PostHigh School Planning Guide
BishopNeumannCatholicHigh School
Career Planning
College Selection
Scholarships
Financial Aid
***Information used from LincolnPublic School
PostHigh School Planning Guide
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Since the student is the center of all post-high school activities, the student must be responsible for initiating and completing the following tasks:
- Completing and sending in required registration materials for college entrance examinations.
- Requesting college applications, transcripts, and related materials.
- Making appointments with counselors in completing their college applications.
- Keeping track of important deadlines and other dates.
- Informing parents of deadlines for applications and for filing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Assistance).
- Continually reviewing bulletins and newsletters relating to college applications and scholarships.
GOALS FOR HIGH SCHOOL
The UNL Admissions staff and a faculty representative conveyed to juniors that they could and must prepare NOW for college success. The following is an outline of their message to high school students conveying what YOU can yet do in high school to be prepared.
- IMPROVE YOUR STUDY SKILLS
- DEVELOP AND EXERCISE TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS
- IMPROVE YOUR WRITING SKILLS
- READ, READ, READ
- LEARN TO READ FASTER AND WITH UNDERSTANDING
- TAKE THE HARD CLASSES
- TAKE THE HARD TEACHERS
- LEARN TO THINK, NOT JUST MEMORIZE
Each of the above guidelines speaks to every student regardless of your educational and career path after high school. All Bishop Neumann faculty is committed to giving students the opportunity to expand your minds and your options. It is the personal responsibility of each student to focus on the above tasks and develop them to the best of your ability.
COLLEGE IS ABOUT THINKING.
LEARN TO THINK!
ABOUT EDUCATION AND CAREERS
WHY MORE EDUCATION?
-Because the world is rapidly changing and many jobs rely on new technologies and skills that require education beyond high school.
-Because the average person with some level of post-secondary education will earn more money than the person who has none.
-Because you’ll gain a wide range of knowledge that will help you succeed, both on and off the job.
Below are some of the most common myths that exist in the employment world today. Don’t buy into them!
MYTHS
-There’s only one right job for me. On the contrary, there are numerous occupations in which your talents can be equally applied. The nature of these possibilities will expand as your work experiences accumulate.
-Most people start their career at age 21 and proceed in a straight line toward their career goals. The career paths of most people are filled with zigs and zags and changes in direction.
-There are specific job responsibilities for every occupation. On the contrary, people in positions with the same title often perform different tasks. Duties may vary according to an individual’s interests and capabilities, as well as employer’s needs.
-You must have work experience to find a job. Often you’re hired for your aptitude or potential to learn & advance in an organization rather than for your existing work capabilities or experiences.
-A four-year college degree guarantees a well-paying job. Not true! Only 20-25% of current jobs require at least a four-year college education. It’s very important to remember that many jobs also require technical skills.
-If I’m smart, go to college, study hard and graduate, I’ll get a job in my chosen occupation. Not necessarily. Getting a job in your chosen occupation depends on many factors, such as the U.S. economy, downsizing, competition, advancements in technology, etc. Again, you may have to be patient and very persistent in your job search.
-Choosing an occupation is difficult. While choosing an occupation takes time, patience, and research, it can be a satisfying experience under the guidance of your family, teachers, and counselors.
-Everyone should go to college. Everyone probably needs some training beyond high school. Think first about what occupation you want, and then find out about what education is necessary to do the job. Remember that both desire and effort are necessary to be successful in post-high school education.
(From the Minnesota SOICC Careers Study Guide)
ACADEMICPREPARATIONFORCOLLEGE
College representatives recognize that a myriad of factors are considered in making the decision to admit a high school senior to their campus as a prospective freshman. By far, the most important item, regardless of the selectivity of the institution, is a student’s high school academic preparation.
Factors in the College Admission Decision
In order of importance…
-Grades in college prep courses
-Strength of curriculum
-Act/sat score
-Grades in all courses
-Essays
-Letters of recommendation
-Class rank
-Interview
-Extracurricular activities
ACADEMICPREPARATIONFORCOLLEGE
AVOIDING SENIORITIS
Even if you’ve done well in school all through high school, this is no time to slack off on your schoolwork. Poor senior year grades can cost you scholarship money, put you on academic probation at your college, or even result in the withdrawal of an offer of admission.
-Make sure you will have all the required classes for high school graduation or college admittance.
-Continue to take challenging courses.
-Stay or get involved in school activities and in volunteering.
-Consider finding an internship in a career field that interests you.
BUILDING GOOD STUDY SKILLS
It’s very helpful to start thinking about college and learning good study habits while in high school. The following will help you develop your study skills. Take some time to decide what you’re already doing well then pick a few to improve!
-Set aside enough time each day to get schoolwork done.
-Study every day to stay in the habit, even if you don’t have any assignments due. Review notes or read.
-Try studying in a variety of quiet spots from day to day. Research shows this improves retention.
