Junior MeetingClass of 2017

Objectives:O What do I need to know NOW about

planning for the future?O How can I explore my options?O What are the next steps if I want to

go to a four-year college?O Take SATs or ACTsO Plan for letters of recommendation

and essaysO Explore my options and decide

priorities

What to do now???START THINKING!

- Career?- Majors?- College?- Community

college?- Military?- Technical

School?- Vocational

School?- Apprenticeship?- Employment?

I’m Lost…Launch an Investigation Online!- O*net Online: Search for Careers

www.onetonline.org

- College Board Big Future bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search

- Virginia Wizard Career Exploration –

www.vawizard.org

- Career One Stop - http://www.careeronestop.org

- I am the One - http://www.i-am-the-one.com

Community CollegeReasons to a consider community college:

▪Reduced cost for the first two years▪A chance to attend your dream school through Guaranteed Admissions

▪Student’s career choice only requires two years of community college work

▪Undecided about program of study▪Not ready to leave home

2+2 Guaranteed AdmissionsSTUDENTS WHO GRADUATE FROM ONE OF VIRGINIA'S

COMMUNITY COLLEGES WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND A MINIMUM GRADE POINT AVERAGE MAY OBTAIN GUARANTEED

ADMISSION TO MORE THAN 20 OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

https://www.vawizard.org/wizard/guaranteed-admission-agreements

Military

ArmyNavyAir ForceMarinesCoast Guard

The U.S. Military consists of five active-duty service branches and their respective Guard and Reserve units. Together, they offer a broad variety of ways to serve with an extensive selection of careers.

http://todaysmilitary.com

Take a College TourTake advantage of being on campus

ASK QUESTIONS!

http://www.i-am-the-one.com/downloads/va-college-university-map/IAmTheOne_VACollegeUniversityMap.pdf

Make a List of PrioritiesWhat are YOU looking for?

◼degrees offered ◼location (rural or urban setting) OR distance from home◼size of the student population ◼public vs. private◼costs (tuition, room and board, etc.)◼financial assistance packages◼campus resources (labs, libraries, computer access, etc.)◼placement success/internship and co-op programs◼accreditation◼class size◼faculty contact◼degree of pressure to excel◼safety (campus, community)◼student body (diversity, gender, etc.)◼social life (Greek organizations, sports, school spirit, etc.)◼religious affiliation/independent◼housing options (dorms, apartments, living at home)◼realistic entry expectations (based on typical

student admitted): CHECK OUT PRINCETONREVIEW.ORG

Develop a LIST of Schoolsbased on your interests

Safety Schools – 1-2 of these School where your academic

credentials fall above the school's range for the average freshman. You can be reasonably certain that you will be admitted to your safety schools.

Match Schools – apply to 1-3

of theseSchool where your academic

credentials fall well within (or even

exceed) the school's range for the

average freshman. There are no

guarantees, but it's not unreasonable

to be accepted to several of your

match schools.

Reach Schools – apply to 1-2 of theseSchool where your academic

credentials fall below the school's range for the average freshman. Reach schools are long–shots, but they should still be possible

If you want a four-year college as an OPTION…

PREPARE NOW!

What Do Colleges Look For?O FIRST, explore the college website!

HOW CAN I IMPRESS A COLLEGE?O Making the best grades possible in rigorous

classesO Scores on SATs and ACTsO Letters of RecommendationO Extracurricular Involvement

O Volunteer workO Involvement in athleticsO Dedication to clubs at school

When Do I Apply?EARLY DECISION – BINDING: IF ACCEPTED, YOU MUST ATTEND THAT COLLEGE. YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSIONS STATUS (USUALLY) BY DECEMBER. IF DEFERRED TO REGULAR ADMISSIONS – YOU ARE RELEASED FROM CONTRACT TO ATTEND.EARLY ACTION – NOT BINDING, BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EARLY RESPONSE (JAN/FEB), YOU TYPICALLY HAVE UNTIL MAY 1ST TO COMMIT.ROLLING ADMISSIONS – YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSION STATUS 4-6 WEEKS AFTER MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED.REGULAR ADMISSIONS – YOU WILL BE INFORMED OF ADMISSIONS STATUS IN APRIL.

SAT vs. ACTO

THE SAT IS MORE OF AN APTITUDE TEST, TESTING REASONING AND VERBAL ABILITIES.

O THE ACT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT TEST, MEASURING WHAT A STUDENT HAS LEARNED IN SCHOOL.

THE TESTS DO ASSESS DIFFERENT INFORMATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS, SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO DO

BETTER ON ONE EXAM THAN THE OTHER. MOST COLLEGES WILL ACCEPT EITHER

TEST FOR ADMISSIONS.

The NEW SATO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

eju5tU526BY

SAT DATESSAT Test Date Registration Deadline

March 5, 2016 LATE FEE by Feb. 23, 2016

May 7, 2016 April 8, 2016

June 4, 2016 May 5, 2016

Register online at collegeboard.org

ACT DatesACT Test Date Registration Deadline

April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016

June 11, 2016 May 6, 2016

Register online at ACT.org/register

Can I Get a Fee Waiver?

Fee waivers to take the SAT or ACT are available for low income students. This is

typically determined by students receiving free or reduced lunch. Once the test has been taken with a fee waiver, the student can receive up to four fee waivers for college applications. Not every college

accepts the waiver, but most do.YOU MUST GET THE FEE WAIVER FROM

YOUR COUNSELOR.

Resume/Activities List

Prepare a resume/activities list prior to your senior year. This resume/activities list is what needs to be given to your School Counselor and any teachers you will ask to write you a letter of recommendation. GIVE PLENTY OF NOTICE!

To be included in your resume:

All school activities – clubs, sports, positions held Any honors and awards received Any volunteer work at a church or in the community Any programs attended such as HOBY or Boy’s or

Girl’s State Employment ANYTHING YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH IN HIGH

SCHOOL!

Read e-mail at least 3 times a week.

Visit Windsor High School website to keep updated on events such as scholarships, college visits, college nights, reminders, etc.

Make an appointment with your counselor!

STAY INFORMED!

Stay tuned for… Junior Conferences

O Each counselor will mail letters to invite parents to junior meetings with studentsO CHECK YOUR SNAIL MAIL!

O What will we do???O Discuss your own PERSONAL plan for the future

(yay!)O Schedule your courses for senior year!BEFORE YOUR MEETING! Discuss with parents and think CAREFULLY about what courses you are interested in taking and how they will help you

prepare for the future!