Who Will Help Me This Year????

1. Who Will Help Me This Year???? Colleen Egger (A-E) Tanya Ummel (F-K) Julie Petterson (L-Re) Pam Salvatore & Maggie Mosholder (Rf-Z) Jamie Eager and AleeshaGrigg (interns) Erika Spellman (School to Work)

2. TODAY’S TOPICS Graduation Requirements Options after High School Your Timeline Senior Interview Becoming a rock star!

3. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Subject Credits College Fine Art 1.0 1.0 English 4.0 4.0 Personal Finance .5 Health .5 Physical Education 1.5 Math 2.0* 3.0 (at least) Career-Technical (CTE) 1.5 Science 2.0 2.0 - 3.0** Social Studies 3.5 3.0 Electives 5.5 Foreign Language 2.0 HSPE /Culminating Project/HSPP Total Credits 22 *Depending on the outcome of your HSPE results **Some colleges are picky about algebra-based science ***Make sure to check with your counselor concerning your waiver status

4. YOU MUST MEET ALLREQUIREMENTS IF YOU WANT TO WALK!!!!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!!!!

5. WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN??? All those options… All those words… All the pressure… I CAN’T TAKE IT!!!

7. It PAY$ to have an EDUCATION! Did you know? According to U.S. Census Bureau, people with a Bachelors Degree earn over 70% more than those with a high school diploma. Over a lifetime, the earning potential gap, between a high school diploma and a B.A. (or higher) is more than $1 million. BASICALLY…sacrifices you make for a college education are more than repaid in the long term.

8. It PAY$ to LEARN Median Earnings 2009 Professional Degree $82,421/yr. Doctorate $75,182/yr. Master’s Degree $56,589/yr. Bachelor’s Degree $46,969yr. Associate Degree $36,399/yr. Some college, no degree $34,340/yr. High School Graduate $29,187/yr. Less than High School $22,350/yr.

10. TRADE & TECH SCHOOLS • Focus on specific skill set • Hands-on learning • Offers degrees based on skill set • Private or Public • Usually smaller student body • Offers internships • State of the art

11. APPRENTICESHIPS • Learn a specific trade or craft • Attend school while working • Hands-on learning • 2-5 year programs, w/mentors • Usually connected to a community college • Limited spaces • Learn, Work, Get Paid, Receive Health Care Benefits

12. Apprenticeships & Pay Carpenters.. $20 - $40/hr. Electricians.. $19 - $55/hr. Painter.. $12 - $40/hr. Shipbuilding.. $19 - $42/hr. Sheet Metal.. $23 - $47/hr. Drywall.. $ 9 - $40/hr. Truck Drivers.. $10 - $47/hr. Divers.. $33 - $81/hr. *See Mrs. Spellman in the Career Center for more info.

13. COMMUNITY COLLEGE • Usually state funded & supported • Offer programs with transferable degree options • Offers certification programs • Offers community enrichment & GED • Often have satellite programs from universities for specific degrees • Close to home & cost less • Offer smaller class size and more one-on-one help

14. MILITARY SERVICE OPTIONS Army Navy Air Force Coast Guard Marine Corps

15. APPLYING TO COMMUNITY OR TECHNICAL COLLEGES Must have diploma or GED to qualify for financial aid. Offer many degrees designed to help you get a job. Additional Requirements It’s best to apply in January and register in late Spring of your Senior year to get the best course selection. Most require a placement test to decide English and Math placement for courses. You may have taken tech prep classes that have already earned you college credit.

16. DIRECT TRANSFER AGREEMENT Allows students who complete their AA, AS or AAS degree to transfer to most bachelor’s degree programs in the state of Washington. Accepted by:  **Central Washington University **Washington State University **Seattle University **Pacific Lutheran University **Cornish College of the Arts **Whitworth College **The Evergreen State College **Seattle Pacific University **Eastern Washington University **Saint Martins University **Gonzaga University

17. 4 YEAR UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES • Accredited by national organization • Bachelors & Graduate Degrees • Research vs. Liberal Arts • Public or Private • Offer general degrees • Private Universities • No government funding • Often affiliated with a religion • Offers more financial aid • Public Universities • Often called “State” • Funded by government • Includes CC and universities

18. WHAT’S A GOOD FIT? • Size of School • Location (In State/Out of State) • Campus Life (college experience!) • Academic Programs • Graduation Rate • Affordability • Athletics

19. College Application Process Getting Started: Most applications are online Common Application is available at www.commonapp.org Start on your personal statement and essays now!!!! Begin asking for recommendations KNOW your deadlines!

