WEST MORRIS MENDHAM HIGH SCHOOL

PRESENTS

Freshman/Sophomore College Planning Night

January 7th, 2015

Tonight’s Objectives: Introduction – Why are we here? College Admission Trends Sample Transcript Testing Schedule Review the graduation requirements School Involvement / Resume Naviance Features Scheduling Procedures and Timelines Career Academy Program Q & A

Why are we here?

Analysis Paralysis!

College Admission Trends

Percentage of Colleges Attributing Different Levels

of Importance to Factors in the Admissions Decision

Factor Considerable Importance

2012 2008

Grades in college prep courses 82.30% 74.90%

Strength of curriculum 65 61.5

Admission test scores (SAT, ACT 56.1 54.3

Grades in all courses 49.8 52.1

Essay or writing sample 19.7 26.6

Student's demonstrated interest 17.8 20.9

Counselor recommendation 15.6 20.4

Teacher recommendation 15.4 21.1

Class Rank 13.3 19.2

Extracurricular activities 6.8 7.4

Interview 6.5 11

Portfolio 5.2 6.7

Subject test scores (AP, IB) 4.8 7.8

SAT II scores 3.8 6.7

State graduation exam scores 2.1 3.9

Work 1 1.8Source: NACAC Admissions Trend Survey 2012

Visit our website for more

information:

Information & links regarding SAT, ACT, AP, etc.A handbook covering all topics related to the college admissions process.

Your link to the Naviance database.Copies of presentations from other Guidance events

1. Keep it simple: Grades and test scores are still the primary factors in college admissions.

2. Finding your strengths and interests are more important than building a resume.

3. Strive for balance

4. We will help!

REMINDERS

Transcript

Sample Transcript

Graduation Requirements

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 120 Credits over 4 years Minimum of 7 classes (35 credits) per year English - 20 credits (4 years) Social Studies – 15 credits (3 years) Mathematics – 15 credits (3 years) Science – 15 credits (3 years of a lab science) World Language – 10 credits (2 years) P. E. & Health/Dr. Ed. - all years in school Visual/ Performing Art - 5 credits Career/Consumer/Life Skills – 5 credits 2.5 credits of Financial Literacy

TESTING

Register for ACT at www.actstudent.org

Register for SAT at www.collegeboard.org

PSAT PSAT Results mailed Home. Pick up test booklet in CCRC. ONLY A PRACTICE TEST; *DO

NOT FOCUS ON SCORE* Measures

Critical Reading Skills Math Problem-Solving Skills Writing Skills

Score 20-80 Saturday, October Administration Testing Center: Mendham Qualifying Test

National Merit Scholarship Program (JUNIOR YEAR TEST SCORES ONLY)

How To Read Your PSAT Score Report

************************Collegeboard.org/quickstart

Practice questions and a personalized SAT study plan available online helpstudents improve their skills.

1. Your Scores

3. See how you scored relative to other test takers in your grade.

2. National Merit Scholarship Information

4. Questions broken down by subject matter

5. Review your answers and level of difficulty

SAT / ACT: Which test should my student take?

ACT

SAT

**Reasoning Test**

*RECOMMENDED*

Subject Tests/ AP / IB

Subject Tests Biology: Students who have completed Bio at the advanced level Math Level 1: Students who have completed Algebra 1,

Geometry, Algebra 2 at advanced level US History: Students who have completed US History 1 and US

History 2 at advanced level

*AP / IB / Additional subject tests: To be taken junior – senior year

Activity Resume

School Involvement Document and build a resume. Document achievements / accomplishments. Remember it is quality not quantity. This is a great time to get involved. Service club, peer tutoring, FBLA, Relay for

Life. Outside school activities, volunteer work. Athletics.

Resume Dos and Don’ts

Do keep track of your honors, awards, clubs, jobs and volunteer experiences.

Do participate in clubs and activities that interest you.

Do take on one or two leadership roles.

Don't wait until junior year to recall what you've done or won

Don't join clubs or activities just because you think colleges want to see them.

Don't become a passive member of multiple groups.

Sample Resume

Naviance Features

Freshman have completed Learning Styles Inventory

Sophomores have completed Strengths Explorer & Career Interest Profiler

Exploring

Careers

Scheduling Process

What do I need to know to schedule?

