Welcome to Senior Night

1. Welcome to Senior Night Tips for Surviving your Senior Year Seniors

2. Things Every Senior Should Do • Create a Resume & Save on Disc • Begin by filling out student portfolio • Include GPA • Include Activities • Include Community Service • Include Work History • Solicit & Secure Three References • Develop Generic Cover Letter

3. Things Every Senior Should Do • All 18-year old males must register for the Selective Service • www.sss.gov/regist.htm • Meet with Mr. McKibben to discuss at least two plans for post graduation • He can be alert for opportunities • Ensure completion of requirements

4. Various Paths • Direct Entry into Workforce • Military • Trade or Technical School • Associates/Bachelor’s Degree

5. Direct Entry into Workforce • Job Searching/On-line Resources • Monster.com • Acinet.org • Bls.gov/oco • Careerbuilder.com • Southbendjobnetwork.com • Network !!

6. Interviews • Dress for Success • Neat, Appropriate Attire • Demeanor • Pleasant, Eager, Interested • Good Eye Contact • Confident Handshake • Prepared Questions, Extra Copies of Resume • Send Thank You Letter within Two Days • PRACTICE !!

7. Military • ASVAB • Evaluate which branch of the Military would meet your long-term goals • Meet with a recruiter at one of their school visits • Meet with recruiter on own time to begin application process

8. Post Secondary Education Trade or Technical School Two Year Associate Degree Four Year Bachelor Degree

9. Education pays ... Education pays in higher earnings and lower unemployment rates Note: Data are 2010 annual averages for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey.

10. The Search • Perform a School Search • Fastweb.com or collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/ index.jsp • Customized College Search / 4000 profiles • Arrange a Tour • Two College Days • Must Be Pre-Approved

11. SAT/ACT • Test and Test Again !!! • SAT – sat.collegeboard.org/register • ACT – www.actstudent.org/register • Read Test Prep Book • Sat.collegeboard.com/practice • 1000 SAT - 21 ACT • 1200 SAT - 27 ACT • Most, not all, accept highest combined score • Try ‘em Both

12. Application Process • Apply by Halloween/Be Accepted by Thanksgiving • Turn Application in to Mr. McKibben • Review/Transcript • Apply to at Least Five Institutions • Plan B • Save Copies of Letters of Reference • Create and Tailor Generic Essay • Cut and Paste from Student Portfolio • Ask Mr. McKibben to Proof Essay and Application

13. Scholarships - General • Perform a Scholarship Search • Fastweb.com • Customized Scholarship Search Top Websites - Scholarship Scams www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams • Scholarship Board • Scholarship Boxes • Email Distribution • Speak with Admissions Office/Financial Aid • Community Service – Service League

14. Community Scholarships • Not until Spring 2012 • All Funds Donated from Local Businesses • One Application • Community Businesses, American Legion • Separate Applications • Tri Kappa, Alumni Association, Lions Club • Awarded at Academic Awards Night • 12 Credit Hour Requirement/Post First Semester

15. Targeted Scholarships • Unity Foundation/Lilly Scholarship • January • Activity Based • Financial Need • Major • Ethnicity • Scholastics • School • Parents’ Employer

16. Financial Aid • Not until 2012 • Financial Aid Night • January 18, 2012 • 6 p.m., Cafetorium • FAFSA • 2011 Taxes/Application

17. Questions