College Planning for Junior Year and Beyond

October 10, 2013The School Counseling Dept.

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Evening’s Objectives Understand the importance of junior year

Gain knowledge of a college preparatory vocabulary

Learn the tasks and tools necessary to navigate thecollege search process

Become aware of the steps needed to create a“Going to College” Action Plan

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Junior Year

Your Year to SHINE!

But why so important?

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Junior YearIf you plan to go to college, the most important grades on your transcript will be the ones from your junior year.

WHY?1.Your junior-year grades will be the last complete set of grades you send to colleges when you apply.

2.Junior year grades will correspond to classes that are much closer in difficulty to college-level work than freshman- and sophomore-year classes are.

For these reasons, you should make sure your academic performance reaches—and stays at—a high level throughout your junior year.DG

http://in.princetonreview.com/in/2012/10/junior-year-the-most-important-year-of-

high-school.html

Junior YearTeacher Recommendations

Your best-possible recommendations will come from your junior-year teachers. Why?1.They teach more difficult classes.2.They remember you as a student.

DG http://in.princetonreview.com/in/2012/09/junior-year-the-best-year-for-securing-

recommendations.html

Lets break it down.11th Grade

“Going to College” Action Plan

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11th Grade Action PlanFall 2013Set goals for the school yearOrganization! Make weekly/monthly “getting ready for college” to-do lists PSAT/NMSQT- 10/19/2013 College SearchCollege visits, possibly

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11th Grade Action PlanWinter 2013Review PSAT/NMSQT results together. Prepare and register for college admission tests, SAT and/or the ACT. Begin thinking about senior year courses…consider RIGORBegin thinking about SAT subject tests and possibly AP exams, if applicable.

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Standardized Testing

SAT Reasoning Test (collegeboard.org)SAT measures academic aptitude Areas tested: Math, Verbal & Writing Skills

ACT (actstudent.org)Measures academic achievementAreas tested: Math, Reading, Writing & Science

You must take ACT Plus Writing

We recommend students take their first standardized test in the spring.

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Standardized TestingSAT Subject Test

Single, one hour, subject tests to demonstrate specific knowledge

You can take 3 in one sitting (not all SAT test dates administer subject tests)

It’s best to take a subject test right after taking the relevant course.

Research! Does my college(s) of interest require or recommend the subject test?

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Standardized TestingTOEFL: http://www.ets.org/toefl Test Of English as a Foreign LanguageTOEFL has become an admission requirement for non-

native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities.

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Preparing for Standardized Testing PSAT SAT study plan as a result of the PSAT Budget your time Test it Score it Ask why Prep Classes (Most helpful right before

the test/between tests) Practice tests!

KC http://www.usnews.com/education/blog

s/college-admissions-playbook/2013/08/19/prepare-for-the-sat-on-a-

budget

Standardized Tests

AccommodationsIf your student possesses an IEP or a 504 plan he or she

may qualify for accommodations through college board or act. Pls speak to your counselor.

Fee WaiverPlease speak to your counselor if you are in need of

assistance.

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NCAA

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NCAA Eligibility Division I & IIStudents must register on NCAA Eligibility Centerwww.eligibilitycenter.org/

-Academic Standards (Division I & II)-Graduate from high school-Complete a minimum of 16 core courses for Division I or II-Earn a minimum required grade-point average in core courses-Earn a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT.-Request final amateurism certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Students are responsible to review NCAA approved courses at WHS

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NCAA Eligibility Division III

• Division III colleges and universities set their own admission standards. The NCAA does not set initial eligibility requirements in Division III

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11th Grade Action PlanSpring 2014•College Search•Visit colleges together•Attend college fairs and financial aid events.•Begin thinking about summer plans… meaningful summer activity

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College Terminology– Types of Applications:

Early Decision (ED) Early Action (EA) Restrictive (E A) Regular Deadline Rolling

– Reach, Target, Safety

– Public vs. Private

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Researching Colleges College Characteristics (Nov. 4-8, Nov. 12-15)

Location Major Size Academics/support services

Naviance is a Great Resource! College match College compare Scattergrams Create “colleges I’m thinking about” list

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College Visits Informal visits

Size Setting

Formal visits (open house, schedule a tour) Academics Activities Campus Culture Housing

Students can have three excused days to visit colleges (Bring in signed note from college and parent)

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Activity Resume Template

ActivitiesActivitiesGradesGrades

ParticipatedParticipated9 10 11 129 10 11 12 Position HeldPosition Held Personal Contribution MadePersonal Contribution Made

Community ServiceCommunity ServiceGradesGrades

ParticipatedParticipated9 10 11 129 10 11 12

Position HeldPosition Held Personal Contribution MadePersonal Contribution Made

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School Counseling ResourcesYour school counselor

-Junior & counselor postsecondary conference

Naviance

Junior folder

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Future Junior School Counseling Contacts Naviance/College Characteristics Part 1

(Nov. 4-8) Naviance/College Characteristics Part 2

(Nov. 12-15) Senior Speak (Feb. 6-7) Junior Postsecondary Appointment (spring) College Admission Panel (spring) Boston National College Fair (late spring)

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Thank you for coming!

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