Post – Secondary Post – Secondary PathwaysPathways

A GuideA Guide

to Planning Your Futureto Planning Your Future

20082008

H-K HS Guidance DepartmentH-K HS Guidance Department

Maryann Grimaldi, Department HeadMaryann Grimaldi, Department Head

Peter Ettlinger, School CounselorPeter Ettlinger, School Counselor

Larry Leone, School CounselorLarry Leone, School Counselor

Kaitlin Sullivan-Freimuth, School CounselorKaitlin Sullivan-Freimuth, School Counselor

Christine Smith, SecretaryChristine Smith, Secretary

Elaine Vivero, SecretaryElaine Vivero, Secretary

The Route to your The Route to your DestinationDestination

Senior SchedulingSenior Scheduling

► The most important piece of your college The most important piece of your college application will be your TRANSCRIPT. application will be your TRANSCRIPT.

► Keep this in mind as you go forward with Keep this in mind as you go forward with scheduling for Senior year. Always do more scheduling for Senior year. Always do more than the minimum!than the minimum!

4 academics is 4 academics is the minimumthe minimum5 academics is 5 academics is betterbetter6 academics are recommended for 6 academics are recommended for

most of our most of our college college bound studentsbound students

Junior Handbook- What is Junior Handbook- What is Inside?Inside?

► PathwaysPathways► Choosing the College Choosing the College

that is Right for Youthat is Right for You► Types of Post Types of Post

Secondary EducationSecondary Education► Helpful Hints When Helpful Hints When

Choosing CollegesChoosing Colleges► Testing for College Testing for College

AdmissionsAdmissions► Application ProcessApplication Process► Financial Aid Financial Aid

Information & ChecklistInformation & Checklist

► Military ServiceMilitary Service► EmploymentEmployment► Sample ResumeSample Resume► Calendar for Junior & Calendar for Junior &

Senior YearSenior Year► GlossaryGlossary► Sampling of College Sampling of College

Requirements for Requirements for AdmissionAdmission

► The Bottom Line The Bottom Line WorksheetWorksheet

► Writing Your College Writing Your College EssayEssay

PathwaysPathways

► Some postgraduate options: four year Some postgraduate options: four year college, two year college, technical training college, two year college, technical training institutes, military, employment, etc. institutes, military, employment, etc.

► Decision MakingDecision Making How do I decide what is the right Pathway for me?How do I decide what is the right Pathway for me? How do I decide what I want to do for a career or How do I decide what I want to do for a career or

a major?a major?

► Meet with your counselor, take a wide Meet with your counselor, take a wide variety of courses, take an interest variety of courses, take an interest inventory, try job shadowing, etc.inventory, try job shadowing, etc.

Steps Toward Your FutureSteps Toward Your Future

► Select at least four or five strong Select at least four or five strong academic courses for senior schedulesacademic courses for senior schedules

► Register for SAT I Reasoning and/or ACTRegister for SAT I Reasoning and/or ACT► Register for SAT II Subject test if Register for SAT II Subject test if

appropriate, or the ACT with writingappropriate, or the ACT with writing► Start searching for collegesStart searching for colleges►Make plans to visit collegesMake plans to visit colleges► Attend the College Fair – April 3rdAttend the College Fair – April 3rd► Explore opportunities for career focused Explore opportunities for career focused

eventsevents

Steps to Searching for Steps to Searching for the Right Pathwaythe Right Pathway

►Make an appointment with your counselorMake an appointment with your counselor► Attend Junior Seminars, learn about various Attend Junior Seminars, learn about various

college search programs and many more college search programs and many more helpful hints helpful hints

► Review the Review the blue planning bookblue planning book to help to help navigate your futurenavigate your future

► Read the college guides and career Read the college guides and career catalogues available in the Guidance Officecatalogues available in the Guidance Office

► Search Web sites (collegeboard.com, Search Web sites (collegeboard.com, individual school web sites, CT Labor individual school web sites, CT Labor Department- www.Department- www.ctctdol.state.dol.state.ctct.us etc.).us etc.)

