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Teacher/Counselor:
This power point presentation is provided to
you for use in student training and reviews on
the
“Getting Ready for College
Student and Parent Guide”
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The training guide (Teacher/Counselor Guide for
College Access! HIGH SCHOOL – YOUR LIFE – YOUR
FUTURE) has a separate powerpoint as this one is for
the “Getting Ready for College Guide” only.
That guide is designed for you to use in training with
student who will also have a copy of the Freshman
Student Guide.
The lessons, suggestions and comments in your
leader guide are designed to help you with your
presentations to students and in training all students
for access into college.
A Student and Parent Guide
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Getting Ready for College: A Student and
Parent Guide
High School – Your Plan – Your Future: A
Freshman College Access Guide
A Website for College Access Sponsored by
Palau Ministry of Education and College
Access Grant
Other Materials and Resources
Your Network: Parents, Friends, Counselors,
Extended Family Members, Mentors
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Today’s world
◦ Impact of technology
◦ Basic skills of:
 Reading, writing, and
math
 Skills to work in teams,
 Skills to make decisions,
 Skills to solve problems,
 Skills to analyze/interpret
data, and
 Skills to effectively
communicate
Education Past High
School
75% of new jobs being
created
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Earn your high school
diploma taking higher
level skills
Why?
Entrance requirements
for colleges have
increased
Be sure you are ready!
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Interests and abilities
Match your interests to
occupations
Plan now to meet the
requirements
Know Yourself!
College Access and College Planning
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Goal:
To provide tips for students to
consider when making decisions about their
futures!
Students gather into 9 groups.
Each group will be given a page of
information to discuss
Each group should have a recorder who
writes down points of the discussion
10 minutes to discuss your square and be
prepared to share with the class
Don’t Give Up. High school dropouts have a harder time
getting and keeping jobs. Almost every job requires the basic
communication and math skills you’re learning in school
today.
Take challenging courses. Build a strong foundation of high-level
classes, starting with algebra I and geometry by the eighth and
ninth grades, and continue to take rigorous courses in high
school will better prepare you for college admissions tests and
college course work.
Plan your career. Once you know what career area you’re
headed for, think about the steps you’ll take to get there. Have a
plan in mind. Set some goals and document your progress
toward reaching those goals. Keep records of career related
activities, jobs, and accomplishments.
Don’t stop with high school. More career options will be
available to you with more education. This doesn’t mean
that a four-year degree is the only ticket to high wage/high
skill jobs. Occupational certificates and community college
degrees can be just as important as a bachelor’s degree
when it comes to finding excellent job prospects.
Develop basic computer skills. Technology continues to change
the workplace and more jobs in the future will require the use of
a computer. Take every advantage in courses and personal use
to learn how to use computers and their programs.
Gain valuable work experience. Learning by doing is a great way
to research careers and gain some work experience. Career and
technical programs, internships, part-time jobs, job shadowing,
youth apprenticeship, and volunteer work are some examples of
ways to get hands-on experience while still in school. Employers
will value this experience.
Find out what careers are out there. The ideal job for you
may be something you have never heard or thought about.
Think about the skills and education you’ll need in addition
to job availability and salary potential.
Ask about financial aid. Don’t let the lack of funds keep you
from planning additional education past high school. Explore
with your counselor the many options available to help you
finance your way to a vocational center, community college, or
university.
Keep learning. Life- long learning. That’s what it’s all about.
Take every opportunity to learn new skills. Technology continues
to change jobs and the workplace so part of your being successful
will depend on how adaptable you are to change.
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Don’t Give Up. High school dropouts have a
harder time getting and keeping jobs.
Take challenging courses.
Plan your career –
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What career area
Steps you’ll take to get there
Have a plan in mind
Set some goals
Document your progress toward those goals
Keep records of career related activities, jobs, and
accomplishments.
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More education = more career options
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Choices to high wage/high skill jobs:
◦ 4-year university/college degree
◦ Occupational certificates
◦ Community college degrees
MORE IS BETTER!
Technology continues to change the workplace
and more jobs in the future will require the
use of a computer.
Take every advantage in courses and personal
use to learn how to use computers and their
programs.
