Torrington High School

“Future Planning with Critical Thinking”Post-Secondary Planning

Presented by the THS Guidance Department

Types of Post Secondary Options

4-year Colleges – Public & Private2-year Colleges – Public & Private (including

the UConn regional campuses)Specialized Colleges (Art Schools, Theater, etc)Technical Schools (Private and Public - BTEC)MilitaryEmployment

2

How Do I Decide What Option is for My Student?Research Starts Now!

Consider the following:– Strengths – academic/personal– Potential majors– Academic record (course history/GPA) – Hobbies/skills - transfer to careers or majors– Part Time vs. Full Time – family obligations,

finances, personal circumstances

3

Career DevelopmentHelps to define educational/career goals! Involves self-

assessment. Determines type of major or career you might want to pursue (general or specific).

• College & Career Center at THS• Visit with college representatives/career speakers • Job Shadows/Field Trips/Internships/Community Service• College Fairs/School Visits• Career Cruising – career interest assessment/learning styles

assessment• CT Department of Labor – “One Stop” Office• Career Fair

4

Career CruisingThis is a great tool for career exploration and college and

training program searches! Every student has an account!

www.careercruising.comTo log on to our site:

User Name – torringtonhsPassword – raiders

To log on to your account:User Name – TOR- same as your school network idPassword – default is DOB (MM/DD/YYYY) or see your

counselor, if you changed it and forgot!

How to Choose A College/Technical Training Program?

Step One: Evaluate priorities for best fit

The student should be asking and answering:

1) What do I want out of school?2) What are my career aspirations/major?3) Where do I want to go to school?4) What type of school?

6

Determine Basic Preferences

• Size of school and student population• Geographical location, distance from home• Urban vs. Rural• Coed vs. Single Gender• 4 yr. vs. 2 yr., short term training • Public vs. Private (Cost )• Availability of programs/majors of interest• Liberal Arts vs. Specialized School

7

How to Choose A School?

Step Two: Narrow the Search

1) Strength of Academic Program2) Selectivity of Admission – reach, target, most likely3) Cost of Attending – tuition/ room and board4) Student Life5) Availability of Special Programs (Honors, Disability,

Support Programs)6) Potential Financial Aid

8

Making the Most of Your

College/School VisitVisit all schools to which you are applying!Be well prepared – know about the college!Dress well – Business CasualTour – Open HouseArrange an interview, if required – be sure to

prepare!SocializeAttend a classVisit the Athletic Director, if planning to play sportsCheck out transportation to and from home

9

How Colleges/Schools Make Decisions

• Student transcript is the most important consideration – grades and rigor, especially in Junior and Senior years!

• Testing usually is second in importance – SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, TOEFL, Accuplacer, and other required math and reading placement tests

• Other things are a bit less important but can certainly help in admissions, such as activities, volunteer work, sports

• Are you going to be an asset to their school community?

10

College Planning – Junior YearJanuary

Utilize “Career Cruising” for college search, review with your school counselorClarify your educational goals and needsTalk with graduates home from college

February

Meet with counselor for course selection – plan challenging senior coursesPreliminary list of collegesWrite or call for catalogs and applications

March

Read catalogs & view resource booksReview personal college criteriaAttend College Planning Night at THSRegister for the ACTRegister for SAT

AprilVisit colleges during April vacation!Junior grades are very important, so finish strong!Register for SAT Subject Tests, if required

MayIdentify teachers whom you may ask for recommendations next yearAP Exams administeredSAT’s offered (THS)

JuneSAT’s offered (not THS)ACT offered (THS)Register to take TOEFL, if neededArrange for college visits and/or interview for the summerPlan to use your summer in a meaningful way!

SummerReview SAT materialCompile resume/list of activities, jobs, community service – use “Career Cruising”Begin to outline possible college essaysReview the Common Application

FallAttend College FairsStart to finalize list of collegesMeet with counselor to discuss specific plansStart application process!

