Transitioning from High School to “Life”

Putting the Planning into Action

Presented by Kris Wondra, Gillett High School Student Services

Preparation Starts Now

1. Making Sense of the Alphabet

ACT? PSAT?

SAT? ASVAB?

Accuplacer or TABE? WEF?

Preparation Starts Now - Sophomores

• ASVAB: September 23rd at GHSFREE to 11th and 12th

graders

• WEF: September 23rd

Post-Secondary Planning FairUW 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.

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

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!

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

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

“The number of students enrolled in college has grown

by 39% since 1974.”….Chronicle Guidance Publications(February, 2004)

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.

2. College Visits/Job Shadows

Choosing the educational option that fits the individual.

Research is a must!

Preparation Starts Now

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?

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?

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?

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.

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 ?

MINIMUM College 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

MINIMUM 4-Year College Requirements

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

Categories of College Selectivity

• Reach

• Realistic

• Safe

For a given student:

Considerable difficulty gaining admission

Usually receive admission offer

Admission highly likely

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

• 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).

September, Senior Year cont.

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.

Admissions’ JargonEarly

Decision

Student agrees to attend if accepted,will not send other applications.

EarlyAction

Student applies early but once accepted can still choose to apply elsewhere.

EarlyNotification

Student applies by November 1, can apply elsewhere but must notify school by March 1.

What are college admissions’ counselors

looking for?

Rigor of courses Pursued

.

Grade Point

Average

Rank in Class

Extra-curricular involvem

ent

VolunteerExperienc

es

QualityRecomm

en-dations

Diversity

Special Talents

Nonacademic Factors Can Work to Gain Admission

• Extracurricular involvement

• Special talent• Geographical

distribution• Leadership• Creativity• Tenacity• Character

• Alumni children• Religious

affiliation• Promising

disadvantaged minorities

• Community involvement

• Volunteer time

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.

Athletic Eligibility

• Work with athletic departments at the colleges and high schools.

• Review NCAA eligibility rules.• Register with NCAA

Clearinghouse online.

Preparation Starts Now

4. Scholarships

Getting a scholarship is hard work!

How to Find Scholarships

•Use the resources available, including online searches (such as Fastweb.com) and the Scholarship List

•Beware of scholarship scams

•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.

Resources for Scholarships

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)

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

Financial Aid Types

• Grants

• Loans

• Work Study

• Non-need based loans

• More Student Financial Aid programs are being

offered every year!

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

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

Work Study

• Work study is financial aid that is earned by employment, usually on campus

• Money is used to help pay education expenses

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

Tuition

$5,000 $9,200 $12,000

R&B 4,100

3,300

4,400

Books 550

480

500

Personal

600

600

600

Travel 300

550

150

Total $10,500

$14,130

$17,650

College A B C

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Students will complete the FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) Will determine family contribution

Assume a family contribution 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

You are HereVisitColleges/Shadow

TakeCollegeEntrance Exams

ExploreCareers

NarrowChoices

Fill Out ApplicationsResearchScholarships

Prepare Financial Aid Form

X

Overwhelmed?Take one step at a

time.

Mrs. Wondra will be here to help you along

the way.

Mrs. Wondra’s Website

http://gillett.wi.schoolwebpages.com/wondra