CLASS OF 2014 POST-SECONDARY PLANNING PARENT PRESENTATION April 3, 2013
Topics Graduation Requirements Website What is College? Options after HS Finding the right program What are colleges looking for? Finding target colleges Factors to consider Types of admission Special circumstances Understanding the Transcript Recommendations Entrance exams Deadlines Scholarships & Financial Aid NCAA CPCRI What should you do now? Questions?
Graduation Requirements Carnegie Units 4 English 3Math + 1 Math/Math Related 3 Social Studies (1 must be a US History) 3 Science (biological, physical, at least 2 labs) 2 PE.5 Fine Art.5 Technology
Graduation Requirements-Con t. Service Learning Must be completed by May of Junior Year! NECAP Must receive at least a 2 or be making demonstrated progress. If a student scored a 1 or 0 s/he will be placed in intervention courses over the summer and next year and will retake the exam in October. Eportfolio Must contain samples of work from each of the four years, and a final tour to be completed by the middle of the third quarter senior year. See the Graduation by Proficiency Handbook for details.
Guidance Website
What is College? College = Post-Secondary Training When people use the term college it can mean many different things. A four-year school, a two-year school or various training programs are all considered to be college. All students need some type of post-secondary training to be successful in today s workforce. The type of school or program your child chooses will depend on many things including Career Plans GPA, Class Rank, Courses taken in HS Standardized Test Scores Financial Aid
Options After HS 4 yr. & 2 yr. Colleges 4-Year colleges & universities Earn a Bachelor s Degree Multiple entrance requirements Usually can live on campus Types Liberal Arts Public College Public University Private 2-Year colleges Earn an Associate s Degree Require HS Diploma, usually don t require SAT s and other materials Can transfer credits to a 4- year college Joint Admissions Programs Types Private Public
Options After HS Service Academies & Military Service Academy Specialized 4 year colleges that require military service Rigorous physical and academic requirements Many require a recommendation and appointment from a member of Congress There is a US Service Academy Day at CCRI Warwick on April 20 th from 9am-noon for students interested in obtaining a Congressional nomination for a service academy Military Can help a student pay for school Several branches to choose from both active and reserve Army Army National Guard Coast Guard Air National Guard Air Force Marine Corps Navy Come to guidance for contact info ROTC Programs
Options After HS Vocational/Technical Schools & Apprenticeships Vocational & Technical Schools Specialized programs to prepare you to work in a specific trade or industry Can offer certificate, 2-year, or 4-year accelerated degrees Usually have to be 18 to enter Most don t have specific admissions requirements beyond a high school diploma Apprenticeships Formal training program established with an employer. Involves work experience and classroom instruction. Many programs last 2-4 years.
Helping your child find the right program Listen to your child. Don t do the work for them. This is their life, they need to put in the hard work. If they aren t making progress, there is likely a reason. Talk to them, often times it can be extremely overwhelming and frightening for a student to start this process. They may be telling you they are not ready. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! Open Houses College Fairs College Rep Visits @ CHS College Tours Job Shadowing Career Fairs Websites Speak to counselors, teachers, community/business leaders
What do colleges look for? Depends on the school and program. Academic Record- GPA, rank, consistency or improvement, challenging coursework Testing- SAT, ACT Extracurricular Activities- quality vs. quantity Letters of Recommendation Essays Interviews Online Presence- students must be cognizant of the image they are portraying online. They must check instagram, Facebook, etc to make sure their online presence is sharing an appropriate message
Finding Target Colleges Your child s final list should include 4-8 colleges if s/he is planning on applying to four-year schools. 1-2 Reach Schools (long shot) 3-4 Target Schools (good fit) 1-2 Likely Schools (seems likely) If s/he is applying to vocational, technical, or community college s/he will usually only need to apply to one school. Be realistic- look at the typical freshman class statistics. These are available on every college admissions office web page. More isn t necessarily better Don t stick with name brands Seek help from counselors RESEARCH Don t eliminate just on cost at this point, just make sure you have a good mix. Trust your child s gut instinct when they walk on to a campus.
Factors to Consider Size Location Setting Campus amenities Academic programs/majors/reputation Campus social life Religion Sports Study Abroad, research, honors programs Cost
Types of Admissions Early Decision Binding Examples: Bryant, Brown, Dartmouth, Marist Early Action Not Binding Examples: URI, RIC, Harvard Regular All 4-year colleges and universities, some 2-year Rolling Be aware of financial aid deadlines! Examples: New England Tech, CCRI, JWU
Special Circumstances Students with Learning Disabilities Most campuses have a program especially designed for students with learning disabilities. It is the students responsibility to provide documentation and arrange for accommodations through the center. See your counselor with specific questions First-Generation College Students Your child is the first person in your immediate family to attend college. Some colleges have admissions programs designed specifically for first generation students. URI- Talent Development RIC- Pep Program Low-Income/Underrepresented Students Your family income meets federal guidelines or your child represents a student population that is traditionally underrepresented on a college campus. Many colleges offer specific programs and financial aid to assist your child in going to college URI- Talent Development RIC- PEP Program Legacy Student A parent graduated from a specific school. The more competitive a school the less likely legacy status will help get you in. Legacy can help but it is not a guarantee.
