COLLEGE PREPARATORY/WORK READY CURRICULUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

English	4 units	To include Grammar, Composition, Literature, or any English course approved for college admissions requirements
Mathematics	3 units	Limited to Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Calculus, Advanced Placement Statistics, or any Mathematics course with content and/or rigor above Algebra 1 and approved for college admissions requirements (Three units of Mathematics must be taken in Grades 9-12, in addition to any of the courses listed above that were taken prior to Grade 9.)
Lab Science	3 units	Limited to Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or any laboratory science course with content and/or rigor equal to or above Biology and approved for college admissions requirements
History & Citizenship Skills	4 units	To include 1 American History, ½ United States Government, ½ Oklahoma History, and one from the subjects of  History, Government, Geography, Economics, Civics, or non-Western culture and approved for college admissions requirements
Foreign Language or Computer Technology	2 units	To include 2 units of the same foreign or non-English language OR 2 units of computer technology approved for college admissions requirements, whether taught at a high school or a technology center, including computer programming, hardware, and business computer applications, such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and graphics, excluding keyboarding or typing courses.
Fine Arts or Speech	1 unit	(or set of competencies)of  fine arts, such as music, art, or drama, or 1 unit or set of competencies of speech
Total	25 units	(or sets of competencies) are required in order to meet state graduation requirements, including this curriculum, other requirements in state law, electives, and additional units or  sets of competencies as determined by the local board of  education.  The local school board’s graduation requirements exceed the state graduation requirement of 23 units.

 

To meet the graduation requirements, local school district options may include courses taken by concurrent enrollment, Advanced Placement or correspondence, or courses bearing different titles.

School districts shall strongly encourage students to complete two units or sets of competencies of foreign languages as part of the core curriculum for high school graduation.

Local school district requirements may exceed state graduation requirements.*******Blackwell High School requires 25 credits to graduate.

CORE CURRICULUM

For those opting out of the College Preparatory/Work Ready Curriculum

Language Arts	4 units	(Or sets of competencies) 1Grammar and Composition, and 3 which may include, but are not limited to the following courses:  American Literature, English Literature, World Literature, Advanced English courses, or other English courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above grammar and composition.
Mathematics	3 units	(Or sets of competencies) 1Algebra 1 or Algebra 1 taught in a contextual methodology, and 2 which may include, but are not limited to the following courses: Algebra II, Geometry or Geometry taught in a contextual methodology, Trigonometry, Math Analysis or Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics and/or Probability, Computer Science 1, Computer Science II, Mathematics of Finance*, Intermediate Algebra*; contextual mathematics courses which enhance technology preparation whether taught at a (1) comprehensive high school, or (2) technology center school when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by a certified teacher, and approved by the State  Board of Education and the independent district board of education; mathematics courses taught at a technology center school by a teacher certified in the secondary subject area when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade upon approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education; or other mathematics courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above Algebra 1. (Three units of Mathematics must be taken in Grades 9-12, in addition to any of the courses listed above that were taken prior to Grade 9.)
Science	3 units	(or sets of competencies) 1 Biology 1 or Biology 1 taught in a contextual methodology, and 2 in the areas of  life, physical, or earth science or technology which may include, but are not limited to the following courses:  Chemistry 1, Physics, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physical Science, Earth Science, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, Astronomy,  Applied Biology/Chemistry, Applied Physics, Principles of Technology, qualified agricultural education courses (including but not limited to Horticulture, Plant and Soil Science, Natural Resources and Environmental Science, and Animal Science); contextual science courses which enhance technology preparation whether taught at a (1) comprehensive high school, or )2) technology center school when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by a certified teacher, and approved by the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education; science courses taught at a technology center school by a teacher certified in the secondary subject area when taken in the eleventh or twelfth grade upon approval of the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education; or other science courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above Biology 1.
Social Studies	4 units	(or sets of competencies)  1 United States History, ½ to 1 United States Government, ½ Oklahoma History, and ½ to 1 which may include, but are not limited to the following courses: World History, Geography, Economics, Anthropology, or other social studies courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above United States History, United States Government, and Oklahoma History.
The Arts	2 units	(or sets of competencies) which may include, but are not limited to courses in Visual Arts and General Music
Electives	8 units
Total	25 units	(or sets of competencies)

 

*Contact the Office of Instruction, SDE (405) 521-3361, to obtain further information regarding Oklahoma C³ Standards.

Career and Technology Education also offers academic credit options, such as: Computer Science allowed for high school math credit qualified Agriculture Education courses for high school science, math and science, and Anatomy and Physiology (science) credit allowed for certain health science courses. For more information, contact your school counselor or your local Career Technology Center.

 

ACT/Pre-ACT Test

In Oklahoma, the most-used college admissions test is the ACT.    Students may also take the SAT (Scholastic Achievement Test, published by The College Board).    Both scores are accepted at most colleges.   The ACT includes tests in four core areas:  English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.   There are also sub scores in each of the core areas.    The fifth score is a composite of all four subject areas combined.

