Educational Pathway to the Future Planning for Your

Educational Pathway to the Future Planning for Your student’s Future Success Presented by the WLHS Counseling Department

WINDSOR LOCKS HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT § Mrs. Ramirez – School Counseling Director § Mrs. Smith – School Counselor § Ms. Sullivan – School Counselor § Mrs. Zaine – School Counseling Secretary

Windsor Locks High School Class of 2021 Graduation Requirements Ø Ø Ø 4 credits of English 3 credits of Mathematics 3 credits of Social Studies (incl. Civics and US History) 3 credits of Science (incl. 1 cr. Biology) 2 credits of PE (incl. Health) 1 credit of Career/Technical (CTE) 1 credit of Fine Arts 1 credit of Raider Block (. 25 credits/year – 4 years) 7 credits of electives Vision of a Graduate Standards State performance standards: Mathematics, Reading, Writing, and Science – from the Ct. School Day SATs and the NGSS Science Exam Total Credits for Graduation: 25

There are over 4, 000 two and four year colleges in the United States

4 Year Schools College vs. University College offers fewer programs of study Major emphasis is on undergraduate education University Contains several schools or colleges and offers more majors Offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees *May be a better option for the undecided student Public vs. Private Public (UCONN, CCSU, UMASS, UNH) Public funding = lower tuition (even if you go out of state) Required to accept a large percent of in-state students Private (UHart, Fairfield, Quinnipiac, Boston College) Program money is more available (so, private schools are NOT always more expensive) Able to respond to student’s curricular needs and interests faster Specialized Colleges – Schools that concentrate in one or two major areas, ie: Art or Music Colleges

Two Year Schools Community College (Asnuntuck or Manchester Community College) Prepares students for associate’s degree or to transfer to 4 year college Lower cost Open Admissions Junior Colleges (Bay Path College, Dean College) Prepares students for associate’s degree or to transfer to 4 year college Small student population and some on campus housing Two Year Branch Campus (UCONN West Hartford) Prepares students that may not be prepared academically or financially for a four year school

Technical Schools Lincoln Technical School – several CT locations - Provides students with training in Automechanics, Trades, Health Sciences, Culinary, Cosmetology & Business • Porter & Chester – several CT locations - Provides students with training in Automechanics, Health Services, Computers & Trades •

Military Options The Military Branches can provide very meaningful academic and career-related opportunities for students who are either not quite sure of their post-secondary direction or their personal interest in service to their country. We do offer the ASVAB test in November and we do have members of each branch come in during lunch hours or Raider Blocks.

Early Action vs. Early Decision Students who have a clear first choice Binding Contract Agree to withdraw all other applications if accepted Can only apply early decision to ONE college Early Action Apply earlier, but do not have a binding contract May apply to multiple schools Regular Decision Rolling Admissions

Where to start? What is the Right Fit? Self Assessment and Reflection Academically, vocationally, socially/personally Strengths/skills Interests Areas to improve upon Athletics Special talents

Additional Characteristics to Consider Particular Majors Resident or Commuter? Selectivity? Competitive Level? Location/Distance from home? Do you require special services? Size of enrollment? Under 3000 – small, over 15, 000 – extra large? Co-ed or single gender? Environment? Urban, Rural, Suburban? Athletics/Activities Financial $ Aid?

NCAA Freshman-Eligibility Standards Division I only -16 core courses – new requirements for athletes enrolling into college or university on or after Aug. 1, 2016 4 years of English 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher) 2 years of natural/physical science (1 must be a lab science) 1 year of additional English, math or science 2 years of social studies 4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above, or from foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy) Division II -- 16 core courses (2013 and after) – see guide book For more information: https: //web 3. ncaa. org/ecwr 3/login or Toll-Free #877 -262 -1492

Financial Aid Direct Costs Gift Assistance Tuition Grants Fees Scholarships Room/board Local awards Indirect Costs Self-Help Room/board Loans Travel Work study Personal costs Books/supplies Financial Aid Evening – October 2020 TBA

Naviance Family Connection https: //student. naviance. com/wlhs Family Connection Scattergrams Previous WLHS college data Internet accessibility Student accounts – Username & Password you made the first time or come to school counselor to pick up a reset password

Naviance Login Page

Naviance College Search

College Visit Schedule a visit through admissions Take a tour of the campus Visit during February and April vacations or on weekends Bring a friend Eat lunch, visit the dorms, “sit in” on classes

College Testing What do I need to do to prepare for college testing? Khan Academy What tests should I take? When should I take them? How do I sign up? sat. collegeboard. org www. actstudent. org 11/24/2020

PSAT/NMSQT Results All Gr. 11 PSAT score reports will be available online for your student(s) between Dec. 9 th – 11 th. If students have not set up a College Board account to see their scores they can do so by going to sat. collegeboard. org to make an account. If they have trouble once they have made an account, have them see Mrs. Ramirez for an access code. Students should also link into Khan Academy

CT State-wide SAT Exam All Juniors in the State of Connecticut will take the CT State School Day SAT on March 25, 2020 Junior students should link their College Board and Khan Academy Accounts to assist with SAT Practice and Strategies

Junior Year Itinerary Jr. January Develop preliminary college list using PSAT results Use Naviance and online college sights to research college Plan extracurricular and community service opportunities Jr. February Visit colleges during the long February Weekend Research summer programs, opportunities at various colleges and universities, and summer job possibilities Register for AP Exams Jr. March Plan senior year courses Take the CT School Day SATs Register for Spring SAT & ACT Discuss Spring SAT Subject Exams with your counselor Attend National College Fair in Hartford Jr. April Use April vacation to visit colleges File application for Military Academy and ROTC Continue to work on Community Service

Junior Year Itinerary Cont. Jr. May File NCAA Eligibility form Take AP Exams Take SAT Reasoning and/or SAT Subject Test Register for UCONN ECE course Jr. June-August Take SAT Reasoning and/or SAT Subject Test Arrange college visits/interviews for summer Draft college essay and resume

Where should I be in this process by the end of this year? A developed list of 6 to 10 schools for further research Have visited schools where you are applying Taken the SAT/ACT at least once Begin your resume Work on your Naviance Brag Sheet Identify teachers to ask for letters of recommendation

Most importantly, maintain balance!