1 of 45

Postsecondary Planning Night

Nivia Martin, Last Names A-K, 907-260-7073

nmartin@kpbsd.k12.ak.us

Megan Murphy, Last Names L-Z, 907-260-7059

mmurphy@kpbsd.k12.ak.us

Chantel Taylor, Secretary, 907-260-7072

ctaylor@kpbsd.k12.ak.us

2 of 45

3 of 45

Counselor’s Corner on SOHI’s Webpage

Click on Counselor’s Corner

4 of 45

4-year plan Credit Requirements �

Minimum of 22 credits; one-half (.5) credit = 1 semester

  • English - 4 credits
  • Science - 3 credits (minimum of 1 credit/life and 1 credit/physical)
  • Math - 3 credits
  • World History - 1 credit (sophomores)
  • U.S. History - 1 credit (juniors)
  • Government - .5 credit (seniors)
  • AK Studies - .5 credit (taken freshman year)
  • Health - .5 credit
  • Physical Education - 1 credit
  • Practical and/or Creative Art Electives - 3 credits

(minimum of .5 credit practical art and .5 credit creative art)

  • Electives - 4.5 credits

​

​

5 of 45

Types of Postsecondary Options

  1. Apprenticeship Programs
  2. Flight Schools-UAA, Kenai Aviation, Fly Around Alaska
  3. Career, Technical, Vocational-(AVTEC, NIT, JOB CORPS, KPC, Alaska Career College, AK Driving Academy, UAF Community and Technical College)
  4. 4 year College
  5. Military
  6. Employment

​

For more information, see page 11 in the Postsecondary Advising Guide

6 of 45

Career/Technical Students

​

* Foods/Culinary

* Welding/Construction

**Pathways-Culinary, Construction, Welding**

​

-Check out CTE classes through KPC

Recommended High School Curriculum for:

7 of 45

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

AVTEC (Seward): Culinary, construction technology, Diesel/Heavy equipment technologies, Industrial Electricity, Industrial Welding, Information Technology, Plumbing and Heating, Refrigeration, Business and Office Technology.

ALASKA CAREER COLLEGE (Anchorage): Accounting, Human Resources, Technology specialist, Insurance coding and billing, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, Massage Therapist.

NIT-Northern Industrial Training (Palmer): Welding, Construction, Truck Driving, Microsoft, Carpentry, etc.

ALASKA DRIVING ACADEMY (Soldotna): CDL

KENAI PENINSULA COLLEGE: Paramedic, Welding, Certified Nursing Assistant

MetrOasis TRAINING CENTER: Hairdressing & Esthestician

https://acpe.alaska.gov/Portals/0/APS/Pubs/APS_Approved_Institutions_and_Programs_Updated_July_2024.pdf

8 of 45

APPRENTICESHIPS

  • Earn a paycheck while learning a trade. You can receive nationally recognized certifications and gain valuable skills needed to succeed in the career that you choose.
    • Check out the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development website for specific apprenticeship opportunities.
    • https://jobs.alaska.gov
        • call: (877) 724-2539

​

​

​

9 of 45

EMPLOYMENT

  • Have an updated resume
  • Letters of recommendation
    • Ask people if you can use them as a reference
    • Don’t use family members
  • Research the job you in which you are applying
  • Research interview questions
    • Practice an interview with a friend or parent
    • Dress for success for your interview
  • Know the deadline for the application!

10 of 45

Recommended High School Curriculum�

College Bound Students, APS, and Athletes

    • 4 years of college preparatory English
    • 3 years of social studies
    • 2-3 years of world language (selective schools, NCAA)
    • 2-3 years of laboratory science (4 for APS)
    • 2-3 years of college preparatory math (Algebra 1 and beyond) 3 for NCAA
    • SAT/ACT test scores in ranges acceptable to specific schools

​

11 of 45

College & Career Readiness

​

​

​

​

12 of 45

DUAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

​

​

​

​

13 of 45

Benefits:

  • Tuition, books and fees are paid by KPBSD
    • Students can earn up to 7 credits, 1st Semester and up to 13 credits in subsequent semesters.

​

  • Students receive HS & college credit.
    • Expands available courses for students.
    • Can participate in affiliate school classes & extra curriculars

​

  • Students can earn an industry certification, trade skill or credits towards a degree.
  • Advising & support from both KPBSD & KPC staff.
    • Seminar Course to support transition to college coursework

Applications for Spring 2023�open October 30 - Dec 8

�All paperwork and KPC placement testing must be done by the �Dec 8 DEADLINE

​

Questions? �Visit KPBSD Middle College website

14 of 45

Students visit go.kpbsd.org/naviance-student

​

​

Use your PowerSchool Login

Career Research

College Comparison

Scholarship Applications & More!

