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Career Academies Student Counseling Guide

The Career Academies Counseling Guide is designed to be used throughout the four years a student is enrolled in one of the MCVSD's Career Academies. Activities are selected and based on the development of the student over a four year period.Upon completion of each step, the student will more nearly approach the ultimate goal of being prepared for further education, the military, or a career. Along with a career plan, the student will develop an awareness of self and a record of activities and accomplishments culminating in a Student Resume.

Working with staff members, students will be introduced to this web page and encouraged to follow through on the activities planned.

Enjoy your journey to the future!

Freshmen Counseling Guide

1. Students should be aware of the Career Clusters at each Career Academy. At M.A.S.T. the career clusters are Marine Science or Marine Engineering. Senior courses will be based upon the choice of one of the above during the spring of junior year.

2. Students will evaluate their organizational, decision making and interpersonal skills.

• Click on the following link to learn about decision making skills: Westwords

• Click the following to learn about attitudes towards co-workers and supervisors: Jobs on the web

• Click the following link to learn about organizational skills: LD Online

3. Students will develop an awareness of the importance of involvement in school and community activities.

The following links will assist you in learning about local and national volunteer programs: Volunteer Center of Monmouth County and Points of Flight

4. Consider taking the Biology SAT II subject test if you are planning in majoring in science in college. Registration forms are the Guidance Office, or you may register online at CollegeBoard.com.

5. Explore possible careers by taking online interest and personality surveys to match your personality to a career or just learn about careers and qualifications.

Sophomore Counseling Guide      

1. Students should complete the Freshmen Counseling Guide prior to proceeding with this guide.

2. Continue to explore careers by checking out the Career Information page.

3. Begin to develop your Resume. Click here to use a template.

4. Consider taking the Chemistry and/or Biology SAT II subject tests if you are planning in majoring in science in college.
Registration forms are the Guidance Office or you may register online at CollegeBoard.com.

5. Explore your careers by taking online interest and personality surveys to match your personality to a career or just learn about careers and qualifications.

Junior Counseling Guide    

1. Students should complete the Freshmen Counseling Guide and the Sophomore Counseling Guide prior to proceeding with this guide.

2. Students will meet with counselors throughout March and April to discuss the college application planning procedure. Students will be scheduled for appointments, but anytime a student desires a conference, he or she may do so by scheduling an appointment with the appropriate counselor.

3. Students will receive the book "The ABCs of College Planning" and use the book as a resource. This book is an excellent tool with extensive resources for the college planning process.

4. Students continue to develop their resumes. Click the following links to obtain the modified template from the ABCs book (Word) (PDF) or a general template (Word) (PDF).

5. In October students will take the PSAT. Students will be notified of the date and will register with Guidance. When scores are received, students will be able to check to see which questions were correct or wrong, and will be able to study the areas where deficiencies exist.

6. Register for SAT I, SAT II or ACT. Check for dates and Prep Courses.

Students should take the SAT I test at least two times; once towards the end of junior year and then again in the fall of senior year. In addition to the SAT, the ACT would be a good supplement for students, parents and counselors as it provides an interest inventory with career information. Some colleges require the SATII for admission or for certain majors. If you are planning on taking the SAT II in Biology, do so at the end of freshman year or the beginning of sophomore year. If you are planning on taking the SAT II in Chemistry, do so by the end of sophomore year at the beginning of junior year. Both of these tests should be taken with the recommendation of your teacher.

7. Try Counselor-O-Matic to find five "reach colleges," five "good match colleges," and five "safety colleges." Use the College Information page to search for colleges.

8. Write to or email colleges to request materials such as applications, viewbooks and catalogs. Just type in the name of the college and then click on the email icon. Paste your request letter and send.

9. Use the CollegeBoard College Comparison Chart to help you make your final decision by comparing three colleges side-by-side.

10. Continue to visit colleges and be sure to attend local college fairs.

11. Explore your careers by taking online interest and personality surveys to match your personality to a career or just learn about careers and qualifications.

Senior Counseling Guide      

1. Be sure you have the book "The ABC's of College Planning". If you have not yet received the book see your counselor. Use this book to keep track of things during your college search.

2. Resume: Be sure to see the Resume page in "The ABC's of College Planning" and give a completed copy to your counselor and to each person you ask to write a Letter of Recommend-ation. Be sure to update your Resume when necessary. It is important that your counselor gets a completed form ASAP. Many scholarships are based on intended major or specific college you plan to attend so please inform your counselor of these details.

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You may also click here to use the electronic form to easily update your information. Keep the form on a disk, update it, print it out and give copies to the appropriate people. This is a guide to help put together a professional looking resume.For more information on Resume Writing click here. Be sure to include ROTC activities and responsibilities.

3. When asking your teachers for a letter of recommendation, complete a Request for Letter of Recommendation form (Word) (PDF) to each teacher along with your resume.

4. Register for college entrance exams. See SAT Information, click here for dates, schedule and online registration. Click here for ACT Test Information. Make sure you check to see which tests the colleges you are applying to require. SAT and ACT forms are in counseling office or you can apply online by clicking on the above links.

5. When submitting applications to the Guidance office be sure to submit at least three weeks prior to due date. Your application processed on a first come, first served basis. FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATION MATERIALS AND IMPORTANT DEADLINES PLEASE PRINT OUT, COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE COMPLETED APPLICATION CHECKLIST (Word) (PDF) TO YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

6. The Common application is becoming a very popular method of applying to colleges. Apply to many colleges by completing 1 applicatiion and then photocopy and send to multiple colleges. Remember to print out and submit any supplemental forms specif to each college. Click here for Common Application information and to download the software.

7. Try Counselor-O-Matic to find five "reach colleges," five "good match colleges," and five "safety colleges." Use the College Information page to search for colleges.

8. Write to or email colleges to request materials such as applications, viewbooks and catalogs. First, use your word processor to construct your letter and copy it into your computer memory. Then, click here and type in the name of the college you desire and then click on the email icon. Paste your request letter and send.

9. Use the College Board Comparison Chart to help you make your final decision.

10. Continue to visit colleges and be sure to attend local college fairs. Complete financial aid applications in a timely manner. For information on Scholarship and Financial Aid go to the the School Counselors' Financial Aid Page or to one of the following: