MCLEAN
HIGH SCHOOL
Post Secondary
Planning Guide
MHS
Class
of 2009
THE QUESTION: WHAT’S NEXT? 
(find information quickly, push
the control button+F key; in the box, put the keyword you are looking for and
it will find it within the document)
Life is full of decisions. Some are relatively easy to make, such as
what to wear or what movies to see; but making decisions about your future can
be confusing. It is difficult to know
where to start because there are many things to think about.
While
considering your next step, the following 7-step Decision-Making Model will
help give you structure, while processing and identifying the necessary
information.
Decision-Making
Model
Step One:
Identify the Decision to be Made
Before
you begin gathering information, it is important that you have a clear
understanding of what it is you are trying to decide. Think about what you want to achieve and
state that as your goal. Some decisions
you might be facing could include:
- What
do I want to do after graduation?
- What
will I do to prepare for the next phase of my life?
- What
are my short-term and long-term goals?
- Where
do I want to be in five years and what is the best way to get there?
Step Two: Know Yourself (Self-Assessment)
Before
you begin exploring careers and trying to identify jobs and careers which will
prove satisfying, you must first get a sense of what makes you YOU – your
skills, interests, values and personality characteristics. Your journey of self-knowledge will never
end, but to get started, use an interest inventory and other available
assessments in the College/Career Center or try Bridges or MyRoad, available
for use at school or at home using the MHS password. See page 9 for website
addresses, usernames, site ID’s and passwords. Questions you may want to ask
yourself are:
Skills:
- What can I do best?
- What are my strengths and
weaknesses?
- What are my most prominent
skills and abilities?
- What skill do I want to use
on the job?
- What skill do I need to acquire?
Interest:
- What am I interested in
doing?
- What activities have I
enjoyed the most?
- With what kinds of people
would I like to go to school/work?
- What kind of college/job
settings would I enjoy?
Values:
- What satisfactions do I seek
in a career?
- In what ways must I be
challenged and rewarded on the job?
- In what type of college/work
environments would I be happy?
Personality:
- What personal qualities do I
possess that will help me on the job?
- How will my personal style
influence my career choice?
- How will I get along with my
supervisor? Co-worker?
Dream: (Dream
BIG. Your crazy idea might not be so crazy.)
- If I could do anything, what
would my life look like?
- What do I feel passionate
about?
- What will my workday look
like 10 years from now?
- What makes you feel
energized or connected?
Step Three: Identify Options
- Post-Secondary Education
- Military
- Workforce
- Apprenticeships and
Internships
- Self-employment and
Entrepreneurship
- Other
Step Four: Gather Information and Data
- Examine the information and
resources available to you.
- Visit your counselor, career
center, library and the Internet.
- Network - take advantage of
all networking opportunities with peers, recent graduates, parents, staff,
college and military reps, business contacts and community members.
- Identify what additional
information and resources you will need.
- Seek out and utilize new
information.
- Use the Career Connections
website for academic and career planning, www.fcps.edu/DSSSE/CareerConnections
- Seek out learning through
experience opportunities (volunteer, job shadow, etc.)
Step Five: Evaluate Options That Will
Solve the Problem
- Identify the pros and cons
of each alternative.
- Identify the values and
needs that are satisfied by each.
- Identify the risks involved
with each alternative.
- Project the probable future
consequences of each alternative.
Ask yourself:
- Will I feel good about this
choice? How will my parents feel about it?
- Will certain risks be
involved? Am I willing to take such risks?
- Will it be satisfying for
me? How will I feel about this
choice five years from now?
Step Six: Select One of the Options
Based
on the information you have gathered and analyzed, you should be able to choose
one of the options. Do you have enough
information to choose one option over another?
If not you might need to do more research. Consult with your parents, counselors, school
staff, and experts in your field of interest or other community members. Don’t forget to talk with graduates who have
experienced a similar option.
Step Seven: Design a Course of Action to
Implement the Decision
Having
chosen one of the options, you can now begin developing and implementing a plan
of action. Confirm that the following
have been evaluated:
- What
information or resources are needed to complete each step?
- What
are the obstacles to implementing my decision and how can I overcome them?
- Identify
steps to implement the decision.
- Identify
when to begin and end each step.
- Identify
the information or resources needed to complete each step.
- Take
time to review your course of action and/or change direction if
necessary. Remember, not very many
courses of action or career pathways are direct. Sometimes it is in the process that we
learn what the next step needs to be.
Decision-making
is a life long skill, so know you will have a lot of opportunities to practice
this important process. The more you are
willing to contribute to the process and to be open to the variety of resources
and people available to you, the more likely it is you will meet with success!
A little luck helps too!
The Answer: “Five
Gateways + One”
High
school graduation is just around the corner! Most students do not realize that
there are different options to consider after high school. These options are
called “gateways” and are listed below:
1. POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
4
2
Technical
and Professional schools and colleges
2. MILITARY
Army Navy
Air
Force Marine Corps
Coast
Guard
3. WORKFORCE
Full-time
permanent jobs
Combination
of two or more part-time jobs
Contract
service on short-term basis
4. APPRENTICESHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS
Carefully
monitored work experiences with intentional learning goals
5. SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Start
a business
Buy
a business
Take
on a franchise
Consult
or freelance
- TAKE A YEAR OFF
Work, travel, community service, etc.
Why Go To College?
(Answer:
How about…a good job!)
Can’t I get a good job now?
Yes,
maybe you could, but statistics are against you:
Census Bureau confirms earning power of higher education
Just in
case you still had some doubts, the U.S. Census Bureau has released data
proving the substantial value of a college education in the
Sometimes
it’s hard to stay in school if you think you need to be working to earn
money. But if you finish high school and
go on to college, you’ll have a wider variety of jobs to choose from, and
you’ll earn more – especially in the long run.