15 of 45

KPC JumpStart Information for

Juniors and Seniors

Call KPC Student Services office at

907-262-0330 for more information!

    • Fill out required KPC paperwork
    • Take the placement tests
      • Accuplacer for writing
      • ALEKS for math
    • Talk with the KPC Dual Enrollment Advisor Dawn Edwards-Smith about classes that would be useful for your future career or proposed field
    • Register for classes
    • Jumpstart-Juniors and seniors can take up to 6 credits/two classes each semester for the Jumpstart discount tuition rate.
    • If students take 100 level or higher, and 3 or more credit classes at KPC, they can get 1 full credit at SOHI.

​

16 of 45

College Considerations

  • Admissions Requirements
  • Programs offered
  • Size and location
  • Cost and financial aid
  • Housing
  • Employment rate

​

For more information, see page 12 in the Postsecondary Advising Guide

​

17 of 45

Types of Applications and Admissions

Early Decision

  • Apply in early fall
  • Learn of the decision in December and accept or reject the offer in 2 weeks. If accepted, must withdraw all other applications
  • Nonrefundable deposit at the time of acceptance.
  • Only do this if you are 100% certain-BINDING

Early Action

  • Apply in the early fall. Learn of the school’s decision to admit, decline, or defer by January
  • Have until May to decide whether to accept or decline an offer
  • May apply to other schools after hearing of the school’s decision
  • NONBINDING.

Regular Admissions

  • Most commonly used application process.. .Check colleges for their deadlines.

Rolling Admissions

  • Apply beginning in the fall of their senior year. Decision is made as soon as the application is complete

​

  • ​

18 of 45

Application Process

  • Complete the application – take your time, make sure it is complete ☺
  • Plan ahead for letters of recommendation
  • Meet deadlines
  • Send your transcript and test scores

​

For more information, see pages 18 in the Postsecondary Advising Guide

​

​

​

19 of 45

Postsecondary Assessments

​

For more information, see pages 21 in the Postsecondary Advising Guide

​

20 of 45

SAT DATES AT SOHI:

Dates that the SAT is being offered at Sohi:

  • September 13
  • October 4
  • November 8
  • December 6

​

To register go to collegeboard.org or sat.org/register

21 of 45

School Visits

  • Contact ahead of time
  • Bring transcript and test scores
  • Have your questions ready (See pages 12-15 in the Postsecondary Advising Guide)
  • Visit the library, dorms, Counseling office, financial aid office, job centers
  • Consider skyping, facetiming, etc…

​

For more information, see page 12-15 in the Postsecondary Guide

​

22 of 45

23 of 45

NCAA Process-Need to Know

  1. Parents should check to make sure your student/athlete is taking 16 NCAA-approved core courses. Ma
  2. Students need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center by junior year of high school.
  3. Be aware of NCAA rules for when and how college coaches can contact recruits.
  4. Register your child for an NCAA Certification account for D1 and D2 or a Profile page for D3, to allow for official college visits.
  5. Help your student athlete create an online recruiting profile that includes their athletic accomplishments, statistics, and a highlight video showcasing their skills.
  6. Research schools and focus on both the academic and the athletic environment of potential colleges.
  7. Encourage your child to be proactive and communicate with college coaches.

24 of 45

�ATHLETES!�NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA�

  • National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) www.ncaa.org
  • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) www.NAIA.org
  • National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) http://www.njcaa.org
  • Have you met with your school counselor to make sure you are meeting the academic requirements for the college you want to attend (NCAA academic requirements)? Have you registered for a student account on NCAA or NAIA? Have you reached out to coaches?

​

​

See page 23-26 in Postsecondary Guide

25 of 45

26 of 45

MILITARY

  1. Speak with a recruiter (research all the branches) Talk to recruiters when they visit at lunch.
  2. Take the ASVAB your junior or senior year (Nov 5 @Sohi)
  3. Complete a physical exam (MEPS)
  4. Sign a contract and prepare for basic training

27 of 45

ALASKA PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP

  • The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) is Alaska’s merit based scholarship program, awarding students up to $28,000 total towards their postsecondary education.
  • To qualify for APS, students must complete a specific high school curriculum and meet either a minimum GPA or minimum standardized test score.
  • APS eligibility is reported to ACPE by the Alaska Department of Education in mid August. Create an account on the Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) to monitor your eligibility information.

​

APS Eligible Institutions & Training Providers List

28 of 45

​

​

29 of 45

30 of 45

What is WUE?

  • WUE (pronounced (“woo-wee”) offers reduced nonresident tuition to residents in the West studying out-of-state at 170 public institutions in the region
  • Eligible states and territories include:

​

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada

​

​

​

​

  • New Mexico
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/wue-savings-finder/

​

31 of 45

How much is WUE tuition?

