1. Determine what schools
meet your needs.
2. Contact the schools for
applications and other materials. You may also wish to request information
directly related to your areas of interest (check for materials in the
Guidance Office).
3. Complete all student-required
parts of the application including essays that are required or recommended.
Remember to get all required signatures – including parents if under 18
years of age.
4. Make a list of all school-related
extra curricular activities, awards and honors received and work experiences
you have had or will have while in grades 9-12. You may wish to include
this “activities resume” with the application or refer to it when completing
requested information.
5. Contact ETS to arrange
to have your SAT Reasoning & SAT Subject test scores sent if a college requires “official”
scores.
YOU ARRIVE AT COLLEGE
A PLANNING
CALENDAR FOR JUNIORS
January
· Compile a list of colleges that
interest you. Look through college catalogs in the guidance office. You’ll
also find information online that describe and compare the different
colleges. Also, visit websites such as www.collegeboard.com, www.peterson.com
and www.act.org and Naviance
· Begin scheduling visits to
colleges. To make sure you get the most from your visit, arrange to meet with
an admissions representative and get a tour of the campus.
· You are entitled to 3 excused
absences from school during 11th and 12th grade for college visits.
· Take the SAT or ACT exam if you
have not done so already.
· Complete the “Do What You Are”
questionnaire in Naviance.
February
· Register and begin studying for
SAT or ACT if you have not already done so.
· Start investigating private
scholarships and other student aid programs. You may be able to get funding
from an organization with which you or your family is affiliated.
·Tip: Research the financial aid
resources at your local school and local libraries for grant and scholarship
possibilities. Also, do a search on the Internet, and ask your teachers and
counselors for leads.
·Continue to research and visit
colleges.
·After filing out questionnaire
in Naviance schedule an interview.
· Watch Going Places video.
· Work on activities resume.
March
·Register and begin studying for
the SAT and ACT exams.
· Continue studying for SAT and
ACT exams.
· Tip: The earlier you can start
saving as much money as you can - from a part-time, cutting back expenses or
other sources- the more it adds up.
· Continue to research and visit
colleges.
·Schedule an interview with your
Guidance Counselor for a letter of recommendation.
· Attend College Fair on March
13th at CB East.
· Register for AP exams in the
guidance office.
· Watch Going Places video.
· Work on activities resume
April
· Look through the catalogs and
websites of the colleges that interest you.
· Take the SAT and ACT if you
haven't already done so.
·Tip: If you plan to live on
campus, ask the college you're visiting for permission to stay overnight.
You'll get a more realistic idea of what to expect.
· Continue to research and visit
colleges.
·
Complete the Naviance questionnaire and schedule an interview with your
guidance counselor for a letter of
recommendation if you haven’t already done so.
·
Watch Going Places video.
·
Work on activities resume.
May
·Take the SAT or ACT exams.
·Take the Advanced Placement
exams.
· Tip: It is wise to get a head
start and begin applying for outside funding during the summer before your
senior year in high school.
· Continue to research and visit
colleges.
· Complete the Naviance
questionnaire and schedule an interview with your
guidance counselor for a letter of recommendation if you haven’t already done
so.
· Ask teachers to write letters
of recommendation.
· Watch Going Places video.
·
Work on activities resume.
June
· Take the SAT and ACT if you
haven't already done so.
· If you can, get a summer job
related to your career interest. Try to save money to pay for college costs.
·
Complete the Naviance questionnaire and schedule an interview with
your
guidance counselor for a letter
recommendation if you haven’t already done so.
·
Work on activities resume.
August
· Continue to research colleges.
· Finalize your activites resume
including your planned senior activites and involvements.
.
·
Summer is almost over. Get some rest. You have a busy year ahead of you:
senior activities, final college
preparations and exams.
September- senior year
· Revise and update your college
list based on information gleaned during your visit.
· Update prospective/applied
colleges on Naviance.
· Make a detailed list of test
names, dates and fees; registration deadlines; and financial aid applications
and deadlines.
· Ask your teachers for letters
of recommendations.
· Register and begin studying for
the SAT and ACT exams.
· Tip: You must a take test like
the SAT and ACT at least six weeks before your college application deadline.
· Begin applying to colleges.
· Double check your activities
resume for accuracy.
October
- senior year
· Update
prospective/applied colleges on Naviance.
· Continue to apply to colleges.
· Take SAT/ACT if necessary.
November - senior year
· Update prospective/applied
colleges on Naviance
· Take SAT/ACT if necessary.
· Continue to apply to colleges.
December- senior year
· Update
prospective/applied colleges on Naviance
· Continue to apply to colleges.
