Readiness Baseline Pre-test Future Forward
College Readiness Pre-Assessment
Name:
Date:
Instruction: This pre-test will help us understand what you already know about the college application process. Don't worry if you don't know all the answers—this is just a starting point!
1. Which admission plan is legally binding, meaning you must attend if accepted?
Early Action
Regular Decision
Early Decision
Rolling Admission
2. What does the acronym FAFSA stand for?
Write your full answer above
3. Rolling Admission means that the college...
Accepts applications until a single late spring deadline.
Reviews applications and sends decisions as they are received.
Only reviews applications during the month of January.
4. A "Master's Degree" typically takes how long to complete after earning a Bachelor's degree?
6 months
1-2 years
4 years
8 years
5. To become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), which degree level is usually required?
High School Diploma
Bachelor's Degree only
Master's Degree or higher
6. Which major would be most directly related to a career as a "Software Engineer"?
Business Administration
Psychology
Computer Science
History
7. True or False: You must have a Master's degree to get an entry-level job in Business Administration.
True
False
8. Which admission plan allows you to apply to multiple colleges early and compare financial aid offers before committing?
9. What is "Open Admission"?
10. List one reason why knowing your "Major" is important before or during college.
Pre-test Answer Key Teacher Guide Answer Key
Readiness Baseline Pre-test
Teacher Resource
1. Binding Plan?
Early Decision
2. FAFSA Acronym
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
3. Rolling Admission meaning
Reviews applications and sends decisions as they are received.
4. Master's Degree Duration
1-2 years
5. Nurse Practitioner (NP) Degree
Master's Degree or higher
6. Software Engineer Major
Computer Science
7. T/F: Master's for entry-level Business
False
8. Plan for comparing aid early
Early Action
9. Open Admission
Nearly all high school graduates are accepted; typical for community colleges or technical schools.
10. Importance of a Major
Example: Aligns courses with career goals, ensures timely graduation, helps budget for education costs.
Comprehensive Readiness Slides Master Future Forward
The Complete College Readiness Journey
7-Week Master Curriculum
WEEK 1
The Starting Line
"Preparation is the key to unlocking choice. The more you know, the more options you have."
Why College?
Expanded Career Options
Degrees open doors to specialized fields like nursing, engineering, and counseling.
Financial Stability
On average, college graduates earn significantly more over their lifetime.
Undergraduate
A student who is studying for their first degree (usually a Bachelor's).
Major
Your primary field of study (e.g., Computer Science, Nursing).
WEEK 2
The Admission Clock
Early Action
vs
Early Decision
Early Action (EA)
Non-Binding
You are NOT required to attend if accepted. You have until May 1 to decide.
Early Notification
Apply by Nov 1; get your decision by mid-December.
Best for comparing financial aid offers from multiple schools!
Early Decision (ED)
Binding Agreement
If accepted, you MUST attend. You must withdraw all other applications immediately.
One School Only
You can only apply to ONE school under an Early Decision plan.
The Contract
"Like a promise you can't break." Requires signatures from student, parent, and counselor.
WEEK 3
Keeping Options Open
Regular Decision
and
Rolling Admission
Regular Decision (RD)
The Standard Path
Deadlines are usually in Jan/Feb. Decisions arrive in the spring.
Maximum Choice
Review all acceptances and financial aid until May 1.
Open Admission
Nearly all graduates are accepted. Common at community colleges.
Rolling Admission
First-Come, First-Served
Colleges review applications as they arrive. Decisions sent in 4-6 weeks.
Extended Window
Accepting apps until the class is full—sometimes into the summer.
The May 1st Milestone
Decision Day! The national deadline to pick your college and pay your deposit.
WEEK 4
Timing Comparison Answer Key Teacher Guide Answer Key
Timing Comparison Worksheet
Teacher Resource
Part 1: Table Key
Feature EA Answer ED Answer Binding? No Yes (Binding) When to apply? Nov 1 or Nov 15 Nov 1 or Nov 15 Financial Aid Flexibility High Low Number of schools? Multiple One (1) only
Part 2: Scenario Solver
Marcus Scenario
Early Decision (ED)
Why: Marcus has a clear #1 choice, the family is not reliant on comparing aid packages, and ED often provides a statistical boost in admission chances for a top choice.
Sarah Scenario
Early Action (EA)
Why: Sarah likes multiple schools equally and *must* compare financial aid offers. EA allows her to get results early without being legally bound to one school before seeing the price.
Part 3: Quick Check
Accepted via ED means the student is committed to attend that university and must immediately withdraw all other college applications. It is a formal, binding contract.
