CLASS OF 2012 & 2013 Lajes ES / HS
CLASS OF 2012 & 2013
Lajes ES / HS
Objective
To familiarize you with the resources available to both parents and students.
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 Lajes.
Don’t count your days … make your days count.
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 = $3,792 vs. $10,512 Military / Overseas Exception – Contact
Admissions!!!
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
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 456 institutions. https://www.commonapp.org/commonapp/d
ownloadforms.aspx#
Application Essay / Personal Statement
Read other essays Answer the question Ask for help Edit, rewrite, edit,
rewrite Be personal and
sincere Let the essay show
who you are Write for impact
Try to be funny unless you are
Be general or use overused phrases
Use the same essay for different questions
Plagiarize Have someone else
write the essay
Do’s Don’ts
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
Other resources are available in your packet.
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 [email protected], consider creating a new one like [email protected].
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. Lajes ES/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!
Personalized Packet
Transcript School Schedule for 2011-2012 Year Long Calendar of School Events Resume Sample Common Application Sample Admissions Essays Additional financial aid websites
For the Good of the Order
NHS Meeting in Room 132 (elementary hallway) on Monday, August 29th after school for all members and those who might apply 2nd semester.
Senior chapter members of the National Honor Society are eligible for college scholarships, too! Contact Ms. Daniele at [email protected] quickly. Nominations take place in September!