The Ins and Outs of College Visits

 

For most of you, going on a college visit is something you’ve never done before.  In today’s post, you’ll learn some of the ins and outs of college visits.

 

What is a college visit?

A college visit is the best way to truly get to know a school.  You actually get to physically be campus, tour the facilities, meet current students, talk with professors, and get your questions answered by the experts of that college.

 

How do I prepare for a college visit?

It is so important to make a plan before visiting a college or university campus.  You’ll want to schedule an appointment ahead of time instead of just showing up.  That way, the campus is prepared for you!  It is best to visit the campus while school is in session so you get the best idea of what that college or university is like on a typical day.  Make sure to tell the admission office what you’d like to see and what areas of interest you have.  These could be potential majors you’ve considered or different extracurricular activities you’re interested in participating in during college.

 

What can I do on a college visit?

Every college and university handles college visits separately, but some things that you might be able to do on a college visit include:

• Visiting the college admissions office and/or attending and admissions presentation
• Taking a campus tour
• Sitting in on a class or two
• Meeting a professor in your field of academic interest
• Meeting and talking to one or more current students
• Looking into your extracurricular, athletic, or special service interests
• Walking or driving through the adjacent college community or town

What should I keep in mind when I’m visiting a college?

You might want to ask yourself the following questions as you’re on your college visit:

• Do I like the look of the campus?  Is it well-kept?
• As I walk around, do I find myself smiling and feeling comfortable with what I see?
• Do the students I see seem to be the kind of people I want to know and spend time with?
• Is the atmosphere friendly and inviting?
• Do I feel excited about the prospect of spending four years here?

It is also not a bad idea to take some pictures of the campus and jot down some of your feelings about the college or university afterwards so that you can have a point of reference when comparing colleges in the future.

 

What questions should I ask when I am on the college campus?

Here are a few questions you might consider asking students and faculty you meet on campus:

• What do you like best and least about this college?
• How is the social life?  What do students do during the week and on weekends for fun?
• Where do students live?  What is on-campus housing like?
• How are the support services on campus (academic advising, internship or career counseling)?
• How accessible are the professors to undergraduate students?
• What are some of the best and worst classes you’ve taken?
• Why did you decide to attend this college?
• If you had to do it all over again, would you choose this college?  If no, where would you go?

If you have other questions, be sure to ask in the comments below!!

Food for Thought

Career Profile: Forester

Foresters mange, use, and help protect forests and other natural resources.  They can either work for private timber companies or state and federal governments.  Foresters who work for private timber companies acquire timber from private landowners.  They appraise the value of the timber, settle on a price, and then draw up a contract for that timber.  They serve as a liaison between the workers and landowners.  Foresters who work for state and federal governments manage public forests and parks.  They also work to plan and carry out conservation programs, control floods and fires, and develop plans for harvesting timber.  They can also conduct educational programs for the public.  Foresters consider the environmental impact of their work, comply with regulations, supervise the planting and growing of new trees, and write environmental reports and recommendations.

 

Helpful high school courses for a career in forestry include:

• Computer Applications
• Forestry
• Horticulture
• Keyboarding
• Natural Resources Management
• Plant & Soil Science

You might also want to look into completing a mentorship or internship with a forester to get a better idea of what they do.

 

Forestry might be the field for you if...

• You like math and science, working with people and things, and communicating with others
• You like to keep physically active and work with your hands
• You enjoy being outdoors
• You work well independently and as a team

Some Minnesota colleges and universities that offer programs in forestry include the University of Minnesota (Bachelor of Science in Forest and Natural Resource Management), Hennepin Technical College (Associate of Applied Science in Urban Forestry Technology), and Itasca Community College (Associate of Applied Science in Natural Resources - Forestry).

 

You can find out much more information on the field of forestry by clicking on this link.

 

Information gathered from www.mncis.intocareers.org.

Food for Thought

College Profile: Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, 4-year college located in St. Peter, Minnesota, about an hour away from Owatonna.  Gustavus Adolphus College is associated with the Lutheran church.
 

