College 101 for Freshmen and Sophomores. Mr. Carl Krause College Counselor Lake Zurich High School

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1 College 101 for Freshmen and Sophomores Mr. Carl Krause College Counselor Lake Zurich High School

2 The better the education, the better the outlook for the future

3 Why should I worry about my future job now? What can we possibly do now in order to get ready for college or a career? We don t even apply for three more years!

Do I have to join 10 activities? How are colleges different?

4 There is a bunch you can do, but you probably have some questions first. What do I want to study in college? What classes in high school will help me? Do I have to join 10 activities? How are colleges different? What do I want in a college? Do I want a four year degree or a two year and what is the difference? Do my grades really count now?

5 What colleges are really looking for. Are you taking appropriately challenging courses? Are you doing well in your core classes? What are your standardized test scores? How do you spend your time when you are not in school or doing homework? Have you ever been a leader?

6 Most Important Factors for College Admission

7 High School Courses Take Four Core English Math Science Social Science The same World Language (How much language do I really need?)

8 Students with Disabilities All students are individual in their ability and learning FIT for one student is not the same for someone else There is a post-secondary program for EVERY student. Special resources for students with disabilities as well as college programs to assist the student

9 Are you taking the most appropriately challenging courses you can do well in? Weighted grades help with your GPA. Some colleges will look at all grades and some will just look at core classes. LZHS only both GPA s on your transcripts. We use a weighted 4.0 system Colleges would prefer you get a B in an Honors course due to the rigor.

10 Hands on Learners Tech Campus junior and senior year- many of these students still attend college Automotive Construction management Culinary CNA/EMS/Firefighting/medical assisting Computer/graphics/programming/game design Photonics/Welding and fabrication Early childhood Cosmetology and more! website

semesters. May be the most important factor.

11 Grade Point Average- GPA Yes! Freshman year counts, maybe even more than some others! We use a weighted 4.0 scale. Your cumulative GPA is an average of all 8 semesters. May be the most important factor. However, you will be applying after 6 semesters. Upward trend helps but starting off great is easier.

0 GPA Junior Year (14 A s) 3.4 GPA Freshman year (6 A s, 8 B s) 3.

12 GPA Examples 2.78 GPA Freshman year in all college prep classes. (3 A s, 5 B s, 6 C s) 2.64 GPA Sophomore year (7 B s, 7 C s) 3.0 GPA Junior Year (14 A s) 3.4 GPA Freshman year (6 A s, 8 B s) 3.35 GPA sophomore year (4 A s, 10 B s) 3.3 GPA junior year (4 A s, 10 B s)

13 Test Scores SAT, ACT- BOTH are accepted at ALL colleges PSAT, SAT subject tests Advanced Placement (AP) exams When should I test? Should I prep for the test? Khan Academy is FREE!

14 PSAT/NMSQT Pre- SAT three tests- Critical reading, Writing and Language, Math National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Testusually given in October to juniors PSAT10 will be taken by all freshmen and sophomores on April 10.

15 SAT Subjects ACT Subjects Evidence Based Reading and Writing Math Website English Math Reading Scientific reasoning Website

16 Test Score Optional Schools There are about 800 test optional colleges that do not need a test score to look at admission. You may need them for scholarships, though DePaul University Augustana College American University Wake Forest

17 Advanced Placement Tests- AP After taking these classes, you can sit for the exam and if you get a high enough score, a college may give you credit. Scores range from 1-5 (credit maybe for 3) If you can handle the work and you like the subject, go for it! Adds rigor to transcript which is good

18 Free Time Activities How do you spend your free time? - sports - clubs - volunteer More is not always better. Quality counts. Leadership is best. Jobs count! Use Naviance to keep your list current.

19 Job Vacations Summer Experiences Pre-college programs- Enrichment Programs- Nav. Sports camps Leadership programs May not be used for admission considerations due to cost Volunteer Do something!

