Welcome to…. Your Junior Year!

1. Welcome to…. Your Junior Year! Once a Falcon Always a falcon!!

2. Credits Required for Graduation:Are you on track?

3. Regents Exams Required for Graduation

4. College credit in High school! • Niagara Wheatfield offers many classes that you can take to earn college credit

5. IMPORTANT JUNIOR YEAR TESTS A Quick Review: PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP

7. Timeline

8. PSAT Exam • Saturday- October 20th • 7:30am-11:30am • Cost: $20- Cash Only!!! • REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 15th • Sign up in the Counseling Center!

9. PSAT Exam Content • Critical Reading: 2-25 Minute Critical Reading Sections • 13 sentence completion • 35 passage based reading • Mathematics: 2-25 Minute • 28 multiple choice • 10 student produced responses • Writing: 1-30 Minute Writing Skills Section • 20 improving sentences • 14 identifying sentence errors • 5 improving paragraphs • Scoring: 20-80 point scale for each section (80 highest possible score) • Correct answer-earn 1 point • Incorrect anwer-1/4 point reduced from score • Omitted questions-no points added, no points reduced • Incorrect answer on math student produced response- nothing deducted

10. Standardized College Admission Exams • SAT – Reasoning Test – This SAT is a 3 hour and 45 minute, primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time. Many colleges require SAT scores for admission. • Subject Tests – Subject Tests are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Check the requirements of the colleges you are considering. More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests for admission or placement. • ACT – Assessment Test – A group of tests administered by ACT and required or recommended by many colleges. The tests measure educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning and are given at specified test centers throughout the year. • NIAGARA WHEATFIELD CEEB CODE: 335-028 SAT Test Center Code: 33-834 ACT Test Center Code – 193630

11. Calculator Use for PSAT/SAT • Scientific Calculator • Graphing Calculator • Four Function Calculator

12. SAT/ACT Dates 2012-2013 * SAT and Subject Tests and ACT exams that are located at Niagara Wheatfield High School

13. Comparison Chart

14. GENERAL TESTING INFORMATION • Why should I take the SAT or ACT Exams? Most two and four year colleges require students to take at least one college entrance exam as a requirement to be considered for admission. • When do I take the exams? The “rule of thumb” is to take the SAT exam once in the spring of your junior year and once in the fall of your senior year. Most colleges will take your highest combined score so it is to your benefit to take them at least one time. The ACT exam should be taken, once, either in the junior or senior year. • What is the benefit of taking both the SAT and ACT exams? Colleges will take either your highest ACT or SAT score. Most kids tend to do better on one than the other. • Where do I take the exams? Niagara Wheatfield offers the SAT exam 4 times during the school year and the ACT exam 3 times during the school year. If you are not available on those test dates, you may take them at a local area school that offers them on different dates.

15. GENERAL TESTING INFORMATION, cont. • How do I register for the exams? You may pick up a registration packet either in the Counseling or Career Centers or you may register online. You can register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.organd the ACT at www.actstudent.org It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you register for the exam before the registration deadline. • Is the writing section on the ACT and SAT exam optional? The writing exam IS optional for the ACT exam, however it is NOT optional for the SAT. Many colleges are now requiring a writing score for any kids planning on entering college in the fall of 2006 and after. • What are the Subject Tests? These are specific subject area tests that some of the more competitive colleges may require you to take. You must check with the colleges you are applying to see if they are required. • How do I receive the test accommodations stated on my IEP or 504 Plan? You must fill out an additional application and have your accommodations approved in advance of taking the exams. See your counselor to pick up the accommodation form.

16. New SAT Security Measures! • Starting in the Spring semester of 2013, students will need to upload a photo when they register on-line for the SAT • The photo must be of the STUDENT ONLY! A clear photo of the face is necessary. • You MUST bring Photo ID (license, passport, permit, school ID, etc.) AND your Registration Form to the exam or you will not be admitted!!!!!!

18. Post Secondary Planning • What opportunities will be available to you after you graduate from NW? • In what ways can you continue your education?

20. Top Factors in College Admissions Decisions (National Association of College Admissions Counseling, 2008) Factors • Percentage

21. Finding the Match:

22. Values- Identify College Characteristics • Distance from home • Size: small, medium, large • Location: suburban, urban, small town, rural • Majors and educational programs • College affiliation • Academic reputation

23. Values- Create Initial List of Schools • Use values to create initial list of schools • Use information of your knowing: • Rigor of transcript- most important • Significance of ACT and SAT • Essays • Recommendations • Resume/activities • If your list is LARGE- further RESEARCH to refine list

24. Research- Refine List of Colleges • College catalogs and Mrs. Reed • College representatives • College fairs • Parents, students, and alumni • School counselor (duh)  and teachers • Counseling website • Professionals in the field of interest

25. Visitation- Check for campus visit • Take a tour • Talk with students and faculty • Investigate your academic program • Meet with an admissions counselor • Verify admissions requirements • Inquire about a class visit • Discuss your chances of success: admission, graduation, placement, etc. • Ask thoughtful, mindful, active questions! • Have questions written out and ready!

