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Geneva High School
Tina Dixon
School Counselor
334-684-9379
dixont@genevacityschools.com
http://www.geneva.gch.schoolinsites.com
College and Career Planning Guide
Making decisions regarding you, or your child’s future education and
employment, is not an easy task. With thousands of careers, educational
institutions, work-force opportunities, and military options to choose from, the
decision process can become complex. This planning packet is designed to help
students and their parents navigate through the various career and educational
paths students may take. Numerous valuable resources are included in this
packet such as military careers and contact information, career assessment
testing, college contact information, employment contacts, and online resources.
Students and parents are strongly encouraged to set aside time to explore these
useful resources.
In order for students to make thoughtful decisions regarding their future,
students need to invest time researching their options. Reading valuable print
materials and researching online about various post-secondary institutions and
careers is an excellent way to start the process of future career planning.
However, students are strongly encouraged to not only read about and research
various careers, employment opportunities, and institutions, but to also actually
experience, in person, careers and institutions they are interested in pursuing.
Visiting campuses for tours, overnight visits, or classroom observations
are great methods for students to experience post-secondary institutions.
Students may also find job shadowing as an excellent tool in learning about a
career. If a student is interested in pursuing employment immediately after high
school, they should contact local county job agencies and search and print online
want ads. Those students interested in military options should speak with military
recruiters about the numerous career options and benefits available from the
various military branches.
All students are encouraged to stop by the guidance office with any
questions they might have regarding post-secondary education, employment
opportunities, and military careers. I hope that you, the students and parents, find
this packet useful in your post-secondary planning.
Sincerely,
Tina Dixon
School Counselor
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Applying for College Admissions and
Scholarships
1. Take your ACT early so you can repeat it if necessary. Make sure the high
school code is filled in on your registration packet: 011-220.
2. Investigate several colleges or universities in which you are interested.
Review catalogs, visit campuses, attend college fairs, visit campus
websites and visit with representatives who come to the high school.
3. Contact the schools or see your counselor for admission and
scholarship/financial aid information (Early in senior year).
4. Determine if you are eligible for admissions/scholarships at these
universities or colleges (Early in senior year).
5. Prepare a resume of academic qualifications, honors/awards, leadership,
and school and community involvement (Grades 9-12) and have this on
file in your career portfolio (VERY IMPORTANT).
6. Complete admissions material to selected schools (September- November
of Senior year). Many colleges have early deadlines so it is suggested that
you begin applying to the schools of your choice early in your senior year.
Some paper applications for colleges are available in the guidance office;
however, most colleges prefer that you apply online. You can also print a
paper version off their website if you prefer a paper application.
7. When you apply online you are expected to either pay the application fee
online with a credit/debit card or mail in a check or money order to the
college.
8. Request a transcript from the guidance office to be mailed separately or
be placed in with your admissions materials in a sealed and separate
envelope.
9. Complete scholarship applications, preferably before December 1st. Junior
and community colleges usually have a deadline of March 1st.
10. Decide on your housing needs-dorm, apartment or home. Early
application may also mean better housing, i.e., a place in the dorm. If you
are attending a state college or university, sign up immediately for
campus housing. Often you pay your deposit when you are accepted.
These institutions are short of campus housing. Should you decide not to
attend that college or university, your money will be refunded if you let the
housing office know early enough. Be sure to inform your school
counselor of your decision.
11. Submit the FAFSA as required at www.fafsa.ed.gov. January 1st (of the
year you will start college) is the earliest possible filing date! Most colleges
will not consider you for financial aid until you have applied and been
accepted to their school. The previous year's tax information is required to
complete the form.
12. Apply to the institution for financial aid. Special forms may be required.
Forms are available from the financial aid office at the college to which
you apply. The institution may also request copies of all parent/student tax
forms.
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13. Apply for local scholarships and other financial aid.
14. Make an appointment with the institution's financial aid office, if necessary.
15. Attend orientation sessions, if offered.
Important Factors in Competing for
Scholarships
High School Transcript: Every final grade you earn is posted on your high
school transcript and used to calculate GPA and class rank. The college may
determine grade point average differently from the way the school computes it.
