Warm-up Question

Why is this percentage

important to each junior today?

87%

Looking Beyond: Career and College Planning

Objectives: Students will acquire knowledge regarding

the proper preparation that is essential in choosing from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college.

Students will be provided with information and materials that will enable them to employ strategies to achieve future career success and satisfaction.

PA Career Education and Work Standards 13.1.11.B, C, FASCA National Standards I.B, II.A

• Your final year (s), the college application process, the financial aid process, the prom, and graduation are rapidly approaching!

• “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

• It is time to gather important information and use your resources, including:– Mrs. Hestin, Counselor for A-F students – Mr. Barkovich, Counselor G-K Students – Mrs. Davis, Counselor for L-Q students – Mrs. Weber, Counselor for R-Z students– Mrs. White, Guidance Secretary

Chapter 1: Getting Ready

When choosing and preparing for different career and college paths, you may be required to complete certain tasks during your junior year in order to reach your goals. These activities might include: 

• Conducting career research, including considering positive and negative aspects of a particular career/college path• Taking standardized test (SAT, ACT)• Preparing documents (essay, resume, recommendations)

Getting Ready Takes Some Time

Post Secondary Choices: The Options

After graduation, you will have many options to consider:

• University/College• Community College• Vocational, Technical, or

Career Training• Armed Services• Work Force

Hint: Waiting until graduation to plan for this may not get you the

results you want!

Education Pays

Jobs are constantly changing. What was true years ago regarding the types of jobs that are available may no longer be the case today.– On average, workers change jobs about

seven to nine times during their careers.– Nearly 80% of jobs require some sort of

post-secondary training. These jobs tend to be better paying than those that do not!

– Employers want workers who possess “people skills” and who will fit into their organization.

Pennsylvania Job Outlook

Scheduling Your Courses

Scheduling for your upcoming year is very important as institutions will be looking at schedules to see if students continue on a college preparatory track. Students are encouraged to register for a challenging courseload as it may make the difference in the admission decision.

Chapter 2: Standardized Testing

SAT-IRegistration is done through www.collegeboard.com.

Preparation:• Students in grades 9-11 can take the Saturday PSAT in October• Official SAT online course is available free through North Hills• SAT I prep books are available through the CRC or for loan through the

High School Library

Scoring:• Each section is scored from 200-800. A perfect score on the Critical

Reading, Mathematics Reasoning, and Writing is 2400.• Not every institution considers the writing. Check to see if they are looking

at CR + Math or all three tests!

SAT I Continued…

SAT Scores continued:• Students use Score Choice to pick which

institutions will receive scores from specific test dates.

• Some institutions will ONLY accept SAT I scores directly from the College Board.

• North Hills does not list SAT or ACT scores on transcripts.

SAT II

The SAT II measure a students’ level of knowledge in a specific content area. You should only take the SAT II if required by the institutions you are applying to.

The ACT

The ACT (American College Test) is another standardized test that institutions use for admissions purposes. In fact, many schools accept the ACT in lieu of the SAT. It differs from the SAT in the following ways:

• 4 sections on the ACT (Science is #4)• Scores range from 1-36. (A 36 is equal to a 2400 on the

SAT.)• ACT is a test of knowledge. SAT is a test of ability.• Students register at www.actstudent.org.

Test Dates

Test Month Registration DeadlineACT September Mid-August

SAT-I and II October Early SeptemberACT October Mid SeptemberSAT-I and II November Early OctoberACT December Early NovemberSAT-I and II December Early NovemberSAT-I and II January Late DecemberACT February Early JanuarySAT-I March Early FebruaryACT April Early MarchSAT-I and II May Early AprilACT June Early MaySAT-I and II June Early May

Offered at North

Hills

Chapter 3: The College Selection Process

Determine what factors are important for your institution to have. Do these factors matter to you?

• Size • Location• Academic Program Offerings• Reputation• Cost• Other?

Conducting Career and College Research

• Speak with your counselor!• Use the CRC (Career Resource Center).• Attend the admission representative visits in the

CRC.• Use the internet, college websites, and DISCOVER

to explore options.• Use the College Comparison Worksheet.

