SENIO

R

RETREA

T

CLASS

OF

2012

OBJECTIVES

Students will review the options available after high school.

Students will receive information on thecollege admissions process.

DECISION MAKING…

Know yourself well--your strengths &

weaknesses, likes and dislikes, hopes and

dreams. Understand and accept the evidence of your grades and test scores.

Research your options.

Consult people who can help you evaluate the situation.

Consider your choices and set a goal.

OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

4 Year CollegeCommunity CollegeTechnical SchoolTrade SchoolApprenticeship ProgramsMilitaryWork

MILITARY

See Lt. Colonel Goggins to take the ASVAB

(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), a career aptitude test.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS

• Training on the job in a particular trade by a skilled worker as part of a planned program.

• Taking classroom instruction at a community college, or in regular school if on a part time job.

• Training anywhere from one to six years,

depending on the trade.

TRADE & TECHNICAL TRAINING

Private Trade and Technical ProgramsHoward County Community College, Baltimore

Community College, and Anne Arundel Community College offer postsecondary education programs in:

• Automotive Technology• Network Operations• Architectural Design• Construction• Electricity• Hospitality• Allied Health Care

HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGEPrepares students for entry into a 4-

year college to complete a bachelor’s program.

Prepares students to enter the world of work in a skilled professional or paraprofessional capacity.

FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

WHAT DO COLLEGES LOOK FOR?

Your Academic Record

The difficulty and variety of courses you have taken.

Cumulative GPA and Weighted GPA.

Please note that senior grades are important Please note that senior grades are important and can demonstrate improvement!and can demonstrate improvement!

WHERE ARE THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED

IN?

Read about colleges and other programs!

Fiske, Insider’s Guide, college websites.

Talk to your teachers and other adults that you know.

Attend the HOWARD COUNTY COLLEGE FAIR in October.

Sign up NOW for fall testing!

Stop And ThinkSATSAT

ACTACT NOW!

REASONS TO TAKE THE SAT OR ACT!

4 year colleges require entrance exams

Community colleges use SAT scores to place studentsStrong SAT scores may qualify

students for $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Information gathered can be used to help plan for future classes

The SAT is a strong predictor of student success in college

ADDITIONAL TESTS…

SAT Subject Tests (required by most competitive schools)

ACTAccuplacer

NCAA

Students interested in participating in Division I or Division II college sports should see coaches, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Mindel, or counselors for information regarding the NCAA Clearinghouse registration.

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE: SENIOR YEAR

1. SUMMER: COLLECT APPLICATIONS, CREATE A FILING SYSTEM TO ORGANIZE MATERIALS. WORK ON ESSAYS.

SEPTEMBER: SIGN UP FOR FALL SAT’S, ACT’S (OCTOBER,

NOVEMBER, DECEMBER) BEGIN SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SENIOR INTERVIEWS W/COUNSELOR REQUEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TEACHERS COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT REQUEST PACKET FINISH ESSAYS

CONSIDER YOUR FUTUREOPPORTUNITIES!There is a college and/or post-

secondaryprogram available for EVERY student.

You are in charge of your future.

Take advantage of available opportunities!

TRANSCRIPT PACKETS!

What are they and why do you need them?

TRANSCRIPT INFORMATIONWE WILL NEED TO RECEIVE THESE ITEMS FROM YOU:

Parent Release Form

Senior Academic Resume

Student Questionnaire and Parent Questionnaire

Secondary School Report or counselor section of your college application

Envelopes addressed to each college with 2 stamps on each envelope. Envelopes should not have return address

$4.00 per transcript packet

THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE WILL MAIL:

Copy of certified high school transcript class rank, weighted and unweighted GPA

Senior schedule is included on your transcript

Howard High Profile

Academic Resume

Secondary School Report from applicationSecondary School Report from Howard

Recommendations from counselors and teachers

SAT SCORE REPORTING

Howard County transcripts no longer include SAT or ACT scores. This is a change from previous policy. Students must order score reports from the College Board and/or ACT organization.

www.collegeboard.comwww.act.org

STUDENT AND PARENT QUESTIONNAIRES

Please complete these questionnaires when requesting teacher and counselor recommendations!

TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Select two teachersRequests for letters should be typedInclude a resume and input form with

your requestSome colleges require teacher

recommendation forms – you must provide the form

Teachers need at least 30 school days advance notice

Teachers will submit letters to the Registrar

MID-YEAR REPORTS AND FINAL TRANSCRIPT REPORTS

Students are responsible for bringing in STAMPED business size envelopes addressed to the colleges.

The school will mail mid-year and end of year transcripts at no charge.

Towson UniversityOffice of Admissions

8000 York RoadTowson, MD 21252-0001

MEET THE REGISTRARS

Mrs. St. JohnMrs. Wohlers

EARLY DECISION/EARLY EARLY DECISION/EARLY ACTIONACTION

Early decision means early deadlines!Early decision means early deadlines!

Let your counselor know as soon as Let your counselor know as soon as possible when you are applying possible when you are applying early!early!

HOWARD HIGH HOWARD HIGH SCHOOLSCHOOL

CLASS OF 2012CLASS OF 2012