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Learning by doing is a great way to research
careers and gain some work experience which is
listed with the advanced education for most
developing and demand jobs.
Hands-On can mean:
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Career and technical programs,
Internships,
Part-time jobs,
Job shadowing,
Youth apprenticeship, and
Volunteer work
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The ideal job for you may be something you
have never heard or thought about.
Think about the skills and education you’ll
need in addition to job availability and salary
potential.
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Don’t let the lack of funds keep you from
planning additional education past high
school.
Explore with your counselor the many options
available to help you finance your way to a
vocational center, community college, or
university.
You will be surprised!
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Life- long learning means life, not just high
school or college!
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Take every opportunity to learn new skills.
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Adapt to the world of Technology
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Goal: To learn more about personal workrelated interests.
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Your interests and likes related to
occupations can help you focus on the cluster
of occupations and not just on a job as “that
job” may not exist in the next several year.
NOT a test! No right or wrong answers!
Results will help you to know jobs that you
might be interested in for further research.
DOING THE INTEREST ACTIVITY
10 minutes
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A career cluster consists of occupations that
have been grouped according to common
knowledge and skills
Typically, one’s interests fall within one to
three career clusters which can be related.
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Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources
Architecture & Construction
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, &
Communication
Business, Management & Administration
Education & Training
Financial Services
Government & Public Administration
Health Science
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Hospitality & Tourism
Human Services
Information Technology
Law, Public Safety & Security
Manufacturing
Marketing, Sales, & Service
Science, Technology, Engineering, &
Mathematics (STEM)
Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics
REALISTIC:
ARTISTIC:
“DOERS”
You like to . . .
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put a model together
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fix electrical things
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operate machinery
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You may want to consider these occupations . . .
carpenter
dental assistant
electrician
agricultural sprayer
veterinary technician
office machine repairer
plumber
vocational education teacher
INVESTIGATIVE:
solve mechanical problems
plant a garden
read a blueprint
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You may want to consider these occupations . . .
meteorologist
cardiology technologist
database administrator
actuary
computer systems analyst
computer engineer
chemist
anesthesiologist
optometrist
biological/agricultural technician
ENTERPRISING:
do research
solve math problems
understand theories
read technical journals
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lead a group
convince people to do
gives talks or
speeches
things your way
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make decisions affecting others
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have power or status
You may want to consider these occupations . . .
hotel manager
private investigator
flight attendant
financial manager
travel agent
property manager
public relations specialist
retail sales person
ship captain
producer/director
interior designer
graphic designer
editor
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You may want to consider these occupations . . .
social worker
emergency medical technician
registered nurse
principal police patrol officer
teacher child care worker
do volunteer work
mediate disputes
plan and supervise
activities
dental hygienist
school counselor
medical assistant
“ORGANIZERS”
You like to . . .
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work in structured situations
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keep a schedule or plan for
school activities and homework
 work with forms, charts, 
reports
You may want to consider these occupations . . .
secretary brokerage clerk
postal mail carrier
cost estimator
customer service representative
computer operator
things your
way
take photographs
deal with vague ideas
work with materials to
create things
“HELPRS”
You like to . . .
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help people with health or
social problems
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work in groups
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work with young children
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help sick people
CONVENTIONAL:
“PERSUADERS”
You like to . . .
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sell things or promote ideas
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initiate projects
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You may want to consider these occupations . . .
musician newscaster
landscape architect
broadcast technician
entertainer
photographer
SOCIAL:
“THINKERS”
You like to . . .
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explore a variety of ideas
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work independently
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use computers
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perform lab experiments
“CREATORS”
You like to . . .
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express yourself creatively
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attend concerts, theaters,
art exhibits
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work on crafts
be responsible for details
work with numbers
collect or organize things
stenographer
bill and account collector
radio dispatcher
insurance claims examiner
or
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Goal:
To make students aware of different
educational options from which they might
choose.
Objectives: Students will:
1. Choose occupations and identify educational
matches to those occupations;
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the 16 career clusters
and the occupations related to each;
3. Identify educational and training offerings
through the military as an educational choice.
