Presented

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: A BRAND NEW DAY

Reality check

The amount of education you receive affects what type of job you can get and how much money you can earn.

A college graduate earns about $27,300 more per year than a person with a high school diploma.

Translation: at least $1 million dollars over your lifetime! It’s worth the investment!

Three more reasons life-long learning pays off: 

Required for many high-paying and interesting jobs.



Foundation for promotions or newly created jobs.



Flexibility to switch careers over your lifetime.

Lame excuses for discontinuing your education

 No one in my family has ever gone to college.

I’ve been in school for 12 years. That’s enough! I just want a good job.

I can’t afford it.

I don’t know what I want to do with my life.

I won’t fit in.

College is too hard.

I don’t know how to apply or where I want to go.

Source: Adapted from The College Board’s “Seven Excuses Not to Go to College and Why They’re Lame”

There’s a school for you.

Type of Institution

Public Two-year Colleges

Degree

Associate Degree Public Universities Technical Certificate Bachelor’s Degree Master’s Degree Professional/Doctoral Degree

Occupations

Dental hygiene Nurse, Culinary arts Criminal justice Auto body refinishing Engineer, architect, teacher Physical therapist Physician assistant School principal Physician, Lawyer, College professor

Type of Institution

Private Universities Technical Colleges

Degree

Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional and Doctoral Degrees Certification

Occupations

Top 10%rule does not apply to private universities. Usually more expensive but often have good financial aid packages.

Automotive technology Software applications Biotechnology Radiology technician

Pick the best place for you.

  Campus Tours http://www.campustours.com/ How to Choose http://www.unt.edu/pais/howtochoose/why.htm

      Program/degree offerings Size Location Retention and graduation Housing Where would you fit in?

What will colleges look at?

 Grades/GPA/Class Rank  Courses  Test scores  Essays  Letters of recommendation  Extracurricular activities and awards  Employment

Top ten percent graduate = guaranteed admission  Admission to public postsecondary institutions is guaranteed to students who graduate in the top ten percent of their class at a public or private accredited high school in Texas.

 Except for the University of Texas at Austin. UT will only be required to accept students in the top 8% of the 2012-13 graduating class.

College Admission Exams

 SAT (Register online www.collegeboard.com)     Tests reading, math and writing.

Recommend taking it spring of 11 th advance.

grade. Register 8 weeks in You can take it more than once, but all scores go to your selected schools. BHS SAT Dates: October 6, November 3.

 ACT (Register online www.act.org)  Tests English, math, reading, science and writing.

  BHS ACT Dates: October 27 @Smithville, February 9, April 13.

Most colleges will take either test.

College Readiness Tests

 THEA, ASSET, COMPASS  Must take before you enroll in a Texas public two or four year college.  May exempt based on TAKS, SAT, or ACT scores.

 All BHS seniors (unless exempt) will take the COMPASS test in conjunction with ACC Connection.

AP Exams

     AP Courses are more rigorous and are designed to prepare the student for the AP exam.

AP exams are given in May. All students enrolled in AP courses are expected but not required to take the test.

Scoring well on AP courses can earn you college credit or allow you to skip entry-level courses. AP exams include multiple-choice and essay questions.

AP scores are not received until July.

ASVAB

 Career/interest inventory and skills test  Military uses results for job assignment  Will be offered at BHS on November 2  Sign up in the Career Center  Prepare at march2success.com

MORE ABOUT TESTS

 Fee waivers: Talk to your counselor or the Career Center  Eligible for free or reduced lunch program  Good for application and test fees  List the schools you want your scores sent to when you take the test. You will have to pay College Board or ACT to send the scores later.  Haven’t taken the SAT or ACT? Register today. Have the scores sent directly to your preferred colleges.

Seniors, start today.

 Create a student resumé listing extracurricular activities, honors/awards, and jobs.

 Apply to at least two or three colleges or universities.

ApplyTexas.org

 Often financial aid and housing have separate applications and deadlines. Be aware.

 Keep a calendar of deadlines. Don’t be late.

 Include strong college essays. Ask teachers or counselors for feedback.

Continue tomorrow …

 Make copies. Alter what you have for different applications.

 Choose a major or apply undecided.

 Ask teachers or counselors for recommendations early. Provide your counselor with a current resume.

 Begin financial aid process by applying applying for FAFSA pin.

Keep things rolling.

 Complete and mail the FAFSA as soon after January 1 of your senior year as possible.  Some student aid programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

 Follow instructions carefully.  Make copies.

IS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR YOU ?

     Do you know where you want to be but need some training to get there?

Do you want to explore different choices before settling on a path?

Do you need to cut the cost of a four-year college degree?

Do you want to sharpen your study skills before enrolling at a university?

Do you want to continue to work at your job while going to college?

IF YOU ANSWERED YES… You won’t be alone – 45 percent of all first year college students start at a community college.

 These institutions offer two kinds of education:   An occupational degree or certificate in two years or less.

An associate degree in two years then transfer to college as a junior

ACC-BISD Initiative

 Easy access to ACC enrollment

ACC/BISD Connection

 Application completed at BHS October 1, 2  Online orientation completed at BHS  COMPASS/ASSET testing provided free of charge November 13, 14  Advising completed at BHS  All graduates who have applied will be admitted upon graduation

THINKING ABOUT THE MILITARY?

 Contact a recruiter.

 Take the ASVAB test Nov. 2  Ask lots of questions.

 What opportunities will you receive for education?

 Consider an ROTC scholarship. See the career center for information ASAP.

CONSIDERING A CAREER?

 Look carefully into opportunities for advancement and training. Some companies will pay tuition.

 Are there intern or apprenticeship opportunities?

 Create a professional resume.

 Ask teachers and counselor for references.

Questions?

Check out the Career Center!

 Which college will best prepare you for your career? Ask!

 When can you take the SAT? You can register in the Career Center.

 What training do you need for your career choice? They have the answer!  Don’t know your career interest? Take the interest inventory.

SCHOLARSHIPS

   There is lots of free money available (and lots that goes unused every year!) Look for scholarships.

    Scholarship board outside of Guidance Office Career Center Career Cruising, www.careercruising.com

BHS Counselor’s Facebook Fan Page  www.facebook.com/bhscounselors Copies of our presentations, local scholarship information, and other college/career planning tools can be found on the Bastrop High School website under the Counseling Department.

Applying is hard work.

 Search for scholarships that are a match for you.

 Request recommendations early and make copies.

 Make copies of your transcript.

 Create a good resume and keep it up to date.

 Read the directions carefully.

 Proofread, then check it again.

 Does your essay address exactly what the scholarship requests?

SENIOR PARENT MEETING

Tuesday, September 18 6:30 p.m.

BHS Cafetorium

Contact us

 www.bisdtx.org

 www.facebook.com/bhscounselors  Call Bastrop High School 512-772-7200