Charles County Public Schools



SENIOR YEAR to GRADUATIONCollege and Career CenterInformation & Tips!!!PREPARING FOR YOUR FUTURE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL!!!By the end of the junior year or beginning of the senior year, you should be starting to have an idea of what you plan to do when you graduate from high school! If not…..then you need to start RESEARCHING…..NOW!!! Information and resources are available in the CAREER CENTER and on the CAREER CENTER LINK of the SCHS website to help you!!! (schools/stcharles - Click on the “STUDENT” tab for a drop down menu, then click on “CAREER CENTER”.)Use your Career Cruising account to help you research careers, colleges, scholarships, etc. If you have forgotten your username and/or password, stop by the Career Center. () Options available when you graduate:4-year College/University, 2-year College/Community College, Vocational/Technical/Trade Schools and CollegesMilitaryApprenticeshipWorkforceHOW TO BE A COMPETIVE CANDIDATEColleges, businesses, organizations, and organizations who offer scholarship opportunities are looking for well-rounded individuals. What are they looking for?GPAACT and/or SAT ScoresLetters of RecommendationRigor of Your Course LoadPersonal EssayExtracurricular ActivitiesCommunity Service / VolunteeringLeadershipHonors and AwardsObstacles You Have Had to Overcome4-YEAR UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTSCollege applications usually open up in the July/August timeframe. Check the college’s website and PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES!!! Start working on those applications EARLY….your senior year will be extremely BUSY! MOST 4-year universities/colleges require students to take a college entrance exam - ACT and/or SAT. All universities/colleges ACCEPT scores from BOTH the ACT and SAT.Students are encouraged to take their first ACT and/or SAT by the end of their junior year. However, if you did not take them at the end of your junior year, you need to plan to take or retake them at the beginning of your senior year. *PLEASE NOTE: Pay attention to the REGISTRATION DEADLINES!!! We are one of seven high schools in the county….ALL SENIORS who are college bound were told to register to take the ACT and/or SAT by the end of their junior year and no later than the beginning of their senior year!!! There are only TWO testing sites in Charles County (Westlake High School and College of Southern Maryland). Seating is limited so students need to register to take the test AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Once the seats are full, students will have to go out-of-county or out-of-state to take the test.There are many universities/colleges who have early priority deadlines to submit your application. Make sure you take your ACT and/or SAT early so you can receive your scores and have them sent to the colleges before the application deadlines. COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS – ACT & SATStudents must create an account, register to take these tests, and pay online at:*ACT – *SAT – Students who are on Free and Reduced lunch may see their counselor to get a fee waiver so they do not have to pay for the test. (Two fee waivers per test.)*ACT Test Dates√*SAT Test Dates**√September 14, 2019Registration Deadline: 8/16/19August 24, 2019Registration Deadline: 7/26/19October 26, 2019Registration Deadline: 9/20/19October 5, 2019Registration Deadline: 9/6/19December 14, 2019Registration Deadline: 11/8/19November 2, 2019Registration Deadline: 10/3/19February 8, 2020Registration Deadline: 1/10/20December 7, 2019Registration Deadline: 11/8/19*See websites for additional test dates.**College Board also offers SAT Subject Tests that are required by some colleges/universities. Be sure to check the school’s website for their requirements.Take advantage of ALL the resources available to help you prepare and practice for the ACT and/or SAT. There are FREE practice booklets in the Career Center along with additional information and resources to help you. Be sure to visit the testing websites for additional practice resources. Attend the SAT/ACT prep classes that are offered during the Activity Period!!! Both tests have an optional essay you can take. It is recommended that you take the ACT and/or SAT WITH the essay at least one time. There are some schools who may require the writing scores from these tests in order to apply to their school.Students should have a healthy mix of SAFETY, TARGET, and REACH schools on their college list.SAFETY – Your academic credentials (grades, ACT/SAT scores, class rank) exceed the school’s range for the average student who was accepted the previous year.TARGET – Your academic credentials fall well within the school’s average range for the group of students who were accepted the previous year.REACH – Your academic credentials are at the lower end or slightly below the school’s average range for the group of students who were accepted the previous year.(For more information, please refer to the following document that is available in the Career Center and on the website:“Breaking Down the College List: A Guide to Determining Your Reach, Target & Safety Schools” by PREPMATTERS.)In addition to your grades, ACT/SAT scores, and class rank; the rest of your application such as your essay, resume, and letters of recommendation must present a strong, positive image of you and your academic goals that make you stand out from the rest of the pack. Be prepared for college application fees! In order to submit your college application, most colleges/universities charge a fee of anywhere between $25 to $75+!!! If you are on Free and Reduced Lunch, check with the college/university or your high school counselor about an application fee waiver. 