NEXT STEP: BHS SENIOR BROOKINGS HIGH SCHOOL

NEXT STEP: BHS SENIOR BROOKINGS HIGH SCHOOL

ARE YOU READY? What Are My Options? The College Selection Process College Entrance Exams Application Process Paying for College Apprenticeship Military Workforce

THIS PRESENTATION IS FOR ALL STUDENTS!

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? College Technical School Military Apprenticeship Workforce

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ME? Interests Abilities Hobbies Previous Jobs Personality Work Values SD MyLife can help!

WHERE SHOULD I APPLY? PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE!! Majors and Educational Programs Type of school (2 or 4 year) and degrees offered Admission Requirements Location Size & Setting Academic Reputation Cost Athletics Campus Activities and Support Services

WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS Academic Record GPA Class Rank Standardized Test Scores Extracurricular Involvement Recommendations Essays

USING THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH SD MyLife College Selector Tool Educational Opportunities in South Dakota www.dacac.com CollegeBoard: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search

THE CAMPUS VISIT Plan your visit in advance (Avoid dropping in!) Visit when school is in session Bring your parents! Meet with an instructor in the area you want to study Sit in on a class Eat in the cafeteria Examine the following -surroundings, library, departments of interest, student life, extracurricular activities, cafeteria, housing, fitness facilities, etc. Visiting a school is one of the best ways to determine whether it is the school for you!

TAKE ALONG SOME QUESTIONS! BE SURE TO TALK TO OTHER STUDENTS! What are the best reasons to go to this school? What is there to do in your free time or on the weekends? What are the average class sizes? What percentage of students receive scholarships and financial aid? Where do most freshmen live? How easy is it to meet with faculty? What are the biggest safety and security issues on this campus? College placement rate (Especially at a 2 year technical school) GOOGLE Questions to Ask on a College Visit

HOUSING Deadlines! Is there freshman housing? (Technical Schools) How do I find off campus housing? How is my roommate assigned? Can I have my own room? Visitation guidelines? Laundry service? What is furnished in my room and what do I need to bring? Security?

TACKLING THE TESTS 4 Year School SAT/ACT Technical Schools-Accuplacer, Compass, TABE Check the specific requirements at the school you are interested in! SD MyLife has preparation tools for these assessments BHS offers an ACT preparation class

ACT & SAT When should I take it! Online registration Watch deadline! BHS Code:420-170 Cost: ACT= $38.00; writing = $54.50 www.act.org SAT=$52.50 Fee Waiver Practice makes perfect! (Follow ACT s question of the day on Facebook or Twitter!) BHS ACT Test Prep

ACT English, Math, Reading & Science Optional Writing Component Most widely accepted Some colleges require writing Points for correct answers SAT Math, Critical Reading & Writing Required Writing Component Selective/coast schools Some colleges require SAT subject tests Penalized for wrong answers

SAT *Range is 200-800 SCORING *The 3 scores are added for your total score (2400 highest) ACT *Range is 0-36 *Composite score is the average of the 4 tests combined.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS Narrow your choice to 5-7 schools Apply to a range of schools Review college admission requirements Be aware of admission deadlines and application fees Submit all application materials by deadline (Application, transcripts, standardized test scores, recommendations and essay if required.) Timeline: Before Christmas for sure! Technical Schools: Some programs fill up VERY QUICKLY! Apply early!

WHICH ADMISSION OPTION IS BEST FOR YOU? Early Decision: Apply by October; Requests that the college decide on acceptance early (Nov.-Jan) and agrees to enroll if accepted (BINDING). Used for 1 st choice. Early Action: Apply by November; Similar to early decision, but if the student is accepted they can choose whether or not they will attend (NONBINDING) Regular Admission: Most common option used. A deadline is set for the application to be received and all notifications are sent out usually around April. Rolling Admission: A college accepts students who meet admission requirements on a first come, first serve basis until a freshman class fills. Applicants usually find out admission status within a couple of weeks of applying.