Major Match-Up Answer Key Teacher Guide Answer Key
Major Match-Up Activity
Teacher Resource
Sorting Matrix Key
Clinical Psychologist
Psychology
Yes
Marketing Assistant
Business Admin
No
Social Worker (LCSW)
Psychology
Yes
HR Specialist
Business / Psych
No
Financial Analyst
Business Admin
No
Versatility Examples (Brainstorming Key)
Psychology for a Chef
"Helps understand the sensory psychology of taste and presentation, and how to manage the stress/team dynamics of a high-pressure kitchen environment."
Business for a Fashion Designer
"Enables them to manage production costs, market their brand effectively, understand consumer supply and demand, and manage a retail storefront."
Note: Entry-level Business roles often emphasize internships and experience, while Clinical Psychology paths almost universally require graduate school for licensure.
Readiness Post-test Final Future Forward
College Readiness Post-Assessment
Name:
Date:
Instruction: Complete this final assessment to demonstrate your understanding of the college application and readiness process. Good luck!
1. Match the Admission Plan to its description:
Early Decision
A non-binding plan with an early deadline.
Early Action
A binding contract; you must attend if accepted.
Rolling Admission
Reviews and decisions happen as apps arrive.
2. Write out the full name of the FAFSA:
F
A
F
S
A
3. Which type of financial aid is essentially a part-time job provided by the college?
Pell Grant
Work-Study
Student Loan
4. To become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, you generally need:
Only a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
A Master's degree or Doctorate (PhD/PsyD)
5. In the field of Computer Science, what is often just as important as your degree when applying for jobs?
6. What is the significance of May 1st in the college process?
7. Name one entry-level job you can get with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration:
8. True or False: You must earn a Master's degree to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
True
False
9. Explain one risk of applying to a college under an Early Decision (ED) plan:
10. Based on these 7 weeks, what is one "Major" or "Career" you are interested in exploring further, and what is one degree you might need for it?
Your future is just getting started.
Post-test Answer Key Teacher Guide Final Answer Key
Readiness Post-test Final
Teacher Resource
1. Match Key:
• Early Decision -> Binding contract; must attend.
• Early Action -> Non-binding plan; early deadline.
• Rolling Admission -> Reviews and decisions as apps arrive.
2. FAFSA Acronym:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
3. Part-time job aid:
Work-Study
4. Clinical Psychologist Degree:
A Master's degree or Doctorate (PhD/PsyD)
5. CS Hiring Factor:
Portfolio, projects, coding skills, or technical certifications.
6. May 1st Significance:
National Candidates Reply Date. The deadline to accept an offer and pay an enrollment deposit.
7. Business Bachelor's Job:
Marketing Assistant, Financial Analyst, HR Specialist, Sales Manager.
8. T/F: Master's for RN
False (Bachelor's/BSN is sufficient)
9. Risk of Early Decision:
You are legally bound to attend before you can compare financial aid packages from other schools.
10. Personal Exploration:
(Individual student response required—check for specific major and corresponding degree level.)
Total Points: 10
Student Readiness Toolkit Bundle Timing Comparison
Admission Plans Worksheet
Feature Early Action (EA) Early Decision (ED) Binding? Example: No When to apply? Financial Aid Flexibilty Number of schools?
Marcus: "Dream school, confident in tuition, wants best chance."
Plan:
Sarah: "Three favorites, MUST compare scholarship offers."
Plan:
Admission Vocab Cards
Early Action
Non-binding. Early results. Comparison allowed.
Early Decision
Binding Contract. If accepted, you MUST attend.
Regular Decision
Standard path. Jan/Feb deadline. Decide by May 1.
Rolling Admission
Review as applications arrive. Ongoing decisions.
Open Admission
High school diploma is the main requirement. Accessible.
May 1st
National Candidates Reply Date. Decision Day.
FAFSA Cheat Sheet
Funding Guide for Students
What is FAFSA?
"Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Unlocks all gov funding."
Website
studentaid.gov
Grants: Gift aid you don't pay back.
Loans: Borrowed money (must pay back).
Work-Study: Campus jobs for students.
The Checklist
Create FSA ID
Gather Tax Docs
Submit in Fall
Career Tracker
STEM & Health
Role Degree Needed Daily Duty Registered Nurse (RN) Bachelor's (BSN) Direct patient care. Nurse Practitioner (NP) Master's Required Diagnose & Prescribe. Web Developer Bachelor's / Portfolio Coding websites.
Major Match-Up
Business & Humanities
Clinical Psychologist
Match Major...
M / PhD
Marketing Assistant
Match Major...
Bachelor's
Financial Analyst