But I don’t know what career to
go into!
If
you’re having trouble deciding what to do, talk with your school counselor and
College Career Center Specialist. Ask
about taking an aptitude test or interest inventory. And remember, you don’t have to know exactly
what career you want before you start college; often a year or two of college
helps a student explore different subject areas and decide on one.
Doesn’t college cost a lot of
money?
Think
of college as an investment: you spend money now so you can earn more
later. Take a look at www.studentaid.ed.gov for
information about the federal student aid programs administered by the U.S.
Department of Education. You can also
call the
Source:U.S.Dept. of Education
WHERE TO FIND
COLLEGE
INFORMATION?
Information seems
to be everywhere: books, magazines, the
Internet, newspapers, brochures and mailings. How do you make sense of it all?
There are many sources of information you can use.
v College Career Center: One location for information on two & four year
colleges, professional and technical schools, websites, financial aid and
scholarships, Internet access, books, videos, and college brochures. See Mrs. Rahn,
v College Catalogs: The most complete
information about a college’s academic offerings. Academic programs are online at the college
website.
v College Admissions
Counselors: Over
130 colleges and universities visit
v College Fairs: The FCPS fair is held in
October at Fair Oaks Mall. A spring fair is also held in April at
v Books: Located in the
v Student Search
Services: Both the ACT and SAT registration forms ask
information about you which can be sent to colleges. If you choose to answer these questions,
colleges for whom you fit a profile will send you literature.
v Internet Access/Computerized
College Search: Students use the Internet for
college and career searches. Family Connection has a college search, as well as
College Board, etc. For help see Mrs.
Rahn, College Career Center Specialist.
v Folks in the Know: College graduates, parents, teachers, counselors,
older brothers and sisters who are in or have graduated from college can
describe their firsthand experiences to you.
They may also be able to put you in touch with students who have similar
interests or faculty members who would be willing to talk with you.
The
College
Information
- College
admissions counselor visits (fall)
- College
catalogues, reference books, Internet site information,
- Grade
level units for freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors
- ROTC
information
- College
files with view books, scholarships, academic programs, etc.
- Bulletin
boards with information about testing, issues in the news, college
programs
Test Information
- ACT
- SAT
- TOEFL
– Test of English as a Foreign Language
- Bulletin
board with test information as well as comparison of test choices
Financial
Aid Information
- FAFSA
and CSS Profile information; U.S. Dept. of Education Publications
- Scholarship
information
- Bulletin
board with scholarship and financial aid information
Military,
Career and Job Information
- Grade
level unit for freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors
- Interest
inventories, reference books
- Military
information
- ASVAB
testing
- Bulletin
board with career information and job postings (school year and summer)
Summer Programs
- Bulletin
board featuring community service, travel, courses, etc
- Files
and web sites of a variety of activities
Information
is available at the MHS website www.fcps.edu/McLeanHS.
Students are free to stop by the Center during the day. Appointments can be
scheduled during the school day for parent/guardian.
Fairfax
County Public Schools KEEP IN TOUCH program allows students and parents to
have the most up to date information about all of the above. Check it out on the MHS home page CLICK TO
KEEP IN TOUCH.
SELECTED WEB SITES RELATED TO COLLEGE
ADMISSIONS
*www.fcps.edu/ss/CareerConnections
-FCPS provides a variety of resources for students and their families to assist
with career and post high school planning.
Some these are web based software programs that require school-specific
logins and school Ids. Others are free
websites.
www.act.org
- Information on the American College Testing Assessment.
www.collegeboard.com
- The College Board homepage includes SAT registration.
www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy
- Information about AP credit and placement policies.
www.careercruising.com - Research careers and college; Spanish
version available at site.
User name:
www.mit.edu:8001/people/cdemello/univ.html
- Links alphabetically to hundreds of college and university homepages.
http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/index_e.html
- Links to Canadian colleges and universities.
http://www.edonline.com/cq/hbcu/ -
Information on Historic Black Colleges
www.petersons.com
- Peterson’s Guides: includes
information on colleges, the application process, and many other links.
www.kaplan.com
- Kaplan’s homepage with information on colleges, financial aid and test
preparation.
www.review.com/college
- Princeton Review’s page of information, including many practice SAT
questions.
www.finaid.org
- Financial Aid Information Page: free information on financial aid and
scholarships; one of the most comprehensive financial aid sites
www.fastweb.com
- Fast Web: financial search through the
web, free scholarship search.
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html?src=mr
- U.S Department of Education: information on the
FAFSA and federal student financial aid program.
www.salliemae.com
- Sallie Mae: information on college
costs and financing college.
www.fafsa.ed.gov
- Information and application for federal aid.
https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/
- This site will provide you with information about initial eligibility at NCAA
Division I and II member colleges and universities
IS
THERE A RESOURCE GUIDE TO COMPARE THE QUALITY OF SPECIFIC MAJORS AT DIFFERENT
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES?
*Many thanks to the NACAC list serve
for these suggestions.
MAKING
THE MOST OF THE COLLEGE FAIR EXPERIENCE
- Review
list of colleges attending in advance
- Prepare
a list of questions
- Allow
time to talk with as many college counselors as possible
- Bring
bag for materials like view books, applications, business cards
- Compare
your college fair experience with another student
GLOSSARY OF COLLEGE TERMS
|
WHAT
ARE MY CHOICES?
- Liberal Arts Colleges-
They tend to develop general knowledge and reasoning ability as opposed to
preparation for a particular career.