Pittsburgh National College Fair

Any junior who returns a permission slip in January can attend the morning session on Wednesday, February 8th. Students must take the school’s bus transportation. Permission slip must be returned to the CRC by Monday, January 30th!

Pittsburgh National College Fair

David L. Lawrence Convention CenterWednesday, February 8 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pittsburgh National College Fair

At the college fair, don’t waste time completing multiple information forms for each school. Instead, go to www.gotomyncf.com before the fair and fill in the form.

You will be able to print out a sheet with a barcode on it. At the fair, schools will “scan” your sheet, which will then permit them to receive the information you submitted online.

You must do this and turn in with your permission form to attend the college fair.

Evening Guidance Program: Admissions Representative Panel

• NHHS will be hosting a “College Admissions Expert Panel Discussion” on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 7:00pm

• This unique event is designed to empower students and parents with need-to-know admission information. Topics will include:– Understanding the academic credentials required by institutions– The differences and positives between choosing private vs. public, large vs.

small, and in-state vs. out-of-state schools– The impact and importance of what you do outside the classroom– A strategic approach to choosing standardized tests (PSAT, SAT, ACT, SAT II)– Choosing a topic and writing a standout essay

Please refer to the flyer in your folder for more info!

DISCOVER Computer Program

All student in grades 7-12 received an individualized login to the DISCOVER computer program.

You can now use this program from any computer with internet access.

• You can also save your career and college plans so you can come back and review.

• See your counselor if you would like to work individually on the DISCOVER program.

Inventories

Occupations

Majors

Schools

Job Search

Your Portfolio

According to the National Association of College Admission Counselors, the factors that colleges usually consider for admission are:

Primary Factors• Academic Performance in College Prep Classes• Standardized Test Scores• Academic Performance in ALL courses• QPAAdditional Factors• Student Essay or Writing Sample• Teacher/Counselor Recommendations• Extracurricular Activities, Volunteerism, and Employment Activities• Interview• Awards and Recognition Programs.

Chapter 4: The College Application Process

Your Transcript

Your official high school transcript is a record of your:

• 9-12 courses and grades• Grade Point Average• 9-12 attendance

It is important because it can be viewed by:• Colleges• Scholarship agencies• Employers• Military branches

The Application Process

You can apply to schools using a variety of methods:• Applying via the Internet. This is now the most

common method and is required by some schools.• Paper Applications: These are available from the

institution’s website, from the CRC, and from the school itself.

Feel free to use the COLLEGE APPLICATION ORGANIZER to track your progress.

NCAA: Becoming a College Athlete

Student athletes who are hoping to continue athletic participation at the Division I or II collegiate level must be declared eligible through the NCAA Eligibility Center. Please alert your counselor and coach if this is your intent.

Final Notes: Representing Yourself Online

• Post-secondary institutions may use a variety of resources to learn about who your are. Please be aware of how you may be represented online. It is not unusual for colleges to do a search for your name on Google, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and other public sites. Be sure to represent yourself in a manner that will not affect the possibility of your acceptance.

• Be sure that your email address will not hurt your chances for admission. Many schools ask you to provide this and you don’t want a joke to cost you admission. (Example: Indicating an email like “monkeypoo43@yahoo.com” may not endear yourself to the admission committee.)

Follow the CRC on Facebook

The North Hills Counseling Resource Center (CRC) is on Facebook. Please search for our page and “Like” us to receive regular updates regarding upcoming presentations, alerts, scholarship lists, and much more!!!

Final Notes: Junior and Senior Timelines

Keeping track of all of this information can be difficult. • You are strongly encouraged to use and regularly

refer to the “Looking Beyond” booklet, and the Junior + Senior Year Timelines to assist you with this.

• Please make your parent/guardian’s aware of this booklet and checklist. Post it somewhere prominent (refrigerator?) so that you are reminded to adhere to deadlines.

Don’t “Fail to Plan…”

Preparation and organization are key to setting yourself up for success after high school. No matter what path you will pursue after graduation, proper planning during your senior year can maximize your chances for being successful in whatever endeavor you choose.

Please access your school counselor and the Counseling Resource Center with any questions!

Question and Answer Session

Thank you for your attention. Please take the opportunity now to ask any questions that you might have.