Required Courses Course Levels Electives

*Please consult the online

Program of Studies Booklet

for

Course Descriptions

REQUIRED 9th GRADE COURSES

English Social Studies Mathematics Science World Language (or elective) P. E. & Health

*Must select at least 7 courses

Course Levels

IB / AP / Honors Advanced Academic Studies

Typical 10th Grade Schedule (8 Period Day)

English 2 U.S. History 2 Mathematics:(Geometry /Algebra 2 Honors/ Pre-Calculus)

Science: (Chemistry) World Language: (French/Spanish/Latin/Chinese) or elective Physical Education 2 / Drivers Education Elective Elective as eighth class or Academic Study Lunch

Elective OfferingsBusiness: Music:

Art: Family &

Consumer Science

Technology Education:

Scheduling TimelinesIndividual appointments with the high school counselors will begin:

Juniors – Currently

Sophomores – February 23rd

Freshman – January 26th

Middle School – February 6th

Scheduling Timelines The online Program of Studies will be updated by

1/16. Teachers will make placement recommendations

by 1/16. Students can obtain a copy of teacher

recommendations from the

Guidance Office beginning 1/21. Students should bring the completed, signed

course selection sheet to their scheduling appointment.

Career Academy Program

An Overview

Development of a Career Vision for a Global Economy● The Career Academy Program Goal - Students exploring how their

talents, strengths and interests (in a particular career field) can add value to a community through social engagement.

● The program’s focus is to provide meaningful career learning for certain juniors and seniors which will foster a better sense of self and direction as they prepare for the next phase of life.

● Talent + Interest + Social Engagement = Meaning & Direction

CAP enables students to:

● Develop a broad range of career-related competencies and deepen their understanding of general areas of knowledge within a career field.

● Prepare for effective participation in the ever-changing global workplace.

● Engage in service learning that makes a positive difference to the local and/or global community.

● Communicate effectively and clearly, especially within a career related field.

● Combine traditional academic skills and practical career knowledge.

● Foster the attributes of the WMRHSD Vision of a Graduate and IB Learner Profile in a career field.

● Gain greater direction and preparation for a purposeful college experience.

Career Academy

Requirements

1.Career Pathway Course Work● must complete 3 classes during junior and

senior year in one of the career-related studies pathways.

● All career pathways include at least one IB course.

● 4 Pathways:o Business Managemento Information Technology (IT)o Life and Health Scienceso Science/Technology/Engineering/Math

(S.T.E.M.)

2.IB Coursework and Requirements

● Students must complete two IB courses and pass the correlating IB external examinations.

● One of the IB courses must be a two year sequence.

3.The IBCP Core

A. The Approaches to Learning Courseo critical thinkingo intercultural and community understandingo collaborationo communication

B. Community and Service Project

C. Language Development o 50 hours of non-native language study - communication, global

understandingo Language Portfolio

D. Senior Reflective Projecto identify, analyze, critically discuss and evaluate an ethical issue arising

from their career area of studyo Public presentation o It can be created in different formats, including: an essay, an original

website, short film, or other modes of digital communication or products related to the career field.

Career Academy Program

● The Career Academy Program is NOT “IB Diploma Lite”.

● It is a completely different approach to junior and senior year.

● Similar to the IB Diploma Program, the Career Academy Program is not for every student.

● The current Career Academy Program is a WMRHSD Program only. The WMRHSD C.A.P. is in the process of becoming authorized by the IBO (Business Pathway & Information Technology Pathway 9/2015).

● All current C.A.P. students who successfully complete the program will receive recognition at graduation. Additionally, C.A.P. students’ college application contents will include documentation from WMRHSD explaining the components and depth of the WMRHSD Career Academy Program.

School and College Recognition

IB Authorization Schedule

● Business Management○ IB Career Program Authorization for Sept.

2015● Information Technology○ IB Career Program Authorization for Sept.

2015● Life Sciences○ IB Career Program Authorization for Sept.

2016● S.T.E.M. ○ IB Career Program Authorization for Sept.

2016

Student Assistance ProgramTamara Eslam teslam@wmrhsd.org

• Confidential one-on-one support• Group support• Health Class Presentations• Assemblies• Parent Presentations• Substance Abuse Prevention/Intervention• Resource Referral• Anti-bullying Specialist

• Stress Management: Your child is stressed too. Practice relaxation techniques and take a break when you need it!

• Autonomy and independence: Treat your child with respect and encourage him or her to become self-sufficient and self-reliant.

• Communication: Talk, and more importantly, listen. • Healthy Relationships: Modeling effective relationship skills

with your spouse or co-parent is vital. • Education: Promote and model learning and provide educational

opportunities for your child. Praise them for achievements!• Health: Model a healthy lifestyle and good habits, such as

regular exercise and proper nutrition. • Safety: Take precautions to protect your child and maintain

awareness of your child's activities and friends.• Self-Care: Take good care of yourself, do things you LOVE, and

encourage your child to do the same. • ***Seek professional help as needed.***

Upcoming Presentations for all Mendham Parents:

Substance Abuse in Teens: 1/14/15Paul Lavella, LPC, LCADCWed 1/14/15 at 7pmMendham High School Library

Stress & Anxiety in Teens: 2/10/15 Kelly Sutliff, LPCTues 2/10/15 at 7pmMendham High School Auditorium

Q & A Panel