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WELCOME to
Parent Night
August 2012
What does the school counselor do
with post-secondary planning?
Provides & maintains information on post-
secondary options
Assists in the selection of courses to match
goals
Conducts individual planning meetings
Promotes scholarship opportunities
Provides newsletter and meets with classes
to deliver post-secondary planning updates.
Keeps updated information on website
Graduation Requirements
4 English credits
26 credits total
4 History credits
4 Math credits
Completion of
3 Science credits
the Senior
Project
2 Phys. Ed. credits
.5 Health credit Proficiency on
.5 Personal Finance PSSAs
1 Freshman Block credit
2 Arts & Humanities
4.5 Other Electives
.5 Senior Project
Senior Projects
Students were given the responsibility
to finish a Senior Project their
Freshman year.
For Seniors, the project must be
completed by the end of March 2013.
Students will begin presenting their
projects to faculty/staff in March.
Senior Projects
The project is a powerpoint that compiles
four years worth of work
The project is worth ½ credit and cannot
be replaced by anything else; therefore,
students must complete the Senior
Project in order to graduate.
Help is available to students. They can
see Mrs. Gleghorn for help during the
school day.
Senior Projects
Requirements beyond the classroom are:
• Attend a board meeting
• Job Shadowing
• Write a Resume
• Letter of Recommendation
• Community Service
25 hours for students who have attended Mohawk
grades 9-12.
Students who have not attended all four years at
Mohawk need to complete 6 hours of service for
every year they attended Mohawk.
Anything that helps someone and the student
does NOT get paid for counts as community
service.
Options After High School
Community College
• BCCC, CCBC
Technical and Vocational School
• Lawrence County Career and Technical
Center
State University System
• Slippery Rock University, Clarion University
Private College
• Grove City College, Westminster College
Options After High School
Private Trade School
• Empire Beauty School, New Castle School of Trades
Military
• Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard
Work
Apprenticeship
• Western Pennsylvania Construction Occupation
Laborers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program
Post-Secondary Options
How to Decide?
What do I want DO?
• Use interest and aptitude tests to determine
strengths and interests
What does the research say?
• Visit www.bls.gov and other resources to find
statistics related to annual openings
What can I afford?
• Compare costs and methods of training
EducationPlanner.org
Career Cluster Activity
Self-Assessments
Search Careers
O*Net links for average openings,
salary, education levels, etc.
Info for parents on financial aid!
Top 10 Employers in Lawrence Co.
Source: Center for Work Information & Analysis
Employer Sector
Jameson Hospital Health Care and Social Assistance
State Government Public Administration
The Tamarkin Co. Retail Trade
New Castle Schools Education Services
Westminster College Education Services
Ellwood City Hospital Health Care and Social Assistance
County of Lawrence Public Administration
Wal-Mart Retail Trade
Liberty Mutual Finance and Insurance
Federal Government Public Administration
4th Quarter 2010
Class of 2012
Here’s where they went after High School:
Air Force National Guard
Army Navy
Art Institute of Pittsburgh New York University
BC3 Notre Dame College of Ohio
Bradford School Penn State
Case Western Reserve Pittsburgh Technical Institute
Clarion University Quinnipiac College
Coastal Carolina University Robert Morris University
Edinboro University Slippery Rock University
Geneva College Thiel
IUP University of Pittsburgh
Lehigh University Washington and Jefferson
Mercyhurst NE Westminster College
Michigan State University
Youngstown State University
70% Continued Their Education
What Fields Our Graduates Chose
Looking for Schools
Web Sites
• Check Mohawk website and Newsletters
Attend College Fairs and Open Houses
Come to the Guidance Office
(College/Career Center)
• Books for help in choosing majors,
schools, careers, etc.
• Catalogues and other information sent
by schools
Choosing A School
Rank the most important characteristics
• Programs, majors, or degrees offered
• Geographic location
• Size of school
• Cost
• Sports
• Surroundings
• Religious orientation
• Public/Private/Specialty
• Social atmosphere
• Academic Atmosphere
• Student Body
• Prestige
Who influenced our graduates?
Safety Schools
Student’s GPA and test scores are
above the average student admitted
Admission rate indicates high
probability for admission
Each student should apply to at least
two safety schools as college
admissions criteria change each year
Target Schools
Student’s GPA and test scores match
the average student admitted
Admission rate is above 50%
Educational approach at the school
closely matches the student’s
• Large vs. small classes
• Student can be successful without
undue stress
Reach Schools
Student’s GPA and test scores are
below the average student’s score
Admission rate may lessen the
probability of getting accepted
• Top tier schools have admission rates
below 25% and admit students in the
top 10% of their class
Stanford has 1200 spots for 16,000
applicants
If it is a very competitive school, will
it spark your competitive side or will
it overwhelm you?
