24 Months & Counting…

Post High School Planning for Sophomores

High School College

Credits per semester 3.5 12-15

Credits Required for Graduation

24 120 - 130

Type of Diploma/Degree

Diploma 2-yr degree = Associates

4-yr degree = Bachelor’s

Hours of Week in Class

35 12-15

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 Varies by class 1-3 chapters per week for each class

High School vs. College

Types of Colleges

Type Description Tuition Admission Requirements

Four year

Degrees offered: Bachelors and beyond

Provides: A well-rounded college experience that includes an academic area of study.

State: Typically $15,000 - $20,000/year

Private: Typically more than $20,000/year

•SAT or ACT•GPA•Class rank•Essay•Extracurricular

activities•Letters of recommendatio

n•Transcripts

Types of Colleges

Type Description Tuition Admission Requirements

Two year

Degrees offered: Associates

Provides: A way to ease into college / take general college classes for credit.Typically have agreements with four year colleges to transfer credits.

Typically around $3,000/year

Open-door admission policy

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 March 1st

College Admissions Timeline

ALL JUNIORS WILL TAKE A FREE ACT HERE AT SOUTH NEXT SPRING!!

English, Math, Science, & Reading◦ Writing Portion is optional ◦ Evangel University is the only MO college that requires it

Fees: $36.50 or $52.50 for ACT + Writing ALL colleges will accept the ACT Given 6 times per year here @ 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 www.actstudent.org

ACT

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 http://sat.collegeboard.com/home

Should I take the SAT?

ACT Prep class offered each semester for ½ credit

ACT Prep Days – 3 per year DeVry, Northwest MO State, and Sylvan Learning

Centers sometimes offer prep days

Summer PSAT/SAT Prep Class offered by BSSD◦ August 26 & 28: 2:45 – 4:45◦ October 7 & 9: 2:45 – 4:45◦ Will meet at BSSD Central Office◦ FREE!!◦ Taught by Dr. Carter & Mr. Dierking ◦ Sign up in the Counseling Office

Test Prep Opportunities

Pre-SAT Measures critical reading, math problem-

solving, and writing skills Qualifying test for the

National Merit Scholarship Program Wednesday, October 15th here @ South

PSAT

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

National Merit Scholarship Program

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

Bright Flight

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 alumnae

Elite Colleges

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

Early Decision vs. Early Action

Common Application is used by almost 400 colleges – www.commonapp.org◦ 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

Common Application / CSS Profile

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

Military Academy Appointments

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!!

Compass Cord

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!!

Boys State & Girls State

FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid Aid is awarded based on income & family size FAFSA not available until January 1st 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! Not too late to sign up for the A+ program – See Mr. Baier

in the Main Office www.fastweb.com & www.cappex.com - Free scholarship

websites

Financial Aid & Scholarships

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

Guidance Announcements

@BSSCounselors◦ Important announcements◦ Upcoming Deadlines◦ Scholarship & college info◦ Shout-out’s to Jags doing great things!!

Follow Us on Twitter

Other Post High School Options

Talk with various recruiters◦ Each branch has different incentive packages

Will have to take the ASVAB test, which determines what types of jobs you will be eligible for

Include your parents in the decision◦ Sometimes they think of good questions you may

not think of

Military Service

Can enlist right after high school◦ May qualify for the G.I. Bill – You can go to college

for free during and/or after your military service is complete

College ROTC Scholarships◦ Full & partial college scholarships◦ You agree to serve in the military after graduation

for 4-6 years◦ Become an officer upon graduation (higher rank

than enlisted soldiers)

Enlisting vs. ROTC

Combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training

Opportunity to learn and practice while getting work experience in the real world

Takes 1-6 years to fully complete the program, but you are paid while you train!

No previous experience required◦ Pay increases as you gain experience

Apprenticeships

Carpenter Operating Engineer Bricklayer Machinist Plumber Tool Maker Pipefitter Cook Iron Worker Auto Mechanic Lineman Diesel Mechanic Electrician Painter

**More info at www.missouriapprenticeship.com

Examples of Apprenticeship Programs

Cosmetology – Can finish a full program (hair, nails, make-up, massage therapy) in around 1 year

Community Colleges have many programs that can be completed in 1 year or less

Technical Colleges◦ Linn State Technical College◦ ITT Technical Institute◦ BTC (Business & Technology campus of MCC)◦ Technical focused programs ◦ Take 1-4 years to complete

Cosmetology, Trade, or Technical Schools

The Bottom Line is….EVERYONE needs to

pursue some type of post-high school training or

education!!

Questions??