Admissions

Gustavus Adolphus College is a highly selective college, with about 60% of applicants getting admitted.  Their average ACT test score is 27, and the average high school GPA is 3.63.
 

To apply for admission to Gustavus Adolphus College, you will need to submit the application for admission (either the application found on their website or the Common Application), a writing sample, personal details, a list of accomplishments and experiences, a teacher evaluation, and the school report form, which is to be filled out by your counselor.  There is no application fee to apply to Gustavus Adolphus College.
 

Gustavus Adolphus College prefers that students take the following coursework in high school:

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of math
• 3 years of a laboratory-based science
• 3 years of social studies
• A foreign language is strongly recommended

Academics

Gustavus Adolphus College has 43 different majors for you to choose from, ranging from Elementary & Secondary Education, Nursing, Physics, English, and History to Japanese, Russian & Eastern European Studies, Film & Media Studies, and Classics (Greek & Latin).  Gustavus Adolphus College also offers several pre-professional programs such as Architecture, Church Vocations, Engineering, Law, and Medicine.
 

Athletics

If you are or would like to be involved in athletics at college, Gustavus Adolphus College has a lot to offer!  They are a Division III school.  Men’s intercollegiate athletic opportunities include baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, ice hockey, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track & field.  Women’s intercollegiate athletic opportunities include basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.  There are also several other club and intramural athletic opportunities that students can get involved in, too.
 

Student Life

Gustavus Adolphus College has over 110 student organizations that you can participate in, including Debate, French Club, Pound Pals, student government, LGBT clubs, newspaper, music ensembles, and various fraternities and sororities.  If there is a club that you’d like to see at Gustavus Adolphus College that they do not currently have, you can also have the opportunity to start your own organization!

 

Notes: Why They Are Important & How to Effectively Take Them

One of the most useful skills to learn in high school is how to take effective notes.  You take notes every day in high school, but are they really effective?  Do your notes help you prepare for tests?  We often find that the better students' note-taking skills are, the better they do in school.

Sometimes students wonder why this is such an important skill to learn.  Here are just a few of the reasons you might consider fine-tuning your notes:

• When you read back your notes, it can trigger memories of the lecture or readings for that day, which ultimately helps you remember what you learned.
• What you write in your notes can serve as clues of what information the teacher thinks is important...or what's going to be on the test!
• Taking notes helps students concentrate and stay focused in class.
• Your notes can be a great resource for preparing for tests.
• Oftentimes, your notes will contain information that cannot be found elsewhere (like a textbook, for example).  In other words, notes give you great information that you wouldn't necessarily get just from reading your textbook.

Have I convinced you yet that taking notes is important?  If you're looking to improve your note-taking skills, here are some things that you can try and keep in mind:

1. Come to class prepared.  How can you expect to take notes if you don't have anything to write on or with?  Bring several sheets of loose leaf paper and your favorite writing instrument to each class.  Students often find that binders are helpful (instead of notebooks) because they get to rearrange their notes, flip through them easily, and see several pages at once.  It also is recommended to bring some highlighters to class as well.  If a teacher says something like, "The really important point here is..." or "This might be on the test..." you can highlight that key phrase or word to indicate that it's something you'll want to look back at when reviewing your notes.
2. Start a new page for every new class.  This just keeps you organized so that you know what order you learned material.  Make sure to put the date at the top of each page as well!
3. Write down big ideas...not every small detail.  People talk much faster than you can write, so you'll want to make sure you're not getting caught up in the little details.  Just write down the main concepts or special tidbits of information that you'll want to remember.  Oftentimes, students try to write down everything the teacher says, even if they already know some of the information.  Save yourself the extra time writing (and the eventual hand cramp) and only write down the information that is new to you.
4. Use abbreviations.  Writing the same words over and over again can take time, so find some abbreviations and shorthand that can save you time.  Some popular examples include "govt" for government, "info" for information, and "w/" for with.
5. Don't feel like you need to stick to just one page.  When people try to limit their space or only have one piece of paper to work with, they wind up abbreviating too much or omitting a lot of information to stick to just one page.  This can actually lead to you missing the important information, simply because you feel you don't have enough room on your page.  Don't be afraid to use multiple sheets of paper during one class period!
6. Use diagrams and pictures.  If you are a more visual learner, there's no shame in drawing pictures and diagrams in your notes to help you organize the information and see it in a more visual way.  Also, if a teacher draws a diagram or visual on the board, you'll probably want to copy it down in your notes as well.
7. Write down corresponding page numbers.  During a lecture or a lesson, teachers will sometimes tell you what page in your textbook they're talking about.  Make sure to jot it down in your notes.  That way, when you're reviewing for the test, you'll be able to reference the text if you need clarification or more context for your notes.
8. Review notes for accuracy.  Studies have shown that if you do not review your notes within 24 hours of writing them down, you forget a majority of what you learned in class.  It's so important to take even just 5 or 10 minutes to review your notes that day.