Worksheet: Educational Options: Career
Clusters and Occupations
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www.goarmy.com
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www.march2success.com
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Worksheets:
◦ Military Career Research
◦ March2Success
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Most occupations today require some type of
postsecondary education or training.
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Apprenticeship
Military
Career and Technical Centers
Community College
University
Workforce
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PLUS SOME WORK EXPERIENCE!
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On average, those that earn a Bachelors degree
earn double that of people who just have a high
school education.
Opens more doors to interesting careers.
Today, 9 out of 10 people change jobs at least
twice in a career
Attending higher education often gives the student
a better outlook on life.
What do you want to accomplish in your life?
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Reasons to go to college
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Barriers to overcome
Examples of Jobs Requiring Postsecondary Education/College
Two-Year or Technical College
(Associate Degree or Certificate)
Four-Year College
(Bachelor’s Degree)
More Than Four Years
(Various Graduate Degrees)
Computer Technician
Surveyor*
Registered Nurse
Dental Hygienist
Medical Laboratory Technician
Commercial Artist
Hotel/Restaurant Manager
Engineering Technician
Automotive Mechanic*
Administrative Assistant
Water and Wastewater Treatment
Plant Operator
Nurse Aide/Orderly*
Plumber*
Carpenter*
Electrician*
Chef*
Teacher
Accountant
Journalist
Insurance Agent
Pharmacist
Computer Systems Analyst
Dietitian
Civil Engineer
Investment Banker
Graphic Designer
Social Worker
Public Relations Specialist
Criminologists
Probation Officer
FBI Agent
Chemist
Meteorologist
Lawyer
Doctor
Architect
Scientist
University Professor
Economist
Psychologist
Dentist
Veterinarian
Public Policy Analyst
Geologist
Zoologist
Management Consultant
Physical Therapists
Geoscientist
Microbiologist
Public Defender
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Algebra I (in eighth grade)
Geometry (in ninth grade)
English, Science and History or Geography
Foreign Language
Computer Science
The Arts
High School Courses Recommended for College
English 4 years
Composition
American literature
English literature
World literature
History and Geography 2 to 3 years
Geography
U.S. History
U.S. Government
World History
World Cultures
Civics
Visual and Performing Arts 1 to 2 years
Art
Dance
Drama
Music
Foreign Language 2 years (3 to 4 years required for some colleges)
Mathematics 4 years
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Laboratory Science 3 to 4 years
Biology
Earth Science
Chemistry
Physics
Challenging Electives 1 to 3 years
Economics
Psychology
Computer Science
Statistics
Communications
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Financial aid is money to help you meet
college costs.
It comes from federal and state governments,
banks, the colleges themselves, and private
donors.
You must apply for financial aid separately
from you college applications.
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financial need
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your academic record
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aid available at the college you attend.
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Combination of:
◦ Grants - Do not require repayment.
◦ Loans - Typically repaid after you leave school at
much lower interests rates
◦ Work-study funds -Money you earn (jobs on
campus)
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Private Aid Programs: offered by private
organizations or individuals
Special Aid: Aid for special groups of
students (example: National Federation for
the Blind scholarships).
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Federal Pell Grant (FPG),
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grant (FSEOG)
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Student Incentive Grant (SSIG)
The PCC Grant-In-Aid, which does not derive
from federal funds, is also available to qualified
students.
In addition, there is a College Work Opportunity
(CWO), a part-time employment that is available
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U.S. Department of Education:
◦ provides an extensive and annually updated
discussion of all federal student aid programs.
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Federal Student Aid Information Center
P.O. Box 84
Washington, DC 20044
OR on the website: www.ed.gov
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The Fall before you will enter college:
◦ Select colleges
◦ Write or call the admissions office and ask about
financial aid possibilities and application procedures.
◦ Obtain the correct financial aid applications from your
high school counselor or from a college financial aid
office.
◦ Estimate the cost of attending
◦ Ask your high school counseling office if they sponsor a
free financial aid night.
◦ Begin compiling the family financial information: last
year’s tax return, figures on non-taxable, and
information on assets.
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Send the financial aid need analysis form for
processing.
Don’t wait until you get in college to apply for
financial aid.
