Grand Canyon SchoolGuidance Presentation

What will you do after graduation?

•Community college• In-state university•Out-of-state university•Work•Military• Technical/vocational school

Good link to Check out:

•Counselor Corner HIGH SCHOOL ACTION PLANS

Community College

• 35% of high school students attend community college after graduating from high school. Most students are familiar with Coconino Community College, however this is just one of many in the state.• Many students will attend the community colleges to gain their

associate’s/ two-year degree in a specific trade or skill, or they will take classes that will transfer to one of our in-state universities (ASU, U of A, NAU).• Contact your community college advisor to discuss your future goals,

and find out how your classes will transfer to different universities.

Steps for community college:• Visit a campus• Apply to the college • Apply for financial aid and/or scholarships• Request your high school transcript or GED scores and college

transcript• Complete placement testing (tuition waivers available for good

scores!)• Meet with an academic advisor at the college• Register and pay for your classes• Register for and pay for a new student orientation session• You can do this ANY time

In-State Universities

• Arizona has three state universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. In addition, Grand Canyon University and Embry Riddle are two private universities.• Seniors should apply to the state universities by December 1. • Submit an official transcript and official SAT/ACT scores.• Once you apply, you will be considered for admission as well as merit-

based monetary awards.• After applying, you will receive instructions for creating a User ID. You

will use this to monitor your account and register for classes.

Merit-based scholarships:

• Apply by December for merit-based scholarship consideration• Applicants must usually meet at least ONE of the following:• Top 25% in high school graduating class• 3.00 GPA in competency courses (4.00 = "A")• ACT 22 (24 nonresidents)*• SAT Reasoning 1040 (1110 nonresidents)*

Competitive Scholarships:

Barrett the Honors CollegeDorranceFlinn FoundationRonald McDonald House CharitiesT. W. Lewis

Scholarship search engines:

• https://financialaid.arizona.edu/types-aid/scholarships/free-scholarship-search-engines• NOT just for U of A, but everywhere in the country!

Out-of-State Universities

• Each college and university will have a unique application process. Go directly to the school's website for specific admission requirements, application deadlines, and application directions.• Competitive schools usually require letters of recommendation and essays in

addition to the application, transcript and ACT/SAT test scores. In some cases, these schools may also require SAT Subject tests in addition to the SAT/ACT scores. Pay close attention to each school's requirements and deadlines!• Many competitive campuses allow you to apply using the Common

Application. The benefit to you is that one application can be used for several colleges. Beware: sometimes the specific college/university will require supplemental materials above and beyond the Common Application.

Out of State Colleges:

• To qualify for IN-state tuition, you usually have to established residency there for the year prior to admission; otherwise, you pay OUT of state tuition• Essays are usually a BIG deal for out of state applicants – WHY should

they pick YOU instead of their own students and dedicated taxpayers?• Apply online• Pay attention to deadlines – they are absolutely unforgiving• Send SAT/ACT scores there – sometimes worth the investment

For ALL colleges:

• Establish relationship with admissions counselor• Application• Transcript• Test Scores• Scholarships and Financial Aid• Watch for Deadlines!

REACH OUT FOR RESOURCES! You will have to be your own best advocate! What events are happening in Flagstaff high schools? For example, last fall, an excellent college fair was held on Thursday, 2 October 2014, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Flagstaff High School dome

College-Bound Student Athletes

There are 3 types of colleges/universities with athletic programs

1. NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association• Division I, Division II, Division III• The NCAA requires students to qualify through the NCAA Eligibility Center for

Division I and II. NCAA – www.ncaa.org• NCAA Eligibility Center – www.eligibilitycenter.org

2. NAIA – National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics• NAIA – www.naia.org• NAIA Eligbility Center - www.PlayNAIA.org

3. Junior or Community Colleges• NJCAA – www.njcaa.org• AACA – www.aacc.nche.edu

World of Work• Prepare to enter the world of work! How can you get the best job,

earn the most money, and be happy with the job you apply for? Follow these tips that will help you get a job in the area you want!oCreate a ResumeoCreate a Cover LetteroResearch the MarketoApply! Apply! Apply!oNot sure what you want to do? Take an Interest Inventory to find out what

jobs are associated with your interests.o We should be doing some work with AZCIS each semester, though you can check it out at

https://azcis.intocareers.org/materials/portal/home.htmlo Login: grandcanyonhs, Password: 4azcis02

