Transitioning from High School to “Life”

1. Preble High School Student Services Transitioning from High School to “Life” Putting the Planning into Action Presented by Kris Wondra, Gillett High School Student Services

2. Preparation Starts Now • Making Sense of the Alphabet ACT? PSAT? SAT? ASVAB? Accuplacer or TABE? WEF?

3. Preparation Starts Now - Sophomores • ASVAB: September 23rd at GHS FREE to 11th and 12th graders • WEF: September 23rd Post-Secondary Planning Fair UW Marinette, $5 bus fee* • PSAT:October 14th at GHS $14 for 11th graders* *Fee waivers (free money) available to help with costs for students in need.

4. NWTC Entrance Exams • NWTC requires all applicants to take an entrance exam before applying. • Currently, students may take the ACT, Accuplacer, or TABE exam. • Testing usually done in Spring of Junior year or Fall of Senior year

5. NWTC Placement cont. • Accuplacer is an online test taken here at GHS. It lasts approximately 1 ½ hours. There is no fee for this test. • TABE is an online test taken at NWTC. It lasts approximately 3 hours. There is a fee for this test ($20). • See Mrs. Wondra for review information for the TABE or Accuplacer before testing, please!

6. American College Test (ACT) • Preferred test of every school in the middle of the country, including Wisconsin • Measures Reading, English, Science, Math, and an optional Writing test • UW Madison, University of Minn., and Marquette University require the Writing test, the other WI schools do not

7. ACT continued… • Students should plan to take the ACT at least once their Junior year • Most take the ACT in April or June of the Junior year • FREE prep (review) is available online 24/7/365 at www.mystudentedge.com • FREE face-to-face prep will take place only before the April ACT

8. “The number of students enrolled in college has grown by 39% since 1974.”….Chronicle Guidance Publications(February, 2004)

9. More Preparation Options • Youth Options – this is a program that allows high school students to take college level classes while they are still enrolled in high school. • Youth Options has a strict timeline that must be followed.

10. Preparation Starts Now 2. College Visits/Job Shadows Choosing the educational option that fits the individual.Research is a must!

11. Sample Questionsto Research • Are there places on campus that help students find jobs, both during college and after graduation? • How are the classes for my program set up? Are they everyday, every other day, etc? • What are the health facilities on campus? • How difficult is it to change majors without a lot of hassle?

12. More Questions • If major is known, will the college be able to prepare me? • No financial aid, are there still jobs available on campus or in the community? • Resources in the library—how extensive? Hours open? Quiet study areas? • Dorm conditions? Regulations? Safety? • Accommodations for special diets?

13. Job Shadow Questions • Kind/Type of training required for profession? • What coursework have you found most helpful? • What is the typical entry-level position for this job? • What personal qualities do you need to succeed in this career? • What is your favorite/least favorite part of your occupation? • Is there a “typical” week for your job and can you explain it?

14. The “Undecided” Major • Look for a flexible school. Switching one’s major should not be a test of courage or endurance. • Many schools will allow the student several options: double major, creating one’s own major, pursuing a strong minor. • Many schools provide services to help students select a major.

15. Preparation Starts Now 3.While In High School… • Check high school course requests/schedule: • Are they rigorous? • Is transcript accurate? • Will the courses taken provide a foundation for later? • Is the GPA the best it could be? • Are all the courses in place for admissions’ requirements ?

16. MINIMUM College Requirements MINIMUM 4-YearCollege Requirements • Four years of English and History • Three years of Math, including Algebra II (all expect more) • Three years of lab science (Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, etc.) • Two years foreign language at some campuses • 4.0 or more additional “college prep” credits

17. MINIMUM Technical College Requirements • This varies greatly from program to program • Some technical college programs require high grades in specific high school classes • Research is very important

18. Reach Realistic Safe For a given student: Considerable difficulty gaining admission Usually receive admission offer Admission highly likely Categories of College Selectivity

19. Back at High School Cont. • Recruiters from all branches of the military, plus many colleges, come to visit with students throughout the school year. • Announcements are made for when students can sign up to meet with the recruiters. • Sophomores and Juniors are strongly encouraged to start meeting with these recruiters when they come to visit.

