College Compass Junior Slides College 101
Mapping Your Future Path
What is College?
College is school you attend after high school to earn a degree or learn a specific trade. It’s a place to:
Discover Your Passion
Prep for a Career
Meet New People
Three Main Paths
2-Year College
Earn an Associate Degree. Great for saving money and staying local.
4-Year University
Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Includes dorm life, sports, and major research.
Trade School
Learn a specific job (like nursing or mechanics) in about a year or two.
Getting Ready Early
GPA
Your "Grade Point Average." It shows colleges how well you did in your classes across all 4 years of high school.
Transcript
The "report card" of your entire high school career. It lists every class and every grade you earned.
Why start in 8th?
The habits you build now make high school easier, which makes getting into college easier!
Your Journey Starts
Over the next two weeks, we are going to explore different colleges and find the one that fits YOU best. Get ready for Campus Quest!
Landscape Logistics Junior Worksheet Landscape Logistics
Campus Quest Junior: Lesson 1
Name:
Part 1: The Three Paths
Read the descriptions and write which "Path" (2-Year, 4-Year, or Trade School) fits best.
1. A school where you can learn to be a professional chef or an airplane mechanic in a year or two.
Your Answer:
2. A school where students live in dorms, go to football games, and study for 4 years to get a degree.
Your Answer:
3. A local school that is more affordable and lets you get an Associate degree or prep for a university.
Your Answer:
Part 2: Prepping for High School
What does GPA stand for? Why does it matter to a middle schooler?
What is a Transcript? Who do you think looks at it later?
My Future Snapshot
What is one job or career you are curious about right now?
Based on that job, which of the three paths above sounds most interesting to you?
Compass Junior Guided Notes Compass Junior Notes
College 101 Overview: Lesson 1
Name:
The Big Goal
College is school you attend after ________________________ school. It is a place to discover your ________________________, prepare for a ________________________, and meet new people.
Three Main Paths
2-Year College:
Earn an ________________________ degree. Usually saves money and is local.
4-Year University:
Earn a ________________________ degree. Often includes living in ________________________.
Trade School:
Learn a specific ________________________ (like nursing) in about a ________________________.
Preparation Terms
GPA
Stands for ________________________
________________________
Average.
It tracks your grades over 4 years of high school.
Transcript
The ________________________ record
of every ________________________
and ________________________ you earned.
"Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out."
Landscape Logistics Answer Key Teacher Answer Key
Landscape Logistics Junior Worksheet
Answer Key
Part 1: The Three Paths
1. Professional chef/mechanic in a year or two: Trade School
2. Dorms, football, 4 years for a degree: 4-Year University
3. Local, affordable, Associate degree: 2-Year College
Part 2: Prepping for High School
What does GPA stand for? Why does it matter to a middle schooler?
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It matters because the study habits built in 8th grade help students maintain a strong GPA in high school, which is the main thing colleges look at for admission.
What is a Transcript? Who do you think looks at it later?
A transcript is the official record of every class taken and every grade earned. College admissions officers and sometimes future employers look at it.
Part 3: Grading Note
This section is student-specific and subjective. Grading should be based on completion and logical connection between the chosen career and the path.
Examples of correct pairings:
Nurse → 2-Year or 4-Year College
Electrician → Trade School
Lawyer → 4-Year University (then Law School)
Video Game Designer → 4-Year or Trade School
Compass Junior Notes Answer Key Teacher Answer Key
Compass Junior Guided Notes
Answer Key
The Big Goal
College is school you attend after high school. It is a place to discover your passion, prepare for a career, and meet new people.
Three Main Paths
2-Year Associate
4-Year Bachelor
Trade Job/Trade
Preparation Terms
GPA
Grade Point Average.
Transcript
Official record.
Vocabulary Check
Elective: Optional Class
Mascot: Team Icon
Campus: School Grounds
Public: State Funded
Alumni: Graduates
Bursar: Billing Office
Review Key
"Class Contract" SYLLABUS
"Federal Aid" FAFSA
"Career School" TRADE
"HS Record" TRANSCRIPT
Money Matters Junior Slides The Application
How to Apply & How to Pay
What Colleges Look For
It’s not just about grades. Colleges want to see who you are as a whole person!
The Essay
A chance to share your story, your challenges, and your dreams in your own words.
Involvement
Sports, clubs, volunteering, or hobbies. What do you do when school is over?
Recommendations
Letters from teachers who talk about your character and hard work.
Deadlines
Specific dates when your work must be turned in to the college.
Financial Aid 101
"How am I going to pay for this?"
The Gift
Grants & Scholarships
"Free Money" you do NOT have to pay back. Based on financial need or special talents.