For example, many colleges drop all electives and average grades from math,
science, social studies, English, and foreign language. Colleges expect you to
take the most challenging high school courses offered in which you can make
at least a “B”. The final transcript usually receives careful attention. Also many
universities require that entering freshmen have Algebra II completed in high
school.
GPA: The standard un-weighted GPA shall be calculated using the
following scale: A=4.0 B=3.0 C=2.0 D=1.0 F=0.0
The standard weighted GPA is calculated by adding 1 point for every
advanced/AP course to the total quality points before dividing by the number of
courses taken. Thus, the following scale shall be used for weighted GPAs.
Regular Courses A=4.0 B=3.0 C=2.0 D=1.0 F=0.0
Adv. & AP Courses A=5.0 B=4.0 C=3.0 D=2.0 F=0.0
If you have a 96, 92 (AP course), 86, 85, 76 (adv. course), & 56 respectively,
what is your weighted and un-weighted GPA?
Sum of points: 16 divided by the total number of grades: 6 = un-wted GPA of
2.67. When you add 1 extra point to the total quality points for every
Advanced or AP course and add it to the sum of points and then divide by the
total number of grades, you will have your weighted GPA.
Sum of points: 16 plus the extra two points for Adv/AP courses
Sum of 18 divided by the total number of grades: 6 = Weighted GPA 3.0
Class rank is officially calculated after first semester of the senior year. For
each advanced course successfully completed an additional five points is
added to the course grade and for each AP course an additional 10 points is
added to the course grade before the final average is calculated. You must
earn a flat 92.00 or higher to be recognized as an honor student. Rounding is
done at the hundredths place. For example, an 89.677 rounds to 89.6
Advanced Placement Courses Advanced Courses
AP Calculus (12) Advanced English (10-12)
AP Biology (11-12) Advanced Government/Econ (12)
AP English (12) Advanced US History A &B (10-11)
Algebra II w/ Trig (10-12)
Pre-calculus (11-12)
Advanced Anatomy (11-12)
Chemistry (10-12)
Advanced Biology (9)
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Physics (10-12)
Genetics (11-12)
Physics (11-12)
Spanish II (10-12)
ACT and/or SAT scores-These should be on your cumulative record by
December 1st of your senior year. Colleges look heavily at your grade point
average and your ACT score to determine your eligibility for admissions and
for scholarships. Most junior colleges require a minimum of 16 on the ACT
and most universities require at least an 18 or 19 just to be admitted.
Your involvement in school. This may include dramatics, sports,
publications, and the level of involvement in each (noted on your resume).
Extracurricular activities, volunteer/community/church activities (noted
on your resume).
School report: usually an evaluation by the counselor
Special Ability: art, music, athletics, leadership
Neatness and Accuracy of your application. Type if at all possible. Write
neatly and in ink otherwise.
Interview: Some schools require a personal interview.
Letters of Recommendations: Some scholarship applications require
recommendations. You may want to ask a teacher, coach, minister,
employer or someone from the community other than a family member.
Requesting Letters of Recommendation
In requesting recommendations be sure to adhere to the following:
1. Ask for the recommendation at least two weeks in advance. Do not ask
teachers for recommendations during peak times, such as during report
card week.
2. Select a person who knows you well and shows interest in you, i.e.,
teacher, coach, counselor, activity advisor, principal, minister, boss, etc.
3. Select a person who is familiar with your potential and achievements.
4. Include a resume of school, community, and church activities from
grades 9-12 only.
5. Give the writer a stamped, properly addressed envelope and include your
name and instructions concerning where and when to return the
recommendation.
6. Check back with the writer to see that the letter has been written and sent,
or gather the letter from the writer and mail it in yourself.
7. Remember it is the responsibility of each student to meet all deadlines!
8. Be sure to make copies for your personal file if the person writing the
recommendation returns the letter to you. Sometimes the letter must be
sent from the writer directly to the scholarship committee.
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Miscellaneous Tips For Resumes:
Generally, you should keep the resume short and simple. Activities resumes may
be longer when applying for college or scholarships.
Capitalize headings.
Keep sentences short; avoid writing in paragraphs.
Use language that is simple, not flowery or complex.
Be specific, offering examples when appropriate.
Emphasize achievements.
Be honest.
Use high-quality, white, standard-size “8 ½ x 11” paper.
