WELCOME

1. WELCOME Junior Year

2. Overview of Presentation • Graduation Requirements • Post Secondary Education Options • Post Secondary Planning/ The College Search Process • Establishing your criteria • Researching Schools • Developing a College List • Senior Year

3. General Overview of Proficiency-Based Graduation Requirements (PBGR) • Credits • Required Courses • Graduation Portfolio and Presentation • Community Service • Standardized Assessments Starting with the Class of 2012, all students will be required to pass the NECAP in order to graduate • Comprehensive Course Assessments • Individualized Learning Plans Detailed information can be found in our New Diploma Handbook

4. Junior Year Goals • Maintain good grades • Complete Credit Recovery and/or attend Summer School, if necessary • Become familiar with your profile: how do you compare? • Register for appropriate standardized tests • Determine what is important to you in a school • Research schools that meet your criteria • Develop a list of possible school/career choices • Select challenging courses for Senior Year • Visit schools To Do List:

5. Post Secondary Education Options • 2 year colleges • Technical schools • 4 year colleges

6. 2 Year Colleges • Certificate programs (e.g. phlebotomy, web technology, dental assistant) • Associate degrees (e.g. nursing, physical therapy assistant, business) • Remediation/preparation for 4 year programs (transfer) • Open Acceptance: only need high school diploma or GED • Accuplacer: assessment for placement in courses

7. Applying to CCRI • You may apply at any time; however, counselors will assist in application process in spring of senior year • Visit the Community College of Rhode Island’s website for additional information on programs and application process: http://www.ccri.edu/

8. Technical Schools • Offer a variety of degree options: certificate, associate, and bachelor of science • Applied learning for career training ( e.g. residential building/construction, auto mechanics, computer service, nursing, business management, criminal justice, cosmetology) • Programs of study are typically more concentrated than most 4 year college programs (i.e. less general and elective credits needed)

9. 4 Year Colleges • Offer Bachelor of Arts and/or Bachelor of Science in wide variety of academic disciplines • Unlike most technical schools students must take general education and certain elective courses as part of program • Applicants must meet specific admission requirements • Admission is competitive

10. College Admission Course Requirements for 4 Year Colleges • English 4 years • Math 3 years • Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 • Lab Science 2 years • Chemistry 412, Biology 422 • Social Studies 2 years • World Language 2 years • Fine Arts Elective • Additional Electives Please Note: Requirements vary from school to school; therefore, it is crucial to research the requirements for each school. Highly selective schools and/or programs may require additional courses than listed above; less selective schools and/or programs may require fewer courses than listed above

11. Academics • GPA (Grade Point Average) • Class Rank • Strength of Curriculum • SAT/ACT Scores The foundation of your student profile

12. Extracurricular Involvement • Student Leader • Athlete • Science Olympiad • Math Team • Actor • Artist • Musician • DECA/Skills USA • Volunteer • Employee • Scout • Church Group Member • Community Service • Newspaper • Peer Tutor

13. What are you looking for in a school? • Type of School • public or private; 2 year or 4 year; technical • Location • Setting • rural, suburban, urban • Size • small, medium, large • Major/Program of Study • Sports • Division I, II, III; Intramural • Activities • clubs, student organizations, etc. • Housing • on or off campus housing; coed • Support Services • Facilities • Internships/Co-Ops • Study Abroad • School Environment • Cost • Do not rule out any schools until you receive your financial aid package

14. Resources Web sites for research: • WayToGoRI • CollegeBoard • ACT College Planning Plan on attending the following before submitting applications: • College Fairs • College Tours/Open Houses • College Visits

15. Developing Your College List Reach • Chance of admission is less likely, but there is some chance of admission Target • Student credentials for admission are competitive, and student is qualified for admission Safety • Student credentials are highly competitive , and student is overly qualified for admission Please Note: Working list of 3-10 schools categorized in the following groups: safety (2 schools), target (3 schools), reach (1 school). Number of school(s) in each category should be based on total number of schools on list. This list should be completed before returning to school in September.

