J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation » Julie Best

College Preparation Check List

Julie Best — Thu, 20 May 2010 22:24:12 +0000

Here is a good resource for students (of all ages) who haven’t attended college or trade school, and parents of students in elementary and secondary school.

The College Preparation Checklist walks you through a “to do” list, starting with elementary school, to help students prepare academically and financially for education beyond high school.

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College Preparation Checklist

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In a speech to Congress on Feb. 24, 2009, President Obama encouraged every American to complete at least one year of education beyond high school, whether at a community college, or a four-year school, or through vocational training, or an apprenticeship. This checklist will tell you how to get ready for that education — and how the government will help you pay for it.

How To Use The Checklist

Q: Who should use the checklist?
A: Students (of all ages) who haven’t attended college or trade school, and parents of students in elementary and secondary school.

Q: What is the checklist?
A: A “to do” list, starting with elementary school, to help students prepare academically and financially for education beyond high school. Each section is split into subsections for students and parents, explaining what to do and which publications or Web sites might be useful to them.

Q: When should a student or parent refer to the checklist?
A: At the beginning of every school year, and then more frequently as college approaches.

Have Questions About Federal Student Aid And Want To Talk To A Real Person?

Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-800-730-8913 (TTY for the hearing impaired). Toll number: 1-319-337-5665.

Many of the publications mentioned in this checklist are available to order or download for free at www.edpubs.gov.

Find detailed federal student aid information at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov.

5 of my favorite college links

Julie Best — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:08:46 +0000

Here are five excellent web sites with useful information for students, teachers, and policymakers:

http://www.actstudent.org/explore/ things students need to know to plan for high school courses, prepare for the ACT, or choose a career direction
http://www.knowhow2go.org/index.php 4 steps you must take to get to college for high schoolers or adults
http://www.pathwaystocollege.net/ easy access to research-based policies, practices, and resources for improving college readiness – for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/index.html College Board provides the SAT, Advanced Placement, and other services about college readiness to millions of students
http://students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public an official U.S. government web site designed for college students and their families

How do I calculate my G.P.A.?

Julie Best — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:02:40 +0000

It is nearly the end of the semester at most middle schools in Idaho and now is an ideal time for middle school students to learn about grades and grade point averages, also know as GPA. When I go into the classroom after first semester grades are distributed and ask students if they know what grades they received and what their GPA is they typically answer, “I don’t know.” It’s valuable for a middle school student to know how to calculate their GPA because once high school begins GPA is cumulative. Cumulative means an averaging of all courses taken during the four years of high school and is reflected on the student’s transcript which illustrates high school academic achievement. Middle school students benefit from knowing the grades they achieved and their GPA because it is an opportunity for them to own their school-work. Many parents of middle school aged students keep their son or daughter’s report cards in a shoe box when really the grades are better used for discussion on goal setting, work ethic, and planning their future. It is important for students to understand that most colleges and universities admit them on two criteria – GPA and standardized test scores (SAT or ACT). Some universities have calculators on their admissions web sites that will allow a student to enter their current cumulative GPA and their EXPLORE (8^th and 9^th grade pre-ACT test) or PLAN (10^th grade pre-ACT test) scores to determine if they are likely candidates for admission. While it may seem early to have a discussion on college admissions in the 8^th grade, it is much more difficult in the 11^th grade. Below is information regarding GPA calculations:

To the left are the whole numbers associated with grades. Please note many schools use plus and minus as well, which has larger or smaller values associated with them. Contact your individual school registrar in order to obtain grading scales.

Below is an example of courses and their corresponding grades as well as how to average the grades to come up with a GPA.

Congratulations! The example above illustrates a student who would be accepted to any Idaho State college, and if they have financial need could be eligible for thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships. For more information on GPA or cumulative GPA contact the registrar at your school. Also, the GPA is generally printed on the report card and/or transcript. And remember it’s never too late to raise your GPA!

Julie Best
GearUp Coordinator

Emmett Junior High School

Emmett, Idaho

Is Middle School too early to start preparing for post secondary education?

Julie Best — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:04:53 +0000

Middle school-aged students are transitioning from elementary to secondary educational systems. They have multiple teachers, classes, increased home work expectations, test preparation, and PUBURTY! It is a difficult time for many students and let’s just add one more thing to their plates – college awareness. While some would argue that the students have enough to work on, my belief is that college aspirations can create relevancy and perspective for a middle school-aged student. In addition to relevancy and perspective, parents and educators can help to familiarize students with post secondary education and beyond.

Relevancy is a powerful tool in education as it allows parents and educators to answer the age old questions asked by students, “Why are we doing this assignment?” “Why do I have to study for this test?” and the big one, “How/when will I ever use this again?” The answer to all is that the job market is global and is increasingly more competitive. A high school diploma will only open a few doors whereas a technical, associate, or bachelor degree will open up many more. Middle school is relevant to high school success, and high school success is relevant to post secondary opportunities.

Perspective is where we see ourselves in relation to the family, community, and world. Students should have perspective on where they decide to go in the future, and this depends greatly on the educational choices they make in high school. Middle school students should also understand that while their grades are important to their parents, ultimately they are the owners of their academic achievements and failures. Finally, they should gain perspective on how their grades and grade point averages, while good or bad, are what will determine their post secondary future, and in turn will have a large impact on their economic future.

Many students in Idaho do not have family members who attended college. They are unfamiliar with post secondary education. Many students also do not see themselves attending college because they are unfamiliar with what college offers. High school has traditionally been where students learn about post secondary educational opportunities, careers, and financial aid. High school is still the most appropriate place to learn about how to apply to college, fill out the FAFSA, and complete the necessary standardized tests. But middle school is where a student can become familiar with what college is and what they need to do to get there. And, since most Idaho colleges accept students based on their high school grade-point and standardized test scores (ACT, SAT, Compass, etc.), middle school is a time to make sure students build the study habits and skills they will use in high school. Middle school is also the time for students to know that high school is only the beginning. They need to be familiar with what happens after high school before they can see themselves going on.

The best opportunity to help middle school students have relevancy, perspective and familiarity with regards to post secondary education is to go visit a college campus. All the post secondary institutions have staff dedicated to campus visits and enrollment information. Many college campuses have summer programs and other activities throughout the year designed for middle school aged students. Most colleges in our state have web sites that students can access for more information or a virtual tour of the campus (for example: College of Southern Idaho, click here). A campus visit is the first step middle school students, parents and educators can take to become aware of post secondary opportunities.