Planning Your Post H.S. Education
Parent Night - Nov. 18th
Topics covered
1. Choices after high school
2. Career Exploration
3. Finding the Right Fit
4. College Selection
5. College Visits
6. Admission Basics
7. Junior Year Testing
8. Senior Schedule
9. Scholarships
10. NCAA Eligibility
11. Other Options of Post High School Education
CHOICES AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
- College - community college, certificate programs
- University
- Trade School/Apprenticeship Program
- Armed Forces/Military
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- Study a specific program/certificate.
- Stepping stone to pursue a Bachelor's (and beyond) at the university level.
- Lower cost
- Open Admissions - Every gets accepted.
APPRENTICE AND VOCATIONAL/TRADE SCHOOLS
- In high demand
- Get paid while learning.
- May be eligible for full company benefits - pay and health insurance.
- Men and women encouraged.
- Types of trades: Electrician, Masonry, Heating and Cooling, Welding, Plumbing and more
Armed Forces
- Meet with a local recruiter so you can learn about the armed forces.
- Be sure that military branch has the career you are interested in.
- Important information about training, opportunities, and benefits should be discussed.
- Attend a Zoom meeting set up by counseling with local recruiters or college/university ROTC program recruiters. Check your counseling google classroom for announcements.
University
Can attend a community college first and then transfer credits to the university. Usually after 1 - 2 years.
OR
Can attend right after high school.
Go full time, meet with college advisor to plan courses to complete in 4 (+) years.
Meet with a college advisor to review career path and which classes to take to get there
FINISH the degree - County data shows that 60% of students that enter college complete the degree in 6 years or less. That leaves 40% of students not completing...
MI's HOT 50 Jobs through 2028
What are employers looking for?
- Technical Skills
- Time Management Skills
- Study Skills
- Ability to Problem Solve
- Ability to be a Team-Player and Compromise
Use this time
Look for Opportunity
Career Exploration
Xello - Follow the link on the RHS Counselor page https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/rochester-high-school/pages/6304/counseling-office - Matchmaker, Skills, Interests, Personality Inventory, Career Interviews, to name a few.... Click on the Careers button and use the filters to narrow the choices.
Finding a Good Fit Career. What training is needed?
The wrong training
Just right
Without training...
1. Consider Your Preferences
Start with your career and research colleges/training programs.
Consider job shadowing the career you have interest in to get a real look at it.
Need help finding a college/training program that has your career of interest?
Use Xello.
- Complete the Choosing a College lesson on your home page.
- complete the questions
- review your matches
- Or search your Career and look up the needed Education and which colleges have that degree.
Or visit Nepris: https://www.nepris.com/about
Some Things to Consider
Reflection may be required. Think "wish list".
2. What are the things you like about your high school? (Things you would want to keep in your life.)
2. What are the things about high school you don't care for? (within reason)
3. What are the things you like about your hometown/community?
4. Is there a club, program or course you'd like to continue or join in college/post high school training?
Resources on Finding a Good Fit College
College Admission Representatives/Advisors Visit RHS in the Fall
College Night
College Websites
College Visits/Tours - Most colleges have virtual tours and Zoom appointments available with reps. Visit their website.
College Open Houses
College advisors from the admissions dept come to RHS in the Fall!
Building the List. College isn't just about getting in. It's staying in and finishing.
- There is no exact amount of college applications you should send, however we recommend you consider a range of 3-6.
- "Good Match" colleges: You have a good chance of getting in; your data matches their incoming freshmen data profile.
- "Safety" colleges: Your data is higher then the average of their freshmen profile.
- "Reach" colleges: The college's profile data is above your profile or this college is a highly selective school. A highly-selective college is defined as the acceptance of 15% or less of everyone who applies. The number of these colleges have gone up, and their admit rates have gone down, so some have rates as low as 5%. An Outstanding Academic Record Is No Guarantee of Admission.
An easy way to find a college's incoming freshmen profile is through the college's website or Xello
2. College Visits
College visits are both an important and exciting part of the college selection process. If you’re going to move away to college, be sure to investigate your new home.
Why Visit?
Get answers to your questions!
- Does it feel like it could be your home?
- Will you have enough to do outside of class?
- What’s the town like around it?
- Is it the right mix of support and challenge?
- Living conditions, food, facilities, etc.
- What internship or study abroad options do they have?