College Selection SelectivityCollege Selection Selectivity

► Every college can be ranked for selectivity or Every college can be ranked for selectivity or difficulty of admission. Ivy league colleges, like difficulty of admission. Ivy league colleges, like Harvard and Brown, would be among the most Harvard and Brown, would be among the most selective and colleges with open admissions like selective and colleges with open admissions like Middlesex Community Technical College would be Middlesex Community Technical College would be among the least selective.among the least selective.

► Within the array of college selectivity from most to Within the array of college selectivity from most to least selective, all students should chose colleges least selective, all students should chose colleges within the following categories:within the following categories: REACHREACH: Colleges a student would like to attend and their : Colleges a student would like to attend and their

chances of admission are slim (20% or less). School is chances of admission are slim (20% or less). School is very competitive for this studentvery competitive for this student

RANGERANGE: Colleges a student would like to attend and they : Colleges a student would like to attend and they have a good chance of being accepted (about 50/50).have a good chance of being accepted (about 50/50).

SAFETYSAFETY: Colleges a student would like to attend and their : Colleges a student would like to attend and their chance of being accepted are excellent (80% or better).chance of being accepted are excellent (80% or better).

Admissions SelectivityAdmissions Selectivity

► The challenge is for The challenge is for each student to find each student to find appropriate colleges appropriate colleges and post graduate and post graduate programs in each programs in each category. category. Everyone’s Everyone’s categories are the categories are the same but their same but their colleges/ programs colleges/ programs will be different. will be different.

Admissions SelectivityAdmissions Selectivity

► Students should make appropriate choices Students should make appropriate choices selecting programs within the three selecting programs within the three categories. These students should have categories. These students should have options at the end of the process. options at the end of the process.

Affordability & SelectionAffordability & Selection► Look at schools Look at schools financially,financially, not just not just

academically.academically.► Can you afford this school? Can you afford this school? ►We encourage you to have a serious We encourage you to have a serious

discussion with your son/daughter to discuss discussion with your son/daughter to discuss what exactly you can contribute.what exactly you can contribute.

►We recommend having at least one school We recommend having at least one school that you can afford even without financial aid.that you can afford even without financial aid.

► Talk to us about the options to potentially Talk to us about the options to potentially earn college credit while still in high school: earn college credit while still in high school: AP, College Career Pathways, UConn Early AP, College Career Pathways, UConn Early College Experience, Wesleyan High School College Experience, Wesleyan High School Scholars Program, Project Lead The Way Scholars Program, Project Lead The Way (PLTW).(PLTW).

Other Things To Consider When Other Things To Consider When Discussing AffordabilityDiscussing Affordability

►Distance from homeDistance from home► Travel expensesTravel expenses► BooksBooks► EntertainmentEntertainment► Car expensesCar expenses► Potential financial awards from different Potential financial awards from different

collegescolleges

Post Graduate Admission Post Graduate Admission ResourcesResources

►A variety of web-based college search A variety of web-based college search enginesengines

►College Catalogs- many are available College Catalogs- many are available in the Guidance Office and most are in the Guidance Office and most are on-line.on-line.

►Print information- Guidance Office has Print information- Guidance Office has handbooks, catalogs, manuals, and handbooks, catalogs, manuals, and view booksview books

Standardized TestingStandardized Testing

► SAT ReasoningSAT Reasoning

► SAT II Subject TestsSAT II Subject Tests

► ACT (with writing)ACT (with writing)

SAT & SAT IISAT & SAT II

► SAT I ReasoningSAT I Reasoning Measures Critical Reading, Math and Writing/ Measures Critical Reading, Math and Writing/

Essay Essay (max score 2400- 800 each)(max score 2400- 800 each) CR & M are still the most important part of the CR & M are still the most important part of the

SAT scores. SAT scores. Some schools are looking at the writing, but the Some schools are looking at the writing, but the

majority of schools are still working with just CR majority of schools are still working with just CR & M & M (max score of 1600)(max score of 1600)

► SAT II – One Hour Subject Specific Tests SAT II – One Hour Subject Specific Tests (max (max 800)800) More selective collegesMore selective colleges Check with each schoolCheck with each school ““Recommended”Recommended” vs vs. “Required”. “Required”

ACTACT

► The ACT includes tests in English, Math, The ACT includes tests in English, Math, Reading, and Science reasoning. They have Reading, and Science reasoning. They have an optional writing component. We highly an optional writing component. We highly recommend that you take this. recommend that you take this.