Make good use of white space by leaving adequate side and top margins
on the paper.
Make what you write presentable, using good business style and typing on
a computer or word processor.
Because your resume should be a reflection of your personality, write it
yourself.
Avoid gimmicks such as colored paper, photos, or clip art.
Make good use of bullets or asterisks, underlining, and bold print.
Proofread your work and have someone you trust proofread it also.
Be neat and accurate.
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Sample Resume
Camerin Jade Whitfield
3740 Golden Lane
Geneva, Al 36340
candigurl@yahoo.com
Education
Geneva High School, Geneva, Alabama
2007-2011
Advanced Diploma
Date of Graduation- May 21, 2011
GPA 4.13
Ranked #11
Academic Awards and Achievements-(you can put them in by
year or grade level)
National Honor Society- 9th-12th
Academic Honor Roll-9th-12th
“A” Honor Roll-9th-12th
Top Award in Math and Science-10th
Leadership Awards and Positions
School Level Junior Beta Club President- 10th-11th
State Junior Beta Club President-10th
Broyhill Leadership Conference, Charlotte, NC 2009
Ran for National Beta Club President, Kentucky, June 2010
School Activities
Cheerleader-11th
Community Service
Big Brother/Big Sisters- 10th-12th
Arlington Literacy Program-10th-12th
Run for Life- 10th-12th
Carmel Church Junior Worker- 10th
Work Experience
Sales Associate, Peebles
June 2005 – Present
• Maintain and restock inventory
• Provide customer service
• Operate computerized cash register system
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Financial Aid
Be sure to review, Getting In: Your Guide to Higher Education in Alabama.
This will help you understand how the financial aid process works and the
different types of aid available to you. This resource is available at
http://www.kheaa.com. Click on students and parents, then publications, then
scroll down to Alabama and click “Getting In”.
Listed below are the different types of financial aid that may be
awarded:
• Grants: Grants are monies awarded to students that do not have to be
repaid. Grants are usually awarded based on financial need.
• Work-Study: Work-study is a program that allows students to work on
campus and receive funds toward their education costs. Basically a
student is trading work for financial aid. Thus, work-study funds do not
have to be repaid with money, but with work instead.
• Scholarships: Scholarships are funds that also do not require
repayment. The guidance office provides information regarding
scholarships on a national, state, and local level. Throughout the year,
current scholarships are posted in the guidance office, listed in the weekly
guidance announcements, and are available online at the Geneva High
School website at: http://www.geneva.gch.schoolinsites.com.Students are
also strongly encouraged to apply for scholarships from post-secondary
institutions. Whether a technical college, or a 4-year university, numerous
scholarship dollars are available for incoming freshmen. Usually once a
student has been accepted to an institution, that institution will mail the
student information about scholarships; however, if a student does not
receive scholarship information from their institution of choice, they should
contact that school’s financial aid office.
• Loans: Loans are borrowed from the federal government or financial
institutions. Loans must be repaid. There are numerous types of loans
such as a Perkins loan, Stafford loan, and Plus loan. There are loans
aimed at students, and loans for parents. Loans should be thoroughly
investigated by parents and students. Please stop in the Guidance office
for written materials regarding loans, or log onto the websites below to
learn more about loans.
FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as
possible after January 1 of the year you plan to enter college. This may be
completed electronically online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA will determine
eligibility for federal financial aid, which may come in the form of a grant, work-
study, or student loan. Need-based aid uses a measurement of income and
assets to calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If your EFC is less
than the cost of attendance at a college, you are eligible for need-based aid. If
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your EFC exceeds the cost of attendance, you are deemed to be “no-need,” and
must rely on other forms of assistance. Not only is this form used for federal aid,
in most cases it also determines how much you receive from your state and
college aid programs. Most colleges ask for you to complete the FAFSA between
Feb 1 and April 15.
About a week before the earliest financial aid deadline, gather your list of
colleges and get together all the documents you will need –
student driver’s license
Social Security numbers for both student and parents
W-2 forms for both student and parents
draft or actual 2008 income tax returns for both student and parents
non-taxable income for 2008
bank statements, investments
business records and farm assets
1. Go to www.PIN.ed.gov, and get a PIN for both student and parent. Be
sure to save your PIN as the student PIN can be used for every year in
college and the parent PIN for all children who apply for aid. Receiving
your PIN by email is the preferred option.