26. Group Schools • Safe • Realistic • Reach • Group by decision policy • Early Action • Early Decision • Rolling Admissions • Regular Admissions • Open Admissions

27. Details- Application Process and Procedures • Letters of recommendation • Ask your teachers • Coaches • Adults who know your academic and extra-curricular work ethic and will write a positive letter • Having ACT and SAT reported • Follow Close Deadlines • Follow up with Teacher Recommendations • Transcript release form

28. There are things you should know… High School Transcripts Students making college visits during the fall should bring an “unofficial” copy of their transcript. Students can obtain these by calling the Counseling Center at 215-3101. Please keep in mind we need a THREE DAY advance notice to process the transcripts. Financial Aid Night- December 6th at 6pm The Counseling and Career Center will host a Financial Aid Night in the High School Adult Learning Center. The purpose of this program is to inform parents and students of the financial aid process. Information on student loans, grants, and scholarships will be discussed. There will also be a discussion on how to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). There will be information mailed to parents about this evening. Parents are encouraged to fill out their Financial Aid Forms between January 1st and February 1st. The form should be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Useful Websites ACT Registration - www.actstudent.org SAT Registration/ College searches - www.collegeboard.org Financial Aid and Scholarships - www.finaid.org, or www.fafsa.ed.gov NW Counseling and Career Center - www.nwcsd.k12.ny.us College Searches - www.petersons.com SUNY Schools - www.suny.edu Common Application www.commonapp.org

29. College Information Night • February 5th , 2013 • The Niagara Wheatfield High School Counseling and Career Centers will host a College Information Night for parents of Juniors and Sophomores on February 5th, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the ALC. Admissions Counselors from 5 local colleges and universities will be on hand for a panel discussion on the college admission's process. These counselors will also be available later in the evening for individual questions. There will also be a session on Standardized Tests (SATs/ACTs) and Financial Aid. • Parents and their students are encouraged to attend!

30. 9th Annual Buffalo National College Fair • When: Tuesday, March 26th, 2013 at 6pm-8:30pm • Where: Buffalo Convention Center • Cost: FREE! • Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet face to face with over 200 college admission representatives from local schools and schools throughout the country who will be able to answer questions and provide informational handouts • Multiple information sessions will be taking place throughout the evening for information on financial aid, essay writing, NCAA requirements, and many more aspects of the college preparation process • This is a great opportunity to get even more questions answered and learn about all of your options!

31. NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse • Division 1 & 2 must meet eligibility • NCAA: www.eligibilitycenter.org • Fee • Request your transcript • When do I register? • You can register anytime after you compete 6 semesters of high school. Most students will register at the beginning of their senior year • How do I qualify to participate in sports at a D I or II school? • Complete minimum of 16 core courses • Take your SAT or ACT • Eligibility is determined by sliding scale • You MUST have your SAT or ACT scores sent to NCAA directly from collegeboard or ACT. Scores on a high school transcript will NOT be accepted • NCAA code is 9999

32. Other Post High School Options!

33. Options for the Military • ROTC • Reserve Officers Training Corps • Program offered at many colleges and universities • Visit http://www.goarmy.com/rotc.html for information • Military Academies • Prepare for a career in the armed forces • Army, Navy Air Force, Marines • Entering the Military after graduation • Discuss options with your family • Contact a recruiter for more information

34. Trade Schools • Trade Schools differ from other schools by typically only taking classes directly related to your field • BOCES programs • Cosmetology, Plumbing, Auto, Heating and Cooling, Conservation, Food Service, Welding, etc. • Can attend BOCES after graduation, but must pay tuition • See Mrs. Reed for more information!

35. Employment after Graduation • Read the Want Ads regularly • Attend Job Fairs • Civil Service Positions • Employment through the federal, state, or city government • Must take Civil Service Exams • Contact the Employment Training Office through Niagara County • Get assistance with resumes and finding employment

36. WHERE DO I TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS? • COUNSELOR • CAREER CENTER • COLLEGE WEBSITES

37. Have a GREAT year! Make the most of it… You’re almost there!