Torrington High School

1. Torrington High School “Future Planning with Critical Thinking” Post-Secondary Planning Presented by the THS Guidance Department

2. Types of Post Secondary Options • 4-year Colleges – Public & Private • 2-year Colleges – Public & Private (including the UConn regional campuses) • Specialized Colleges (Art Schools, Theater, etc) • Technical Schools (Private and Public - BTEC) • Military • Employment

3. How Do I Decide What Option is for My Student?Research Starts Now! Consider the following: • Strengths – academic/personal • Potential majors • Academic record (course history/GPA) • Hobbies/skills - transfer to careers or majors • Part Time vs. Full Time – family obligations, finances, personal circumstances

4. Career Development Helps to define educational/career goals! Involves self-assessment. Determines type of major or career you might want to pursue (general or specific). • College & Career Center at THS • Visit with college representatives/career speakers • Job Shadows/Field Trips/Internships/Community Service • College Fairs/School Visits • Career Cruising – career interest assessment/learning styles assessment • CT Department of Labor – “One Stop” Office • Career Fair

5. Career Cruising This is a great tool for career exploration and college and training program searches! Every student has an account! www.careercruising.com To log on to our site: User Name – torringtonhs Password – raiders To log on to your account: User Name – TOR- same as your school network id Password – default is DOB (MM/DD/YYYY) or see your counselor, if you changed it and forgot!

6. How to Choose A College/Technical Training Program? • Step One: Evaluate prioritiesfor best fit The student should be asking and answering: • What do I want out of school? • What are my career aspirations/major? • Where do I want to go to school? • What type of school?

7. Determine Basic Preferences • Size of school and student population • Geographical location, distance from home • Urban vs. Rural • Coed vs. Single Gender • 4 yr. vs. 2 yr., short term training • Public vs. Private (Cost ) • Availability of programs/majors of interest • Liberal Arts vs. Specialized School

8. How to Choose A School? • Step Two: Narrow the Search • Strength of Academic Program • Selectivity of Admission – reach, target, most likely • Cost of Attending – tuition/ room and board • Student Life • Availability of Special Programs (Honors, Disability, Support Programs) • Potential Financial Aid

9. Making the Most of Your College/School Visit • Visit all schools to which you are applying! • Be well prepared – know about the college! • Dress well – Business Casual • Tour – Open House • Arrange an interview, if required – be sure to prepare! • Socialize • Attend a class • Visit the Athletic Director, if planning to play sports • Check out transportation to and from home

10. How Colleges/Schools Make Decisions • Student transcript is the most important consideration – grades and rigor, especially in Junior and Senior years! • Testing usually is second in importance – SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, TOEFL, Accuplacer, and other required math and reading placement tests • Other things are a bit less important but can certainly help in admissions, such as activities, volunteer work, sports • Are you going to be an asset to their school community?

11. College Planning – Junior Year

12. Special Circumstances • ATHLETES:Div. I and II must complete Eligibility Form for NCAA • www.eligibilitycenter.org • IDEA/504:You may qualify for special considerations and services • ARTISTS & MUSICIANS:Portfolios and/or auditions Note: There are special College Fairs for Artists and Musicians and hints at www.nacacnet.org

13. College Entrance Exams – What are they and why do I have to take them? • SAT I – Reasoning Test (Algebra II needed) www.collegeboard.org • SAT Subject Tests www.collegeboard.org • ACT www.actstudent.org • Accuplacer– Subject test for Community College level placement www.accuplacer.org • TOEFL – Admissions test that may be required for newly immigrated students www.ets.org/toefl Fee waivers are available for students on free or reduced lunch. See your counselor.

14. TEST CALENDAR* *A full calendar is available online – www.collegeboard.com and www.actstudent.org

15. Financial Aid • 2 types: • Grants/Scholarships • Loans • FAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.gov • CSS Profile – www.collegebroad.org • College Forms – specific to schools • Financial Aid Night – November 2015 • Net Price Calculator on Each College’s Website

16. Ways to Pay for College When MONEY is a MAJOR ISSUE! • For students on Free/Reduced Lunch - potential for major need-based aid at 2 and 4 year colleges… One THS student paid $6,000 out of $200,000 for all four years! • Merit scholarships are available to students with TOPGPA’s, as well as, school and community/volunteer involvement. Look for schools that offer! • Free college classes while a THS junior or senior are available through NCCC High School Partnership! • Begin at a community college or regional UConn campus and save up to $8,000 - $10,000 a year! • At four year colleges, students can apply to be dorm supervisors, potentially reducing costs for room and board! • Take extra credits during the semester or summer and possibly graduate college a semester early. • Attend school part- time!

17. TRANSFER PLANNINGONE OR TWO YEARS AfterStarting at Community CollegesAbout 95% of students who apply, on time, to many community colleges will not have loans to repay. This option can save up to $10,000+ per year! 1. Know the school you’re planning to transfer to and discuss your plans with the college counselors. 2. Plan the classes you’re taking – General Ed – that will transfer. You can ask the counselors at both schools to coordinate your program. 3. Know the number of credits that will transfer. There is the possibility of transferring as many as 75% of needed graduation credits. 4. Summer classes may also be possibly taken for transfer.

18. TYPICAL TRANSFER SCHOOLS FROM NCCC

19. Military Service • Recruiter visits to explore options • Must be 18 and have a high school diploma or GED • ASVAB • To enlist you must go through a recruiter • JROTC

20. Apprenticeships • Supervised training in an occupational trade—both job skills & academic skills • Must be of legal working age and be a HS graduate • Length of training is 1 year minimum *Contact Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training or State apprenticeship agencies • Additional opportunities at *CT “One Stop” *See your School Counselor for contact information

21. Student Planning ResponsibilitiesResearch, Plan, Follow Timelines • Doing the school/college search! • Visit colleges/secondary programs • Register/take the SAT/ACT/Accuplacer • Complete and submit applications & know application deadlines (10 day Guidance Office policy) • Request transcripts – forms to Guidance Office (10 day policy) • Résumé • Letters of Recommendation – asking teachers/counselor (10 day policy) • Provide stamps and envelopes • Scholarships – check website, bulletin board, announcements • FAFSA – complete with parent/request pin number • Maintain or improve grades

22. Next Steps This Year • Earn the highest grades you can! • Identify potential majors – use Career Cruising • Identify a preliminary list of colleges • Campus visits and interviews • Senior course selections: they must be as strong or more so than in the past • Teacher recommendations – think about who to ask • Develop a résumé • Use your summer to your advantage • Begin networking for job options for summer and after graduation • Look into the High School Partnership with NCCC for senior year – see your counselor

23. QUESTIONS