16. You have your list of prospective schools…What do you do next? Visit the school’s website for… • Admission/application information • Read through the online applications • Check on any additional admission requirements for your specific major • Schedule of Open House(s) and Tours … and then visit the campus!

17. Standardized Tests for the College Application Process Please note: The majority of 4 year colleges requires standardized test scores for admission; however, some schools are becoming test-optional. Please check each school’s testing policy. • SAT reasoning test • SAT subject tests • ACT

18. SAT Tests SAT reasoning Test SaT Subject Test • Aptitude Test with 3 sections: • Critical Reading • Math • Writing • Scores range from 200 to 800 for each section • Achievement Test in specific academic subjects (e.g.): • Math • Science • History • English • World Languages • Scores range from 200 to 800 for each subject

19. How to improve SAT scores: • Review PSAT results • Read • Take challenging math courses • If in SAT review course – take advantage of practice time • Private tutorial programs (e.g. Princeton Review, Kaplan, CCRI, etc.) • Use SAT review books and software

20. SAT Registration • Registration includes 4 free score reports • All official scores must be sent to colleges by CollegeBoard • Colleges will see all scores but will usually use highest critical reading, math and writing scores Click here: CollegeBoard SAT Registration

21. ACT Tests • English, Mathematics, Science • Writing Test (optional, but do it!) • The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions • Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes plus 30 minutes if you are taking the Writing Test (does not include break) Please note: ACT results are accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and universities

22. Why take the ACT? • The ACT multiple-choice tests are curriculum based • The questions are directly related to what you have learned in your high school courses in English, mathematics, and science • Some students who do not do well on aptitude tests (SAT) may do well on achievement tests (ACT)

23. ACT Registration • Registration includes 4 free score reports • All official scores must be sent to colleges by ACT • You can choose which scores the colleges will use Click here: ACT

24. Reminders for Testing • Research in order to plan ahead • Know when you should take the SAT and/or the ACT • Know if SAT Subject Tests are required by admissions • Scores must be sent to the colleges from Collegeboard/ACT

25. Application Forms • The Common Application • School On-Line Application • Paper Application

26. Application Requirements • Resume • College Essay • Recommendations • SAT/ACT test scores Please Note: Always check with the school for specific application requirements. Some schools and/or programs require additional application materials.

27. Resume/Activity Sheet Provides information about student participation in activities throughout high school years • School Activities • Athletics • Community Service • Part Time/Summer Employment • Awards and Recognitions

28. College Essay • Brainstorm the topics • Select a topic • Complete a rough draft • Have someone review it • Revise • Edit Extremely important factor in admission decision Should help you stand out as a candidate Complete during the summer vacation, if possible Must be edited perfectly

29. College Recommendations Most colleges require at least one letter of recommendation. You must check with each school for specific requirements • Teacher • Coach • Employer • Counselor

30. College Application Plans

31. Student Athletes • The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) • Provides a central location for certification of academic eligibility for participation in intercollegiate sports • Students must register with the clearinghouse after their junior year in high school if considering a Division I or II School ( NCAA Eligibility Center )

32. Senior Year • Continue taking challenging major courses and useful electives • Maintain good grades • Create a list of important deadlines • Sign up for standardized tests (SAT,ACT) • Attend college visits at CHSW • Continue visiting schools/attending Open Houses • Complete applications in a timely manner To Do List:

33. References • Support staff • Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs: K. Magnelli • Assistant Principal of Special Education and related Services: D. Schiappa • School Counselors: D. Golini, J. McGuirl, M. Royal, R. Willette, R. D’Almeida, L. Velino, D. Ciccone and V. Clark • Social Workers: L. Thompson , K. Ascoli • School Psychologist: G. Blessing • School Nurse: D. Mollicone • Location: A-1 Wing • Phone number: (401)270-8063 Fax: (401)270-8522 • School address: 80 Metropolitan Avenue, Cranston, RI, 02920 • Website address: http://cpsed.net/chsw/index.htm • Email addresses: available at school website • CEEB school code: 400036