2-YEAR COLLEGE/COMMUNITY COLLEGE/VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL/TRADE SCHOOL BOUND STUDENTSGenerally, you do not need to take the ACT/SAT to attend a 2-year college/community college/vocational/technical/trade school, however, please be sure to check the school’s website to verify this information. Every school has their own requirements and policies.College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is the local community college. If interested in attending this school, you will need to create an account and apply to the school (FREE) during your senior year unless you already applied during your junior year as part of dual enrollment. You may also be required to take the CSM Placement Test towards the end of your senior year. This is offered in the spring at St. Charles High School or you can take it at CSM. The CSM Placement Test is FREE!If you are interested in attending a community college where you can live on campus, there are two community colleges in Maryland that have dorms: Garrett College in McHenry, MD (garrettcollege.edu) & Allegany College of Maryland in Cumberland, MD (allegany.edu). ACADEMIC COMMON MARKETThe Academic Common Market is a tuition-savings program for students in the 15 participating states who want to pursue degrees that are not offered by their in-state institutions. Students can enroll in out-of-state institutions that offer their degree program and pay the institution’s in-state tuition rate.There are over 1,900 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 15 states.15 states participate in ACM ~ (Note: Not all institutions within each state participate.)Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.Who may apply?Maryland high school seniors who have been accepted into an eligible program of study at a participating public college/university.Deadline to apply ~ACM application and ALL documents MUST be submitted to the State ACM Coordinator by June 30 for Fall Semester.For more information: academic-common-market$CHOLARSHIPS!!!Scholarships are available on the Career Center link of the St. Charles High School website. The scholarship information is updated monthly.There are lots of scholarship search engines…stop by the Career Center for more information. Also look in the monthly Career Center Newsletter that is available on the Career Center link of the St. Charles High School for additional information to help you search for scholarships!!!Most scholarships can be used for 2- and 4-year schools. Please look at the scholarship to verify. There are many local organizations who sponsor scholarships. Many of those applications will have hard copies that will be available in the Career Center. Stop by the Career Center often to check!!! APPLY to ALL the SCHOLARSHIPS you can!!! Pay ATTENTION to DEADLINES!!!MILITARYStudents who are interested in enlisting in the military after they graduate from high school must take the ASVAB test AND obtain a passing score. The ASVAB test is offered twice a year at SCHS. Information about how to prepare for the ASVAB can be found in the Career Center. Each military branch has specific qualifications and offers different benefits…do your research!Students interested in going to college and into the military, should apply for a ROTC Scholarship. Handouts with recruiter contacts, military websites, and ROTC info. are available in the Career Center.APPRENTICESHIPSMaryland Apprenticeship and Training Program (MATP)Earn While You Learn! Apprentices are paid a progressive wage while they learn valuable job skills. Increase Your Earning Potential! The average annual starting salary for an apprentice graduate is $50,000 (according to U.S. Department of Labor Statistics). Become More Confident! Gain self-assurance by working independently under the guidance of a journeyperson (skilled craftsperson). Earn a Nationally Recognized Certificate and Be in Demand! Learn the skills and gain the credentials that employers want.Over 230 occupations have registered apprenticeship programs in Maryland. More information is available in the Career Center and at: dllr.state.md.us/employment/appr and apprenticeship WORK FORCEMake sure your RESUME is complete and includes references.Practice your interviewing skills. Information about how to prepare for an interview is available in the Career Center and on the Career Center link of the St. Charles High School website.Research the company you are applying to and understand what they do BEFORE your interview!Dress appropriately when going to an interview.Websites for job information: dllr.state.md.us/county, , , , Federal Jobs and Internships – Students and recent graduates may be eligible for federal internships and job opportunities through the Pathways and other student programs:Help/working-in-government/uique-hiring-paths/students IMPORTANT DATES *September – Charles County College Fair*September/October – Financial Aid NightThe FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available to complete starting October 1st of your senior year.*September/October and March/April – ASVABThe ASVAB test is offered twice each school year and is available to ALL juniors and seniors who are planning to enlist in the military after high school. Stop by the Career Center to pick-up information about how to PREPARE and PRACTICE for this test. Scores are good for two years. *March/April – College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Placement TestThe CSM Placement Test will be given at St. Charles High School to any seniors who plan to attend CSM after they graduate from high school.*March – Senior Portfolio Interviews*April – End-of-Year Senior SurveyMore information about the dates above are provided during the school year.For more information and resources, please visit the Career Center link on the St. Charles High School website or Mrs. Janet Malherek, College and Career Advisor, at jmalherek@ or 301-753-2090.CAREER CENTER LINK on the St. Charles High School Website:schools/stcharlesClick on the “STUDENT” tab for a drop down menu, then click on “CAREER CENTER”.Please remember to bring a copy of ALL college acceptances, scholarships, awards, grants, or military commitments to Mrs. Malherek in the Career Center as soon as you receive them.This information is used to complete the Graduation Program!!! ................
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