The Bronx High School of Science Class of 2016 Barmess Bishop Brown Casey Dondo Elia Kind Lau

1. The Bronx High School of Science Class of 2016 Barmess Bishop Brown Casey Dondo Elia Kind Lau McHugh Mills Nasser Smith

2. Course Selection • Standardized Testing/PSAT & Subject Tests • Explore Interests/College Majors • Naviance Personality Test • Extracurricular Activities • Building a Good Rapport with Your Guidance Counselor/Teachers • Ways to cope with stress

3. Course Catalog • Competitive colleges want competitive transcripts and a rigorous program/challenge yourself and stay on that track • Take challenging courses in subjects in which you feel confident...know your limits • Carefully review your selected courses before submitting in Naviance. Speak about your choices with your parents and Guidance Counselor • Attend course elective day in the Spring

4. Honors & AP (Special Permission Classes). • Visit Department website for guidelines for specific AP and Honors courses. Every student must take and pass at least one AP course • Acceptance Criterion can include: • Previous year’s performance overall and in the subject of interest • Placement test • Teacher recommendation • Attendance/cut record • Course Selection in Naviance • Your approved courses will appear in Naviance in the Spring • Check your email regularly for course selection updates • There is no guarantee that you will be placed in that particular class even if approved • You MUST select alternate classes  but also be mindful of what you choose as you could be placed into your alternate class • There will be NO changes to your program in September

5. PSAT’s are very important! • Three sections: Critical Reading, Math problem-solving skills, and Writing Skills • Scores are reported on a scale of 20-80 for each section. National percentiles allow you to compare your score with other students in your grade level • Ex. If your percentile is 55, you scored higher than 55 percent of the Juniors or Sophomores nation-wide • The PSAT is written for high school Juniors • Visit My College QuickStart for a comprehensive report on your PSAT performance and also find ways to improve your score for the Junior PSAT https://quickstart.collegeboard.com/posweb/login.jsp • National Merit, National Achievement or National Hispanic Scholarship based on your performance on the PSAT • You are compared among students in your state (NY) • Awards up to $2,500. This is for Juniors only. Selection Index – the sum of the three scores on each section. The SI ranges from 60 to 240. The Selection Index determines eligibility for NMSC. 219 was the cut off score for this year’s semifinalists

6. National Merit/National Achievement/National Hispanic •    NMSC status makes your college application outstanding • Your PSAT scores can qualify you for the following programs: National Merit, National Achievement, National Hispanic Recognition Program • For further information, please visit: http://www.nationalmerit.org/index.php • Starting Junior year, colleges (Public and Private) use your test results for college admission and to award students with scholarships • Many colleges give merit scholarships based upon student's finalist status • Prepare over the summer; free tutorials on college board and the Bronx Science website • In order to get accepted into Special Permission Classes, your PSAT score reports may be analyzed

7. We recommend you take at least 3 SAT Subject Tests (1 Math, 1 Science and 1 subject you are strong in). Most competitive colleges require them for admission. Register for the May or June tests as early as possible as seats fill up quickly • There are subject tests in English, History, Mathematics, Science and Foreign Language. (Refer to Testing Booklet) • The score ranges from 200-800 per subject test • We recommend you take Subject Tests in June after an AP or Honors course, or if you have earned a 90 or above in the course • You should get tutoring and study on your own before you take the exam • There are SAT Subject Test sample questions available on the College Board Website and in your Testing Booklet • Look for SAT Subject Test tutoring in school • Please see Ms. Heyward in room 036 for Fee Waivers (free or reduced lunch students only) during designated times, which are posted on her door

8. Sophomore year is a time to discover your passions, interests and to get involved in extra curricular activities (clubs, sports teams, volunteering). • https://careerzone.ny.gov • Interest and personality based assessment to find out what college majors/careers are most suited for you; in depth info about colleges, website • www.mymajors.com • Interest and achievements based assessment tool • https://myroad.collegeboard.com • From College Board -personality assessment, suggests careers, majors • You use your PSAT account code • www.bls.gov/oco • Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook which describes hundreds of careers, education needed and salary

