Welcome to
Junior Parent Night!
Post-Secondary Planning for the
Class of 2017
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WANTED:
21st Century Skills
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Critical thinking and reasoning
Information literacy
Collaboration
Self-direction
Invention
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Lets Start Thinking About The
Future
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The Classes you like in high school can help
you decide on a major or career!
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What Type of Degree Do You Want?
• BACHELORS DEGREE
– 4 or more years of study at a college or university.
• 2 years general education
• 2 years of courses that complement your major during junior and senior year
• ASSOCIATES DEGREE
– Complete up to 2 years of general education at a community college and
later transfer to a four year institution or
– Combine some general education with vocational training for a specific
career
• CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
– Typically for job-oriented students seeking shorter training to prepare to
enter the workforce. Credit hours vary depending on the study, and can
range from one semester to two years.
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Concurrent Enrollment
• DCSD & ACC, CU Denver partnership
• Provides college courses to students on DCSD
campuses at minimal cost.
• High school and college credit awarded
• Taught by DCSD Faculty
• Paperwork:
COF fund (online)
College Application
Concurrent Enrollment Application
No Registration Fee
* Information is available online at
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Military
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A minimum 2 year commitment
Military careers available
Recruiters visit PHS during lunch once a month
On-the-job training
Scholarships for college after service
ROTC Programs available for most branches
All males must register with the SELECTIVE SERVICE when they turn
18 years old. Registration is the law and young men who do not register may
find themselves permanently ineligible for student loans, grants, job training
and government jobs, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants. PHS
students may register online at: www.sssgov/regist.htm
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Higher Education
Admissions Requirements
(HEAR)
ACADEMIC AREA
HS GRADUATES 2010+
English
4 units
Mathematics
4 units
Natural/Physical Sciences
(2 units must be lab based)
3 units
Social Sciences
(At least 1 unit of U.S. or world history)
3 units
Foreign Language
1 unit
Academic Electives*
2 units
Total
17 units
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CCHE Eligibility Index
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Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a
High School Student
1. Grades that represent strong effort and an upward
trend
2. Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT)
3. A high school curriculum that challenges a student
4. Passionate involvement in a few activities,
demonstrating leadership and initiative
5. Community service showing evidence of being a
“contributor”
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Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in a
High School Student
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Work or out-of-school experiences (including summer
activities) that illustrate responsibility, dedication, and
development of areas of interest
7. A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s
unique personality, values and goals
8. Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance
counselors that give evidence of integrity, special skill, and
positive character traits
9. Supplementary recommendations by adults who have had
significant direct contact with the student
10. Anything special that makes the student stand out from the
rest of the applicants!
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PHS Counseling
Is Here For You
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PHS Counseling Center
What assistance can you find in the Counseling Center?
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Post graduation goals
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2 year colleges,
4 year universities,
military service
or technical trade schools.
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Official transcript request available online through Naviance
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General assistance with college applications
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Informal college visits in counseling office
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Scholarship information
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Test preparation information
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Testing information for SAT/ACT
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Ponderosa High School
Counseling Department Staff
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Laurie Portman
A –D
Diane Fredericks E -Laq
Erin Williams
Lar-Rd
Christy Kidd
Q–Z
Peggy Laverty, Registrar
Stephanie Ludwick, Secretary
303-387-4103
303-387-4017
303-387-4018
303-387-4019
303-387-4016
303-387-4032
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Time to Get
Started!
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Naviance
A useful tool for many reasons!
https://connections.naviance.com/ponderosa (link on Counseling page)
– Request transcripts
– Request letters of recommendation from teachers
– Scholarship searches
– College Searches
– College Visits
– Career Exploration
– Myers Briggs Personality Profile
– Links to crucial college/career websites
– Individual career and academic planning tasks
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Naviance Home Page
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Naviance Tasks
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VISIT! VISIT! VISIT!
Tips for Your College Visit
• Why:
• Receive pertinent information
• Get a feel for the campus and surrounding area
• It is a must!
• When:
• Junior Year – March
• Senior Year - October
• Many colleges have specific visitation days
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VISIT! VISIT! VISIT!
Tips for Your College Visit
• How:
• Set up an appointment to visit with the admissions office.
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Campus tours are given daily at specific times
• Set up an appointment to visit with the financial aid office
• Spend time in the Student Union, Library, Residence Halls, Gym,
etc.
