So, you want to go to college

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So, you want to go to college?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
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(No Transcript)
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Some questions you might have

• What courses should I take in high school?
• What will I major in?
• Where should I go?
• Big, small, something in between?
• Public, private?
• Closer or farther?
• Should I stay in the midwest?
• Uncle Joey says

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(No Transcript)
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Many of those questions will be answered over
time. For now what you can do is focus on 5
areas

• Academics
• Involvement
• Testing
• Career College Exploration
• Resources

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Academics

• Make sure you are taking the right courses and
  that you are successful in those courses!

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ACT reports

• 2/3 of 8th graders plan to finish college
• Only 1/3 plan to take college prep courses in
  high school
• About 1/2 of the students entering college are
  not prepared for credit-bearing college-level
  work and, as a result, have to take remedial
  courses

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• Without the right college prep courses you may
  not be able to get in to college.
• If you do get in to college, you may not complete
  college.
• Always ask not only Can I get in to that
  college? but also Can I graduate from that
  college?

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Recommended High School Courses

• English - 4 years
• Math (algebra and above) - 4 years
• Science - 3 to 4 years
• Social Science - 3 to 4 years
• Foreign Language - 2 to 4 years (of the same
  language)
• Other 1 year of arts, technology and/or other
  academics

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Its not just taking the courses, but doing well
in the courses

• Learn to be a good student
• Participate in class
• Keep up with assignments
• Ask for help
• Develop good study habits
• Use time wisely
• Use summer school

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GPA and Rank

• GPA Grade point average by semester and
  cumulative
• Rank How you compare to your classmates
• Weighted/Unweighted GPA/Rank
• In college admissions decisions 78 of schools
  surveyed reported grades in college prep courses
  were of considerable importance

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2. Involvement

• School activities less is more
• Community activities
• Career activities
• Keep a folder

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3. Testing

• Explore - 8th Grade
• Plan - 9th Grade
• Institutional Act (IACT) - 10th Grade
• PSAEACT and other ACTs- llth and 12th Grades
• ACT and the Writing Component (www.actstudent.org/
  )
• SAT (www.collegeboard.com/testing/)
• NCAA and the ACT

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3. Testing

• PSAT in 10th grade (mid-October)
• PSAT in 11th grade (mid-October)
• SAT in 11th Grade
• Test Prep Courses
• Go to www.collegeboard.com/testing/

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What do ACT test results tell colleges?

• English score of 18
• Math score of 22
• Science score of 24
• Harper English 20, Math 23

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4. Career College Exploration

• Career Cruising User (contact your counselor)
  Password (contact your counselor) Log in at
  http//www.careercruising.com/
• Friends and family
• Courses and Internships
• Using the Career Mentor

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5. Using Resources

• Talk to your counselor
• College and Career Room (CCR)
• RMHS CCR website http//rmhs.d214.org/students/cc
  r/index.php
• College Fairs

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9th and 10th Grades

• Academics
• Involvement
• Testing
• Career College Exploration
• Resources

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11th Grade

• Academics
• Involvement
• Testing
• College and Career Exploration
• Resources
• Group and Individual Guidance via the CCR
• College Fairs and Visits.

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12th Grade

• Academics
• Involvement
• Testing
• Career Exploration
• Resources
• Group and Individual Guidance via the CCR
• School/ Scholarship/FAFSA Applications

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Start building the foundation for your future
plans!
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Didnt get a copy of the Ultimate College
Planning Guide?

• Download one at
• http//goforward.harpercollege.edu/page.cfm?p2464

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D214 College Counseling

• Buffalo Grove High School
• Kathy Fox 718-4067
• Polly Knudsen 718-4193
• Maxine Levy 718-4069
• Elk Grove High School
• Paul Genovese 718-4441
• John Hersey High School
• Lucia Moran 718-4860
• Prospect High School
• Diane Bourn 718-5279
• Rolling Meadows High School
• Robert Yerkan 718-5660
• Wheeling High School
• John Hammond 718-7045