College: Sounds great but how do I

get there?

Tonight's overview:Why go to college?What do colleges look for in a student?How and when do I start preparing?How am I going to pay for college?Where can I find scholarships?

Why go to college?Individuals who have a college degree earn an

average of $22,000 more per year than those with only a high school diploma (www.collegeboard.org)

A college education gives a person more job security. People with a high school diploma are more than twice as likely to be unemployed.

For most students who go to college, the increase in lifetime earnings far outweighs the cost of their education.

College is more than just a classroom. It’s an important time in life to learn and grow as a person while gaining independence and life skills.

Choosing a college;Things to consider…

Size of the Student BodyAcademic attention; extracurricular activitiesLocation: Close to home? New part of the

country? City? College town?Academic ProgramsCampus LifeWhat extracurricular activities, athletics, and

special interest groups are available? Are students welcomed by the community? CostDiversity: geographic, ethnic, racial, and

religious diversity

How do I get there??Wanting to Go to College is Different than Being

PREPARED to GO!

There is NO time to waste!

Waiting until junior or senior year to get serious about school is a MISTAKE!

Why? You get accepted into college primarily based on what you do in the first three years of high school!!!

Getting Into College Competitive!

What do colleges look for? 1. ACT/SAT Score

2. Grade Point Average (GPA)

3. Extracurricular activities (after school jobs, community service, leadership, involvement in school clubs)

4. Coursework: 4 years of math, science, English, and history; 1year of a foreign language; AP and honors classes whenever possible

AP and PreAP vs. GPAAP and PreAP classes: What to expect next year (we will be

tougher)When should you and why (helps ACT scores)When you should not! (but don’t jeopardize

GPA)

How and when do I start preparing?

NOWCheck GPA and credits in INOWWhen does GPA begin?What is GPA?

A=4 pts, B=3 pts, C=2 pts, D=1 pt, F=no points or credit

Quality pointsWeighted vs unweighted GPA

Monitor grades• Progress Reports• 4 ½ Weeks• 9 Weeks• 13 ½ Weeks

• Report Card - at the end of each Semester • This grade is posted on your transcript

and will count toward your grade point average (GPA).

• How close is the next quality point above?• You will earn ½ credit at the end of each

semester.

Testing overview:6-8th: ASPIRE (ACT test replacing the ARMT)8th: EXPLORE (last year fall 2014)10th: PLAN 11th: ACT (beginning spring 2014)

ASPIRE>EXPLORE>PLAN>ACTEach test builds on the other to predict the next set of scores above.11th and 12th grade students on Free/Red lunch two fee waivers

How will I pay for college?Scholarships Grants: does not have to be repaid

Work Study: work on campusLoans: To be repaidApply for these through FASFA your

Senior year: Grants, Loans, Work Study

Scholarships Athletic (ACT and GPA requirements)Academic Merit (ACT and GPA with priority deadline Dec of senior year) see next slide

College specific scholarships (Music, Art, etc)

Back door Scholarships Listed on Jefcoed website, fastweb.com, local

scholarships (ECO credit, Mercedes Benz, etc.)

Scholarships continuedBig 4 year colleges

ACT mid twenty’s to partial 30’s for full3.0-3.5 GPA

Smaller college optionsACT lower 20’s partial to upper 20’s for full

3.0-3.5 GPA 2 Year colleges (Jeff State)

ACT 22 and 3.0 GPA

ALSO, don’t apply to just one college and change up choices!

Grants: A “gift” that does not have to be repaid and has certain criteria

FASFA -"Free Application for Federal Student Aid.“ Based on income, most families qualify for some, max. of $5600.00

APPLY IN JANUARY OF SENIOR YEAR

Work Study: work on campusBenefits:

On campus jobOften can study during down time

Getting paid

Loans: To be repaidSubsidized vs unsubsidizedYou want the subsidized!! You will qualify for these if you qualify for FASFA

Try not to exceed the annual salary of the job your degree!

Examples: sculptor, teacher, doctor

Helpful Hints from UpperclassmenCome to school!!Do ALL of your workPay attention in class. Even take a note or

two.Pay attention to your teachers. They are

trying to teach you somethingFind a homework buddy for each class in

case you are absent or forget something at school

Get to know your peers.Go to school events.

More Helpful Hints …Get involved at school and in the community.

It helps to build your resume. Remember GPA starts counting in 9th grade!!Use the ACPS Kuder system-it helps with work

interests and values, finding colleges that fit you, scholarships, etc. (www.alcareerinfo.org)

It’s important to take school seriously but still enjoy it. Don’t wait until you are a senior to start looking for scholarships or colleges

FASFA is not hard to completeUSE YOUR JUNIOR/SENIOR JOURNAL (Mrs.

King)

Know your School CounselorsLaura King and Jennifer Collins

Honorary counselor: Vincent QuickCounselor office is located in the front officeStudents sign up to see the counselor in the

office or parents can call for an appointmentYour counselor addresses your concerns:

academic, personal, and social Counselors keep information confidential or

on a need to know basis, unless you or someone else is getting hurt

RESOURCES:www.alcareerinfo.orgwww.collegeboard.orgwww.fastweb.comwww.fasfa.ed.govwww.educationquest.orgwww.act.org

QUESTIONS?