Junior Parents Night: Navigating the Senior Year

Junior Parents Night:Navigating the Senior Year Southwest High School September 21, 2009 6:30 pm

Junior Parent Agenda • 6:30 Craig Munier, UNL College Bound • 6:50 LSW Counseling Staff - Junior Information

LSW Counseling Staff • Dr. Joyce Lehn: 9-12 SPED • Dr. Dolores Simpson-Kirkland: 9-12 A-G • Eric Feeken: 9-12 H-K • Peggy Volker: 9-12 L-P • Colleen Finkhouse: 9-12 Q-S • Tim Ernst: 9-12 T-Z • Janene Way: Secretary

Planning For The Future • Allow your child to make his/her own decisions • Create an atmosphere of mutual trust & respect • Explore options together • College (4 Year or 2 Year) • Vocational/Trade Schools • Military • Work Adapted From: College & Career Choices

Making An Educated Decision • Explore career options • Identify career fields that match your student’s interests • Get a good academic fit • Find a college that matches academic preparation • Consider GPA & ACT or SAT scores of previous freshmen Adapted from: Careers & Education in Nebraska

Types Of Education • Universities • Made up of colleges or schools that teach specialized areas • Usually offer graduate degrees at the master’s & PhD level • Four-year colleges • Offer wide range of programs • Liberal arts colleges • College studies consist of fine arts, natural sciences, social sciences & humanities • Utilizes understanding of past & concern for the future

Types Of Education Continued • Community colleges • Prepares students for immediate employment • Many feature academic transfer programs • Vocational or specialty schools • Usually specialized to a specific occupation or career cluster • Credits seldom transfer to a 4-year school • On the job training & apprenticeships • Training provided by employer or labor union • Military service • Provides educational opportunities that transfer to civilian occupations

Resources for College Information • LPS Post High School Planning Guide http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/PlanningforafterHighSchool.html • College Catalogs/View Books • Web Sites for LSW Counseling Dept & Colleges • College Representatives • Campus Visits

College Visitations • Call admissions office in advance • Talk to as many students as you can who attend the colleges of interest • Prepare for admissions interviews, if applicable • Take time to look around on your own • Inquire about acceptance of Common Application Adapted From: Associated Colleges of the Midwest

College Visitations:Questions To Ask

PSAT - Junior year • The PSAT measures verbal reasoning, critical reading, math problem-solving and writing skills developed both in and out of school. • We encourage all college-bound students to take the PSAT. The PSAT is the only way to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program • The test is Saturday October 17th and registration and $18 fee is required at the LSW Counseling Center. Please make checks to LSW and fee waivers are available. Registration is September 28th to October 9th

College Admission Tests • Check with admissions office about ACT or SAT preference. Many schools now accept both test scores • Harvard, Yale, & University of Pennsylvania • Inquire if SAT II subject tests or ACT writing test are required • Southeast Community College COMPASS Placement Test • At LSW on Tuesday, October 20 and again in the spring of 2010. Registration is required at the LSW Counseling Center.

SAT: 7 times per year Recent changes include Critical reading passages, essay, & more challenging math Ten-section exam Penalty for wrong answers Scores range from 200-800 per section 2400 highest possible combined score All scores will be sent to requested schools www.collegeboard.com ACT: 6 times per year Recent changes include Optional writing section Four-section exam No penalty for wrong answers Scores range from 1 to 36 for each score 36 highest possible composite Score choice option of which scores schools will receive www.act.org Adapted From: The Princeton Review www.princeton.com ACT vs. SAT:How do the tests compare?

Financial Aid • All scholarship with Nebraska ties are managed at Education Quest with ScholarshipQuest (http://www.educationquest.org/) • Fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1st of the senior year. www.FAFSA.ed.gov (not .com) • EducationQuest is available to assist at the LSW Financial Aid night on November 3rd at 7:00 PM

Don’t Get Scammed On Your Way To College • Look for warning signs that a scholarship may be a scam • “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.” • “You can’t get this information anywhere else.” • “May I have your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.” • “We’ll do all the work.” • “The scholarship will cost you some money.” • “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship.” • “You’re a finalist in a contest that you didn’t enter.

Military Scholarships • Army Reserve Officer Training Corps www.armyrotc.com • Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps www.afoats.af.mil • Opportunities for both Navy http://www.navy.com& Marines http://www.marines.com • Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) administered at LSW on Tuesday February 9th

Opportunities • LSW Counseling Center will host a Military Opportunities information session on Tuesday January 12th at 2:15 on a PLC Early release day. More information will be available at a later date. • This presentation will be available on the LSW Counseling Center website on Tuesday morning. http://isite.lps.org/pvolke...

Thank You The LSW Counselors would like to thank you for attending tonight’s presentation. Also, special thanks to the College Representatives and guest speakers from Doane College Nebraska Wesleyan University Southeast Community College the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Craig Munier, College Bound-University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Junior Parents Night: Navigating the Senior Year