2. Go to www.FAFSA.ed.gov. You will see the FAFSA process divided into
3 Steps – Before Beginning a FAFSA, Filling out the FAFSA, and FAFSA
Follow-Up.
3. Before you start, there is a step that you may want to take if you are not
sure if you will qualify, or if you are a high school junior and want to look
ahead at your aid prospects. In the lower left corner you will see a link to
FAFSA4caster. The 4caster serves a number of different functions. It is
primarily a way to make an early estimate of eligibility for need aid, but it
also can help you get started with the actual FAFSA by linking you to the
PIN site and allowing you to transfer 4caster data to FAFSA on the Web.
4. One way or the other, let’s assume you now have your PINs and are
ready to start. Click on the #1 in the upper left, “Before Beginning a
FAFSA” and go through the menu items so you understand fully what lies
ahead.
5. Fill out the FAFSA Worksheet first. It contains imbedded instructions
which should clarify what each question asks for.
6. Go to Step 2, “Filling Out the FAFSA.” If you are having trouble, use the
“Need Help” button, or you can get personal help from FAFSA customer
service by clicking on “Live Help.”
7. Be sure to save your work as you go along. When you are done, “sign” the
FAFSA by using your PINs.
8. After all this, you will want to take advantage of the services offered in
Step 3, “FAFSA Follow-Up.” This is a very useful section where you can
check on the status of you FAFSA, receive a copy of your Student Aid
Report that contains your EFC, make corrections, and add other colleges.
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9. Please remind students that if a Web site requests credit card information
or some other form of payment to complete the FAFSA then that Web site
is not the official government (FREE) Web site.
10. You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) a few weeks after you submit
the FAFSA. This information is also sent to the colleges that you bubbled
in on the FAFSA. If you did not bubble in the college code on your FAFSA,
your SAR should be taken to the financial aid office of the school you plan
to attend. If eligible, the financial aid director will then put together a
package using the financial aid cost of attendance index. This package
usually consists of loans, grants, and work-study awards. You may accept
or refuse the award.
11. By mid-April you should have heard from the schools to which you have
applied. If you need to talk about the results, please be sure to see you
counselor. Once you have reached a decision, you should notify the
college you will be attending and send the necessary fees and forms.
AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST (ACT) INFORMATION
The ACT is a college entrance exam which is considered in the
admissions process of all 4-year colleges.
Many colleges recommend that you take your ACT in the spring of your
junior year. By this time, you will have typically completed most of the
coursework covered on the ACT. If you don’t do as well as you think you
can, you will have time to retake it your senior year.
ACT scores are also used to determine NCAA eligibility.
The ACT is constructed to assess general educational development and
ability to do college level work.
The ACT consists of a battery of four academic tests covering subject
matter in the areas of English, mathematics, reading and science
reasoning.
ACT offers an optional writing component to the ACT exam. The ACT
Writing Test complements the English Test. The combined information
from both tests tells postsecondary institutions about students'
understanding of the conventions of standard written English and their
ability to produce a direct sample of writing.
Some colleges/universities are requiring the writing portion of the ACT as
part of the admission process. To find out whether or not the college you
wish to attend requires the writing portion visit the ACT website at
www.act.org/aap/writing/index.html
Test Registration: Test registration materials for the ACT are available in
the Guidance Office. Complete the registration materials and send them to
ACT in the envelopes provided or register online at www.actstudent.org.
Since you must submit your registration well in advance, make sure that
you are aware of the specific testing deadlines.
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Test Preparation: Students may pick up resources in the guidance office
that relate to preparing for the ACT.
Admissions Test Dates Schedule for ACT Tests: Our high school code
number is 011-220, which must be used on each test application.