►Highest composite score- 36Highest composite score- 36composite scores are the average of composite scores are the average of students’ scores on these tests.students’ scores on these tests.

► Some schools will take the ACT in place of Some schools will take the ACT in place of the SAT II Subject Tests (check with your the SAT II Subject Tests (check with your potential schools).potential schools).

SAT & ACT ComparisonSAT & ACT ComparisonSAT (Critical Reading & SAT (Critical Reading & Math)Math)

ACT Composite ScoreACT Composite Score

16001600 3636

15801580 3535

15201520 3434

14701470 3333

14201420 3232

13801380 3131

13401340 3030

13001300 2929

12601260 2828

12201220 2727

11801180 2626

11401140 2525

11101110 2424

10701070 2323

10301030 2222

990990 2121

950950 2020

910910 1919

Testing RegistrationTesting Registration

►Before registering PLEASE make sure you have our school code with you – – 070324 070324 – – enter this code on your registration materials!!

►Online Registration SAT- www.collegeboard.com ACT- www.act.org

►Telephone Registration SAT- 1-800-728-7267 ACT- 1-800-525-6926

►Paper Registration By Mail Mail in time to meet the registration deadline!

A little bit of help…A little bit of help…

► Use your PSAT test Use your PSAT test book book

► Prep Courses Prep Courses Homework and Homework and effort are a must for effort are a must for these classesthese classes

► TutoringTutoring

Mark Your CalendarsMark Your Calendars

► Upcoming TestingUpcoming Testing SAT I & II: March 1SAT I & II: March 1stst , May , May

33rdrd , June 7 , June 7thth ACT: February 9ACT: February 9thth , April 12 , April 12thth

, June 14, June 14thth ► Students who had English or Students who had English or

Math first semester may Math first semester may want to consider taking the want to consider taking the March test while it is more March test while it is more fresh in mind than after fresh in mind than after second semestersecond semester

► SAT II’s should be taken as SAT II’s should be taken as close to the completion of close to the completion of the specific course as the specific course as possiblepossible

FINANCIAL AIDFINANCIAL AID

How to ApplyHow to Apply

► FAFSA- MUST be completed by all applicants for federal student aid.FAFSA- MUST be completed by all applicants for federal student aid. www.fafsa.edu.govwww.fafsa.edu.gov Must be done every yearMust be done every year BothBoth Parent & Students must get a PIN Parent & Students must get a PIN You MUST apply on-line. Worksheets are available here at the You MUST apply on-line. Worksheets are available here at the

school to help you prepare the necessary information.school to help you prepare the necessary information. Can be completed any time after January 1Can be completed any time after January 1stst of your student’s of your student’s

senior year (2009)– you will need the previous year’s tax senior year (2009)– you will need the previous year’s tax informationinformation

Check each individual school for deadlines! Check each individual school for deadlines! Get this done early!! $$ is first come first serveGet this done early!! $$ is first come first serve

More on Financial AidMore on Financial Aid► CSS/ Financial Aid ProfileCSS/ Financial Aid Profile

Used by some colleges, Used by some colleges, universities and private universities and private scholarship programs to award scholarship programs to award their own private institutions their own private institutions and programs that use it.and programs that use it.

Register via Register via www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

Check with your schools to see Check with your schools to see if they require this. Not all if they require this. Not all schools do as this is NOT for schools do as this is NOT for federal student aidfederal student aid

Check each individual school Check each individual school for deadlines! for deadlines!

Get this done early!! $$ is first Get this done early!! $$ is first come first servecome first serve

You may begin registering as of You may begin registering as of October 1October 1stst of your student’s of your student’s senior year (2008).senior year (2008).

