Junior Parents Night:Navigating the Senior Year

Southwest High SchoolSeptember 27, 2010

6:15 pm

Junior Parent Agenda

• 6:15 Lisa V. Ávila, EducationQuest Foundation

• 6:35 LSW Counseling Staff - Junior Information

• 7:00 Meeting for Parents of Gifted Juniors in the A118 Forum

LSW Counseling Staff

• Dr. Joyce Lehn: 9-12  SPED • Dr. Dolores Simpson-Kirkland: 9-12 A-G

• Eric Feeken: 9-12  H-K

• Peggy Volker: 9-12  L-P • Colleen Finkhouse: 9-12  Q-S

• Tim Ernst: 9-12  T-Z  • Janene Way: Secretary

Planning For The Future

• Allow your child to make his/her own decisions– Create an atmosphere of mutual trust &

respect• Explore options together

– College (4 Year or 2 Year)– Vocational/Trade Schools– Military– Work

Adapted From: College & Career Choices

Making An Educated Decision

• Explore career options– Identify career fields that match your

student’s interests

• Get a good academic fit– Find a college that matches academic

preparation• Consider GPA & ACT or SAT scores of

previous freshmen

Adapted from: Careers & Education in Nebraska

Types Of Education

• Universities– Made up of colleges or schools that teach

specialized areas– Usually offer graduate degrees at the master’s &

PhD level• Four-year colleges

– Offer wide range of programs• Liberal arts colleges

– College studies consist of fine arts, natural sciences, social sciences & humanities

– Utilizes understanding of past & concern for the future

Types Of Education Continued

• Community colleges– Prepares students for immediate employment– Many feature academic transfer programs

• Vocational or specialty schools– Usually specialized to a specific occupation or

career cluster– Credits seldom transfer to a 4-year school

• On the job training & apprenticeships– Training provided by employer or labor union

• Military service– Provides educational opportunities that transfer to

civilian occupations

Resources for College Information

• LPS Post High School Planning Guide http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/PlanningforafterHighSchool.html

• College Catalogs/View Books

• Web Sites for LSW Counseling Dept & Colleges

• College Representatives

• Campus Visits

College Visitations

• Call admissions office in advance• Talk to as many students as you can

who attend the colleges of interest• Prepare for admissions interviews, if

applicable• Take time to look around on your

own• Inquire about acceptance of

Common ApplicationAdapted From: Associated Colleges of the Midwest

College Visitations:Questions To Ask

PSAT - Junior year

• The PSAT measures verbal reasoning, critical reading, math problem-solving and writing skills developed both in and out of school.

• We encourage all college-bound students to take the PSAT. The PSAT is the only way to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program

• The test is Saturday October 16th and registration and $20 fee is required at the LSW Counseling Center. Please make checks to LSW and fee waivers are available. Register between September 29th and October 13th

College Admission Tests

• Check with admissions office about ACT or SAT preference. Many schools now accept both test scores– Harvard, Yale, & University of Pennsylvania

• Inquire if SAT II subject tests or ACT writing test are required

• Southeast Community College COMPASS Placement Test– At LSW on Tuesday, October 12th and again on April 18 th

2011. Registration is required at the LSW Counseling Center.

Adapted From: Wall Street Journal

ACT vs. SAT:How do the tests compare?

• SAT: 7 times per year– Recent changes include

• Critical reading passages, essay, & more challenging math

– Ten-section exam– Penalty for wrong answers– Scores range from 200-800

per section– 2400 highest possible

combined score– All scores will be sent to

requested schools

www.collegeboard.com

• ACT: 6 times per year– Recent changes include

• Optional writing section– Four-section exam– No penalty for wrong

answers– Scores range from 1 to 36

for each score– 36 highest possible

composite– Score choice option of

which scores schools will receive

www.act.org

Adapted From: The Princeton Review www.princeton.com

Financial Aid

• All scholarship with Nebraska ties are managed at Education Quest with ScholarshipQuest (http://www.educationquest.org/)

• Fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1st of the senior year. www.FAFSA.ed.gov (not .com)

• EducationQuest is available to assist, and presents a presentation each fall at LSW. This year it is November 9th at 6:30 PM

Don’t Get Scammed On Your Way To College

• Look for warning signs that a scholarship may be a scam– “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money

back.”– “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”– “May I have your credit card or bank account

number to hold this scholarship.”– “We’ll do all the work.”– “The scholarship will cost you some money.”– “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to

receive a scholarship.”– You’re a finalist in a contest that you didn’t enter.

Military Scholarships

• Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) www.armyrotc.com

• Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) www.afoats.af.mil

• Opportunities for both Navy http://www.navy.com & Marines http://www.marines.com

• Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) administered at LSW on Tuesday February 8th

Military Opportunities

• Military representatives visit during the lunch period in the commons area to offer information:

• US Air Force - 2nd Tuesday of each month• US Army- 3rd Wednesday of each month• US Marines – 3rd Tuesday of each month• This presentation will be available on the

LSW Counseling Center website on Tuesday morning. http://isite.lps.org/pvolker/web/

Thank You

The LSW Counselorswould like to thank you for attending

tonight’s presentation.

Also, special thanks to theLisa Ávila, EducationQuest Foundation