Life after HS: Minarets Style

Everyone we know needs a career after HS.

Everyone we know isn’t so rich they can just “relax” for 60 years.

Education when you are young

will pay off 20-30-40 years

from now.

Have a Plan!

Three main paths (all include graduation)

Junior College

Career/VocationalSchool

Basic military

UC

Elite Private College

MilitaryAcademy

CSU

Private College

ROTC

All of these can lead to a 4 year degree or beyond

This plan assumes you are not going to graduate and then just sit at home.People doing that don’t need a “plan”.

Thoughts on the GEDTHIS IS A BIG DEAL

Getting the GED might sound easy—after all, it’s just a test—but the test is supposed to reflect everything you learned in high school at the senior level. Many people take numerous tries to pass, and some don’t pass at all. You’ll have to demonstrate advanced knowledge of algebra, geometry and calculus, write an essay, and pass history, science and critical reading sections. It’s not easy to pass—and often the work you have to complete for a passing grade in high school is easier. Don’t count on alternative ways to get a high school education if you still have the opportunity to stay in school and graduate.

http://www.distance-education.org/Articles/Thinking-About-Dropping-Out-of-High-School--Think-Again-242.html

From

http://www.distance-education.org/Articles/Thinking-About-Dropping-Out-of-High-School--Think-Again-242.html

Reasons to not drop out or take the GED

Employers have their pick of candidates

Many employers will screen you out entirely because you have no degree—despite your experience. They’ll nearly always take someone with a high school degree over someone without, and often they’ll take someone with an Associate’s before that—even if the job doesn’t necessarily draw on skills you learn in high school or college. More and more, an education is becoming mandatory in our economy.

You’ll be competing against high school and college grads all your life

Life is a competition. You’ll be competing for jobs your whole life, and your education is the only thing that gives you an edge when you’re young and don’t have much work experience. But even when you’re older, you’ll be competing against candidates who have degrees—for jobs, for promotions and for raises. Don’t set yourself at a disadvantage before you’ve even started a career.

From

http://www.distance-education.org/Articles/Thinking-About-Dropping-Out-of-High-School--Think-Again-242.html

Reasons to not drop out or take the GED

From

http://www.distance-education.org/Articles/Thinking-About-Dropping-Out-of-High-School--Think-Again-242.html

Reasons to not drop out or take the GED

Think school is tough now? Try going back as an adultSchool isn’t always easy. But most teenagers don’t have to support themselves while they go to school. Once you’re out, you’ll have to get a job—and you’ll have to juggle school around that. Don’t expect your employer to be sympathetic if you have to schedule shifts around classes or come in tired because you were up late studying the night before. If you have kids of your own, going back to school is even harder. Some people who drop out with only months to go before graduation take decades to earn their degree again. Get it done early, while you don’t have as many demands on your time.

FINAL Thoughts on the GEDTHIS IS A BIG DEAL

In 1971, male dropouts who worked full time earned an

average of $35,087.

In 2000, male dropout income shrank to $23,903.

It’s clear that our economy is changing—and an education is no longer considered optional.

1. Graduate HS - not GED2. GPA of 2.5 - 3.0 or better*3. Funding or scholarships

How do you get to college, military or vocational ed?

*For UCs, elite colleges and military academies, you need a 4.0+ gpa. It’s very competitive.

THE BASICS - STUFF YOU NEED

(-) Negative: Fs are a huge problem - you repeat the class and lose

electives (If you’re aiming to go straight to 4 year - you NEED C’s or

better in core classes)

(+) Positive: You are at a high tech, supportive school, do your part!

(-) Negative: Not having an “interest area”

(+) Positive: Compete and win AWARDS early, when you are a soph!

(-) Negative: You can’t begin when you are a Senior

(+) Positive: At Minarets, Freshman have access to rock the house

THE BASICS - GET THE RIGHT STARTFocus on the Positive

You have to have a car, apartment and a job either way. Don’t add those costs to your college planning.

You’ll need a car and apartment no matter what.

College can be as cheap as $1000/yr.

For a little more money, add college and career skills that will pay off in the long run.

Funding Options 1: Cheap stuff

Funding Options 2:

FAFSA + CALGRANTS = Free moneyAH! The spectre of paying too much for a degree. The goal = pay as you go, or pay just for room and board.

