The Townsend Harris High School at Queens College The Guidance Department

1. The Townsend Harris High School at Queens College The Guidance Department

2. Course Selection • Standardized Testing • Explore Interests/College Majors • Extracurricular Activities • Time Management and Study Skills • Ways to cope with stress

3. Elective brochure • Colleges want to see a rigorous program and that you have challenged yourself • Once you commit to challenging courses you should try to stay on that track • Take challenging courses in subjects in which you feel confident...know your limits

4. Honors & AP (Special Permission Classes). • Visit Department website for guidelines for specific AP and Honors courses • Acceptance Guidelines • Previous years performance overall and in the subject of interest • Placement test • Teacher recommendation • Attendance/cut record • PSAT Results • Course Selection in Daedulus • You will request courses in Daedulus in the Spring • Be sure to check your email regularly for course selection updates • Remember that even if you request a class, there is no guarantee that you will be placed in that particular class • Make sure you have selected alternate classes 

5. PSAT’s are very important! • Measures critical reading, math problem-solving skills, 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 (depending on your grade level) nation-wide who took the exam • The PSAT is a test written for high school Juniors • Normed on Sophomores and Juniors • Visit my College QuickStart for a comprehensive report on your PSAT performance;  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 SI determines eligibility for NMSC • NMSC status makes your college application outstanding • Starting Junior year, colleges (Public and Private) use your test results for 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 • \

6. Three sections: critical reading, math, and writing (two parts: multiple choice and essay) • Each section is scored on a scale from 200-800 • We recommend taking your first SAT in March of Junior Year • The test should not be taken more than 3 times. Some colleges will let you use the “Score Choice Option” and most colleges superscore • www.collegeboard.org/student • SAT Tutorials are free through the College Board website • Fee waivers/discounts • If you receive free or reduced lunch, then you qualify for fee waivers • You can use fee waivers as early as Freshmen year for SAT Subject Tests and Junior year for SAT • Only allowed two for SAT Subject Tests and 2 for SAT

7. We recommend that our students take three SAT Subject Tests. Many of the competitive colleges require these tests for admission. We recommend you register for the May or June tests as early as possible • There are subject tests in English, History, Mathematics, Science and Foreign Language • The score ranges from 200-800 per subject test • It is suggested to take them in June after an AP or Honors course, or if you 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 through the College Board Website and through the information booklet in guidance • Look out for upcoming SAT Subject Test tutoring here at school • Recommended Book: Picture These SAT Words By: Philip and Susan Geer

8. The ACT is another college entrance test option. It is a diagnostic test that tests you on high school content (material you are learning in your classes) • More student-friendly than the SAT • The ACT is gaining popularity among students • Many colleges now use the ACT as a replacement for the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests • There are 5 sections to the exam: English, Math, Reading, Science and Writing.  Competitive colleges want to see that students have taken the writing section • The science section measures the skills required in the natural sciences: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem solving • The score ranges from 1-36. Competitive colleges look for a 28 or above • Score Option: It is your choice whether or not to send the colleges your ACT score • ACT tutorials are available online at www.actstudent.org • The Princeton Review offers a free ACT Online Demo and Practice Test

9. Sophomore year is a time to discover your passions, interests and to get involved in extra curricular activities. • www.nycareerzone.org • 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

10. Naviance is a Web-Based Research and Planning Tool for College • Go to the Townsend Harris 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 • Resume – Start drafting your resume now in Naviance so it is complete by senior year.  Resumes are helpful for job and internship applications, allows counselors to learn more about you beyond the academics, and can provide insight into your level of involvement  • Make sure to add your parents to your Naviance account • Naviance is the main source of communication between counselors and students.  Make sure to check your linked email account on a regular basis.

11. 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 • Join a Towsend Harris Club or Team • ARISTA and Archon Credits can be found on the THHS website • 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 your guidance counselor.

12. Database of various summer opportunities: • http://www.internationalcounselor.org/summer2/Summer_Omnibus/Omnibus.html • www.summeroncampus.com • 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.youngvolunteers.com • www.volunteer.gov

13. Make your summer productive! • Volunteer, obtain an internship or a job • Colleges are interested in learning about activities you do outside of school that support your interests. For example, if you are interested in becoming a doctor, consider interning or volunteering at a local hospital. Or, if you are interested in Architecture, enroll at a college which offers Architecture classes. • An excellent 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 a tour of the campus • College Now through CUNY offers free college credit courses in the summer and throughout the year for high school students

14. What does stress look like for you? • What are some of your stressors? • How do you cope with your stress?

15. • 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  

16. • 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