280 likes | 438 Views
LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: A brand new day. Presented. Reality check . The amount of education you receive affects what type of job you can get and how much money you can earn . A college graduate earns about $27,300 more per year than a person with a high school diploma.
E N D
LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: A brand new day Presented
Reality check The amount of education you receive affects what type of job you can get and how much money you can earn. A college graduate earns about $27,300 more per year than a person with a high school diploma. Translation: at least $1 million dollars over your lifetime! It’s worth the investment!
Three more reasons life-long learning pays off: • Required for many high-paying and interesting jobs. • Foundation for promotions or newly created jobs. • Flexibility to switch careers over your lifetime.
Lame excuses for discontinuing your education • No one in my family has ever gone to college. I’ve been in school for 12 years. That’s enough! I just want a good job. I can’t afford it. I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I won’t fit in. College is too hard. I don’t know how to apply or where I want to go. Source: Adapted from The College Board’s“Seven Excuses Not to Go to College and Why They’re Lame”
Pick the best place for you. • Campus Tours http://www.campustours.com/ • How to Choose http://www.unt.edu/pais/howtochoose/why.htm • Program/degree offerings • Size • Location • Retention and graduation • Housing • Where would you fit in?
What will colleges look at? • Grades/GPA/Class Rank • Courses • Test scores • Essays • Letters of recommendation • Extracurricular activities and awards • Employment
Top ten percent graduate = guaranteed admission • Admission to public postsecondary institutions is guaranteed to students who graduate in the top ten percent of their class at a public or private accredited high school in Texas. • Except for the University of Texas at Austin. UT will only be required to accept students in the top 8% of the 2012-13 graduating class.
College Admission Exams • SAT (Register online www.collegeboard.com) • Tests reading, math and writing. • Recommend taking it spring of 11th grade. Register 8 weeks in advance. • You can take it more than once, but all scores go to your selected schools. • BHS SAT Dates: October 6, November 3. • ACT (Register online www.act.org) • Tests English, math, reading, science and writing. • BHS ACT Dates: October 27 @Smithville, February 9, April 13. • Most colleges will take either test.
College Readiness Tests • THEA, ASSET, COMPASS • Must take before you enroll in a Texas public two or four year college. • May exempt based on TAKS, SAT, or ACT scores. • All BHS seniors (unless exempt) will take the COMPASS test in conjunction with ACC Connection.
AP Exams • AP Courses are more rigorous and are designed to prepare the student for the AP exam. • AP exams are given in May. All students enrolled in AP courses are expected but not required to take the test. • Scoring well on AP courses can earn you college credit or allow you to skip entry-level courses. • AP exams include multiple-choice and essay questions. • AP scores are not received until July.
ASVAB • Career/interest inventory and skills test • Military uses results for job assignment • Will be offered at BHS on November 2 • Sign up in the Career Center • Prepare at march2success.com
MORE ABOUT TESTS • Fee waivers: Talk to your counselor or the Career Center • Eligible for free or reduced lunch program • Good for application and test fees • List the schools you want your scores sent to when you take the test. You will have to pay College Board or ACT to send the scores later. • Haven’t taken the SAT or ACT? Register today. Have the scores sent directly to your preferred colleges.
Seniors, start today. • Create a student resumé listing extracurricular activities, honors/awards, and jobs. • Apply to at least two or three colleges or universities. ApplyTexas.org • Often financial aid and housing have separate applications and deadlines. Be aware. • Keep a calendar of deadlines. Don’t be late. • Include strong college essays. Ask teachers or counselors for feedback.
Continue tomorrow … • Make copies. Alter what you have for different applications. • Choose a major or apply undecided. • Ask teachers or counselors for recommendations early. Provide your counselor with a current resume. • Begin financial aid process by applying applying for FAFSA pin.
Keep things rolling. • Complete and mail the FAFSAas soon after January 1 of your senior year as possible. • Some student aid programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis. • Follow instructions carefully. • Make copies.
IS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR YOU? • Do you know where you want to be but need some training to get there? • Do you want to explore different choices before settling on a path? • Do you need to cut the cost of a four-year college degree? • Do you want to sharpen your study skills before enrolling at a university? • Do you want to continue to work at your job while going to college?
IF YOU ANSWERED YES… You won’t be alone – 45 percent of all first-year college students start at a community college. • These institutions offer two kinds of education: • An occupational degree or certificate in two years or less. • An associate degree in two years then transfer to college as a junior
ACC-BISD Initiative • Easy access to ACC enrollment
ACC/BISD Connection • Application completed at BHS October 1, 2 • Online orientation completed at BHS • COMPASS/ASSET testing provided free of charge November 13, 14 • Advising completed at BHS • All graduates who have applied will be admitted upon graduation
THINKING ABOUT THE MILITARY? • Contact a recruiter. • Take the ASVAB test Nov. 2 • Ask lots of questions. • What opportunities will you receive for education? • Consider an ROTC scholarship. See the career center for information ASAP.
CONSIDERING A CAREER? • Look carefully into opportunities for advancement and training. Some companies will pay tuition. • Are there intern or apprenticeship opportunities? • Create a professional resume. • Ask teachers and counselor for references.
Questions?Check out the Career Center! • Which college will best prepare you for your career? Ask! • When can you take the SAT? You can register in the Career Center. • What training do you need for your career choice? They have the answer! • Don’t know your career interest? Take the interest inventory.
SCHOLARSHIPS • There is lots of free money available (and lots that goes unused every year!) • Look for scholarships. • Scholarship board outside of Guidance Office • Career Center • Career Cruising, www.careercruising.com • BHS Counselor’s Facebook Fan Page • www.facebook.com/bhscounselors • Copies of our presentations, local scholarship information, and other college/career planning tools can be found on the Bastrop High School website under the Counseling Department.
Applying is hard work. • Search for scholarships that are a match for you. • Request recommendations early and make copies. • Make copies of your transcript. • Create a good resume and keep it up to date. • Read the directions carefully. • Proofread, then check it again. • Does your essay address exactly what the scholarship requests?
SENIOR PARENT MEETING Tuesday, September 18 6:30 p.m. BHS Cafetorium
Contact us • www.bisdtx.org • www.facebook.com/bhscounselors • Call Bastrop High School 512-772-7200