Senior Year: The Reality Check

1
Senior YearThe Reality Check!

• Classroom Guidance Presentation
• September 2008
• Colegate, Fuse, Jones, Oliver, Smith, Woodward

2
Counselor Assignments

• Ms. Fuse A-Col
• Ms. Woodward Com-Har
• Ms. Colegate Has-L
• Mr. Oliver M-Se
• Ms. Jones Sc-Z
• Ms. Smith Center for Communications

3
The Basics

• Diploma Type
• Advanced Studies Diploma
• Standard Diploma
• Modified Standard Diploma
• GPA
• YTD vs. CUM
• Rank
• Transcript
• How to read

4
Life After High School

• What are my options?
• Four year colleges and universities
• Community or Junior Colleges
• Public and Private Vocational Schools
• Apprenticeships
• Military
• Workforce
• Resources for information
• Who should you talk to?
• What kind of research should you do?

5
Month by Month

• Use the monthly guide in the Senior Handbook to
  help pace you through out the year.
• Start with Septemberwhat should you be doing
  now?
• Visit your top schools (narrow down your list to
  apply to)
• Meet Admissions Reps at VHS
• Register for SAT or ACT
• Keep a calendar of all deadlines coming up
• Look for first scholarship newsletter
• Begin asking for letters of recommendation

6
Making the Right Choice

• Choosing a college can be a tough choice
• Take into consideration
• Intellectual capabilities, interests, goals
• Social and financial comfort
• Take responsibility and do some research
• College Handbook, Index of Majors, College Cost
  Book, internet websites (www.collegeboard.com,
  www.vaview.vt.edu, etc.), college catalogues or
  college websites

7
Ask yourself these questions

• What are my academic areas of interest?
• Do I want a small college, mid-size, or a large
  university?
• Do I want a different geographical location or do
  I want to be close to home?
• With financial aid, what will I be able to
  afford?
• What kind of activities do I expect the college
  to provide?
• How do my academic credentials (course selection,
  grades, and standardized test scores) compare to
  those of the other applicants?

8
Narrowing Your Search

• After careful consideration and decision making,
  narrow down your list to approximately 5 schools
• Stretch School This is at the top of your list,
  however your chances of admission are slim
• 50/50 School You meet the majority of admission
  requirements but due to the number of applicants
  and percentage admitted, you have a 50 chance of
  being admitted
• Safety School You are confident you will be
  admitted and have a back up in case other
  colleges turn you down, however you should
  actually want to attend here.

9
College Admissions Testing

• Most colleges and universities will accept both
  the SAT and the ACT (double check for the schools
  you are applying to).
• The SAT I Reasoning Test is what all 4-year
  colleges will require only some require the SAT
  II Subject Tests.
• Its easy to register online
• www.collegeboard.com (SAT)
• www.act.org (ACT)
• Dont forget to have your scores sent to Varina
  and the schools you are applying to! Our school
  code is

10
Types of Admissions

• Rolling Admission
• No deadline set for applications the admission
  office reviews applications as they are received
  and makes decisions based on criteria met.
• Regular Admission
• A date is set by which all applications must be
  filed. Decisions are mailed to applicants once
  they consider all applications.
• Early Decision
• Usually used to attract top-notch students with
  competitive GPAs and test scores decisions are
  binding.
• Early Action
• Usually a November 1 deadline allows applicant
  to compete in smaller applicant pool usually not
  binding.
• Deferred Enrollment
• Applicants may be allowed to defer, or put off,
  their enrollment at an institution for up to one
  year if they have plans to work, travel, perform
  military service, or develop an independent study.

11
Transcripts and Recommendation Letters

• Transcripts
• When you apply to a college, they will require
  that a transcript with your grades from all
  previous years of high school be sent to the
  school.
• Transcript Request Cards are in the school
  counseling office- one for each senior.
• Fill out the request and leave it with your
  counselor so he/she can send the transcript.
• Please fill out the card completely and leave any
  other documents that your counselor must complete
  with the card.
• Please give ONE WEEK notice prior to the deadline
  to your counselor in order to process your
  request.
• The first two are free, all others are 3.00 each.

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Transcripts and Recommendation Letters, contd.

• Recommendation Letters
• If you wish or are required to include
  recommendation letters as part of your
  application, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to request
  these letters be written.
• An addressed, stamped envelope (to the college)
  should be given to each individual from whom you
  request a recommendation.
• Give teachers/counselors TWO WEEKS to complete
  your recommendations.
• Have the completed Senior Self-Evaluation forms
  ready so your counselor can write a more
  personalized letter.

13
Financial Aid

• Do research about financial aid online-
  www.fafsa.ed.gov
• File your FAFSA beginning January 1st.
• Make an appointment with the GRASP (Greater
  Richmond Area Scholarship Program)
  representative- Mrs. Fluker. She is here every
  Wednesday beginning October 1st
• Contact the financial aid offices at the schools
  you are applying to for other information.

14
Scholarships

• Obtain a scholarship newsletter every month
  (counseling office, library, online).
• Read it and see which scholarships you may be
  eligible for (criteria will be listed).
• Get applications from the scholarship drawer in
  the College and Career Center.
• Apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible
  for- the more you apply for, the better chances
  you will have of receiving money.
• Prioritize and watch deadlines! Applications
  must be turned in on time!
• Some scholarships will need to be returned to Ms.
  Woodward- others will be mailed by the student.
• Some scholarships require a transcript and/or
  recommendation letter- same rules apply as
  before!
• Report all scholarship money earned to Ms.
  Woodward, even if you dont plan to attend the
  school that offered it.

15
Career Planning

• Career Awareness
• What opportunities are available
• Self-Awareness and Assessment
• What kind of skills do I have/need
• Career Exploration
• What meets my needs and what is available to me
• Career Planning
• What preparation should I do
• Attend Career Fair hosted at VHS
• To gather information and applications

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With What Do You Like To Work?

• DATA
• Data tasks involve impersonal processes, usually
  involving numbers and facts.
• IDEAS
• Idea tasks involve interpersonal processes,
  usually abstractions, theories, and insights.
• PEOPLE
• People tasks involve interpersonal processes,
  usually personal care and services.
• THINGS
• Things tasks involve impersonal processes,
  usually involving mechanisms, materials, or
  biological processes.

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Other Post-Secondary Options

• Military Service
• Offers students opportunities to have career
  training, financial aid for education, and ways
  of being of service to others.
• Recruiters often visit Varina High School to
  provide more information to interested students.
• The battery of tests required for all branches of
  military service is the ASVAB.

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Other Post-Secondary Options

• The Work Force
• Job applications- be neat, accurate, and honest.
• Resume- develop a resume that reflects your
  experience and desires.
• Interview- prepare and make a positive impression
  on future employers.
• Certain jobs may also require transcripts and
  letters of recommendation or reference.

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Other Post-Secondary Options

• Career and Technical Colleges
• Usually 2-year schools or programs that offer
  specialized training in a career field.
• Usually lower tuition than 4-year colleges.
• Prepares students to begin work in the career or
  technical field of choice directly following the
  program.
• Many fields offer training in 2-year programs.

20
Its time and its in your hands!

• Senioritis is contagious- be careful and stay
  focused on the goal- GRADUATION!!
• Good luck and enjoy the process of discovering
  what you want to do in the future.
• The School Counselors are here to help, so dont
  hesitate to ask!