20. Between Junior and Senior Year: Summer Vacation Tips. • Earn money for college. • Write Personal Statement Essay for college applications. • Visit college campuses. • Compare list of colleges. • Keep your mind sharp - read.

21. Between 9th and 10th and 10th and 11th Grades • Earn money for college • Begin giving serious thought to your post-secondary plans • Begin visiting college campuses that interest you • Ensure your high school classes will prepare you for college • Volunteer and participate in Community Service

22. Take Time to Get Organized • View college catalogs, read descriptions of classes. • Make a tentative list of schools. • Talk to others. • Update your Personal Profile on Wiscareers. • Who will write letters of recommendation?

23. September, Senior Year • Make final selection for applications. • Ask for letters of recommendation two weeks before needed. • Polish Personal Profile, give copy to those who are writing letters.

24. September, Senior Year cont. • Schedule your Senior Planning Conference • Purpose of the Senior Planning Conference is to talk about your student’s future and to share any information needed to make the transition out of high school a smooth one. • Goal is to hold a Planning Conference every other year (in Grades 8, 10, and 12).

25. Beware of Procrastinating! • Begin application process after September 15, preferably online • For online applications, print appropriate page as directed. • Give to Mrs. Wondra to send with your official transcript.

26. Admissions’ Jargon

27. What are college admissions’ counselors looking for?

28. Extracurricular involvement Special talent Geographical distribution Leadership Creativity Tenacity Character Alumni children Religious affiliation Promising disadvantaged minorities Community involvement Volunteer time Nonacademic Factors Can Work to Gain Admission

29. A Quality Recommendation Discusses: • The academic program • Academic achievement • Academic ability • Personal qualities • Extracurricular involvement in school and out of school • This takes time to write. Please give your teachers two weeks to write letters of recommendation.

30. Athletic Eligibility • Work with athletic departments at the colleges and high schools. • Review NCAA eligibility rules. • Register with NCAA Clearinghouse online.

31. Preparation Starts Now 4. Scholarships Getting a scholarship is hard work!

32. How to Find Scholarships • Use the resources available, including online searches (such as Fastweb.com) and the Scholarship List • Beware of scholarship scams

33. Resources for Scholarships • Stay current with scholarships as they become available in Student Services. • Have parents/grandparents check with their employers. • Build upon volunteer & leadership experiences. • Seek out organizations related to career goals.

34. FREE, Reputable Scholarship Search Websites • www.fastweb.com • www.studentaid.ed.gov (click on Financial Aid and Scholarship Wizard) • www.mystudentedge.com • www.uwhelp.wisconsin.edu (click on Paying for College, then Scholarships)

35. Preparation Starts Now 5. Financial Aid (FAFSA) • Financial need should NOT be a barrier to higher education • Federal and State financial aid is established to help students afford a college education

36. Financial Aid Types • Grants • Loans • Work Study • Non-need based loans • More Student Financial Aid programs are being offered every year!

37. Grants • Grants are money that do not have to be paid back – ever. • The most common grant is the Pell Grant, which is based on Financial Need • Other grants include the Academic Competitiveness Grant, the SMART grant, the TEACH grant, and various WI grants

38. Loans • There are FAFSA-based loans and non-need based loans. • FAFSA loans include the Perkins loans and Stafford loans • Non-need based loans include PLUS loans, home equity loans, and more

39. Work Study • Work study is financial aid that is earned by employment, usually on campus • Money is used to help pay education expenses

40. Non Need Based Loans • These are loans taken out, usually by the parent, to help cover education expenses • They may include the PLUS loan, a Home Equity loan, or other loans from a bank • These loans are taken out by the parent – not the student

41. Financial Aid College A B C

42. Financial Aid Students will complete the FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) Will determine family contribution Assume a familycontribution of $7,000 College A B C $10,550 $14,130 $17,650 - 7,000 - 7,000 - 7,000 $ 3, 550 $ 7,130 $10,650 Totals = Financial Need

43. You are Here Take College Entrance Exams X Visit Colleges/Shadow Explore Careers Fill Out Applications Narrow Choices Research Scholarships Prepare Financial Aid Form

44. Overwhelmed?Take one step at a time.Mrs. Wondra will be here to help you along the way.

45. Mrs. Wondra’s Website http://gillett.wi.schoolwebpages.com/wondra