WUE is 150% of the enrolling school’s resident tuition (sometimes less!)

32 of 45

THE WUE ROADMAP

  • Be a resident of a WICHE state or eligible Pacific Island jurisdiction.
  • Search for colleges on the WUE Savings Finder at wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue.
  • Check to see if the desired major is eligible
  • Check application deadlines and/or minimum requirements. WUE is not guaranteed, you must qualify.
  • Determine if a separate application is required
  • Apply directly to the college

�

33 of 45

THINGS TO KNOW

Institutions set their own requirements to qualify for the WUE rate; requirements vary by college.

​

WUE is not automatically awarded to western region residents — you must qualify.

​

Remain in good academic standing to keep your WUE rate.

​

You can’t establish in-state residency while on WUE.

34 of 45

Scholarship Portfolio and Applications

  • Check your Gmail for the scholarship template -11/12th will all receive this template in their school Gmail.
  • Check your Gmail for scholarship notifications from the Counseling department
  • Search Scholarship database under OneStop-KPBSD Scholarship Database
  • Apply, Apply, Apply
  • For Alaska Schools, make sure you are APS eligible
  • Remember about WUE Western Undergraduate Exchange

​

For more information, see pages 27-29 in the Postsecondary Advising Guide

​

​

35 of 45

Getting to Scholarship Database in KPBSD.ORG

36 of 45

�ONE STOP-Scholarship Database�https://www.kpbsd.org/scholarship/

37 of 45

COMMON APP

  • Free online application platform that allows students to apply to over 1,000 colleges and universities with one application.
  • Helps students keep track of application deadlines
  • Connects students with financial aid and scholarships

38 of 45

The Essay….�College Applications�Scholarship Applications�

  • Start early
  • Brainstorm topics using the prompts
  • Write 3-4 five paragraph essays based on the prompts
  • Talk about your career goals
  • What makes you different?

​

For more information, see page 29-30 in the Postsecondary Advising Guide

​

​

39 of 45

Essay Tips

Choose a topic that will highlight you.

–Do share your personal story and thoughts.

•Keep your focus narrow and personal

–Don’t cover too many topics.

–Do focus on one aspect of yourself.

•Use your own voice

–Don’t rely on phrases or ideas that people have used many times before.

•Ask a teacher, or parent to proofread

-Don’t turn your essay in without proofreading it.

-Don’t rely on computer spell check to catch mistakes.

​

​

40 of 45

Common App Essay Prompts 25-26

  1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
  5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  6. Describe a topic, idea or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
  7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

41 of 45

Action Steps-Student

  • Keep track of activities inside/outside of school, volunteer work, etc.
  • Community Service- Community service hours are very important for scholarship applications.
  • Check admission requirements/application deadlines for colleges, trade schools, jobs, etc.
  • Have someone review your application/essay
  • If interested in joining the military, talk to a recruiter.
  • Plan ahead!
  • Interview outfit
  • Social Media-Be aware of who might be checking out your posts!

42 of 45

Action Steps-Parents

  • Fill out the FAFSA-Have tax information available (2024)
    • Opens on October 1!
  • Start a Google Doc or spreadsheet of due dates for college applications, scholarship applications, job applications, etc.
  • Tour schools, or look at admission requirements online and do virtual tours.
  • Talk to the financial aid department of the school your student wants to attend to see what they can offer for scholarships and financial aid packages.
  • Designate time to research and apply for scholarships

43 of 45

Letters of Recommendation

  • 3-5 (teachers, community members, boss, coach, principal, counselor)
  • Ask ahead of time, not at the last minute
  • Give them your personal profile/scholarship portfolio
  • Thank them

For more information, see page 36 in the Postsecondary Advising Guide

​

​

44 of 45

Attend Events

​

Financial Aid Night – Come find out about FAFSA, other types of financial aid, grants, loans, and Scholarships. September 23 from 5:30-6:30 in Sohi library. Financial Aid guru from KPC will be the special guest speaker!!!

ASVAB: November 5 at 8am in Sohi Library

​

NCAA/NAIA College Sports Meeting:

DATE: October 2, 2025 TIME: 6pm SOHI Library

College and Career Fair – Juniors and Seniors are strongly encouraged to attend. Representatives from over 50 colleges will be available to answer questions and provide information.

DATE: October 13, 2025 TIME: 10:00-11:00 @ KCHS

​

​

45 of 45

Questions?

​

​

​

​

SOHI School Counseling Department

  • Nivia Martin, Last Names A-K, 907-260-7073, nmartin@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
  • Megan Murphy, Last Names L-Z, 907-260-7059, mmurphy@kpbsd.k12.ak.us