20. In addition… SAT/ACT (SAT II for some schools) Visit with College reps in the career center Find good college websites that help you determine good fit Go to collegeboard.com and click on “school search” to learn what is required for each school.

21. What are they looking for? Rigor of coursework Did you go beyond core minimums? Have you challenged yourself? AP/ Honors/ Running Start? Grade Point Average Activities What have you done? Are you passionate about something? Test scores Essay or Personal Statement What can you contribute to their campus? Have you overcome a challenge or obstacle? Grade Trends

22. TIPS for GOOD COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Letters of Recommendation & Counselor Sections Ask early… at least 3 weeks in advance for recommendations You MUST provide a RESUME & complete a Request for Counselor Recommendation form. Be organized and thorough…Give Counselors all letters and forms at one time in a folder with your resume. Be specific…tell Counselors due dates YOU are responsible to pick up your letter and mail it! Only ask for a letter of recommendation if the college you are applying to require one. Letters are not needed for WA State Public Colleges! • When writing your college essays: • Answer the prompt • Be your best self • EDIT EDITEDIT • Have at least one adult proofread your essay!

23. Examples of average admitted GPA for Washington Public Schools *Critical Reading, Writing, and Math

24. Western Undergraduate Exchange 15 Member States Student pays 150% of in-state tuition for many degree programs Over 11,500 students participating in 100 institutions Montana, Idaho, Hawaii, Arizona, Washington Check the website: www.wiche.edu/sep/wue

25. COLLEGE TUITION FOR FREE? You can attend WSU , UW, Central or WWU for FREE (tuition free)! To see if you meet income limits, go to:http://www.hecb.wa.gov/node/328 Example: A family of 4 making $53,000/ year or less would qualify. BUT…you must apply in in time AND complete your FAFSA by Feb. 15th (WSU) or Feb. 28th (UW)

27. Washington public college information available on our MTHS Counselingwebpage

28. 2011-12 PIN and PIN Web site

29. SAT and ACT School Code: 480343 SAT Registration: www.collegeboard.com November 5 - (deadline October 7) December 3 – (deadline November 8) January 28 – (deadline December 30) ACT Registration: www.act.org December 10 - (deadline November 4) February 11 – (deadline January 13) Both the ACT and SAT are acceptable college admissions testsACT: four subject tests, writing is optional, no penalty points for wrong answers. Choose which sit date to report to colleges. SAT: three tests (reading, writing, math). Writing is NOT optional, penalty for wrong answers, currently must submit whole test history to college

30. KEY DATES!! November 9th – 2pm- 5pm- Writing the College Essay December 1st - January 31stth - Priority Deadlines January 1, 2011FAFSA - http://www.fafsa.ed.gov(Free Application Federal Student Aid) January 11th - Financial Aid Night (6PM in MTHS Theatre) Feb 15th- Have FAFSA completed by this time! Complete by Feb 1stif you are in the College Bound Program!! May 1st- Deadline for choosing your college ***For dates of upcoming College Visits, check with Erika Spellman in the Career Center

31. Senior Interview (REQUIRED) Purpose: • What are you post high school plans? • What is your grad status? Are youon track to graduate? • We will answer questions & make sure you are on the right track! • Make your appointment with your counselor soon in the counseling office.

32. WHAT DO YOU KNOW? What are the two tests you can take for college admissions? What are some things to consider when choosing a college? What is the important form you must fill out for financial aid? How long should you give teachers to write your letter of recommendations? What appointment should you be making right now with your counselor?

33. Additional Resources • www.checkoutacollege.com • www.collegeboard.com • www.thewashboard.org • www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov • Visit the Career Center’s Website and Facebook page!

34. THANK YOU