POST
SECONDARY
PLANNING/
Objectives of the Meeting
 What is post-secondary planning?
 How do I explore the different options?
 What is the role of the student, the parent and the
counselor in the post secondary planning process?
 What criteria do colleges use to evaluate
students?
 Questions
Self-Reflection
Academics
What are your unique gifts and
talents?
What are your interests?
What are your goals and
values?
What courses have you
enjoyed the most?
What do you want to
do when you
graduate?
Outside Interests
What activities do you
enjoy most?
What do like to spend
your time doing?
Other considerations
What are your family’s
expectations?
Are there financial
concerns?
What is post-secondary planning?
 Junior Planning Assembly
 Junior Individual Student/Parent Meeting with Counselor
 Check-ins
 Developmental Guidance
 Senior Planning Assembly
 Senior Individual Student/Parent Meeting
Post Secondary Options
 Work
 Certificate Program
 Military School/ Service
 Technical School/Culinary School
 Community College
 2 Year College
 4 Year College/University
Work
 Update Resume
 Speak to your counselor about internship or early work release
options.
 Attend Job Fairs
 Practice Interview Skills
Certificate Programs
•Results in certificate of completion rather than a
degree
•Either prepare students to complete a specific task
or educate them about one particular aspect of their
field
•Usually 30 credits or less
Military School/Service
•Five branches
•Army
•Navy
•Air Force
•Marines
•Coast Guard
•Military Schools are very competitive
•ROTC programs
•ASVAB – Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
Technical School/ Culinary School
•Technical Schools provide employment preparation skills for
trained labor.
•Some offerings:
•Welding
•Culinary Arts
•Office Management
•Some technical schools in Connecticut:
•Branford Hall Career Institute
•Lincoln College Institute
•Porter & Chester Institute
•New England Tractor Trailer Training School
•Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy
Community/ 2 Year Colleges
•Two-year colleges that grant certificates and
associate's degrees.
•Requires a high school diploma or GED
• Accuplacer placement test for course
placement
Is community college
an option you?
• Have you performed at your best during high school?
• Are you concerned about finances?
Did you know…?
In Connecticut, the community colleges have
articulation agreements with the state universities.
This means students can transfer to any of the state
universities after completing two years as long as
they meet the following requirements:
• 2.5 GPA to transfer to all of the state universities,
except UConn
• 3.0 GPA to transfer to Uconn
Community Colleges in our area
•
•
•
•
Capital Community College-Hartford
Manchester Community College-Manchester
Middlesex Community College-Middletown
Asnuntuck Community College-Enfield
Goodwin College
• Offers certificate and Associate degree programs and
a selected few Bachelor degree programs
• Complete a career focused program that will allow
you to transition into the world of work after
completion
• Offer a smooth transition for our scholars
Examples of Certificate Programs
at Goodwin College
Accounting
Criminal Justice
Dental Hygiene
Histologic Science
Manufacturing
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Ophthalmic Science
Paramedic
Phlebotomy and Laboratory Services
Respiratory Care
4 Year Colleges
• Public vs. Private
• In State vs. Out of State
•Demanding Course Selection
•Grade Point Average
•Standardized Test Scores
•Recommendations
•Essay
•Special Talents/Unique Abilities
•Contribution to Diversity
•Campus Visit/Interview
Demanding Course Selection
 Successful performance in College
Preparatory Courses is the best path to
prepare for college.
 The extent to which a student
challenges him/her self matters.
Students who plan on attending a 4-year college
should plan a high school curriculum focused on the
five “core” academic areas.
English
4 years – Writing skills are very important
Math
3-4 years – Take a math course senior year
Social Studies
2-3 years – The more the better
Science
2-3 years – At least two lab sciences
World Language
2-3 years – Of the same language
Electives
If possible choose electives from core academics
Students should always challenge themselves!
Grade Point Average (GPA)
All the grades your child receives in high
school are converted into numerical
values:4 points for an “A”, 3 points for a
“B”, 2 points for a “C”, 1 point for a “D”. The
total points for all grades is then divided by
the number of courses taken.
Standardized Tests
 ACT (American College Testing Program)
 SAT Reasoning Test
 You need to plan ahead!
 Create your own testing schedule.
 Register for your tests early.
 Prepare for the tests.
Special Talents/Unique Abilities
 Pursuit of academic interests outside of school.
 Special talents like music, art, and sports.
 Participation in leadership roles in school or
community activities such as sports, student
government, music, drama, community service,
and part-time jobs.
Choosing a program
 www.collegeboard.org
 www.d.umn.edu/majors/careers/default.html
Role of the Counselor
 Meet with students individually/groups.
 Parent planning meetings
 Guide the course selection process.
 Administer the personality and career
inventories.
 Include parent/guardians in meetings
 Ensure that student has a formalized plan.
Role of the Student
 Enroll in challenging courses.
 Do assigned work and keep grades up.
 Pursue interests/participate in extra
curricular activities.
 Make appointments with school counselor
when there are questions.
 Engage in the process.
Role of Student
 Find employment.
 Explore internship/community service opportunities.
 Complete a job shadow.
 Contact Mrs. Testa, Internship and Community Service
Coordinator, for assistance with any of the above.
Role of the Parent
 Show interest in child’s school work.
 Set clear expectations for school
performance.
 Help your child accentuate his/her
strengths and pursue his/her interests.
 Encourage and support.
For your individual meetings
 Students should come to the meeting with:
 Careers and Majors that match their interest and ability
 Programs of interest
 Date you plan to take standardized test (for students who
plan to apply to 4 year colleges)
 A list of questions
Questions and Answers
 Any questions?