Checklist for Post- Secondary Opportunities

Checklist for College/ University

College applications open August 1st every year. Because applications take so much time to complete, it is recommended that you start the application process early August and September.

All students graduating from high school are considered Undergraduate Students for College. Please find Undergraduate Admissions on your college/universities website and apply. You may also use the Common Application to apply to some schools.
- Make sure you pick your major and if you are unsure what major you would like to pursue, simply choose Undecided

After the completion of your application, please make sure your transcripts are sent to that institution via Naviance.

You will also want to apply for Free Application Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, which is free money you may receive from the government. Both parent and student must fill out a portion of the FAFSA. Save your usernames and passwords as you will need them every year you are enrolled in college. Apply now at FAFSA.

After you have completed your FAFSA, it is also recommended that you complete your Pennsylvania High Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA. Only complete your PHEAA if you are attending an institution inside Pennsylvania or within the bordering states of Pennsylvania: Delaware, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. This is a state grant available to students. Apply now at pheaa.org.

Many schools and scholarships require Letters of Recommendations in the application process. You can receive letters of recommendations from your teachers, mentors, counselors, or coaches.. It is courteous to give at least a two week notice before the recommendation is due. Please start thinking about people that you would like to write a recommendation letter that highlights your strengths and can speak to your character.

Checklist for Military

Once you have talked to a recruiter, you’ll set a date to visit a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to finish the enlistment process.

The MEPS is a joint Service organization that determines an applicant's physical qualifications, aptitude and moral standards as set by each branch of military service. There are MEPS locations all over the country.

MEPS Visit Tips

Here are a few things you should keep in mind for the visit:

Bring a Social Security card, birth certificate and driver's license
Remove piercings, and do not wear clothing with obscene images
If you wear either eyeglasses or contact lens, bring them along with your prescription, case and solution
Get a good night’s sleep and arrive early

You’ll officially complete the process of joining the Military once you meet all of the Service requirements assessed at the MEPS. The process typically takes one to two days, with food and lodging provided.

Step 1: Take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

The ASVAB is a multiple-choice exam that helps determine the careers for which an individual is best suited. Both traditional pen-and-paper (also referred to as paper-and-pencil) exam and a computer-based version are available. The computerized ASVAB takes approximately one and a half hours to complete, the pen-and-paper version takes about three hours to complete, and each have questions about standard school subjects like math, English, writing and science. Each Service uses a custom combination of ASVAB results to produce scores related to different career fields. Alternatively, recruits may take the PiCAT, or Pending Internet Computerized Adaptive Test, which is an untimed, unmonitored version of the ASVAB that can be taken online.

In addition, some high schools offer and administer the ASVAB test to their students. If you have taken the test already, you should inform your recruiter and see if your results are still valid.

Step 2: Pass the Physical Examination

A recruiter will discuss physical eligibility requirements with you beforehand. The physical is a regular medical exam, similar to what you would receive from a family doctor. Some recruiters may conduct a short physical training (PT) test with potential recruits as well.

Examinations include:

Height and weight measurements
Hearing and vision examinations
Urine and blood tests
Drug and alcohol tests
Muscle group and joint maneuvers
Specialized test if required (pregnancy test for women, body fat percentage test for those who are overweight, tests relating to any unusual medical history)

Step 3: Meet With a Counselor and Determine a Career

At this point, a service enlistment counselor meets with you to find the right job specialty. A few different factors contribute to career selection:

Needs of the Service
Job availability
ASVAB score
Physical requirements (for example, a recruit needs normal color vision for some careers)
Recruit preference

The service enlistment counselor will also go over the enlistment agreement. It is important to understand this fully before signing. When you sign this agreement, you are making a serious commitment to the Military.

At this time, you will also be fingerprinted for your file, which is required for background checks and security clearances.

Step 4: Take the Oath of Enlistment

Once your career has been determined, you are ready to take the Oath of Enlistment. In this statement, you vow to defend the United States Constitution and obey the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Family members are invited to watch and take photos.

I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Step 5: After the MEPS

You’ll do one of two things, depending on the terms of your enlistment:

Direct Ship: Report to Basic Training shortly after completing MEPS testing requirements. (It varies based on job assignment and branch.) A recruiter will provide instructions on transportation to Basic Training at this time.
Delayed Entry Program (DEP): Commit to Basic Training at a time in the future, generally within one year. Most recruits enter DEP before shipping, including those who enlist before completing high school. Recruits enrolled in DEP may return to their homes until the time comes to report for duty.

Remember, a recruiter can answer any additional questions you may have about the enlistment process.

Checklist for Trade School

STEP 1: FIND A TECHNICAL SCHOOL WITH THE PROGRAMS YOU NEED

Are you looking to become a truck driver or a diesel mechanic? A CNC machinist or a welder? Maybe you’re looking for an advanced degree in a technical field? In order to get into a trade school, it is important that you choose the school that offers classes in the field you want to study. Additionally, seek out trade schools that offer financial aid to qualifying students and job placement assistance. This will help you afford the education you need, and increase your chances of getting a job after you graduate.

STEP 2: GET YOUR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED

An accredited trade school, such as New Castle School of Trades, will require you to have either a diploma from high school or a General Education Diploma (GED). If you have a diploma with a low G.P.A (below 2.0), you may need to take remedial courses in order to gain acceptance to trade school. If you are getting a GED, your state will offer many programs to assist you in getting your secondary school certification. Check your Department of Education for more GED information and resources.

STEP 3: COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION

Your prospective technical school will likely require you to fill out an application form to assess you as a candidate. The application will likely ask you a series of questions about your background, including your previous education, previous employment, the program you are interested in, and your financial aid needs.

STEP 4: INTERVIEW WITH AN ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE

After your application is received, you will usually be called in for an interview with an admissions representative. The representative will help determine what program will be best for your needs and give you a feel for what trade school will be like. Be sure to ask plenty of questions during the interview to find out if the school you are applying to is right for you. You will likely be given a tour of the school to help you see the classroom and labs you could be training in.

STEP 5: TAKE A TRADE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST

In order to get into a trade school, you will need to complete a standardized test. It may be necessary to get a certain score to be admitted to such a school. Common assessments for getting into a trade school include the COMPASS and the Wonderlic assessment. Contact New Castle School of Trades in order to determine which of these tests you will need to study for.

APPLY TO CAREER TRAINING TODAY!

Now that you know how to get into a trade school, the most important thing to do is take action to start your career path. Remember – there’s no better time than right now to apply. The sooner you do, the sooner you can get trained in the career you want.

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