If you HAVE to get a loan, consider these options:• Go to a JC first (save $24,000 to 60,000) get the same credits

FAFSA, Pell and Cal Grants can get you free money - if you sign up on time.

Keeping college affordable

Funding Options 3:

ASVAB + ROTC = Free college

• Get a good ASVAB score, join the military, or go in as ROTC and college is free. In many cases, you’ll get a monthly check too.

Keeping college affordable

CAUTION: If going military, be a good negotiator. Get a career out of the deal and go to college before you serve

Funding Options 4: Use your work ethic and skills

Other cheap routes:

Maintain a 3.5 gpa and get accepted to the SCCCD Honors Program3.5 or higher gpa means free JC and a guaranteed slot at a UC

Fresno State Smittcamp Honors College - 3.8 GPA = Free Ride to Fresno State

Walk on in other “sports”, like band, or ag or media - they have scholarships too!

What kind of school do I pick? (1)

Everyone knows schools like these:

USC, CAL, UC Davis, Stanford (big $)

Some schools like Stanford will give a free ride if you’re low income - but you have to qualify academically.

Tuition: $30,000 and up

And these are great choices as well (and affordable)Fresno State, Cal Poly, Chico State

Tuition: $4000-‐6000 and up

Many times, a 3.0 gpa is acceptable.

What kind of school do I pick? (2)

But small colleges provide great options too:Woodbury, Menlo, Whitworth, Cogswell, Azusa Pacific, Fresno Pacific

Why pick a small private college?You will be “known”, you get better personalization, and better access to internships, which can be critical when starting a career.

Tuition: $20,000 and up

What kind of school do I pick? (3)

Tuition: NoneMilitary AcademiesNo cost to the studentExcellent academics - The highest grades are required to enterDon’t be confused: You are signing up to go to war if necessaryThis is a 6-8 year commitment

Coast Guard Academy West PointUS Naval Academy

US Air Force Academy

What kind of school do I pick? (4)

Internships!

At whatever college you select, internships are CRITICAL. Ask how they work and who gets them before you sign up.

Internships can be a GOLDEN key to entering the career you choose.

MAKE SURE THE COLLEGE YOU SELECT HAS INTERNSHIPS BEFORE YOU SIGN UP.

The cost of learning trades/skills

Trade / Art SchoolsArt

MusicContracting

ITMechanics

Beauty

Junior College

Many Jr Colleges have Two Year

degrees in trade / artdisciplines

Two years$15-25,000

Two years$1,000- $2,000

More Choices Lower Cost

What school should you pick and how do you get there?

NOTE: It will cost you $10,000 - $15,000 a year to live no matter what school or job you choose - this chart is about DIRECT costs involved with going to school.

CollegeCareer Paths

Jr CollegeBasic Military

CSUs Private Colleges

ROTC

UCsElite Private CollegesMilitary Academies

GPA Goal GPA 3.0 GPA 3.0+ GPA 4.0+

ClassesRequired

Minarets Diploma

ASVAB (military)

Minarets Diploma(3 yrs math, 2 yrs Foreign Language)

Minarets Diploma(4 yrs math, 3 yrs Foreign Language)

Honors/AP classes

IntangiblesBe plugged into an

interest areaInterest areas, competitions,

awards, clubs

Interest areas, dominating competitions,

winning awards, starting clubs

Cost $600-$1000/yearCSU $6-7k/year

Private $18- $30k/yrROTC -= Free

$20-30k/yearMil Academy = Free

School Years27%

The Rest of Your Life73%

School Years The Rest of Your Life

Invest in yourself untilyour are about 25 years old,

and the next 55+ yearswill be far more rewarding

Life is LONGLearn NOW

Don’t OVERPAY FOR COLLEGE!

Be VERY VERYcareful with

student loans - they ARE NOTfree money -

It’s like adding a $100k house payment to

your life debt

There are a lot of questions to ask,but it’s going to be an exciting time in your life.

Ask us if you have questions:

Claudia vanDenBerg Cvandenberg@mychawanakee.org

Mike NiehoffMniehoff@mychawanakee.org

Jon CorippoJcorippo@mychawanakee.org

Life after HS: Minarets Style