Information March 6, 2019 Paul Anderson, Counselor Riverland Community College

Information
               March 6, 2019

    Paul Anderson, Counselor
Riverland Community College
paul.anderson@riverland.edu

What is Post Secondary Enrollment Options?
 Definition: “PSEOis a Minnesota state program
 *that allows advanced high school students to
 take college-level courses while still in high
 school. Eligible juniors and seniors take
 courses that earn both high school and college
 credit at the same time, for the same courses.
 These courses also apply toward high school
 class rank and high school graduation”.
 Courses may be on campus or online.

Who can be a PSEO student?
 Must be classified as a junior or senior (2019-2020 school year).
 Sophomores can take 1 credit of career/technical course work. And
  continue with more if successful.
 Must meet the entrance requirements for a PSEO student:
        Seniors: Must rank in top 50% of class (current juniors)
        Juniors: Must rank in top 33% of class (current sophomores)
        Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.50 or higher and
        meets any/all of the course prerequisites & Accuplacer
        cut scores
 Must score at college level reading on the Accuplacer Test -
        78 minimum score for ENGL 1101 Freshman English
        63 minimum score for other Liberal Arts classes

 To take Math classes, one must score at college level on Accuplacer

Qualifying using ACT scores
 You can qualify for PSEO by using ACT test scores
 You need an ACT Reading 21 score for Freshman
  English
 You need an ACT Reading 16 score for other Liberal
  Arts courses
 You need an ACT Reading 15 score for some
  Career/Technical courses
 To take Math classes, one must score at least a 16
 on the Math ACT. Higher level Math classes
 require a higher score.

How do you continue as a PSEO student?

 Attend classes regularly and do well!

 Meet college Satisfactory Progress requirements:
 2.0 GPA and 67% completion rate for all credits

What are some advantages of PSEO?
 Academic challenge

 Variety of courses and many career options

 Credits count at both college and high school

 Students can still participate in all high school
  activities and athletics - MSHSL rules apply

 The State of Minnesota pays for the tuition and books
  for PSEO students

 Experience post secondary education without leaving
  home

 Chance to be more independent

 Get a head start on a degree – especially helpful for
  those going into professions requiring advanced
  degrees

 Possibly earn a degree before graduating

Things to consider
 “Is this option in your best interests?”

 Scheduling and School Calendars are not the same:

    Part-time PSEO can be challenging
 Faculty expectations:
        Adult behavior
        Grading may mean 2 or 3 exams and a research paper/project.
        No late work accepted. No reminders. No extra credit.
        No excuses for “not knowing.”
 Additional class supplies are not covered – such as art supplies,
  cosmetology kits, tools
 Transportation not covered (but can apply for assistance, if needed)

 Freedom and Responsibility ~
       Attendance is important! You need to attend every class!
  Regular attendance is the number one strategy for student success!

 Can you handle the increased free time?
  15 – 16 hours of class per week, rather than full days at high school.
  Rule of thumb – for every hour of class, spend two hours on homework

 This is not a time to increase employment hours

 Are you independent and self-motivated?

What are your next steps?
 Class rank/GPA requirements met? Find application materials on
  the Riverland website:
                    www.riverland.edu
       Choose: Admissions/College Credit in High School/
   PSEO/New PSEO Student/Applying for Riverland & PSEO
          Download the application materials

 Make an appointment with your high school counselor , complete
  all the paperwork and get all signatures – student, parent and
  high school counselor or principal
 Bring completed paperwork with you to your RCC appointment.
  IMPORTANT STEP-You can’t register without it.

 Deadline for all PSEO paperwork to be finished and mailed to
  Riverland:
 August 1st
 HOWEVER:
   High School counselors aren’t always available in the summer.
   College Counselor availability is limited.
   The earlier you sign up for classes, the better your options are
    because classes fill up.
   BEST to apply and register for classes EARLY!!
   REGISTRATION:
         Fall Schedule available online on March 11th.
         Registration for Ret. PSEO can begin April 4th. Austin campus April 5th.
         New student PSEO can begin in early May ~ Pick an Orientation date.

After Acceptance Letter Arrives:

 1. Register for and take the Accuplacer (if you
      have not yet done so).
      - Go to Riverland website:
              www.riverland.edu
      - Choose Student Services/Accuplacer/Register
      -Prepare for test-Accuplacer/Preparing … test
 2. Complete Riverland PSEO orientation, on campus
 3. Schedule a meeting with a Riverland counselor
      to register for classes (Call 433-0600).

But wait - what if you do not meet the
 accuplacer test requirements?
 Make arrangements to “retest”. There is no fee to retest.
  You may only retest twice in an academic year. (??)
  Register for the test on the Riverland website under
  Student Services/Accuplacer or come to campus to test
  or register

 Practice tests are available on the R.C.C. website under
  Admissions/Accuplacer/Preparing for Accuplacer

 An ACT score can replace the Accuplacer. Ask for
  qualifying scores.

AUSTIN RIVERLAND COUNSELORS:
 Paul Anderson: Monday-Friday(Albert Lea
  Mon/Thurs.)
 Steve Zmyewski: Monday-Friday (Owatonna one day)
   Jeanne Poppe: On legislative leave for January-May.

           CALL 433-0600 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
              WITH A RIVERLAND COUNSELOR!

Final thoughts…
 You only have one chance to be a high school student – you
  can go to college forever!
 PSEO is available at Riverland but also at other higher ed
  institutions

                         Questions?

                  Paul D. Anderson, Counselor
           Riverland Community College – Austin campus
                    507-433-0698 – direct line
                    433-0600 - appointments
                   paul.anderson@riverland.edu