- Universities
– They tend to be a collection of
individual colleges, such as the
- Specialized
– They concentrate their offerings in one or
two specific areas such as business, engineering, music or art. Music conservatories fall in this
category.
- Community Colleges/Junior
Colleges – They are a two-year
institution of higher education.
Course offerings generally include a transfer curriculum with
credits transferable towards a bachelor degree at a four-year college and
an occupational or technical curriculum with courses of study designed to
prepare students for employment in two years.
- Professional and
Community Colleges In Virginia – The
Commonwealth of Virginia Virginia have guaranteed admission
programs with Virginia
Community Colleges
Ø Academic
Program – leads to an Associate Degree in Arts
or Science; students can transfer to a four-year college or go out into the
workforce.
Ø Occupational/Technical
Program – leads to an Associate Degree in
Applied Arts; students can go out into the workforce or transfer to a limited
number of colleges.
Ø Certificate
of Proficiency – leads to job placement.
Five Myths about Community Colleges (from the
Myth: Students only attend
community college because they can’t get in to a four-year university
Fact: Statistics refute this
assumption. It may be true that, on
average, community college students have lower ACT and SAT scores than
university students, but many students attend community college for
convenience, family, job, or financial considerations. Community college makes sense, purely for
economic reasons.
Myth: A degree from a community
college is not as good as a university degree.
Fact: A community college degree
can take you straight into the workforce or to an elite four-year
university. Community colleges educate
62% of allied health professionals and over 80% of law enforcement officers and
firefighters, according to the American Association of Community Colleges
(AACC). Community colleges are not
inferior. It is the first choice for
many students because the first two years of college are really exploratory
anyway and it costs so much.
Myth: Community colleges are
inexpensive, so the education is not high quality.
Fact: Community colleges may be less expensive than
four-year universities, but that doesn’t mean you sacrifice a quality
education. Classes in honors programs at
community colleges are smaller than university classes. The curriculum is often
more in-depth and there is more open exchange between teachers and
students. Community colleges tend to be
generic brand, but it’s just as good a foundation as starting at a four-year
university at half the price. Some community college graduates have gone on to
Ivy League schools.
Myth: Community college credits
do not transfer to four-year universities.
Fact: The quality of community
colleges is getting better all the time.
There are more communication (articulation) agreements with four-year
colleges for them to award credit for comparable courses taken at community colleges.
You need to know what institution you want to attend, pay attention to their
requirements, and choose your classes accordingly. The key is careful planning.
Myth: Community colleges have
low academic standards.
Fact: While community colleges
offer “open admission” that breeds diversity, all courses are not open
admission. In fact, students usually
have to take placement tests in order to qualify for college-level work.
Technical and special programs have high standards and students compete to
enroll. The idea that students go to
community colleges because they can’t hack it at a four-year university is
ridiculous. Community colleges have
stringent policies, but also offer students the extra support they need to
succeed.
WHAT
SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN CHOOSING A COLLEGE?
Just what exactly are you looking for? How do colleges make it on to your final list? The first step in the college admission process is to decide and make a list of what factors are important to you about your college experience.
- Size
– Would you feel comfortable on a large campus that offers a wide array of
activities, social life, and cultural opportunities, but where you could
also get lost in the masses and be just a number in some giant
classes? Would you like the smaller
and individual attention more prevalent at smaller schools…but maybe have
fewer choices? Or would you be
happy with a little of both worlds at a medium-sized institution?
- Location – Do
you care about the area around your college? You can find colleges of all
sizes in big cities, suburbs, small towns and pastures. Can you survive at
a college where it’s cold from October to April or warm/hot year round?
- Major – Do
you know yet what field you’d like to pursue as a major? If you have some idea, check with the
colleges to see what they offer.
There’s no point attending a college that does not offer your
major.
- Distance – Do
you want to leave home? If so, how far would you like to go? Does it matter how often you get home
during your college year?
- Academic and Special
Programs –
If you want a study abroad program, dance
degree or ROTC scholarship and your college does not offer it, why are you
applying? Do you need support
services?
- Student Body & Student
Life – Coed
or single sex? What kinds of extra curricular activities are there? Do students have similar goals as you
do?
- Cost – Have
you talked with your family about financing your college education?
WHAT
TRAPS SHOULD I AVOID?
Ø I’m applying because all my
friends are applying there.
Ø There’s only one college that is
the right one for me.
Ø It’s as far from home as I can
get.
Ø All colleges are the same.
Ø I’m going to College Z because
everyone in my family went there.
Ø College Z has a great football
team.
Ø My girlfriend/boyfriend is going
there.
Ø College Y is too expensive.
WHAT
ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?
College admissions counselors may use any or all of the criteria below. The strength of the transcript is most important. The order of importance of each criterion that follows varies from college to college. Students should be aware of what each college considers important.
1.
Strength of Curriculum/Transcript
– This includes the number of academic or
core courses that you have taken; i.e., English, math, social studies, foreign
language, and science. The transcript is
the first piece of paper looked at by admissions counselors. First, they want to see what courses you took
and then how challenging they were.
2.
Grade Point Average (GPA) –
At many admissions offices, the grade on your transcript will be quickly
recalculated into an unweighted GPA, with all As worth four points, taking into
consideration only the core academic subject areas.
3.
Standardized Test Scores: SAT Reasoning Test, ACT, SAT Subject Tests,
TOEFL – Test scores can be used for admission
purposes and/or placement into freshmen courses.
4.
School/Community
Activities/Employment – Colleges deeply desire active
students. They want students who do more
than just study. However, do not
confuse involvement with volume. What
colleges are looking for is that you were truly invested in one or two
activities. Colleges want
contributors, not joiners. All of this becomes your resume.
