This document provides information to seniors about post-high school options, including 2-year community colleges, 4-year universities, vocational or career training, apprenticeships, the military, and work. It discusses factors to consider for each path and resources for test preparation, financial aid, scholarships, and resume writing. The main messages are that students should start planning early, explore their options, and take advantage of free test prep and financial resources to help achieve their goals after graduation.

1. Building your Future
November Senior Seminars for the
Class of 2018

2. Post High School Options
MAKE A PLAN

3. 2-YEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
 Serves as a bridge from high school to college by
providing courses that transfer toward a BA or BS
 Prepares students for the job market by offering entry-
level career training as well as courses for workforce
advancement. Associates or certificate options
 Maple Woods, Penn Valley, Long View, Blue Valley,
Johnson County Community College

4. 4-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
 Liberal Arts
 University
 Focused Experience
 Military Academy

5. Liberal Arts College
 Offers a broad base of courses in the
humanities, social sciences, and sciences
 Many are private and focus on undergraduate
students
 Classes tend to be small
 William Jewell College, University of Tulsa,
Drury University

6. University
 Large than a college and offers more majors and
research facilities
 Class sizes could be large
 Some classes could be taught by graduate
students rather than full professors
 MU, KU, UMKC, Missouri State, UCM

7. Focused Experience University
 Offers education for a targeted major (art,
engineering, technology, film school)
 Liberal arts courses are required, but limited
availability
 Kansas City Art Institute, MIT, UM-Rolla, St.
Louis School of Pharmacy

8. Military Academy
 Very selective admissions process which
includes an appointment by an elected official
 Requires military service as an officer after
graduation
 USAFA, West Point, USNA

9. When considering a college
 Location
 Size (of school and classes)
 Major course of study
 Admission requirements
 Housing
 Activities
 Study abroad opportunities

10. VOCATIONAL OR CAREER TRAINING
 Certificates earned after intensive training in a
specialized field
 Usually takes 6 months to a year to complete
 Prepares students for careers in a variety of
fields including food service, paralegal, tax
preparation, cosmetology

11. APPRENTICESHIP
 A program of learning that is completed at the
workplace
 Skills are acquired and qualifications met to
enter a profession in the industry
 Electrician, carpenter, sheet metal worker,
welder, brick-layer

12. MILITARY
 Training and education as enlisted personnel
 Possibility of officer training
 Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps,
Navy

13. When considering the armed forces
 Visit with friends, neighbors, and relatives who
have served
 Study military literature and compare training
opportunities
 Arrange visits with recruiters
 Compare benefits, tour of duty, training, etc

14. WORK
 Go straight to work
 May require some on the job training to develop
necessary skills

15. When considering employment
right after high school
 Explore any special abilities and interests
 Study materials about resume writing
 Visit with people working in interesting
opportunities
 Become familiar with employers in the area
 Learn about vocational/technical programs

16. What can all of these
opportunities provide?
 Independence from your parents
 The opportunity to secure your own financial
future
 Opportunities to expand you horizons by
traveling meeting new people, finding new
interests, exploring the world, and experiencing
different cultures

17. There is one other option . . .
You might not want it, though

18. COUCH POTATO
 Requires few marketable skills
 Allows you to sit around on your parents’ sofa
 Creates disharmony in the family because of your
freeloading, irresponsible life choice
 Potential health hazards include: carpal tunnel
syndrome (from using the remote control and video
game joy-sticks), chronic halitosis (from eating too many
Fritos), and obesity (from limited physical exercise)

19. Average Weekly Median Wage
Based on Education Level
 No high school diploma - $420
 High School diploma - $602
 Associate’s Degree - $701
 Bachelor’s Degree - $979
 Advanced Degree - $1,171

20. I’m so confused . . .
By so many things!!

21. Entrance exams
 ACT or SAT – for colleges and universities
Check preferred test at your chosen colleges
Given in our district during December , February, April, and
June –Check in counseling for exact dates.
A good tip is to take it in the Spring of your junior year and
again in the summer or fall of your senior year.
 ASVAB – for military or ROTC scholarship- see Counselor.
Given in the district usually in March- see Counselor.
 COMPASS – for MCC/Maple Woods
Given here usually in February.

22. Test Preparation
 Peterson’s Test Preparation is FREE!!
www.mystudentedge.com
Select “new user”
Enter our access code: ZUZSEZDE
Fill out registration form
YOU’RE GOOD TO GO!

23. Applying to College
 Use the internet
 Most colleges allow and want you to apply online
 If you are earning college credit now, you must
request a transcript from the college to your
college
 Keep your options open
 Write good admissions essays
 Request letters of recommendation early

24. Choosing a school
 Use college search engines on websites
www.mystudentedge.com
www.collegeboard.com
 Read materials
 Ask questions
 Make campus visits

25. SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!

26. A+ Program – 2 Years FREE!!
 Must have attended an A+ designated school for
three consecutive years
 Must maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA or high
 Must complete 50 hours of tutoring
 Must be a good citizen
 Must have 95% attendance over all 4 years
 See the A+ Contact in your building.

27. Scholarships
 Sign up to receive scholarship updates from
counseling via your school email.
 Check scholarship boards in counseling office.
 Ask your counselor and/or teachers early for
letters of recommendation for scholarships

28. Federal Student Aid
 Nearly every college wants you to file a FAFSA
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
 Have your parents prepare 2007 income taxes
early this year
 Complete FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
 Go ahead and register and get a PIN
 For help attend COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY in
February at many local colleges and universities

29. FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
 Attend Financial Aid Night in your building.
Usually in early January.
Bring your parents

30. Additional Information

31. Writing a Resume
 Use a template in Microsoft Word
 See counseling website for an additional template
 Highlight yourself
Languages spoken
Honors received
Leadership experiences
Extra-curricular involvement
Work experience

32. Check this out . . .
 Visit the new and improved counseling web
page through our school’s website:
www.nkcschools.org
 Use your school e-mail to communicate with
counselors and receive announcements

33. Just a few warnings . . .
 Have a school/work appropriate e-mail account
and screen name
 Clean up your Face Book and My Space pages
 Change your cell phone voice mail so that you
sound mature

34. READY, SET, GO!
If you are considering success
after high school, it is
important to start early
making good choices.
Don’t DELAY…
The Time is NOW!