GHS Class of 2012 Juniors & Parents

1. GHS Class of 2012 Juniors & Parents College & Career Preparation Presentation Tuesday October 26, 2010

2. www.actstudent.org • National ACT test sites - 6 Saturdays yearly • Dates offered & deadlines for registration • GHS code is 142-015 (also known as SAT/CEEB/HS code) • Option to indicate up to 4 colleges to send scores free at ACT registration - or pay later • U of IL requires scores DIRECTLY from ACT • Colleges use best score from multiple dates • Test practice available at actstudent.org

3. Option of placing ACT scores on GHS transcript? • Yes! • Yes! • Yes! • It is preferable to have your parent sign “YES” to this option. • Either way (yes/no), we must have a parent signature on the consent form.

4. Prairie State Achievement Exam • PSAE 2-day test - Wed/Thur April 27 & 28 • Wed - ACT - 5 sub tests - English, Reading, Math, Science, Writing (Writing optional @ national sites) • ACT composite - average of first 4 sub tests • Thur - 3 sub tests - ISBE-developed science test, WorkKeys reading for information, & WorkKeys Applied Mathematics • Possible senior privileges

5. PSAE Continued • The 2-day test is required for an Illinois public high school diploma - no charge • Students are automatically registered by GHS • Taking the ACT at a national test site is optional & in addition to the required PSAE • Students may indicate college, career, & degree choices to assist with college selection • Optional ACT prep workshops are listed on the GHS counseling web pages

6. Illinois State Scholars • Based on a mathematical formula determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) • Combination of ACT composite & high school class rank after 6 semesters (junior year) • ISAC determines the seniors who are State Scholars – award ceremony in November • Not a monetary award

7. NCAA Eligibility Division I & II colleges • National Collegiate Athletic Association • Clearinghouse link available on the GHS counseling site – apply fall of senior year • Request that ACT send scores to the clearinghouse using 9999 code # each time you register to take the ACT test • Request that the GHS counseling office send your 6th semester transcript in the fall of your senior year to the NCAA clearinghouse

8. Collegezone.com • This is a reputable site for ALL your needs supported by ISAC • Career, college, & financial aid planning • Links: Illinois mentor and Whatsnextillinois • Financial aid and scholarships? – reputable links available on the GHS web pages

9. Transcripts • Typically - Request that your 6th semester be sent for college applications in the fall of senior year • However - Iowa State & BHC require only the final, 8th semester in June • Students must complete a request form in the guidance office to send GHS transcripts each time for both college & scholarship applications

10. Grade Point Average & Rank • Rank in class is determined by GPA & may change after each semester • For acceptance to some colleges, the higher the rank, the lower the ACT may be and the higher the ACT, the lower the rank may be • Colleges may rescind their acceptance based on senior year grades and course changes/drops • BHC - Presidential Scholars - top 10% - possible free tuition for 2 years–apply & send GHS transcript in late winter/early spring – deadline!

11. College Requirements • Meeting or exceeding minimum college requirements does not guarantee admittance • May need more courses in math, science, social studies, fine arts, & foreign language so check with your prospective colleges before requesting senior year courses in Skyward in February/March • Acceptance to a college does not guarantee acceptance into a degree program at all colleges

12. College Selection Procedure • Narrow down choices - use the web & make college visits - take a tour - Make an appointment to talk to the professors & students pursuing your same field of interest - Stay overnight in dorm • Use “List of ?’s to ask reps” - (on our web site) • Open house/Discover/Preview Days Oct./Nov. • Research colleges’ requirements & procedures… GPA, rank, personal statement, placement tests, auditions, “college-specific” scholarships • Guarantee 4yr BA degree plan? • Guarantee tuition &/or room & board freeze?

13. A Good “Fit” for You • Campus location (rural/urban) • Size - overall population & class size • Same ACT/Intellect - be challenged but not overwhelmed • Strong program for your major/degree? • Career planning office? • Resume assistance? • % job placement for your profession? • % graduate program placement ? Where?

14. College Application Continued • Application fee sometimes waived for making a campus tour with qualifying GPA/Rank- ASK! • Print hard copies & keep passwords/pins • Be certain your complete name appears on every page… application & essay • GPA/Rank requirements may increase after early application deadlines • Possible perks for early application

15. Transfer Students & Credits • Check “U Select” for on-line info • Ask your college advisor about 2 + 2 program • Credits may/may not be accepted depending on your chosen degree • Acceptance depends on achievement at prior college, not ACT or high school GPA

16. Tuition • Often “Pay by the hour” • Most classes are 3 hour classes, lab classes 4 • Typical full-time load is 12 to 15 hours per semester - Don’t come up short senior year! A 12-hour semester may require an 18-hr later! • Multiply the # of hours by the $ tuition rate • Financial aid may be awarded only for full-time • Students may be required to be full-time to stay on parent’s health/auto insurance coverage

17. What is FAFSA? • Free Application for Federal Student Aid • A required online federal form for scholarships offered by the college, grants, loans, work study • Never pay for financial aid search assistance – use the .gov web site, the college financial aid office, and our ISAC representatives: Andrew Viscariello & Samantha Pelkey • January 2011 & 2012 GHS parent presentations • File using 1040 tax forms for 2011 in Feb 2012 • Indicate up to 10 colleges to send info • Some colleges require copies of 1040’s too

18. Major/Degree Program • Use the college’s web site to look up the required course sequence • What is required? -- Certificate, AS, BA/BS, MA/MS, Doctorate • Campus advisors to assist • BA/BS can be earned in 4 years if you stick to your degree plan

19. Scholarships • National - fastweb.com & GHS counseling site • Area - IL/IA, Henry County & counseling site • Local - (GHS only) - announced in Feb of senior year • Check with your local bank/credit union, church affiliations, community organizations • College specific - ask about their process • Check deadlines, type or print neatly, be sure your name is on each page, ask for reference letters well in advance, check & re-check for neatness and completion, make copies to keep

20. GHS Counseling Office • College representatives at GHS 2nd semester and next fall - sign up in the counseling office a day ahead • List of questions to ask during campus tours • College Handbook & Book of Majors • Binders with “colleges’ snapshot on a page” • Individual college “view books” • Degree/Career planning assistance

21. GHS Counseling Web Pages • Monthly counselor newsletters are important! • ACT/PSAT/AP information & links • College search/admissions, lists of reps coming to GHS, direct links to college homepages, FAFSA, and others • Senior year timeline • Career links • Scholarships

22. Senior Year • Counselors will have a senior presentation next fall with general, updated information • BHC “College Night” yearly in September with almost 100 college reps in one location! • Students are encouraged to visit their counselor individually with questions and for assistance • Ask a GHS faculty member to proof your essays - give plenty of advance notice • Listen to or read the daily announcements!

23. Now - Junior Year • Use your PLAN/ACT scores, the internet and the GHS guidance counselors/web pages/reference materials to help narrow your search • Make arrangements to visit campuses and speak to admissions officers, students, & faculty – Wed-Thur-Fri Nov. 10-11-12!!! • Visit with college representatives coming to GHS during 2nd semester • Use the “Careers” tab on the guidance web site to explore occupations

24. Employers’ & Colleges’ Most Important Skills • Effective Written & Oral Communication • Work with others / Team work /Collaboration • Problem solving / critical thinking • Curiosity / creativity / imagination • Mathematics