January- senior year
· File FAFSA (free application for
Federal Student Aid) and CSS profile if applicable.
February/March - senior year
·
Continue to apply to colleges.
May - senior year
·
Submit your deposit to the college of your choice if you haven’t
already done so.
June - senior year
·
Complete senior survey on Naviance.
· Have a wonderful last month of
high school.
Know Yourself
Examine your transcript
·
GPA
·
Course selection
·
Credit requirements
Plan your testing schedule
·
Many students take the SAT two or three
times in their junior year and once in their senior year if necessary
·
Students may also plan to take the ACT
in their junior and/or senior year
·
SAT Subject Tests (may be required for
very selective colleges) are usually taken in three academic areas in the
junior and/or senior year
·
If appropriate, begin to plan for AP
testing in the spring
Create your resume
·
School and community activities
·
Volunteer work
·
Leadership positions
·
Honors/awards
·
Employment experiences
The Search
Using the information you gathered ...begin
your search.
Remember to:
·Begin early
·Talk
to older friends/family about their experiences
·Identify
possibilities by evaluating your strengths and blind spots
·Research and visit
·Gather
college materials
Decision Factors:
·Size of school
·Location/distance
from home
·Cost
·Possible
major/college commitment to major
·Athletics/Activities
·Campus
personality/surrounding community
·Diversity
Helpful websites:
Naviance (go to CB website for log
in)
www.collegeboard.com
www.princetonreview.com
www.petersons.com
www.usnews.com
www.fastweb.com
www.finaid.org
www.echoices.com
The Visit
Information Sessions
Open Houses
Individual Interviews
Campus Tours
Faculty/Departmental Appointments or
visits
Overnight Stays
Informal conversations with students
on
campus
Athletic department meetings (if
applicable)
Central Bucks policy allows 3 days for juniors
and 3 days for seniors:
·
Parents notify attendance
secretary
·
Student
picks up form from attendance office
·
Visit
the college and obtain signature of college representative
·
Student
returns form to the attendance office
*It is appropriate to send an email or
“snail mail” thank you to college personnel who have been helpful during a
college visit.
The Campus Interview
How should one prepare for a meaningful
college admissions interview?
First, schedule your appointment in advance.
This ensures that someone will be there to meet you, and that an adequate time
slot will be reserved for you in the schedule of appointments. If you wish
additionally to consult other persons in the university, such as the financial
aid officer, a dean or department head, notify admissions of this so that dual
appointments can be set up for you. If you wish to take a conducted tour of
the campus, this should be indicated in advance.
Second, be prepared to furnish the admissions
officer with such basic data as your GPA subjects taken in high school, and
SAT or ACT scores. The college
admissions officer cannot counsel you effectively if he/she is working in a
vacuum.
Third, make a list of the questions or points
you wish to cover in your interview.
This is like making a list of your symptoms before visiting the doctor, just
so you won’t forget and leave out something important.
With some attention to the following points
your campus visit should provide an optimum experience for you and your
parents.
If no campus interviews are available ask the
admission office about alumni in your area.
Sample
Questions Asked By College Interviewers
1.
What are your extra-curricular activities, both in school and in the
community?
2.
What do you do in your spare time?
3.
What books have you read that were not required by classroom teachers
during the past year?
4.
Have you written any long term papers? What were they about?
5.
Why do you want a college education?
6.
What are you interested in doing after college and why?
7.
Have you definitely decided upon your future plans, and do you think
you can accomplish these plans?
8.
What do you know about the college and what do you like most?
9.
Who or what influenced you to choose the college?
10.
What questions would you like to
ask?
Things to Consider &
Compare
·
Is the college a “suitcase
school”? That is, do students leave campus on the weekends?
·
What percentage of the students
commute?
·
How far away from home will you
be and how accessible is transportation to and from campus?
·
What is the male/female ratio?
·
What is the structure of the
dormitory system? Coed dorms, single sex apartments, etc.?
·
Are there fraternities and/or
sororities? If they exist, what kind of pressure is there to join?
·
What is the area like that
immediately surrounds the college?
·
Are you comfortable in an urban,
suburban or rural environment?
·
What is the scope of weekend
activities on the campus?
·
What is the level of academic
pressure?
·
Is freshman housing guaranteed?
What about after freshman year?
·
How flexible is housing with
respect to roommate changes?
·
Are freshman courses taught
primarily by professors or graduate students?
·
Is there a strong religious
orientation at the school?
·
Are there religious services
readily available to all denominations?
·
Is it too much of a “party
school”?
·
Is there an obvious drug
problem? Being honest, there is drug and alcohol use at most every college.