5.
Application Essay or Personal
Statement – Colleges want an essay for a
couple of reasons. One is to learn
something about you that the rest of your application does not tell them. They are also looking to gain insight into
how you write and think.
6.
References/Recommendations –
Colleges use recommendations to learn things about you they won’t learn
anywhere else.
7.
Awards/Honors –
Usually indicated on both the application and on your resume.
8.
Interviews –
The interview is required by some colleges, but is encouraged by many. This is the only opportunity an admissions
counselor has to connect a face and personality with the information he/she has
on paper. During the interview, you have
two goals: learning about the college and telling the college about yourself.
HOW
DO I KNOW IF I’LL GET IN?
There
are no guarantees in the college admissions process.
Year to year and college-to-college, students are admitted and denied,
sometimes in a seemingly undecipherable pattern. The number of applicants and the
competitiveness of the applicants change over time.
We suggest that students apply to a wide range of
colleges, thereby assuring some degree of choice come the spring.
Researching and realistically
comparing the student’s list of courses, GPA, and test scores with the profile
of the preceding freshman class can accomplish this. Reach schools should be held to no more than
1-2 of the total; target schools 3-4; probable schools no more than 1-2. Do
your research early; don’t wait until April of your senior year.
WHERE
DO I FIT?
Each student needs to compare his/her academic profile (grades & standardized tests ACT/SAT) to the profile of the college in order to begin the process of choosing colleges and universities to research. Adjustments for additional academic and non-academic factors will be made at a later time. These are the three levels of selectivity with shades of “in between.”
Ø TARGET
- A college or university for which the
student’s academic profile (ACT/ SAT & GPA) is similar to the typical
freshman (approx.
Ø REACH
– Academic profile is significantly
weaker, (approx. 1:3 chance to get in)
Ø PROBABLE
–.
Academic profile is significantly (approx.
Barron’s
Profile of American Colleges, Making a Difference in College Admission
One of the best ways to see what your chances are of getting in to a college of your choice is to use the scattergrams, college match, and college compare options in Family Connection.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS
Most colleges require applicants for admissions to take entrance
exams. The tests used are the ACT and the SAT. Some colleges require the SAT Subject
Tests in addition to the SAT Reasoning
Test, while others may want the ACT
with Optional Writing. If English is not your native language, the
college may request the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) in addition to the previously mentioned tests.
However, there are over 700 colleges and universities who have made
these exams optional. You can access
this list at www.fairtest.org or
see Mrs. Rahn in the College/Career Center.
TO TAKE THE ACT OR SAT??
THAT IS THE QUESTION!
These are significantly different tests, and in many ways measure
different skills. Depending on the
student’s particular strengths and weaknesses, one may perform much better on
one test than the other. Students
are encouraged to take a practice test in both,
and then take their best test
again. In 2008, practically every college and
university in the
Ø The SAT has a mandatory writing section; the ACT
does not. It is optional.
Ø The ACT has a science test; the SAT does not.
Ø The ACT math includes trigonometry; the SAT stops at
Algebra II.
Ø The ACT is entirely multiple choice; the SAT is not.
Ø The SAT has a guessing penalty; the ACT does not.
Ø The ACT tests English grammar; the SAT does not.
Ø The SAT tests verbal and math reasoning skills; the
ACT tests what the students have learned in English, reading, math and science.
Ø The ACT has Score Choice (the student chooses which
SET OF scores to submit to colleges); the SAT does not (all scores are sent.)
Ø The SAT takes 3 hours 45 minutes+; the ACT takes 3
hours.
www.act.org www.collegeboard.com
CAMPUS VISITS
It would be unfair – to yourself and to
the college – to judge a college just on the basis of its viewbook or
website. Visiting or revisiting a
college campus will help you make the “right” choice for you. While we realize that it can be very costly
to visit all the colleges before you apply, it is essential to visit the
colleges after you have been accepted and before you make your final
decision. If you cannot visit a college
or university before you apply, we suggest you go online for a virtual tour.
Also remember, we live in the vicinity of many colleges. Taking tours of local campuses can give you a
good idea of what you like and dislike in a prospective college.
BEFORE YOUR TRIP:
q Go
online to find information about campus tours and information sessions. There usually are set days and times.
q If
time permits, arrange an overnight stay in the residence hall. Call the
Admissions Office.
q Inquire
about an interview with an admissions counselor. Some colleges will not interview at all. If
you do get an appointment, be prepared to ask questions. Come with your resume
and an unofficial transcript, which you can obtain from your counselor.
q Arrange
an interview in the financial aid office.
Ask a lot of questions. Inquire about their financial aid application
process, tuition payment plans and work-study programs.
q Performing
Arts majors should contact the department (music, drama, dance) to arrange a
lesson or to attend a class. Visual arts majors should arrange for a portfolio
review.
WHILE
ON CAMPUS:
q Take
a tour and attend an information session.
q Walk
around on your own and talk to students.
You may feel bashful, but chances are they are flattered to tell you
about their school.
q Eat
a meal on campus.
q If
you have a strong inclination toward a course of study, visit that department.
Interview a faculty person. If you are in the science department, check out the
labs. What research is going on? Can
underclassmen participate?
q Find
the student placement office. Browse
through the publications. Where do
students find jobs after graduation? How?
q Pick
up back copies of the campus newspaper.
They are very revealing about the issues affecting the student body.
q Pick
up last year’s course offerings. While many colleges list hundreds of courses
in their catalogue, it is important to find out what they actually
offered. Can you get all the courses you
need within four years?