On the ACT, scores range from 1-36.   Though the test is written for 11^th & 12^th grades, anyone can register and take the test.   Many students will take the test more than once.  You can take the ACT no more than 12 times total (see Retest Restrictions). Your highest scores can be used in most applications.  There is a registration fee for the tests; (fee waivers are available for those who qualify, please see your counselor.)  There is information in this Planner about what scores are needed for admission to Oklahoma colleges, cut-off scores for developmental classes, and more. There is also a section for keeping track of your ACT and other test scores. 

The tests take approximately four hours.  There are six national test dates for ACT, spaced throughout the year.   Scores from national test dates can be used for all purposes.    Most Oklahoma colleges also offer residual ACT tests. Students may only take the ACT Residual test for admission once during the year in which the respective ACT Residual examination is valid (November 1 through October 31) and the test date shall not coincide with a national ACT test date.

These tests are offered at various times on those campuses, to be used only for admission to that specific school; the residual test cannot be used for concurrent enrollment.  You and/or your high school will not receive official ACT Score Reports and residual scores will not be added to your transcript.

Registration for the national ACT is available online at ACTstudent.org, and packets are also available in the counselor’s office.   In Oklahoma, you can also find a practice ACT test, registration links, and information on the portal at www.okcollegestart.org.

The BEST preparation for the ACT or SAT is in the courses you choose!   There are many practice tests available, both online and in paperback form.   Spending extra time studying before the tests is helpful, but the tests are designed to measure your overall preparation for college.   And THAT is something that cannot be accomplished in an overnight cram session, or other short-term assistance.   Take as many core courses as you can, especially in Math & Science!   Studies prove that students who complete more rigorous core courses score higher in every subject, and are also much more successful in college.

SAT/PSAT

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) are college entrance/readiness exams provided by The College Board.   Though most Oklahoma students are more familiar with the ACT, Oklahoma colleges also accept SAT scores for admissions and placement.  In some other regions the SAT is the more common assessment.   Also, both PSAT and SAT are required for participation in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The SAT offers the Reasoning Test which measures critical reading and math skills, a Writing Test, and also Subject Tests (which may be required by some institutions).  The tests assess critical thinking and problem-solving skills using multiple choice questions, student-produced responses, and essay writing.

Registration for SAT is very similar to ACT Registration.  There are both paper and online registration options and both are offered on National Dates at designated times each year.  There is a fee for the SAT (Fee waivers are available for students who qualify, please see your counselor).

THE PSAT is offered in October each year.   Testing sites choose either a weekday or weekend administration.   The test is designed for juniors in high school, both as a benchmark or predictive assessment for the SAT and as the first step in the National Merit Scholarship Program.   Students who are not yet juniors may be able to take the test, but cannot qualify for the National Merit Program.   Scores required for entrance into the National Merit Program vary from year to year, based upon the performance of the total group, but in most years qualifiers fall within the top 2% nationally.

To learn more about SAT and PSAT, see your counselor or visit www.collegeboard.org.  You can also find information at www.okcollegestart.org including a practice SAT test.

SUMMER ACADEMIES      

FREE summer academies in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math are sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education!  To find out more, students entering grades 8-12 should visit the Regents website:     http://www.okcollegestart.org/Plan_for_College/Summer_Academies/_default.aspx

The academies are provided on college campuses around the state.   Some are commuter and others are residential, where participants have the opportunity to live on campus during the Academy.   Remember, the academies are FREE! Any 8^th-12^th grader may apply. Apply early and to more than one academy!  You can learn in a fun and challenging atmosphere, meet new people with interests similar to your own, and get to know college professors and students in science, technology, engineering, and math-related majors!

Recent academies have been offered in subjects such as Aerospace, Biotechnology, Equine Forensics, Biology/Transgenic, Encryption, Zoology, Forensics, Botany, Engineering, Landscaping/Architecture, Ecology/Wildlife Conservation, and Wind & Oil Energy.  Applications open on or around March 15, and most academies fill up.  So early application is important!    Academies are for all types of students!  You don’t have to be the “straight A” student to be accepted!   Just be willing to participate and to challenge yourself in a fun and exciting learning environment!

OSSM:    The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics

OSSM is the state’s only two-year, residential state high school for juniors and seniors who show exceptional ability and interest in math and science.  Students apply in their sophomore year for a two-year course of study beginning in their junior year.  The application consists of several interest inventories, written essays, parent statement, recommendations from an English teacher, mathematics teacher, science teacher, principal and counselor, student transcripts, and ACT score.  All applications are ranked and a select number of students are invited for an interview.  For the interview a composite score is compiled for each applicant.  Finalists are selected from this roster.  Students are notified by June 1 of each year whether they have or have not been selected as a finalist.  All finalists are requested to sign a Letter of Intent advising of their decision to attend OSSM.  Orientation meetings are held in June to assist the upcoming junior class in the educational and emotional transition to OSSM.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Oklahoma’s Promise

Oklahoma’s Promise was established by the Oklahoma Legislature to assist students from families whose annual income is $55,000 or less – to earn free college tuition at Oklahoma colleges.  OKPromise scholarship funds may be used to cover in-state undergraduate tuition at public colleges and universities, and also for some specific programs offered through area technology centers.  It may also be applied toward tuition at accredited private colleges or universities in Oklahoma.

