Freshman & Sophomore College Planning

March 8, 2018

So You Want To Go To College?

How College Impacts Income and Job Security

How can

you get

ready for

College?

• Focus on 5 areas:

•Academics

•Testing

•Involvement

•Explore Careers

•Explore Colleges

1) Academics

Make sure you take the right courses and do well in those courses.

• 4 years of English• 4 years of Math• 3-4 years of Science• 3-4 years of Social Studies

* 2-4 years of World Language • 1+ year of art, technology or other

elective classes

Recommended Curriculum:

• Challenge yourself

• Consider each subject

• Reassess each year

• Find balance

Coursework Rigor:

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Non-weightedA = 4B = 3C = 2D = 1

Weighted Honors

Weighted AP

A = 4.5 A = 5B = 3.5 B = 4C = 2.5 C = 3D = 1.5 D = 2

• Take notes• Participate in class• Keep up with assignments• Develop good study habits• Ask for help when needed

Grades:

Are you taking the tests you need and doing your best on them?

2) Testing

Required Tests:Required Re

• 8th Grade: PSAT 8/9

• 9th Grade: PSAT 8/9

• 10th Grade: PSAT 10

•11th Grade: SAT

Optional Tests:

1. PSAT/NMSQT (10th & 11th Grade)

2. Additional ACT or SAT:www.actstudent.org (ACT)www.collegeboard.org (SAT)

3. AP Exams4. SAT Subject Tests

Did you know?

You can start practicing for the SAT with a personalized study plan based on your PSAT/NMSQT score. It is 100% free and can help you improve your score.

https://signup.collegeboard.org/official-sat-practice/

Did you know?

Many colleges do not require standardized test scores for admission

http://fairtest.org/

3) Involvement:

•Jobs•Clubs•Athletics•Internships

• Community Service•College Enrichment Programs

4) Career Exploration:

•Interest Inventories •D214 Career Nights•Internships•Elective Courses•Career Treks•Summer Camps

5) College Exploration:

•Learn about colleges

•Naviance

•CollegeBoard Big Future

•https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

5) More College Exploration:

•Student Athlete Night•Ask The College Night•D214 College Fair

https://www.acm.edu/uploads/cms/documents/acm-college-guide-college-fair.pdf

https://www.acm.edu/uploads/cms/documents/acm-college-guide-college-fair.pdf

Some Questions You May Have:

•What should I major in?

•Where should I go?

•Big, small, or mid-sized school?

•Closer or Farther from home?

•Public? Private?

•A Research University, Liberal Arts College or Community College?

Community College:Two Year school Career-oriented certificate Associate of Applied Arts Associate of Arts

Transfer to 4 year Schools

Has the lowest tuition

In-State Public Universities• Large schools offering Bachelors degrees,

Masters, Doctorate and professional degrees.

• Offer several colleges such as Business, Education, Engineering, Communications, and Arts & Sciences

• Can mean more clubs, activities, research and sometimes Division I sports.

• Can also mean large lectures

Out-of-State Public Universities •Like in State Universities

•Out-of-state tuition may be higher than Illinois State Schools but watch for tuition discounts.

Private Research University•Variety of Degree Offerings

•Funded primarily by tuition, donations and research funding

•Tend to have high tuition but may have substantial scholarships/grants

•Often mid-sized schools w/smaller class sizes, more interaction w/faculty

Private Liberal Arts College•Small classes, close connections w/professors

•Project-based work/discussion-based learning

•Broad preparation, critical thinking, problem-solving, reasoning and effective writing skills

•High listed cost generous scholarships

Harper Promise Scholarship

•Freshmen sign up by December 15th

•Up to two years of free tuition at Harper •Good attendance•Progress towards graduation•Academic good standing•Community Service

http://goforward.harpercollege.edu/about/promise

Did you know?

•Some schools reduce your tuition because you live in Illinois

•Check out the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)

http://msep.mhec.org/

Raise.me

https://www.raise.me/

Summary

https://www.acm.edu/uploads/cms/documents/acm-pre-collegeplanner.pdf

A Pre-College Planner

Questions??