AFTER
YOU LEAVE:
q Write
down as much information about your visit as you can remember. Include names of people you met.
q Record
your personal impressions of the college – both negative and positive. Did people seem friendly? Stressed? (Exam
time does not count.) Did you like the residence halls? Was it easy to get
around?
q Jot
down some comparisons with other colleges.
Such as “I liked this better at College A than at College B because …”
The more careful notes you take now, the better prepared you will be when it
comes time to make a decision.
q When
you get home, set up a college file. One
folder or file per school. Every time
you receive information from that college, put it in the file. Keep everything together.
What
Questions Should I Be Asking?
It is not about asking questions just to ask, but being sure you are making a decision with all the information. Consider what is important to you. Here are some questions you might consider asking in an information session on campus, at a college admissions counselor visit to MHS, or while doing research on line or in books. *
Admissions:
- What
are the admissions requirements?
Describe a competitive applicant.
- What
is the procedure to apply?
- What
are the application deadlines?
Academics:
- When
do I have to declare a major?
- Do
you offer an honors program?
- Do
you have a study abroad program?
- What
academic support services are available to students?
Cost:
- What
are the current expenses for tuition, room, board, and fees?
- What
types of financial aid/assistance are available?
- What
types of scholarships are available and how do I apply?
Housing:
- What
types of housing are available?
- Are
freshman required to live on campus?
- Is
on-campus housing guaranteed? For
how long?
General:
- What
is important to your institution?
What is your mission?
- How
large is the campus (number of students and acreage?)
- Is
the campus urban, suburban, or rural?
- Is
the campus a “suitcase school” where students leave on the weekends?
- What
is the political/social/religious environment like?
- Will
I be provided with a computer or do I have to bring my own?
- Can
I bring a car?
- How
many students return after the first year?
How does that compare to other colleges?
Services:
- What
opportunities are there to get involved (i.e. clubs, organizations,
student leadership)?
- What
type of security/safety is offered?
- Is
there a health care facility on campus and what services are offered?
- Do
you have a job preparation/placement service for graduates?
*Thank you to the
YOUR COLLEGE INTERVIEW
General
Interview Tips
·
Keep your responses honest! Don’t try and fake anything
·
Keep cool. Take a deep breath and remain composed.
·
If you don’t understand the
question, ask what the interviewer means.
·
Don’t pose as an expert on
matters you know little about. It’s okay
to admit you don’t know.
·
You can say, “I’ll have to think
that over. Is it okay if I write you
about this?”
·
Be courteous and tactful.
·
Dress appropriately!
The following questions have been known
to open an interview.
Think about how you would answer some of
them.
Questions
about your high school experience:
·
Tell me something about your
courses.
·
What courses have you enjoyed the
most? Been the most difficult?
·
What kind of student have you
been? Would this change if you have the
chance to do it over again?
·
Is your record an accurate gauge
of your abilities and potential?
·
Is there any outside circumstance
that interfered with your academic performance?
·
How would you describe your high
school?
·
What is the range of students at
your high school? How do you fit in?
·
Do you like your teachers? Who was your favorite and why?
Questions
about your extracurricular activities:
·
What extracurricular activity has
been the most satisfying to you?
·
What is the most significant
contribution you have made to your school?
·
How would others describe your
role in the community?
·
Do you see yourself as a leader
or a worker?
·
What do you enjoy doing for
fun? Relaxation?
Questions
about your community:
·
Tell me about your hometown?
·
What has been a controversial
issue in your community? What has been
your position on it?
Questions
about college:
·
What do you hope to accomplish in
the next four years?
·
What do you expect to get out of
college?
·
What interests do you hope to
pursue in college?
·
Have you thought about a possible
major? Why would you like to study that?
WRITING YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY
Your personal essay (if the college requires one) is an important part of the application process. The essay gives you an opportunity to write about yourself as a unique person. This is not a time to be humble and modest. Your goal in writing this essay is to sell yourself to the college and to gain admission. Your job is to set yourself apart from others in the applicant pool.
Your essay gives admissions counselors an opportunity to evaluate your writing and to make an estimation of your ability to contribute to the life of the college. Remember the personal statement is yours. If it looks like Madison Avenue, the admissions committee will probably assume that it is your mother’s or father’s or secretary’s. A “gimmick” essay rarely goes anywhere. The committee will be amused but unimpressed with your candidacy. Write a serious essay from the bottom of your heart in the most mature manner possible.
ESSAY DOS AND DON’TS –
DO:
Ø Plan Ahead – Leave time to write and rewrite your essays with time in between.
Ø Tie yourself to the college: why you are interested in attending, what can the institution do for you. Be specific.
Ø Read the instructions carefully. ANSWER THE QUESTION!
Ø Consider the unique features of the institution; e.g., a liberal arts college will be impressed with the variety of academic and personal interests you might have, while an art institute would be most interested in your creative abilities.
Ø Emphasize what you have learned. Show, don’t just tell. Remain the focus of your writing.
Ø Grab the reader from the 1st sentence.
DON’T:
Ø Force it, be too funny, sad, cute, or silly; e.g., “I enjoy playing the piano and guitar but not simultaneously.”
Ø Be redundant – essays should not be a rehash of information already provided on other parts of the application or on your high school transcript.
Ø Let modesty cover up your greatest assets and achievements.
Ø Worry about trick questions. Your readers are genuinely interested in your answers to the questions.
Ø Be afraid to confess your anxieties or indecisiveness. Admissions counselors enjoy helping people and can be quite moved by the knowledge that you need them.
REMEMBER!
The purpose of an application essay is to communicate a sense of who you are as an individual, what you think about yourself and the world, and how you express yourself. No matter what topic you write about, keep the purpose firmly in mind.