Eligibility: 

• Must be an Oklahoma State Resident.  Undocumented students may enroll, but must attain lawful status before receiving the award.
• Must be enrolled in 8^th, 9^th, or 10^th grade
• Family income for most recent tax year must not exceed $55,000 at the time of application
• Second Family Income Check when the student begins college
• Must maintain a 2.50 cumulative GPA (overall and 17-unit core)
• Must complete required 17-unit core curriculum
• Must attend school regularly and graduate from high school
• Must not be involved in criminal activity, including drugs & alcohol
• Must provide information (upon request) to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
• Must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) during senior year
• Homeschool students are eligible to participate with a 22 ACT composite on a national test date.

Which Courses Qualify for Oklahoma’s Promise?

Be very careful about the courses intended to count for Oklahoma’s Promise, college admission and the ACE college preparatory/work-ready curriculum.  The allowable courses are very specific as described in the curriculum.  For more details, see the Course Guidelines at http://www.okcollegestart.org/Plan_for_College/Courses_to_Take/Course_Guidelines.aspx .

 Other Reminders

• Adopted Students/Students in Legal Guardianships – Special family income provisions apply to children adopted from certain court-ordered custody and children in the custody of court-ordered legal guardians.
• Students on active military duty may be eligible for certain waivers from the time limits on the use of the Oklahoma’s Promise award in college.

Find out more about Oklahoma’s Promise from your school counselor, or go to www.okpromise.org
 

MY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Subject	# units	Specifics
English	4	Must take 4 Units of English at the High School.  This may include Concurrent Enrollment.
Mathematics	3	Must take 3 Units of Math at the High School.
Science	3	Must have 3 Units of Science
Social Studies	4	Oklahoma History/Early American History (Freshman), World History (Soph.), American History 2 (Junior), Government/Financial Literacy (Senior)
Arts	1	One unit from Music, Speech, Art, or Drama
Foreign Language OR Computer Technology	2	Two units of the same Language or two units of Computers
Other	8	Electives
Total	25

 

My progress toward high school graduation    (check/record completed courses each semester/year)

My Goals & Dreams!

Is college a part of my plan?______________________________________

1. YES?  Why am I going to college?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________            
2. NO?   What is my plan for life? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I’d like to live ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I’d like to drive__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I’d like to make ($)_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I’m willing to go to school for (how long?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The things that are most important to me are: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

   ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COURSE CHECKLIST      

Language Arts	___English I           ___English II            _____English III           ____English IV
Math	___Algebra I               ____Geometry                   __Algebra II             ____Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus                   ___Other Math
Science	___Physical Science          ___Biology I         ____Biology II              _____Chemistry                      ___ Other Science
Social Studies	___Oklahoma History/Early American History     ___World History       ____US History        ____Government/Financial Literacy
Fine Arts	___Art              __Band              __Vocal                 __Speech               ___Humanities         ____Music Appreciation
Business	___Computer 1-2          ____Computer 3-4
Foreign Language	___Spanish I             ___Spanish ll          _____Spanish III          ____Spanish IV
Vocational/Technology	___Wood Tech l                      ___Family/Consumer Science                      __Agriculture Science
Electives	___Athletics              ____Weightlifting           ____ Modern History               __Other           ____PTC   ____Concurrent Classes

POST HIGH-SCHOOL PLAN

Where will you be in August of the year you plan to graduate?  For some, that’s when it really hits - high school is over! Summer is over, fall is here and it’s time to do something, but you’re not sure what.  If you haven’t made plans and taken the steps needed to get where you are going, you’re already way behind.

For college, financial aid and scholarship deadlines may be past.  Classes are full because enrollment started last March.  If you took the college prep courses and the ACT you can still go to college.  But you may have to pay tuition out of your pocket; at least until your financial aid papers are processed.  And your class schedule will be chosen from what is left.  If you did not take college prep courses and the ACT, you can probably still go to college.  But you will have to take the tests, and probably some remedial courses before you earn any actual college credit.

Military recruiters will talk with you any time of year.  But you will have to take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), and meet cut-off scores for acceptance.  (Higher scores are required for certain branches, and for high-tech training.)  There is usually a waiting period for a basic training departure date and entrance into your chosen tech school.  You may have another 3-4 month delay before your training and PAYCHECKS begin.

Technical Schools and career-specific training programs often have set starting dates, and for many areas admissions is competitive and available once a year.  If you choose to go into nursing or radiology, for example, you may have to wait until spring to apply; if accepted, your classes may not start until the following August.