-Study the same topic several times, days apart. This also helps you remember it better.
-Take regular study breaks. Teens should break for 10 to 15 minutes after every 45 minutes of studying.
-Stay organized. Binders, folders, and assignment books can keep materials and due dates handy.
-Plan ahead for big assignments or tests. Use a calendar or planner to break projects into smaller tasks and set target dates.
-Study with friends. Students who study together do better than those who always study alone.
-Ask a friend, parent, or guardian to quiz you on topics you’re studying.
-Talk with a teacher or school counselor if you’re struggling in any subject.
(Taken from Planning for College – Positive Promotions)
College application essay
As part of your college application, you may be asked to write a short essay or personal statement. When admission staff members read your application, they’re looking for a glimpse of your personality in addition to all the facts and figures, the classes, and extracurricular activities. That’s where your essay may distinguish you from other candidates for admission – this is your opportunity to stand out among other applicants. If two students have equal GPAs and test scores, your essay can help you immensely, tipping the scales in your favor. Use your essay to explain why you think the institution is a good match for you. Or convey your views on education or careers or politics or literature. Give the application reader some insight into your life, your personality, and your values. Make sure you do not, however, hurt your application by making spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors or by failing to adhere to the given word count!
Where do you start? Make sure you respond to the statement given and/or answer the question that is asked. This may seem obvious, but numerous students submit misguided application essays because they fail to take the time to truly understand the prompt. And don’t forget that the essay should always be about you. If the prompt asks about “someone you admire,” your essay should not be a biography of that person, but a reflection of his or her influence on your life.
Spend time on your essay, think about what’s important to you, brainstorm ideas, and outline possible options. Have other people read the essay and listen to their feedback. You’ll only have a few hundred words to make a lasting impression, so choose a topic that’s specific, unique, and memorable. Above all, be genuine.
10 APPLICATION ESSAY DO’S AND DON’TS
-DO be honest, be genuine, be you!
-DO take plenty of time for brainstorming and self-reflection to come up with unique, insightful essay ideas.
-DO ask your family, friends, mentors, & anyone else who knows you well to suggest ideas or qualities you may want to incorporate in your essay.
-DO give yourself some time, at least an hour or two, between when you write & review your finished essay.
-DO read & re-read your essay, & carefully review it for errors or confusing passages.
-DON’T lie, plagiarize, recycle a school assignment, or ask someone else to write your essay for you.
-DON’T ignore word counts or page length requirements, & don’t fiddle with font sizes or page margins to do so.
-DON’T use emoticons, text-message speak, or otherwise highly informal language.
-DON’T use your essay to praise the college you’re applying to or criticize other schools, including your high school.
-DON’T let yourself get stressed out. The application essay is your chance to talk about what makes you special – enjoy it! (Taken from Private Colleges & Universities)
MAKING A COLLEGE CHOICE
Making a college choice can be as difficult as making other important decisions that challenge you. Until you find a place to begin, a method to organize the task into smaller pieces, a way to pour a great deal of information into a meaningful package, it may seem almost impossible to make a good decision.
Begin by identifying what your reasons are for going to college.
What do you hope to gain?
What learning opportunities do you need?
What are your goals?
What are your career ambitions?
How will college help you achieve these goals and ambitions?
The next step is to relate these goals to factors you can use as you search for colleges that meet your needs. Factors to consider are:
- Type of college
- Two- or four-year college
- Residential or commuter
- Large or small
- College or university
- Location
- What area(s) of the country can you realistically consider?
- What about the relation between location and costs?
- Are specific interests and goals tied to a specific location?
- Admissions selectivity
- What are the application procedures?
- What tests are required?
- Are there any deadlines?
- What high school course preparation is need?
- Are you eligible for admission?
- What academic demands can you expect to find?
- Costs
- How much will it cost? Can you afford the school?
- What type of financial aide is available? Look beyond freshman year award potential.
- How do you apply for financial aid?
- Majors and study programs available
- Does the school offer the major your want? Who teaches the courses
- If you are undecided, does the school offer you the chance to explore areas of your interest? Student-teacher ratio? Average class size?
- Does the school have any type of internship program?
- Social Life
- What is the campus atmosphere like? This could include housing.
- What extracurricular activities are available?
After you have developed a list of colleges to consider, begin to form a detailed and complete picture of each college. This will be helpful in identifying those that best fit your needs.
THE VALUE OF A CATHOLIC EDUCATION
“For many people, education – and most especially Catholic education – does not and should not end upon graduation from high school. The value of a Catholic education is most profoundly realized in post-secondary education, an essential stage in the formation of a mature Catholic mind.
Catholic education forms the human person in right order with God; what is at stake is the very meaning of the human person. During the years of vital discernment, a young adult needs to involve the whole person, body and soul, marrying faith and reason in the pursuit of truth and in the governance of his education and future.