So…be truthful…be
yourself…be creative…and in your final draft…be careful.
SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTIONS
(Taken from recent college applications)
What do you see as the turning point(s) or important events in your life and why do you view them as such?
What
is the most critical moral, ethical, or social problem facing
Describe your ideal of the honorable person. Feel free to use examples.
If you were given the opportunity to spend an evening with any one person, living, deceased, or fictional, whom would you choose and why?
Please cite and discuss a literary quotation or brief passage that has special meaning to you.
We invite you to reflect on an issue or experience that is significant to you or to your perspective on the world around you. We do not ask a specific question or present a topic for this essay because the subject you choose tells us almost as much about you as the way you discuss it.
Describe a situation in which your values or beliefs caused conflict with someone you respect. How was the situation resolved?
RESUME – A resume will be needed for your counselor and colleges. These are some
of some of the things you may be doing in high school. You may or may not have
all or any of these activities. Use the resume feature on Family Connection to keep track of your
activities. When it is time to write up a formal resume, this format will help
to highlight who you are and what you do.
Any
Student
012-34-5678
Education
– McLean High School, 2005-2008
Honors
and Awards
Extracurricular
Activities – In school, out of school
Work
Experience
Academic
Honors and Awards
Summer Activities
Skills
Hobbies
LETTERS
OF RECOMMENDATION FROM TEACHERS
Many
colleges ask you to supplement your application with letters of recommendation.
Choose one teacher to do all your recommendations unless more are
necessary. It is your responsibility to
determine what letters, if any, are required.
Colleges may specify that recommendations come from:
Ø Teachers
in academic subjects who can speak to your academic strengths.
Ø Coaches
and teachers who can attest to your athletic or artistic talent.
Ø Counselors
who can address your personal strengths, accomplishments, and special
circumstances which might impact on an admissions decision; or others, such as
club sponsors, religious leaders or employers who can give evidence of your
character and leadership ability.
You should
choose a person who knows you well enough to write a letter of recommendation
that will cite your strengths and abilities.
Allow the person sufficient time to write a thoughtful letter. It is helpful to share your resume in order
to provide background information about you. If the letter
is to be mailed directly to the college, provide a stamped addressed envelope. It is appropriate to send a thank you note
to anyone writing a letter of recommendation.
Teacher
recommendation request forms are available in the Guidance Office.
DEADLINES
**Counselor
Data Packet**
**Teacher
Letters of Recommendation **
**Counselors must have your
completed packet by these deadlines.
**Teachers must have your request
for recommendations by these deadlines.
|
Application
Deadline for College |
Deadline
to Return Completed Packet to Counselor Deadline
to Request Recommendations from Teachers |
|
November 1,
2008 |
October 1,
2008 |
|
November 15,
2008 |
October 15,
2008 |
|
December 1,
2008 |
November 1,
2008 |
|
December 15,
2008 |
November 15,
2008 |
|
January 1 or
2, 2009 |
December 3,
2008 |
|
January 15,
2009 |
December 14,
2009 |
|
February 1,
2009 |
January 2,
2009 |
|
February 15,
2009 |
January 15, 2009 |
COUNSELOR
DATA PACKET
(Packet must be turned in no later than four (4) weeks before your
earliest deadline. See deadline table on
p. 23.)
Completion
of the Counselor Data Packet is required in order for your counselor to submit
your transcript, secondary school report, and counselor recommendation.
The
transcript release form (yellow) allows you to list the names, addresses, type
of admission plan and due dates for your applications. The list can be amended at any time. Forms
are available in Guidance.
The
secondary school report gives your counselor the opportunity to respond to a
series of questions posed by colleges and universities, as well as write a
recommendation.
The
packet gives students opportunities to self assess their lives up to this
point. Parent input is also
requested. These comments are helpful to
counselors as they write their recommendations.
Packets
are available during senior meetings, from your counselor, online through
Blackboard and from the Guidance office.
COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR
JUNIOR YEAR 2007-2008
|
September v
Register
for the PSAT/NMSQT v
Begin meeting with college
admissions counselors in the |
October
v
Take the PSAT/NMSQT v
Attend the College Fair/College Night Programs |
November
v
Consider taking the ASVAB (Armed Services
Vocational Aptitude Battery).
Administered all year long. |
December
v
Attend a financial aid
workshop if possible v
Students receive results of PSAT/NMSQT |
January
v
Begin college search and meet with counselor &
College Career Center Specialist v
Register online for spring ACT/SAT testing v
Begin research for summer programs |
February
v
Register for Senior Classes v
Continue research for summer programs:
volunteering, working, taking classes, traveling v
ACT February 9 |
March
v
Begin service academy and ROTC applications v
Continue researching summer opportunities v
SAT March 1 v
Visit colleges 3/17-3/21 |
April
v
Attend GMU College Fair evening v
Begin/continue scholarship search (e.g. Internet, Family Connection v
Take the TOEFL if applicable v
ACT April 12 |
May
v
Take Advanced Placement Tests May 5-16 v
Take TOEFL if applicable v
Begin NCAA Clearinghouse process v
Ask for letters of recommendation. v
SAT May 3 |
June
v
SAT June 7 v
ACT June 14
|
SUMMER
-Put together your
resume; refer to your resume on Family Connection; update
as needed.
-Visit
colleges
-Visit
websites for information and/or applications.
-Begin
working on your college essays.
-Search
for scholarships; use the Scholarship Database on Family
Connection.
-This
is the year to STUDY. Seek help when you need it.
-Register
on scholarship website such as www.fastweb.com
COLLEGE
PLANNING CALENDAR
SENIOR YEAR 2008-2009
|
September v
Finalize list of colleges v Start filling out college applications v
Get counselor data packet
from counselor v
Complete ROTC and service
academy applications v
Complete NCAA clearinghouse
forms: www.ncaa.org v
File CSS Profile |
October
v
Search for scholarships v
Submit early decision/early action applications v
Submit requests for recommendations and
transcripts v
Attend College Fair and College Night programs TBA v
SAT Oct. v
ACT Oct. 25 v
Oct. 1 deadline for counselor data
packets and teacher recommendation requests (Nov. 1 application deadline) v
Oct. 15 deadline for counselor data
packets and teacher recommendation requests (Nov. 15 application deadline |
November
v
SAT Nov. v
Schedule interviews or auditions if necessary v
Nov. 1 deadline for counselor data
packets and teacher recommendations (Dec. 1 application deadline) v
Nov. 15 deadline for counselor data
packets and teacher recommendation requests (Dec. 15 application deadline) v
Start working on financial aid (FAFSA) using 2007 tax
data. Apply for PIN online v
Complete all applications for regular admission if
you’ve applied early |
December
v
Receive early decision/action reply v
Pick up financial aid forms/booklets in the v
SAT Dec. v
ACT Dec. 13 v
Dec. 1 deadline for counselor data
packets and teacher recommendation requests (Jan. 1 or 2 application
deadline) v
Dec. 15 deadline for counselor data
packets and teacher recommendation requests (Jan. 15 application deadline) |
January
v Submit
financial aid (FAFSA) forms after January 1st – use online
application or paper – www.fafsa.ed.gov v SAT Jan. 26 v Jan.
2 deadline for counselor data packets and teacher recommendation requests
(Feb. 1 application deadline) v Jan.
15 deadline for counselor data packets and teacher recommendation requests
(Feb. 15 application deadline) |
February
v
Semester grades mailed to all colleges where
applications were sent v Avoid
Senior Slump. Final Grades Matter! |
March
v
Lots of scholarships v
Avoid
Senior Slump – Final Grades Matter |
April
v
Schedule final college visits April 6-10 v
Attend spring college fairs and apply to
additional colleges if necessary v
Avoid
Senior Slump – Final Grades Matter |
May
v
Take Advanced Placement tests v
Notify colleges by May 1st of your
decisions. Deposit to only one (1) college! v
Avoid
Senior Slump – Final Grades Matter |
June
GRADUATION
CONGRATULATIONS!
|
ONGOING
-Continue to
work on applications/essays.
KEEP GRADES UP. Admission is conditional based on successful
completion of Senior Year.
MILITARY OPTIONS
|
1. SERVICE ACADEMIES
The
Websites:
www.usafa.edu - U.S. Air Force Academy
www.cga.edu -
U.S. Coast Guard
www.usmma.edu - U. S. Merchant Marine Academy
www.usma.edu -
U.S. Military Academy
www.usna.edu - U.S. Naval Academy
2. RESERVE
OFFICER TRAINING CORPS (ROTC)
The ROTC program provides you the opportunity to attend a civilian college while studying military leadership as part of a total undergraduate program. ROTC is a college elective, which requires about four hours a week. It is offered at hundreds of campuses. Applications are available upon request from college ROTC units or on the websites.
www.armyrotc.com
- Army ROTC
www.afrotc.com
- Air Force ROTC
www.nrotc.navy.mil - Navy ROTC
3.
MILITARY ENLISTMENT
Opportunities for enlistment in the
military are plentiful. The five
services offer over hundreds of schools and thousands of courses of
instruction. This training and the experience
that follows give the military veteran a real advantage in the civilian world.
Enlisting in
military service right after high school is an option. The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and
Coast Guard provide job training in many fields, as well as opportunities for
enlistees to take some college-level courses.
The services can also help you build a college fund.
The U.S.
National Guard consists of two components: the Army National Guard (ARNG) and
the Air National Guard (ANG). Its
mission is to serve the state in times of natural disaster or civil
disturbance, and the nation in time of war.
Flexible scheduling makes it possible for you to combine service in the
National Guard with work or school. The
Guard meets one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer. U.S. National Guard also offers educational
benefits.
Each service sets its own enlistment
qualifications. Contact your local
recruiters for information or visit their websites regarding qualifications and
program opportunities.
Websites:
www.army.mil - Army
www.navy.mil - Navy
www.af.mil - Air Force
www.mc.mil - Marine Corps
www.uscg.mil - Coast Guard
www.ngb.dtic.mil - National Guard
For additional information see the
Military Career Guide at www.militarycareers.com
FINDING
THE JOB
Successful job hunting refers not only
to finding a job, but also finding the best job possible. When employment is plentiful this may not
present a problem; but when jobs are scarce, you may have to think creatively
and investigate many sources. Listed
below are suggested resources:
- Relatives,
friends and neighbors
- Counselors
and teachers
- High
school coordinators of professional technical programs
- Career
centers
- Help
wanted ads and bulletin boards
- Civil
service, county, state and federal agencies
- Private
employment agencies
- Walk-in
inquiries
- Job
fairs
- Trade
journals and directories (available in the library)
- Fellow
employees
- Contacts
made through volunteer activities
- Online
job bulletin boards
HOW TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY
- Develop
a list of businesses that usually hire people with your skills and ask for
an interview. Many job hunters use
this approach and most get the jobs they want.
- Do
not wait for businesses to advertise. Be assertive.
- Do
not underestimate smaller businesses.
Most of the workforce is employed by small companies.
- Find
out what new businesses are opening in your area and when they will begin
hiring.
- Target
jobs in rapidly expanding fields.