9. Naviance is a Web-Based Research and Planning Tool for College Searches and Course Selection • Go to the Bronx Science homepage or: https://connection.naviance.com/fc/signin.php?hsid=bxscience • My Personality – “Do What You Are” • Assessment of careers and college majors that fit your personality • Career and College Search • Document library includes: Scholarship Bulletins, Weekly Parent Newsletter, College Opportunities, Student Opportunities and Summer Opportunities • Resume – Start drafting your resume now in Naviance so it is complete by senior year • Make sure to add your parents to your Naviance account • Naviance is used for Course Selection • Naviance is the main source of communication between Guidance Counselors and students.  Make sure to check your linked email account on a regular basis. Most students use their Bronx Science email.

10. Community service/ volunteer work should be done with non-profit organizations and are unpaid experiences • Libraries, Hospitals, Schools, etc. • Internships should be done with legitimate companies • Books which list internship opportunities: Peterson’s Internships; The Princeton Review’s Internship Bible; The Princeton Review’s Best 109 Internships • Log into Naviance, go to Document Library and view Student Opportunities & College Opportunities Newsletters • Check the Bulletin Board in the Guidance office for postings of jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities • Get involved! Join a Bronx Science Club or Team • ARISTA Credits http://bxsciarista.webs.com/requirements.htm • It is very important to be involved in meaningful extracurricular activities • Be aware of opportunities for leadership forums that charge large fees and are sent through the mail. These could be potential scams. If you have any questions, please consult with your Guidance Counselor.

11. Database of various summer opportunities: • http://www.internationalcounselor.org/summer2/Summer_Omnibus/Omnibus.html • http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/jobs/syep.shtml • Extensive listing of summer learning experiences: • http://www.enrichmentalley.com/ • Websites with various volunteer opportunities: • http://www.nycares.org/ • www.salvationarmy-newyork.org (click on volunteer) • www.volunteer.org • www.volunteer.gov

12. Make your summer productive! • Volunteer, obtain an internship or get a job. If you are interested in the Health Sciences, consider interning or volunteering at a local hospital. If you are interested in Architecture, enroll at a college which offers Architecture classes, etc. • In the spring the College Office posts Summer Opportunities and Summer Programs in Naviance. • An excellent resource book: Peterson's Make Summer Count: Programs & Camps for Teens & Kids • The summer is also a good time to visit colleges which is a great way to see what type of schools you like...location, size, etc. Call admissions ahead of time to schedule an official tour of the campus • College Now through CUNY offers free college credit courses in the summer and throughout the year for high school students • Please see the Bronx Science school’s website for information about working papers

13. It is important to start building a relationship with your Guidance Counselor • Share good news • Tell us about any honors or rewards you receive • Bring us copies of letters or certificates verifying outside service (volunteer) work • Keep your Navianceresume up-to-date • Talk to us about your summer plans or summer experiences • Start thinking about who you would want to ask to write your teacher raves which are used by your Guidance Counselor in their college recommendation letters. • In the spring of Junior year, your Guidance Counselor will meet with you one on one to help you with your college search and the college application process. If we have had the chance to get to know you, we: • Can be better able to advise you for specific colleges • Will be better equipped to write you a dynamic letter of recommendation

14. • Exercise and eat regularly • Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation • Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques) • Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in polite firm and not overly aggressive or passive ways: (“I feel angry when you yell at me” “Please stop yelling.”) • Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks  

15. • Decrease negative self talk: challenge negative thoughts about yourself with alternative neutral or positive thoughts. “My life will never get better” can be transformed into “I may feel hopeless now, but my life will probably get better if I work at it and get some help” • Learn to feel good about doing a competent or “good enough” job rather than demanding perfection from yourself and others • Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress • Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way • Your Guidance Counselor is also available to support you