The job market is seasonal and unpredictable.  If you have taken preparatory classes and worked on a resume and some job search skills, you can still begin that process.  The time it takes to find the job you want depends on you and current hiring trends.  If you have participated in Job-Shadowing programs, mock interviews, and career exploration activities you may be well-prepared for your search.  And if you have made contacts through these programs or other means you may already have your “foot in the door” for a job.

The following pages include checklists for each of the options listed below.  You may have one specific choice in mind and only need to fill out one page, or you may need several.  If you are undecided, you may want to fill out all the pages.  If you want to go directly to work but have more than one job or work area in mind, you may need to make copies of the WORK page checklist and do several.  As you progress through high school, you may change your mind and narrow your options.  This Planner should be thought of as your workbook for life-planning.  Refer to it, make revisions, and add information as you grow and change.  As you do, you can be more and more certain that you will not end up on the negative side of any of the situations presented above.  August of your graduation year will be a time to look forward to your future and enjoy the benefits of planning.

 

CHECKLIST for COLLEGE PLANNING

Colleges of Interest:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Possible Majors:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____1. Choose/follow a College Preparatory Curriculum

_____2. Apply for Oklahoma’s Promise as early as possible (8^th grade)

_____3. Prepare for Admissions Exams by:

• Taking the right courses
• Taking part in prep programs for ACT/SAT (online, workshops, practice tests on www.okcollegestart.org, etc.)
• Taking the PSAT (National Merit Qualifying Exam)

  ***ACT/SAT Preparation is NOT a short-term cram session.  The best results are obtained by taking the courses and getting prepared beginning in 8^th or earlier! 

_____4. Take the tests!       

• Register online (Regents Portal:  www.okcollegestart.org or www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.org
• National Test dates are posted on the websites.
• USE YOUR SCORES!  (Look at your scores, compare them to students at your chosen college! Work on your weak areas. Take the tests again! Review previous tests, strengthen your weaknesses.  Higher scores mean easier admissions and more scholarship dollars!)

_____5. Ask about Concurrent Enrollment and Advanced Placement Courses

Taking college-level classes while still in high school provides great early experience, gets a jump start on college hours, and increases your knowledge base, even helping to increase your ACT/SAT scores.  See information in this Planner!

_____6. Apply early for admission to your chosen college(s)(keep copies in your career file).

              Include the following: 

• High School transcript with ACT/SAT Scores
• Resume of Honors/Awards/Offices/Activities/Community Service Hours
• Recommendation Letters (keep copies in your career file).
• Some applications require an essay.

_____7. Apply for Financial Aid --Apply online for faster processing   www.fafsa.ed.gov

_____8.  Apply

• Visit www.ucango2.org
• Search for other Scholarships (college financial aid office, school counselor, online, www.okcollegestart.org under “For Educator” tab, your parents' employers, local charities and scholarship organizations.  If you have a special talent such as debate, athletics, music, art, agriculture, etc., see your coach, director, advisor for help in obtaining scholarships in your talent area.
• Scholarships are also available through your churches, tribal organizations, and clubs, and through Vocational Rehabilitation for students with illness, injuries, vision/hearing disabilities, and other special circumstances. 

Pre-ACT- 10th Grade     Test Date:__________________   Scores Received on:_____________  Scores:   English ______ Math_______ Reading_______ Science_____ Composite_______

My Goals for improvement:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ACT Scores     Test Date:_______________  Scores Received on:______________    Scores:   English ______ Math_______ Reading_______ Science_____ Composite_______

My Goals for improvement:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

     Even though most applications will not be filled out until senior year, it is important to begin thinking about scholarships long before then.  There are some scholarships for which you must apply during your JUNIOR YEAR, including National Merit Scholarships and U.S. Service Academies (West Point, etc.)  There are also scholarship awards you can win through academic contests, FFA, and other organizations, science fairs, essay and poster contests, summer academies, and other programs which are open to students in grades 9-12.

     The choices you make and the activities you choose will have great impact on your scholarship opportunities.  Colleges are interested in more than just grades and test scores.  They look for students who are involved in school clubs and activities, and who make a contribution to their school and community in some way.  If you plan to go to college, seek out organizations to join and consider running for office.  While building a better resume or application, you may find others with interests similar to yours, and probably have more fun while you are finishing high school.

     In addition to scholarships, there are some very important sources of funding that every student should check into:

• PELL GRANTS.  Every student should fill out a FAFSA. (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) packet after January 1 of his/her senior year.  This is the form that qualifies you for grants, work-study, and student loan programs.  If your family qualifies for free or reduced lunches, the chances are very good that you will also qualify for grants (college funding that does not have to be repaid).  The maximum amounts vary from year to year.  See your counselor or go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to find out more.  Even if you don’t believe your family will qualify, you should complete the application.  Many colleges and some other funding programs (including Oklahoma’s Promise and some Tribal Programs) require a copy of your SAR (Student Aid Report) once your application is processed.   Those who do not qualify for grants may still qualify for student loans which can be repaid after graduation. In order to get federal student or parent loans for college, a FAFSA must be completed.

