College & Career Preparation

1. College & Career Preparation A Roadmap to Successful College & Career Planning for High School Sophomores & Juniors

2. The choices you make today will determine your life tomorrow.

3. Why College? Every bit of education you get after high school increases your chances of earning a good salary. College graduates tend to earn more money than people who stop their education at the high school level. KnowHow2Go.org

4. Did You Know…? College graduates generally earn over $1 million more than high school graduates over a lifetime. 2013 Median U.S. Earnings by Educational Attainment(for workers age 25 and older) http://www.aie.org/planning-for-college/First-steps/learn-more-youll-earn-more.cfm

5. Employment Projections http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

7. The Beginning: Your Academic Record Admission offices look for: • Level of difficulty of current classes with a pattern of increasing difficulty through senior year • Grades that are consistently high or that trend upward in the midst of increasingly challenging classes Academic ability is one of the primary criteria for admission

8. Navigating the Courses • Pre-AP: usually more rigorous than regular academic classes but a step below Advanced Placement (AP) classes • Advanced Placement: the most widely available program; offers college-level courses which culminate in a rigorous subject exam • Dual Credit: concurrent enrollment at a local community college allowing students to earn both high school and college credit

9. Understanding the Credits for AP Courses • AP classes—colleges may award 3-6 hours of credit in respective course work depending on the student’s score on the AP exam • Some may not offer credit but will place the student in a higher-level class than most entering freshmen • Students should become familiar with the AP policies at schools in which they are interested

10. Advanced Placement Classes • Classes present high expectations for critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, evidence, multiple perspectives, and clear written and verbal communications. • Students learn rigorous college-level content and skills. • AP exams are given in May and will be a culmination of all that has been covered during the school year. • Cost of the exam is $91 with fee-waivers available for qualified students. • You do not have to pass the test to receive weighted high school credit for the course. • Statistical research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically earn higher grade point averages in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers.

11. Understanding the Credits for Dual Courses • Dual Credit Classes—a few schools do not award credit if the student received high school credit for the class • Some award credit as an elective but require the student to take their version of the class • Example: College Algebra may sometimes transfer as a math elective credit because some colleges question the rigorousness of the class • Students should check with their colleges to see how dual-credit classes are credited. Even if the school does not award credit, the fact that the student took a college level class will play into the admittance decision.

12. Dual Credit College Classes • Taken through TVCC • Must make C or higher for credit; B or higher for Distinguished Achievement credit • These are college classes taught on campus or online and must be treated as such. Students are expected to meet higher standards in order to make college-level grades. • If you need to drop a course, please see Mrs. Dorman for instructions. It is your responsibility to notify TVCC that you are dropping or withdrawing from a class. • Refunds are at the discretion of TVCC but are not available after the 20th class day. • Dual Credit grades become a part of your high school AND college transcripts.

13. Making the Grades • A student’s grades predict the probability of academic success at the college level—as well as study habits, perseverance, motivation, time management skills, and resilience. • Studies show that high school grades are the single best predictor of success at most colleges. • Schools look for an upward trend with increasing rigor—as classes become more difficult, a student becomes academically stronger.

14. You Should Know… • Colleges look at GPAs in context with the curriculum and the grading standards of a student’s high school. • Colleges do not take rank at face value—they consider the high school’s grading standards and GPA calculation formulas to gauge where a student stands. • Many colleges do not consider the GPA as the most reliable standard upon which to measure a student. • Instead, they rely on standardized test scores such as the SAT, the ACT, and AP exams to balance out any possible grade inflation.

15. Extra Extracurricular Activity • There is no ideal mixture of activities. • Students should pursue activities that truly interest them. • Colleges see extracurricular activities as strong predictors of how a student will contribute to the academic and social environment of the college. • While there is no one thing a student must be doing during the high school years, it will be regarded negatively if a student has done absolutely nothing with his time outside of the classroom.

16. Building a Resume • Begin keeping a record of your extracurricular activities and honors you may receive. • Be honest…don’t pad your resume with numbers that don’t add up and activities that you didn’t participate in. • Don’t assume a leadership position just because it looks good on your college application . . . do your part to follow through on your commitment. • Exaggerating, embellishing, or outright lying will have serious consequences. • Be honest and be yourself. Do what you enjoy and follow your passions.