A Catholic liberal arts education, during this crucial time in the formation of the person, is essential to understanding the unity of all truths. This is the special contribution of the Catholic intellectual tradition, which even for non-Catholic students ought to be an essential component of the study of Western culture – yet too often is entirely ignored at non-Catholic colleges.
In addition to providing an essential foundation in the Catholic liberal arts, a faithful Catholic college helps the student understand that knowledge learned in the pursuit of a specialized academic discipline does not conflict with faith. Instead that knowledge is enhanced and clarified by Catholic theology, and the student’s faith is deepened and enriched.”
-Eileen Cubanski
Recommended Catholic Colleges
Mount St. Mary’s University – Emmitsburg, MDAveMariaUniversity – Ave Maria, FL
The ThomasMoreCollege of Liberal Arts – Merrimack, NHBenedictineCollege – Atchison, KS
The CatholicUniversity of America – Washington, DCChristendomCollege – Front Royal, VA
The College of Saint Thomas More – Forth Worth, TXDeSalesUniversity – Center Valley, PA
FranciscanUniversity of Steubenville - Steubenville, OHMagdalenCollege – Warner, NH
HolyApostlesCollege & Seminary – Cromwell, CTProvidenceCollege – Providence, RI
John Paul the Great Catholic University – San Diego, CAUniversity of Dallas – Irving, TX
St. Gregory’s University – Shawnee, OKUniversity of St. Thomas – Houston, TX
Southern Catholic College – Dawsonville, GAAquinas College – Nashville, TNWyoming Catholic College – Lander, WY Belmont Abbey College – Belmont, NC
ThomasAquinasCollege – Santa Paula, CA
WyomingCatholicCollege – Lander, WY
- Taken from The Newman Guide to Choosing a CatholicCollege
Newman Centers
Newman Centers are student-centered parishes and centers at non-Catholic universities throughout the country. They have programs and activities that specifically help college students grow in their Catholic faith. Many Newman Centers also host FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) bible studies, mission trips, and other activities for students.
Newman Centers were named in honor of Cardinal John Henry Newman and were inspired by Newman’s writings. Nebraska is home to several Newman Centers which provide valuable care and nurture of a student’s faith life while in college. Newman Centers in Nebraska and contact information are listed below.
NewmanCenter – St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church 320 N. 16th St., Lincoln
(402) 474-7914
UNO – St. Margaret Mary Parish 6116 Dodge St., Omaha
UNK – NewmanCenter 821 W. 27th St., Kearney
(308)
WayneState – CatholicNewmanCenter412 E. 8thSt., Wayne
(402) 375-1155
JUNIORS & SENIORS: APPLY EARLY TO SCC
Plan ahead if considering
SoutheastCommunity College
(Lincoln, Milford, or Beatrice)
Do 3 Things:
1)Enroll early – many programs have a waiting list.
2)Take an entrance exam.
- Send ACT score (if your Program of Study requires it)
- Take either the ASSET or COMPASS test at SCC – no cost – immediate feedback
- Call ahead for an appointment
3)If any score is too low to qualify for a program they will reserve a place in the program if you develop a plan to improve. For example, if your math score is low you can take a math class at your high school or SCC.
ADDRESS: 8800 “O” Street, Lincoln
PHONE: (402) 471-3333
WEBSITE:
The University of Nebraska
On Course Program
Some students choose to attend a Community College as a way to complete pre-requisite courses before attending a 4 year college or university. Benefits include a reduced tuition rate as well as smaller class sizes. Students who have earned an associate degree and have completed required academic units can build on what they have already started by going on to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska.
Students who complete On Course requirements are guaranteed admission to UNL, UNO, or UNK. They may even qualify for tuition assistance and scholarships that reduce or eliminate the cost of tuition.
On Course advisors work with students to help ensure that credits transfer toward a bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska and even help students choose classes that do. On Course requirements include:
- An Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a Nebraska Community college, or a high school diploma or GED.
- 16 academic units in English, math, science, social studies and foreign language.
- Additional courses that meet the university’s general education requirements, such as speech, literature, aesthetics, citizenship and others.
- A grade of C or higher in all courses taken to fulfill On Course requirements.
On Course Checklist
-Sign up with your community college advisor to be an On Course student.
-Stay on course by taking all required classes & maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
-Apply online at the campus you wish to attend.
- UNL: admissions.unl.edu
- UNO: unomaha.edu/admissions
- UNK: unk.edu/admissions
-Pay application fee
-Provide transcripts from all educational institutions attended, including high school
-Check admission requirements for the specific degree program you wish to enter; some may have a higher GPA or additional course requirements. Admission to the University of Nebraska does not assure you of admission to a specific degree program.
For more information visit: Nebraska.edu/oncourse
COLLEGE FAIRS
Attending college fairs is a must! You will have dozens of college admission representatives from schools far and wide all gathered in one spot – so don’t miss it! And, worse, don’t come unprepared.