You need to determine if the problem will make you uncomfortable or if it will
interfere with learning?
·
How much academic advisement is
available to the freshman student and beyond?
·
Will you be assigned an academic
advisor?
·
How accessible are professors or
graduate assistants?
·
Is changing your major a hassle?
·
Does the school welcome
transfers if you are not accepted as a freshman?
·
How conservative or liberal is
the administration of the college?
·
What is the school calendar
like? Semesters? Trimesters?
·
What percentage of the students
return after the freshman year?
·
Are there opportunities for
internships and/or co-ops? If so, at what point?
·
What percentage of students
graduate in four years?
·
Is the campus wireless?
·
Is there merit scholarship money
available and are there seperate applications required?
·
Is there need based financial
aid available?
Writing Your Essay
The college essay doesn’t need to be
a daunting part of the application process. It is instead a rare opportunity
to “speak” to an admissions committee and help them see the person behind the
record. It is one of the only opportunities in the application process to
share your thoughts.
The Topic:
Choosing the topic is frequently not an issue because many
colleges/universities will either give you a topic or present several topics
from which The Purpose: The essay is important for two major
reasons. First, it enables the admissions office to evaluate your
communication skills-the clarity of your thinking and your ability to convey
your thoughts. Secondly, it enables those who will be evaluating the complete
record to learn more about you as a person beyond what SAT scores and grades
convey.
Other colleges may simply “suggest” a general
topic or give you total freedom to write about something of interest or
concern to you. If a college does not require an essay, you may choose to
prepare a “personal statement” that gives the admissions committee more
information about you. This kind of essay gives a student the opportunity to
explain a discrepancy in their record, a unique accomplishment or simply show
one’s writing ability. Remember, when a college lists an essay as optional it
is a great opportunity. Regardless of what form the essay/personal statement
takes, here are a few helpful hints:
-Narrow
your topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as you can.
-The easiest topic to write about is you. The
purpose is to enlighten the reader about you so this is no time to be shy or
modest though beware of exaggeration!
-Don’t be afraid to be different. A unique
topic or approach is often a refreshing change for an admissions officer who
has been reading essays all day. Often the offbeat or unusual essay shows
your creativity.
The Writing:
Before you actually sit to write, take some time preparing your thoughts; what
do you want some one to know about you that goes beyond your transcript?
Think about smooth, logical transitions and
decide on a style that is comfortable for you. You don't have to get it right
the first time! In fact, a great piece of writing is a process so be sure you
are not doing your essay at the last minute. Leave time to think about what
you write. Let people who know you read your work and give you feedback.
These people can be helpful for suggestions and/or technical assistance but
the final product and the final “voice” should be your own. After all, you
are the student who will be accepted to that college and your work is what is
important. Here are some “do’s” and “don’t’s” to think about:
Do’s
-Do write about what you know about.
-Do reveal yourself in the writing.
-Do show rather than tell, give examples and
bring your topic to life.
-Do write in your own “voice.”
Don’t’s
-Don’t write what you think others want
to hear.
-Don’t exaggerate or write to impress.
-Don’t use flowery, inflated or
pretentious style.
-Don’t neglect the technical part of
your writing (grammar, spelling, and sentence structure).
-Don’t ramble, say what is important
without concentrating on length.
Your essay or personal statement along with
your academic accomplishments will provide the basis for an admissions
decision. A thoughtful, creative, and well-written essay can have a positive
effect on how you are viewed. Take full advantage of the opportunity
the college essay affords you.
Acknowledgement to J.C.Conkright, Dean of
Admissions, Randolph-Macon College
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PATHWAY
COMMUNITY COLLEGE PATHWAY
The Community College pathway provides a
unique perspective in higher education by offering a wide range of academic
programs and educational experiences and opportunities. This pathway is often
used to “springboard into your future.”
Bucks County Community College (www.bucks.edu)
“combines traditional and academic disciplines with flexible educational
programs preparing students for a future in technological and social change.”
There are a variety of educational offerings:
credit and non-credit courses, workshops and lecture series
Offerings include a comprehensive range of
classes that lead to a:
·
Certificate Program
·
Associate’s Degree
·
Career Advancement
·
Bachelor’s degree (in specific
programs)
With careful advising, courses will transfer
to a four year college. Visit www.bucks.edu
BCCC enables students to explore
academic/career interests at a lower cost.
Student services such as counseling, financial
aid and job placement are provided to help students reach their personal
goals.
SATs are not required. Placement
tests are required
If considering transferring to a 4
year school after
community college, you should plan to
take SAT or
ACT in high school as they will
likely be required at
the 4 year school.