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION Can complete online! Make a copy of the application to use as a worksheet before completing the final application Use a professional sounding e-mail address PROOFREAD! Make copies of all submissions! Common App

RECOMMENDATIONS Give your teacher or counselor at least 2 weeks notice Give them a resume that includes your goals, academic record, accomplishments and involvement in extra-curricular activities. Check back with them

JUNIOR RESUME Why: Sent with student transcript Use with scholarship applications @ jr. mtg. How: See green sheet OR http://www.sdmylife.com/

SENDING TRANSCRIPTS & SAT/ACT SCORES Fill out transcript request form in the BHS Counselor s Office SAT/ACT Scores You may have to submit your SAT/ACT scores electronically through College Board or ACT for some schools. They will not accept your scores off your transcript.

HELP! I DON T KNOW WHAT I WANT TO MAJOR IN! See your school counselor! Revisit the results of your interest, ability and personality assessments on SD MyLife ACT Profile Assessments; www.actprofile.org Try out different classes at BHS your senior year! Make sure to check future job demand! Job Shadow

HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST? Determine College Costs Financial Aid (Scholarships, Grants, Loans) Attend the Financial Aid Workshop at BHS in February of 2016 (FAFSA.ed.gov; Everyone Should!) Do your taxes early next year DON T eliminate any college based on cost before receiving the financial aid package from that school. Financial aid makes it possible for everyone to go to school!

Apply! Apply! Apply! $ SCHOLARSHIPS $ No scholarship is too small to apply for! Watch the deadlines! Keep copies of your applications Apply for scholarships at the schools you are applying to. BHS Local Scholarship Application

$ SCHOLARSHIPS $ BHS Scholarship Listings SDOS Dakota Corps Build Dakota Scholarship Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program SD MyLife Scholarship Selector Online Scholarship Tools (Fastweb)

PAYING FOR COLLEGE RECIPROCITY WUE-Western Undergraduate Exchange

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS Demand in South Dakota for graduates in technical fields! High $ in those high demand fields

SUCCESS IN THE NEW ECONOMY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acnspkx8kvs

COLLEGE BOUND STUDENT ATHLETES Complete the NCAA Clearinghouse Application at www.elegibilitycenter.org; Cost is $70 If you are being actively recruited, the NCAA eligibility center will certify the academic and amateur credentials of all college bound student athletes wishing to compete in NCAA Division I and II athletics. If you are being recruited by a junior college/community college, NAIA has a separate clearinghouse you must register with. Fee also required.

MILITARY www.todaysmilitary.com Step 1; Do your best on the ASVAB! (BHS October) Step 2: Recognize your interests and find relevant jobs in the Military Step 3: Consult with a recruiter with a parent. Step 4; Consult with a military career counselor.

WORLD OF WORK Earn a National Career Readiness Certificate. (offered at BHS in the Spring of the year) The NCRC is an industry-recognized, evidence-based credential that certifies essential skills needed for workplace success. The Certificate complements other credentials such as a high school diploma. Some employers use it as a screening tool to find a good fit employee. (Bel Brands)

http://dlr.sd.gov/workforce_training/apprenticeship_benefits.aspx Earn while you learn! Receive formal on-the-job training from a qualified worker Acquire a skill which allows for more effectively competing in the labor market. Searchable apprenticeship database In Brookings County: carpenter, electrician, line-installer, line maintainer, line repairer. In Minnehaha County: boiler operator, dental assistant, heating and air conditioning, plumber, sheet metal worker, etc.

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE Youth Business Adventure Boys/Girls State SD Remedial Coursework Dual Credit Courses, www.sdmylife.com Finish your senior year strong!

BHS RESOURCES BHS Website- Student Services Link Newsletters E-Mails Announcements Junior 1-1 Meeting with School Counselor Senior 1-1 Meeting with School Counselor

QUESTIONS Questions? Optional: SD MyLife Mini Tour

THANK YOU FOR COMING! BHS SCHOOL COUNSELORS Ms. Coble (A-He) Mrs. Johnson (He-P) Mr. Mork (P-Z)