SUNY Albany, SUNY Brockport, University at Buffalo, SUNY SUNY Albany, SUNY Brockport, University at Buffalo, SUNY Canton, Cazenovia College, Cayuga CC, Clarkson Canton, Cazenovia College, Cayuga CC, Clarkson University, SUNY Cobleskill, Corning CC, SUNY Cortland, University, SUNY Cobleskill, Corning CC, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Delhi, Elmira College, Fingerlakes CC, SUNY SUNY Delhi, Elmira College, Fingerlakes CC, SUNY Fredonia, Genesee CC, SUNY Geneseo, Hilbert College, Fredonia, Genesee CC, SUNY Geneseo, Hilbert College, Ithaca College, University of Kentucky, LeMoyne College, Ithaca College, University of Kentucky, LeMoyne College, Mansfield University, Messiah College, Mohawk Valley CC, Mansfield University, Messiah College, Mohawk Valley CC, SUNY Morrisville, Nazareth College, Niagara University, SUNY Morrisville, Nazareth College, Niagara University, Onondaga CC, SUNY Oswego, Penn State, Potomac State Onondaga CC, SUNY Oswego, Penn State, Potomac State College – West Virginia University, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY College – West Virginia University, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Purchase, Russell Sage College, Sage College, St. Purchase, Russell Sage College, Sage College, St. Bonaventure, St. John’s University, St. John Fisher Bonaventure, St. John’s University, St. John Fisher College, St. Michael’s College, TC3, University of Montana College, St. Michael’s College, TC3, University of Montana & Wells College.& Wells College.

15 months to 15 months to graduation…graduation…now what?now what?

The Big PictureThe Big PictureAfter High School Options:After High School Options:

WorkWork

MilitaryMilitary

VolunteeringVolunteering

CollegeCollege

Live at home foreverLive at home forever

WorkWork

People spend most of their waking People spend most of their waking hours WORKING!hours WORKING!

Whatever road you choose…you Whatever road you choose…you should find some gratification should find some gratification

Take an interest test Take an interest test Now is the time to explore options Now is the time to explore options

that meet your interests and abilities.that meet your interests and abilities.

MilitaryMilitary US Air ForceUS Air Force US Army US Army US Marine CorpsUS Marine Corps US NAVYUS NAVY US Coast GuardUS Coast Guard ReservesReserves ROTC Options?ROTC Options?

*Recruiters will come to the school and/or your *Recruiters will come to the school and/or your home to discuss the options of the militaryhome to discuss the options of the military

VolunteerismVolunteerism

Peace CorpsPeace Corps AmericorpsAmericorps City YearCity Year Options!Options!

Business, Trade, TechnicalBusiness, Trade, Technical

Many careers do not require collegeMany careers do not require college Learning a trade, earning a Learning a trade, earning a

certificate certificate – MechanicsMechanics– Graphic DesignGraphic Design– CosmetologyCosmetology– LandscapingLandscaping

CollegeCollege

Type of institution Type of institution – Two yearTwo year– Four yearFour year– Technical Technical – Certification ProgramsCertification Programs

Geographic location:Geographic location:– RegionRegion– StateState– Distance from homeDistance from home

Majors offered/curriculumMajors offered/curriculum– Liberal ArtsLiberal Arts– Technical TrainingTechnical Training– BusinessBusiness

SettingSetting– UrbanUrban– RuralRural– SuburbanSuburban

•What are you looking for in a What are you looking for in a college?college?

•What are you looking for in a What are you looking for in a college?college?

Size of institutionSize of institution

SelectivitySelectivity

DiversityDiversity

Costs to considerCosts to consider– TuitionTuition– Room and boardRoom and board– FeesFees– Book feesBook fees– TravelTravel

•What are you looking for in a What are you looking for in a college?college?

Extracurricular activitiesExtracurricular activities– SportsSports– EntertainmentEntertainment– ReligiousReligious– ClubsClubs– OrganizationsOrganizations– Community ServiceCommunity Service– Travel Opportunities/Abroad Programs Travel Opportunities/Abroad Programs

•What are you looking for in a What are you looking for in a college?college?

What are you looking for in a What are you looking for in a college?college?

HousingHousing– CoedCoed– RulesRules– RoommatesRoommates– Special interest Special interest

dormsdorms– Size of roomSize of room– FoodFood– Off Campus OptionsOff Campus Options– On campus On campus

RequirementsRequirements

What are you looking for in a What are you looking for in a college?college?

FacilitiesFacilities BuildingBuilding LibrariesLibraries Student unionStudent union ClassroomsClassrooms Lecture hallsLecture halls

LabsLabs Recreational &Recreational &

Athletic offeringsAthletic offerings ShoppingShopping LaundryLaundry Handicapped Handicapped

accessaccess

Who are you?Who are you?

