GHS Class of 2012 Juniors & Parents

College & Career Preparation Presentation

Tuesday October 26, 2010

www.actstudent.org

• National ACT test sites - 6 Saturdays yearly• Dates offered & deadlines for registration• GHS code is 142-015 (also known as

SAT/CEEB/HS code)• Option to indicate up to 4 colleges to send

scores free at ACT registration - or pay later• Most colleges take best scores from multiple

testing dates• Test practice available at actstudent.org

Option of placing ACT scores on GHS transcript?

• Yes!• Yes!• Yes!• It is preferable to have your parent sign

“YES” to this option.• Either way (yes/no), we must have a

parent signature on the consent form.

Prairie State Achievement Exam

• PSAE 2-day test - Wed/Thur April 27 & 28• Wed - ACT - 5 sub tests - English, Reading,

Math, Science, Writing (Writing optional @ national sites)

• ACT composite - average of first 4 sub tests• Thur - 3 sub tests - ISBE-developed science

test, WorkKeys reading for information, & WorkKeys Applied Mathematics

• Possible senior privileges

PSAE Continued

• The 2-day test is required for an Illinois public high school diploma - no charge

• Students are automatically registered by GHS• Taking the ACT at a national test site is optional

& in addition to the required PSAE• Students may indicate college, career, & degree

choices to assist with college selection• Optional ACT prep workshops are listed on the

GHS counseling web pages

Illinois State Scholars

• Based on a mathematical formula determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)

• Combination of ACT composite & high school class rank after 6 semesters (junior year)

• ISAC determines the seniors who are State Scholars – award ceremony in November

• Not a monetary award

NCAA Eligibility Division I & II colleges

• National Collegiate Athletic Association• Clearinghouse link available on the GHS

counseling site – apply fall of senior year• Request that ACT send scores to the

clearinghouse using 9999 code # each time you register to take the ACT test

• Request that the GHS counseling office send your 6th semester transcript in the fall of your senior year to the NCAA clearinghouse

Collegezone.com

• This is a reputable site for ALL your needs supported by ISAC

• Career, college, & financial aid planning• Links: Illinois mentor and Whatsnextillinois• Financial aid and scholarships? –

reputable links available on the GHS web pages

Transcripts

• Request your 6th semester be sent for college applications in the fall - except BHC requires only the final, 8th sem. (after graduation unless in top 10%)

• Students must complete a request form in the guidance office to send GHS transcripts

Grade Point Average & Rank• Rank in class is determined by GPA & may

change after each semester• For acceptance to some colleges, the higher the

rank, the lower the ACT may be and the higher the ACT, the lower the rank may be

• Colleges may rescind their acceptance based on senior year grades and course changes/drops

• BHC - Presidential Scholars - top 10% - possible free tuition for 2 years–apply & send GHS transcript in late winter/early spring – deadline!

College Requirements

• Meeting or exceeding minimum college requirements does not guarantee admittance

• May need more courses in math, science, social studies, fine arts, & foreign language so check with your prospective colleges before requesting senior year courses in Skyward in February/March

• Acceptance to a college does not guarantee acceptance into a degree program at all colleges

College Selection Procedure

• Narrow down choices - use the web & make college visits - take a tour - Make an appointment to talk to the professors & students pursuing your same field of interest - Stay overnight in dorm

• Use “List of ?’s to ask reps” - (on our web site)• Open house/Discover/Preview Days Oct./Nov.• Research colleges’ requirements & procedures…

GPA, rank, personal statement, placement tests, auditions, “college-specific” scholarships

• Guarantee 4yr BA degree plan?• Guarantee tuition &/or room & board freeze?

A Good “Fit” for You• Campus location (rural/urban)• Size - overall population & class size• Same ACT/Intellect - be challenged but not

overwhelmed• Strong program for your major/degree?• Career planning office?• Resume assistance?• % job placement for your profession?• % graduate program placement ? Where?

College Application Continued• Application fee sometimes waived for making a

campus tour with qualifying GPA/Rank- ASK!• Print hard copies & keep passwords/pins• Be certain your complete name appears on every

page… application & essay• GPA/Rank requirements may increase after early

application deadlines• Possible perks for early application

Transfer Students & Credits

• Check “U Select” for on-line info• Ask your college advisor about 2 + 2

program• Credits may/may not be accepted

depending on your chosen degree• Acceptance depends on achievement at

prior college, not ACT or high school GPA

Tuition

• Often “Pay by the hour”• Most classes are 3 hour classes, lab classes 4• Typical full-time load is 12 to 15 hours per

semester - Don’t come up short senior year! A 12-hour semester may require an 18-hr later!

• Multiply the # of hours by the $ tuition rate• Financial aid may be awarded only for full-time• Students may be required to be full-time to stay

on parent’s health/auto insurance coverage

What is FAFSA?• Free Application for Federal Student Aid• A required online federal form for scholarships offered by

the college, grants, loans, work study• Never pay for financial aid search assistance – use the .gov

web site, the college financial aid office, and our ISAC representatives: Andrew Viscariello & Samantha Pelkey

• January 2011 & 2012 GHS parent presentations • File using 1040 tax forms for 2011 in Feb 2012• Indicate up to 10 colleges to send info• Some colleges require copies of 1040’s too

Major/Degree Program

• Use the college’s web site to look up the required course sequence

• What is required? -- Certificate, AS, BA/BS, MA/MS, Doctorate

• Campus advisors to assist• BA/BS can be earned in 4 years if you

stick to your degree plan

Scholarships• National - fastweb.com & GHS counseling site• Area - IL/IA, Henry County & counseling site• Local - (GHS only) - announced in Feb of senior year• Check with your local bank/credit union, church

affiliations, community organizations• College specific - ask about their process• Check deadlines, type or print neatly, be sure

your name is on each page, ask for reference letters well in advance, check & re-check for neatness and completion, make copies to keep

GHS Counseling Office

• College representatives at GHS 2nd semester and next fall - sign up in the counseling office a day ahead

• List of questions to ask during campus tours• College Handbook & Book of Majors• Binders with “colleges’ snapshot on a page”• Individual college “view books”• Degree/Career planning assistance

GHS Counseling Web Pages

• Monthly counselor newsletters are important!• ACT/PSAT/AP information & links• College search/admissions, lists of reps

coming to GHS, direct links to college homepages, FAFSA, and others

• Senior year timeline• Career links• Scholarships

Senior Year

• Counselors will have a senior presentation next fall with general, updated information

• BHC “College Night” yearly in September with almost 100 college reps in one location!

• Students are encouraged to visit their counselor individually with questions and for assistance

• Ask a GHS faculty member to proof your essays - give plenty of advance notice

• Listen to or read the daily announcements!

Now - Junior Year

• Use your PLAN/ACT scores, the internet and the GHS guidance counselors/web pages/reference materials to help narrow your search

• Make arrangements to visit campuses and speak to admissions officers, students, & faculty – Wed-Thur-Fri Nov. 10-11-12!!!

• Visit with college representatives coming to GHS during 2nd semester

• Use the “Careers” tab on the guidance web site to explore occupations

Employers’ & Colleges’ Most Important Skills

• Effective Written & Oral Communication• Work with others / Team work

/Collaboration• Problem solving / critical thinking• Curiosity / creativity / imagination• Mathematics