 NOTE:  Do NOT PAY to apply for Federal Financial Aid.  It is free! Some searches may take you to a website that charges you to submit the form!

•  OTAG (Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant) is included in the FAFSA application.  For this   state-sponsored program it is important to send forms in (apply online) early.  There is a limited amount of money available and it is awarded on a first-come basis.
• VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES.  Students with disabilities of any kind should check into Voc-Rehab for possible college funding and assistance.  If you have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities; orthopedic problems including serious injuries, surgeries or birth defects; asthma; diabetes; or other medical problems or learning disabilities, you may qualify for assistance.  You can pick up a health survey form and find out more about Voc-Rehab in the counselor’s office.
• Oklahoma’s Promise is a scholarship program administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.  You must sign up by the end of 10^th grade and meet certain GPA, course, and family income requirements to qualify.  You must also avoid alcohol and drugs, attendance problems, and behavior problems during high school. This scholarship will pay tuition at Oklahoma state-sponsored colleges/universities and a portion of tuition at Oklahoma private colleges for up to 5 years.  See your counselor or go to www.okpromise.org

NCAA Clearinghouse   Regulations for Athletic Scholarships Please go to www.eligibilitycenter.org

If you hope to play college athletics, it takes more than just talent in your chosen sport.   Athletes must meet course, GPA, and ACT/SAT requirements in order to be eligible to play. These requirements are regulated by the NCAA. You must register in order to be recruited by Division 1 or II programs.   The process includes filing, an application fee, and a high school transcript sent by school officials.

College-bound student-athletes who want to practice, compete and receive athletically related financial aid during their first year at a Division I or II school need to meet the following requirements:

• •Complete a minimum of 16 core courses for Division I or 16 core courses for Division II. •Earn a minimum required grade-point average in core courses.
• •Earn a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT.
• •Request final amateurism certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center.
   

COMMUNITY SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

Starting early is very important!  Get involved as soon as possible.

When colleges and scholarship organizations look at student applications, many of them use a RUBRIC for scoring your information.   A rubric is a chart that breaks something down into small parts, and often awards points for meeting qualifications at different levels.  

Below is an example of a rubric for scoring participation in student organizations.

Organization	Member    +5	Officer   +10	State Officer    +15	Activity Participant (Describe)  +5/per	Activity Leader (Describe) +10/per
STUCO
FCCLA
FFA
Other

 

Being active in organizations at school and the community is a good way to grow.  Colleges and employers recognize that students who are active and involved in their school and community will probably also be active and involved in their college and their career.  They know how to work in teams and are willing to contribute time and effort to making things better in the places where they work and live.

Community service is not just something you do when you get a speeding ticket!  It is a great way to help others, to learn new skills, and to be involved with others who have interests similar to yours!

When you begin to apply for scholarships and/or jobs, the people who are looking at your application want to know what kind of person you are.   Of course they’ll want to know what kind of grades you made, and what your ACT/SAT scores were, but they also want to know who you are and how you spend your time.  

Starting in 9^th grade keep track of your community service and student organization activities in high school.  When you are ready to graduate, the information will be helpful in filling out applications and resumes.  Sometimes it is hard to remember in your senior year the things you did in the earlier grades!

 

HONORS & AWARDS

Scholarship and job applications will also ask for a list of honors and awards you have received in high school.    Honor societies, placing in competitions, service awards, pageants, and other activities where you are recognized for your performance will add value to your resume or application.    You should keep a list of any honors/awards you receive as you go through high school along with your community service activities.  

The following pages can be a place to keep track of your activities.  If you run out of space, ask your counselor for extra blank pages to insert in your PLANNER folder.   Running out of space is a GOOD THING!   It means you are active and involved.   Don’t “pad” your list.   Make it real and honest and really get into the activities you are listing.   If you put your heart into it, the rest will come, and in addition to earning points that will help you get a scholarship or a job, you will be a better person, and make the world better for someone else!

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE & LEADERSHIP RECORD This is a very important component in your college application!  Start early and get involved in your community!
Organization	Member	Officer			State Officer	Activity Participant		Activity Leader
	# years	Title/#years			Title/# years	Describe the activity/hours spent		Describe your role
HONORS & AWARDS
Award Title			Date	Sponsor			Purpose  (details)

 

BUILDING YOUR RESUME

      A resume is a professional document that lists information used by employers to evaluate potential employees.   Creating your own resume is a great way to be ready for future and current job applications and also college and scholarship applications.   A resume should be brief, one page is usually best, but it should include current information about how to contact you, and the important highlights of your education and experience.  This is the time to brag!  Show confidence and list your special skills and abilities, but don’t be obnoxious!  Don’t include items that are false, ancient history or not relevant.  If you have work experience, include it, but you can also include volunteer activities and services you have provided without being paid.