ACT Test Dates-- Registration Deadline-- Late Fee Registration Dates
September 11, 2010-- August 6, 2010 ---August 7 – 20, 2010
October 23, 2010 -September 17, 2010 -September 18 – Oct. 1, 2010
December 11, 2010 --November 5, 2010 --November 6 – 19, 2010
February 12, 2011-- January 7, 2011-- January 8 – 21, 2011
April 9, 2011 --March 4, 2011-- March 5 – 18, 2011
June 11, 2011-- May 6, 2011-- May 7 – 20, 2011
Test Fees: The current registration fee for the ACT is $33.00. The total
fee for the ACT with the optional writing test is $48.00. Students are
strongly encouraged to complete registration materials online. However,
for those students who cannot pay by credit card, paper registration
materials are available in the guidance office.
Writing College Essays
What makes a good college application essay?
As is the case with so many issues embraced by the college admissions process,
there is no single answer to this question. There are many answers. We'll try to
address some of the more substantive issues here.
Clarity and Style: Above all else, your essay must be written in a clear and
concise manner. No matter how exhilarating your subject, if your essay is
incoherent, it will not make a good impression. A few tips: Don't try to impress
anyone by stretching your vocabulary. Stick with what you know and with what
you find comfortable. Similarly, don't worry about blinding the reader with
extravagant style. Try to keep your sentences short and simple. However, don't
be afraid to include a bit of levity or other indicators of your creative side if you
think it's appropriate for your subject. It's always a good idea to write at least two
drafts of your essay and to have a parent, teacher, or friend proofread it.
Subject: Some schools designate what subject(s) your essay should cover. But
most require at least one essay that has no specific subject guidelines. For the
majority of students, the open-ended essay question is the most difficult. So, how
do you choose a subject? Here are a few broad suggestions: an important event
in your life (something that affected how you think or feel about a particular
subject); an organization to which you belong; an accomplishment about which
you are particularly proud; your hobbies or interests; a political or social issue
that concerns you; future plans. As long as you write about a subject you know
and feel strongly about (either positively or negatively), you are on fertile ground.
It’s a good idea to discuss your subject with a friend, parent, or guidance
counselor before you begin writing. They can often help you “hash out” the
possibilities and assist in clarifying your sense of purpose. What you write about
is generally not nearly as important as how you write about it.
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Length: If the college to which you are applying has a specific word limit for the
essay, try not to exceed it. If you cannot adequately address your topic within the
word limit, you should try to pare it down or pick another subject entirely.
Conversely, if you do not have enough to say about your subject to come
relatively close to the word limit (say 75 percent of the maximum), you might
want to reconsider. It is by no means necessary, however, to produce precisely
the maximum or suggested number of words.
Repeat Use: Some colleges do not mind if you submit the same essay to other
colleges. If different colleges place different word limits on the essays, you may
be able to include or exclude certain points as the case demands. If you will need
to vary the length of your essay, be careful to determine which points must be
included and which are more extraneous. Discussing this with others can help.
Planning: Begin thinking about your essay well ahead of the deadline. Students
who write their essays at the last minute do not produce their best work. If you
begin to consider possible subjects a couple of months prior to your first
deadline, you should be in solid shape. Good luck!
Differences among Community, Technical, and
Junior Colleges and Four Year Schools
Many colleges offer programs that are less than four years in length. Most of
these schools offer education and training programs that are two years in length
or shorter. The programs often lead to a license, a certificate, an associate of arts
(A.A.) degree, an associate of science (A.S.) degree, or an associate of applied
science (A.A.S.) degree.
Community Colleges: These are public, two-year colleges. They mostly serve
people from nearby communities and offer academic courses, technical courses,
and continuing education courses. Public institutions are supported by state and
local revenues.
Technical Colleges: These are generally colleges that have a special emphasis
on education and training in technical fields. While some technical colleges offer
academic courses and programs, not all technical colleges offer two-year
programs that lead to an associate of arts or science degree. Technical colleges
may be private or public.
Junior Colleges: These are generally two-year colleges.
Four-Year Colleges and Universities
These schools usually offer a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science
(B.S.) degree. Some also offer graduate and professional degrees.
What To Do on a College Visit
Visiting a college campus with a parent/guardian is one of the most important
factors in the college selection process for students. A campus might look “nice”
online, or your cousin might go there, but you won’t know if it is right for you
unless you visit. If you are wondering what you should be doing on a visit besides
the basic tour, look below at the college visit questionnaire.
