EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

All students are strongly encouraged to prepare for jobs and careers by pursuing some type of education or training beyond high school.  For all but 1 of the 50 highest paying occupations, a college degree or higher is the most significant source of education.  Among the 20 fastest growing occupations, a two or four year degree is required for all but two of those occupations. Here are some of the options that students have:

COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES

All students should take as many academic courses in high school as possible.  Students attending a community or technical college, however, will not be required to complete all of the recommended college preparatory courses in high school.  These students generally will not be required to take college admissions tests either (i.e. ACT or SAT).  However, if they are planning on transferring to a four year college, they are strongly recommended to do so.

Minnesota’s state community and technical colleges are considered an “open door” to higher education.  The basic requirement is a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

Students who enroll at a community college may later transfer to a four-year college to complete a bachelor’s degree.

For a list of community and technical colleges and career programs available, go to the Counseling Center or see your counselor.

FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

College Recommended Courses

Four-year colleges recommend students complete certain courses while in high school. These generally include:

            English:                4 years (courses in composition, literature and speech)

            Math:                    3-4 years (2 years of algebra, including intermediate or advanced

                                        algebra, and 1 year of geometry)

            Science:               3 years (1 year each of a biological science and a physical science,

                                        and all 3 courses with lab experience)

            Social Studies:     3 years (Note: Univ. of Minnesota is now requiring 1 year of geography

                                       or a combination of classes that incorporate geographic studies.)

            The Arts:             1 year

            World Language:  2-4 years of a single world language

Students admitted into college without all of these courses may need to take remedial and/or additional courses at college.  A high school student who plans to attend a four-year college should therefore try to complete all of the above-recommended courses.  Be aware, however, that many colleges would consider the above courses as “minimum requirements.” For information on specific college requirements consult their website, catalog or Counseling Center for more details.

As a general rule, college bound students should take as much college preparatory math, science, English, foreign language and social studies as they can handle academically and as will fit into their four-year high school plan.

Admissions Criteria

A college will use some, if not all, of the information listed below when determining whether or not to accept an applicant.  Individual colleges, however, will use this information differently. The criteria are listed in order of most important to least important. This ranking is based on the 2005 survey of colleges done by the National Association of College Admission Counselors.

1. Grade Point Average (GPA) of college prep classes                                                                 
2. ACT and/or SAT scores                                                 
3. Grades in all subjects                                                        
4. Class rank
5. Personal statements/essays 
6. Recommendations
7. Interviews
8. Community Service/Extracurricular Activities. 

College Testing

• PLAN – a practice test for the ACT that also provides information to assist students in their career and college planning.  It is given in October to all district sophomores.  The results are added to student transcripts.
•  PSAT/NMSQT- (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship/Qualifying Test) – a practice test for the SAT, which is also used to determine National Merit semi-finalists.  It is given each October, primarily to juniors (Oct. 17, 2007). Some sophomores may choose to take it also. The results are not added to student transcripts unless requested.
• ACT- (American College Test) – a college entrance examination, generally taken during the junior and/or senior year. Students receive scores in English, Reading, Math, and Science Reasoning, as well as a Composite score.  A Writing assessment can be taken with an additional registration/test fee. Guidance is recommending that the Writing assessment be taken, since some colleges have been requiring it for the classes of 2006 and beyond.
• SAT I- (Scholastic Assessment Test) – a college entrance examination, generally taken during the junior and/or senior year.  Students receive a Verbal, a Math score and Writing score (starting in spring 2005).
• SAT II: Subject Tests – one-hour tests that measure a student’s knowledge of specific subjects, and his/her ability to apply that knowledge.  A few colleges require these tests.  Check specific college requirements.
• AP- (Advanced Placement Tests) – three-hour high school examinations based on college level courses.  AP exams are given once a year in May.  The scores are primarily used for college placement, credit or advanced standing.
• CLEP- (College Level Examination Program) – Examinations in college subjects given at specific centers.  Some colleges offer college credit on the basis of CLEP scores. In 2007, there was some state funding for each CLEP test taken by a student prior to June.

NCAA Requirements Before an athlete can play a sport or receive an athletic scholarship at a Division I or II college, he/she must meet the specific academic criteria as set forth by the NCAA. A student must have at least a 2.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale) in 16 core courses.  A student must also achieve a minimum combined ACT score of 68 (sum of the 4 scores) or combined SAT score of 820.  To be eligible at a Division I school, the student with a minimum GPA will need a higher test score, and the student with a minimum test score will need a higher GPA.  Students must take specific courses in order to meet NCAA eligibility requirements.  These include a certain number of college preparatory English, science, social science, and math courses, with at least one year of algebra and one year of geometry.  Because the NCAA has such specific requirements, and because these requirements can be confusing, it is important that athletes meet with their guidance counselor in ninth grade to obtain information on all the NCAA requirements. Refer to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net for more information.  NCAA eligibility forms usually arrive to the Guidance office by the start of school and should be completed in September or as early in the fall as possible.

COLLEGE & VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

A number of privately owned schools provide vocational training.  Areas of specialization include broadcasting, fashion, cosmetology, medical, and technical training, and many more.  When choosing a private school, carefully check the school’s credentials.  Read about the school in brochures available in the Career Center.  Be sure that the school is accredited.  Visit the school to check its facilities and equipment.  You can also investigate the program quality and the school’s financial stability by contacting graduates of the school and their employers, the Better Business Bureau and the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS

Apprenticeship is a structured system of training designated to teach students highly technical hands-on skills.  After successfully completing the prescribed hours of related classroom instruction and hands-on training, the apprentice will graduate as a highly skilled “journey worker”.

Most apprenticeship programs last from one year to five years, depending on the trade, and are determined by the standards adopted by the industry.  Apprentices will take courses in mathematics, sciences and other technical subjects, which are directly related to the craft for which the students are in training.  All the programs require a high school diploma or GED certificate. (Go to: www.apprenticeship.org and www.doli.state.mn.us for more information.)

ARMED SERVICES

Opportunities in education and training are available for men and women in all branches of the Armed Forces.  All branches of the services prefer to take high school graduates for specialized training.  The military also offers careers for those with professional training (i.e. nursing). Training in the armed services can range from a few weeks to a year, depending upon the field of specialization.  Some of the training is related completely to military service, but much of it is applicable to jobs in civilian life.  Your options include the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and U.S. Merchant Marine.

Information about all branches of military service is available in the Counseling Center and links to their sites are provided under the Career portion of Lake City’s counseling website.  Students are also encouraged to set up appointments to visit with recruiters who come to the Counseling Center on a regular basis.