Junior Parents Night:Navigating the Senior Year
Southwest High SchoolSeptember 21, 2009
6:30 pm
Junior Parent Agenda
• 6:30 Craig Munier, UNL College Bound
• 6:50 LSW Counseling Staff - Junior Information
LSW Counseling Staff
• Dr. Joyce Lehn: 9-12 SPED • Dr. Dolores Simpson-Kirkland: 9-12 A-G
• Eric Feeken: 9-12 H-K
• Peggy Volker: 9-12 L-P • Colleen Finkhouse: 9-12 Q-S
• Tim Ernst: 9-12 T-Z • Janene Way: Secretary
Planning For The Future
• Allow your child to make his/her own decisions– Create an atmosphere of mutual trust &
respect• Explore options together
– College (4 Year or 2 Year)– Vocational/Trade Schools– Military– Work
Adapted From: College & Career Choices
Making An Educated Decision
• Explore career options– Identify career fields that match your
student’s interests
• Get a good academic fit– Find a college that matches academic
preparation• Consider GPA & ACT or SAT scores of
previous freshmen
Adapted from: Careers & Education in Nebraska
Types Of Education
• Universities– Made up of colleges or schools that teach
specialized areas– Usually offer graduate degrees at the master’s &
PhD level• Four-year colleges
– Offer wide range of programs• Liberal arts colleges
– College studies consist of fine arts, natural sciences, social sciences & humanities
– Utilizes understanding of past & concern for the future
Types Of Education Continued
• Community colleges– Prepares students for immediate employment– Many feature academic transfer programs
• Vocational or specialty schools– Usually specialized to a specific occupation or
career cluster– Credits seldom transfer to a 4-year school
• On the job training & apprenticeships– Training provided by employer or labor union
• Military service– Provides educational opportunities that transfer to
civilian occupations
Resources for College Information
• LPS Post High School Planning Guide http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/PlanningforafterHighSchool.html
• College Catalogs/View Books
• Web Sites for LSW Counseling Dept & Colleges
• College Representatives
• Campus Visits
College Visitations
• Call admissions office in advance• Talk to as many students as you can
who attend the colleges of interest• Prepare for admissions interviews, if
applicable• Take time to look around on your
own• Inquire about acceptance of
Common ApplicationAdapted From: Associated Colleges of the Midwest
College Visitations:Questions To Ask
PSAT - Junior year
• The PSAT measures verbal reasoning, critical reading, math problem-solving and writing skills developed both in and out of school.
• We encourage all college-bound students to take the PSAT. The PSAT is the only way to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program
• The test is Saturday October 17th and registration and $18 fee is required at the LSW Counseling Center. Please make checks to LSW and fee waivers are available. Registration is September 28th to October 9th
College Admission Tests
• Check with admissions office about ACT or SAT preference. Many schools now accept both test scores– Harvard, Yale, & University of Pennsylvania
• Inquire if SAT II subject tests or ACT writing test are required
• Southeast Community College COMPASS Placement Test– At LSW on Tuesday, October 20 and again in the
spring of 2010. Registration is required at the LSW Counseling Center.
ACT vs. SAT:How do the tests compare?
• SAT: 7 times per year– Recent changes include
• Critical reading passages, essay, & more challenging math
– Ten-section exam– Penalty for wrong answers– Scores range from 200-800
per section– 2400 highest possible
combined score– All scores will be sent to
requested schools
www.collegeboard.com
• ACT: 6 times per year– Recent changes include
• Optional writing section– Four-section exam– No penalty for wrong
answers– Scores range from 1 to 36
for each score– 36 highest possible
composite– Score choice option of
which scores schools will receive
www.act.org
Adapted From: The Princeton Review www.princeton.com
Financial Aid
• All scholarship with Nebraska ties are managed at Education Quest with ScholarshipQuest (http://www.educationquest.org/)
• Fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1st of the senior year. www.FAFSA.ed.gov (not .com)
• EducationQuest is available to assist at the LSW Financial Aid night on November 3rd at 7:00 PM
Don’t Get Scammed On Your Way To College
• Look for warning signs that a scholarship may be a scam– “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money
back.”– “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”– “May I have your credit card or bank account
number to hold this scholarship.”– “We’ll do all the work.”– “The scholarship will cost you some money.”– “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to
receive a scholarship.”– “You’re a finalist in a contest that you didn’t enter.
Military Scholarships
• Army Reserve Officer Training Corps www.armyrotc.com
• Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps www.afoats.af.mil
• Opportunities for both Navy http://www.navy.com & Marines http://www.marines.com
• Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) administered at LSW on Tuesday February 9th
Opportunities
• LSW Counseling Center will host a Military Opportunities information session on Tuesday January 12th at 2:15 on a PLC Early release day. More information will be available at a later date.
• This presentation will be available on the LSW Counseling Center website on Tuesday morning. http://isite.lps.org/pvolke...
Thank You
The LSW Counselorswould like to thank you for attending
tonight’s presentation.
Also, special thanks to theCollege Representatives and guest speakers from
Doane CollegeNebraska Wesleyan University Southeast Community College
the University of Nebraska-LincolnCraig Munier, College Bound-University of
Nebraska-Lincoln