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Learn what each school requires and provide
the information by the deadlines.
The schools will notify you whether they will
give you financial aid.
They also will explain how much grant, loan,
or work-study money is available from them.
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Aid may be available for that term
Some schools use separate application for
that term
You MUST reapply for financial aid each year!
It is not automatic annually!
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The difference between what your family is
expected to pay (expected family contribution
or EFC) and what it costs to go to your college
of choice (cost of attendance
Colleges will try to meet 100 percent of your
financial need
Depends on public or private as private is
usually more expensive
Cost of Attendance –
Expected Family Contribution =
Determined Financial Need
The college application generally consists of
several items:
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An application
An essay
The high school transcript
Financial aid data
Teacher recommendations
Preparatory test results (such as the SATs)
The application fee
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Résumé.
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Letters of recommendation.
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Extracurricular activities
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Sports.
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Adhere to the deadlines
Make sure the essay is grammatically correct
Spell check the essay
Spell check the essay again
Have several people proof read the essay
Format the essay in an easy-to-read, acceptable font
and type size
Double-space
Make sure the student’s name and identifying
numbers are on each page, or as requested
Let the essay reflect your child’s values, dreams,
accomplishments and personality
Make sure the essay answers the question(s) asked
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Order a high school transcript
Complete all the application – no blanks – if it
does not apply to you – NA – meaning “not
applicable to you”
Select teachers you feel care about you and
ask for a letter of recommendation
SAT and ACT
The Application Fee
Keep copies of all paperwork sent!!
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Take courses as required for college entrance
You “high school plan” or “individual
education plan” while in high school should
be done with the belief you will go to college
because you probably will!
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Budget your time
Go to review sessions
Ask the instructor
Make sure you go to the class right before the
test
Eat before a test
Get plenty of sleep
Write down main ideas/information/formulas
Set your alarm and have a backup alarm
Go to the bathroom before the test
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Read the question
Try to think an answer before looking at the
choices
Eliminate answers you know aren't right
Read all the choices
Do not know for sure, always take an educated
guess
Don't keep on changing your answer
In "All of the above" and "None of the above"
A positive choice is more likely to be true than a
negative one
the choice with the most information
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Read the directions carefully
Make sure that you understand
Make sure that you write down everything
Budget your time
If asking for FACTS, don't give your personal
opinion
Be as neat as possible
Make an outline
Don't write long introductions and conclusions
Proofread your work and correct any errors
Draw a line through a mistake – one simple line
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More true answers than false
If no penalty, guess = 50% chance
Read/watch for qualifiers and key words
◦ "never, always, and every mean that the statement
must be true
◦ "usually, sometimes, and generally" mean that if the
statement can be considered true or false
depending
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If any part of the question is false, then the
entire statement is false
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What your instructor emphasizes in class will
usually be on the test.
Try not to leave an answer blank.
If you don't know the answer, come back to it
after you finish the rest of the test
Read the question carefully
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Spend an equal or greater amount of time
preparing
Familiarize yourself with the book and relevant
materials
Write down all the important formulas and key
information while reviewing
Focus on learning the main ideas
Highlight important points
Bring all the resources allowed
Answer the easy questions first
Use some quotations from the book to support
your view
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What is on the chalkboard/overhead or is repeated
Have a three-ring binder for all notes
Sit towards the front and center of the class
Don't rely on someone else's notes
If allowed, bring an audio recorder and record the
lecture
Do reading assignments or homework questions
before class
Date your notes, add titles and subtitles and keep
organized together
Terminology along with the definition
Write legibly
Ask what you miss or need explained
Compare notes and study with a classmate
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Try to review the material right after class
Space out your studying, review class materials at
least several times a week, focusing on one topic at a
time
Have all of your study material
Find a comfortable and quiet place to study
Learn the general concepts first
Take notes and write down a summary
Take short breaks frequently
Make sure that you understand the material
Test yourself
Listening to relaxing music
Don't study late
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Review all the resources in your guides and
check out the recommended websites
Remember to go to the Palau College Access
website and use all the information there as it
is there to help you
Don’t wait until you are ready to apply to visit
some of the Financial Aid help guides and
websites