When and How to Visit
When
- Whenever you can during junior year or summer after... But it is best when classes are in session prior to applying.
- Second best-once your student is admitted (Dec – April of senior year).
- Try to avoid only visiting on a weekend-every campus is great on a Saturday
How
- Most colleges will have an online sign up for a tour or visit. Check their website under future/prospective student or admissions.
- Ask to see things that are important and that interest you.
College Visit Checklist
http://www.cappex.com/media/collegeVisitChecklist.pdf
Virtual Tour
http://www.youvisit.com/search/colleges
Questions to ask a college student during your college visit?
1. How easy is it to get help in class or get in touch with your professors?
2. Have you been able to get into the classes you’ve wanted?
3. What’s the social life like?
4. Do most students stay here on weekends, or do they go home?
5. How is the food?
6. How much time do you spend studying?
7. How responsive is the administration when is comes to addressing students’ problems?
8. Do you feel safe on campus?
9. What do you wish you’d known before coming here?
10. If you had to make the decision again, would attend this college?
11. What internship (co-op) experiences are available?
Consider Honors Colleges
3. Admissions Overview
Admission Policies
Types of Applications
Common Application Details
Common Application is used by hundreds of member colleges.
◦Over 500 colleges participate nationwide
◦Michigan Common Application Schools: Albion, Alma, Aquinas, Calvin, Central Michigan, Davenport, Eastern Michigan, Hillsdale, Hope, Kalamazoo College, Kettering University, Lawrence Tech, Michigan State, Northwood University, Olivet, Spring Arbor University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, University of Michigan - Dearborn, University of Michigan - Flint, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University and others
◦Applying to multiple colleges at the same time
◦Some colleges will require the students apply through the common application and others will have an alternative option. Consider picking the alternative option if you're not applying to more then one (or two) common application schools.
Coalition Application
Michigan Coalition Schools - University of Michigan, Michigan State
Dates and Deadlines
Front End:
We encourage students to have most of their applications completed and submitted by the end of October. Especially students who are applying Early Action or to a rolling admission school. *Be sure to check merit scholarship deadlines. Many colleges have a deadline of March to be considered for merit scholarships. Check the college's website. You may have time to retake your SAT and improve your GPA after you apply in order to be considered for a merit scholarship.
Back End:
It's courteous to tell every college of your acceptance or rejection of offers of admission. Once you send in your deposit, you're securing your admission to the college. The deposit is usually refundable until May 1 if you change your mind.
The 3 Step College Application Process
1. Student completes application online and submits the application.
2. Student create an account at www.parchment.com and request a transcript be sent to the colleges they apply. The transcript will include the student’s senior schedule.
3. Student’s should send ACT and/or SAT scores to the colleges directly from the testing agency. You can send your SAT score to 4 colleges for free when you register for the test. This is highly recommended. If you wait to send your score, it can take several weeks for the college to receive the score and it costs money.
Using Common Application or Coalition - Recap
What Happens After You Apply?
What do Colleges do once they have the student’s application? Either they….
1. Accept: info on housing, orientation, financial aid
2. Wait list/Defer: Will remain in the applicant pool for consideration. The college may ask you to provide more information: 1st semester grades of senior year, updated test scores
4. Deny: Will not offer admissions for the upcoming school year. If still interested, students will be asked to apply with full time college freshman year grades.
College Application To-Do List for Spring
- Take virtual tours/open houses with your parent/guardian
- Take the ACT/SAT
- Maintain a high GPA
- Clean up social media, online profiles, open new email account for college apps and scholarships
- Ask politely for letters of recommendation if your college requires them. This provides lead time for the writer. Provide your letter writer with a resume/list of extra-curricular, awards, work experience, etc.
Be a smart consumer.
4. College Admission Tests
MME Testing
MME TESTING
April 13: SAT plus essay http://www.collegeboard.org
April 14: ACT WorkKey https://www.act.org/workkeys/
◦Tests personal workplace skills tests: applied math, reading for info and location info
◦National Career Readiness Certificate
April 15: MSTEP (MI Science and Social Studies)
SAT
Quick Facts
- 4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and Essay
- 400–1600 score scale
- 3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Essay
- 4 answer choices
- 4 college application fee waivers for every student who uses an SAT fee waiver
Khan Academy
ACT
The ACT consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The ACT with writing includes the four multiple-choice tests and a writing test.
