Optional writing section– Four-section exam– No penalty for wrong

answers– Scores range from 1 to 36

for each score– 36 highest possible

composite– Score choice option of

which scores schools will receive

www.act.org

Adapted From: The Princeton Review www.princeton.com

Don’t Get Scammed On Your Way To College

• Look for warning signs that a scholarship may be a scam– “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money

back.”– “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”– “May I have your credit card or bank account

number to hold this scholarship.”– “We’ll do all the work.”– “The scholarship will cost you some money.”– “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to

receive a scholarship.”– “You’re a finalist in a contest”-that you didn’t enter.

Military Scholarships

• Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) www.armyrotc.com

• Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) www.afoats.af.mil

• Naval Reserve Training Corps (NROTC) • Opportunities for both Navy & Marines

www.cnet.navy.mil/nrotc.nrotc.htm

Thank You

The LSW Post-Secondary Counselorswould like to thank you for attending

tonight’s presentation.

Also, special thanks to theCollege Representatives and guest speakers from:

Doane CollegeNebraska Wesleyan University Southeast Community College University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Delmer Esters: Education QuestPat McBride: University of Nebraska-Lincoln