• Visit the department of your college major
• Check out upcoming campus events
• Pick up a school newspaper
• Inquire about school safety and security
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Financial Aid
Explore each opportunity for financial aid:
• Scholarships:
– awarded to students who meet certain criteria
– Do not have to be paid pack
– There are hundreds – and you may qualify for some!
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Grants:
– Awarded to students who have high financial need
– They do not have to be paid back.
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Work-study:
– Earn money to put toward your education while you are attending college and may or may
not depend on your financial need.
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Loans (to you or your parents):
– Funds you borrow that you must pay back
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Tax credits and savings:
– Additional incentives for education
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College Opportunity Fund:
– The State of Colorado provides a stipend to eligible undergraduate students when you
attend a participating Colorado public or private institution.
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How Do I Apply for Aid?
• Most colleges require students to complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This
information is used by the financial aid office at your college
to determine the types of aid for which you are eligible.
Where can I find more information about the FAFSA?
• Call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)
• Visit www.ed.gov/studentaid or www.students.gov
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Where to Start at PHS
• Watch:
– The PHS Counseling Website
– Announcements
– Parent Updates for Scholarship notices in email form
• Naviance links to financial aid resources
such as www.CollegeInColorado.org
• Attend Financial Aid Evening presentation
TONIGHT
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NCAA Overview
NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse
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An Organization that determines a student’s eligibility for athletic participation in
college sports during their first year of college enrollment
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Follows NCAA bylaws and regulations in analyzing and processing a student’s high
school academic records, ACT/SAT scores and key information about participation.
Be sure to register with NCAA during your junior year!
Information is available on the PHS Counseling page under NCAA
NCAA Clearinghouse – www.eligibilitycenter.org
CoreCourseGPA.com
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Preparing for the
College Application Process!
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Start Researching!
College Websites
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Know admission requirements and application deadlines
– Including: housing, financial aid, and scholarship deadlines
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Do they accept:
– Common Application,
– have their own application,
– or both?
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Are there supplemental forms that need to be completed by:
– a high school official,
– counselor,
– or teacher?
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ACT/SAT requirements
– Does the school require writing portions or SAT subject tests? Will they accept scores
from PHS or do the scores need to be sent to the college/university directly from the
testing agency?
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If applying to a college of music or theater, is an audition required?
If applying to an art school, is a portfolio of your work required?
Is an interview required?
– If the college states that the interview is optional, most schools would still like you to
complete the interview.
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Things YOU need to know:
DO’s:
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Use a professional/appropriate email address when applying to colleges
– Make sure your email address is current in Naviance.
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Begin requesting teacher/counselor recommendations as soon as you have completed
the Brag Sheet in Naviance.
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Write thank you letters to letter writers
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Plan to apply early during the fall of your senior year.
– Decide if you want to apply Early Decision (binding) or Early Action (nonbinding).
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Register to re-take the ACT to improve your score if needed.
– Register to take the ACT with writing or SAT Reasoning/Subject Tests if the
college/university requires them
– **Some Schools want students to take the SAT Subject in the Spring.
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KEEP YOUR GRADES UP! Junior and senior year count!
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Junior Year Calendar
Periodically
• Visit Naviance weekly for updates
– Weekly news updates
– Sign up for college reps visiting PHS
– Scholarship updates
November-December
• Continue researching colleges
• Junior small group student meetings and parent meeting
January-March
• Check with the colleges you are interested in to make sure you are taking all of the
high school courses they require for admission
• Visit prospective colleges during your spring break
• Watch for the AP Student/Parent Bulletin and READ
• Select Courses for your senior year CAREFULLY!!!!!
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Junior Year Calendar
April-May
• Save a copy of parents’ income tax return to use in applying for financial aid
• Take State ACT/SAT test at PHS during the school day
• Attend a college fair
• Look into pre-college summer programs
• AP exams
June
• Take the National ACT or SAT if you did not take it in April or would like to retake
it
• Discuss your college choices with your parents and narrow the list
July
• During the summer, visit colleges you are interested in attending. Print off unofficial
copies of your six-semester transcript to take with you
• Apply to the NCAA, if applicable
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Important Dates
• University of Denver College Fair
– March 15, 2016, 1:00pm-3:00pm
• State ACT/SAT
– To Be Determined Spring 2016
• Advanced Placement Exams
– May 2 through May 13, 2016
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QUESTIONS???
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