Kemberli Mayo
Counselor-Intern
Cape Fear High School
May 2013
Complete the Pre-Test Quietly without speaking
to anyone—if you don’t know an answer, just
make an educated guess. The idea is that you
will know the answer by the time we complete
the Post-Test.
Target Audience: Current Juniors/underclassmen
Delivery Method: Classroom Guidance
Goal: To assist high school juniors/underclassmen
in the exploration of post-secondary options.
Objectives:
1.) Students will identify at least two factors that
college admissions representatives look for when
considering their applications.
2.) Students will identify at least two types of
post-secondary options.
Pre Test
Senior Year Checklist
Post-Secondary Options
Job/Career Choices
College Application Process
College Terminology
Financing Your Education
Post Test
 Maintain good grades
 Meet with your senior counselor- Mrs. Ayars
 Sign up for scholarship/financial aid list
 Visit colleges, trade schools, recruiters, job fairs,
etc.
 Use technology tools to keep up with test dates,
scholarship deadlines, application deadlines,
etc.
 Sign up for SAT/ACT tests
 FAFSA
 US Military Branches
*Benefits- salary, paid training, discipline and
structure, opportunities for travel, career
advancement
*Sign up for the ASVAB to help identify military
occupations that suit your abilities.
Exploration: www.todaysmilitary.com
www.military.com
Branches of the Military
• US Army/Army National Guard
www.goarmy.com
www.army.mil
• Marine Corps
www.marines.com
www.usmc.mil
• Navy
www.navy.com
www.navy.mil
• Air Force/Air Guard
www.airforce.com
www.af.mil
• Coast Guard
www.gocoastguard.com
www.uscg.mil
Two Year/Trade
Schools/Apprenticeships
--Two year school—An educational institution that offers a two
year program of study that is generally equal to the first two
years of a four year undergraduate program. One example of a
two year school is Fayetteville Technical Community College.
--Trade School—A secondary school that offers instruction in
skilled trades, also known as vocational school. Examples: ITT Tech &
Miller-Motte Tech.
*Make sure that the school you are considering is an accredited institution.
--Apprenticeship—A paid or unpaid field-based experience with a
supervising instructor where the apprentice receives job training,
work experience, and technical training. Programs can last
from 1-6 years.
*For more information about two year and/or trade schools,
see your counselor (Ms. Hollingsworth/Ms. Ayars) You can
also visit the following websites:
www.tradeschools.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.collegebound.net
www.trade-school.org
www.trade-schools.net
*For more information about apprenticeships, see your
counselor (Ms. Hollingsworth or Ms. Ayars) or visit the
following websites:
www.doleta.gov
www.careervoyages.gov
Go to www.bls.gov/oco/ to explore possible career options. Also
consult with your counselor, parents and other loved ones to
explore options that may suit your abilities, personality and skills.
Local Job Postings and Career Help
Employment Security Commission:
https://www.ncesc.com/default.aspx
Fayetteville Observer Jobs List:
http://marketplace.fayobserver.com/jobs/
* It is important that you narrow down your career options before
deciding to go straight to work or continue your education through
trade schools, two-year college, trade school, apprenticeship or a 4
year college.
What are they looking for?
 Challenging coursework—this should continue through your
senior year; Admissions representatives want to see that you
have taken challenging courses and that you did not “slack off”
during your senior year.
 GPA/Class Rank—It does make a difference!
 SAT &/or ACT scores—Each college is different with regards to
standardized testing requirements; Consult the individual
college’s website or The College Handbook for this information.
 Extra-curricular/Community Activities—More, More, More
 Leadership Abilities &/or Awards/Honors
 Recommendations—Ask teachers, community leaders, & church
leaders and other people that can speak highly of your abilities
and qualities.
 Personal Statement/Essay—This is your chance to show
admissions staff who you are and what you have to offer.
APPLICATION PROCESS
 Narrow down your top college choices by researching
schools and ensuring they offer programs that fit your
interests. (5 is average)
 Check with each college for application deadlines!
 Read the application to be sure that you understand.
Ask for help if you don’t!
 Ask your English teacher to proofread your essay if an
essay is required.
 Be sure to put in transcript requests with the school a
few weeks before the deadline.
 Give counselors, teachers, coaches, church leaders
and/or community leaders, etc. at least two weeks to
complete letters of recommendations!
College Terminology
Early Decision—Applying to a college in the early Fall. If accepted, you must attend
that college and withdraw any applications sent to other schools. You will not be
able to compare financial aid offers.
Early Action—Applying to a college in the early Fall. You may compare admissions
and financial aid offers and wait to commit to the college at a later time.
Rolling Admissions—There is no set application deadline date.
Deferred Admissions—An admission plan that permits you to postpone enrollment
at that college for one year after acceptance to the college is offered to you
Accepted—You’re in!! The college has approved you for admission, pending your
high school graduation and successful completion of admission requirements.
Denied—You were not admitted to the college. This school may not have been the
best fit for you.
Wait Listed—You have not been denied or accepted. The college is
waiting to make a decision regarding your application, based on
confirmation received by applicants they have accepted. Wait listed
applicants will be admitted as openings in the freshmen class become
available.
Undergraduate Student—A student that has not yet completed a
Bachelor’s Degree (This would be you!)
FAFSA—Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This must be completed
to find out how much federal aid you are eligible to receive.
EFC—Estimated Family Contribution. The amount students and their
family are expected to contribute toward the cost of attending a college.
Cost of Attendance—Includes any costs associated with attending college
(tuition, fees, room and board, books, etc.)
Award Letter—Tells you how much financial aid your college is offering you.
It includes the types and amount of aid offered. You may choose to accept
some or all of what is offered.
Grant—Money that is given because of financial need. This does not have to
be repaid.
Scholarship—Money that is awarded to you because of exceptional
academic achievement, talent, skills, volunteerism, specific major, etc. This
does not have to be repaid.
Loan—Borrowed money that must be repaid.
Work Study—Money that a student earns by working at an on-campus job.
State Grant—Specific grants awarded to students who meet the state
requirements. In the state of Virginia it is called the Tuition Assistance
Grant.
FINANCIAL AID
*Need-Based Aid—The majority of financial aid available falls into this
category and is based on a family’s need for financial assistance.
--Students must complete the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA). Colleges use the information from the
FAFSA to develop a financial aid package to assist you in
meeting your need.
--The package offered to you may meet all or part of the need as
computed by the FAFSA Profile. Packages offered to you by
different colleges may vary, and you will want to consider all of
your options carefully.
*No-Need Aid—Scholarships, grants, and financial aid that can be divided into two
categories: Talent-Based Scholarships and Private Scholarships
--Talent-Based Scholarships are usually given by the college as a
reward for proven talents including academic, athletic, and
artistic/musical scholarships. You have to continue to meet
certain criteria each year to maintain the scholarship. Contact
the college you are interested in for information regarding
talent-based scholarships
--Private Scholarship Programs are scholarships that are given to
students by community, religious, and professional organizations.
Some may have special qualification requirements or restrictions
in order to be eligible to apply. You should check the eligibility
requirements and stipulations carefully before applying.
Ms. Ayars regularly sends out a list of scholarships. Please sign the form to be
added to that list. Please print your name and e-mail address legibly to ensure that
she send it to the correct address.
Type this link into your web browser:
http://www.quia.com/pages/kemayo/page14
Lastly!!! Let’s explore our options! 
Go to www.cfnc.org
If you do not have an account, please create
one. If you do log in. We will spend some time
exploring this site.
Choose your career/college interest: trade
school, apprenticeship, 4 year college, 2 year
college and/or military. Compare and contrast
two schools or branches within your option.