Class of 2015 & 2016Naples MS / HS

Objective To familiarize both parents and students

with the resources available to them.

To open a dialogue between parent and student about goals, expectations, finances, etc.

To help both parents and students create a year-long plan so that everyone can make the most of their time here at Naples.

Don’t count your days …

make your days count.

Miss Ballard waiting for the bus in September, 1975.

Agenda The Big Questions College Profiles Admissions Terminology Common Application Application Essay / Personal Statement - Do’s and Don’ts Tests: SAT, ACT, & ASVAB Student Financial Aid Forms Resume Letter of Recommendation Parent / Student Workshop

Review Schedules and Transcripts Register for SAT / ACT exams Review Student Financial Aid Forms

The B-I-G Questions What do I want to be when I grow up? What are the things I can do NOW to

help me reach my goal? What kind of college do I want to go to? Do I want a career in the military?

College Profiles College Profiles

www.collegeprofiles.com Academic Programs Available Student – Faculty Ratio Average Class Size Estimated Cost for Academic Year (room, board,

etc.) Resident vs. Non-Resident University of Hawaii = $10,620 in-state vs.

$29,412 out-of-state Yellow Ribbon http://

www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon.asp

Additional Considerations Scholarship Availability Work Study / Resident Assistant Extra-curricular and Leadership Opportunities AP Credit – Does the college accept it? Honors Program Academic Support Services Number of International Students /

International Dormitories

College & University Types College – Offers 2 or

4 year degrees

University – Composed of a number of colleges and grants a variety of degrees

Public – Supported through state funds

Private – Supported through tuition and private resources

Research – Larger schools that emphasize research

Comprehensive –

Focus on helping students accomplish career goals

College & University Types Liberal Arts – Broad

based education in a variety of areas, usually smaller in size

Junior/Community – 2 year institutions

Technical Schools – Occupational programming

Trade School – Specialized training

Military Schools – Federal military academies that require U.S. Senate or Representative nomination, private and state supported

Admissions Terminology 101

Regular Decision Schools will have a fixed application deadline

Rolling Admissions Apply early Applications are accepted or rejected as they come in

Early Action Not binding Can finish application process at that time or wait for

other schools Early Decision

Apply by an earlier date Binding – If you refuse offer, cannot be accepted into

another college. All other applications will be withdrawn

The Common Application The Common Application is a not-for-

profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to any of over 500 institutions. https://www.commonapp.org/commonapp

/downloadforms.aspx#

Application Essay / Personal Statement

Do’s …Read other essaysAnswer the questionAsk for helpEdit, rewrite, edit, rewriteBe personal and sincereLet the essay show who you are Write for impact

Do NOT’s …Try to be funny unless you areBe general or use overused phrasesUse the same essay for different questionsPlagiarizeHave someone else write the essay

SAT vs. ACT Both nationally administered college entrance

exams and most colleges accept one or other, but check with your college / university admissions!

SAT: a three-part (Reading, Math, Writing) aptitude test intended to predict performance in college www.collegeboard.com

ACT: an achievement test that tests your knowledge in four core sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) and an optional Writing www.actstudent.org

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Aptitude test that focuses on four areas

(Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge)

Geared specifically to the military, but also a wonderful resource to gain insight into individual strengths. www.military.com/ASVAB

Financial Resources: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal

Student Aid) www.fafsa.ed.gov

Help Completing the FAFSA www.studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsa

Military Student Aid www.finaid.org/military

Scholarships The NASSP/Herff Jones Principal’s Leadership

Award www.principals.org/pla

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program www.principals.org/spirit

The American Citizenship Award www.principals.org/aca

The President’s Volunteer Service Award www.presidentialserviceawards.gov

NASC (National Association of Student Councils) www.nasc.us/studentleaders

Resume Name, mailing address, phone number

with international calling code, and email address are centered at the top.

If you have an email address like p!nkwpiercings@rebel.com, consider creating a new one like eballard@yahoo.com.

Objective What is it that you want?

A specific job Acceptance at a specific college /

university Acceptance into a particular major at

college / university

Education Education – List all the high schools

you’ve attended in descending order, NOT elementary or middle schools. Naples MS / HS should be listed first since you are here now and work your way backwards.

Focus on education specific to your interest, like math or science, or rigorous course work like AP classes if you’ve taken any.

Experience Work Experience (if you have any) - What

were your responsibilities on the job? Volunteer Work or Community Service Extra-curricular activities and the number of

years you participated in them. Did you hold any leadership positions?

All of these should be bulleted statements starting with strong active verbs: coordinated, demonstrated, supervised, monitored, assisted with, etc.

Keep it simple, easy to read and to ONE page only!

Resume Resources Adventures in Education – This site offers

free samples and templates. http://www.aie.org/finding-a-career/sample-

resumes-and-templates/Resume-Sample-High-School-Student-Volunteer.cfm

CREW (Connecting Resources, Education & Workforce) – This site offers a free printable worksheet packet. http://www.crew.cc/services/resume/

highschoolresumeguide.pdf

Letters of Recommendation Select a minimum of three people that you believe

know your strengths and will feel comfortable speaking well of you. Ex: teachers, clergy, supervisors, troop leaders, etc.

Ask them if they are willing to write a letter on your behalf.

Present them with your resume in a folder. Include any college forms and other materials like stamped and addressed envelope or directions.

Give them a reasonable timeline to complete the letter. Come back and pick it up at a pre-arranged time, if necessary.

A hand-written thank you note is greatly appreciated!