Guidance

College Planning Packet

Junior Year

2007 – 2008

Essential Question:

What are my options/goals after high school, and what are the next steps to achieve them?

COLLEGE PLANNING

JUNIOR YEAR

September	October	November
Register for PSAT in Guidance Office ( cost is $25, deadline to sign up is October 12^th)	October 20 – Take PSAT October 25 – College Fair at LSM (7-8:30pm) Meet with counselor in small groups to discuss future planning & to do an initial college search	November 7 – Junior Future Planning Night at LSM (7-8:30pm)
December	January	February	March
Begin to clarify your educational goals, needs, and preferences Use PSAT results to develop range of colleges Talk with graduates home from college December 13 – Financial Aid Night, 7-8 pm	Prepare for midterms. Junior grades are very important. Consider taking SAT Prep class (begins in February, sign up in guidance office)	Refine college search in small groups with guidance counselor Develop a preliminary list of colleges Begin to plan college campus visits	Browse college catalogs and viewbooks/visit websites CAPT retakes if needed Attend National College Fair at Hartford Expo Center (field trip) March 14 – take ASVAB if interested in the military (sign up in guidance)
April	May	June	Summer
Visit colleges during April vacation if possible Athletes – register with NCAA for Division I or II	Individual conferences with counselor regarding future plans Identify teachers whom you may ask for recommendations AP Exams May 3^rd - SAT I/II offered at LSM	June 7 - SAT I/II (not at LSM) Arrange for college visits and/or interviews for the summer	Review SAT material Compile resume/list of activities, jobs, community service, honors/awards Finalize college list

Step 1: Consider your reasons for furthering your education

Goals

Factors Influencing you

Learning opportunities you want

Career & life directions

Step 2: Explore Personal Characteristics

Academics
Rank in Class
Testing (SAT I, SAT II, PSAT, ACT)
Extra curricular involvements
Special talents

Step 3: Identify Desired Characteristics

Type of school – 2-year, 4-year, technical/trade school
Entrance difficulty
Majors offered
Size
Location/lifestyle
Activities
Cost
Special programs

Step 4: Research Schools

Computer search (databases)
Catalogs
Internet websites
College fairs
College rep visits
Appointments with Guidance Counselor

Step 5: Collect More Detailed Information

Campus visits
Interviews

Step 6: Compare School Information

http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/sidebyside.jsp

Step 7: Keep Rethinking Goals & Options

The following criteria are employed in varying

degrees by admissions officers in considering an

applicant’s eligibility.

1. Meeting the general entrance requirements.

2. Academic record and rank in class.

3. Results of SAT I, SAT II, or ACT.

4. Recommendations of high school teachers and counselor.

5. Extracurricular activities.

6. Specific preparation for certain college programs (music, art, engineering, etc.).

7. Personal interview.

8. Essay.

SAT Registration

www.collegeboard.com

ACT Testing

www.act.org

College Search & Information

www.collegeboard.com (college matchmaker)

Choices – on desktop at LSM

www.collegeinfocenter.com

www.kaplan.com

www.campustours.com

www.hbcunetwork.com

www.Going2college.org

Career Exploration

www.ctdol.state.ct.us/youth/main.htm

http://careerkey.org/

Choices – on desktop at LSM

www.bridges.com

www.achieveworks.com/20409

Financial Aid Information

www.fafsa.ed.gov

www.ed.gov/studentaid

www.finaid.org

www.fastweb.com

www.salliemae.com

www.collegeview.com/finaid

www.cslf.com/

Choices – online at Lewis S. Mills – www.Bridges.com

www.allaboutcollege.com

www.college-scholarships.com

College Information

College Handbook, College Entrance Examination Board

Book of Majors, College Entrance Examination Board

The Best 361 Colleges, Princeton Review Publishing, LLC

Barrons Profiles of American Colleges, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

Complete Book of Colleges, Princeton Review Publishing, LLC

Peterson’s Four Year Colleges 2006, Peterson’s

Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges, Rugg’s Recommendations

The Gourman Report, Princeton Review Publisher LLC

K & W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities, Princeton Review Publisher, LLC

Vocational and Technical Schools (East), Peterson’s, a division of Thomson Learning

Colleges with Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities, Peterson’s

Financial Aid

The College Board Scholarship Handbook 2006, College Entrance Examination Board

College Cost and Financial Aid Handbook 2006

Peterson’s Scholarships, Grants, and Prizes 2006, Peterson’s

Sports Scholarships and College Athletic Programs, Peterson’s

Career Information

Enhanced Occupational Outlook Handbook, Jist Publishing, Inc.

Guide for Occupational Exploration, Jist Publishing, Inc.

Encyclopedia of Careers, Ferguson Publishing Co.

O’NET Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Jist Publishing, Inc.

