NORTHWESTHIGH

COLLEGES&CAREERS

Graduation RequirementsRecommended Plan

• English I, II, III, IV• World Geo, World Hist, US Hist, Gov/Eco• 4 Science • 4 Math • 1.0 of P.E.• 0.5 Communication Applications (Speech) • 1.0 Fine Art (1 full year of the same class)• 2.0 Foreign language (of the same

language)

Graduation RequirementsDistinguished Plan

• English I, II, III, IV• World Geo, World Hist, US Hist, Gov/Eco• 4 Science • 4 Math • 1.0 of P.E.• 0.5 Communication Applications (Speech) • 1.0 Fine Art (1 full year of the same class)• 3.0 Foreign language (of the same

language• 4 additional measures- see handbook

Education Beyond High School

• Trade and Technical schools• Community Colleges• 4 year colleges/Universities

Collegeboard Statistics• A person with a Ph.D. earns an

average of $1214.00 a week• A person with a master’s degree

earns on average $1174.00• A person with a bachelor’s earns an

average of $983.00• A person with an associate’s earns

an average of $834.00• Unfortunately, a person with only a

high school diploma earns $507.

More from the Collegeboard • Currently, 0.9 percent of people

with a Ph.D, 1.6 percent of people with a master’s degree, and 1.8 percent of people with a bachelor’s degree are unemployed. Those with just a high school education have a 3.5 percent rate of unemployment. Getting a college education cuts one’s chances of being unemployed roughly in half.

Four Year Schools • Students can earn a bachelor’s degree

or further their studies with a masters or doctorate program.

• Bachelor’s degree: 4 + years• Master’s Degree: 2-3 years above

bachelors• Doctorate Degree: 2-3 years above

Master’s • Private and Public Colleges Available

Community College • Provide students with Career

Preparation programs. • Students may earn certificates or

Associate’s Degrees. • Students can use credits earned

to transfer to a four year school.–Only 1 in 10 actually transfer and earn their bachelors. (collegeboard)

Vocational/ Trade Schools

• Provide specific career training, usually requires 2 years or less.

• Public Technical Schools- there are 4 in Texas. Texas State Technical College or TSTC is the closest (Waco).

• Private Technical and Trade Schools- Examples- Art Institute of Dallas, DeVry, ITT, Ogle school of Hair Design

Great Resources for you to use RIGHT NOW

• www.careercruising.com• www.collegeboard.com

Admission Requirements• Application• Standardized test score

(ACT/SAT)• Class Rank• Extracurricular involvement• Community Service (The Big

Event)

Top 10% Rule • Being in the Top 10% of your

graduating class will get you automatic admission into any Texas public university. – UT Austin is the exception to the rule.

College Application Practice Run

• Before you submit the actual application- do a test run

• See where the “holes” may be. – Course work- ie. Pre- Cal, Foreign Lang– Extra-curriculars– Community service– GPA– SAT scores– Etc.

• What are the requirements for admission?

ACT vs. SAT

• Achievement Test• Highest Score- 36• Average- 20-21• Tests English, Math,

Reading, Science and has an optional writing portion

• www.act.org

• Aptitude test • Highest Score-

2400• Average Score-

1500• Some colleges only

look at scores of two of three categories.

• Tests Writing, Reading, and Math

• www.collegeboard.com

Transcripts- Home of your Rank and GPA

• Each school to which you apply needs one.

• Fill out a half sheet form either in counseling office or submit online through the counseling center website.

• SAT/ACT scores are to be sent by the testing company.

• E-transcripts and 1st paper copy are free, each after that is $1

Grade Point Average • Weighted- This is used only to

calculate GPA for class rank purposes.

• Unweighted- This is a GPA you will use to apply for college and scholarships. It is based on a 4.0 scale.

College Visits• You get 2 a year that do not count

against your attendance. • See the counseling center website

for details on how to properly do this. • Build your marketability by

participating in an official college event over the summer between Junior and Senior year.

So where should you be

in your Quest?

The Junior Timeline also in your handbook

March and AprilSIGN UP FOR SAT OR ACT

Create a Personal File including transcripts, list of awards and honors (including dates), community service hours, a list of employers- UPDATE this each semester Register for the NCAA eligibility center if candidate for college athletics

Junior Timelinealso in your handbook

May and JuneTake the SAT and/or ACTTake AP examsObtain a summer job or internship-see c0unselor websiteLook for volunteer opportunitiesSave money for college and senior expensesSelect the top 5-10 colleges that meet your needs

Start of Senior Year also in your handbook

August and September Update your personal fileMake plans to attend the Nortex college Fair (end of September) Ask for letters of Recommendation- see counseling website on best practicesBegin applicationsContinue to search and apply for scholarships For more timeline, see your handbook

Scholarships • Local Scholarships- Ones only available to NISD

students. These are all accessible by visiting the “scholarship drawer” on the counseling website!

www.nisdtx.org/nhscounseling

• National Scholarships- databases such as fast aid fast web, and merit aid

• Colleges often have separate scholarship applications to be awarded money from the university you plan to attend. Make sure when you complete your admission application that your submit the scholarship application as well.

E- Scholarships• New Database on the counseling

center website under scholarship drawer– Logon: northwest– Password: northwest

What are your plans for after

high School?

- Let’s start the

research!!!