     It is not necessary to include references on the resume.  A statement to provide them if requested can be added.  But when and if you do provide references ALWAYS make sure you have asked the permission of those you want to include, and get their current address and telephone numbers.

     In many cases, you can include a copy of your resume with your scholarship applications.   If it is allowed, your professionalism might add points to your overall impression.   But before doing so, check to see if it is okay to send extra pages.  Some scholarship agencies specifically request that NO extra attachments be included.

     Here are some sample resumes, with a worksheet for you to fill out in creating your own.   There are many different types and formats for resumes.  These are just examples.   Check out resume-writing sources and ask your English teacher for assistance.   Use it with your next job application, even if it is at McDonald’s or Wal-Mart!  Imagine the impression you will make! 

     Over your lifetime, you will update and change your resume many times as you grow and gain experience.  This is just a beginning.   But it is an important step in figuring out who you are and what you want, and matching it with what you need to accomplish your goals!  Remember to make copies for your files.

 

Kasie Tucker Example Resume

Rt. 1 Box 242                              Pond Creek, OK  73766                            (580) 555-1234

ktucker@mymail.com

Education

Grant High School     College Preparatory Diploma 2006

Activities/Service

National Honor Society    2004-2006

Oklahoma Honor Society  2004-2006

Quiz Bowl   2003-2006

Band    2003-2006

FFA      2003-2006

Class Treasurer  2005-2006

Student Council  2004-2006

Stuco Vice President  2005-2006

Honors & Awards

Salutatorian  3 .98 GPA

All-District Band   2005 & 2006

Masonic Student of Today 2006

Principal’s Honor Roll  2003-2006

Experience

Christmas Food Drive Volunteer  2004-2005

Summer Little League Volunteer  2004-2006

Stuco Volunteer Tutoring Program  2004-2006

Jiffy Trip  Part-time Cashier June 2005-August 2006

Honors and Concurrent Coursework:    AP Calculus, AP Literature & Composition, U.S History to 1865, Psychology
 

RESUME WORKSHEET

Name:__________________________________________________

Address:______________________  City, State ZIP_________________________________

Phone:________________________ E-mail:__________________________________________      

Objective:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Education     

Program/school________________________Location:________________Date_______                           

Degree/Certificate/courses?_______________________________________________

Program/school________________________Location:________________Date_______

Degree/Certificate/courses?_______________________________________________

Experience

Job Title/Type:____________________________Employer:__________________________

Responsibilities:_____________________________________Dates:______________

Job Title/Type:____________________________Employer:__________________________

Responsibilities:_____________________________________Dates:______________

Activities/Service/Honors/Awards

Organization:_____________________________________________ Date:_______________

Activity:_________________________________________________________________

Responsibilities:_________________________________________________________

 Organization:______________________________________________Date:__________

 Activity:_________________________________________________________________

 Responsibilities:_________________________________________________________

 Organization:____________________________________________Date:___________

 Activity:_________________________________________________________________

 Responsibilities:_________________________________________________________

 

COLLEGE COURSE SELECTIONS

General Education Requirements:

     This list of general education courses is a place to start for choosing courses for Concurrent Enrollment and also for scheduling your first semesters of college. They are included in most college majors. If you have a specific major already in mind, you should ask your counselor or your college advisor for a guide that tells exactly which courses to take.  This is especially true if you attend a community college with the intention of later transferring.

 

Course	Hours	Course	Hours
Orientation	1	Humanities, Philosophy, Theatre Arts	5-6
English Composition I English Composition II Speech	9	College Algebra	3
Political Science History (Pre and/or Post Civil War)	6-9	Health/Wellness	4
General Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Astronomy, Earth Science, Biology	3-5	Electives	4-6
***Hours represent approximately the time spent per week in a class (not counting homework, reading assignments, etc.)  A typical semester enrollment is 15-16 hours or about 5 classes.

 

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT

High school students who have taken college preparatory courses and the ACT may be eligible to take college courses while still in high school.   Many seniors have already completed most of their required credits.  Concurrent enrollment is an opportunity to make good use of extra time and get a jump on college credit.  Some high schools offer distance-learning, which provides the opportunity for students to take college courses without leaving the high school campus.   The Oklahoma State Regents offers a tuition waiver program which provides free tuition to qualifying high school juniors and seniors who enroll concurrently.  See your counselor for details.

COOPERATIVE ALLIANCES

College credit is also available for high school students and adults who want a technical education.  Through a partnership between Oklahoma CareerTech and the Oklahoma State Regents, students in certain programs can earn an AAS Degree (Associate in Applied Science).   No college tuition is charged for high school students who enroll in courses taught by the technology center.  An academic service fee of $8 per credit hour will be charged to cover the costs of services delivered by the college or university.  The service fee can be waived for qualifying students.  Check with your counselor and your area CareerTech for details.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Many schools offer AP Courses, which teach at a college level and offer testing at the end of the course.  Students who score well on these exams may receive college credit for their work.  Colleges have individual policies for accepting AP credit.  Check with your counselor and/or AP teacher, and with the colleges in which you are interested.