Military• ARMY - http://www.goarmy.com• AIRFORCE - http://www.airforce.com/• MARINES - http://www.marines.com• NAVY - http://www.navy.com/navy/

ROTC Websites• Army ROTC – www.goarmy.com/rotc• Airforce ROTC – www.afrotc.com• Navy ROTC – www.nrotc.navy.mil

United States Service Academy Information• There are five Service Academies in the United States. If you are interested in attending the Air

Force, Naval, Military, Merchant Marine, or Coast Guard Academy, please see the counselor by February of your Junior year.

• The application process brings in the spring of your Junior year. These are CRITICAL steps in the process:

1. Register to take either the ACT or SAT exams in the spring of your junior year. Give yourself time to retake these tests if your scores need to be improved.2. Make sure your schedule reflects classes that demonstrate a challenging college preparatory curriculum. Performing well in an Advanced Placement class will help prepare you for the rigorous academics offered at the academies. Be sure to take a minimum of:

• (4) English - College Prep Writing, Literature, AP classes• (4) Math – Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trig, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus• (4) Science – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Classes• (3) Social Studies – World History, American History, Government, Economics, AP classes• (2) World Languages• (1) Computer Science

• Academies are looking for individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, as well as athletic ability, leadership and community service. The profile of a typical cadet includes the following composites:

60% Academic – High school performance, grades, and SAT/ACT scores20% Extracurricular – Athletic participation, leadership positions (scouts, school clubs, class officer), public/community involvement and work experience20% Admissions Panel – Faculty/staff review and Admissions Liaison Officer interview

Technical & Vocational Schools

• A trade school (also known as vocational school or career college) is a school where students are taught the skills needed to perform a particular job.

• Information Technology, Automotive, Cosmetology, and Culinary Arts are just a few types of skills that individuals learn at a trade school.

• http://www.trade-schools.net/locations/arizona-schools-directory.asp

What can I do now to give myself the edge I need that students in schools of 3000+ have?

Scholarship coordinators look for three things (not just one or two):

1.Academics2.leadership, AND3.civic responsibility

ACADEMICS• Challenge yourself with AP classes

1+ at a time, in your area(s) of strength4.0 GPA is nice – “scholarship maximization” is best realized with 4.0+

possible via AP classes (NOT dual enrollment)Study groups and study guides

• SAT/ACT scores trump everything and are internationally recognized• DO NOT take before spring of junior year – why would you?• Take the PSAT as a junior (qualifies you for National Merit Scholarship)• Take multiple times, if possible• Ask principal for fee waivers, if you qualify• Take test prep session (like ZAPS.com) – pricey, but good investment

LEADERSHIP• Very, very difficult to become a class officer in Mesa, Chandler,

Gilbert, etc. Not here!• ADVOCATE for yourself – do NOT wait for a staff member to offer to sponsor a

class or lead student council (they may not, and you CANNOT afford to wait)• YOU are the consistent presence and force for change here, NOT us• CREATE the leadership opportunities for yourself:

• everybody is waiting for someone to set the class voting schedule, announce the candidates, arrange an assembly, arrange/run the meetings…so DO it

• If there is a job to be done that doesn’t have a title, INVENT a title, give it to yourself (it doesn’t take a vote), add it to your resume, and start doing it – and doing it WELL!

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY• Service hours MATTER! There are TONS of scholarships devoted only to these –

the more you have, the better. College essays can be almost entirely based on what you’ve given to your community• Scouting looks great to employers, colleges, recruiters, etc.• Boys State and Girls State (for juniors) are the “gold standards” of civic

responsibility resume items• Show that you have a HEART, not that you are doing it because the School Board

tells you that you need 40 hours of service• Show INITIATIVE – one person beginning a project that, say, gathers students and

does a neighborhood sweep to collect unwanted books for the community library unites leadership AND civic responsibility (and ivy league schools gobble that up on scholarship essays!)

NOTES

• Nobody said the road to success would be easy• The kids I’ve seen do this got 4-5 hours of sleep per night• They did not have an active social life in high school• They did not have very happy summers• They mostly came from single-parent homes on fixed incomes• All are in college, all on full-ride scholarships