20 92% of LZ students are college bound after graduation 76% go to a 4-year school 16% go to a 2-year school Quick Facts

The more competitive the college(5-25% admission rate), the more competitive the student needs to

21 College Admissions Are you doing everything you can to get into the type of college you want to attend? Pizza! The more competitive the college(5-25% admission rate), the more competitive the student needs to be. Many great students get turned down from great schools; don t take it personally. Princeton Study. 27,000 + high schools with top 20 students; 540,000 students applying to top schools.

22 Public Universities Did you take the required subjects (language, fine arts) What is the strength (CP, Honors, AP) of those courses? Test scores (ACT, SAT) Need to compare apples-to-apples Essays or personal statements A large public may have to process over 30,000 applications in a single year

23 Private School Admission More of a holistic process Transcript- recommended courses; usually more flexible Achievement- type of class and GPA strength of schedule and school (Profile) Extra-curriculars- Smaller privates need involved students to make them tick Essay or personal statement- quite important Test scores or not If you can- Interview! 23

24 Community Colleges Test scores or placement tests used for class placement. Great, money saving option Work with an advisor to choose classes to be sure they transfer: There are junior colleges with dorms that feed into 4- year colleges Some very good jobs only need a 2- year degree or less.

25 So what should you be doing now? Freshman Year Grades are key! Are you challenging yourself? Are you involved in something? Naviance Learning Styles- are you doing your best in all areas?

26 Sophomore Year GRADES! Are you looking to step up to lead? Start your research into careers and possibly colleges if ready. Choose classes for junior year that will challenge you. Attend a college fair! Did I mention GRADES?

27 Study Skills Checklist for Students Set a regular time and place to study each day and throughout the week. Keep a daily to do list. Set goals for themselves. Do their reading assignments before the material is discussed in class. Pay close attention and take good notes in class. Prepare for tests during their regular study times instead of cramming at the last minute.

28 7 Character Traits for Success Grit- stay committed to your goals; not discouraged Curiosity- take an active interest in learning; search for information Self-Control- regulate thoughts, feelings, or behaviors when they conflict with valued goals Passion- an approach to life filled with excitement and energy

29 7 Traits Continued Social Intelligence- awareness of other people s feelings and using this understanding to navigate social situations appropriately Optimism- the expectation that the future holds positive possibilities ; win or learn, not lose Gratitude- appreciation for the benefits we receive from others and the desire to reciprocate with our own positive actions We can ALWAYS improve our habits and our mind

classes and un-weight the grades- Super Score!

30 College Lingo Core class- science, math, English, Social Studies, languages Undergraduate- student enrolled in college to earn an associate s or bachelor s degree Gen Ed- General Education requirement at a college Re-calculated GPA- College will only look at core classes and un-weight the grades- Super Score! FAFSA- Free application for Federal Student Aid EFC- Estimated Family Contribution Pre- Professional- Not a major, just an emphasis NPC- Net Price Calculator; required on college websites to help estimate cost of admission.

Visits- Summer of rising junior, junior year spring break, rising senior year summer, high

31 Future Planning Research- BLS, Naviance, college fairs, older siblings, family friends, teachers. Visits- Summer of rising junior, junior year spring break, rising senior year summer, high school visits, college fairs Learning style- can you learn in a lecture hall? Athletics- are you one of the few that can play in college? Costs- FAFSA forecaster Net PriceCalculators

More Planning Family discussion on distance from

Junior year- meet with your counselor or Mr.

Follow LZHS College Tour Guide on FACEBOOK or Twitter

often for updates Attend evening events regarding

32 More Planning Family discussion on distance from home, finances, and environment of schools. Junior year- meet with your counselor or Mr. Krause to discuss college options. Follow LZHS College Tour Guide on FACEBOOK or Twitter Check the College Counseling Web page and Naviance often for updates Attend evening events regarding college- College fairs, Junior Selection night, Senior Kick Off, Financial Aid VISIT, VISIT, VISIT!!!

33 Questions? Contact Information Carl Krause

Juniors Spring Presentation

Juniors Spring Presentation First of all. Congratulations on all your hard work junior year! Now everyone take a deep breath And get ready for what s next: 1. Finish strong over these last 5 weeks 2. Make