Mission Viejo High School

1
Freshmen Advisement Night

• Welcome
• Mission Viejo High School
• Class of 2012

2
This Evenings Agenda

• How to Plan for the Next 3 Years
• Making the Most of the Freshman Year
• College Planning
• International Baccalaureate

3
MVHS Counselors

• Ms. Erin Adragna Freshman
• Mrs. Gerri Evans 10th 12th A - F
• Mrs. Gisela Geller 10th 12th G - N
• Mr. Steve Uthus 10th 12th O - Z

4
GPA Weighted vs. Unweighted

• Students in an Honors, AP, or IB level course
  will be awarded an extra .20 to their GPA per
  Honors, AP, or IB course taken.

5
Honors vs. AP vs. IB

• An Honors Course
• Moves faster and goes into greater depth.
• An AP (Advanced Placement) Course
• Is a college level class that culminates with a
  required exam in May.
• An IB Course
• Is a college level course that has mandatory
  assignments and an exam in May. Students must be
  in the IB program to take an IB course.

6
Freshmen Fables

• Freshmen Grades DO NOT COUNT. WRONG!!
• Grades earned in 9th -12th grades will be
  evaluated by colleges.
• Placement in courses next year will be based on
  your performance during the fall and spring
  semesters of 9th grade along with teacher
  recommendations.

7
More Freshmen Fables

• Ill never get into a decent college unless I
  take all Honors and AP courses.
• WRONG!!
• Honors/AP/IB curriculum IS NOT for everyone.
• A solid consistent GPA in academic courses is
  more impressive than unstable and inconsistent
  grades earned in Honors Courses.

8
College 101

• Community College
• Cal State Universities
• University of California
• Private Universities
• Dont limit yourself to the name brand
  schools. There are over 3,000 colleges out
  there!!!!! There is a college for every student.

9
Community College

• Not everyone will attend a 4 year college.
• Approximately 50 of our graduates attend
  Community College.
• California Community Colleges provide excellent
  preparation for transfer to 4 year institutions.

10
California State University

• 23 Campuses
• Priority admission given to students residing in
  same county. CSU Fullerton CSU San Marcos.
• Does NOT consider score on the Writing portion of
  the SAT for admissions.
• Can combine SAT scores.
• Top 33 of class.

11
Admission Requirements

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of Math (Algebra 2 must be completed)
• 2 years of Science (1 biological and 1 physical)
• 2 years of Social Science
• 2 years of a Foreign Language
• 1 year of a Visual Performing Art
• SAT or ACT Exam

12

• ALL CLASSES MUST BE PASSED WITH A C OR HIGHER!

13
University of California

• 9 Campuses
• Berkley, Davis, Los Angeles, Irvine, San Diego,
  Merced, Riverside, Santa Cruz, San Francisco
• Eligibility Requirements
• Completion of all a-g courses
• Comprehensive Review
• Top 12 of class.

14
Admission Requirements

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of Math (4 years recommended)
• 2 years of Science (3 years recommended)
• 2 years of Social Science (3 years recommended)
• 2 years of a Foreign Language (3 years
  recommended)
• 1 year of a Visual Performing Art
• SAT or ACT Exam, 2 SAT II Subject Exams

15
Private Universities

• Private Universities all have varying admission
  requirements. If you are interested in a Private
  University you need to research what is required
  of you to get in!

16
Ivy League

• Students in the top of their class.
• Students taking the most rigorous curriculum
  offered.
• Average of 6 Honors or Advanced Placement courses
  per year.
• Well rounded involved.

17
What Are Colleges Looking For?

• Consistent performance in an appropriately
  challenging curriculum.
• GPA
• Test scores (SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject, ACT, AP,
  IB).
• Accomplishments beyond the classroom and school
  community.
• Potential to contribute to a college community.
• Demonstrated interest in learning.

18
What Are Colleges Looking For? Continued

• Good grades are not enough!
• Intellect, strength of character, capacity for
  growth.
• What have you done in 4 years of high school?
• School clubs and sports
• Community service
• Employment
• Hobbies
• Special talents
• Leadership activities

19
College Admission Testing

• What should freshmen do now?
• NOTHING!!
• Be patient. Students should not take a real SAT
  Reasoning, SAT Subject, or ACT exam until Junior
  year.
• Students can take the PSAT offered in October
  each school year.
• Students can take the Mock SAT or ACT in February
  each year.

20
SAT Reasoning Test

• Intended to assess readiness for college level
  work.
• 3 sections Writing, Critical Reading, and Math.
• Maximum score of 2400.
• Typically taken in spring of Junior year.

21
ACTAmerican College Testing

• Alternative to the SAT Reasoning Test.
• A curriculum based achievement test.
• Tests Math, Reading, English, and Science
  reasoning skills.
• Additional ACT Writing Assessment Test.
• Typically taken in spring of Junior year.

22
SAT Subject Tests

• Used to measure students depth of
• knowledge in selected subjects.
• Required primarily by the University of
  California and highly selective private
  universities.
• Typically taken in the spring of the Junior year
  or when student completes an Honors, AP, or IB
  level class.

23
What To Do Now

• For Students
• Be realistic about your academic ability.
• Work hard ask for help.
• Set goals and create a plan.
• Begin your research.
• Work with your Counselor.

24
What To Do Now Continued

• For Parents
• Be realistic about your student.
• Be supportive and encourage independence.
• Let your student do the work!

25

• Thank you for joining us this evening and please
  drive home safely!