CLEP AND ADVANCED STANDING

Students who test well in certain subject areas should also check with colleges about these programs.  CLEP is a national program and your scores may be used at institutions around the country.  Advanced Standing tests are usually available at individual colleges for those with advanced skills and/or experience in certain areas.  These scores are usually only used for the school at which the tests are taken.  See your counselor.

 

CHECKLIST FOR WORK/CAREER FIELD PLANNING

Careers/Work Fields that interest me:

____________________________________       _________________________________     ___________________________________     __________________________________

Job Description Worksheet

Checkout OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook Online-www.bls.gov/oco), OKCIS, or OKCollegestart for information on jobs of interest. See the website list at the end of your Planner.

Job Title:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Salary Range: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Education/Training Required:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Specific Skills Needed:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Things I might like about this job:_________________________________________­­­­­_________________________________________________________________________________

Things I might not like:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Where can I go to get my education/training? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How much will it cost?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What do I have to have to get in?   Grades? Recommendations? Tests? Applications? Interviews? Resume?                                                       

NOTES:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

TECHNICAL SCHOOL/TRAINING PROGRAMS/APPRENTICESHIPS

     Information about specific technical programs is available from many sources.  Libraries, career centers, counselors, relatives, career days, the internet, and even the yellow pages can supply information on these programs.  Some careers have specific training that you acquire through a union and an apprenticeship program.  They usually require some kind of written test which includes math, science, reading, and communications skills.  Federal Financial Aid may be used for many of these programs.  Some programs even pay you while you are being trained.   Today many colleges are including technical programs and degrees along with their traditional majors.  With cooperative alliances, some will grant college credit for technical training and for actual work experience.   As with other educational programs, though, class size is limited and selection is competitive.   So your course selection in high school is important, as are the grades you make and the activities you choose.    Below is a list of just a few of the career fields that may be entered through technical programs.  

Steps for Technical Programs/Training

_____Check out/visit schools and programs of interest

_____Choose technical courses related to your chosen field

_____Develop a resume including work experience, references, and training

_____If selecting a 2-year college program, follow the College Checklist

_____Check out Cooperative Alliances (college credit through Career Tech)

 

Skills/Programs offered through Technical Training Programs

Automotive Technologies                                    Business/Office                                       Aircraft Maintenance                                 Heavy Equipment                                   

Auto Body/Paint                                                    Legal/Medical Secretary                            Electronics/Avionics                                  Diesel Technology

Parts/Dealership                                                    Court Reporting                                        Aircraft Maintenance                                  Truck Driving  

Automotive Service                                               Computer Technologies                                                                                              Equipment Operators

Auto Trim/Upholstery                                             Human Resources

Electronics/Hydraulics                                            Business Administration

 

Building/Construction                                        Others                                                Allied Health Occupations                        Energy Related Careers

 Construction                                                       Personal Training                                  Nursing                                                    Oil & Gas Industry Training Programs

 Masonry                                                             Cooking/Baking                                    Emergency Medical Services                      Wind Energy Technology

 Plumbing                                                            Interior Design                                     Lab Technologies

 Drafting (CAD)                                                     Travel Industry                                     Assistant Programs

 Surveying                                                            Graphic Design/Arts

 Industrial Electrical                                               Printing/Publishing

 Welding Technologies                                            Animal Care                                       Pre Engineering Technology                        Pre-Biosciences and Medicine

 Machine Tool Technology                                      Shoe/Boot/Saddle Repair

 Air Conditioning/Refrigeration                                 Modeling/Fashion

 Carpentry                                                             Massage Therapy

 Police & Fire Academies                                     

                                   

MILITARY SERVICE

There are many options for military service.  Opportunities include college scholarships and G.I. Bill funding, as well as high-quality training for civilian as well as military jobs and careers.  Recruiters are the best source of information on military options.  If you are interested, you should talk to several recruiters.  As with other post-high school choices, there are steps you need to take now to be qualified when you graduate.  Course selection for grades 9-12 is important.  The more Math and Science you take, the better off you will be.  If you are interested in one of the U.S. Service Academies, you need to start the application process at the beginning of your junior year.  For ROTC, the deadline is in November of your senior year.  The following checklist will help.

*****FOR ALL BRANCHES AND TYPES OF SERVICE you must pass a DRUG TEST and a law enforcement BACKGROUND CHECK.  Trouble you get into in high school can eliminate any military possibilities for you later.

U.S. Service Academies  (West Point, Air Force, Naval, Coast Guard)    *****PROCESS BEGINS in 11^th GRADE!

