Presented by: Mrs. Tracey Martin, Counselor

1. Presented by: Mrs. Tracey Martin, Counselor JUNIOR PARENT NIGHT OCTOBER 10, 2013

2. JUNIORS IT’S TIME TO GET READY…. • Class visits Sept. 23-24 • Develop a plan for after HS • Junior Planning Guide (parents, have you seen this?) • Sign up for PSAT test • Sign up for SAT/ACT testing • Take advantage of the College Representative visits! • Individual student meetings with counselor to review transcript, credits etc.

3. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? • Work • Military • Technical/Trade School • Apprenticeship programs • Community or Junior College • guaranteed transfer agreement w/ 4 year schools in Virginia • 4-year College or University • Public or Private

4. HOW TO DECIDE?? KNOW YOURSELF • Consider Values • Ambitions • Achievements • Academic Strengths • Interests • Standout Talents • Help your child recognize their strengths

5. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CAREER & MAJOR IS THE ONE THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT! Find a career / major that fits here

6. COLLEGE TESTING • SAT I’S AND SAT II’S (only select colleges want SAT II’s) ($51.00) • ACT’S ($50.50) • SIGN UP ONLINE- www.collegeboard.orgor www.actstudent.org • Fee waivers available • KWHS is now a testing site!

7. ACT OR SAT? SAT ACT * TEN SECTIONEXAM * FOUR TEST EXAM: ENG., * 3 EA. RDG, MATH,WR MATH, RDG, SCIENCE * ESSAY A MUST * ESSAY OPTIONAL * SCORES 200 - 800 * SCORES 1 - 36 * MATH TO ALG 2 * MATH TO TRIG * PENALTY FOR * NO PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS WRONG ANSWERS

8. SAT PREP CLASSES • COST VARIES FROM COMPANY TO COMPANY • PARENT/STUDENT CHOICE TO USE • FREE HELP ONLINE • OFFICIAL SAT STUDY GUIDE, REAL ACT STUDY GUIDE • CAN ORDER PRACTICE BOOKS ONLINE FOR A CHEAPER COST

9. MORE SAT/ACT HELP: • EVERY COLLEGE WILL TAKE SCORES FROM EITHER OR BOTH TESTS • PREPARE FOR THE TESTS • SAT- QUESTION & ANSWER SERVICE IN OCT., JAN., & MAY- EXTRA FEE • ACT TIR (TEST INFORMATION RELEASE) SERVICE IN APRIL & JUNE- EXTRA FEE • TAKE BOTH TESTS- BETTER YOUR CHANCES

10. OTHER TESTING… • AP SUBJECT TESTS- $87 NOW COULD SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LATER • CLEP TESTING- COLLEGE LEVEL EXAM PROGRAM- $80 PER TEST- WWW.CLEP.COLLEGEBOARD.ORG • SAT SUBJECT TESTS- TAKE THEM ALONG WITH AP TESTS OR CAN TAKE OTHER SUBJECTS • SHOWS COLLEGES YOUR STRENGTHS • CAN SAVE MONEY LATER • CAN SKIP LOWER LEVEL CLASSES

11. FREE COLLEGE FAIRS • KWHS VACRAO College Fair Oct. 17 9am-11am • National College Fair in Washington DC on Nov.6 9-12noon and 6-8pm- more information at www.nacacnet.org • CIAA Fair at Matoaca High Nov. 16 10am-1pm • Collegeweeklive.com- virtual college fair

12. SPRING/SUMMER TASKS • SIGN UP ONLINE FOR SAT’S/ACT’S • NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER SIGN UP • ROTC/ MILITARY ACADEMY APPLICATIONS • DOWNLOAD COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND START WORKING ON THEM • IF SO INCLINED, START ESSAYS • CREATE RESUME (go to www.vawizard.org for resume builder or see counselor for samples) • DECIDE ON EARLY ACTION/EARLY DECISION • Early Action – not binding • Early Decision - binding

13. SUMMER TASKS (CONT.) • BY SEPTEMBER, PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF SCHOOLS YOU WANT TO APPLY TO • INCLUDE IN YOUR LIST… • Safety School = 100% sure you will get in (check with your counselor and check average test scores and GPA) • Probably School = good chance of getting in, but not 100% • Reach School = grades and test scores SLIGHTLY below the school’s averages • WE RECOMMEND STUDENTS APPLY TO 4 SCHOOLS. • SEARCH FOR SCHOLARSHIPS- LIST OF WEBSITES IN BOOKLET & ON HANDOUT & in POT ‘O GOLD

14. FREE RESOURCES • FREE resources- • Opportunities Guide • College Handbook • CCC & Mrs. Martin • Handouts from tonight • Next Step U magazine- nextstepU.com

15. ART, MUSIC, OR THEATRE MAJORS • CHECK THE COLLEGE WEBSITES TO SEE IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL COLLEGE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS • ART- You may have a portfolio to complete. See you art teacher for help. • MUSIC/THEATER- You may have an audition to do.

16. CONSIDERING OUT OF STATE SCHOOLS? • Look at the Academic Common Market • Provides access across state lines for programs not available in a student’s home state (receive in-state tuition rates) • More than 1,900 programs available • Go to www.sreb.org for more information

17. FINANCIAL AID • COUNSELOR/CAREER CENTER • GRASP- SUSAN TEERLINK • COLLEGE WEBSITES • FINANCIAL AID NIGHT (DEC. 3 @ KWHS) • SUPER FAFSA WEEK- FEB 1- 8 , 2014 http://www.vasfaa.org/- VARIOUS LOCATIONS • WEBSITES (I.E. FINAID.ORG, MERITAID.COM, FAFSA.ED.GOV) • OPPORTUNITIES BOOKLET- ecmc.org

18. FINANCIAL AID CONTINUED: • MOST PARENTS OVERESTIMATE COLLEGE COSTS BY 300% • STICKER PRICE IS NOT USUALLY THE ACTUAL PRICE YOU PAY • NEVER RULE OUT A SCHOOL BECAUSE OF COST ALONE • COMPARE COSTS BEFORE APPLYING • GET ADVICE FROM COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID OFFICES • COMPLETE THE FAFSA

19. JUNIOR PACKET • I WILL USE THIS TO WRITE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION • STUDENTS FILL OUT THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY & RESUME • PARENTS FORM • TEACHERS FORM • PEER FORM • EVERYTHING DUE BY END OF JUNE

20. RESOURCES • Books recommended by College Admissions Deans: • In! College Admissions and Beyond: The Experts Proven Strategy for Success by Lillian Leuterman & Jennifer Bloom • Letting Go: A Parents Guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Coburn and Madge Treeger

21. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING! • NEWSLETTERS AND OTHER RESOURCES TO TAKE HOME WITH YOU • ATTENDANCE SHEET • QUESTIONS? • PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OR EMAIL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AFTER TONIGHT • COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT- MARCH 13