SENIORS

“Post-Secondary Planning 101”

Mrs. Oyer (A – L)

Mr. Burns (M – Z)

Counseling Center Website

Senior YearImportant decisions about your future

(Only 8 months left until Graduation!!!)

Step 1: Know yourself

Step 2: Research your options- College or Tech school- Military- Work

Step 3: College application process

Step 1 - Know Yourself

What are your long-term goals? Interest survey/inventory Talk to parents, teachers, adults in careers

that interest you Research careers (online info) College needed to pursue goals? OK to be undecided

Step 1 - Know Yourself

- Target your strengths and interests- Discover your values- Be open-minded

- Average college grad changes jobs once every 3 years and changes career 2 or 3 times over a lifetime

- Expand your knowledge- Research, talk with people in the field

(shadow?)

Step 2 - Research your Options

Typical Options- College/Tech School- Military- Work Force

Step 2 - Research (College)

Entrance Exams:- ACT- SAT - Selective colleges like to see both- Can test more than once- Check dates and registration deadlines

Step 2 - Research (College)

A school that is ideal for your friend may not be for you!

Campus visits!!!

Visit college reps here at PBL!

Have you completed the required high school courses?

Do you know how long you’ll need to be in school to meet your goals? 2 years? 4 years? 6 years? 8+ years?

Step 2 - Research (College) Do I meet typical entrance requirements?

Should you take ACT/SAT again?

Costs (“sticker” price vs. actual price)

Scholarships?

Do they offer my major?

Step 2 - Research (College)

Big School/Small School or big town/small town

Extracurricular activities/Student Life

Distance from home

Live on/off-campus?

Step 2 - Research (Military)

ASVAB – entrance exam

Consider which branch will fit your needs

Schedule meetings with recruiter(s)

Recruiters visiting PBL H.S.

Meet with your counselor to get resources!

Step 2 - Research (Work Force)

Resume Interview skills Applications Networking Skill-level required for job field?

Step 3 – Application Process Consider applying to a variety of schools:

- Fall back(s), good fit(s), dream school(s) Know deadlines (priority vs. general admit) If you can, apply online (rolling admission) Apply for admission, apply for scholarships Let us know when you apply!!!

Transcripts and other supporting documents need to be sent

Step 3 – Application Process

Send test scores Div I or II athlete? NCAA Elgibility Center Letters of recommendation required? Portfolio? Essay?

Step 3 – Application Process

Factors considered in accepting studentsGrades and class rankCourses takenACT or SAT scoreRecommendations (ask early!)Extra-curricular activitiesCommunity service/volunteer workEssay

Step 3 – Application Process(College Essay Tips)

1. Don’t recycle essays

2. Captivate your audience

3. Be yourself

4. Accentuate the positive

5. Write in the active voice

Step 3 – Application Process(College Essay Tips)

6. Don’t overextend

7. Ask people for input

8. Leave time for rewriting

9. Revise, reword

10. Pursue perfection

Common Errors

Waiting too long to get started Relying on spell-check and not proofreading Not following directions Not completing every portion of the application Being too generic with essays Facebook (reps are looking!!) Inappropriate emails: partygirl99@yahoo.com...

Financial Aid notes Begin search early senior year Watch out for scholarships scams! Local, national, & college-specific scholarships Request fin. aid/scholarship info from colleges Complete the FAFSA

www.fafsa.ed.gov No fee to apply Fed’l govt. uses this to determine eligibility for aid ASAP after January 1

What Illinois schools are saying:- “Especially looking at rigor of high school courses”

- “Apply early, apply online”

- “Get your apps out before the turkey hits the table”

- “Holistic review”

- “Campus visits are critical”

- “Personal statements for extenuating circumstances”

- “Fill out your FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible”

- “If borderline student, it’s even more important to apply early”

Resources

PBL Guidance Website

(This PowerPoint will be posted)

Summary

Step 1: Know yourself

Step 2: Research your options- College or Tech school- Military- Work

Step 3: Complete the application process

Closing Comments

Schedule Senior Interview Listen to announcements for college reps

visiting PBL Take ACT again?!?! Go on campus visits Talk with your parents, teachers,

counselors NOW!