Understanding the Transcript What does the transcript list? The name of all classes completed or in session beginning in 9 th grade The final grade in each class The credit earned in each class The level of each class Your GPA and rank Special awards, test scores, and graduation requirements Special awards, test scores, and graduation requirements EX. NECAP Scores, Service Learning, National Honor Society, Book Awards GPA Unweighted and cumulative. It is updated at the end of every semester. Rank Weighted and cumulative. It is updated at the end of every semester. What years count the most? ALL- including senior year! Colleges have and will rescind admissions to students who grades fall in the spring semester of senior year.
Recommendations Most 4-year colleges and some scholarships require a recommendation. Teacher Recommendations 1-2 for most four year colleges Teacher(s) who knows your child well and who has had your child recently. Some colleges require a recommendation to come from a specific subject teacher, others do not. Counselor Recommendation Will need to complete a Recommendation Worksheet available in guidance in the fall. Students will be meeting with their counselors in the spring and fall.
Entrance Exams SAT ACT Date Deadline to Register May 4 April 5 Yes June 1 May 2 No October TBA TBA Yes November TBA TBA Offered at CHS Yes www.collegeboard.org Date Deadlineto Register June 8 May 3 No September 21 TBA Offered at CHS No October 26 TBA No December 14 TBA No www.act.org/student
SAT Tests critical thinking by assessing how well a student analyzes and solve problems. Each section is scored 200-800 points. Average is around 500 on each section (1500 total) Writing Critical Reading Math Cost: $50- includes 4 free score reports to the college(s) of your choice Fee waivers available
SAT Subject Tests 20 subject tests that evaluate knowledge on a particular subject Some schools and/or majors will require subject tests Can take up to 3 on a test day Best to take them immediately upon finishing the course Cost: $35 per test, $46 for language exams with listening Fee waivers available
ACT Tests skill level in English, Math, Reading and Science Optional Writing section- some colleges will require it. Scored on a 1-36 scale Average is in the 17-23 range Some colleges will look at the ACT instead of SAT Subject Tests Cost: $35.00, $50.50 with writing- includes 4 free score reports to the college(s) of your choice Fee waivers available
Deadlines Application, Financial Aid, Scholarship and Housing deadlines are set in stone. March 1 of senior year- Deadline to submit the FAFSA for most RI state schools. Other schools will have earlier deadlines. Counselor Recommendations and Transcripts Beginning in the fall of senior year. Need to give at least 2 weeks notice, longer during peak times. Recommendations are written in the order the request was received and to meet deadlines. Requests for recommendations will not be taken prior to September.
Scholarships and Financial Aid Scholarships FREE money Students must do the work to find and apply to scholarships Not just for good grades Available for 4-yr, 2-yr, technical and vocational schools NEVER pay for a scholarship Check the list in guidance or on the website for updates Visit scholarship links from the guidance website Financial Aid Financial Aid Night- Dec TBA FAFSA- Jan 1 PROFILE- Oct 1 Types Loans- Must repay Federal- 2 types: Subsidized & Unsubsidized Private- be aware of terms and interest rates Grants- Do not need to repay Merit- Do not need to repay Work Study- Work on campus and budget the money for expenses Deadlines are in stone- DO NOT MISS THEM! Financial Aid Night is held in December @ CHS
NCAA Must meet minimum requirements to play sports in college. Review criteria at www.ncaa.org D-1 and D-2 colleges require students to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Must do this ASAP if you have not already signed up. www.eligibilitycenter.org
College Planning Center of RI Free service to all RI students Assist with all aspects of college planning process Make an appointment in January to work on the FAFSA Office at the Boys & Girls Club www.cpcri.org
What you should do now Have a discussion with your child What careers are they considering? What type of school do they want to attend? What factors are important to them? Schedule appointments to visit different schools or programs Compile a list of schools & narrow it down over the summer Providence National College Fair- April 27 from 12-3@ RI Convention Center CHS Career Fair- During the school day on April 11th Make sure your child registers for the SAT or ACT this spring They should create their own account- not use a parent s account. Have your child register the NCAA Eligibility Center if s/he is considering playing sports in college Contact your child s counselor if you have questions As hard as it is, let them lead the process while guiding them
Questions?