WelcomeWelcome to your to your

Junior ConferenceJunior Conference Ms. Brazell, Mr. Darling, Ms.Marrazzo Ms. Brazell, Mr. Darling, Ms.Marrazzo

Student Services TeamStudent Services Team

What to Expect:

Information regarding senior year Credit review Standardized Tests

Information regarding post-high school opportunities- Work, College, Military

Chance to ask questions

Check Your Credits Class of 2015 needs 25 credits to

graduate 3.5 Social Studies 4.0 English 3.0 Math 3.0 Science (Bio., Chem., Physics) 1.5 PE .5 Health 9.5 Electives

Transcripts

Year in School

GPA

Total CreditsSubject/Department

Cumulative GPA and Class Rank

What is your cumulative GPA?_____________

What is your class rank?_______ of __380__ students

Your guidance counselor can tell you.

What Are My College Choices?

In Wisconsin there are:13 Four-Year Public Universities13 Two-year Public Colleges20 Private, Independent Colleges16 Technical Colleges

There are also proprietary schools that offer specialized degrees, such as truck driving or cosmetology school.

Interested in the Military? Graduate from South with a high school

diploma Check Military Websites to see which is

the right branch for you Plan to meet with Military Recruiters (often at South during lunch hours) Plan to take the ASVAB Check with Ms. Compos for contact

information

What Degree Can I Earn?

A technical college offers a certificate, diploma, apprenticeship or an associate degree.

A two year college offers an associate degree

A four year college offers an associate or bachelors degree.

A university offers a bachelors degree along with a masters or PH.D.

Advantages To Post Secondary Learning?

A person who goes to college usually earns more money. On average someone who spends two years in college earns $25,000 per year more than someone who does not. Just think, that could be more than a quarter of a million dollars over a lifetime. College also gives you skill that you will use for the rest of your life.

Learn More=Earn More

What Do Colleges Look At?

1. Strength of your curriculum2. Your GPA3. ACT or SAT, scores4. Application Essays5. Extracurricular Activities6. Recommendations

NEW UM Requirements 4 years of math are required for Management,

Biological Sciences, and Science and Engineering.Elementary algebra, geometry, intermediate

algebra (integrated math 1, 2 & 3). Examples of 4th year math include calculus (preferred), pre-calculus, analysis, integrated math 4.

Visual and/or performing arts - 1 yearIncluding instruction in the history and interpretation of the art form (e.g. theater arts, music, band, chorus, orchestra, drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, media production, theater production)

Why Should I take the ACT or SAT

The ACT and SAT are college entrance tests. All the UW System and Wisconsin private colleges require students to take the ACT or SAT before they are accepted.

If you are planning to go out of state, check with that college to see if they prefer the ACT or SAT.

What Colleges Have Decided about the Writing Test

Some colleges and universities have decided to require or to recommend that their applicants submit scores from the ACT Writing Test. (Marquette and Madison)

Others have decided Writing Test scores are not needed; their applicants do not need to take the test.

When Do I take the ACT or SAT?

The best time to take the ACT or SAT is April or June of your junior year of high school. This way if you do not like your test score, you still have time to retake the test when you are a senior.

Schools will always take the highest score. South High School is now a test site!

ACT/SAT DATES FOR 2013-2014

ACT Test Dates Sign-up deadlineDecember 14, 2013 November 8, 2013February 8, 2014 January 24, 2014April 12, 2014 March 21, 2014June 14, 2014 May 23, 2014

SAT Test Dates Sign-up deadlineDec 7, 2013 November 8, 2013January 25, 2014 December 27, 2014March 8, 2014 February 7, 2014May 3, 2014 April 4, 2014June 7, 2014 May 9, 2014

What is a good ACT or SAT score?

The Higher the better: The national average for the ACT is 21.1, and 1510 for the SAT. Wisconsin averages a 22.1 If you get close to these averages, then you will likely be accepted into a large number of colleges as long as your grades are respectable.

So What Is A Good Score: A 26 on the ACT and an 1800 on the SAT are strong scores. If you crack the 30 barrier on the ACT, or go past 2000 on the SAT, you’ll likely attract a lot more colleges.

Can I Prepare For The ACT or SAT Test?

www.testprepWI.orgAcademic Options (AO)www.PrinctonReview.comwww.act.org/www.kaplan.com/www.collegeboard.orgwww.knowhow2gowisconsin.orgwww.zaps.comUW-Waukesha: James BolingACT Boot Camp: Waukesha North

No Career Path…No Problem….BUT

75% of all college Freshman change their major! 50% of them change it a second time!

