COLLEGE.

It’s not a dream.

It’s a PLAN!

HOW BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEFINES “COLLEGE”

ALL POST-SECONDARY TRAINING OR CAREER TRAINING AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

• UNIVERSITIES (ex: ASU, NAU, UA, WNMU)

• COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGE (ex: Cochise, Pima)

• TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS (ex: ITT Tech, DeVry, WTC)

• CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS (ex: Apollo, Pima Medical, UTI)

• MILITARY ACADEMIES (ex: Annapolis, West Point, AF)

• MILITARY (ex: Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard)

• INTERNSHIPS/APPRENTICE PROGRAMS

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Earnings & unemployment rates by educational attainment

Education attainedUnemployment rate in

2014 (Percent)

Median weekly

earnings in 2014

Doctoral degree 2.1 $1,591

Professional degree 1.9 1,639

Master's degree 2.8 1,326

Bachelor's degree 3.5 1,101

Associate's degree 4.5 792

Some college, no

degree6.0 741

High school diploma 6.0 668

Less than a high

school diploma9.0 488

All workers 5.0 839Note: Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers.

These education categories reflect only the highest level of education attained. They do not take into account completion of training programs in the

form of apprenticeships and other on-the-job training, which may also influence earnings and unemployment rates. For more information on training,

see: http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_education_summary.htm and http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_education_by_train.htm. April 2015

IT WOULD DIFFICULT TO ARGUE WITH THE VALUE OF

EDUCATION YET…

For every 100 high school students in the United States:

• Only 77 will finish high school in 4 years

• Only 38 will go to college

• Only 18 will earn associate degrees in 3

years or bachelor’s degrees in 6 years

SO LET’S STARTING PLANNING!

BHS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS &UNIVERSITY ADMITTANCE

BENSON HIGH UNIVERSITY

ENGLISH 4 4

MATH 4 4 (1 higher than Alg II)

SCIENCE 3 3

SOCIAL STUDIES 3 2

PE 1 NA

FOREIGN LANG. NA 2 same language

FINE ART or CTE NA 1

ELECTIVES 12 NA

TOTAL 25 CREDITS 16 CORE CREDITS

SOME COMMON COLLEGE PLANNING VOCABULARY

ACT TEST: College readiness/admittance test measuring aptitude (knowledge) in 4 particular areas: English, math, reading & science

• Optional writing test available

• Maximum ACT is 36

• $39.50 Both ACT and SAT accepted by Universities nation wide

PSAT TEST: Pre-SAT college readiness test (10th &/0r 11th)•Administered by Ms. Sherman on October 28th•Very high 11th grade results qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Strong students often take it 10th & 11th grade•Sign up in the Counseling Office•$15.00 (fee waiver available)

SAT TEST (redesigned 2016) : A college readiness/admittance test measuring critical reading & mathematical reasoning

•Optional writing test•The maximum SAT is 1600 (critical reading + math)•$43.00 Both SAT & ACT accepted at Universities nation wide•SAT II Subject tests are required by some selective Universities

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COMPARISON

State Universities Private/Elite Colleges

GPA & 3.0 4.0

Curriculum

SAT* / ACT 1040* / 22 1550-1600* / 34-36(CR & Math)

Extra- NA Strong leadership,

Curricular sports, essay, service

Cost $18,000+ $33,000+

COLLEGE APPLICATION INFOUNIVERSITIES

• University deadlines & requirements vary – be careful!!

• November 1st is suggested for state universities

• Admissions starts the institution scholarship process

• Usually requires ACT/SAT. Have results sent directly there

• Rolling Admissions: you will get a decision as soon as

application is processed

• Regular Admissions : you will get a decision on or about

April 1st

Early Decision: Very academically strong students completely committed to a specific (usually selective) school apply to that school early in the Fall and sign a contract that if admitted they will attend

COMMUNITY COLLEGES Apply anytime, usually the Spring

Admissions starts the institution scholarship process

Does not require an ACT/SAT

Offers certificate, degree & transfer programs

COLLEGE DEGREE LEVELS

A.A./A.S- Associate of Arts or Science- 2 year degree

A.A.S.- Associate of Applied Science- 2 year degree

usually direct to work

B.A./B.S.- Bachelor of Arts or Science- 4 year degree

M.A./M.S.- Master of Arts or Science- Requires 1-3

years additional study after receiving Bachelor’s

Ed. D or Ph.D- Doctoral Degrees. 3-4 years of study

beyond Master’s Degree

COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

ON GOING: Read! Take challenging classes & get good grades, participate in extracurricular activities, consider doing community service, research colleges & careers, and maintain your portfolio.

FRESHMAN: Read! Form a 4-year high school plan, start a college/career planning portfolio, take the new PSAT 8/9 and attend college fairs & information nights.

SOPHOMORE: Read! Take the PSAT test in October, start preparing for ACT/SAT, seek help if grades are dropping and visit colleges if possible.

JUNIOR FALL: Read! Take advanced courses, take the PSAT in October, the ASVAB in November, and continue studying for the ACT/SAT.

JUNIOR SPRING: Read! Take the ACT/SAT and consider attending college visitations or a career summer academy

JUNIOR SUMMER: Read! Make your college list, gather college applications, organize for scholarships & study for the ACT/SAT if you need to retest.

SENIOR FALL: Take a deep breath & get busy! Read! Continue to take advanced courses including math, retake the ACT/SAT if necessary, work on College applications and continue scholarship submissions

SENIOR JANUARY: Read! I know you want to relax but don’t destroy your GPA or scholarship opportunities-keep working!! Attend the FAFSA presentation January 25th & submit FAFSA as soon as possible, keep working on scholarships and keep Ms. Sherman informed of your progress

SENIOR SPRING: Make decision, pay deposits, register for orientation and keep working on scholarships and keep Ms. Sherman informed of your progress

ARIZONA UNIVERSITY TUITION & EXPENSES

Cost of Attendance per year

• In-state: $28,300= 1 year TOTAL

• Tuition and Fees (In-state) $12,000 +

• Room and Board $10,000 +

• Books and Supplies $1,500 +

• Other Expenses $4,800 +

Payment Plans

Credit card, installment plan, external finance company

ARIZONA COMMUNITY COLLEGE TUITION & EXPENSES

$1,900 General Tuition and Fees

$1,400 Books & Incidentals

$6,500 Room & Meals

$2,000 Other Expenses

TOTAL: $11,800 per year

These are estimated costs and subject to annual change.

**7-day meal plan, double room occupancy.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Log on to –

www.bensonsd.k12.az.us

• The scholarship list on my site changes routinely & is not all inclusive!

• Not all scholarships require the following but it is best to have them in order to be prepared:

Cover letter

Resume

3-4 letters of recommendation

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