If you're interested in learning more about different kinds of note-taking systems, their advantages, and their disadvantages, click here for some great information!

Career Profile: Interior Designer

Interior designers plan and design spaces, as well as furnish interiors.  They work in many types of settings, including private homes, public buildings, and commercial buildings, but some even design the interiors of boats and airplanes!  Interior designers work meet with clients to learn about what they want for the space and what their budget and style is.  They need to be knowledgeable about building codes when planning for additions, remodels, and redesigns.  Interior designers draw sketches, use computers to design spaces, and create detailed plans with an estimate of costs and materials.

Helpful high school courses for a career in interior design include:

• Art
• Computer-aided design (CAD)
• Drawing or painting
• Interior design

Because many interior designers are self-employed, you may also want to take accounting, entrepreneurship, or introduction to business while in high school as well.  It also is a great idea to get a feel for what the job actually entails, so you may want to consider doing an internship or mentorship in interior design too!

Interior design might be the field for you if...

• You are artistic and are drawn to patterns, colors, designs, and like to use art as a form of self-expression
• You like starting up and carrying out projects and making decisions
• You like to see the results of your work
• You enjoy working independently
• You like building relationships with others, as developing a relationship with your clients is a key element to being an interior designer
• You like to find the solutions to different problems.

Information gathered from www.mncis.intocareers.org.

Food for Thought

College Profile: Minnesota State University, Mankato

Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public, 4-year university just 45 minutes away from Owatonna.  It is a part of the MnSCU (Minnesota State Colleges and Universities) system and offers Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, and Ph.Ds.

Admissions

To apply for admission to Minnesota State University, Mankato, you will first need to complete their application, either online or on paper.  There is a $20 application fee.  You will also need to submit your high school transcript through Docufide (you can pick up instructions on how to submit your transcript in the Career Center) as well as your ACT test scores.  Your ACT test scores should be on your transcript, but you may also request for them to be sent directly to MSU-Mankato from the ACT website.  If you have taken any courses for college credit, you will also need to submit your official college transcripts.

Minnesota State University, Mankato has some criteria for guaranteed admission.  If you rank in the top 50% of your high school class and have met the College Preparation Requirements (see below), you are automatically admitted to Minnesota State University, Mankato.  Students who do not rank in the top 50% of their class but have an ACT score of 21 or better, have met the College Preparation Requirements, and have a satisfactory class rank will also be admitted to Minnesota State University, Mankato.  If students do not meet the admission requirements outlined above, their file will be reviewed for college preparation coursework, grade point average, probability of success, academic progression, class rank, and ACT scores.

The College Preparation Requirements are as follows:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of math (including two years of algebra and one year of geometry)
• 3 years of science (including biology and physical science; all courses should have a lab component)
• 3 years of social studies (including one course in US history and one course in geography)
• 2 years of the same world language
• 1 year of world culture or arts (world culture courses include classes that teach about other cultures or provide a global perspective; arts courses include music, drama, visual arts, or art survey courses)

Academics

Minnesota State University, Mankato has over 150 programs of study for you to choose from, including more common majors such as Nursing, Education, Management, and Psychology to more unique majors such as Aviation, Food Science Technology, Dental Hygiene, and Scandinavian Studies.  You can view a comprehensive list of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s majors here.

