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Prepare for college - know graduation vs. college requirements, credits, schedules, and advice on post-secondary planning and building a college list. Learn about creating a resume and tools for exploration.
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College Prep for Freshmen 2017-2018
Typical Sophomore Year Schedule • Fall semester • Core • Core • Foreign language or elective • Healthful Living • It is required to take a full load every year! • Must pass English every year to meet promotion requirements • Spring semester • Core • Core • Foreign language or elective • Fine art/ elective/ sport
Classification as a sophomore • Minimum 5 earned course credits with one being English I • Satisfactory performances on all PBL project content and presentations • Not more than 15 unexcused absences in any yearlong course and 8 unexcused absences in a semester course • Note: More than 15 unexcused absences in any high school course = loss of credit
Grading scale and quality points(for unofficial/ official transcript) • Regular courses: • 90-100= 4.0 • 80-89= 3.0 • 70-79= 2.0 • 60-69= 1.0 • <59= 0.0 • Honors courses: • 90-100= 4.5 • 80-89= 3.5 • 70-79= 2.5 • 60-69= 1.5 • <59= 0.5 • AP/ VGCC courses: • 90-100= 5.0 • 80-89= 4.0 • 70-79= 3.0 • 60-69= 2.0 • <59= 1.0
Tools for Exploration • CollegeBoard’s Big Future Search • CFNC.org • College and career fairs • Family input • It is really important to understand your priorities for characteristics before exploring!
What should I be doing this year and over the summer? • Now that you’re in 9th grade, it’s time to get serious about your post-secondary plans • Don’t neglect your study habits! • If you don’t have any, create some! • Talk to Ms. McGarry, teachers, family members or trusted adults about your plans for college • Find out about college entrance requirements for the school you’re interested in • Find out about AP and other honors-level courses • Continue to get involved in campus and community activities • Think about how you want to spend your summer • Volunteering and educational programs can help give you a better idea about what kind of training or career would be right for you
How to build a college list • Consider the following when building your college list: • Essay(s) required • Tests needed: SAT/ ACT, SAT Subject • Average test scores of accepted students • Average GPA of accepted students • Classes required for admission • Scholarships available • Location • Majors • Campus life
Creating a resume • Think about what the employer wants • Tailor your resume to fit the type of job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job in retail, highlight any experience you have working customer service or helping others • Use a resume summary statement • A resume summary statement is a brief list of a couple sentences that summarize your qualifications for the job. You can list some of your strengths and skills that are most relevant to the job. A resume summary statement is a great way to quickly show the employer why you are a strong candidate. • Highlight academic accomplishments • As a student, a lot of your experiences are in the classroom. Emphasize achievements like a high GPA or any academic awards. If you have taken courses related to the job you’re applying for, list those as well.
Include extracurricular activities. • Because you likely have limited work experience, emphasize any non-work activities. These might include clubs, sports, babysitting, volunteer work, or community service. All of these activities can show your skills and abilities. • Note any leadership experience. • Have you held a position in a club, or been a captain on a sports team? Be sure to list this experience, as it shows your ability to lead a team. • Use action words. • When describing your achievements, use action words. Words like led, researched, tutored, and created to portray your experiences in an energetic way. Check out a list of action words for useful examples. • Edit, edit, edit. • Proofread your resume carefully before submitting it. A clean, error-free resume will make you look professional. Ask a friend or family member to read the resume for you as well. • Use a resume example. • Use a resume example or template to guide your own writing. A resume example can help you decide what kind of content to include, as well as how to format your resume. However, be sure to tailor a resume example to fit your own experiences, and the job you are applying for.
Activity • Review each resume individually (these are based on real resumes, submitted by real people) • Talk with the person next to you or in small groups about each resume • Come up with 3-5 reasons for why each resume is not professional • Would you hire this person? • Review the template for a well done resume • Begin making your own!
How to Contact Me! • Email: HannahMcGarry@fallslakeacademy.com • Please be advised, I typically do not look at or respond to emails over the weekend—plan ahead! • Office hours: 8:00-8:45 and 4:15-4:45 • Schedule appointments with me during Smart lunch