The Loan
Student Loans
Money you borrow and must pay back with interest after you graduate.
FAFSA
The most important form you and your parents will fill out in high school.
F
Free
A
Application
F
Federal
S
Student
A
Aid
Start Dreaming
You don't need to know everything yet. Just remember: college is an investment in YOU . What will your unique story be?
Money Matters Junior Guided Notes Money Matters Junior
The Application Path: Lesson 2
Name:
Colleges Look For...
The Essay
A chance to share your
________________________
and your ________________________.
Involvement
________________________,
________________________,
or hobbies you love.
The Important Form
FAFSA
F: ________________________
A: ________________________
F: ________________________
S: ________________________
A: ________________________
Paying for College
The Gift
Grants & Scholarships
"Free Money" you do
NOT have to
________________________ ________________________.
The Loan
Student Loans
Money you
________________________
and must pay back with
________________________.
Money Matters Junior Notes Key Teacher Answer Key
Money Matters Junior Guided Notes
Answer Key
Colleges Look For...
The Essay
Share your story / your dreams.
Involvement
Sports / Clubs / Volunteering.
FAFSA Acronym
F: Free
A: Application
F: Federal
S: Student
A: Aid
Financial Aid
The Gift (Grants/Scholarships):
Do not have to pay back.
The Loan (Student Loans):
Money you borrow and pay back with interest.
Summary: College is an investment in YOU. Start thinking about what makes you unique.
Campus Lingo Flashcards Campus Lingo
Vocabulary Flashcard Set
Cut along the dotted lines to create your study cards. Master these to become a college expert!
Syllabus
The "contract" for a class. It lists all assignments, deadlines, grading policies, and contact info.
Office Hours
Specific times when professors are available in their offices to help students one-on-one.
Dorm / Residence Hall
On-campus housing where students live. Usually managed by RAs (Resident Assistants).
Major vs. Minor
Major: Primary field of study.
Minor: Secondary field requiring fewer credits.
Registrar
The college official in charge of maintaining student records, class schedules, and transcripts.
Bursar
The office responsible for billing and collecting tuition and other fees from students.
Prerequisite
A class that must be completed before you can enroll in a higher-level class.
Alumni
People who have graduated from the institution. They often help with networking or donations.
Liberal Arts
An education focused on broad knowledge in science, humanities, and social sciences.
STEM
Careers and majors in S cience, T echnology, E ngineering, and M athematics.
First-Gen
A student who is the first in their immediate family to attend or graduate from college.
Legacy
An applicant who has a family member (usually a parent) who graduated from the same school.
Commencement
The official graduation ceremony where degrees are granted to students.
Dean
The high-ranking leader of a specific college or department within a university.
Audit
Taking a class just to learn, without receiving a grade or academic credit.
Work-Study
A federal financial aid program that provides part-time jobs for students with financial need.
Junior Quest Crossword Master Quest Crossword
Vocabulary Master Challenge
Word Bank
TRANSCRIPT SYLLABUS MAJOR FAFSA BURSAR GPA
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
Across
2. Class "contract" with rules/assignments. (8)
4. Student billing and finance office. (6)
6. Average of your grades. (3)
Down
1. Official HS record of courses/grades. (10)
3. Your primary field of study. (5)
5. Application for federal financial aid. (5)
Junior Quest Bingo Activity Junior Bingo
Vocabulary Master Game
Classroom Activity
Choose 24 words from the Word Bank below and write one in each white square randomly. When the teacher calls a definition, mark your square. First to get five in a row yells "CAMPUS!"