Athletics

At Minnesota State University, Mankato, there are many different intercollegiate athletic opportunities.  Men’s teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, hockey, track and field, and wrestling.  Women’s teams include basketball, cross country, golf, hockey, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

Student Life

Minnesota State University, Mankato has an energetic campus environment that includes over 200 student groups, intramural sports, religious organizations, leadership groups, and special interest groups.  Additionally, there are 9 fraternities and 4 sororities at Minnesota State University, Mankato as well.  Students have the opportunity to live in the residence halls on campus for their freshman (and sometimes sophomore) year, which provides another way for students to get involved on campus.  Certainly, there is something for everyone at Minnesota State University, Mankato!

College & Career Day!

Tomorrow, we are hosting a College & Career Day at Owatonna High School!  We are so excited to be welcoming 28 colleges and universities and about 14 of our local businesses to our school tomorrow to talk with our 9th-12th grade students about college and careers.  We'll have several breakout sessions for students to attend, including sessions on financial aid and scholarships, mentorships and internships, and drug awareness and prevention, to name just a few.

We also want to wish all of our 10th grade students good luck as they take the PLAN test tomorrow morning!  This is an important test because it helps students learn whether or not they are college ready or if they are on track to be college ready.  Good luck, class of 2017!

College Visits: November 10-14

Winona State University
Monday, November 10
1:45-2:00 pm

Please note that we will have over 20 different colleges coming to our College and Career Day, this Thursday, November 12 for you to visit and learn more about!

Food For Thought

Career Profile: Forensic Science Technician

Forensic science technicians gather and analyze evidence to help solve crimes.  There are two types of forensic science technicians: crime scene investigators and laboratory analyzers.  Crime scene investigators determine what and how much evidence to collect, as well as take photos and make sketches of crime scenes.  Evidence may include bloodstains, drugs, pieces of clothing, weapons, fibers, and hair.  Laboratory analyzers examine the evidence collected by crime scene investigators to recreate the crime scene.  They help to determine relationships among the evidence to identify a crime suspect.  Laboratory analyzers also prepare reports of their findings, and may testify in courts.

High school courses that might be helpful if you're interested in a career in forensic science include:

• A strong background in math and science (and take as many advanced classes as you can in these subjects!)
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Computer Applications
• Criminology

You might make a good forensic science technician if...

• You like to work with ideas and critical thinking
• You enjoy solving problems
• You like to search for facts
• You like working with your hands
• You are detail-oriented

Information gathered from www.mncis.intocareers.org.

Six Study Tips for High School Students

 As you all know, last Friday was the end of quarter 1 of the 2014-2015 school year.  It's hard to believe that we are already 25% done with this school year!  Now that you have your quarter 1 grades, you may be feeling proud to see the results of your hard work this quarter.  You may also, however, be feeling a little disappointed about how your quarter turned out.  Here are six study skills and tips that you might consider practicing for quarter 2 to help improve or maintain your grades.

1. Develop your own organizational system.  Perhaps you are a student who likes to use folders and notebooks for each of your classes, or maybe you prefer to use a binder for your schoolwork.  Whatever you choose to do, however, adopt an organizational system that will work for you.  You might need to try out a couple of different methods to find the one that works for you, so do not get discouraged.
2. Avoid distractions in your study space.  The best places to study are those free of distractions...so try to find a location that does not tempt you to watch TV, talk with a friend, get up constantly to find a snack, or start a spontaneous dance party.  Ensure that your study space is only for studying and working hard.
3. Reward yourself!  Positive reinforcement is such a useful tool to keep you motivated!  When you have completed certain tasks, reward yourself in small ways.  Need ideas for rewards?  Try giving yourself a 10-minute break to check social media, grab a snack, watch your favorite cat YouTube video, or go for a quick walk around the block.
4. Organize and manage your time.  You know that Owatonna Huskies planner you received at the beginning of the school year?  Use it!!  Successful students keep track of their homework assignments in a planner (or perhaps in an app on their phone) and schedule time to complete such assignments based on how long they anticipate the assignment or project to take.  Remember to prioritize your schoolwork and take care of the most urgent and time-sensitive things first.
5. Take efficient notes.  Because you will likely be the only person reviewing your notes, do not try to make them grammatically correct or overly thorough.  Do your best to shorten your notes as much as you can - this will allow you to take notes at a faster speed  so that you do not fall behind.  Just make sure that you don't shorten them too much, or else you won't remember what they said when you go back to review your notes!
6. Learn how to effectively communicate with your teachers.  Your teachers are a fantastic resource for you, and they want to help you learn!  If you have questions or need some extra help in a class, be sure to ask your teacher for some help.  This shows that you care about your academics, and teachers love to see that you care and are driven to succeed.

