1. Warm-up Question
Why is this
percentage
important to each
junior today?
87%

2. Looking Beyond: Career and
College Planning
Objectives:
Students will acquire knowledge regarding
the proper preparation that is essential
in choosing from a wide range of
substantial post-secondary options,
including college.
Students will be provided with information
and materials that will enable them to
employ strategies to achieve future
career success and satisfaction.
PA Career Education and Work Standards 13.1.11.B, C, F
ASCA National Standards I.B, II.A

3. Chapter 1: Getting Ready
• The college application process, making career goals,
the financial aid process, the prom, and graduation are
rapidly approaching!
• It is time to gather important information and use your
resources (school, family, internet).
• “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

4. Getting Ready is a Process
When choosing and preparing for
different career and college paths, you
may be required to complete certain
tasks in order to reach your goals. These
activities might include:
• Conducting career research
• School resources (counselors, teachers, etc)
• Internet resources (Family Connections)
• Institution resources (visits, representatives, etc)
• Registering, preparing, and taking standardized tests
(SAT, ACT)
• Preparing documents (essay, resume,
recommendations)

5. Post Secondary Choices:
The Options
After graduation, you will have
many options to consider:
• College/University
• Community College
• Vocational, Technical, or
Career Training
• Armed Services
• Work Force
Hint: Waiting until graduation to
plan for this may not get you the
results you want!

6. Education Pays

7. Pennsylvania Job Outlook
Jobs are constantly changing. What was
true years ago regarding the types of
jobs that are available may no longer be
the case today.
– On average, workers change jobs about
seven to nine times during their careers.
– Nearly 80% of jobs require some sort of
post-secondary training. These jobs tend to
be better paying than those that do not!
– Employers want workers who possess
“people skills” and who will fit into their
organization.

8. Scheduling Your Courses
Scheduling for your upcoming year is very
important as institutions will be looking at
schedules to see if students continue on a
college preparatory track. Students are
encouraged to register for a challenging
courseload as it may make the difference in
the admission decision.

9. Chapter 2: Standardized Testing
SAT-I
The SAT is a “standardized” test, which means it is taken in
the same method using the same time period in each
testing location (worldwide). Scores are used by colleges
to determine who is admitted. It is a test of your abilities.
Registration is done through www.collegeboard.com.
Preparation:
• Students in grades 9-11 can take the PSAT in October
• Official SAT online course is available free through North Hills
• SAT I prep books are available through the CRC or for loan through
the High School Library

10. SAT I Continued…
Scoring:
• Each section is scored from 200-800. Therefore, a
perfect score on the three parts (Critical Reading,
Mathematics Reasoning, and Writing) is 2400.
• Students have the option to use Score Choice to pick which
institutions will receive scores from specific test dates.
Check with the institutions so see if this is a good idea or if
they “super-score”, which means they would add up the
best parts of your different test dates.
• Many institutions will ONLY accept SAT I scores directly
from the College Board. You are responsible for getting
your scores (which are your property) to the institutions.

11. SAT II
The SAT II measure a
students’ level of
knowledge in a specific
content area. You should
only take the SAT II if
required by the
institutions you are
applying to.

12. The ACT
The ACT (American College Test) is another standardized
test that institutions also use for admissions purposes.
ACT is a test of knowledge, similar to your chapter tests.
Many schools accept the ACT in place of the SAT. It differs
from the SAT in the following ways:
• 4 sections on the ACT (Science is #4)
• Scores range from 1-36. (A 36 is equal to a 2400 SAT.)
• Students register at www.actstudent.org.

13. Test Dates
Test
Offered
at North
Hills
Month
ACT
SAT-I and II
ACT
SAT-I and II
ACT
SAT-I and II
SAT-I and II
ACT
SAT-I
ACT
SAT-I and II
ACT
SAT-I and II
September
October
October
November
December
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
June
Registration Deadline
Mid-August
Early September
Mid September
Early October
Early November
Early November
Late December
Early January
Early February
Early March
Early April
Early May
Early May

14. Chapter 3: The College Selection
Process
Determine what factors are important
for the school you want to attend to
have. Do these matter to you?
• Size
• Location
• Academic Program Offerings
• Reputation
• Cost
• Other?

15. Conducting Career and College
Research
• Utilize Family Connections (more in a bit).
–
–
–
–
Investigate your own interests.
Find matches to majors you might pursue.
Identify colleges you might match with.
Compare colleges to find which you should apply to!
• Speak with your counselor!
• Use the CRC (Counseling Resource Center)
– Attend the admission representative visits in the CRC.
– Look for financial aid information, job postings, etc.

16. Pittsburgh National College Fair
Any interested family who returns a permission slip
in January can attend the February 6th, 2014
Evening Guidance Series college fair trip to the
Convention Center. Attendees must take the
school’s bus transportation. Permission slip must
be returned to the CRC by Thursday, January 30th!

17. Pittsburgh National College Fair
At the college fair, don’t waste time completing multiple
information forms for each school. Instead, go to
www.gotomyncf.com before the fair and fill in the form.
You will be able to print out a sheet with a barcode on it. At the
fair, schools will “scan” your sheet, which will then permit
them to receive the information you submitted online.
You must do this and turn in with your permission form to
attend the college fair.

18. Chapter 4: The College
Application Process
According to the National Association of College Admission Counselors, the
factors that colleges usually consider for admission are:
Primary Factors
• Academic Performance in College Prep Classes
• Standardized Test Scores
• Academic Performance in ALL courses
• QPA
Additional Factors
• Student Essay or Writing Sample
• Teacher/Counselor Recommendations
• Extracurricular Activities, Volunteerism, and Employment Activities
• Interview
• Awards and Recognition Programs.

19. Your Transcript
Your official high school transcript is a record
of your:
• 9-12 courses and grades
• Grade Point Average
• 9-12 attendance
It is important because it can be viewed by:
• Colleges
• Scholarship agencies
• Employers
• Military branches

20. The Application Process
You can apply to schools using a variety of methods:
• Applying via the Internet. This is now the most
common method and is required by some schools.
• Paper Applications: These are available from the
institution’s website, from the CRC, and from the
school itself.
Feel free to use the COLLEGE APPLICATION
ORGANIZER to track your progress.

21. NCAA: Becoming a College Athlete
Student athletes who are
hoping to continue athletic
participation at the Division I
or II collegiate level must be
declared eligible through
the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Please alert your
counselor and coach if
this is your intent.

22. Final Notes: Representing
Yourself Online
•
•
Post-secondary institutions may use a variety of resources
to learn about who you are. Please be aware of how you
may be represented online. It is not unusual for colleges
to do a search for your name on Google, MySpace,
Facebook, Twitter and other public sites. Be sure to
represent yourself in a manner that will not affect the
possibility of your acceptance.
Be sure that your email address will not hurt your chances
for admission. Many schools ask you to provide this and
you don’t want a joke to cost you admission. (Example:
Indicating an email like “monkeypoo43@yahoo.com” may
not endear yourself to the admission committee.)

23. Follow the CRC on Facebook
The North Hills Counseling Resource Center (CRC) is
on Facebook. Please search for our page and
“Like” us to receive regular updates regarding
upcoming presentations, alerts, scholarship lists,
and much more!!!

24. Don’t “Fail to Plan…”
Preparation and organization are key to setting
yourself up for success after high school. No matter
what path you will pursue after graduation, proper
planning during your senior year can maximize your
chances for being successful in whatever endeavor
you choose.
Please access your school counselor and the
Counseling Resource Center with any questions!

25. Question and Answer Session
Thank you for your attention. Please take the opportunity now
to ask any questions that you might have.