_____Take a college preparatory curriculum

_____Maintain high grades

_____Do well on ACT/SAT (27 ACT is the average acceptance score)

_____Participate in student and community service activities

_____Accumulate contacts for recommendation letters

_____Contact a U.S. Congressman for potential nomination

_____Pass a physical fitness/agility exam & background check

_____***If you excel at a varsity sport, you may be able to play at the academy and it may help you to gain admission!

_____Begin application early in your JUNIOR YEAR

 

ROTC (College Scholarship Program)

_____Take a college preparatory curriculum

_____Maintain high grades

_____Do well on ACT/SAT (24-27 average acceptances)

_____Participate in student and community service activities

_____Accumulate contacts for recommendation letters

_____Pass a physical fitness/agility exam & background check

_____Begin application during JUNIOR or EARLY SENIOR YEAR

 

Full-Time Service  (Active Duty) OR National Guard/Reserve

_____Take as much Math & Science as possible

_____Take ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)

_____Meet with more than one recruiter

_____Pass a physical fitness/agility exam & background check

 

WEBSITES for College/Career Planning

OKLAHOMA RESOURCES

okcollegestart.org   Student Portal for ACT, scholarships, career information, admissions, Oklahoma’s Promise (OHLAP), FAFSA, Oklahoma colleges and other information.   Create a profile and a folder for information to be used in the College/Career Planning process! 

okhighered.org/epas   Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education website for information on ACT, PLAN & EXPLORE

okpromise.org    Enroll or get more information about Oklahoma’s Higher Learning  Access Program Scholarships  

okcareertech.org   Oklahoma Career Tech’s website for information on state Technology Centers, online career guidance information for students, parents, and school staff, certificate and degree programs

TEST PREP

okcollegestart.org   Practice tests for ACT/SAT

actstudent.org    ACT Prep & practice tests, online registration, college & scholarship search, tips and hints for testing and for finding financial aid, choosing majors, careers

collegeboard.org   SAT, SAT II, PSAT (National Merit Qualifying Exam), AP Program/Exams, college search, scholarship search, test prep, online registration

FINANCIAL AID

fafsa.ed.gov  (U.S. Federal Government)  Free Application for Federal Student Aid Financial Aid, Grants, Loans, other sources of college funding, online application

pin.ed.gov   FAFSA website for signing up for a pin number, for online FAFSA application

ucango2.org   Free tools and resources to help students and parents prepare, plan and pay for education after high school

act.org/fane   Financial aid need estimator enabling families to calculate their expected family contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA

http://studentaid.ed.gov  free information from the U.S. Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school

fastweb.com   Free online scholarship search, match scholarships with qualifications & interests, download applications, get e-mail notices of scholarships

students.gov   (U.S. Government) financial aid, career development, education planning

oklahomamoneymatters.org  Tools for managing your money

salliemae.com(Sallie Mae, Inc.)  Scholarship search, college database, cost calculators, award analyzer, how to interview, how to complete applications, how to apply for financial aid, self-assessment tools to match interests with majors and careers

college.gov    United States Dept. of Education website for college planning

gmsp.org   Gates-Millenium Scholarship program for minority students

eligibilitycenter.org (NCAA) athletic eligibility, recruiting

www.bls.gov/OOH   Occupational Outlook Handbook – Online resource for researching careers: job descriptions, current salaries, future outlook, training, resources

WEBSITE LOGIN KEEPER

Keep track of usernames/passwords and e-mail addresses used for important searches and applications done online!   

EXAMPLE:   If you do your FAFSA or OKPromise application online, any correspondence or information sent back to you will also be online!    If you create an e-mail address just for those applications, then don’t check that e-mail, you could miss something that might keep you from getting your money!

Oklahoma’s Promise does everything through e-mail if you apply online.  If they need another transcript or something from you, they’ll send an e-mail.   If you don’t get the e-mail, and they don’t get the transcript on time, you won’t get into the program!   They also send you instructions on what to do when you graduate through e-mail.

FAFSA online is the fastest and easiest way to apply for Federal Student Aid, but you must have an e-mail address and a PIN number.  You will use that same PIN number year after year, as you progress through college and even when you graduate and start making payment for any loan monies you use.   ***Your parents will also need a PIN number if they want to sign the FAFSA electronically (saves time) rather than printing out a form and mailing it in for processing.

OKCollegestart.org allows you to create a login, so you can come back later and continue working on something you started, add to your information or your college list, keep a record of information electronically, etc.   But you need to remember your login info!

OKCIS is the Oklahoma CareerTech website for career planning.   That website also allows you to create a login and come back to work on your plan. 

 

***It IS important to keep your login information private.   So if you record it here, make sure your College & Career Planner is being kept in a secure place! 

Website:________________________________________  Username:_____________________________   Password:  ______________________________________

Website:________________________________________  Username:_____________________________   Password:  ______________________________________

Website:________________________________________  Username:_____________________________   Password:  ______________________________________

Website:________________________________________  Username:_____________________________   Password:  ______________________________________