Test Content
English: 75 questions45 minutesMeasures standard written English and rhetorical skills.
Mathematics; 60 questions60 minutesMeasures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
Reading; 40 questions35 minutesMeasures reading comprehension.
Science; 40 questions35 minutesMeasures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
Optional Writing Test; 1 prompt40 minutesMeasures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.
ACT free test prep through Kaplan - http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation.html
The SAT or ACT?
You are allowed to take the ACT by registering and paying for the test through act.org.
SAT vs ACT
Should I retake a college admissions test?
1. Could you do better and increase your chances of getting admitted into college?
2. Could you increase your score and earn a merit scholarship?
3. Have you taken it twice?
◦Data #1: For 55% of you, your score will improve when you retest
◦Data #2: Scores don’t typically go up after twice unless you study, practice, take a prep class . . . do something. Hint: Log on to CollegeBoard and link your PSAT/SAT results with Khan Academy!
SAT/ACT Concordance Table - How do the totals relate to each other?
ACT/SAT Prep Resources
RCS Summer Learning Program - Information available around Spring Break
Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
Test Preparation Services: 248-620-0123 www.testpreparationservices.com
Princeton Review: 1-800-273-8439 www.princetonreview.com
Kaplan: 1-800-KAP-TEST (1-800-527-8378) www.kaptest.com
Study Point: 1-87STUDYPOINT or (1-877-883-9764) www.studypoint.com
College Quest Educational Services: 248-647-8378 www.collegequestmi.com
Test Preparation Workshops: Phyllis Katz, B.S., M.Ed., Director 248-552-7209
Or google it!
Note: This list is compiled as a courtesy service to parents and students. It is not to be taken as a recommendation. Tutors listed are not employed as tutors by RCS and are not subject to background checks. If you intend to use this list to locate a tutor or organization, it is your responsibility to interview candidates and make a selection based on information you feel is relevant to your particular needs.
Free Websites:
5. Senior Schedule
6. Scholarships
Merit - GPA and Test Score - Check College Website for criteria - www.meritaid.com
Organization/Community - Large number available - Check Out Counseling Webpage
7. Potential D1 and D2 Student Athletes
Students interested in Division I or II college athletics need to make sure they meet eligibility requirements
Core Courses (see list of approved course on the eligibility center website)
●NCAA Division I requires 16 core courses plus GPA/Sliding Scale
●NCAA Division II requires 16 core courses. (2013 and after)
• Other Eligibility criteria
●Test scores and GPA (2.0 or higher)
● Division 1: sliding scale & Division 2: ACT sum score
•Register during Junior year for NCAA at: www.eligibilitycenter.org
•Send transcript to NCAA at the end of your junior and senior year
•Send your ACT scores to NCAA (code: 9999)
•Check out College Bound Student-Athlete and Parent Guide at: http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/CBSA1.pdf
AP Credit
Each college will have their own AP credit equivalency guidelines. It could be useful to look at your potential colleges AP Credit Guides Policies just for awareness.
Examples:
●https://oakland.edu/registrar/collegecredit/
●https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/ap-ib-credit/ap-guidelines
Special Interest
- Study Abroad
- Music/Theater
- Art School
- Disability Services
- Co-op (internship) Opportunities
Options - Associates Degree, Certificate Program, Apprenticeships
- Receive 2 year degree (associates)
- Take courses and tests for a certification (usually 2-3 years in specific programs and directly to career)
- Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled and in demand occupation.
- Michigan Works! Troy - 248-823-5101
- Going PRO in Michigan https://www.mitalent.org/students-going-pro-with-skilled-trades
- mikerowe WORKS Foundation - Work Ethic Scholarship Program - http://profoundlydisconnected.com/scholarship/
- SkillsUSA - https://www.skillsusa.org/
- Come check out our Oakland County Apprentice Programs book in counseling
Community College and Transferring
- Transfer to 4+ year (Bachelors degree program) college after 1 or 2 years
- Know where you want to end - transfer to
- See transfer equivalency charts at each school of interest (MI Transfer Network)
- Save money on the core/required courses but know where you want to end- college and career
- Look into transfer scholarships
- Save money
- Couldn’t get in class during fall/winter semesters
- Want to get through faster
- Want a lighter load during the regular year
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Books
Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope http://www.ctcl.org/
Rugg's Recommendation on College by Fredrick Rugg
Fiske Guide to Colleges by Edward Fiske