Free Space
Word Bank Options (Pick 24)
GPA Transcript Reach School Safety School Match School Early Action Early Decision Rolling FAFSA SAI Grant Scholarship Work-Study Subsidized Unsubsidized Common App Personal Statement Syllabus Office Hours Dorm Credit Hour Meal Plan Major Minor Undergrad Trade School Public Uni Private Registrar Bursar Alumni Dean
Campus Hunt Word Search Campus Search
Vocabulary Discovery Hunt
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Crossword Master Answer Key Crossword Key
Junior Quest Crossword Master
Answer Key
Solution Master
Across
Clue 2
SYLLABUS
Clue 4
BURSAR
Clue 6
GPA
Down
Clue 1
TRANSCRIPT
Clue 3
MAJOR
Clue 5
FAFSA
Bingo Master Call Sheet Bingo Master Key
Vocabulary Master Activity
Teacher Key
30 Terms Master List
Average of all high school grades. GPA
Official record of HS courses/grades. TRANSCRIPT
Application for federal student aid. FAFSA
On-campus housing for students. DORM
Animal/character for a team. MASCOT
Primary field of study in college. MAJOR
Secondary field of study. MINOR
Free money based on financial need. GRANT
Free money for merit or talent. SCHOLARSHIP
Borrowed money with interest. LOAN
Office for student records. REGISTRAR
Office for student billing. BURSAR
First in family to attend college. FIRST-GEN
Official graduation ceremony. COMMENCEMENT
Degree from a 2-year college. ASSOCIATE
Degree from a 4-year university. BACHELOR
School for specific job skills. TRADE SCHOOL
App platform for 1000+ schools. COMMON APP
People who have graduated. ALUMNI
Professor 1-on-1 meeting time. OFFICE HOURS
Official contract for a class. SYLLABUS
Student working toward degree. UNDERGRAD
Total cost of class instruction. TUITION
Taking a class without credit. AUDIT
Leader of a specific department. DEAN
Sci, Tech, Engineering, Math. STEM
Binding application agreement. EARLY DECISION
Non-binding early application. EARLY ACTION
Reviewing apps as they arrive. ROLLING
Family history at the school. LEGACY
Word Search Answer Key Word Search Key
Campus Hunt Master Key
Teacher Key
Solution Master
TRANSCRIPT.. ALUMNISTEM.. SYLLABUS.... SCHOLARSHIPS .GPADEANLOAN MAJORMINOR.. DORMPUBLIC.. REGISTRAR... TRADE....... LEGACYDEGREE MEALPLANAUDI PROVOSTBURSA
TRANSCRIPT: R1, C1
ALUMNI: R2, C1
STEM: R2, C7
SYLLABUS: R3, C1
SCHOLARSHIP: R4, C1
GPA: R5, C2
DEAN: R5, C5
LOAN: R5, C9
MAJOR: R6, C1
MINOR: R6, C6
DORM: R7, C1
PUBLIC: R7, C5
REGISTRAR: R8, C1
TRADE: R9, C1
LEGACY: R10, C1
DEGREE: R10, C7
MEALPLAN: R11, C1
AUDIT: R11, C9
PROVOST: R12, C1
BURSAR: R12, C8
Dream College Roadmap Guide Dream College Project
8th Grade Campus Quest Guide
Final Presentation
The Mission
You are going on a digital scavenger hunt to find your "Dream College." This is a school that has the career you want, the location you like, and the clubs you'd enjoy. You will create a 6-slide Google Slides presentation to share your discovery!
Slide-by-Slide Guide
1
The Name & Logo: Show off the name of your college and their official logo/colors.
2
The Location: Where is it? Show a map or a cool picture of the campus and city.
3
The Majors: What job do you want? Find out if they have a "Major" that helps you get that career.
4
Campus Life: Find 2 fun clubs, sports teams, or school traditions you'd join.
5
Cool Fact: What’s something awesome about this school that surprised you?
6
Why It Fits: Write 3 reasons why this is your Dream College.
Scavenger Hunt Tips
Use high-quality, bright photos of the campus.
Keep text short! Use bullet points, not paragraphs.
Use the official website ending in .edu .
Practice! Speak loud enough for the back row.
Quest Success Junior Rubric Junior Quest Rubric
8th Grade Project Evaluation
Total Score / 50
Category Great! (10) Good (8) Needs Work (5) Score Info Research Found all college facts and details accurately. Most facts are there. 1-2 small missing items. Lots of missing information. Slide Design Colorful, easy to read, and has great photos. Mostly clear. Photos are okay, but some text is small. Hard to read or no photos. Vocab Use Used 4+ unit words (like GPA, Major) correctly. Used 2-3 unit words correctly. Used 0-1 unit words. The "Why" Gave 3 very clear reasons why this school fits you. Gave 1-2 reasons or they were a bit simple. Didn't explain why you chose this school. Presenting Spoke loudly and clearly; made eye contact. Spoke well but was a little quiet or read from slides. Very quiet or didn't look at the audience.
Teacher Feedback Junior Discovery Log Junior Discovery Log
8th Grade Scavenger Hunt
Target College:
Where is it?
City & State
Distance from Home
My Career Connection
What Job do you want in the future?
What "Major" does this college have for that job?
Campus Life
Team Mascot
Official Colors
Two Clubs or Activities to Join:
Quick Stats
Path (2yr, 4yr, Trade?)
Total Students
Junior Showcase Passport Worksheet Showcase Passport
Peer Review & Fun Facts
Passport Holder:
As you watch your classmates' presentations, choose four colleges to visit. Write down the coolest things you learn!
Destination #1
College Name
Coolest Discovery
Mascot / Colors
Destination #2
College Name
Coolest Discovery
Mascot / Colors
Destination #3
College Name
Coolest Discovery
Mascot / Colors
Destination #4
College Name
Coolest Discovery
Mascot / Colors