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Suggestions Before you Visit:
Make sure you call or e-mail ahead well in advance to set up your visit. You will
mostly likely need to obtain a parking permit, set up a tour, and visit with an
admissions counselor. Remember that you will likely be on campus from 2-3
hours, do don’t try to do too many visits in one day.
College Name:
Location: Is it close to home? Do I want to be able to drive home regularly? Will I
be able to pay in-state tuition?
Size & Environment: How many students are enrolled? How big is the campus,
will I be able to walk everywhere? What is the city like? Is it safe, does it have
public transportation? Is the school public or private? Is there any religious
affiliation? What is the typical class size?
Admissions & Academics: Does the school offer my major or interest? What
ACT and Rank/GPA do I need? When is the application deadline? Does your
major require extra requirements such as a portfolio, or specific training?
Expenses & Financial Aid: What is the typical financial aid package? What are
the deadlines for scholarships and financial aid forms? What is the cost of
Tuition, Room & Board? Deposit deadlines for dorm rooms, or other deposits for
freshman?
Housing, Facilities & Activities: What are the dorms like; do you have to live
on campus? Does it offer the level of clubs, sports, etc. that you are looking for?
What type of gym, work-out, pool, facilities are offered? Does the campus have a
lap top program?
Application and Registration Process
1. Submit Transcript.
2. Submit ACT score (this will be on your high school transcript)
3. Submit letters of recommendation (Only if needed or required).
4. Submit FAFSA and complete scholarship applications.
5. In March/April take placement exams if required by your Institution.
6. Send in any required paperwork and payment (Such as housing agreement
form and payment).
7. Notify guidance office of where to send final transcript.
8. Watch your E-mail and/or mail for information about registering for classes in
spring/summer.
9. Attend new student orientation/registration.
National Collegiate Athletic Association: NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was established in 1906 and
serves as the athletics governing body for more than 1,300 colleges, universities,
conferences and organizations. The national office is in Indianapolis, but the
member colleges and universities develop the rules and guidelines for athletics
eligibility and athletics competition for each of the three NCAA divisions. The
NCAA is committed to the student athlete and to governing competition in a fair,
safe, inclusive and sportsmanlike manner. The NCAA membership includes: •
331 active Division I members; • 291 active Division II members; and • 429 active
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Division III members. One of the differences among the three divisions is that
colleges and universities in Divisions I and II may offer athletics scholarships,
while Division III colleges and universities may not.
What is the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse?
The NCAA Eligibility Center will certify the academic and amateur credentials of
all college-bound student-athletes who wish to compete in NCAA Division I or II
athletics. To assist with this process, the Eligibility Center staff is eager to foster
a cooperative environment of education and partnership with high schools, high
school coaches and college-bound student-athletes. Ultimately, the individual
student-athlete is responsible for achieving and protecting his or her
eligibility status.
Academic & Testing Requirements: Division I
If you want to participate in athletics or receive an athletic scholarship during your
first year, you must: Graduate from high school and complete these 16 core
courses:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
- 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science)
- 1 extra year of English, math, or natural/physical science
- 2 years of social science
- 4 years of extra core courses (from any category above, or foreign language,
non-doctrinal religion or philosophy);
-Earn a minimum required grade-point average in your core courses
-Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course grade-
point average and test score sliding scale
Academic & Testing Requirements: Division II
If you enroll in a Division II college and want to participate in athletics or receive
an athletic scholarship during your first year, you must: Graduate from high
school and complete these 14 core courses:
- 3 years of English
- 2 years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
- 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science)
- 2 additional years of English, math, or natural or physical science
- 2 years of social science
- 3 years of extra core courses (from any category above, or foreign language,
non-doctrinal religion or philosophy);
-Earn a 2.000 grade-point average or better in your core courses and earn an
ACT sum score of 68.
Division III does not use the Eligibility Center. Contact your Division III
college or university regarding its policies on admission, financial aid,
practice and competition.
ACT Requirements
The NCAA requires prospects who intend to enroll at NCAA Division I and
Division II institutions to supply ACT or SAT scores to the Clearinghouse directly
from the testing agencies. Test scores on an official high school transcript
are not acceptable. Start now and plan to have your ACT\SAT scores sent to
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the Clearinghouse (via code "9999") so that your certification decision will not be
delayed. For more details consult the NCAA's website at www.ncaa.org.