Here's to a fantastic second quarter!

This list is adapted from http://www.studypoint.com/ed/back-to-school-study-tips/

College Visits: November 3-7

St. Thomas University
Thursday, November 6
9:00-9:30 am

Minnesota State University - Mankato
Thursday, November 6
11:00 am-12:00 pm

Iowa State University
Friday, November 7
10:30-11:00 am

College Visits: October 27-31

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Tuesday, October 28
1:45-2:00 pm

College Profile: Riverland Community College

One of the most popular colleges for Owatonna High School graduates to attend after high school is Riverland Community College.  Riverland Community College is a two-year school that offers short-term degrees like certificates and diplomas, or two-year Associate degrees.

Admissions
To apply for admission to Riverland Community College, you need to first complete their application, either online or on paper.  There is a $20 application fee.  You'll also need to submit your high school transcript through Docufide (you can pick up instructions on how to submit your transcript in the Career Center).  If you have taken any courses for college credit, you will also need to submit your official college transcripts.  Riverland Community College also requires that students take a placement test like Accuplacer.  Two-year colleges such as Riverland Community College typically have an open door policy, so if you submit all the application materials, you will be accepted to the college.

Academics
Riverland Community College offers over 50 different majors.  Some of the most popular majors are Liberal Arts & Sciences (designed to transfer to a four-year college or university), Farm Business Management, Nursing, Computer Technology, and Business.

Athletics
Riverland Community College offers the following sports: baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

Student Life
Riverland Community College has over 20 clubs and organizations for students to get involved in, including Theatre and Music, Gaming Club, Multicultural Club, Student Senate, and Nursing Student Forum.  There is also some on-campus housing available at the Austin campus.

College Visits: October 20-24

St. Catherine's University
Tuesday, October 21
9:00-9:30 am

Career Profile: Electrician

Electricians work to assemble, install, maintain, or repair electrical systems.  They read blueprints, install and test circuits, inspect equipment, and write cost estimates for clients.

High school courses that might be helpful for a future career as an electrician include:

• Carpentry
• Construction
• Electricity
• Electronics
• Industrial arts
• Physical education

Many electricians are self-employed or start their own business as well.  If this appeals to you, additional coursework in accounting, entrepreneurship, or business might be beneficial as well.  You also may want to look into doing a mentorship or internship with an electrician in the area to get some hands on experience, too!

You might make a good electrician if...

• You like to work with your hands.
• You enjoy being outdoors.
• You like to work with physical materials.
• You value independence and being treated fairly.
• You like to see results from your work.
• You want steady employment and steady pay.

 For a list of colleges in the state of Minnesota that offer electrician programs, click here!


Information gathered from www.mncis.intocareers.org.

Testing, Testing, 1-2-3

Throughout your school career, you have all had experience taking standardized tests before: MCAs, NWEAs, etc.  There is, however, a whole different category of tests that high school students take: college readiness tests.  It can be confusing to keep them all straight at times, so here is a guide to help you understand each different test.

ACT
The ACT is a test that most of you probably have heard of, and many of you (seniors and some juniors) have likely already taken.  The ACT is required for admission to four-year colleges and universities.  Most colleges and universities in the Midwest prefer the ACT as opposed to the SAT (which is covered next).  ACT scores can also be used for placement at two-year colleges and technical colleges.  All juniors at Owatonna High School will be taking the ACT for free on April 28, 2015 as a part of Minnesota's statewide college and career readiness testing program.