Standardized tests are only one of the many factors which colleges use in making admissions decisions. Such testing provides a reasonably accurate comparison of student performance on a nationwide basis. Students in New Hampshire and California take the same tests; their scores should be somewhat comparable measures of achievement and ability. A brief description of the major tests follow:

1. THE PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is an October practice test for sophomores and juniors designed to give you an idea of the procedures, questions, and scope of the SAT I. Detailed results are reported in a way that helps you to see your strengths and weaknesses.

2. THE SAT I

Required by most 4 year colleges/universities in the U.S. The SAT Reasoning Test assesses student reasoning based on knowledge and skills developed by the student in school course work. It measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities through multiple choice questions. It also includes a third measure which is writing. Students have 25 minutes to write an essay on an assigned topic. The math section has been enhanced and includes questions from Algebra II.

3. SAT II

Only certain colleges require the SAT II. SAT II tests are diagnostic measures of actual knowledge acquired in specific areas. They are given in numerous subjects. These tests are one-hour in length, and the scores range from 200-800. In general, you should not take an SAT II until you have nearly completed a subject. If you want to take a math SAT II test, we advise you to consult with your math teacher before deciding on taking either Math Level I or II. It is your decision as to how many tests you take (up to three) and in what order. This decision must be made when you register.

4. ACT

The ACT tests English, math, social sciences, and natural sciences. Registration forms are available in the guidance office. This test may be used as a substitute for the SAT I and is accepted by almost all colleges.

NOTE WELL: Fee waivers for the SAT I and II and PSAT are available from your counselor if you meet certain economic guidelines. Applications for the SAT I and II/ACT tests should be mailed long before the registration deadline, which is printed in the back cover of the registration booklet. Failure to register by the deadline results in your paying a late fee.

Lewis S. Mills’ CEEB code for SAT/ACT is 070807.

While all juniors should begin exploring possible educational programs following graduation, those interested in the Service Academies and the ROTC scholarship programs must begin as soon as possible to ensure that they receive full consideration.

The first step in securing an appointment to one of the academies is to obtain a Pre-Candidate Questionnaire. The websites of the service academies have excellent information on this and the seemingly daunting task of obtaining a congressional nomination.

Admissions Office

U.S. Military Academy

Building 606

West Point, NY 10996

www.usma.edu

Admissions Office

Navy Recruiting Command

801 North Randolph Street

Arlington, VA 22203-1991

www.usna.edu

Admissions Office

U.S. Air Force Academy

2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200

U.S.A.F. Academy, CO 80840

www.usafa.af.mil

Admissions Office

Merchant Marine Academy

P.O. Box 97059

Washington, DC 20077-7221

www.usmma.edu

The second step is to write to each of your Senators and your Congressmen and ask that they consider you as one of their nominees. Please see your guidance counselor for additional information.

The Coast Guard Academy has an admissions procedure similar to other highly competitive colleges. There is no nomination process involved. Write directly for an application to:

Admissions Office

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

15 Mohegan Avenue

New London, CT 06320

www.uscga.edu

ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and Naval ROTC Programs is offered by the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. This program trains qualified young men and women to become officers in the above services upon graduation from college. ROTC is available in more than 1,000 colleges and universities throughout the United States.

ROTC scholarship programs involve a competitive application process as well. In addition to the written application, candidates must undergo a physical examination, formal interview, and physical abilities test. The first step in the process is request an application. Please see your guidance counselor for details.

Directions for CHOICES :

Post-Secondary Schools/Careers/Military Careers

Enter your password. (If you do not use your proper password, you will not be able to print anything.)
Click on the CHOICES icon (light purple with half a face).
Select “JUMP IN” if this is your first search or open your file if you’ve worked on CHOICES before and saved the information.
From the green “DATABASES” section click on:

1) “POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS” if you are looking for 4 year colleges, 2 year colleges, specialty schools or vocational schools

a) at bottom left, click on the SEARCH button.

b) From the “SEARCH TOPICS” select the categories that you want to include in your search for colleges; if you are not sure what a category means, highlight it and click on the “Tell Me More” button for a description of the category.

If you are interested in schools that are not colleges, select “Institution Type”.

2) “OCCUPATIONS WITH POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS” if you are looking for military information or career information

a) at bottom left, click on the SEARCH button

b) from the “SEARCH TOPICS” select “Special List of Occupations” and click on military occupations

c) or use other Search Topics to find careers that are of interest to you. If you are not sure what a category means, highlight it and click on the “Tell Me More” button for a description of the category.

When you have finished searching and have a list you would like to research, highlight any school, military career or career; then click on the REPORT button. On the bottom half of the screen you will see information about the school or career.
If you wish to print a list of schools/careers, click on Print, put a check next to “suggested schools/careers” and “review your search topics” enter your name, and then Print.