Student Athlete Eligibility Information
http://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/
Getting Organized for Life after High School
Many times important documents may get misplaced or thrown away because
students do not have a system to organize such materials, or they do not realize
the importance of those documents. To keep this from happening to you, follow
these simple tips below:
The Necessary Components for Getting Organized
• A safe and secure location in your home for all records to be kept
• A file cabinet or plastic file box, or a cardboard box clearly labeled
• A yearly calendar or pocket organizer for recording important dates
• Folders to organize your files
You Will Need to Create “Basic Files” for the Following
• Your Social Security number
• Your high school transcript
• Your resume
• ACT, SAT, PSAT, AP or any applicable test scores
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, employers, etc...
• Immunization records
• Income tax records
• Medical records
• Insurance records
Create These Additional Files as the Year Progresses:
• For each post-secondary institution to which you have applied or visited, create
a file for the following:
1. Your admission status
2. Scholarship information
3. Housing information
4. Meal plans
5. Registration information and dates
6. Campus visits
7. FAFSA application (online)
8. Each specific scholarship for which you have applied
9. Summer employment or internship possibilities
10. Student or parent loan documents
Helpful Hints for Good Organization
• Make copies of everything you fill out
• Record all important dates and deadlines in your planner
• Request parent/guardian involvement
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Career Search
The Internet is one of the most valuable career research tools available to
students today. Not only is information readily accessible at a rapid speed, but
also online information is usually the most accurate and up-to-date information
available. However, Internet users should beware of websites that charge users
for career testing and resources. All of the websites and resources listed below
are free of charge, and we strongly recommend students and their parents take
advantage of free online resources. Below you will find various career web
addresses along with a brief explanation of each website.
• The U.S. Department of Labor: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Web address: www.bls.gov/search/ooh.asp?ct=OOH
This web address will directly take users to an A-Z job occupation search. The
user should have an idea of a career they would like to research when using this
website. Example, I am interested in researching the career of a reporter. I select
the letter R for reporter, and then a list of R careers is viewable on the screen.
Once I find the word reporter on the screen I select the career, and then the
following information regarding the career is reported: nature of the work, working
conditions, employment, training required, job outlook, earnings, related
occupations, and sources of additional information. This website is of extremely
high quality, and is strongly recommended by the guidance department.
• The Occupational Information Network Online
Web address: http://online.onetcenter.org/
This website was created and is maintained by The U.S. Department of Labor,
and is also highly recommended by the guidance department as a high quality
website. This website will allow users to research careers using various tools,
and it also provides a free career skills test. In addition to career assessments,
the website also links users with relevant career-related articles such as articles
on the fastest growing occupations.
• JobStar Career Guides
Web address: http://jobstar.org/tools/career/index.cfm
On this website users will not only find resources aimed at discovering careers,
but it also provides users with excellent resume examples. Another unique
aspect of this website is the age-appropriate career guides that users can
explore. There are also numerous links on this website that will lead users to
other valuable career websites.
Career Cruising
1. In order to access Career Cruising, please go to www.careercruising.com
2. Enter Geneva High School's special username and password:
Username: genevahs
Password: panther
3. Please click on "Start Career Cruising!" to begin.
4. Returning users, go to Portfolio Login. Type in your user name and
password and then click “log in”.
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5. New users Go to Portfolio Login and click on create a new portfolio.
Some of the features within Career Cruising include:
- access to colleges and universities in the USA
- over 500 career profiles, each containing two multimedia interviews and a
Photo File
- an interest assessment tool with a skills assessment
- personal portfolio tool with a built-in resume builder
As Career Cruising is a web-based program, students will be able to access our
website from any computer that has access to the Internet, for example, from
the school's computer lab or from their home computer.
Military Related Websites
www.sss.gov.
www.usna.edu
www.usafa.af.mil
www.usma.edu
www.cga.edu
www.defenselink.mil
www.airforce.com
www.uscg.mil
www.goarmy.com
www.marines.com
www.navyjobs.com
JOB HUNTING
Some students will choose full time employment as a first vocational
choice. Many students will search for part-time, temporary employment during
school or in the summer. Although the job market varies over time, there are
many excellent opportunities for those who take the time to do a thorough job
search.