17. Testing • Plan to take the standardized tests required by your choice of colleges. Then prepare for them.

18. Choosing a College • Research: • First, yourself—learn what your preferences, priorities, interests, and hopes are • Take interest inventories, personality quizzes, surveys • Discover what career and major best suites you • Second, the schools—location, setting, size, academic programs, cost, athletics, extracurricular activities, public or private, diversity, campus culture, and so on… • Study college websites, use College Board, read guidebooks, attend college fairs/college days, talk to alumni or current students

19. Financial Aid: A Brief Overview* • Forms of Financial Aid • Need-based • Grants—Federal, State, College-Funded • Self-help—Loans, Work-study • Merit-based • Scholarships—athletic, academic, fine arts • Local, State, College-funded, Private Organizations * A more detailed financial aid presentation will be held at a later date.

20. Applying for Aid: Overview • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • Must be filled out each year after January 1st, using previous year’s tax return • CSS/PROFILE (College Scholarship Service) • A supplemental form from College Board used by many colleges in making financial aid decisions • College-specific financial aid applications • Required by some colleges to determine financial need

21. Timelines 10th Grade • Take the PSAT and ACT PLAN for practice • Continue giving your best effort in all of your classes • Commit to studying each night when possible • Continue with extracurricular activities you enjoy • Form study groups with friends • If you are struggling with a subject, sign up for peer tutoring, ask a teacher for help, or work with a friend who understands the subject. If you are doing well, offer help to others. You’ll become better in the process.

22. Timelines 10th Grade continued • Research colleges on the web • If there is a possibility you will be seriously involved in music while in college, begin thinking about building an audition repertoire • If you want to play collegiate sports, become familiar with NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) • Keep updating your file of grades, awards, and activities • Plan your 11th grade course schedule • Keep on reading!

23. Timelines 11th Grade • Plan to spend time each night studying so that you won’t feel overwhelmed by due dates • Continue giving your best effort in all classes • Take the PSAT (even if you took it last year) • Continue extracurricular activities. Consider taking on a leadership role. • Do a test-run visit to a local college • Continue online research on colleges • Create a College Board account to keep track of college research • Attend a college day or college fair • Take the SAT or ACT during the winter or spring

24. Timelines 11th Grade continued • Create a preliminary list of possible colleges • Compile a list of college deadlines for applications, scholarships, etc. • Begin researching financial aid • Save samples of your best work for your academic and extracurricular file • Begin planning college visits for spring break or summer • Plan your 12th grade course schedule • If you plan to study one of the fine arts in college, complete any audition materials, portfolios, theater pieces, etc. • Register with the NCAA if you plan to continue athletics in college • During the summer, begin working on your Common Application and your essays

25. Timelines 12th Grade—Fall • Finalize your list of schools and begin applications (if you haven’t already) • Keep track of deadlines, required essays, and financial aid requirements • Visit colleges (you get two college days) • Ask for recommendation letters from teachers, counselors, principals. Allow plenty of time for completion. • Request transcripts to be sent to your choice colleges • Take ACT or SAT again, if needed. Send scores to colleges. • Keep copies of all applications, records, test scores, essays

26. Timelines 12th Grade—Winter • Apply for FAFSA PIN number in December • Submit applications, supplements, and fees for colleges • Fill out and submit FAFSA, CSS/PROFILE, and any other required financial aid forms • Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) when it arrives • Confirm that all applications, essays, scores, and financial aid materials have been received • Continue to search for and complete scholarship applications • Confirm that semester transcripts have been mailed, if needed

27. Timelines 12th Grade—Spring • Celebrate your acceptance letter and inform your counselor of all acceptance offers and scholarship awards • Apply for local scholarships—usually in early March • Visit any college where you may enroll. Stay overnight if you can. • Apply for summer jobs • Fill out housing applications and send in fees • By May 1st, notify your school of choice that you will attend • Accept any student aid or scholarship awards for your college • Request final transcripts to be sent to college

28. Timelines 12th Grade—Summer • Follow-up on any remaining financial aid details • Watch for summer mailings or emails from your college about housing, orientation, course selection, and other subjects • Make your first payment on time! • Complete any summer reading assigned by the college • Pack for college • Reassure parents that you will write, call, and visit…especially when in need of money. 

29. Final Thoughts • Your counseling department is here to help you. Use them. Be patient…there are many students needing the same services you do. • Ask questions anytime throughout the process. • Schedule appointments for in-depth college-planning assistance. • Maintain your grades, stay focused, and enjoy your high school years. • Parents—please supply an updated email so that you may receive information regarding college and career readiness on a timely basis.

30. Resources • Mamlet, R. and C. VanDeVelde. College Admission: From Application to Acceptance. Step by Step. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2011. • www.aie.org. • www.knowhow2go.org • www.collegeboard.org • www.commonapp.org • www.fafsa.ed.gov • www.nasfaa.org • www.nacacnet.org • www.applytexas.org • www.collegefortexans.com • www.ed.gov • www.fastweb.com • www.finaid.org • www.mappingyourfuture.org • www.eligibilitycenter.org