ACT/SAT Tests

Class of 2016 Post-Secondary Planning-Answering Your Questions about Life After RBHS

Hello Class of 2016! Greetings from Guidance. This is the time of year that most of you are beginning to plan for life after graduation and many of you have already come by with questions about what you should be doing now. This presentation will provide you with lots of information about the Post-Secondary Planning process and afterwards, counselors will be available to help you in finding answers to questions you may have.1What are you going to do next year???There are LOTS of options, and NOW is the time to start thinking about what you want to do next year:CollegeTech SchoolApprenticeshipMilitaryGap Year/Study Abroad/TravelWork

There are LOTS of options for what you can do next year.college, technical school, an apprenticeship or full time employment, enlisting in the military or taking a gap yearand NOW is the time to start thinking about what you want to do after you graduate from Rock Bridge. 2The TimelineNot every option is going to have a specific timelineIf youre planning on going to college, you need to start researching schools and filling out applications now.Several schools have priority scholarship deadlines in November or December and you need to apply for admission before you can apply for scholarships. Even if a schools admission deadline is later, you have to apply by the priority scholarship deadline if you want to be ensured scholarship $$.

If you need help researching options there are LOTS of resources to help you get started!

3How do I start applying?Gap Year Programs- application information is usually available on the program websiteMilitary- contact a recruiterRecruiting station in the Columbia Mall, recruiters also come to RBColleges/universities/tech schools- you can find most schools applications are available on their websiteCommon Application https://www.commonapp.org Each school will have different application requirementsAlmost all schools will require a transcriptSee Mrs. Davis in Guidance if you need a transcript. You will need to complete a release form before your transcript can be sent.

Many of you may have questions about how to start applying for your post-secondary programs. For gap year programs, application information is usually available on the program website. If youre interested in the military, you should contact recruiter. There is a recruiting station in the Columbia mall and we also have recruiters who come to Rock Bridge. For colleges, universities, and technical schools, you can usually find the application on their admission website. Some of you will be using the Common Application to apply for colleges. The Common App allows you to submit one application to multiple schools partnered with the Common App. Application and admission requirement differ from school to school but almost all schools require a transcript. See Mrs. Davis in Guidance if you need a transcript sent. Transcripts cost $2 each and you will need to complete a release form before your transcript can be sent. 4TESTINGIf you need to take (or retake) the ACT or SAT for college admission/scholarships, you should do so this semester. There are only a few test dates offered before you will be sending in your college applications this semester. If you scored poorly on the ACT, try taking the SAT. Some students score better on one test than the other. ACT & SAT Prep materials are available in Guidance and online. We offer several different options for ACT Prep

If you have not yet taken your ACT or if you would like to re-take the ACT to get a higher score for admissions or scholarship consideration, you should do so this semester. There are only a few test dates offered before many of you will be sending in your college applications this semester. You can register for the ACT online.

5Campus VisitsVisit the schools you are applying to- experience it for yourself, dont just assume youll love it based on the experiences of others or the pictures you see online. Meet with the admissions counselorSee the campusEat in a dining hall and see the dormsMeet with a Financial Aid OfficerVisit with college reps who come to Rock Bridge!Its a great way to get your foot in the door and make an impression on the admissions rep who will be reviewing your application file. Sometimes having a face to put with a name on a file can make the difference in acceptance vs. denial.

We cannot stress enough how important it is for you to do campus visits to your top schools of interest. Visiting schools allows you to experience the campus and the school culture for yourself- dont just assume youll love it based on the experiences of others or the pictures you see online.

If you cant get to all of the schools on your list, at least make an effort to contact their admissions rep. Several colleges have reps who come to Rock Bridge. You can come to Guidance and visit with those reps; its a great way to get your foot in the door and make an impression on the admissions rep who will be reviewing your application. Sometimes having a face to put with a name on an application file can help your chances of being admitted. 6ScholarshipsNational ScholarshipsFind a list on the Guidance websiteSalute to Seniors Community Scholarships Coming 2nd semester!University/College scholarshipsusually on the colleges financial aid or scholarships websiteMerit scholarships Departmental ScholarshipsA+ Scholarship- pays for 2 years of school at a community college or tech school in Missouri (pending availability of state funding). 4 year schools may offer A+ incentive scholarships also! November 1st is the deadline for seniors to enroll in A+ Program!

Many of you have already asked about scholarships and there are a variety of scholarships available to Rock Bridge seniors including- National Scholarships, the Salute to Seniors Community Scholarships that you will receive information about next semester, university merit and departmental scholarships, and the A+ Program Scholarship that pays for tuition at a 2 year community college or tech school. Scholarship amounts and deadlines vary, so its important to be continuously researching scholarship opportunities. Remember, the deadline to enroll in the A+ program is November 1st. 7Check out the Guidance Website! Answers to a lot of your questions can be found here!Academic Support/TutoringA+ ProgramACT/SAT/PSATCOMPASS/ASVAB/CLEP ExamsEducational Travel/Study Abroad

College Visits Important FormsJob OpportunitiesPost-Secondary Planning & FAFSAScholarships

One of the best resources that you have available to you is the Guidance Website. Answers to a lot of your questions can be found here including information about Academic Support and tutoring, the A+ Program and a link to the A+ application, ACT/SAT/and PSAT info and test prep options, info on the COMPASS, ASVAB and CLEP Exams, a calendar of college reps who will be at Rock Bridge, Important Guidance Forms, Internship & Job Opportunities, Educational Travel & Study Abroad opportunities, Post-Secondary Planning information and Information about Scholarships and Financial Aid

8Guidance is now on Twitter!!FOLLOW US @RBHSGuidance for lots of fabulous information! Scholarship info and deadlinesCollege visitsACT/SAT remindersFree giveaways (like free Andys!)And more!

Another great way to get Guidance information and announcement is by following us on Twitter. We tweet and retweet tons of great information including : job opportunities, scholarships, college visits, ACT/SAT reminders, as well opportunities to win prizes!9Important Upcoming Events!Wednesday, Sept. 23rd- Mid MO College Fair at the Hearnes. Registration information available in GuidanceRegistration deadline: 4PM Fri., Sept. 18th Friday, Oct. 23rd- College & Career Village (CCV)Opportunities for all studentsPresentations on careers and career planning (ex. Resume writing, interviewing skills) and college planning (ex. college essay writing, financial aid) and a college fair that will have info on colleges, gap year programs, and the military. More info will be coming your way in October : )If you have not done so already, please take the CCV survey available on the Guidance website.

A couple of important upcoming eventsOn Wednesday, September 23rd, the Mid Missouri College Fair will be held at the Hearnes Center on MUs campus. Registration information is available in Guidance. On Friday, October 23rd, we will have the College and Career Village here at Rock Bridge.

The CCV provides opportunities for ALL students to explore post-secondary options. There will be presentations on careers & college and career planning as well as a college fair with information from colleges, gap year programs, and the military. More information will be coming your way in October. Also, if you have not already taken the CCV survey, please do so. It is available on the Guidance homepage. 10Scavenger HuntThis concludes our part of the presentationNow its time for you to find a partner and research some of the answers to commonly asked questions!

(counselor, pause the presentation here : ))