You may be interested in taking the ACT at another time as well.  To see national test dates and register for the ACT, you can visit www.actstudent.org.  The cost for the ACT + Writing is $54.50, and the cost of the ACT without Writing is $38.00.  There is a fantastic free ACT online prep course at www.mncis.intocareers.org that you can take to help you get ready for the ACT.  Students who prepare for the ACT and know what to expect tend to get higher scores than students who go into the test without any preparation and prior knowledge.

SAT
Like the ACT, the SAT is another test that is required for admission to four-year colleges and universities.  Whereas the ACT is typically used for colleges and universities in the Midwest, the SAT is preferred for schools on the East coast and West coast.  You can see SAT test dates and register for the test at http://sat.collegeboard.org/register.  There is a free SAT online prep course at www.mncis.intocareers.org that you can take to prepare for the SAT as well, which is highly recommended.

For both the SAT and the ACT, it is recommended that students take them during the spring semester of their junior year (or in the summer before senior year).  It gives you time to take core classes during junior year that will cover material on the tests, allows you to have a score on file before applying to colleges in the fall of your senior year, and also gives you time to retest if you'd like to try for a higher score.

Accuplacer
The Accuplacer is a placement test that is used by several two-year colleges in order to determine if a student is ready to handle college-level courses, or if they will need to enroll in developmental or remedial courses before they can enroll in college-level courses.  Typically, it is taken after students have applied to a two-year college and prior to registering for college courses.  Two-year colleges also will accept an ACT test score in place of the Accuplacer.  There is no fee for taking the Accuplacer.  To learn more about the Accuplacer, you can visit their website: http://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students

ASVAB
The ASVAB is a career planning test that measures traditional academic skills in verbal, math, and science, but it also measures career aptitudes in electronics information, auto and shop information, mechanical comprehension, and assembling objects.  It can also help students identify career strengths and interests.  The ASVAB is also used by the military as a qualifying exam for entrance into different branches and career paths in the military.  The ASVAB is free for students to take.  You can learn more about the ASVAB here: http://official-asvab.com/applicants.htm


PLAN
The PLAN test is like a pre-ACT exam.  It measures students' level of college readiness, includes a survey to identify career interests, gives an estimate of how students will do on the ACT, and gives feedback o nwhat to work on and how to prepare for the ACT.  All of the sophomores at Owatonna High School will be taking the PLAN test on November 12th, on the morning of our College and Career Day.  This is a part of Minnesota's statewide college and career readiness testing program, and it is free for students to take on November 12th.  If you are a 10th grade student, you will be learning how to interpret your PLAN scores in TMM once the scores are in.  You can learn more about the PLAN test at their website: www.act.org/planstudent/

PSAT
The PSAT is like a pre-SAT exam.  It measures how students might do on the SAT, gives feedback about what to work on and how to prepare for the SAT, provides links to career and college planning resources, and is the gateway exam for the National Merit Scholarship program.  Typically, students need to score in the top 1-2% on the PSAT nationwide to become semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship program.  Our juniors will be taking the PSAT tomorrow.  Cost is $14, and there is a limited number of tests available.  You can learn more about the PSAT at their website: www.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt

Is your head spinning yet?  There is a lot of information out there about college readiness tests, and it definitely can get overwhelming at times.  It is recommended for students to learn about these tests early on in their high school careers so that they know what to expect when it comes time for them to take them.  If you have questions about any of these tests, please contact your counselor.

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to the new Owatonna High School Career Center blog!  We are so excited to share with you all kinds of information about careers, colleges, and the latest happenings in the OHS Career Center.

On the blog, you can expect to see posts about:

• Career profiles
• College profiles
• What you can do now to prepare for your future
• School success tips
• Scholarship information
• Ways to use MCIS (Minnesota Career Information System)
• Test preparation information
• Which colleges are going to be visiting OHS
• Pictures and videos
• And more!!

Stay tuned for some great information!!

GO HUSKIES!