Planning for life after high school

1. Planning for life after high school Presented by Squalicum High School Counselors & Career Specialists November 7, 2011

2. Finding the Right Fit • Focus on your student’s interests, both academically and socially • Consider things such as: • Programs and majors • Student life and housing • Support services on campus • Location • Career and internship opportunities • Athletics and music programs • Cost of attendance • Size of the school • Alumni support

3. College Search Resources • College review books • College websites • Youcango.collegeboard.org • Princetonreview.com • Nacacnet.org • Washingtoncouncil.org • Wois.org – Our site key is JVU495 • Checkoutacollege.com

4. Accessing Colleges Directly • Attend college fairs • Life After High School College Fair • 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 15 at Whatcom Community College • Meet with college reps. during high school visits • Gonzaga University visited today. • Montana State University will be here tomorrow. • National/regional college rep. visits • Visit college campuses

5. What should I do on a campus visit? • Meet with an admissions counselor • Take an organized tour • Sit in on a college class • Locate the financial aid office and discuss scholarships and financial aid • Explore student life, dorm rooms, fraternities/sororities, dorm food • Explore the city in general, it’s your student’s new home!

6. Two-year Community and Technical Colleges • Why choose a two-year college? • Less expensive, quicker, or highly vocational • Two-year schools offer students the chance to start their careers sooner and with less (or no) debt. • You can also use a two-year school as a launching point to start earning your bachelor’s degree. • Smaller, more personal classes • Who goes there? • Students who simply want to save money on their general education courses before transferring to a more expensive four-year institution. • Students who are undecided on a career path. • Students looking to go directly into a trade or technical vocation. • Students looking to improve their academic transcript.

7. Four-year colleges and universities • Why choose a four-year college? • They offer students on- and off-campus learning opportunities you simply can’t find anywhere else. • Students who put the time and money into a four-year education will reap the benefits throughout their lives. • Who goes there? • Those who want a well-rounded education and a flexible degree. • While four-year students are required to take a much broader range of courses than two-year vocational students, four-year students graduate with degrees that can be used for a wide spectrum of jobs in the real world.

8. Two-year vs. four-year colleges • Technical and community colleges are significantly less expensive and can prepare student for specific careers. • Students need to earn a direct transfer degree in order to transfer to a university and avoid taking general undergraduate requirements. • It’s okay for a student to go to four-year university and be undecided. Twenty-five percent of college freshman report “undecided” as their major. On average, students change their major at least one time in their college career.

9. Public universities • Why public universities? • They typically offer a vast amount of majors and opportunities • There are a larger number of clubs, athletic programs and other activities • Significantly less expensive than private universities • Why not? • Less personal attachment to staff and administration • Students are expected to be more independent and have less guidance in selecting majors and career opportunities.

10. Private universities • Why private universities? • Often they are small, which translates into smaller classrooms and closer connections to professors • Classes are taught by actual professors and not graduate assistants (though small public schools offer the same opportunity) • Due to small communities, student have more opportunities for leadership roles in clubs and student governments • They can offer unique majors that are not available at public universities • Why not? • Significantly more expensive (but scholarships and grants can assist with this) • They offer fewer majors • They often have more rules which can lead some students to feel like they are missing out on being a full adult or being engaged in a full college experience (though parents might consider this a good thing!)

11. Private vs. Public universities • Again, visit the campuses of the school • Do not avoid private schools due to cost. Some private schools have more funding (particularly with the current economy) and can offer more scholarships. • Connect with an admissions counselor at the school of interest. A personal connection always helps. • If the school feels right, then perhaps it is the right school for your student.

12. Other Options • Military • ROTC scholarship • Apply and receive a scholarship for 2- years of college • Deadline is December 31st of your senior year • Service Academy • Must make an application in spring of your junior year • West Point (Army), Air Force, Naval, Coast Guard • Enlist • Requires a high school diploma and ASVAB • Reserves • Requires weekends and summer training • GAP Year • Learn About the World • Learn About Yourself • Get Some Serious Perspective

13. ACT vs. SAT ACT SAT Reading, writing, math Test on innate intelligence Deducts for wrong answers Be careful not to sign up for the Subject tests unless you need them. • Reading, math (Algebra 2), science, English, writing is optional • Test on knowledge learned in high school • No penalty for wrong answers Which format feels right? Our students take the PLAN (ACT) in 10th grade and the PSAT (SAT) in 11th How long can I sit? ACT = 3 hrs. 25 mins. (includes writing) vs. SAT = 3 hrs. 45 mins.

