Junior Parent Meeting Navigating the Senior Year

1. Junior Parent Meeting Navigating the Senior Year Southwest High School September 24, 2008 5 pm

2. Senior Year Preparation • Making this year count • Grades matter • 6th Semester GPA/Class rank (College/Scholarship applications) • Senior Year Registration • November 18th & 20th • Online registration • Graduation /college entrance requirements

3. Planning For The Future • Allow your child to make his/her own decisions • Create an atmosphere of mutual trust & respect • Explore options together • College (4 Year or 2 Year) • Vocational/Trade Schools • Military • Work Adapted From: College & Career Choices

4. Making An Educated Decision • Explore career options • Identify career fields that match your student’s interests • Get a good academic fit • Find a college that matches academic preparation • Consider GPA & ACT or SAT scores of previous freshmen Adapted from: Careers & Education in Nebraska

5. Types Of Education • Universities • Made up of colleges or schools that teach specialized areas • Usually offer graduate degrees at the master’s & PhD level • Four-year colleges • Offer wide range of programs • Liberal arts colleges • College studies consist of fine arts, natural sciences, social sciences & humanities • Utilizes understanding of past & concern for the future

6. Types Of Education Continued • Community colleges • Prepares students for immediate employment • Many feature academic transfer programs • Vocational or specialty schools • Usually specialized to a specific occupation or career cluster • Credits seldom transfer to a 4-year school • On the job training & apprenticeships • Training provided by employer or labor union • Military service • Provides educational opportunities that transfer to civilian occupations

7. Resources for College Information • LPS Post High School Planning Guide & LSW Planning Guide at: http://lsw.lps.org/ (both listed under Publications) • College Catalogs/View Books • Web Sites for LSW Counseling Dept: http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/ & Colleges • College Representatives • Campus Visits

8. College Visitations • Call admissions office in advance • Talk to as many students as you can who attend the colleges of interest • Prepare for admissions interviews, if applicable • Take time to look around on your own • Inquire about acceptance of Common Application Adapted From: Associated Colleges of the Midwest

9. College Visitations:Questions To Ask

10. Financial Aid Timeline • Ask about financial aid priority deadlines • Request supplemental forms from financial aid office (i.e. scholarships) • Complete taxes early • Collect tax returns, bank statements, records of income & benefits for parents & students from previous year • Request FAFSA pin # at (www.pin.ed.gov) • Fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • Check for Student Aid Report (SAR) 4-6 weeks after submitting FAFSA • Submit SAR to financial aid office of schools that have been applied to • Confirmation letter for financial aid package will be sent from schools with applications for admissions

11. PSAT • ALL college-bound students should take • Only way JRs qualify for National Merit Scholarship Program • Saturday, Oct. 18th 8am-12:00pm NO MAKEUP testing • Register in Counseling Center – October 1st-10th - $18 test fee (limited # of fee waivers)

12. ACT & SAT Tests • Check with admissions office about ACT or SAT preference • Inquire if SAT II subject tests or ACT Writing are required • Many schools now accept both test scores • Harvard, Yale, & University of Pennsylvania Adapted From: Wall Street Journal

13. SAT: 7 times per year Recent changes include Critical reading passages, essay, & more challenging math Ten-section exam Penalty for wrong answers Scores range from 200-800 per section 2400 highest possible combined score All scores will be sent to requested schools www.collegeboard.com ACT: 6 times per year Recent changes include Optional writing section Four-section exam No penalty for wrong answers Scores range from 1 to 36 for each score 36 highest possible composite Score choice option of which scores schools will receive www.act.org Adapted From: The Princeton Review www.princeton.com ACT vs. SAT:How do the tests compare?

14. Don’t Get Scammed On Your Way To College • Look for warning signs that a scholarship may be a scam • “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.” • “You can’t get this information anywhere else.” • “May I have your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.” • “We’ll do all the work.” • “The scholarship will cost you some money.” • “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship.” • “You’re a finalist in a contest”-that you didn’t enter.

15. Military Scholarships • Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) www.armyrotc.com • Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) www.afoats.af.mil • Naval Reserve Training Corps (NROTC) • Opportunities for both Navy & Marines www.cnet.navy.mil/nrotc.nrotc.htm

16. Thank You The LSW Post-Secondary Counselors would like to thank you for attending tonight’s presentation. Also, special thanks to the College Representatives and guest speakers from: Doane College Nebraska Wesleyan University Southeast Community College University of Nebraska-Lincoln Delmer Esters: Education Quest Pat McBride: University of Nebraska-Lincoln