Transcript GHS Class of 2009 Juniors

GHS Class of 2012
Juniors & Parents
College & Career Preparation
Presentation
Tuesday October 26, 2010
www.actstudent.org
• National ACT test sites - 6 Saturdays yearly
• Dates offered & deadlines for registration
• GHS code is 142-015 (also known as
SAT/CEEB/HS code)
• Option to indicate up to 4 colleges to send
scores free at ACT registration - or pay later
• Most colleges take best scores from multiple
testing dates
• Test practice available at actstudent.org
Option of placing ACT scores
on GHS transcript?
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Yes!
Yes!
Yes!
It is preferable to have your parent sign
“YES” to this option.
• Either way (yes/no), we must have a
parent signature on the consent form.
Prairie State Achievement Exam
• PSAE 2-day test - Wed/Thur April 27 & 28
• Wed - ACT - 5 sub tests - English, Reading,
Math, Science, Writing (Writing optional @
national sites)
• ACT composite - average of first 4 sub tests
• Thur - 3 sub tests - ISBE-developed science
test, WorkKeys reading for information, &
WorkKeys Applied Mathematics
• Possible senior privileges
PSAE Continued
• The 2-day test is required for an Illinois public
high school diploma - no charge
• Students are automatically registered by GHS
• Taking the ACT at a national test site is optional
& in addition to the required PSAE
• Students may indicate college, career, & degree
choices to assist with college selection
• Optional ACT prep workshops are listed on the
GHS counseling web pages
Illinois State Scholars
• Based on a mathematical formula determined
by the Illinois Student Assistance
Commission (ISAC)
• Combination of ACT composite & high school
class rank after 6 semesters (junior year)
• ISAC determines the seniors who are State
Scholars – award ceremony in November
• Not a monetary award
NCAA Eligibility
Division I & II colleges
• National Collegiate Athletic Association
• Clearinghouse link available on the GHS
counseling site – apply fall of senior year
• Request that ACT send scores to the
clearinghouse using 9999 code # each
time you register to take the ACT test
• Request that the GHS counseling office
send your 6th semester transcript in the
fall of your senior year to the NCAA
clearinghouse
Collegezone.com
• This is a reputable site for ALL your needs
supported by ISAC
• Career, college, & financial aid planning
• Links: Illinois mentor and Whatsnextillinois
• Financial aid and scholarships? –
reputable links available on the GHS web
pages
Transcripts
• Request your 6th semester be sent for
college applications in the fall - except
BHC requires only the final, 8th sem.
(after graduation unless in top 10%)
• Students must complete a request form
in the guidance office to send GHS
transcripts
Grade Point Average & Rank
• Rank in class is determined by GPA & may
change after each semester
• For acceptance to some colleges, the higher the
rank, the lower the ACT may be and the higher
the ACT, the lower the rank may be
• Colleges may rescind their acceptance based on
senior year grades and course changes/drops
• BHC - Presidential Scholars - top 10% - possible
free tuition for 2 years–apply & send GHS
transcript in late winter/early spring – deadline!
College Requirements
• Meeting or exceeding minimum college
requirements does not guarantee admittance
• May need more courses in math, science,
social studies, fine arts, & foreign language
so check with your prospective colleges
before requesting senior year courses in
Skyward in February/March
• Acceptance to a college does not guarantee
acceptance into a degree program at all
colleges
College Selection Procedure
• Narrow down choices - use the web & make
college visits - take a tour - Make an appointment
to talk to the professors & students pursuing your
same field of interest - Stay overnight in dorm
• Use “List of ?’s to ask reps” - (on our web site)
• Open house/Discover/Preview Days Oct./Nov.
• Research colleges’ requirements & procedures…
GPA, rank, personal statement, placement tests,
auditions, “college-specific” scholarships
• Guarantee 4yr BA degree plan?
• Guarantee tuition &/or room & board freeze?
A Good “Fit” for You
• Campus location (rural/urban)
• Size - overall population & class size
• Same ACT/Intellect - be challenged but not
overwhelmed
• Strong program for your major/degree?
• Career planning office?
• Resume assistance?
• % job placement for your profession?
• % graduate program placement ? Where?
College Application Continued
• Application fee sometimes waived for making a
campus tour with qualifying GPA/Rank- ASK!
• Print hard copies & keep passwords/pins
• Be certain your complete name appears on every
page… application & essay
• GPA/Rank requirements may increase after early
application deadlines
• Possible perks for early application
Transfer Students & Credits
• Check “U Select” for on-line info
• Ask your college advisor about 2 + 2
program
• Credits may/may not be accepted
depending on your chosen degree
• Acceptance depends on achievement
at prior college, not ACT or high
school GPA
Tuition
• Often “Pay by the hour”
• Most classes are 3 hour classes, lab classes 4
• Typical full-time load is 12 to 15 hours per
semester - Don’t come up short senior year! A
12-hour semester may require an 18-hr later!
• Multiply the # of hours by the $ tuition rate
• Financial aid may be awarded only for full-time
• Students may be required to be full-time to stay
on parent’s health/auto insurance coverage
What is FAFSA?
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• A required online federal form for scholarships
offered by the college, grants, loans, work study
• Never pay for financial aid search assistance –
use the .gov web site, the college financial aid
office, and our ISAC representatives: Andrew
Viscariello & Samantha Pelkey
• January 2011 & 2012 GHS parent presentations
• File using 1040 tax forms for 2011 in Feb 2012
• Indicate up to 10 colleges to send info
• Some colleges require copies of 1040’s too
Major/Degree Program
• Use the college’s web site to look up the
required course sequence
• What is required? -- Certificate, AS,
BA/BS, MA/MS, Doctorate
• Campus advisors to assist
• BA/BS can be earned in 4 years if you
stick to your degree plan
Scholarships
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National - fastweb.com & GHS counseling site
Area - IL/IA, Henry County & counseling site
Local - (GHS only) - announced in Feb of senior year
Check with your local bank/credit union, church
affiliations, community organizations
• College specific - ask about their process
• Check deadlines, type or print neatly, be sure
your name is on each page, ask for reference
letters well in advance, check & re-check for
neatness and completion, make copies to keep
GHS Counseling Office
• College representatives at GHS 2nd
semester and next fall - sign up in the
counseling office a day ahead
• List of questions to ask during campus tours
• College Handbook & Book of Majors
• Binders with “colleges’ snapshot on a page”
• Individual college “view books”
• Degree/Career planning assistance
GHS Counseling Web Pages
• Monthly counselor newsletters are important!
• ACT/PSAT/AP information & links
• College search/admissions, lists of reps
coming to GHS, direct links to college
homepages, FAFSA, and others
• Senior year timeline
• Career links
• Scholarships
Senior Year
• Counselors will have a senior presentation
next fall with general, updated information
• BHC “College Night” yearly in September with
almost 100 college reps in one location!
• Students are encouraged to visit their
counselor individually with questions and for
assistance
• Ask a GHS faculty member to proof your
essays - give plenty of advance notice
• Listen to or read the daily announcements!
Now - Junior Year
• Use your PLAN/ACT scores, the internet and
the GHS guidance counselors/web
pages/reference materials to help narrow
your search
• Make arrangements to visit campuses and
speak to admissions officers, students, &
faculty – Wed-Thur-Fri Nov. 10-11-12!!!
• Visit with college representatives coming to
GHS during 2nd semester
• Use the “Careers” tab on the guidance web
site to explore occupations
Employers’ & Colleges’ Most
Important Skills
• Effective Written & Oral Communication
• Work with others / Team work
/Collaboration
• Problem solving / critical thinking
• Curiosity / creativity / imagination
• Mathematics