The first step in looking for employment is to let everyone know that you
want a job. Talk with your parents, teachers, friends, prospective employers and
counselor. You should begin this process well before graduation as it may take
some time. Make sure to regularly check the want ads in all the area
newspapers. Many newspapers have websites where you can search their
classified ad section for work ads.
Make sure you register with the State Job Service. If you are interested in
government employment, it will probably be necessary for you to take some type
of examination. By the time you get to this stage, you should have a good idea as
to the type of work you prefer.
Identify a number of employers who offer that kind of work and contact
them directly. You may wish to send a letter of inquiry or simply call or visit the
employer. A letter allows you to introduce yourself more formally and to let the
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employer know that you are interested. If you are uncertain as to which is the
best approach for a particular employer, discuss it first with your teachers or
counselors.
If you wish to apply for a specific job that has been advertised, a letter of
application should be used. This letter is slightly different from a letter of inquiry
since you know that a definite opening exists. In this letter, make sure to state
where you learned of the opening. You may also find it useful to run a work-
wanted ad in the newspaper. Such an ad should be published several times and
must include the type of work you seek and either an address or telephone
number where you can be reached.
The use of a resume, along with a letter or personal visit, is a good
method of providing an employer with a description of your experience. A resume
should include your name, address, telephone number, education, work and
volunteer experience, special skills and any other information, which may help
you, get the job you want. It is not necessary for you to include such data as age,
weight, health or marital status. Talk with your counselor for more specific
examples of resume writing.
EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS
Most employers require that you complete an employment application. This
application provides specific information that is used in the hiring decision.
Following are some guidelines for this process:
1. It is best to type or use black ink when completing applications. If it is possible,
complete the application forms at home so you have access to the necessary
information (i.e., references, phone numbers, addresses and dates). In the
interest of neatness, write out the information on a blank piece of paper or on a
copy of the application first and then transfer it to the original form.
2. Make sure that your application is neat and legible and that all portions are
complete. Your application serves as a sample of your work and will influence the
employer’s decision. If you fail to complete all sections or follow directions, the
employer may question how well you would perform on the job.
3. In the event your original application needs corrections, ask for two copies so
that you will be confident you are submitting the best possible application.
4. When completing an application, it is very important to state the specific type
of work you would prefer. It is appropriate to say that you would consider other
types of work, but the employer will be most likely to seriously consider you if it is
apparent that you have given some thought to your future.
5. Most applications provide a place for you to list your special skills. This is the
place for you to state that you type, have a driver’s license, can operate certain
tools or equipment, work well with others or have other skills.
EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEWS
The employment interview gives the employer a chance to evaluate you while
giving you the opportunity to decide if you would like the job. For most people,
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the interview is the most difficult part of looking for work. If you are properly
prepared for the interview, however, you will find it a lot less threatening. Here
are some suggestions to help you have a successful interview:
1. Learn all you can about the employer and the work performed. If possible, talk
with others who work there.
2. Be a few minutes early for the interview. Call, if you are unavoidably detained.
3. Go alone to the interview.
4. Dress neatly and as you would be expected to on the job.
5. Take a record of your past employment, references and social security number
(including dates and addresses).
6. Let the employer control the interview.
7. Maintain good posture and eye contact.
8. Don't smoke or chew gum during the interview.
9. Be ready to tell why you want the job.
THE HIDDEN ELEMENTS OF INTERVIEWING
Introduction
Greeting Appearance
Small talk -Manners
Opening question
-Self-expression
Lead question -Responsiveness
Work Experience
Earliest jobs; part-time, temporary
Related work experience; stable work history
Military assignments skill and competence
Full-time positions Adaptability
Volunteer Work Productivity
Motivation
Ability to work with others
Leadership
Growth and development
Education
Elementary school related education
High School sufficient training or education
College ability to think
Specialized training versatility
Recent courses
Knowledge to do the job
Motivation, interests
Willingness to accept authority
Leadership potential
Willingness to be part of a team
Activities
Special interests and hobbies
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Enthusiasm
Involvement in civic and community affairs
Management of time, energy and money
Health and energy
Maturity and judgment
Intellectual growth
Cultural exposure
Variety of interests
Basic values and goals
Interpersonal skills and interests
Leadership
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