PROFESSIONAL
TECHNICAL
OPPORTUNITIES
APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeship is an employer’s training
program. It is a time-honored program
combining on-the-job training (OTJ) with related instruction (RI). The result is a skilled craftsperson. When you complete both on-the-job training
and related instruction, you become a registered apprentice. Registered
apprentices completing a full program receive a State Apprenticeship
Certificate upon completion. This
certificate is nationally recognized.
Over 300 employers sponsor more than 1,200 apprentices in
Examples of Apprenticeship Programs:
Barbering
Carpentry
Cosmetology
Electricity
Heating,
Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Machinist
Nail
Technician
Office
Administrative Support Specialist
Optician
Plumbing
Surveying
Apprenticeship Terms/Definitions
Apprentice:
Person 16 years or older, learning a trade with on-the-job training and related
instruction in accordance with state and federal apprenticeship standards.
Apprenticeship: A certified, structured, well defined program
of training that combines supervised on-the-job training skills with related
instruction training in the classroom.
Websites
Construction
Workforce Development Coalition
HOW
DO I COMPLETE THE APPLICATION?
Completion of the application is an
important job. Make time in your
schedule to make this a priority. The
applications that you receive demand that you perform certain tasks and that
you alert MHS to perform others. Let us
consider this in detail.
THE STUDENT’S PART:
1.
Access an application from the
college through the college’s web site, or other Internet source.
2.
Read the application
thoroughly.
3.
If you’re completing the
application online, read the instructions carefully
and print out all forms necessary to complete the application!
4.
If using a paper application,
duplicate it and use the copy as a work sheet.
Type it if possible. If not,
print neatly using black ink. Do not
cross out mistakes or submit it with smudges.
5.
Ask for Return Receipt Requested
at the Post Office if mailing your application.
6.
Answer all questions directly,
clearly and accurately.
7.
Use N/A (Not Applicable) for
questions that do not apply to you.
8.
Use correct English and make sure
your spelling is correct.
9.
Describe your activities
fully. Show any leadership roles
(offices held, committee chairperson, etc.).
If you are a member of an organization, specifically describe any
activities in which you participated; i.e., tutoring, organizing, special
exhibits, etc.
10. Include
non-school related activities such as religious organizations, scouting,
hobbies volunteer work, community theater, etc.
11. Describe
work experience and responsibilities.
12. If
an essay is required make sure that it is thoughtful and technically correct
and that it says what you really mean. (See section on essay writing.)
13. Establish
your account for your online application if available. If not, print the application out and treat
as a paper application.
14. Submit
your completed application using a check or credit card well before the
deadline.
15. Keep your counselor informed.
At least four weeks before submitting your application, fill out
the Yellow Transcript Release Form. Give this form, along with the Counselor
Data Packet to your counselor. If teacher
recommendations are needed, please request them from your teachers four
weeks in advance.
THE
COUNSELOR’S PART:
1.
When asked for a transcript, the
counselor will send your transcript, including summer school grades through the
end of your junior year and a list of your courses in progress; McLean High
School profile; Fairfax County Public Schools Profile; resume; and
recommendation letter (if requested).
2.
MHS will send its own
Secondary School Report. You do not need to use the one provided by your
college or university.
3.
Mid-term grades, stating your new
grade point average, are sent at the end of the second grading period to every
school to which you apply that requests them.
If you are taking Advanced Placement courses, a .25 will be added for
each course.
4.
Your final transcript is sent in
June to the college of your choice. This
will be indicated on the Senior Survey which is distributed in May.
SCHOOL
APPLICATION/TRANSCRIPT RELEASE
The
student is responsible for submitting college applications and fees to the
colleges and universities of his/her choice.
The student must complete the Counselor Data Packet in order for the
counselor to send a transcript to colleges.
The
first three (3) transcripts are free.
Each additional transcript costs $5.00.
Payment must be made at the time of the request.
Transcript
Release Forms and Recommendation Request Forms are available in the Guidance
Office. To request a transcript, please
do the following:
Ø Complete and sign a Transcript
Release Form. Complete information,
including college addresses, must be provided on all Transcript Release
Forms. You and your parents must sign
this form.
Ø Pay the required fee.
Ø Note on the Transcript Release
Form if the college requires a counselor recommendation. If you request a counselor recommendation,
your counselor may request additional information and forms from you.
Ø If you have additional forms from
the college that must be filled out by the counselor, submit those along with
the request.
Ø
All
transcript requests must be submitted to the counselor at least four (4) weeks
before the transcript is due at the college. See
deadlines on p. 20.
Ø If the college requires a teacher
recommendation, the student must take any required forms to the teacher. Provide the teacher
with addressed, stamped envelopes. Ask the teacher to send a copy of the
recommendation to your counselor for your cumulative file. It is
essential that you inform your teacher and your counselor of the deadlines.
SUMMARY
OF THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
o Do the groundwork. Review web pages, seek information, and visit
campuses.
o Decide where you wish to
apply. Select colleges in more than one
category of selectivity.
o Access the Internet for college
application and financial aid forms and come to the
o Check carefully for application
deadline dates.
o Take the appropriate admissions
tests. Does the college want the ACT with Writing? Are the SAT Subject Tests
required for admission or placement? Which test, ACT or SAT, do I do better on?
o Make sure that you meet the
admissions requirements for the program you want.
o Narrow your choices of colleges
to six to eight… Be realistic.
o Submit the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting January 1st and, if needed, the CSS Profile.
o Apply to the institution for
financial aid, if interested.
o Apply for local and other
financial aid, if interested.
o Confirm admission by sending in
required deposit.
o Attend orientation. and register
for classes.