FIVE MYTHS ABOUT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Like most misconceptions, community college
myths are based on some elements of truth. But like most misconceptions,
these ideas lead to mistaken beliefs that could hinder your ability to choose
the appropriate post high school educational path for you.
It’s the truth about community colleges that
sets you free from the bondage of what some in educational circles call the
“snob factor.” In fact, the truth about community colleges flies in the face
of some overblown stereotypes.
There are many wrong assumptions about
community colleges: the top students at community colleges are among our
country’s greatest assets, “says Joshua Wyner, vice president of programs with
the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, an organization that focuses on community
college student development.
Walt Disney went to a community college. So
did renowned corporate executive H. Ross Perot, transplant surgeon Daniel
Hayes, and NASA astronaut Eileen Collins. Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners
and several governors also graduated from junior colleges. Recently, William
D. Green, CEO of Accenture, wrote a column in Newsweek about how his time at
Dean College, a two-year college near Boston, helped shape his career.
Nationally, 40 percent of all traditional-age
college students start out at community college, according to the U.S.
Department of Education. So let’s bust five of the most common myths about
community colleges and let the truth speak for itself.
MYTH:
Students only attend community college because
they can’t get into a four-year university.
FACT:
Statistics refute this assumption. It may be true that, on average, community
college students have lower SAT and ACT scores than university students, but
many students attend community college for convenience, family, job, or
financial considerations.
MYTH:
A degree from a community college is not as
good as a university degree.
FACT:
A community college degree can take you
straight into the workforce or to an elite four-year university. Community
colleges educate 62 percent of allied health professionals and over 80 percent
of law enforcement officers and firefighters, according to the American
Association of Community Coleges (AACC).
MYTH:
Community colleges are inexpensive, so the
education is not high quality.
FACT:
Community colleges may be less expensive than
four-year universities, but that doesn’t mean you sacrifice a quality
education. Classes in honors programs at community colleges are smaller than
university classes. The curriculum is often more in-depth and there can be
more open exchanges between teachers and students. In some cases community
colleges offer unique programs not found at all 4 year colleges and
universities.
MYTH:
Community college credits do not transfer to
four-year
universities.
FACT: The quality of community
colleges is getting better all the time. There are more articulation
agreements with four-year colleges for them to award credit for comparable
courses taken at community colleges.
MYTH:
Community colleges have low academic standards.
FACT:
While community colleges offer “open admission”
that breeds diversity, all courses are not open admission. In fact,
students usually have to take placement tests in order to qualify for
college-level work. Technical and special programs have high standards and
students compete to enroll.
Acknowledgement to Jennifer LeClaire,
Fastweb
Career/Trade
School Pathway
CAREER/TRADE SCHOOL PATHWAY
Another pathway is to get specific job training
at either a public or private career or technical school. Different states
have different names for these educational institutions – tech-prep schools,
technical institutions, vocational/business schools, career colleges. Some are
supported by the state and some are not.
?
These schools prepare you for a
specific career
?
Some schools require you to take
academic courses such as english or history
?
Some schools focus specifically
on business or technical fields
?
Program length varies from a few
months to 2 years
?
Coursework is intense and is
often geared toward your field of study; it is
usually hands on
?
Most vocational positions provide
an Associates degree to prepare for
work
in a field.
Further study, licensing or certification may be necessary to
advance.
?
Working with others in your field
provides great networking opportunities
?
Cost varies depending on if the
school is private or public
?
Financial aid is available - see
pages 33-34 Financing Your Education.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CAREER COLLEGE
A TOUR OF THE COLLEGE IS A MUST! WHILE
VISITING THE CAMPUS DO THE FOLLOWING:
Get a full explanation of the curriculum,
including finding out how you will be trained.
Take a physical tour of the classrooms and
laboratories and look for cleanliness, modern equipment/computers, and size of
classes. Observe the activity in classes: are students engaged in class, are
lectures dynamic?
Ask about employment opportunities after
graduation. What are the placement rates (most current) and list of
employers? Inquire about specific placement assistance: resume preparation,
job leads, etc. Look for “success stories” on bulletin boards, placement
boards, and newsletters.
Find out about tuition and other costs
associated with the program. Ask about the financial assistance provided to
students.
Find out if an internship is part of the
training program. How are internships assigned? Does the student have any
input as to internship assignments?
Ask if national certification and registration
in your chosen field in available upon graduation.
Inquire about the college’s accreditation and
certification.
Also find out if the college belongs to any
associations or organizations. Ask what awards or honors the college has
achieved.
Ask if the college utilizes an advisory board
to develop employer relationships.