Where Should I Apply?
1-2 Safety
Schools
2-4 Target
Schools
1-2 Reach
Schools
Making the Match
Be realistic
• Self esteem must be considered
• More safety and target schools = more
acceptances
• More reach schools, be prepared for deny or
wait list
Be Flexible
• With so many schools, could there be one that
you have not considered?
• Apply broadly, you might change your mind by
the end of your senior year.
Be Informed
• Know what you are getting yourself into!
• Do your research. Go on campus visits!
Considering Cost
Start a family discussion now about your
expectations.
Begin learning about financial aid options.
Use EducationPlanner.org
Don’t rule out a private school just
because it might cost twice as much.
Many times, there is twice as much aid
available at private schools!
Application Process-Paper
Fill out all the information that you can
• Don’t guess! Ask counselor for help if needed.
Fill out a transcript request form.
Bring the following to the guidance office:
• Application
• Check for fee
• Transcript request form
• Any other documents (such as recommendation
letters or essay)
• Envelope
All official transcripts must be mailed from
the guidance office, we can’t give them to
you or the student. Students must fill out a
transcript request form.
Application Process-Online
Most schools prefer online applications
Complete application online
The next day complete a Transcript
Request Form in the Guidance Office
Bring any other supporting materials
to be sent with your transcript request
form
YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR COUNSELOR
IF THERE IS SOMETHING SHE NEEDS
TO COMPLETE ONLINE!!!!!!
What do colleges look for?
The high school transcript
• Demanding course load, Grades earned
• “B”s in first-string classes are better than “A”s in
easier ones.
Test Results
• Used in conjunction with transcript
Essays / Personal Statements
• Style, Grammar & Mechanics, Literary Sophistication
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
• Evidence of leadership, time spent.
• Athletics alone do not typically stand out.
• Extends beyond the school, community service,
volunteerism.
Interviews
• Depends upon the school – sometimes not
considered.
Quality Points, QPA, and
Class Rank
What are Quality Points?
• Numerical values assigned to each letter grade
What is QPA (Quality Point Average)?
• QPA=Quality Points ÷ Credits
What is Class Rank?
• Total Quality Points determine class rank
What effects QPA and Class Rank?
• Weighted classes
• Total number of credits
How do weighted classes effect
your transcript?
Class Grade QP Class Grade QP
AP English 11 94 5 English 11 94 4
Honors World Cult 97 4.25 World Cult 97 4
Stats 93 4.5 Algebra 2 93 4
Chem 2 95 5.625 Chem 1 95 5
PE 97 2 PE 97 2
Health 95 2 Health 95 2
Accounting 1 98 4 Accounting 1 98 4
Spanish 3 99 4.25 Spanish 2 99 4
QPA=4.36 QPA = 4.0
Weight values are explained in your student handbook and the Program
of Studies.
How do credits effect your transcript?
Number of credits affects your total Quality Points
which determines class rank.
Class Grade QP Class Grade QP
English 9 95 4 English 9 95 4
Biology 96 4 Biology 96 4
History 9 99 4 History 9 99 4
Rotation 92 4 Rotation 92 4
Algebra 1 94 4 Algebra 1 94 4
PE 91 2 PE 91 2
Spanish 1 97 4 Spanish 1 97 4
Art 1 94 4
Total Quality Points:30 26
College Admissions Test Timeline
Junior Year
• October: PSAT
• Jan – May: SAT I,
ACT
• May - June: SAT II
Senior Year
• Re-take whatever you
test you need to get
the score you desire.
12-13 Testing Dates
September 8 SAT January 26 SAT
October 6 SAT February 9 ACT
October 20 PSAT March 9 SAT
October 27 ACT
April 13 ACT
November 3 SAT
May 4 SAT
December 1 SAT June 1 SAT
December 8 ACT June 8 ACT
SAT or ACT?
