Planning: After High School See more powerpoints and useful tools at: www.counselorstoolbox.com
Nov 21, 2014
Planning: After High School
See more powerpoints and useful tools at: www.counselorstoolbox.com
The Big Picture
After High School
Work
Military
College
Volunteering
Volunteerism
• Peace Corps
• Americorps
• City Year
• Options!
Business, Trade, Technical
• Many careers do not require college
• Learning a trade, earning a certificate – Mechanics– Graphic Design– Cosmetology– Landscaping
Work
• Almost all of us end up WORKING
• There are many roads to fulfillment
• Take an interest test
• Learn to read the want-ads
Self Knowledge
• What are your– Goals
– Abilities
– Expectations
– Interests
How do others see you?
What are you looking for in a college?
• Type of institution – Two year
– Four year
– Coed
• Geographic location:– Region
– State
– Distance from home
• Majors offered/curriculum– Liberal Arts– Technical Training– Business
• Setting– Urban– Rural– Suburban
•What are you looking for in a college?
•What are you looking for in a college?
• Size of institution
• Selectivity
• Diversity
• Costs to consider– Tuition– Room and board– Fees– Book fees– Travel
•What are you looking for in a college?
• Extracurricular activities– Sports– Entertainment– Religious
•What are you looking for in a college?
What are you looking for in a college?
• Housing– Coed– Rules– Roommates– Special interest dorms– Size of room– Food
What are you looking for in a college?
• Facilities• Building• Libraries• Student union• Classrooms• Lecture halls
• Labs• Recreational &
Athletic offerings• Shopping• Laundry• Handicapped access
Who are you?
• What have you found most interesting from:– Academics
– Community service
– Activities
• Put it all together
Use Lots of Resources
• Books
• Computers
• Counselor
Visit Colleges
• Call for tours
• Visit the campuses
• Visit again later in the year
• Prepare a list of questions
How Many Applications?
• One or two “reach” schools
• Two or three “realistic” schools
• One safety school
Transcript Package:Putting it all together
• A transcript of high school courses
• Two academic teacher recommendations
• School recommendation
• Personal resume
• Standardized test results
• First quarter progress reports
• Essay
What Do Schools Look For?• Least competitive:
– High school record 90%
– Testing 5%
– Other 5%
• Traditional level colleges
– High school record 50%
– Testing 25%
– Other 25%
• Most competitive
– High school record 20%
– Testing 20%
– Other 60%
Keep Your Grades Up !
• Junior year is THE most important year
• Schools will ask for your final transcript
• Don’t relax, you’ve only just begun!