It is ok to be unsure of a career path right now.

Do your research and try to identify what you like and don’t like

Need Help Finding a Career? www.wiscareers.wisc.edu.User name: ____________Password: _____________

www.PrincetonReview.com www.uwhelpwisconsin.edu shs-526c

Does Your High School Performance Match Your College Plans?

College Prep Classes? (AP) Schools will base

admissions decisions based on your grades through the end of your junior year.

They will also consider class rank, cumulative GPA, ACT/SAT score, personal statement, letters of recommendation

Parchment.com can help: go to the “My Chances” link.

Are You a Well-rounded College Candidate?

Active in the Waukesha South community? Waukesha community?

Volunteer / extracurricular activities; leadership role(s)

Do 1-2 things really well rather than many average

Why will a college accept you vs. the student next to you with the same GPA, ACT score, similar ranking?

Youth Options

Deadline March 1st for fall 2014 Deadline October 15st for Spring

2015

UW Connections and the Guaranteed Transfer Program

What are these programs? Who are they geared toward? How are they beneficial?

How do I Narrow my Choices? Identify reasons for going to college Determine field of study, interest Investigate college admission requirements Investigate college climates / settings Investigate services available at institutions Financial considerations? Scholarship money available? Housing? Transportation? Visit the campus!

Narrow Choices to 3 – 6 Schools

Confident / lock school Probable bet Dream school / stretch

- Cost to apply to each school?- Cost to travel back home from

school?

What Does College Cost?

College costs can include tuition, books, room and board, personal expenses, fees, transportation, and day care expenses.

Each college has a different cost.

What is the Cost of College per Year?

Public Schools (This is for in-state residents only)

UW Eau Claire MadisonTuition $7,361 $9,273Housing/ Meals $6,300 $8,880Books $1,300 $1,900

What is the Cost of College per Year?

Private Schools

Marquette CarrollTuition $34,640 $27,724Housing/ Meals $10,730 $8,299*

*90% of Marquette freshmen full-time students receive some financial aid *98% of Carroll students receive some Financial Aid* Cost is depends on dorm living in and food plan chosen

How Can I Pay For College?

Parents and students may be expected to help pay for college. The federal and state governments, as well as the college provide resources to help students pay for college. These programs are called financial aid

What Is Financial aid?

Financial aid comes in the form of

Grants Loans Scholarships Work Study Jobs

How do I Pay for College? Financial Planning Financial Aid Night: December 4th,

2013, at Waukesha West 6:30pm FAFSA.ed.gov (Jan. of senior year) Scholarships

www.waukeshasouth.com www.fastweb.com Check your college website Employer / church or synagogue

NCAA Athletics www.ncaaclearinghouse.ne

t

What to do NOW? Visit colleges while school is in session

This is a critical step! Take ACT / SAT tests (register early for June

test; it has been the most popular test date) Be sure your schedule reflects classes you

need to meet / exceed your goals for senior year

Start preparing a resume Gather letters of recommendation (2-4) Do well in your scheduled classes Extracurricular / volunteer work

Teacher & Counselor Recommendations

1. Start early! Your teachers and counselors are swamped, so give them plenty of time.

2. Give teachers and counselors all the necessary materials, including your application deadlines.

3. Pick your recommendations wisely. Don’t pick a teacher just because you got an A in the class. It is important that the writer knows you well.

4. Send a thank you note to the letter writer.

When / How do I Apply to Schools? State Schools start accepting applications as early as

the 2nd week of September of their senior year.

Senior Meetings in September- Watch for the date in the summer Spotlight

Individual Senior Meetings in October by request to your guidance counselor

Be sure to check deadlines! Some schools want applications by Nov 1st.

Overwhelmed?

Here is what you need to do 1. Review materials 2. Visit Schools 3. Prepare for / sign up for the ACT/

SAT 4. Please contact your student’s

counselor with any questions / concerns!

Counselors

Jan Brazell A-F and Health Academy 970-3726, jbrazell@waukesha.k12.wi.us

Paul Darling G-O and Engineering Academy 970-3727 pdarling@waukesha.k12.wi.us

Jean Ann Marrazzo P-Z and AVID 970-3729 jmarrazz@waukesha.k12.wi.us