What will my Aid Package What will my Aid Package be?be?

► Financial Aid Formula:Financial Aid Formula:Cost of AttendanceCost of Attendance- - minusminus Expected Family Contribution Expected Family Contribution- - minus minus Pell Grant Pell Grant (extremely limited- low income)(extremely limited- low income)

- - minus minus Aid from other sources Aid from other sources local, private & state local, private & state scholarshipsscholarships

EQUALS = EQUALS = $$ Your Financial Aid Package $$ Your Financial Aid Package► Financial Aid Packages include:Financial Aid Packages include:

□ □ LOANSLOANS □ Work Study □ Work Study

□ □ GrantsGrants □ LOANS □ LOANS

□ □ LOANSLOANS □ Parent Loans □ Parent Loans

?? E=

?? E= MC2 ??

MC2 ??

The “Award Letter” or What The “Award Letter” or What Families Need to Know NextFamilies Need to Know Next

► What’s the full cost of the year at What’s the full cost of the year at college?college?

►What’s the expected family What’s the expected family contribution?contribution?

►How much aid is free (grants & How much aid is free (grants & scholarships)?scholarships)?

►How much aid is loans? Who borrows?How much aid is loans? Who borrows?►How will you fill the gap?How will you fill the gap?

Loan StatisticsLoan Statistics► Loans as a percentage of total aid:Loans as a percentage of total aid:

1980: 41%1980: 41% 1990: 49%1990: 49% 2004: 56%2004: 56%

► Constant-dollar increase since 1997: Constant-dollar increase since 1997: Loans: 72%Loans: 72% Grants: 64%Grants: 64%

► A needy undergrad could borrow up to $43,000 from A needy undergrad could borrow up to $43,000 from federal programs. (What about grad school?)federal programs. (What about grad school?)

► Many parents could borrow $140,000 from the federal Many parents could borrow $140,000 from the federal parent loan to pay for four years.parent loan to pay for four years.

► In 04-05 students and parents borrowed In 04-05 students and parents borrowed $76,587,000,000 from federal and non-federal education $76,587,000,000 from federal and non-federal education loan programs.loan programs.

National Collegiate Athletic National Collegiate Athletic Association ClearinghouseAssociation Clearinghouse

► NCAA documents that high NCAA documents that high school athletes meet minimal school athletes meet minimal academic standards and will be academic standards and will be able to participate in college able to participate in college athletics.athletics.

► DI & DII athletes ONLYDI & DII athletes ONLY► NCAA requires all student’s NCAA requires all student’s

transcripts, SAT scores and a transcripts, SAT scores and a registration. This should be registration. This should be done early on in one’s senior done early on in one’s senior year.year.

► Students must request through Students must request through the College Board that their SAT the College Board that their SAT scores be sent directly to the scores be sent directly to the NCAA Clearinghouse.NCAA Clearinghouse.►See your counselor and check out the website to See your counselor and check out the website to

complete this process:complete this process:https://www.ncaaclearinghouse.nethttps://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Communicate with your Communicate with your CounselorCounselor

►For any additional questions please For any additional questions please have your student stop by and ask or have your student stop by and ask or feel free to email usfeel free to email us Maryann Grimaldi- Maryann Grimaldi-

grimaldim33@rsd17.orggrimaldim33@rsd17.org Peter Ettlinger- Peter Ettlinger- ettlinger33@rsd17.orgettlinger33@rsd17.org Larry Leone- Larry Leone- leone55@rsd17.orgleone55@rsd17.org Kaitlin Sullivan-Freimuth- Kaitlin Sullivan-Freimuth-

sullivank33@rsd17.orgsullivank33@rsd17.org

Happy Searching…Happy Searching…

►Visit schools over vacationsVisit schools over vacations►Senior Parent Night will be held in Senior Parent Night will be held in

September and we will discuss more at September and we will discuss more at that time.that time.

►Financial Aid Night will be held in Financial Aid Night will be held in DecemberDecember