Junior Night

1. Junior Night Parent Meeting

2. Post High School Education • About 40-45% of seniors will attend a 2 year college after high school. • About 25-30% of seniors will attend a 4 year university after high school. • Some will enter the military • Some will work • Others will attend a trade school • In any case, get prepared for the “Real Life”

3. Graduation Requirements • 4 English (I, II, III, and a 4th English) • 3 Science (Physics First, Biology I, and a 3rd Science) • 3 Math • 3 Social Studies (American History, World History, US Government)

4. Graduation Requirements • 1 Fine Art (Band, Choir, Art) • 1 Practical Art (FACS, Ag, Business) • .5 Personal Finance • .5 Health • 1 Physical Education/JROTC • 8 Electives • TOTAL: 25 Credits

5. Graduation Requirements • Pass MO Constitution Exam • Pass US Constitution Exam • Complete End-Of-Course (EOC) Exams: • English II • Biology I • Algebra I • Government

6. A+ Requirements • Written agreement on file • Attend an A+ designated school for 3 consecutive years • Maintain a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale • Maintain a 95% attendance rate • Perform 50 hours unpaid tutoring/volunteering • Maintain a good record of citizenship • Complete the FAFSA

7. This Is The Time! • If you haven’t already. . .Take the ACT. . . NOW!!!! • If you score a 21.6 or higher on the ACT, the MG School District will reimburse you for ONE test score (non-writing only during the 4 years of high school) • Mark 3 or 4 colleges to send scores to. • Make sure your name, date of birth, and SS # are accurate when you register.

8. Cost of the ACT • Cost of the ACT: • $35.00 Non-Writing • $50.50 Writing • If your student is on free or reduced lunch, the ACT provides fee waiver forms. The fee waiver form allows your student to take the ACT twice for free. Forms can be found in the Guidance Center.

9. Studying for the ACT • Study books located in Guidance Center • Take the ACT Math and ACT English courses offered at MGHS. • Take practices tests! • Links to the practice tests can be found at www.mghscounselor.weebly.com

10. ACT Testing Dates

11. Dual Credit Classes • Mountain Grove High School offers both Fall and Spring Dual Enrollment classes through Missouri State University-West Plains. • Students attend classes at Shannon Hall. • If your student earns an “A” or “B” while taking dual credit classes, the school district will reimburse you for the cost of tuition. • The reimbursement does not include textbooks or other fees. • The reimbursement is good for one dual credit class during the 12-13 school year. • If your student takes another dual credit class his/her senior year, the school district will reimburse you again for one class.

12. Dual Credit Classes • Dual Credit Classes count for BOTH high school and college credit. • It’s not too late to sign up for Spring Dual Credit Classes!! • Spring Offerings: • HST 104 – World History Since 1500 C.E. • PSY 121- Introduction to Psychology • ENG 110 – Writing I (English placement test to be administered in late October/early November)

13. Going The Distance • Getting prepared for work: • Get a job or find an internship to help prepare you for the workforce. • Develop job connections, especially in today’s tight job market. • Stay involved!

14. Going The Distance • Getting prepared for the military: • Meet with one of the many college recruiters that come to MGHS during scheduled lunch visits. • Take the ASVAB serious! This is the military entrance exam. The testing date is scheduled for October 23. • Stay involved!

15. Going The Distance • Getting prepared for trade school: • Research, research, research • Apply for a Vo-Tech trade your senior year so you can gain more knowledge and experience about the trade you are interested in. • Stay involved! • Be sure to check what certifications they offer and check their graduate placement rates. • Some look great on paper and will promise the sun and the moon, but in reality don’t give you the useful training you pay for.

16. Going The Distance • Preparing for college: • Take the ACT. . .ASAP • Enroll in Dual Credit Classes • Continue taking a rigorous course load • RESEARCH! Take ownership of gathering information. Don’t wait till the last minute because colleges do have deadlines. • Stay involved!

17. College Visits • Juniors may schedule ONE college visit during the second semester of their junior year. • Forms found in the Guidance Center. • Must be approved for the visit. • Take advantage of the summer and attend summer activities that take place on campus.

18. College Athletics • If you are interested in playing collegiate athletics through a NCAA University you must register through the NCAA Clearinghouse. • If you are interested in playing collegiate athletics through a NAIA University you must register through the NAIA Clearinghouse. • Both websites can be found on the MGHS Counselor’s Website.

19. Finding A Career • Job Shadowing or Internships • http://www.mynextmove.org/ • http://www.onetonline.org/ • Research potential careers and obtain numerous pieces of information.

20. Finding A College • Meet with the college admission representatives that frequently visit during lunch! • Students should begin looking at and narrowing down potential colleges. Colleges may be chosen due to a number of factors including: • Programs offered • Size of the school and/or community • Location • Cost and scholarships • Quality of the school/job placement

21. College Entrance • Each college will vary on their college admission requirements. Pay special attention to: • Required Courses (Mizzou specifically suggests 2 years of a foreign language) • ACT Scores (SAT scores for colleges on the east and west coast) • Minimum GPA and/or class rank • There may be additional requirements for entrance to a particular program of study (i.e. Engineering or Pre-Med)

22. 5 Main Type Of Scholarships • Local - found on our high school counseling website beginning in the spring each year • Regional and State – on high school counseling website • National - www.fastweb.com • General college scholarships – found on individual college websites • Departmental scholarships within the college – Often must contact individual departments

23. Scholarships • If the schools you are interested in allow it, apply over the summer so you are accepted when the fall begins. Then you can focus on scholarships. • Most scholarship deadlines are between November and March of the senior year. • Apply for as many as you possibly qualify.

24. Real Cost Of College • Begin comparing the cost of potential colleges • Public universities often appear to cost less but private universities typically offer more scholarships • Fill out as many scholarships and aid applications as you can • Research schools that offer on campus work programs. The hours you spend working can be credited towards the cost of tuition

25. HS Counseling Website • www.mghscounselor.weebly.com • Financial aid and scholarships • College Planning Tools • ACT Information • List of upcoming events

26. Upcoming Events • Sept 11—College of the Ozarks Admission Representative • Oct 4—Southwest Baptist University Admission Representative • Oct 22—Missouri State University-West Plains Admission Representative • Oct 27—ACT Testing Date/Deadline Sept 21 • Oct 29—Drury University Admission Representative • Nov 16—ACT Workshop @ Willow Springs. COST TBA

27. Final Thoughts • Preparing for college takes a lot of time and legwork. • It’s your life, and you only get one, so use it wisely. • BE RESPONSIBLE • PLAN AHEAD • ALWAYS HAVE A BACK UP PLAN

28. QUESTIONS?