Junior Information Night

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Junior Information Night

• Mrs. Fanning Ms. Homer
• October, 2012

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FALL
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Monitoring your academic schedule

• Choose college recommended courses
• Monitor grades using Progress Book
• Encourage more challenging coursework when
  applicable

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Earn Good Grades

• College applications include an official
  transcript of grades 9, 10, and 11
• Grades in college prep courses are the most
  important component in the college application
  packet
• Mid-year report sent in Feb. of senior year
• Sometimes, admission decisions rest with 1st
  semester senior grades

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Activities

• Continue involvement on campus and in the
  community
• Look for and secure leadership roles
• Take the PSAT in October
• Attend Financial Aid Night

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College Visitors

• College reps will visit in the fall during the
  school day
• Listen for these announcements
• Sign-up in the guidance office (PRIOR TO THE
  SCHEDULED DAY)
• Get a pass from the guidance office the morning
  of the visit
• Classroom teachers have the right to refuse to
  let you attend (i.e. taking a test, too many
  absences)

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Visit College Campuses/College Fairs

• Get a feel for different size, locations, and
  student population
• Attend local college fairs
• Visit schools that really interest you
• Take advantage of your (3) excused college visit
  days
• Attend a formal college visit whenever possible

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WINTER
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Information On Standardized Testing

• Plan on taking the ACT/SAT during the Winter
  (Jan./Feb.)
• With those initial results-plan on taking a test
  prep classs
• Must upload a picture for both ACT/SAT
• Must bring ticket and photo ID to the test center
  with you
• No Walk-In changes or registrations!
• Remember that attitudes, emotions, and physical
  conditions may affect test-taking performance.

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Testing readiness

• Eat a nutritious meal the night before
• Get a good nights sleep
• Eat a good breakfast
• Get up early enough to be alert by the time you
  arrive at the test
• Dress in layers for all temperatures

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Tests

• ACT - www.act.org
• SAT - www.collegeboard.com
• SAT Subject - www.collegeboard.com
• Make note of your username and password
• SEND YOUR SCORES - four free
• See handout for dates

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Tips for the ACT

• 4 Sections (Reading, Math, English, Science)
• Writing Section is optional
• Answer every question (NO PENALTY for guessing on
  this test!)

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Tips for the SAT

• 10 Sections (Reading and Math only)
• Writing Section is required
• Eliminate wrong answers and only guess when you
  can eliminate at least two
• THERE IS A PENALTY for wrong answers-leave those
  items blank when you dont have any idea of the
  answer

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Things to remember

• Meet with your counselor during 2nd quarter
• Read and mark potential scholarship opportunities
  in the guidance newsletter
• Choose senior year schedule carefully (colleges
  will only look see grades for 9th-11th)
• Consider PSEOP (Post Secondary Education Option)

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SPRING/SUMMER
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Factors in the College Admission Decision

• Grades in college prep courses
• Standardized tests scores
• Grades in ALL courses
• Class rank
• Essay/writing sample
• Counselor recommendation
• Teacher recommendation
• Work/extracurricular activities
• Interview
• Demonstrated interest
• SAT II/AP scores
• Race/ethnicity
• Ability to pay
• Geography

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Things to Do

• Develop a resume
• Complete Brag Sheet to help when asking for
  recommendations
• Ask for at least (2) letters of recommendation
  from teachers, if necessary before the end of the
  school year
• Test or re-test ACT/SAT-improve scores
  (April/May/June)

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Summer

• Begin narrowing college choices-VISIT COLLEGES
• Begin to develop application materials
• Start to fashion your college essay
• Discuss college options with your family
• Explore summer opportunities (college
  opportunities, service opportunities, etc.)
• Complete your community service requirement
• Test or re-test ACT/SAT-improve scores
  (April/May/June)

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• Thank you for coming this evening.
• Please contact us with any questions.