14. THE APPLICATION PROCESS The it can get tricky!

15. Transcripts • During the application process, many schools will request an official transcript. Students make their request in the main office. • Transcripts are only official if they are signed by a school official. • Some schools will request official, sealed transcripts. If the envelope is opened, this will break the transcripts official status. (The same policy is applied to some letters of recommendation.) • Some schools want mid-year transcripts, all want final transcripts, just pay close attention!

16. Fee Waivers • Both the SAT and ACT give out fee waivers for up to four universities. Students must have used fee waivers to take the SAT or ACT in order to access the application waiver. • If a family participates in the free or reduced lunch program, students can also request a fee waiver from the university. • Fee waivers are also available through the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). • Many schools will waive the application fee if a student applies online. • See your counselor or Mrs. O’Brien for more information.

17. Letters of Recommendation – when do I need one? • If you are using the common application • Applications will tell you who you need letters of recommendation from, for example • Two teachers, or a counselor and a teacher, or a math and English teacher • You might need a letter of recommendation if your university tells you they need more information before they can make an admission decision. • For scholarships that require specific information. • If someone wrote you a letter for college admission, you could revisit them and ask them to revise their letter for the scholarship.

18. Letters of Recommendation • What is the process? • Create an academic resume. Include: • Clubs and activities • Sports, both school and community sponsored • Volunteer opportunities (including Culminating Project) • Awards and honors • Leadership roles (class/club officer, captain of the team) • Anything that you would want a prospective college to know about you. Again, brag and self-advocate. • Make sure to set aside some time to speak with your writer about any additional information that you would want someone to advocate for (such as low grades due to divorce, a death in the family, etc.) • Give your letter write three weeks to write the letter. We need the time! • Determine who would be the most appropriate person to write for you, and don’t over ask.

19. The Common Application – www.commonapp.org • Students create their own login and can search for colleges that are using the common application • The common app is most used by independent and private universities. • It keeps track of deadlines for all of the schools and contacts the student’s counselor about where the student is in regard to completing their application. • Complete the school forms ASAP and save them! The forms are at the bottom, left corner of the application. • Some schools still require a supplemental application that the student needs to complete in order to finish their application process.

20. Admission Impossible

21. Tips for Student Athletes • The key is to find the “right match” with a school and coach who is genuinely concerned about you, your success and your future. • Academics • Research all the schools that contact you and look for the best academic opportunity in your field of study. • Level of Play • Consider all divisions and conferences and find one where you’ll play a major role in a program. • Finances • All schools want their student body represented by as many states and foreign countries as possible for national ranking purposes, therefore, there is a tremendous opportunity for financial aid outside your own state. • Travel • Parents like to have student-athletes within a 2-3 hour drive from home. Consider a 2-3 hour flight if your education is funded. • Remember, the actual number of student-athletes fully funded at the Division I level is 0.8%.83% of all collegiate opportunities are NOT at the Division I level.

22. Financial Aid • Financial Aid 101 Events • Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 7:00 PM at Bellingham High School • Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 2:00 PM at First Congregational Church • College Goal Sunday – FAFSA Completion Events • Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Sehome High School • Thursday, January 19, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bellingham High School • Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 2-4 PM at Squalicum High School • The benefits of attending College Goal Sunday are: • Experts in financial aid, tax preparation and financial services are available to assist you. • Students who attend an event and receive an EFC on their FAFSA will be entered into a scholarship drawing.

23. Helpful Financial Aid Websites • Finaid – www.finaid.org • Federal Student Aid – www.studentaid.ed.gov • Higher Education Coordinating Board – www.hecb.wa.gov • NELA Center for Student Success – www.centerforstudentsuccess.org • Know How 2 Go – www.knowhow2gowashington.org • Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund – www.maldef.org

24. Scholarships • SqHS Scholarship Bulletin – http://squalicum.bellinghamschools.org/sites/default/files/squalicum/pdf/bulletin.pdf • The WashBoard - http://www.thewashboard.org/login.aspx • Fastweb - http://www.fastweb.com/ • Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund – www.maldef.org

25. Questions and Answers Thank you for joining us tonight~