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
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
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
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!