College Exploration & Transition Skills Information Sessions
Mahalo for your interest in our College Exploration & Transition Skills Information Sessions! Choose the session(s) you are interested in and we will provide an expert in this area topic area to come to your school to make a presentation to your students and answer any questions they may have. This is a FREE service provided by Hawai’i P-20 Partnerships for Education and GearUp Hawai’i.
Below is a description of the various topics we offer:
| Session Topic and Objectives | Length of time | |
|---|---|---|
| A | College 101: What is college and why is it important to go? Students will learn about their post-secondary options and the steps they need to take, at their grade level, to prepare for college. Examples include: staying involved in extracurricular activities while in middle school and taking rigorous classes in high school. Additionally, students will learn about their earning potential with a high school diploma vs. a college degree. | 20-30mins |
| B | Best-Fit College What is best-fit? How can students ensure they attend the college that meets their unique personality and interests? In this session, students will learn about what to look for in a college and the three aspects to consider when exploring where to apply and enroll - Academics, Culture, and Financial Aid. | 20 - 30mins |
| C | College Admissions Presentation Students will hear from an admissions officer and will learn about the academic programs offered at that particular campus. Students are encouraged to ask questions about extracurricular activities, study abroad opportunities, and student life. | 20- 30 mins |
| D | Know Before You Go: Life in College Student Panel Students will hear from currently enrolled college students about their college experience - what college is like, what they wish they had known before applying, and how they’ve overcome obstacles. Students are encouraged to ask questions about student life, academics, housing and dining, and dorm life (if applicable). | 30 - 45 mins |
| E | Paying for College: FAFSA and Scholarships Students will learn about the importance of filling out the FAFSA and the different types of financial aid available to help pay for college. Conversations will focus on debunking the myths of financial aid and how to access different types of public and private scholarship opportunities in Hawai`i. During the 60 minute session option, 12th grade students will have the option to create an FSA ID | 40 - 60 mins |
| F | College Application Workshop Applying to college is the first step to getting accepted! This session is designed as workshop to help 12th grade students complete and submit at least one college application to the college of their choice. College admissions representatives and other campus volunteers will be present to answer questions and walk the student through the application process. Student are encouraged to ask questions and bring their information to complete their application, such as their mailing address, social security number, and other parent information. | 30-45mins |
| G | College Entrance Exams Students will learn about the different types of college entrance and placement exams that 2-year and/or 4-year colleges request to determine college eligibility and readiness. | 15 – 25 mins |
| H | Campus Visit Experience Students will receive a guided tour of the campus. They will visit the student center, library, and academic buildings, as well as, walk away with fun facts about the college. See Add-On Options to enhance your student’s Campus Visit Experience. | 40-60 mins |
| I | Congrats, You got Accepted to College! Now What? Each summer college-bound seniors miss important information and deadlines that could impact their enrollment and financial aid status. This is commonly referred to as summer melt. In this session students will receive tips on how to stay in touch with the college they plan to attend in the fall. Students will also learn how to keep track of the tasks they need to complete prior to their first day of college. | 20-30 mins |
| J | Life after High School Students will learn about their college and career options after high school. Whether they decide to go to college, work, or the military. This session will provide important tips to avoid “senioritis” and ensure they graduate on time. | 20-30 mins |
| K | Personal Essay and Interviewing Skills Workshop Students will learn about the purpose of the personal essay requirement for college and receive tips on how to format their personal essay for their college application. Students will also receive interviewing tips for college or career. | 30-40 mins |