Ask about the rules and regulations. What GPA
must be maintained? What is the attendance policy? What are grounds for
termination? What is the refund policy if the student drops or is
terminated? Is there a dress code? What are holidays of the college?
Source:
Arizona College of Allied Health, Phoenix, Arizona
POST SECONDARY TECHNICAL, TRADE AND
BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN THE NORTHEAST
Allied Medical and Technical Careers –
Edwardsville Branch
104 Woodward Hill Road, Edwardsville, PA 18704
(570) 288-8400
Churchman Business School
355 Spring Garden Street, Easton, PA 18042
(610) 258-5345
Information Computer Systems Institute
2201 Hangar Place, Allentown, PA 18103
(610) 264-8029
International Corres Schools
925 Oak Street, Scranton, PA 18508
(570) 341-7701
ITT Technical Institute
3330 Tillman Drive
Bensalem, PA 19020
(215) 244-8871
Johnson Technical Institute (private 2 year)
3427 N. Main Avenue, Scranton, PA 18472
(717) 342-6404
www.jti.org
Lincoln Technical Institute/Allentown
3427 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 398-5300
Lion Investigation Academy
434 Clearfield Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610) 868-2637
Pennsylvania College of Technology (dormitories
available)
One College Avenue
Williamsport, PA 17701
(570) 326-3761
Welder Training and Test/Allentown
729 E. highland Street, Allentown, PA 18103
(610) 437-9720
Career and Technical Student Organizations
Students can enhance their career and
technical education experiences by participating in
organizations that provide networking and
competition opportunities.
|
Distributive Education Clubs of America
www.deca.org |
Business Professionals of America (BPA)
www.bpa.org |
|
The mission of DECA is to enhance the
co-curricular education of student with an interest in marketing,
management and entrepreneurship. |
The mission of BPA is to contribute to the
preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of
leadership, citizenship, academic and technological skills. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Skills USA (Vocational Industrial
Clubs of America)
www.skillsusa.org |
Family, Career & Community Leaders of
America (FCCLA)
www.fcclainc.org |
|
SkillsUSA-VICA is a national organization
serving a quarter-million high school and college students and
professional members who are enrolled in technical, skilled and service
occupations, including health occupations. |
FCCLA is a nonprofit national vocational
student organization for young men and
women in family and consumer science
education in public and private secondary
schools. |
|
|
|
|
Technology Student Association
www.tsaweb.org |
The National FFA Organizaion
www.ffa.org |
|
TSA is a non-profit national student
organization whose mission is to inspire young people to prepare for
careers in a technology-driven economy and culture. |
Tha National FFA Organization is dedicated
to making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing
their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success
through agricultural education. |
Military
Pathway
THE MILITARY PATHWAY
You
can take the following three paths into the armed service – all of which
provide opportunities for financial assistance for college.
1.
Enlisted Personnel
l Five branches -
Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, Coast Guard.
l All branches
offer college credit courses on
base.
l While on active
duty enlisted personnel can
take courses at civilian colleges.
2.
ROTC - Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
l Some students
participate to receive ROTC
scholarships which can be 2-4 year
scholarships.
l You can try ROTC
at no obligation for one or
two years if you have a four year scholarship.
l ROTC classes,
uniforms and books are free.
l ROTC graduates
are required to serve in the
military a set period of time.
3.
Officer candidate school - The U. S. Military Academy at West Point, The
Naval Academy at Annapolis, The U.S. Air Force Academy and The U.S. Coast
Guard Academy
l These programs
are very selective and intense.
l They train
graduates to meet the demands of leadership and success.
l Every student
selected is on a full scholarship.
l Students must
begin the application process for these schools in their junior year.
l
The post-graduate commitment is longer than with ROTC programs.
Military Resources
Enlisting in the military is just one post-secondary option highlighted in the
Career Guide. Below you’ll find contact information for each of the branches
of the U.S. military. You can use the toll free numbers to find a recruitment
office nearest you and the web sites to find out additional, general
information. Also visit www.myfuture.com or
www.todaysmilitary.com to learn about additional opportunities that the
military has to offer.
See
your counselor for specific contact information on area recruiters.
|
ARMY
1-800-USA-ARMY
www.goarmy.com |
AIR FORCE
1800-423-USAF
www.airforce.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAVY
1-800-USA-NAVY
www.navy.com |
MARINE CORPS
1-800-MARINES
www.marines.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
1-800-GO-GUARD
www.1800goguard.com |
AIR NATIONAL GUARD
1-800-TO-GO-ANG
www.ang.af.mil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COAST GUARD
1-800-424-8883
www.uscg.mil |
|
|
|