11

Special Circumstances• ATHLETES: Div. I and II must complete Eligibility Form for

NCAA – www.eligibilitycenter.org

• IDEA/504: You may qualify for special considerations and services

• ARTISTS & MUSICIANS: Portfolios and/or auditionsNote: There are special College Fairs for Artists and

Musicians and hints at www.nacacnet.org

12

• SAT I – Reasoning Test (Algebra II needed)www.collegeboard.org

• SAT Subject Testswww.collegeboard.org

• ACTwww.actstudent.org

• Accuplacer – Subject test for Community College level placement www.accuplacer.org

• TOEFL – Admissions test that may be required for newly immigrated students www.ets.org/toefl

Fee waivers are available for students on free or reduced lunch. See your counselor.

13

College Entrance Exams – What are they and why do I have to take them?

TEST CALENDAR*SAT

Test Date DeadlineMay 3, 2014 - THS April 4, 2014

June 7, 2014 May 9, 2014ACT

Test Date DeadlineApril 12, 2014 March 7, 2014

June 14, 2014 - THS May 9, 2014

14*A full calendar is available online – www.collegeboard.com and www.actstudent.org

Financial Aid 2 types:

1) Grants/Scholarships2) Loans

FAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.gov CSS Profile – www.collegebroad.org College Forms – specific to schools Financial Aid Night – November 2015 Net Price Calculator on Each College’s

Website15

Ways to Pay for College When MONEY is a MAJOR ISSUE!

• For students on Free/Reduced Lunch - potential for major need-based aid at 2 and 4 year colleges… One THS student paid $6,000 out of $200,000 for all four years!

• Merit scholarships are available to students with TOP GPA’s, as well as, school and community/volunteer involvement. Look for schools that offer!

• Free college classes while a THS junior or senior are available through NCCC High School Partnership!

• Begin at a community college or regional UConn campus and save up to $8,000 - $10,000 a year!

• At four year colleges, students can apply to be dorm supervisors, potentially reducing costs for room and board!

• Take extra credits during the semester or summer and possibly graduate college a semester early.

• Attend school part- time!

TRANSFER PLANNINGONE OR TWO YEARS After

Starting at Community CollegesAbout 95% of students who apply, on time, to many community colleges will not have

loans to repay.

This option can save up to $10,000+ per year!

1. Know the school you’re planning to transfer to and discuss your plans with the college counselors.

2. Plan the classes you’re taking – General Ed – that will transfer.

You can ask the counselors at both schools to coordinate your program.

3. Know the number of credits that will transfer. There is the possibility of transferring as many as 75% of needed graduation credits.

4. Summer classes may also be possibly taken for transfer.

TYPICAL TRANSFER SCHOOLS FROM NCCC

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUTCENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITYSOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITYWESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY OF HARTFORDCHARTER OAK STATE COLLEGEUNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVENSACRED HEART UNIVERSITYGOODWIN COLLEGEUNIVERSITY OF PHOENIXEASTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH

Military Service

• Recruiter visits to explore options• Must be 18 and have a high school diploma or

GED• ASVAB • To enlist you must go through a recruiter• JROTC

19

Apprenticeships

• Supervised training in an occupational trade—both job skills & academic skills

• Must be of legal working age and be a HS graduate

• Length of training is 1 year minimum*Contact Bureau of Apprenticeship and

Training or State apprenticeship agencies• Additional opportunities at *CT “One Stop”

20*See your School Counselor for contact information

Student Planning Responsibilities

Research, Plan, Follow Timelines

• Doing the school/college search!• Visit colleges/secondary programs• Register/take the SAT/ACT/Accuplacer• Complete and submit applications & know application deadlines (10

day Guidance Office policy)• Request transcripts – forms to Guidance Office (10 day policy)• Résumé• Letters of Recommendation – asking teachers/counselor (10 day policy)• Provide stamps and envelopes• Scholarships – check website, bulletin board, announcements• FAFSA – complete with parent/request pin number• Maintain or improve grades

21

Next Steps This Year • Earn the highest grades you can!• Identify potential majors – use Career Cruising• Identify a preliminary list of colleges • Campus visits and interviews• Senior course selections: they must be as strong or more so than in

the past• Teacher recommendations – think about who to ask• Develop a résumé• Use your summer to your advantage• Begin networking for job options for summer and after graduation• Look into the High School Partnership with NCCC for senior year –

see your counselor

22

QUESTIONS

23