What have you What have you found most found most interesting from:interesting from:– AcademicsAcademics– Community serviceCommunity service– ActivitiesActivities

Put it all togetherPut it all together

Self KnowledgeSelf Knowledge

What are yourWhat are your– GoalsGoals– AbilitiesAbilities– ExpectationsExpectations– InterestsInterests

Use Lots of ResourcesUse Lots of Resources

BooksBooks ComputersComputers CounselorCounselor Former StudentsFormer Students

Visit CollegesVisit Colleges

Call for toursCall for tours Visit the campusesVisit the campuses Visit again later in the yearVisit again later in the year Prepare a list of questionsPrepare a list of questions

(students can be excused from school when they visit a college with a parent/guardian) (students can be excused from school when they visit a college with a parent/guardian)

How How ManyMany Applications? Applications?

One or two “reach” schoolsOne or two “reach” schools

Two or three “realistic” schoolsTwo or three “realistic” schools

One safety schoolOne safety school

Transcript Package:Transcript Package:Putting it all togetherPutting it all together

A transcript of high school coursesA transcript of high school courses Two academic teacher Two academic teacher

recommendationsrecommendations School recommendationSchool recommendation Personal resumePersonal resume Standardized test resultsStandardized test results First quarter progress reportsFirst quarter progress reports EssayEssay

What Do Schools Look For?What Do Schools Look For? Open EnrollmentOpen Enrollment

-Did the student meet Graduation Requirements-Did the student meet Graduation Requirements Least competitiveLeast competitive

– High school record 90%High school record 90%– Testing 5%Testing 5%– Other 5%Other 5%

Traditional level collegesTraditional level colleges– High school record 50%High school record 50%– Testing 25%Testing 25%– Other 25%Other 25%

Most competitiveMost competitive– High school record 20%High school record 20%– Testing 20%Testing 20%– Other 60%Other 60%

Keep Your Grades Up !Keep Your Grades Up !

Junior year is a very important year. Many Junior year is a very important year. Many colleges will be making preliminary colleges will be making preliminary decisions based in this information.decisions based in this information.

Your senior year is important too! Strength Your senior year is important too! Strength of schedule can be a deciding factor on of schedule can be a deciding factor on admissions. I don’t believe in SENIORITIS!admissions. I don’t believe in SENIORITIS!

Schools will ask for your final transcriptSchools will ask for your final transcript Don’t relax, you’ve only just begun! You Don’t relax, you’ve only just begun! You

need to make a plan and follow through need to make a plan and follow through with it.with it.

Mr. P’s Mr. P’s suggestions suggestions

from from NOW NOW until until

Summer VacationSummer Vacation

Mr. P Suggestion #1Mr. P Suggestion #1

Resume!Resume!

Get started on a resume ( a written list Get started on a resume ( a written list of activities, interests, work of activities, interests, work

experiences, awards and goals).experiences, awards and goals).

RecommendationsRecommendations

•Research how many are needed and who should be asked to support your goals.

•Give your teachers plenty of notice.

•Supply the teacher with a resume.

Mr. P Suggestion #2Mr. P Suggestion #2

SAT Reasoning, SAT Reasoning, Subject Tests & ACT’sSubject Tests & ACT’s

Tests commonly taken in spring of junior year and fall Tests commonly taken in spring of junior year and fall of senior year of senior year Students sign up online or via registration packet Students sign up online or via registration packet available in Guidance Officeavailable in Guidance Office Sat Subject Tests are required by some private Sat Subject Tests are required by some private schools…do your research.schools…do your research. ACT plus writing can replace the SAT Reasoning at ACT plus writing can replace the SAT Reasoning at somesome schools…again, do your research. schools…again, do your research.

Mr. P Suggestion #3Mr. P Suggestion #3

Information GatheringInformation Gathering Sending for Course CataloguesSending for Course Catalogues Using Computer Software and Using Computer Software and

InternetInternet Using Print Resources at School, Using Print Resources at School,

Home and LibraryHome and Library College FairsCollege Fairs College VisitsCollege Visits

Mr. P Suggestion #4Mr. P Suggestion #4

College Admissions EssayCollege Admissions Essay

Student should think about what they want to write about.Student should think about what they want to write about. Write in student’s own voiceWrite in student’s own voice Not try to sound impressiveNot try to sound impressive Be genuineBe genuine Take time to concentrate on content, insightsTake time to concentrate on content, insights Write several draftsWrite several drafts Take a close look at organization, structure and Take a close look at organization, structure and

transitionstransitions Not digress from topicNot digress from topic Essay should give honest insight into who student really Essay should give honest insight into who student really

is and how student views the worldis and how student views the world

Mr. P Suggestion #5Mr. P Suggestion #5

One Final Thought…One Final Thought…

This is certainly going to be a This is certainly going to be a stressful time for both students and stressful time for both students and parents. Effective communication is parents. Effective communication is necessary so that you can continue necessary so that you can continue to work together to reach your goals. to work together to reach your goals. I recommend setting ½ hour a week I recommend setting ½ hour a week to discuss post-high school plans. to discuss post-high school plans. Have discussions over dinner and Have discussions over dinner and review your progress on reaching review your progress on reaching your goals!your goals!