2yr Passport Program
For Teens

Worcester HERC

Valerie Henderson-Odell

The purpose of this guide is to give teenagers who are enrolled in the Passport Program a checklist of what is needed as they make preparations for higher education

For the majority of students that we serve, often, they have no idea of the required documentations that are needed for the onset of college. Using this guide will give the student a better perspective and awareness of the aspects that are needed as they embark upon higher education.

Your checklist guide to

College readiness

Volunteering Opportunities

•Public Libraries –

In most communities, the local library offers opportunities for volunteering. The tasks may range from answering phones, to story time reading with Pre-school children, to cataloging and filing.

•Nursing Homes –

Area nursing homes will often need assistance with their residents in the areas of visitation. This could be playing cards or board games, reading a book to them, doing a craft project or just for conversation.

•After-School Programs –

This is a good volunteering opportunity especially if you plan to study in the field of Childcare & Development. The tasks may range from tutoring/ homework help, serving snacks, craft activities, sports activities and game time. Contact your YMCA, YWCA, YouthCenters and Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters in your area.

•Community Service Programs –

This opportunity is usually found by contacting your City Hall and usually runs during the summer. The tasks involved vary from Neighborhood Clean-up, Community Farmers Market, being a lifeguard or working in a city office.

•Church Volunteering –

If you are a member and affiliated with a parish this is a great opportunity for volunteering. Most churches have auxiliaries who are in need of workers. The range of jobs may range from, Sunday school, VacationBibleSchool, choir, Youth Ministry Department, usher board, soup kitchen, cleaning, etc. Check with your churches secretary and Pastor for more information.

*Colleges like to see well-rounded students!*

Extra-Curricular Activities

Theses activities are found with your high schools. All schools offer the same or similar opportunities to the ones listed below.

•Clubs –

Join a Club that you share an interest in, at your school. Booster Club, Drill Team, Band, Chess Club, Language clubs, Math Club, Science Club, just to name a few. Check with your school to see the clubs that they offer which appeal to you.

•Sports teams –

If you have an interest in playing a sport, this would be the opportunity to do so. Some schools offer winter, fall and spring sessions.

•Academic Achievement Programs

–National Honor Society –

National Honor Society, or NHS, is an organization whose intent is to recognize middle and high school students who show achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

National Honor Society groups are commonly active in community service activities both in the community and at the school. Many chapters maintain a requirement for participation in such service activities.

Students participating in National Honor Society are asked to display the four pillars of National Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

–Millennium Scholars –

The Bill Gates Millennium Scholars Program is offered in many high schools. You must check with your guidance counselor for more information

–Etc. –

Sometimes other achievement programs exist in your local towns that are not advertised. These opportunities may be in a Non- Profit organization, local television station or radio broadcast or on a college campus.

RésuméBuilding

•Personal Information

–Name, Address, Phone Number, Email –

Very important information needed on your resume for purposes of college Admissions offices to contact you

•School/Schools Attended –

Shows a chronological order of the schools that you went to including any trade or vocational training you may have received during school.

•Extra-Curricular Activities –

It’s a good idea to list these activities on your resume. It shows the viewer that you have interests outside of the school work curriculum and that your GPA is maintained while being involved in an activity.

•Work Experience –

Gaining work experience and saving your earnings can be useful as a way to pay for unforeseen college expenses. For instance, basic school supplies, personal items (toiletries, snacks, etc), outside activities (movie, meal, museum visit, etc), or for occasional laundry needs.

•Volunteering –

Volunteering provides you with the opportunity to devote your time, energy, talent and compassion to others while expecting nothing in return. Volunteers must have an open mind, be willing to embrace wisdom learned from others and also let the experience of volunteering lead to personal inner growth. Volunteers realize the importance of time and kindness. With the wide range of opportunities, volunteers have the freedom to find an organization that best suits their needs.

Recommendations

•Guidance Counselors –

•Teachers –

•Pastors, Religious Leaders –

A recommendation is a record of a personal experience providing a favorable statement concerning the individual.

Standardized Testing

•PSAT / NMSQT –

It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures:

  • critical reading skills
  • math problem-solving skills
  • writing skills

•SAT –

The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for collegeadmissions in the United States.

•ACT –

The ACT® test assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.

  • The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science.
  • The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

•AP Exams –

AP Exams were designed for students who have completed college-level work in high school.With AP Exams, you have the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation's colleges and universities.

Gain the Edge in College Preparation

  • Get a head start on college-level work.
  • Improve your writing skills and sharpen your problem-solving techniques.
  • Develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work.

Stand Out in the College Admissions Process

  • Demonstrate your maturity and readiness for college.
  • Show your willingness to take the most rigorous courses available to you.
  • Emphasize your commitment to academic excellence.

Broaden Your Intellectual Horizons

  • Explore the world from a variety of perspectives, most importantly your own.
  • Study subjects in greater depth and detail.
  • Assume the responsibility of reasoning, analyzing, and understanding for yourself.

*Keep track of your scores!*

Furthering Education

•Sign up for a special summer learning program

Locate information about these programs through your guidance counselor

•Develop a talent or interest

Have an interest in dance, art, acting, singing, etc.? Take up a class during your school vacations.

•Take a personal growth seminar

Locate information about seminars through your guidance counselor

•Explore career choices

Use MyRoads, offered by College Board to look into different careers. You may be surprised to find out that you initial decision for a major will change once you look more into the career aspect.

Work Experience

•Internships –

An internship is a work-related learning experience for individuals who wish to develop hands on work experience in a certain occupational field.

•Summer Jobs –

You can check with your local town hall or city hall to see what summer jobs are being offered in their Youth Summer Program. Also, you can go to establishments and apply. Obtain a work permit from your guidance counselor before you begin applying.

•Part-time Jobs –

Similar to the summer job except that you maintain part-time work throughout your school year, and possibly picking up additional hours during school vacations.

Additional Information

•Mock admission interviews

Within the 2 year Passport class, volunteers will come into the center and conduct a mock interview. This will give the student and idea of what to expect and better prepare them for a college interview.

•College Visits

What does a campus look like? What is the difference between a college and university? What does a classroom look like? Is there a difference between a Private school campus and a Public school campus? What do the on-campus living quarters look like etc? A college visit is very useful in determining the type of school you would like to attend

•Financial Aid Applications

You center will offer 1-2 free sessions a year that will give you a plethora of information for the purpose of financial aid. It is important that the student along with the students’ parents make every effort to attend.

•Application Process

Is your application complete? Have your director, Americorps volunteer and or student volunteers check your applications to make sure that you have included everything that particular college is asking for. Remember, all colleges will ask for the same things.

–Essay Practice

•Listing your strengths and weaknesses as a student

•Question: What do I hope to get out of college?

Related Publications/ websites

Wikipedia.com

Collegeboard.com