Most schools in this area prefer the SAT, but check admission
requirements for specific schools. If you have a choice, Which
should you take? Here’s how they compare:
SAT ACT
• Tests critical reading, writing, • Tests English, math, reading,
and math skills in 9 sections and science reasoning in 4
• Measures ability to identify subtests
relationships of parts of text, • Measures knowledge of
reading fluency, written English, understanding
understanding meaning of of 9-11 grade math, reading
words, math knowledge and comprehension,
reasoning, ability to identify comprehension of Biology and
grammatical errors, Chemistry, Physical and Earth
knowledge of written English Science
• 3 hours 45 minutes • 2 hours 55 minutes
• Multiple choice, student • All multiple choice, essay is
produced responses, and 25 optional
minute long essay • No guessing penalty
• Guessing penalty of ¼ point • Only scores from the selected
• Only last 6 scores are test date are reported to
reported to colleges colleges
Visiting Colleges
Always call and make an appointment with the
admissions and financial aid offices.
If the visit must be during the school day, get the
visitation forms from the guidance office at least
two days in advance or the absence will not be
excused!
Return verification forms to Mrs. Jones in the
guidance office upon return to school.
Seniors are permitted 3 college visits, but can
only have 2 at the most in one semester.
Juniors are permitted 1 college visit.
Schools may have “Open House” or “Discovery
Days” throughout the fall
Visiting Colleges
What to do there
• Talk to admissions and financial aid counselors.
• Try to talk to a professor or observe a class in the
area you are intending to study.
• Take an official tour, but leave some time to explore
on your own as well.
• Walk through dorms, libraries, computer labs.
• Arrange to meet with coaches or advisors of
organizations you are particularly interested in.
• See if you can eat in one of the dining halls.
• Observe the students-are they doing what you’d
want to be doing?
• Talk to as many students as you can and hang out in
the student union if there is one.
• Pick up fliers and the school newspaper and read the
bulletin boards.
Financial Aid
FAFSA
Individual and family contributions
• PA College Savings Program www.pa529.com
Individual school scholarships and grants
Local scholarships
Work study
Loans
DO NOT PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP
SEARCH!!
PA Student Aid Guide available on our
website!
Financial Aid Night is January 10
Some College Facts (2011 College Handbook)
School Average Average Average Average
Name Cost per HS GPA SAT ACT
year
Allegheny $45,400 >3.75 1805 26
Clarion $16,820 2.0-3.0 1390
Duquesne $37,268 3.0-4.0 1675 25
Edinboro $14,746 2.0-3.0 992 19
Gannon $36,861 3.0-4.0 1020 22
Geneva $32,286 3.0-4.0 1060 22
Grove City $21,570 >3.75 1250 27
School Average Average Average Average
Name Cost per HS GPA SAT ACT
year
IUP $17,415 X 1455
Mercyhurst $37,141 3.0-4.0 1555 23
Penn State $27,386 3.0-4.0 1785
Main
Penn State $25,720 3.0-3.5 1535
Behrend
Slippery $18,810 3.0-3.5 1515 20
Rock
Thiel $35,238 2.0-3.0 930 20
Akron $29,117 2.0-3.0 1005 21
Pitt $23,054 >3.75 1870 27
YSU $25,041 2.0-3.0 1375 20
School Admission Cost per year
(Averages)
BC3 Open with $2,970 +
exceptions to $79/credit
some programs
CCBC Open with $6,090 (out of
exceptions to district) +
some programs $179/credit
Kaplan Career Open: Wonderlic
Institute exam
NCST Open: Wonderlic $4,838-$16,950
exam & interview Varies by program
Vet Tech SAT, interview, & $13,200
Institute essay
Trumbull Open $13,871
Business College
NCAA
Mohawk’s graduation requirements
meet those of NCAA.
You MUST register with NCAA in the
junior year if you want to compete in
Division 1 or 2 collegiate athletics.
www.eligibilitycenter.org
Web Sites
www.educationplanner.org and
www.collegeanswer.com
Test prep, college search, interest and career inventories, college visits,
choosing a major, applying and selecting a college
www.collegeboard.com
SAT registration and college search
www.actstudent.org
ACT registration
www.princetonreview.com
School information
www.fastweb.com and www.scholarships.com
Free scholarship search, test prep, school search, internships
www.paworkforce.state.pa.us
Specific information about workforce development in PA
www.nextstepmag.com
Information for parents and students about the “next step” after high school
www.bls.gov
Bureau of Labor & Statistics, links to Occupational Outlook Handbook
WEBSITE
www.mohawk.k12.pa.us
• Scholarships
• SAT, ACT test dates and registration
deadlines
• School open houses/college fairs
• Monthly newsletters
• Helpful websites
Technology
Our graduates said…
