Warm-up Question

Why is this percentage

important to each junior today?

87%

Looking Beyond: Career and College Planning

Objectives: Students will acquire knowledge regarding

the proper preparation that is essential in choosing from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college.

Students will be provided with information and materials that will enable them to employ strategies to achieve future career success and satisfaction.

PA Career Education and Work Standards 13.1.11.B, C, FASCA National Standards I.B, II.A

• The college application process, making career goals, the financial aid process, the prom, and graduation are rapidly approaching!

• It is time to gather important information and use your resources (school, family, internet).

• “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

Chapter 1: Getting Ready

When choosing and preparing for different career and college paths, you may be required to complete certain tasks in order to reach your goals. These activities might include: 

• Conducting career research• School resources (counselors, teachers, etc)• Internet resources (Family Connections)• Institution resources (visits, representatives, etc)

• Registering, preparing, and taking standardized tests (SAT, ACT)

• Preparing documents (essay, resume, recommendations)

Getting Ready is a Process

Post Secondary Choices: The Options

After graduation, you will have many options to consider:

• College/University• Community College• Vocational, Technical, or

Career Training• Armed Services• Work Force

Hint: Waiting until graduation to plan for this may not get you the

results you want!

Education Pays

Jobs are constantly changing. What was true years ago regarding the types of jobs that are available may no longer be the case today.– On average, workers change jobs about

seven to nine times during their careers.– Nearly 80% of jobs require some sort of

post-secondary training. These jobs tend to be better paying than those that do not!

– Employers want workers who possess “people skills” and who will fit into their organization.

Pennsylvania Job Outlook

Scheduling Your Courses

Scheduling for your upcoming year is very important as institutions will be looking at schedules to see if students continue on a college preparatory track. Students are encouraged to register for a challenging courseload as it may make the difference in the admission decision.

Chapter 2: Standardized Testing

SAT-IThe SAT is a “standardized” test, which means it is taken in

the same method using the same time period in each testing location (worldwide). Scores are used by colleges to determine who is admitted. It is a test of your abilities.Registration is done through www.collegeboard.com.

Preparation:• Students in grades 9-11 can take the PSAT in October• Official SAT online course is available free through North Hills• SAT I prep books are available through the CRC or for loan through

the High School Library

SAT I Continued…

Scoring:• Each section is scored from 200-800. Therefore, a

perfect score on the three parts (Critical Reading, Mathematics Reasoning, and Writing) is 2400.

• Students have the option to use Score Choice to pick which institutions will receive scores from specific test dates. Check with the institutions so see if this is a good idea or if they “super-score”, which means they would add up the best parts of your different test dates.

• Many institutions will ONLY accept SAT I scores directly from the College Board. You are responsible for getting your scores (which are your property) to the institutions.

SAT II

The SAT II measure a students’ level of knowledge in a specific content area. You should only take the SAT II if required by the institutions you are applying to.

The ACT

The ACT (American College Test) is another standardized test that institutions also use for admissions purposes. ACT is a test of knowledge, similar to your chapter tests.

Many schools accept the ACT in place of the SAT. It differs from the SAT in the following ways:

• 4 sections on the ACT (Science is #4)• Scores range from 1-36. (A 36 is equal to a 2400 SAT.)• Students register at www.actstudent.org.

Test Dates

Test Month Registration DeadlineACT September Mid-AugustSAT-I and II October Early SeptemberACT October Mid SeptemberSAT-I and II November Early OctoberACT December Early NovemberSAT-I and II December Early NovemberSAT-I and II January Late DecemberACT February Early JanuarySAT-I March Early FebruaryACT April Early MarchSAT-I and II May Early AprilACT June Early MaySAT-I and II June Early May

Offered at North

Hills

Chapter 3: The College Selection Process

Determine what factors are important for the school you want to attend to have. Do these matter to you?

• Size • Location• Academic Program Offerings• Reputation• Cost• Other?

Conducting Career and College Research

• Utilize Family Connections (more in a bit).– Investigate your own interests.– Find matches to majors you might pursue.– Identify colleges you might match with.– Compare colleges to find which you should apply to!

• Speak with your counselor!• Use the CRC (Counseling Resource Center)

– Attend the admission representative visits in the CRC.– Look for financial aid information, job postings, etc.

Pittsburgh National College Fair

Any interested family who returns a permission slip in January can attend the February 6th, 2014 Evening Guidance Series college fair trip to the Convention Center. Attendees must take the school’s bus transportation. Permission slip must be returned to the CRC by Thursday, January 30 th!

Pittsburgh National College Fair

At the college fair, don’t waste time completing multiple information forms for each school. Instead, go to www.gotomyncf.com before the fair and fill in the form.

You will be able to print out a sheet with a barcode on it. At the fair, schools will “scan” your sheet, which will then permit them to receive the information you submitted online.

You must do this and turn in with your permission form to attend the college fair.

According to the National Association of College Admission Counselors, the factors that colleges usually consider for admission are:

Primary Factors• Academic Performance in College Prep Classes• Standardized Test Scores• Academic Performance in ALL courses• QPAAdditional Factors• Student Essay or Writing Sample• Teacher/Counselor Recommendations• Extracurricular Activities, Volunteerism, and Employment Activities• Interview• Awards and Recognition Programs.

Chapter 4: The College Application Process

Your Transcript

Your official high school transcript is a record of your:

• 9-12 courses and grades• Grade Point Average• 9-12 attendance

It is important because it can be viewed by:• Colleges• Scholarship agencies• Employers• Military branches

The Application Process

You can apply to schools using a variety of methods:• Applying via the Internet. This is now the most

common method and is required by some schools.• Paper Applications: These are available from the

institution’s website, from the CRC, and from the school itself.

Feel free to use the COLLEGE APPLICATION ORGANIZER to track your progress.

NCAA: Becoming a College Athlete

Student athletes who are hoping to continue athletic participation at the Division I or II collegiate level must be declared eligible through the NCAA Eligibility Center. Please alert your counselor and coach if this is your intent.

Final Notes: Representing Yourself Online

• Post-secondary institutions may use a variety of resources to learn about who you are. Please be aware of how you may be represented online. It is not unusual for colleges to do a search for your name on Google, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and other public sites. Be sure to represent yourself in a manner that will not affect the possibility of your acceptance.

• Be sure that your email address will not hurt your chances for admission. Many schools ask you to provide this and you don’t want a joke to cost you admission. (Example: Indicating an email like “monkeypoo43@yahoo.com” may not endear yourself to the admission committee.)

Follow the CRC on Facebook

The North Hills Counseling Resource Center (CRC) is on Facebook. Please search for our page and “Like” us to receive regular updates regarding upcoming presentations, alerts, scholarship lists, and much more!!!

Don’t “Fail to Plan…”

Preparation and organization are key to setting yourself up for success after high school. No matter what path you will pursue after graduation, proper planning during your senior year can maximize your chances for being successful in whatever endeavor you choose.

Please access your school counselor and the Counseling Resource Center with any questions!

Question and Answer Session

Thank you for your attention. Please take the opportunity now to ask any questions that you might have.